"All right, breakfast roll call! I'm already ready so you two have exactly one hour to get showered and dressed so we can go downstairs for breakfast. Then, we have one hour to eat said breakfast. Half an hour later the car will be here to drive us to the airport. We will arrive at the airport exactly twenty minutes later which will place us there exactly 2 hours before our flight back to St. Louis."

Equal looks of confusion and disbelief stared back at him and John groaned loudly. "Come on, you two! Get a move on!"

Randy pulled his daughter closer to his chest and placed a kiss on her head, neither making a move to sit up from where they lay wrapped in the comforter on the bed. Randy looked up at John and pouted.

"Come on, Johnny. Don't rush us! Neither one of us is ready to go home. I don't wanna leave my little girl."

John frowned and sat on the edge of the bed. "I know, baby, but it's only for a little while. Al will be back with us in a couple of weeks. Sam misses her daughter, too, you know."

Randy rolled his eyes and nodded, looking down at his daughter, who stared back up at him with matching blue eyes. "Daddy John is right, kid. We should get going."

Alanna nodded slowly and sat up, Randy following. John squeezed his hand gently and Randy smiled sadly. "I'll get her ready and you take care of the bags, deal?"

Randy lifted Alanna and walked off into her bedroom and John busied himself with arranging the bags.

A soft knock on the door disturbed his process and he quickly walked over to answer. A remorseful looking Ted stood in the doorway, suitcase in hand.

"Hey,"

John smiled slowly. "Hey, dude. Come in,"

Ted walked into the room slowly, eyes looking around.

"He's in the shower."

Ted turned around and locked eyes with John. "Oh. Is he pissed at me?"

John walked back into the room and continued working on the suitcases. "No, I don't think pissed is the right word. He's more like frustrated. We talked it out last night."

Ted sat on the corner of the bed and watched John fold clothes. He nodded slowly. "He's not the only one who's frustrated, John."

John sighed and closed up a bag. "Look, you two have been at each other for awhile now and it's getting annoying. You and Randy have to learn to work out your issues because neither of you is going anywhere. Randy and I are getting married and you're my best friend, Ted. I won't let either of you go so fucking cut it out already. Can you do that?"

Ted sighed and nodded. "I'm sorry we've been arguing a lot lately. You know I don't want that. I love you both." He looked down at his hands. "Things are gonna get a lot easier now. Cody and I spoke a lot last night,"

John set the final bag on the ground and took a seat next to Ted, a worried frown on his face. "You did? How did it go?"

"Fucking horrible. He admitted he isn't in love with me but he hopes to be one day. He still has feelings for Will," Ted shrugged. "What am I gonna do, John? Better I know now than when I'm in deeper, right?"

John sighed and wrapped an arm around his friend. Cody had done it. He had held up his end of the bargain he'd made with Randy. It was a relief to him but at the same time, he never wanted his best friend to hurt.

"Ted, I'm sorry this didn't work out the way you wanted to."

Ted smiled and nodded. He patted John's leg and stood up. "Don't worry about it. Let's just get the hell out of here and into warmer weather. We're all probably on the same flight back to Tampa,"

John grabbed a bag and shook his head. He walked out to the door and set it down. "No. Randy and I are going back to St. Louis. We have to drop off Al with Sam."

Ted froze and dropped the bag he had lifted moments earlier. "What? You're going to St. Louis?"

John nodded and motioned for Ted to hand him the bag. "Yeah, but just for this week. Next week we continue the Florida part of the year!" He laughed loudly and walked the other bag to the doorway. "I can't be in cold weather anymore. I figure we'll head back to St. Louis full-time when it's summer there."

Ted's mind heartbeat raced and he barely heard the words coming out of John's mouth. This was not good. The last thing he wanted was Randy and John in St. Louis at the same time his plan was being set in motion.

"Why didn't you tell me you were going to St. Louis?"

John shrugged. "I don't know. I didn't think of it." He walked over to Alanna's room and knocked on the door. "Half an hour, Randy!"

John looked over at Ted and frowned. "What does it matter?"

Ted shrugged and sat back down. "No, it doesn't. It's just if I would've known I would've gone with you guys but whatever. It doesn't matter,"

John frowned in his direction but quickly shook his head. Randy burst out of Alanna's room with his daughter skipping behind him.

"Uncle Teddy!"

Alanna immediately ran over to Ted and jumped into his arms, forcing him out of his shocked state.

"Hi baby girl!"

Randy looked over at John and rolled his eyes. "If he's gonna argue with me again I'm gonna need more than half an hour."

John sighed. "He's not and I will leave your ass. Go get ready right now, Randy."

Randy glared in his direction then brushed past him on his way to their bathroom. Ted reached out and grabbed his arm. "Ran, I don't wanna fight anymore. Can we talk before you leave?"

Randy watched him closely as he spoke and then slowly nodded. He grabbed his clothes from the closet and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

"Uncle Teddy, are you coming home with us?"

Ted looked back down at Alanna and smiled. "No, baby. I'm going to Florida but I'll see you soon." He gave her a quick kiss and handed her to John. "You know, when Randy comes out, can you tell him to come to my room for a few minutes. I just wanna square things off with him before we all leave."

John nodded. "Why don't you just wait for him to come out now?"

"I have a phone call to make that I completely forgot. It's really urgent. Just tell him to come to my room, OK,"

Ted practically ran out of the room as John frowned after him. He sighed and shrugged before looking down at Alanna. "So baby, I want you to pack a couple of books for the plane ride in your little backpack, OK, while I pack my bag."

Alanna nodded and started going through her bag as John made sure everything they would need was in his carryon bag. Randy came out of the bathroom, fully dressed and slipped a watch on his wrist, smiling as he looked at the time.

"Done and with 5 minutes to spare!"

John shook his head and nodded. "I'm so proud. Ted wants you to go see him before we leave."

Randy frowned and sprayed his neck with cologne. "Why didn't he just wait for me here?"

He handed John the bottle and the older man threw it in the carry on with a shrug. "I don't know, babe. Just go see him and work it out, OK."

John slung the bag over his shoulder. "Al and I are gonna go down and get a table. We'll see you down there. Try to hurry."

Randy nodded and walked out of the room. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the elevator and finally began the climb to Ted's floor.

Ted had practically run from Randy and John's room and up to his own, not bothering to take the elevator. He burst into his room and slammed the door behind him, quickly digging out the second cell phone from his bag. He dialed the familiar number and waited for the caller to answer, desperation making his hand shake.

"Wow, Ted. A call from you two days in a row. I am blessed,"

Ted gripped the phone tightly. "Shut the fuck up and listen. You gotta put the plan on hold for a few days. Don't do anything to Murphy, got it?"

"Seriously, Ted, you should check into the symptoms of being bipolar because I really think you have it. What the hell happened now that you wanna call it off yet again?"

Ted sighed. "Randy and John are on their way back to St. Louis. I thought they would be going home to Florida. I don't want them in St. Louis when this goes down."

The voice on the other end laughed. "Oh, why not, Teddy? They're not gonna be in front of this guy when I do it!"

"I said no. Call it off, just until I tell you."

Ted sighed and collapsed on the chair besides the bed. "We all have to be together when Will has his unfortunate accident. If we're all apart they will automatically assume I had something to do with it and I can't have that. They're all gonna be my alibi and they don't even know it."

"Damn, looks like the trust isn't too grand in your little circle of friends, Teddy. Why would they assume you did this guy in? Is he like a saint that has no other enemies?"

Ted laughed sarcastically. "You know, he probably is. I'm probably the only person who has ever dared to dislike this man." He stopped laughing and shook his head. "You know we all trust each other. I would place my life in my friends' hands and know it's safe. It's just, we don't agree on this guy. This is something I have to do and I know they would never accept it. Trust me, it's killing me. I hate keeping lies from the boys. I just have to keep this one."

"Don't get all sappy on me, Ted. I don't give two shits about your friends. Well, maybe about one but that day will come. Don't forget that promise you made me, Teddy."

Ted swallowed hard and gripped the phone so hard his knuckles turned white. "I never promised you anything. I just said it may happen one day but I could easily change my mind."

The voice laughed again. "Oh, Ted, you're in so deep with me. Do you really think I would ask for your permission before I carried out my own revenge? Do you also think I would take your word on anything? I've known you for years and I know what a little shit you can be. Hell, you're asking me to off the man Cody loves but you claim to love Cody and want him to be happy. Come on, Ted. You're no shining star when it comes to friendship. Your association with me alone would get you ousted from your little circle and you know it."

Ted stood up and began to pace. "No one knows you and I speak. No one even knows where the hell you really are."

"They still think I'm away somewhere safe," More laughter followed. "If they only knew how close I truly was to your beloved family."

Ted sighed. "Look, enough of the mind games. Drop this for now and we'll talk about it another day. Just hold off on Murphy for the time and I'll give you a call in a couple of days. Randy and John should be out of St. Louis in about 3 days."

"Whatever you say, Ted. Just send my check and we'll be all good."

"It's already on its way." Ted took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Stay away from them, understood?"

"I have for almost 2 years, Ted. I don't need you to remind me."

Ted walked over to the door and leaned on it, closing his eyes tightly and ended the call. A knock sounded behind him and he jumped off the door frame, quickly sliding the phone in his back pocket. He swung the door open and moved to the side to let Randy in.

"Hey,"

Randy nodded, a small smile on his face. "Hey," He looked down at his watch. "John has me on a schedule so can we..."

Ted laughed and nodded. "Yeah. Look, Ran, I'm sorry I called you nosy. I know you're not. You just love Cody and want what's best for him."

Randy shrugged. "Yeah, but I also love you and want what's best for you, too. I'm sorry I baited you in the car, though. I should have let you bring it up."

Ted smiled and walked over to Randy, enveloping in a hug. "You know, we gotta stop doing this. I think we're giving John an ulcer."

Randy pulled back and laughed. "No, you mean we're making the ulcer I already gave him worse!"

The friends laughed, all problems between them solved. Ted sighed when the laughter died down and looked over at Randy. "Cody told me the truth, Ran."

Randy looked over at him, his expression blank but an eyebrow slightly raised. "What truth?"

"That he's not in love with me and still has feelings for Will. He hopes to one day get over it but for now..." Ted sighed and looked down.

Randy felt his heart ache for his friend but relief coursed through his body now that the charade Cody was playing was over. "I'm sorry, Teddy."

Ted nodded. "I know that Cody told you. That's why you said what you said in the car."

Randy sighed. "Don't be mad at him, Ted. He's so confused about so many things right now. He never wanted to hurt you."

"I know. I just wish things could be different; for both of us, you know."

Randy nodded and wrapped an arm around Ted. "Things will get better. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, right?"

Ted smiled and nodded. "Who knows? Maybe one day soon Cody and I will find true love and be content."

Randy smiled. "Well, I think Cody already has," He dropped the smile and looked over at Ted quickly. "I mean...I'm sorry, Teddy, but I think Cody really loves Will. I would've given anything for you and Cody to fall in love. I mean, how perfect would that have been? It just doesn't seem to be..."

Ted squeezed Randy's hand and smiled. "I know, I know. It's OK. I would've given anything for the same thing but I guess it's not gonna happen."

Ted sighed, drawing out the sound for Randy's sake. "I love Cody and I just want what's best for him and to make him happy."

Randy nodded and sighed. The friends remained quiet for a few minutes until Randy looked up. He turned his body over to look at Ted and bit his lip. "Can I tell you something?"

Ted frowned but nodded slowly. "Of course."

"I ran into Will in the airport cafe a few days ago when we were all leaving Tampa."

Ted raised an eyebrow. "Oh. What did he say?"

Randy shrugged. "Not much. It was an awkward situation for both of us, you know. He actually wasn't pissed or anything. He said he just wanted Cody to do what made him happy." He laughed sarcastically. "If he only knew that he was what made Cody happy. Turns out this Will kid isn't so horrible after all."

Ted clenched his jaw and tried to keep his anger in check. When had Randy crossed over? He was the one who was supposed to stay in the "I hate Will" bandwagon along with Ted. Ted knew John was a hopeless cause; his best friend tended to get along with everyone. But now even Randy was singing this guy's praises? He'd have no choice but to play along.

"I know. He's a smart guy who actually made Cody happy but it's up to Cody what to do with his feelings. It seems he's chosen to ignore them for now."

Randy nodded. "I don't know what to do. I tried pushing Cody to give Will a chance but he's not up for it. How could he ever begin to explain what he's done?"

Ted nodded. "How could any of us?"

Randy sighed and glanced at his watch. "Shit, John's waiting for me. I gotta go,"

Ted stood with Randy and gave him a tight hug, feeling the need to convey his love for him. "Thanks for everything, Ran. You're a wonderful friend to me and sometimes I feel like I don't deserve you."

Randy raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Teddy, we're cool, OK. No matter how much we may disagree I will always love you and consider you one of my best friends. I would never betray you and I know you would never betray me." He laughed and pulled away. "I can honestly say you are one of the few people I trust without question and always will."

Ted gulped and nodded, his eyes lowering to the ground. That statement was like a knife to his heart and Randy had no idea. "You, too, Ran."

Randy's phone began to ring in the quiet room, the sound bouncing off the walls. He groaned and looked down at the screen before rolling his eyes and answering. "I'm leaving the room right now, John."

"Good, because your eggs are congealing,"

Randy grimaced and ended the call quickly. "All right, Teddy, I have to go. I'll see you in a couple of days, OK."

Ted nodded and hugged his friend tightly. "Sounds good. I'll be spending my week with Brett, enjoying the warm weather."

Randy rolled his eyes and laughed. He waved one last time at Ted and exited his room, quickly walking down the hall and to the elevator.

As he exited the elevator in the ground floor he walked quickly down the hall to the cafeteria, spotting John and Alanna laughing in a back table. "Hey, guys. Sorry I took so long."

John looked up at him and down at his watch. "What else is new? You have exactly 15 minutes to eat what you can and then I'm throwing it away."

Randy smiled at John before taking a bite of his food. "Whatever you say, dear,"

Six hours later Randy sighed contently as he walked into his St. Louis home with his daughter in his arms. The family was exhausted from the long trip but once inside his favorite home, Randy had perked up immediately. He walked around the house turning on the lights and smiled.

"Ah, I love this house! It's so warm and loving. It's like the house if giving me a big hug!"

John rolled his eyes as he walked past Randy. He set the bags down in the living room and pulled aside Alanna's small luggage. "Oh, please. It's just a house, Ran."

Randy smiled teasingly at John. "You're just mad because the house doesn't like you," He looked down at his daughter. "All right, kid. Let's say goodbye to Daddy John because Mommy is waiting for us."

Randy set Alanna down and she ran into John's arms. He hugged her tightly and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'll see you soon, princess."

Alanna nodded and walked back over to Randy, who took her luggage from John's hand. He placed a quick kiss on John's lips and walked out of the house.

John sighed once alone. He dislike for this house only grew with each passing visit. Goosebumps rose over his skin and he turned around slowly, his eyes searching for something that wasn't there. John frowned and shook his head. It was ridiculous. This was just a house. There was nothing in it that should make him hate it so much.

He walked over to grab the remaining luggage from the floor and walked up the stairs. Organizing the clothes inside would distract his mind until Randy returned.

"I think I wanna wear a pink dress. You and Daddy John should wear blue because you have blue eyes. You know, maybe my dress should be blue, too. No, but blue is for boys…"

Randy smiled as he listened to his daughter ramble on about their wedding. As much as he loved being back in St. Louis, even if only for a few days, it had interrupted his wedding location search. Despite his usual aloof attitude about most things, he was incredibly excited about finding a location for his and John's wedding.

"Daddy, are you listening?"

Randy looked at Alanna in the rearview mirror and smiled. "Of course I am, baby. Pink dress and blue is for boys." He frowned and shook his head. "I don't think I'll be wearing a blue suit, though. You can ask Daddy John to wear one."

Alanna giggled. "Daddy John will wear anything,"

Randy smiled and nodded as he turned into Sam's street. He was the first person to agree John had horrible taste. "Yes he will, baby. Especially for you,"

Randy laughed and pulled into Sam's driveway, shocked not to see her exit the house and meet them halfway, like she always did.

"Where's Mommy?"

Randy shrugged and exited the car, walking around the back to release Alanna from her car seat. "I don't know, Al. Maybe she went to the store,"

He picked up his daughter and walked towards the house, the spare key Sam gave him in his hand. The door easily opened and he walked into the house, the sound of a drill buzzing loudly in the back. Randy frowned and followed the noise. He came upon Sam leaning on the doorway as she watched a locksmith bend down to fix the backdoor lock.

"Sammy,"

Samantha spun around, her eyes wide but a huge smile on her face when she noticed them. She immediately reached for Alanna, who jumped into her arms. "My darling! I'm so happy you're home! I didn't even hear you guys pull up."

She hugged Alanna tightly and moved over to place a kiss on Randy's cheek. Randy frowned and looked down at the locksmith, who barely spared them a glance. "What's going on here?"

Sam's smile wavered and she shook her head. She looked down at the man and said, "I'll just be upstairs if you need me, Mr. Wilson."

Sam smiled down at her daughter. "Let's go upstairs and unpack all those things I'm sure you got your daddies to buy you!"

Alanna giggled as Sam walked up the stairs with her, motioning for Randy to follow. He frowned and threw a glance back at the locksmith.

They walked down the hall and into Alanna's brightly decorated room. Sam opened her luggage and left her to settle her clothes as she and Randy stood outside her closed door.

Randy crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at Sam's small frame. "Sam, what the hell is going on?"

Sam reached her hands out to pat Randy's arm. "Now, don't freak out or get too loud. Remember our daughter is in there.

Randy sighed. "Sam, you're frustrating me. What happened?"

"So, I got home from the gym this morning and I noticed the back door lock was a little banged up and had scratches around the edge. I touched the handle and the whole shit came off in my hand! I got so scared I called the cops but nothing was missing so they just filed a report and asked me to change the locks."

Randy's eyes widened and he dropped his arms, clenching his fists. "That's it. Pack a bag. I want you and Al out of here. I'll start looking for another house."

He dug the phone out of his pants pocket and Sam quickly grabbed his hand. "No, Randy! Stop, just wait a minute! This is my home! I'm not gonna leave it because some kid decided to mess with my lock. Nothing was taken and no one was hurt."

Randy pulled his hand out of Sam's grasp. "I refuse to leave you and my daughter in a house I already know has been broken into, Sam! Are you crazy?"

Sam sighed and dropped her hand. "Look, I don't want to have this argument. I'll go stay with you and John for a couple of days but I will be returning to my home; this home! You have 3 days to overcome your fear of it. Add 100 extra locks to the door, get me a guard dog or get me an actual guard but I will be returning to my home!"

Randy glared down at Sam, who gave it right back to him. The locksmith, Mr. Wilson, came up behind them and cleared his throat. "Excuse me, Ms. Speno. I'm all done,"

Sam dropped the glare and turned to look at the friendly man. "Thank you so much, Mr. Wilson. What do I owe you?"

He handed Sam a receipt which Randy snatched away before she could even extend her hand. Sam sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. Randy looked at the locksmith and narrowed his eyes.

"Mr. Wilson, what company do you work for?"

"Archery Locksmith, sir. Here's our business card." Mr. Wilson handed Randy a card and he quickly pocketed it.

"Do you have a policy on copies of the keys you install, sir?"

Mr. Wilson frowned and shook his head. "Sir, every lock comes with 2 keys and both go to the owner. The company doesn't keep any copies."

Randy looked at the bill and nodded, taking some cash out of his wallet and handing it to the older man. "I see. I may need you to do some more work for Ms. Speno here. I need some security locks added to the doors and if I decide you are a trustworthy individual, I may hire you to do the installing. Money wouldn't be an option. Would that be something you're interested in?"

Randy stared at Mr. Wilson intently and he quickly nodded. "Of course, sir."

Randy nodded and the older man said his goodbyes and walked down the stairs and out of the house. Sam looked over at Randy with a smirk and shook her head. "You're unbelievable. What are you gonna do to that old man?"

Randy shrugged. "Nothing. I just wanna run a background check on him and this company. If all proves to be normal, I'll do what I said. I'll hire him to add more locks and make this joint safer than Fort Hood."

Sam sighed and opened the door to Alanna's room, spotting her daughter digging through her closet. "Al, what are you doing, sweetheart?"

Alanna looked over at her parents, a small frown on her face. "Where's my picture, Mommy? It was on my little table,"

Sam frowned and walked over to her nightstand. "I don't know, baby,"

Randy followed her into the room and looked back and forth between his two girls. "What picture?"

Sam shook her head as her eyes kept darting around the room. "That picture we all took together in Disney World. It was of Al, you, Johnny, and me. Remember it? I had it framed and it's been on her nightstand ever since."

Randy raised an eyebrow and turned to look outside of Alanna's bedroom door. His eyes landed on the replaced back door lock and he turned back to Sam.

"They didn't take anything, you said? I think they did."

Sam gasped loudly. "Oh, Randy, no! It could have just been misplaced. The cleaning girl came. Maybe she moved it or..."

Randy shook his head. "No more talk. Pack your bags. You've got 10 minutes. I want you out of this house right now."

John pressed the start button on the washing machine and exited the laundry room, stepping back into the quiet house. He left the clothes washing and walked back upstairs into his and Randy's bedroom and began to put away the clean clothes, not bothering to store their luggage since they would need them again so soon.

Minutes later John found himself wandering around the empty house yet again. His body had been covered in goose bumps since the moment they'd arrive. It felt like someone was watching his every move and it was driving him crazy.

John went to stand by the large bay window and looked out toward the other neighborhood homes. The sun was beginning its descent and the neighborhood was quiet as most families were probably sitting down for dinner. He let the blinds close and walked into the large kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Randy had long ago forbidden him from attempting to cook but John needed to do something to distract his mind. He pulled out a carton of eggs and the butter. After a couple of attempts, he managed to get 3 shell free eggs into a bowl and was mixing them with no problem. He placed a small pan on the stove, threw a bit of butter in it and lit a small flame. Throwing a glance to his now pitch black backyard, John sighed. He poured the whipped eggs into the pan and watched them cook slowly.

The buzzer on the washing machine rang and he nearly jumped out of his skin.

"God, Cena, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

John laughed as he scrambled the eggs in the pan, figuring the clothes could wait a few minutes. He deposited the cooked eggs on a plate and smiled, feeling incredibly accomplished.

A loud bang in the backyard made him jerk up again and his head turned in the direction of the noise. Nothing was visible in the dark yard but the noise had definitely been heard. John walked slowly to the back door and pressed his face to the cool screen. His eyes focused through the darkness and he saw a couple of the patio chairs had been turned over and were lying on the ground.

John sighed, debating on whether or not to go out into the cold St. Louis night to fix the furniture, when a hand clamped itself on his shoulder. He jumped up, his hand reaching around to tightly grab the one lying on his shoulder and twist it at an angle. Randy's shocked eyes met his and his mouth dropped open in pain.

"Son of a bitch, what the hell are you doing, John?"

John immediately released Randy's hand and tried to calm his racing heartbeat. "Oh my God, you scared the shit out of me!"

Randy flexed his fingers and glared angrily at John. "Damn, that's the last time I ever touch you if that's how you're gonna react."

John closed his eyes and leaned on the kitchen center island. He laughed loudly when it dawned on him how ridiculous he was acting in his own home.

Randy watched him and shook his head. "I love how you think it's funny you almost broke my hand."

John smiled and reached for Randy's hand. He placed kisses around it, finally cracking a smile from his annoyed fiancé. "Forgive me, baby."

Randy nodded and leaned in to place a lingering kiss on John's lips. "Why are you so jumpy?"

John shrugged. "I don't know. The house was too quiet and it got so dark then I heard this bang outside. Turns out a couple of chairs fell over in the yard."

Randy frowned and looked over John's shoulder. "That's weird. It's not even windy outside."

John shrugged and moved over to the counter. "Look baby. I made scrambled eggs."

He smiled happily as he held out his plate for Randy's approval. Randy smiled and nodded his head. "They look wonderful, love."

His smile dropped and he sighed. "We've got an issue. Something happened in Sam's house."

John put the plate down and frowned. "What's wrong? Is she OK?"

Randy nodded and quickly went over with John what Sam told him. The pair spoke quietly and didn't notice Sam and Alanna come up next to them.

"Hey, Johnny. Randy's filling you in on how he dragged me from my home?"

The petite brunette stood next to the counter as Alanna sat comfortably on it, eating John's eggs. Sam's arms were crossed and she had a scowl on her pretty face.

John walked over to the counter and looked down at Alanna. "Kid, do you know how many eggs I had to break to get those 3 cooked? Who said you could eat them?"

Alanna shrugged and smiled. "They're good, Daddy."

John smiled and moved over to give Sam a quick hug and kiss. "Sammy, I agree with Randy bringing you and Al here. We just have to make sure your house is safe and then you can go back, OK. No one is gonna take your house away from you. Besides, this is also your house, Sam. I would hope you know that by now."

John stopped talking when he noticed Sam's attention was on something behind him. He sighed loudly and shook his head. "I swear, my fate is to be ignored by everyone named Orton."

Sam walked past him and Randy and stood in front of their backdoor. She turned to look at both men, a look of fear in her brown eyes. She looked over at her daughter, who calmly sat with her food, and lowered her voice.

"You remember how I told you I found my lock all scratched up?"

Randy nodded and moved over to stand by her. "Yeah,"

Sam pointed at their lock. "Your lock looks just like mine did. If someone broke into my house, they also broke in here."