Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VII with the characters, items, places, etc. are the property of Square Enix, Inc. No infringement is intended.

Author's Note: This is a Cloud and Tifa story, just with a dramatic twist due to his absence. They will be happy later.

My beta reader Denebola Leo has been a tremendous help to bringing this story to you readers. The bold text I've been using as a reference to canon quotes from the original game, as well as the novel On the Way to a Smile. Marlene refers to Cloud and Tifa as her parents in the book, which you will see below. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter.

Updated Chapter Changes: 7/26/20

-. Don't Think Twice .-

Chapter XII

October 7th, εγλ 0009, 8:08 p.m.

"Thank you for telling me about Denzel…you can talk to me about Marlene. She considers you to be her father too, remember?" Tifa gently reminded.

He did remember, just before Barret left the small child in their care. He chuckled at the memory of being adopted in return by Marlene.

"Cloud and Tifa can be my parents for now! So don't worry–I'll take care of them!"

"We get our own rooms?" Denzel asked as he threw his bag on his bed, then plopping himself down on the mattress as well.

"Yeah. Marlene, do you like your room?" Cloud inquired of the petite brown-haired girl standing outside her doorway. She clutched to the door frame while still holding onto her overnight bag.

"Yeah, it's nice," she smiled at him. "Can I decorate it?"

"Of course. Any way you want to, but within reason," her father figure informed her while patting the top of her head. She gave him a quick squeeze before she entered her new room to unpack her belongings.

"Cloud, can I watch TV?" Denzel requested as he poked his head into the hallway, flashing his best smile.

"I rented a movie for all of us to watch. Straight to bed when it's over though. Get your pajamas on and I'll set up the movie, okay?"

"Yeah!" Both kids cheered back as they dashed to change into their nightwear while the blond began plugging numbers into the microwave timer for popcorn. Denzel and Marlene waited for him on the couch, saving a seat in between them. As soon as he made himself comfortable on the sofa, Marlene tucked herself up next to him just as Denzel leaned over to the bowl of popped kernels. Cloud smiled warmly at the two children's joy, and looked forward to a night with his family.


October 7th, εγλ 0009, 8:17 p.m.

"I don't think I've seen the world as much as you have. If there was a place you'd like to visit again, where would it be?" Jace casually asked in between bites of his tiramisu. He had taken her out on a date to a candlelight dinner at the fine dining restaurant called Maagho. It was known as a hidden treasure within Edge, and Tifa could only assume that he had brought her here again so soon to make up for his lapse in judgment yesterday with Marlene.

She smoothed out the cloth napkin in her lap, tilting her head as she mulled over her adventures. "Icicle Inn. I love the ski resort and snow there, but…it was right after Aerith passed away. I always figured under better circumstances it'd be fun to visit again. The mountains reminded me of growing up in Nibleheim."

"Hmm…I think a trip for the two of us alone would be nice. We have a six month anniversary coming up. What do ya say?"

"Yeah, that'd be nice. Just us two…I'll need to make arrangements for the children, but I'm sure it's possible," Tifa mused before slipping a piece of silky chocolate dessert in her mouth.


Mid December, εγλ 0007

It was the same night sky she sat under, with the glimmery stars scattered above the silhouette of the mountains in her childhood town. If she could call it that…as it had burnt to ashes years ago. Now Nibelheim had the same charming cherry-colored rooftops and close-knit buildings, a fraudulent reproduction of her home. No one remembered her or her family, despite the Lockharts providing the town with a bakery.

No one seemed to remember Cloud either, but much of what Cloud had said she couldn't remember either. The events of that night always made her so confused when he recalled 'what happened' to their comrades. He recited everything perfectly as if he was there alongside her to witness the tragedy of the mountain town.

She knew from the very moment she found him drenched in the storm runoff from the upper plate by the train station that something was off about him. Even though it had been weeks since he joined AVALANCHE, she still needed more time with Cloud. She hugged her knees closer to her chest when the wind picked up, forcing her to shiver, Goosebumps pricked up on her bare upper arms, which she tried to whisk away with her gloved hands.

She was waiting for Cloud to come to the town square well in their mock hometown. As if her thoughts had summoned him to her, he climbed up over the ladder and joined her on the wooden plank, rubbing his hands over hers to remedy her discomfort with the lowering temperatures.

"This isn't our Nibelheim," he tried to reassure her. He had studied Tifa's expression after giving her a chaste kiss, seeing the torment present in her auburn eyes. He moved to sit beside her, curling his arm around her shoulders to bury her into his side. She did reciprocate the gesture as she snuggled under his chin, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"You really, really are…you…right?"

Closing her eyes she basked in the sound of his heart, clutching his navy sweater vest in her hand. This was her Cloud.


October 15th, εγλ 0009, 10:42 a.m.

Cloud had a lot to learn when it came to taking care of the children on his own. Cooking was a venture of its own, but a necessity. He had managed breakfast quite well as bacon and scrambled eggs was his specialty, but he had botched their spaghetti dinner the last night by burning the pasta on the stove. Using the leftover sandwich rolls from lunch earlier in the day, Marlene had saved the day by telling Cloud to use them to make meatball sandwiches instead. Sprinkling mozzarella cheese on them and crisping the bread up in the oven quickly, he still fed the kids on time.

He was thankful for Marlene's optimism after his failed attempt at cooking which she got from Tifa. She even forgave him for not being able to braid her hair correctly for school in the morning, and giggled at his attempt. Afterward, he began to think she did it on purpose to tease him. He supposed he had to add hairstyling to the list of what to learn as well. He was trying, and that was all he could do until he mastered more in his role of being a father. These were things he would have to make up for now that he and Tifa were separated.

He had picked them up each way for school that week until he was called out to Rocket Town for the opening of a new distribution center. He was only going to be gone for a couple of days, but would be back by the weekend to see Marlene and Denzel again. Tifa had agreed to a fifty-fifty custody situation with Cloud as much as possible based on his schedule and her own, and he was grateful she was willing to do that and to see that the children were important to him too.

He pushed Fenrir up to the house with the steeply pitched roof and white picket fence of a familiar friend near the space station. He hadn't visited Cid in his own home since he married Shera, not even during his delivery days. Cloud didn't want to burden his comrade, especially not while Shera had a diagnosis of Geostigma. Cid had to focus on his wife, not him. Looking back, he regretted not opening up more when he originally promised to keep on living after Meteor. He did tell Tifa he always 'screwed it up'.

The cardinal red door to the small house opened to reveal a slender woman with hazel eyes and brown hair tied up high in a ponytail. Shera adjusted her glasses as she walked over to Cloud, enveloping her arms around his neck in a hug. Cloud was taken off guard by the gesture as he had just propped up the kickstand for his bike.

"Cloud, it's so good to see you. You're doing well now?" Shera asked as she pushed back gently on his shoulders to get a good look at him.

Cloud scratched the back of his head over her unnecessary fussing, as he didn't feel worthy of her worry. "Yes, doing better."

"Good. I'm not sure how much time you have, but I can make you some tea," she motioned towards the door to play hostess, but he had to decline for now.

"I'm sorry Shera. I'm only dropping off Fenrir for a tune-up with Cid while I head over to the distribution center. I'll be back in the evening for dinner, like I told him," Cloud broke the news, feeling guilty she was left out of the loop.

"Ah, too busy to take care of Fenrir with the recent promotion? Congrats by the way," Shera beamed.

"Yeah, thanks. Reeve has been keeping me plenty busy," Cloud lied a little. He was busy, but he had no garage to work on Fenrir anymore. His new place had plenty of space for living but not for storage. And he didn't feel comfortable working on his bike at Seventh Heaven anymore.

"I'll let Cid know you dropped by," she informed him before she returned back into her house.

"Thank you, Shera," Cloud nodded before he stepped away to venture off to work.

"That boy leave already?" Cid bellowed from the top of the stairs.

"Yes, he has a lot to do today. He'll be back for dinner though," the pilot's wife replied, making her way to the kitchen to start breakfast.

"That kid was always work work work. Can't even take a damn minute to say hello," Cid gruffly commented, mostly to himself, as he opened the front door to retrieve Fenrir. Using his hands to keep the motorcycle steady, he moved his foot backward to place the kickstand up again and move the vehicle into his garage.

"Goddamnit," he muttered out. Cid missed the kickstand and opened one of Fenrir's compartments; Its contents poured out onto the ground below. Securing his friend's prized motorcycle, he bent over to collect the paperwork that had accidentally dumped out. Shoving the items back into the loose cubby, including some yellow lilies, he noticed the last of the paperwork in his hand was not meant to be found or known. In bold letters along the top of the page read the following: DIVORCE AGREEMENT.

"What the fuck is this?" Cid questioned before he read on.

This agreement is made between Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockhart, husband and wife, to determine all property rights and parental duties are to be divided equally. Irreconcilable differences have arisen between the parties and are now living separately. Both parties request for the dissolution of their marriage one year after officially being separated as directed by the Edge City Court System.

"WHAT?! Holy shit! Shera, when the hell did you say he'd be back?"


Mid December, εγλ 0007

The small crew had scudded along the coast on the wreckage of the Tiny Bronco, trying to make the best they could of the situation. They had a new member to their growing squad, a gruff pilot named Cid Highwind. He was cursing as he bit into the butt of his cigarette, rowing the propellers of his totaled plane. Tifa was surprised to see the aircraft could stay afloat in the cold ocean water, but remained confident they would reach their destination out west to Wutai.

Cid stretched his arms up in the air at the last heave of the propellers, pulling out a lighter to begin his smoke break. "A smoke with the wind in my face…it's been a long time for me. Didn't think I'd use the Tiny Bronco this way though."

The aviator held up his packet of cigarettes to Tifa and Cloud, who both shook their heads from their spots on the left side of the aircraft to deny his request to share. Yuffie waved her arm furiously towards him from the opposite wing she sat on, her face a faint green. "That is so gross! You're gonna make me even more sick!"

"Pipe it down, will ya?" Cid called out from over his shoulder, then took a long drag of the tobacco. "Surprised these babies didn't get wet from that landing. Lady Luck is so kind."

"Why are you two so quiet?" The ninja turned her attention to the secret couple.

"Somebody has to be," Cloud replied, his voice dry with sarcasm.

"Jeez Cloud. I can't seem to tell if you hate people in general." The young girl narrowed her eyes at the blond.

"Not all people." That line earned a snort from Cid.

"Cloud..." Tifa began to lay into him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"What?" he asked, passing a glance back at her.

"Don't be mean to her," the brunette chided, patting him before she released her hold on him. Her words rung on deaf ears though as he dipped his hand in the ocean, flicking the cool liquid back at her. It seemed she was the target now.

"Cloud!" Her nose flinched at the icy water, and she wiped the droplets off her pale cheeks.

Her boyfriend began to laugh at her wet face. As payback, she supposed she could douse him back but she didn't want Cid or Yuffie to come under friendly fire, or water, in this case. Pondering what to do as he continued his laughter, she decided to turn it up a notch and startle him into submission. A little shove onboard could show she was serious to stop the water fight.

She leaned over to playfully push him, but her innocent nudge was more forceful then she realized. Cloud's face was frozen in shock as he stared at her with wide eyes and his eyebrows raised as he fell back. Tipping backwards, not even his flailing arms could save him as he was knocked over into the water. His body walloped against the surface and sunk below.

Yuffie hollered out with laughter when Cloud fell into the water, however, Tifa was stunned with guilt at her actions. She plunged forward to wedge herself between the wing and body of the plane and searched for the mercenary in the depths below. Her crimson eyes skimmed above the ocean.

"Cloud?!" Tifa shouted out across the cerulean surface.

"Where the hell did he go?" Cid bellowed as he stood up behind Tifa. She carefully angled herself forward from the wing when she noticed a hint of gold coming closer from below. Within a blink of an eye, a slick padded hand breached the surface and grappled onto her forearm, tearing her off the metal plank. Her body was effectively submerged into the ocean blue. As she turned upright underwater she kicked herself up to the surface for air. Gasping for oxygen she met the eyes of Cid, Yuffie, and Cloud staring at her with great amusement as they laughed at the blond's prank.

"What the hell, Cloud?!" she shouted, splashing in his direction. "You scared me!"

Her boyfriend's playful response was to splatter ocean water back and laugh louder. She lashed back with an equal amount of liquid, laughing as well.

"You two make quite the couple," Cid commented as he slapped his thigh. Cloud kept laughing but the comment flustered her. Tifa sunk a little under the water, the surface touching her high cheekbones to cover up her blushing features.


October 15th, εγλ 0009, 5:55 p.m.

"Took you long enough! Where the fuck have you been, Strife?" Cid barked when Cloud entered the pilot's home. The aviator sat at the dining table glaring at the former mercenary. Cloud didn't expect a warm greeting for being late for dinner, but this anger from his friend had to be more than just from being a little hungry.

"At work. We had an overflow of new traders at the center," Cloud explained as he took a few steps forward before stopping next to Shera. "Is everything okay?"

"No, it ain't boy!" Cid began as he smothered his smoke in a nearby ashtray, then grabbed some paperwork in front of him to toss on the other side of the table. "You need to explain yourself with this. I thought you were done giving up on life, and now you're giving up on Tifa."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your fucking divorce, that's what!"

Shit. Cloud's eyes narrowed at the dreaded documents in front of him on the table, then stared into his friend's steely eyes. He couldn't deny the truth from him. "This isn't your business Cid. Why were you going through my stuff?"

"I wasn't snooping, it fell out," Cid made clear. "I didn't even know you two had gotten hitched. How can you just walk out on her like that after everything? You're making a big mistake, kid."

"Don't lecture me on what you don't know. I'm leaving." Cloud began to turn until to exit the house until the brunette stepped in his path to block his escape.

"Cloud! Please…I apologize for Cid's behavior. He's just surprised at the news about this. We had no idea you two were married, and he thinks the world of you both," Shera explained calmly. "How could it come to this? Cloud, we're your friends. If you need someone to listen..."

His mako eyes softened at the invitation from Shera. Her hazel eyes were empathetic behind the rounded lenses she wore, and he considered her offer to be one not to pass up. Cid would be restless until he knew, but his wife seemed generous for them both. Cloud had relied on only himself before, a mistake that cost him nearly everything. Shera pulled out a chair for Cloud, who welcomed the gesture by taking a seat.

"I left her…for nearly a year without a word. I never returned her phone calls, checked on the kids or her. I abandoned her..." His voice was quiet, but the married couple could hear him easily.

"But you"

"Captain, let him finish," Shera shushed her husband.

"It's my fault…I left her thinking she was alone."

"Then fix it! Don't walk away, damnit! You're being a coward, Strife. You can fight Sephiroth twice but you can't fight for the woman that loves you?!" Cid yelled, ignoring his own wife that ran to his side to scold him up close.

"No, she doesn't," Cloud corrected. "She's moved on from me."

"...What?" Shera gasped, sharing the same wide-eyed look of the man next to her.

"Tifa…has a boyfriend. I filed for divorce to let her go. I'm not the one to make her happy anymore."

"And Tifa…loves this new man?" The auburn-haired woman weakly asked. Cloud nodded in affirmation.

"Well shit…I'm sorry. That ain't right. This…isn't right." Cid shook his head in sorrow. "You still gotta fight for her though. It ain't hopeless just because there's another man. You and Tifa were always meant to be, kid. I knew it from the moment I saw you two."

"Cid, I don't think you're helping," his wife whispered into his ear, but he just waved her away in annoyance.

"Shera, stop! I know what I'm talking about," Cid snapped, and then turned his attention to the stoic blond sitting there helpless in his kitchen. "How long you two been married for?"

"Almost two years," Cloud confirmed. "It was before Meteor back in Wutai…only Yuffie knows as she was a witness."

"Longer than me and Shera here. Shit, you two were married even back then? You sure like your secrets."

"I like a quiet life. What is your point?" Cloud countered, unamused.

"Listen here, whatever she has with this guy doesn't compare to what she has with you. You two are soulmates, and the love I saw she had for you back then isn't one that isn't going to go away so easily. You need to ignite the fire again, know what I mean?"

"...No."

"Damn it! You need to remind her she loves you while giving her what she was lacking from before because of your dumb ass," Cid slammed his hand on the table in frustration. "Anytime you can, take a chance for her. Don't think twice if you wanna win her back."

"What…what did you say?" Cloud perked up. Cid couldn't have repeated those three words that Zack had said to him at the beginning of this new woe. Not if…

"What? You being a dumbass? Cause you are!"

"No…after that."

"What? Don't think twice?" Cid recalled, lighting up a smoke.

A familiar giggle echoed throughout the walls of the front room. Seeing the married couple unfazed, he knew they weren't alone in the house. His eyes darted away to the hallway, where a slender figure dressed in pink stood while delicately arranging flowers from a vase. He'd recognized those pale green eyes and red denim jacket anywhere, he just didn't expect to see her so soon.

"Tifa loves the real you, so you can't afford to break. Not even now, Cloud," Aerith beamed softly when she lifted her gaze from the yellow lilies to him. "You're not too late for her."


Mid December, εγλ 0007

Her fingers tugged the hem of his sweater vest, pulling it over his head to slightly break their kiss. Their lips reconnected as his calloused fingers trailed down her stomach and skimmed tenderly at the line of her underwear. The rest of her clothes were already off as they hadn't much time on their private hunt for Yuffie. The group had split up earlier in Wutai, and she ended up with Cloud as her partner. Her chocolate strands had fanned out around her on the futon as he ripped out her hair tie as soon as they entered the deserted cottage.

She hummed into his mouth as his tongue mingled with hers, her hands unfastening his belt buckle with familiar ease. He moved his lips to caress her neck with his mouth as he plunged his finger in her, making Tifa gasp out and squirm her lower body, her labored breathing beginning to increase. Her lover was being quite forward with his needs, building upon her eagerness.

"Cloud…" she moaned.

His lips met the tip of her earlobe. She could feel the smirk form as he huskily asked his question. "...Yes?"

He had slowed down his probing, but his teasing didn't delay her orgasm as her muscles continued to quiver between her thighs.

"Don't…don't stop," she breathed out before she hooked her arms around his neck to kiss him fiercely, her body more than ready to take him in.


October 17th, εγλ 0009, 5:35 p.m.

"Denzel? Denzel?" Marlene called after she scurried up the staircase. Seeing the familiar door to Cloud's office closed again, she knew where her adoptive brother was hiding. He had locked the door to that room almost every night since they first came home from their weekend visit. She tapped on the door even if she knew he wasn't going to come out. Jace was here...

"Go away," Denzel muffled through the door.

"Tifa says it's time for dinner," Marlene responded.

"I'm not hungry," Denzel answered, but the sound of his growling stomach through the wooden barricade signaled that was a lie.

Marlene giggled. "Are you sure? It's black pepper beef stir fry, one of your favorites."

"Leave me alone Marlene."

"I'll come back when he leaves, okay?" The little girl sympathized with her foster brother, and couldn't blame him for not wanting to be around the man downstairs. Seeing the brunette woman come up to the top of the stairs, she shook her head slightly to signal her attempts to persuade him were futile.

"It's okay Marlene, I can handle it from here," Tifa replied. "Can you go set the table?"

"Sure!" The little girl nodded, and dodged Tifa as she whirled around her to reach the staircase.

Reaching the door to Cloud's old office, she fished around for the key in her apron to unlock said door. Denzel sprung up from his screenplay book while lounging on the guest bed when Tifa entered the room. It had been a few days, and she needed to get to the bottom of what was bothering her adopted son. Hiding behind closed doors wasn't the answer to his troubles, but she had an idea of what was brewing in his mind.

"You don't have to come downstairs and you don't need to speak either," she began while she took a seat in the desk chair. His eyes softened but he dodged her gaze, looking out the window instead.

"There is a lot of change going on, isn't there? Cloud just came back, but then he had to leave again," Tifa observed the situation out loud. Denzel continued to keep his eyes on the city, not stirring from her words.

"This ring Cloud gave us is a symbol of our family," she twirled the Fenrir ring around her finger loosely. "But when he's not here, it's not the same, is it?"

"No, it isn't." He grabbed the similar jewelry at the end of his chain necklace, still avoiding eye contact with her.

"Hmm, I see." She slid the ring back in place on her right hand.

"I miss having a family here…and then that manwhore showed up. He ruined everything. And…and…"

She ruined everything. "It's okay to be angry. Even…at me."

"It is?"

"Yes, but you gotta work through it with me and talk. I can't make you talk, but locking yourself in a room and bottling up your emotions doesn't work either," Tifa prodded gently to him when she knelt in front of him, enveloping her hands gently over his to reassure him. "Denzel, no one can ever replace Cloud. You got that?"

Denzel nodded.

"And Denzel? Even though your feelings are understandable, you can't say 'manwhore', alright?" Tifa chided. "Don't repeat such things from Barret."

"Okay," Denzel acknowledged, picking the screenplay back up.

"Does Cloud know about your part in the school play yet?" Tifa asked as she stood upright, seeing the copy of Peter Pan in his lap.

"Not yet," he replied while scratching the back of his head in the same fashion as his hero. Even though Denzel was not biologically his, the small boy truly belonged to Cloud.

"Maybe you should tell him." Tifa smiled. "If you want to stay in Cloud's room from now on, you can do that too. But…"

"But?" Denzel asked excitedly, launching himself with a small jump from the bed to stand up straight. He had a big grin on his face, eager to do anything for his new room.

"You have to clean up the mess in your original room first," Tifa ordered.

Denzel nodded in return and headed towards the door. Clutching the handle he stopped to look at her, apprehension visible in his eyes. "Tifa…when can I see Cloud?"

"I'll give him a call."

.

.

.

"You invited him over here on my last night in town this week?" Jace asked, his face glowering with annoyance.

"Yes, but it is for Denzel. He is just going to pick the kids up," Tifa countered back as she slid her boyfriend a bottle of beer.

"Ah, okay," he replied, taking a swig from his ice-cold beverage. "I didn't want to have to duck out for too long."

"That won't be necessary, just don't talk to him," Tifa suggested. Her boyfriend only nodded, drinking more of his share of alcohol. Grabbing the rag she rubbed down the smooth lacquer of the bar, attempting to finish cleaning up from her lunchtime special that day. Cooking for customers during the day was a nice change of pace for business, especially since she was closed an extra day a week. She wasn't too worried about finances, but any extra income for her future trip would be welcomed.

The chime of the front door halted her tidying up as Cloud entered. Looking up with a smile, she asked "How are Cid and Shera doing?"

"Same as always, but I need to talk to you…in private," the blond began. Tifa's eyes flickered between the two men and could sense the change in tension. Jace stiffened at Cloud's innocent request, his amber eyes darkening in Tifa's husband's direction.

The former mercenary narrowed his blue glare back at yellow. "It's about the divorce."

"Oh. Jace, could you distract the kids?" Tifa meekly asked, her ruby eyes pleading towards the man. He nodded slowly, understanding the children were not to know.

She grabbed her black coat to step outside. Autumn was making the nights a little chilly, but the chances of the children overhearing were slim to nil. Cloud was more adapted to the weather and still just had on his suit jacket from the WRO.

"What's going on?" the brunette asked calmly as she tugged up the collar closer to her cheeks.

"Cid and Shera found out about the divorce," he answered. "It was by accident. I kept the paperwork in my bike so the kids wouldn't see."

Tifa's face fell at the news. "I see. And they—"

"They know not to say anything."

She nodded slowly. The circumstances of their divorce was delicate, and she was relieved it was to be respected. It didn't matter how much they knew, as she had faulted in the relationship too. The children were to be protected, and that's all that mattered to her. She imagined the gruff pilot wouldn't like it, but knew his counterpart would make him keep to himself. "Is that all?"

"Yeah…I just figured you should know. I'll wait out here."

"No, no. Come back inside," Tifa motioned towards the door. "Denzel has some news to share with you."

Silently he passed her to step through the door, seeing the kids through the glass window waiting patiently in the bar area with Jace. They scampered over as Tifa followed closely behind, Denzel's face lit up brightly as the man patted him on the head.

Tifa smiled quietly to herself, seeing her adopted son interact with his hero. A few extra days with him would be for the best, even if she would miss him terribly herself.

Denzel pulled out the screenplay from his bag, and unobtrusively showed Cloud the little booklet in his hand. "I'm Peter Pan in the school play," the little boy quietly announced.

"You got the lead part? Denzel, that's great news!" Cloud scooped him into his chest as he knelt down for a hug. Denzel almost lost his footing in the surprise gesture, and Marlene squealed for joy and jumped in with her arms. Tifa laughed softly along with Cloud's hearty one. She was relieved the separation wouldn't affect the children as much as she feared. As complicated as they were, they were still a family.


Author's Note Continued: Thank you all for reading so far, my writing has definitely improved since I started. Special thanks to Movedmystories, Awaky, Alcantis, Arrankor, RedVelvetLips, Ultimate blazer, and LadeeRin, plus my guest reviewers for taking the time for their feedback. More drama awaits in Don't Think Twice universe, so some suggestions have already been worked into the plot.

Chapter updated again on 7/26/20; dialogue changes and date/time stamp applied.