It was a little after 11 a.m. when 15-year old Sophia Lockhart had finished all her classwork for the day. She was slightly annoyed by how much time she had been wasting going to school. But being at home also meant there was no soccer practice or socializing with her friends to look forward to.

Without a doubt, she was in for a boring afternoon. Glancing up, she saw her adoptive mother, Cristal get up and shut the glass door to her office. Must be a conference call.

They were in the library of the huge mansion. Sophia sat in one of the study tables in the middle of the expansive room. Cristal was using a separate office that was directly in front of Sophia, under her watchful eye. OMG, she can't possibly help run a company at home for the rest of the semester and micromanage my homeschooling! This is the worst.

She got up and picked out a book to keep herself entertained for the rest of day. Cristal frowned through the glass door realizing that despite Sophia's college-level coursework she seemed to easily breeze through it. Maybe if she's challenged more she won't have the chance to get into trouble. For now, it's time to think about lunch.

She opened the door and walked over to Sophia. Dressed in navy keyhole dress that hid a gold ribbed necklace, an assortment of bangles, and a diamond-studded watch on her right hand, Cristal Underwood looked the part of the strong, Vice President of a successful company. She had her long dark brown down, instead of the usual work bun. "Let's go and get lunch ready."

"We aren't ordering something or having Bran make something?" Bran was the family chef and also helped maintain the estate.

"Not today. I want us to make something ourselves."

"Having a chef seems kinda pointless if we don't use them." Cristal had made them breakfast that morning too.

Sophia's been in the mood to start verbal fights now that there were no physical ones get into. "Don't be more difficult than you already have been, Sophia. Let's go."

"I'm not hungry. I'd rather just sit here and read."

"Please lose the attitude. You don't need to eat then, but you will be helping. We're having guests."

This revelation perked up Sophia. Ever since she was suspended from school almost two weeks ago, she hasn't talked to anyone who didn't live in the house. She managed to send text messages and IMs to some of her friends without Blake or Cristal realizing it, but that was not the same. "Who's coming?"

Cristal braced herself. She had decided to wait until the last minute to tell Sophia. It wouldn't be exactly happy news, given the circumstances. "Blake went to Midgar yesterday and Tifa's decided to come stay here for a while. Let's do our best to welcome them."

"My sister!? And you're just telling me? Shit, I'm not ready to deal with her." Sophia immediately felt a mix of dread and excitement. No doubt that she was coming because of her recent transgressions.

"The language, Sophia, please. He was heading to Kalm originally but wanted to speak with Tifa before his meeting. It was all last minute and it wouldn't have made a difference if I told you last night or now, like I am."

"That's true…". The feeling of dread was starting to win. She knew Tifa wouldn't be happy with her. But then again, what right did she have after abandoning her.

Putting a hand gently on the top of her daughter's head, Cristal felt her tough-love approach waiver seeing her emotions in conflict. "Come on, my dear. They're going to be hungry when they get here."

In the near five years that Tifa lived in Midgar, she had visited her sister in Seoul. It wasn't like she couldn't go there. Blake and Cristal would have happily made arrangements to bring her there. Her feelings of guilt were easier to bear to not allow their separate lives to mix. That was why when Sophia did come to visit it was always on the upper plate of Midgar.

"There is it. We're home." Blake said pointing at the big Spanish-style mansion. Tifa noted the huge lawn in the front with a gated fence that had a driveway leading up to the front of the home. There were three smaller buildings on the plot of land behind it. The backyard had a pool with fountains, a grill station, and stairs leading to a private beach area that included a dock. Never in her life had Tifa seen such a gaudy home. It made her feel even guiltier. Sophia has all of this and she's taking it for granted?

Blake, Tifa, and Marlene were landing in the backyard landing pad as Sophia and Cristal went outside to meet them. On the helicopter, Marlene's eyes grew in amazement "Whoa, are we staying in a castle?!". Tifa smiled and nodded.

As soon as Tifa saw her sister as she pulled out of the helicopter, she couldn't help but give her a scolding look. Sophia stopped walking towards them when she caught the stare. Damn, Blake must have filled her in on everything. I'm gonna die.

Tifa gave Cristal a long hug. "Its been too long. I've missed you.

"My dear Tifa you get even more beautiful each day. I'm so happy to see you." She looked down at Marlene, then bent down to the little girl's level and with a smile, she said "Hi there Marlene, My name is Cristal. Thank you for coming and keeping Tifa company. "

"Tifa seemed really sad so I had to come and make sure she's happy on her trip. Daddy said I have to watch out for her."

Sophia giggled with amusement at the little girl. She greeted her first. "Hey, Marlene. I'm Tifa's sister Sophia. She's talked about you before so I'm excited to get to meet you."

"Oh really? Cause Tifa didn't tell anyone about you guys. Everyone was really confused."

Sophia smiled at the little girl, "Yeah, I'm sure it was shocking. "

Seeing that her little sister was reluctant to greet her Tifa took the cue to walk up to her instead. Sophia always took tried to look her best in every situation. She was wearing a black no sleeve dress, brown leather belt, a gold bracelet on her left wrist, and several rings on her right hand. Her long dark black hair that went half the length of her back was slightly curled and parted so it all rested in the front. She had red eyes just like their mother.

"Heard you got a few tattoos. Let's see them" Sophia responded by turning her right wrist around so that she could see the portrait of a lion.

"And here's the other one". She turned her left arm so that Tifa could see the flower Mandela on her inner bicep.

"Are there any others?"

"Nope, not yet." She grinned nervously. Tifa shook her head and pulled her in for a hug. "I'm pretty upset with you. But I've missed you like crazy too. "

Clutching her sister, Sophia was suddenly overwhelmed by relief. "I've missed you too. I know I suck. Thanks for coming."

Blake walked up as the two separated. "Let's go inside and eat. I'm sure Tifa and Marlene are hungry now. Sophia, please grab their luggage and bring it in."

She nodded and grabbed their belongings, as they all made their way inside.