Author's Note:

Hello! I wanted to give you a quick update before you read the new chapter I've posted after this. I have spent the last many many months doing a complete overhaul edit of this story. I felt that I'd grown as a writer (hopefully haha) since I started it all those years ago. I've added some things and taken others away. For example, I had Steve talk to Lori after the BBQ and let her down.

So, please, if you've been following this story, I HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest you start it over again before reading this next chapter.

I will tell you that sometimes there is a glitch when I upload to Doc Manager on this site. It will randomly shorten a sentence and start the next one where it won't make sense. I try to catch this when it happens, but I've missed it a few times. So, please, if you see this happen, let me know where so I can go back in and fix it. I'd really appreciate it.

I hope you've all been well, and I look forward to continuing "The Long Road". It's a story I've never been able to get out of my head, so I will be finishing it. However, I will warn you that it's called "The Long Road" for a reason.

Thank you for all the comments, messages, and support over the years, even when I wasn't updating.

XO

DivaLola