Siddalee walked down the hallway and knocked on the door marked Legacy and received a mumbled 'come in'. She opened the door and walked in. She smiled at the three men in the room. Ted noticed the look on his sister's face and went to give her a hug. He also noticed the smile that Siddalee gave them was forced. Something was wrong and he wanted to know what it was.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ted asked.
"What makes you think that there's something wrong?" Siddalee countered.
"You kinda look like shit." Cody said.
"Gee, thanks Cody." Siddalee snapped as she put her hands on her hips.
"I think he meant that the reason you look like shit because it looks like you have been crying." Randy piped in.
"I'm fine guys. I promise. My best friend is here and I'm gonna see her tonight. It's my birthday, so I'm happy. Besides I'm here talking with three of my favorite guys." Siddalee replied.
"You say one thing but I know different. Sidda please tell me why it looks like you have been crying." Ted stated.
"We just want to help. You know that we care about you." Randy said.
"I know. I care bout you guys too. But I need to handle this on my own." Siddalee replied.
"You don't have to handle anything alone." Ted quickly pointed out.
"That's why you have the three of us, and all of your other friends, and John." Cody added.
"Ted and Cody are right. You're like a sister to Cody and I because of Ted so you know that we'll always be here for you." Randy piped in.
"As true as that all may be, this was my doing and I have to make it right on my own. I shouldn't need help. It's my fault that Dave hates…" Siddalee started to say but realized that she let part of her problem slip out.
"Dave what? Why would you say that he hates you?" Ted asked.
"Forget that I said anything. I'll talk to him later." Siddalee answered.
"No. We won't forget that you said anything. We'll go and talk to Dave now. He should know that Cody and I would be pissed as well as Ted. When someone messes with you, they mess with the three of us." Randy commented.
"Well Ted is the one who is technically related to Sidda. So we both know that Ted is the one gonna talk to Dave." Cody said as Ted nodded.
"No. No one is gonna talk to Dave but me." Siddalee snapped.
"But Sidda..." Ted started, but was quickly cut off by the look he saw in Siddalee's eyes.
"You heard me, Theodore Marvin." Siddalee said. She eyed him intently. "No one is going to talk to Dave, but me. And that's final."
"Sidda..." Cody piped in.
"NO! And if I find out otherwise, there will be hell to pay for all three of you." Sidda snapped, looking at all three men.
"Maybe we should listen to her. I don't like the look in her eyes. They're all beady and glittery like they get when she's pissed." Randy commented.
"She does have a temper. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it." Cody piped up.
"Trust me, you don't. There have been many times where I was at the receiving end of her temper. She may not look that strong, but when she's angry, she has strength that I have no idea where it comes from." Ted stated.
"Hello. Still in the room. Don't talk about me like I'm not here. And I don't have a temper." Siddalee yelled.
"If you don't have a temper, then why are you yelling at us?" Cody asked.
Siddalee just rolled her eyes and sighed. She loved everyone in the room. She also hated that they knew her so well. They knew what made her mad, happy, what made her smile and what made her cry. All the three men wanted to do was make her birthday special for her. That's why they were the ones to suggest flying in her best friend to her.
"Okay, so I have a bit of a temper but I like I said earlier I need to do this on my own." Siddalee answered.
"Ok, if you are absolutely sure. But if you need help from anyone of us, just ask." Ted said wrapping his arms around his sister and giving her a big hug.
"I'm sure I can do this on my own. I know if I need help from you guys, all I have to do is ask. I love you, Ted. Thanks for always looking out for me." Siddalee replied hugging her brother back.
After pulling away from her brother, Siddalee went over to Cody and Randy and gave them a hug as well. The other two men were like her extended family. She looked at the three men and smiled a real smile. She was happy that they were in her life, and she was glad for that. She knew that she could go to them for anything, if she couldn't go to John.
"Ready to go your and Dave's birthday party?" Randy asked.
"Yeah, let's go. I'll talk to him there." Siddalee replied as she headed towards the door as Randy, Ted and Cody followed her.