Many hours later, John shut the front door of his house after waving goodbye to the 24 hour locksmith that had come over to their house after receiving a frantic phone call from Randy. He sighed loudly and leaned on the door, closing his eyes as exhaustion came off him in waves. After a few minutes he lifted himself off the doorframe and gave it one last glance to make sure it was locked tight. He walked to the back door and checked the new locks one last time before walking back to the alarm panel and activating it.

John yawned loudly and walked around the living room, shutting off the main light but leaving on a couple of small lamps. He slowly walked up the stairs and down the long hallway to his bedroom. As he rounded the corner, he noticed Randy sitting in the doorway of Alanna's bedroom.

John frowned and walked over to him. "Ran, what are you doing, babe?"

Randy shrugged. "I can't sleep." He sighed and lifted himself up slowly. "Did the locksmith leave?"

John nodded and reached his hand out to help pull Randy up. "Yes, he was exhausted but the check I put in his hand as he left kinda perked him up."

Randy smiled and nodded, opening the door to Alanna's room slowly. The nightlight in the room and the moonlight coming through the blinds illuminated a sleeping Alanna, wrapped in Sam's arms. It seemed neither parent could part from their daughter that night.

Randy shut the door quietly and John took his hand, leading them back to their bedroom. Once inside, Randy walked over to their bed and turned on the lamp on his nightstand. He kicked off his sneakers and quickly removed his clothing, leaving only his underwear on as he buried himself in the covers. John trailed behind him, picking up his discarded clothes and folding them neatly on a chair. He bent to pick up the tossed sneakers when Randy's voice broke through.

"Leave it and come to bed, John. It's really late. I'll clean up tomorrow."

John placed the sneakers neatly under the seat and smiled. "Wow, you must really be exhausted. You never leave a mess."

Randy shrugged. "I don't really care right now. There are more important things to worry about."

John slowly stripped off his own clothes and walked over to the bed. "Everything will be fine, Ran. Our house couldn't possibly be any more secure and the people we love are safe inside it."

Randy rolled his eyes as he turned his body over to face John's. "Everything is fine now, tonight but what about tomorrow and the next day? How am I supposed to leave St. Louis without knowing exactly what's going on here."

John shook his head. "Nothing is going on, Ran."

Randy raised an eyebrow and lifted himself off the pillow. "Nothing is going on? Our house was broken into, John! Sam's house was broken into! That's not just a coincidence."

John sighed and sat up. He tried to keep his voice level and not let his own frustration show. "Ran, we're not exactly a normal couple. We're well known and it's not a secret to most people living in Missouri that we own a house here. Hell, our address is even online. It could be any random, insane fan who wanted to fuck with us a little bit. It doesn't have to be as sinister as you're making it."

Randy stared at him and slowly nodded. "OK, so that may explain us but what about Sam? Why would they wanna hurt her, John?"

John turned away from Randy's stare. That was the hard question. A break-in in this house would never surprise him. He had long argued with Randy about how open the neighborhood was to anyone and how well-known it was that they lived there. It made it too easy for anyone to have contact with them. It would also never surprise him to find out a crazed fan was behind the break-in. Hell, the fans usually found out where they stayed when on the road. Many a night had occurred when fans surprised him and Randy in the hallway of their hotel room. Those issues were only ever faced by him and Randy, though. Why had someone decided to target Sam in all of this? She was a good girl, a well-known face in the community. She owned her own business in St. Louis and frequently volunteered in the local senior center and Alanna's nursery school. No one ever had a bad thing to say about Samantha. If anything, the only criticism she ever got was when she and Randy married. No one ever really understood how the sweetheart of St. Louis married the grouch.

"I honestly don't know, baby. That's where things get frustrating for me, too."

Randy lowered his head. "This all goes back to me. No one would target Sam without having something against me. She's never done anything to anyone. "

John quickly shook his head. "You gotta stop blaming yourself for everything, Randy. Yes, Sam is a wonderful person and it is very unlikely that anyone would do something to her. But who really knows? Maybe someone just wanted to mess with her a little bit. Maybe this is all just a big joke to someone and they wanna put a little fear and anger in us but really have no plans to do anything else."

Randy sighed. "How can we be sure, though? I can't leave St. Louis without being sure."

John sighed. "We can't be sure. We can try to convince Sam to stay with her parents or better yet, get the hell out of St. Louis for awhile. I doubt that will work, though, so I think tomorrow morning we should start looking into getting a guard for her house."

Randy nodded. "OK, we'll figure it out in the morning." He slowly lowered himself down in the bed and John turned towards him, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him in close. Randy closed his eyes and tried to relax his exhausted body but his mind would not quiet down. John sighed softly as he felt the tension in Randy's tight back muscles. He slowly moved his hand up and down the soft skin and pressed a kiss to Randy's forehead when a thought occurred to him.

"Hey baby, guess what?"

Randy didn't bother to lift his head and mumbled against John's chest. "What?"

John smiled and looked down at the top of his head. "Vermont is the gay wedding capital of the US."

His odd remark finally worked and Randy lifted his head, a frown on display. "What?"

John laughed and shrugged. "Well, when Harry the locksmith was fixing our doors I had a lot of time on my hands. I didn't want to just stare at him so I did some research for our wedding and I found tons of stuff on Vermont. I don't know why but hundreds of gay couples get married there every year so it's developed a little rep for being an awesome site. We should check it out next week. You can bring Cody to help."

Randy slowly smiled. "How can you think about our wedding at a time like this?"

John shrugged. "Because I know this little situation we're in will soon pass. I'm not gonna waste my time stressing over it. We have our wedding to plan and nothing will take precedence over that. It's the most important thing to me right now. Not this silly little game someone is trying to play with us."

Randy watched him closely, feeling some of the fear leave his body. There was nothing like a talk from John to make everything seem so simple and all better. It worked on him every time and it was something he had grown incredibly dependent on.

He smiled and lowered his head back down to John's chest, his body feeling more at ease. "You're right, baby. That should be all that's on our minds."

John smiled and continued his stroking of Randy's back, pleased the man seemed more at ease now. "You know what else I've been thinking about?"

Randy wrapped his arm around John's stomach, his breath tickling the older man's chest. "What else?"

John smiled as Randy began to move his fingers in a circle motion on his stomach. "Our wedding song,"

Randy lifted himself up and quickly shook his head. "Don't even think about some stupid rap song or some country shit. Your taste in music is horrible, John. "

John's eyes widened in mock shock. He was well aware that Randy thought his music taste was horrible but it was always too much fun to tease him.

"Baby, you're killing me. I have an eclectic taste in music. You're just jealous because you have a one track mind when it comes to music. If it's not rock, it's not good. You need to broaden your mind, babe,"

Randy rolled his eyes and sat on the bed sideways. "Please, my mind is broad enough. I will not let you pick one of your weird, eclectic songs as the first one we dance to as a married couple. You must be insane."

John sat up and turned his body around, mimicking Randy's pose. "Sorry, dear, but it's a done deal. I have chosen and I will not be changing my mind, no matter what you say or do. It will not work this time."

Randy glared at him. "Oh, is that so? Well, I have news for you, dear," He stopped to roll his eyes at the term of endearment he hated so much. "I will not be dancing with you if some ghetto or hillbilly crap comes out of that sound system. As a matter of fact, I will walk the fuck right out of…"

John doubled over with laughter at the anger in Randy's voice and the younger man immediately stopped talking, his glare turning harder.

"I love how you find this so fucking amusing. You must be looking to deliberately piss me off tonight."

John slowly regained control and chuckled. "As much as I love it when you get pissed, not only for my enjoyment but because the sex is so much better, I am not trying to piss you off…this time. I'm just trying to tell you that I have made an executive decision as the person in charge of Team Cena-Orton."

Randy raised an eyebrow. "Who the hell said you're in charge of shit, Cena?"

John smiled. "I don't know…maybe the guy I'm engaged to who can't make a decision or handle anything without asking me about it first."

Randy's eyes widened and he untangled his long legs, intending to get off the bed but John reached over and quickly grabbed his arm. "Get off me."

John held onto Randy's arm tightly and tried to suppress a smile. "Why can't you ever learn to take a joke?"

Randy pulled his arm and tried to pry John's fingers off. "That wasn't a joke, John. That was you throwing it in my face that you think I'm needy."

John sighed in exasperation. "My God, you really are crazy. It was joke! In case you haven't noticed, I need you just as much as you need me. Why the hell do you think we've been together for so long and I don't mean just in a romantic relationship,"

Randy kept his eyes focused on John, the gaze never wavering but the struggling of the arm stopped. John sighed and released his arm slowly. "It was a joke. Don't get mad, baby. I don't think you're any needier than I am."

Randy slowly smiled and nodded, looking down at the comforter. He sighed loudly and John watched him carefully. It was always a fine line with his fiancé on that touchy subject. Despite how much John told Randy he needed him, and it was the truth, they were both aware that Randy was the one who always needed the most. It was something he hated to admit to anyone but something John was well aware of and cherished. Being such an important part of Randy's life and being the most trusted person in the younger man's world, made him feel beyond special.

John slowly smiled and reached his hand down to lay on top of Randy's. "Last night on Earth, the Green Day version. That's the song I would like."

Randy quickly looked up and frowned. "What? I don't understand. That's not your style at all..."

John shook his head. "Hey, I like Green Day. Maybe not as much as you but I can listen to it. I've heard that song a million times and thought it was OK but the other day when it was playing in the car, for some reason, it just hit me. That's the song."

Randy smiled and looked at his hand in John's grasp. "I love that song, John."

John nodded. "I do, too. It's the perfect song for us to dance our first dance as a married couple."

"Are you sure? It doesn't have to be that song. I want it to be something we both love and..."

John squeezed Randy's hand, stopping his flow of words. "Baby, I love that song and I think it's perfect. You just have to nod and it's a done deal."

Randy smiled slowly and nodded. John laughed and pulled him forward, crushing him to his chest in a tight hug. "Perfect! We have no location, guest list, décor ideas or a menu but we have our first song. I think that's great."

Randy laughed in his ear and wrapped his arms around his back. "So do I." He sighed softly, his breath tickling John's ear. "I love you,"

John hugged him tightly. "I love you more and I will always be here for anything you need, baby. Don't ever doubt that or think otherwise. I promise to always take care of you, like you take care of me."

Randy's arms tightened around him and he kissed John softly on the lips. John moved his arms to Randy's neck and opened his mouth. With a growl, Randy pushed him back against the pillows and swept his tongue into John's mouth. After a minute, Randy began kissing a trail from the corner of John's mouth to his neck. He began to suck the skin gently but John quickly stopped him.

"No, baby. The girls are down the hall..."

Randy lifted his head and shrugged. "They're asleep. They won't hear anything,"

John threw a worried glance towards the door and Randy smiled. "Baby, we're used to having Alanna here and going about our nightly business. What's the difference today...Sam? I think she knows we have sex."

John sighed as Randy's fingers toyed with one of his sensitive nipples before dipping down to flick the teased nipple with the tip of his tongue.

John laughed softly. "Baby, stop. I don't feel comfortable..."

Randy moved his head back up and pressed his lips to John's, the older man's mouth opening to him automatically. He darted his tongue inside John's mouth again and slid a hand down his muscular body and began to massage the hard flesh hidden inside cotton boxers. John groaned into Randy's mouth as he dipped his hand inside. Randy pulled back and smiled down at John.

"Change your mind yet?"

John's eyes darted toward the door and then back to Randy's face. "Not sure yet. Keep trying to convince me."

Randy smiled and lowered himself to the edge of the bed. He slowly pulled down the dark blue boxers John wore and licked his lips at the sight of his erection. Locking eyes with John, he bent and licked the head slowly, lapping at the pre-cum gathered on the tip. The older man bit his lower lip in an effort to keep from crying out as Randy began to take him in inch-by-inch. John let out a loud whoosh of air and curled his toes as Randy engulfed him whole, setting a steady rhythm, swallowing when the organ was at the back of his throat and sucking hard, tracing the vein as he bobbed his head up and down.

Randy looked up at John's face, flushed and panting. John stared into his eyes and gave a strangled groan. "Baby, I'm gonna cum,"

"Just let go, baby," Randy commanded as he briefly relinquished John's hard member. He immediately took it fully into his mouth and began to massage it with his throat. Another groan was all the warning he got as John began to erupt pulse after pulse of his cream down Randy's mouth, the younger man sucking it all down.

As John slumped back, his eyes closed, Randy slowly climbed back up his body, curling into his side. The older man looked down at him and shook his head. "I can't believe you got me to do this."

Randy smiled at John's concerned look. "Don't act like you didn't enjoy it. We did nothing wrong, Johnny." He stretched lazily, moving his arms to lie under his head. "Besides, it's your fault. You talking about our wedding song made me feel all lovey dovey."

John smiled and turned to look at him. "Well, I should enjoy it since it happens so infrequently."

Randy rolled his eyes and ignored John's comment. His eyes started to drift closed and John reached over to grasp his face. Randy's eyes opened and he looked at the older man with a small smile, his bright eyes sparkling. John looked into his eyes, mesmerized, before pulling Randy into a deep, passionate kiss. When they finally parted, Randy buried himself in the circle of John's embrace. He closed his eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep, feeling John place a kiss on his forehead.

The next morning passed in a flurry of activity. John awoke to an empty bed and raised voices echoing around the house. He groaned loudly and remained buried in the covers for as long as he could stand it. He had learned a long time ago that only a fool interrupted Sam and Randy in the middle of one of their "discussions". He heard loud pounding coming up the stairs and within minutes the door flew open and slammed behind an irate Randy. John looked over at him from the bed and smiled tentatively.

"Is everything OK?"

Randy sighed and threw himself on the bed. "No. Everything is shitty."

John turned himself over and began to rub Randy's back. "Baby, screaming at Sam isn't going to make her listen any better. How about you try to just talk calmly?"

Randy frowned. "I wasn't screaming at her."

John laughed. "Yes, baby, you were. I could hear you up here. I'm shocked Al didn't complain."

Randy sat up and shook his head. "It's because she's not here. Sam took her to nursery school. That was part of the reason for the screaming."

John sat up and stretched up, extending his arms up before finally getting off the bed. "Let me guess. You didn't want Al to go to school without an armed guard to accompany her and Sam told you exactly what I would've told you…that you're insane."

Randy watched as he moved around the room picking out clothes. He grabbed John's pillow from the top of the bed and buried his face in it, inhaling John's scent deeply before mumbling quietly. "I wish all of you would stop calling me insane. Is it insane to want to protect your loved ones?"

John glanced over his shoulder and smiled. He walked back over to the bed and placed the folded clothes he had collected on the side. "Baby, it's a wonderful and noble thing to want to protect your loved ones but I really think you're going about this the wrong way. When I get showered and dressed, we'll both go downstairs and talk to Sam in a calm, rational way. She may be able to say no to you but I always get a yes from her."

He smirked and bent down to pick up his clothes but Randy quickly grabbed his arms. "No, can't we just stay in bed for a little while longer? I don't want to deal with this, John. Make it all go away, babe."

John smiled as he looked down at his fiancé. The man looked miserable as he lay in the bed with his arms clutched around John's pillow like a drowning man clutched a life raft. "I will fix it, baby, but the only way to fix it is by talking it out. Trust me."

Randy sighed loudly and finally nodded. He disentangled himself from the pillow and sat up, looking over at John with a smirk. "Can I take a shower with you?"

John groaned in frustration. "Baby, you got me last night because I was sure the girls were asleep but I just can't today. I know Sam is wide awake downstairs and I just don't feel comfortable."

Randy sighed and nodded, reluctantly accepting John's explanation. He stood up off the bed and walked over to the older man and gently kissed him. John smiled against his lips and slid his tongue inside his lover's mouth, turning the kiss deep and passionate and pulled him firmly against his hard body. Randy moaned softly, his hands coming up to grasp John's shoulders tightly before gliding down his chest and stomach. John pulled away as his body began to react to Randy's touch and shook his head.

"All right, you gotta get away from me or I'll never make it downstairs."

Randy nodded and gave him one final kiss before slowly walking out of the room. John followed him with his eyes before walking towards their bathroom in an effort to get ready for the day.

About half an hour later John walked into the sunlit living room and spotted Sam sitting on the sofa, an annoyed expression on her face as a daytime talk show played on the television screen. Loud bangs and clanks were coming from the kitchen and John followed them slowly. Randy had his face buried in the refrigerator and 2 pots set on the counter. He let the door slam and turned around to face John, who smiled.

"What's cooking, good looking?"

Randy rolled his eyes and leaned on the counter. "My God, could you be anymore obnoxious?"

John laughed loudly and sat down on one of the stools surrounding the counter. He looked over his shoulder and yelled loudly, "Sammy, can you come in here?"

He turned back to Randy, a smile still on his face but his eyes registering just how serious he was. "And you, sit down, please,"

Randy sighed and slowly lowered himself to the seat opposite John's as Sam trudged into the room. "What do you want, John? I have a whole day of doing nothing planned since someone won't let me go to work."

Randy rolled his eyes at her comment and John immediately raised his hand. "You, stay quiet."

Randy glared at him but kept his lips sealed as Sam smirked in his direction. John watched them both carefully and took a deep breath. "Look, Sam, I think you and I know better than anyone how stubborn and hard-headed Randy can be,"

Randy's eyes widened and he stood up. "Wait a minute, I'm not gonna sit here and be bashed by you two…"

"Sit down, Randy! I have a point. Just let me get to it," John looked over at him sharply, his firm tone silencing any of Randy's protests.

When the younger man took his seat, John turned his face back to Sam. "He always thinks he's right and he doesn't like to listen to anyone else's reason, right?"

Sam slowly nodded, unsure of where John was heading and aware of how irritated Randy was in front of her.

John smiled and continued. "But I think we can agree that no one loves more fiercely and no one would do more to protect those he loves."

Sam slowly smiled and nodded. Randy lowered his head and felt some of the tension leave his body.

"I know it's hard for you, Sam, because you have built this life and you go about your daily business when we're not here. No one has ever tried to interrupt the life you have here with Alanna while we're out on the road. Unfortunately, it seems like now someone wants to. Now, could it be just a joke from some random person? Yes; of course it could be. But could it also be someone who wants to harm you? Yes, Sammy, it could. As annoying as it may be, we need to take all the measures we can to protect you and Alanna, even if it just turns out to be some nutcase who wanted to give us all a good scare,"

Sam sighed and slowly nodded. "I know, John. You're absolutely right. I just hate that some asshole is gonna drive me out of my home and my job and knowing you guys, the whole state!"

John shrugged. "It's only for a little while, Sammy. It won't be forever."

"Fine, John. I'll do whatever you guys want. Just tell me…"

John reached over and squeezed Sam's hand gratefully. Randy watched them, a confused look on his face. He shook his head and laughed. "What the hell was the difference between me and John, Sam? I told you the exact same thing this morning and you wanted to kill me."

Sam looked over at him and smiled. "You were screaming in my face, Randy! I refuse to respond to that. You're lucky I didn't shove my foot up your ass. John knows how to speak in a civilized matter, therefore I listen to him."

Randy rolled his eyes and walked back over to the refrigerator. "Whatever. I'm gonna let you two geniuses can try to fix everything. Let's see how long you can last without me."

John laughed and turned his attention back to Sam. "All right, Sammy. What's your choice? Would you like to stay here or go away somewhere? Either way, we're gonna get you a guard."

Sam sighed. "I don't know. A part of me wants to stay here where at least I know people and am comfortable but another part of me wants to leave just in case this is more serious than we think."

John looked over at Randy, who despite appearing to ignore them, was focused on every word they said. "Baby, I would like to hear what you have to say,"

Randy looked up from the sauce he was pouring and raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Why, thank you."

John smiled adoringly at him as Sam giggled at the obvious sarcasm coming from both men.

"Look, I don't trust many people, especially when my daughter is involved. We can get Sam a guard but the only way I would ever be fully secure is if Alanna is with me at all times. I can't have Al staying here, Sam."

Sam shook her head. "I won't have her away from me, either."

Randy nodded. "I know. So the only choice is you come with us."

Sam groaned loudly and lowered her head to the marble countertop. "I knew this was gonna lead there. Randy, I hate going on the road with you guys. It hard enough alone but with Al it's a nightmare." She lifted her head and looked over at John. "Besides, don't you guys want your privacy? You just got engaged and I know how much fun the nights can be at this stage and I don't wanna be there for that."

John's face immediately turned red but Randy remained stoic. "That doesn't matter. You don't have to travel with us. I'll get you a bus or you can travel with Ted or Cody. The point is I need you girls with the people I trust most of all and after John, that's Cody and Ted."

Sam sighed and slowly nodded. "Fine, we'll work something out. I don't want this to go on forever, though, so I hope you guys figure out what's going on quickly." She stood up and glanced at her watch. "I guess I need to go home and pack up stuff for me and Al."

John quickly stood up and Randy began to move over to her. Sam raised her hands and laughed. "Wait, let me guess. I can't even go home alone to pack?"

John smiled sheepishly and Randy firmly shook his head. Sam sighed and nodded. "Fine, one of you comes with me and the other has to pick up Al in about an hour from school."

Randy looked towards the food warming on his stove and shook his head. "I can't leave this so John has to go with you. I'll pick up Al, don't worry."

Sam nodded and wagged her finger. "Do not forget, Ran. One hour!"

Randy rolled his eyes. "Sam, I only forget her once. It hasn't happened in months."

Sam sighed and looked over at John, who shook his head. "He'll be fine, Sammy. Today is a day he won't forget her."

John took her arm and they walked out of the kitchen together as Randy concentrated on his cooking food. He heard the chatter as they walked out of the house and the front door slam behind them. Randy sighed, content to at least have Sam and Alanna's safety issue resolved for the time being but still worried about what else loomed. They had one day left in St. Louis and the police officers they had filed reports with promised to let them know as soon as anything came up.

His cell phone rang on the counter, a loud rock and roll song filling the air and Randy quickly walked over and answered.

"Hello,"

"Hey, Ran! I thought you guys were coming back to Florida. Did you convince Johnny to stay in St. Louis?"

Randy smiled at the sound of Cody's voice and took a seat. "Hey Codes. No, we had a change of plan. Some things happened that changed things a bit,"

He quickly filled in Cody on the break-ins and the agreement they had worked out with Sam. His gasp of shock quickly turned into a murmur of agreement.

"Randy, I know you have to do what you feel is right for Sam and Al. I completely agree with you bringing them out on the road for a few weeks. I will gladly take them with me on one of my trips if you and John need time alone, too. I just don't want you to worry too much, though. This is probably just a prank from someone. No one has anything against us, Ran because nobody knows what we've done. We're just WWE wrestlers, right?"

Randy smiled, a soft laugh escaping his lips. Cody was right, he supposed. In the years since they had committed their first illegal activities, they had never even come close to being caught. The most recent one had been months ago and still; no one was even close to suspecting them. Cody had been interviewed by police, of course, due to his relationship with Marshall but in the end, he was never suspected of anything.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm sure it's nothing but it just freaks me out that they did it to both houses. I'll just have them around for a couple of weeks and then I'll send Sam home. She's definitely gonna wanna see you so you may have her for a few days."

Cody laughed on his end. "Well, I will gladly welcome having someone I love around me while I travel again."

Randy sighed and nodded to himself, glancing quickly at the clock. He walked over to the stove as Cody's voice filled his ear with the happenings in his life. He wanted to reassure Randy that he had followed through on his promise and spoken to Ted about his true feelings.

Randy turned off the pot after giving it one final stir and balanced the phone on his shoulder. "I know you spoke to Ted, Codes. He told me. I'm very proud of you, kiddo."

Cody groaned loudly in Randy's ear, his disdain for the nickname a well-known fact. "Thanks. Nothing made me feel more like shit than your little comment the other day. I believe it was something like, 'Your decision speaks volumes of the man you've become.' Compound that to the fact that I was missing Will so much and well, I wanted to die that day."

Randy sighed, feeling guilt overcome him. "Codes, I never intentionally want to hurt you. I just wanted you to remember who you were. You weren't that cold, callous man who wanted to hurt your best friend. I wanted you to remember the sweet, loving man we all know you are." He paused and softly added. "I'm sorry you're missing Will, Cody. I wish things could be different between you two."

Cody sighed loudly. "I do, too. This situation has taken so much out of me. I can't stop thinking about how I hurt Ted and how I hurt Will and it's driving me crazy!" He stopped and Randy heard him sigh again before resuming. "Let's not talk about it anymore, OK. Let's talk about your wedding! I'm so pissed Ted is helping more than I am,"

Randy laughed and wiped his hands on a towel. "Next week it's you and me, kid. John wants us to look at Vermont."

Cody laughed. "Tons of gays get married there a year, Ran! That would be perfect."

"How do you know that?" Randy threw the towel on the counter and walked out of the living room, stopping to give the door a glance. "I thought it was one of John's weird stories."

"No, it's true. Anyway, you just made my day. I'm gonna look up some places in Vermont we could go and maybe some florists in the area. You should get started on the guest list and…"

Randy laughed at Cody's enthusiasm. "Seems like I won't need a wedding planner if you're gonna do all of that for me. The only thing we've done so far is pick a song."

Cody gasped. "You did! Which one?

Randy grabbed his keys off the hallway table. "Last night on Earth; Green Day,"

"Wow, I love that fucking song. How cool would it be if Billie Joe were to come sing it himself at your wedding? You know, I read he's actually bi but he's been married for like 20 years to some chic."

Randy walked out of the house, locking the door behind him and listening for the sound of the alarm activating. "That's great but I doubt it would ever happen, Codes."

Cody sighed. "Well, one could dream."

Randy smiled as he got in the driver's seat of his car. "Codes, I gotta go pick up Al at school. I'll call you later, OK."

"Sure, no problem. I'm going for a jog then lunch with Teddy. I think I'll let him beat me today. He seems totally on edge."

Randy nodded at the worried tone that had now replaced the excitement in Cody's voice. "Well, he's been through a lot in the past few days, Codes. Just give him some time and soon things will be back to normal."

"You're right. I'll talk to you later. Love you, Ran."

Randy smiled as he started the car. "Love you, too, kiddo."

He ended the call and put the car in gear, driving off to Alanna's school. Some of his neighbors were in their yards as he drove by but none noticed him. Despite him and John having lived in this neighborhood for over 2 years now, Randy could honestly say he didn't know any of his neighbors. He was sure John probably knew some, seeing as the older man would begin a conversation with a wall.

It was times like these that made Randy wish he did know his neighborhood better. Maybe if he did someone could help the cops do their job and find who broke into their home. He knew John hated their home in St. Louis because it was too out in the open and Randy had always ignored his worries. Apparently, though, he may have been right. After this incident, he had no choice but to finally listen to John's fears and consider moving. It would be so hard, though. The home was convenient to Sam's home, Alanna's school and all the grandparents' homes.

Randy sighed as he pulled into the street of Alanna's nursery school. A police car flew by him, its siren blaring and he frowned. He checked the time on his watch and saw he still had 10 minutes before Alanna would be dismissed but sped up nonetheless. As he approached the intersection before his daughter's school, he was forced to move to the side with traffic as yet more police cars came up behind him.

Randy's heart began to race and he merged with the traffic and drove the final blocks to Alanna's school. As he approached the small brick building he noticed it was surrounded by the police cars and ambulances. He quickly parked the car and ran out, noticing other parents who had just arrived doing the same thing. Tons of kids were sitting on the grass with their teachers and Randy's eyes frantically searched for his daughter's head. Police and EMT's ran in and out of the building creating confusion among the school's faculty, who desperately tried to keep order. Children began to cry as they spotted their parents in the crowd gathering behind the blue barricades that had been set up.

Randy quickly ducked under the barricade and ran towards Alanna's teacher. He heard an officer shout at him but he ignored the command and headed straight for the brunette woman standing before him. Her eyes widened when he approached her and she slowly reached for his hand.

"Mr. Orton, I'm so sorry…"