Chapter 1 - The Wedding

Jarrod looked at his reflection in the mirror and sighed. Today should have been a happy day for him. It wasn't that he was sad or disappointed; he still couldn't believe he had agreed to go along with the plan. But deep down he knew it was the right thing to do and what was one year in his life? Besides it would get his family off his back if only for this year.

He sat down at his desk in his bedroom as he waited. He had already shooed his brothers out and his mother had been in earlier. Lucky for him Audra was busy getting everything ready downstairs. He spotted the decanter on his bureau and decided a little nip wouldn't hurt anything so he got up to fix himself a drink. He knew it was a little early but this would help calm his nerves down. He gulped the drink down and contemplated fixing another one when he heard the soft tapping on his door.

He put the glass down as he went to see who was at the door. He was surprised to see her given the tradition and all.

She meekly smiled at Jarrod who frowned at her.

"May I come in?"

Jarrod just stood staring at her. She was breathtaking in her gown. He had always recognized her as a beautiful woman but until today he never fully realized just how beautiful she was. She was wearing her brunette hair down and he noticed for the first time how wavy and curly her hair was. The necklace his mother had given her was over the gown and matched perfectly with her hazel eyes.

"Jarrod?"

Jarrod shook himself as he blushed when she had caught him staring. "Please come in." He knew it wasn't proper etiquette to close the door but he had a feeling she wanted to talk about today.

She pointed to the drink glass on the bureau and said, "Nerves?'

Jarrod chuckled, "Yes, I guess so. Would you like a drink?"

"Yes."

Jarrod fixed her a glass of scotch and watched her as she gulped her drink down just as he had and laughed. "Nerves?"

She put the glass down and turned away from his intense eyes. "I can't do this to you Jarrod."

Jarrod walked up behind her and said, "I agreed to it and besides it's only for a year." He turned her around to face him and said, "It will be okay once we leave the ranch."

Alexandria looked up and said, "But what about your family? I feel horrible for deceiving them like we are."

Jarrod sighed as he looked at her, "They'll be fine and none the wiser."

"But..."

Jarrod interrupted her and said, "It will work out."

"What about holidays and birthdays?"

Jarrod smiled, "I usually only come home on the weekends for birthdays or holidays so I'm sure we can tough it out."

"What about when they come to San Francisco?"

Jarrod grabbed Alexandria's hand and sat her down beside him on the bed. "My family always contacts me before they come so we'll have plenty of time to prepare for when they come. Now will you please stop worrying?"

Alexandria smiled at Jarrod and said, "You are giving up so much for me. How can I ever thank you for what you're doing?"

"By making your shop the best dressmaker's shop in San Francisco." Jarrod tapped her nose and said, "And I know you can do that otherwise I would have never agreed to this."

"It's just that...well I feel bad for putting you in this situation." She got up and started pacing. "But Mr. Gibbs made me so mad that day in your office running his mouth, talking about how a woman couldn't do anything." She turned to face Jarrod with her hands on her hips. "He was infuriating and to think I was under the impression I could change his way of thinking." She rolled her eyes.

Jarrod watched as Alexandria's temper started to flare and the last thing he needed was for her to be upset; at least not today of all days. He cleared his throat and said, "This is partially my fault because I was under the impression he knew he was dealing with a woman. I guess he assumed Alex was a man and I didn't bother to clarify it with him. Regardless he shouldn't have declined to do business with you because you're a woman."

Alexandria spat, "Ol' fuddy dutty." She motioned around the room. "And now here we are."

Jarrod stood up and said, "Yes here we are; so we may as well make the best of it."

Alexandria turned around and said, "It's not too late to back out Jarrod. I would understand."

Jarrod smirked, "It's too late as we have both already signed the contract outlining everything and since I'm the one who drew up the contract it is irrevocable."

Nick walked in and smirked when he saw Jarrod and Alexandria together in his room, "Ah sorry to disturb you Pappy, but Audra says it's time."

"Thank you Brother Nick. Tell Audra we need a few more minutes okay?"

Nick grinned widely as he winked at Jarrod and said, "Sure thing." He quietly closed the door.

Alexandria blushed, "Well that was embarrassing."

Jarrod laughed, "Why?"

Alexandria shook her head and said, "I'm sure your brother thinks we were...ah well you know."

Jarrod laughed again, "Probably but given we are both still in a full state of dress I wouldn't worry about it too much."

Alexandria started pacing again, "This isn't right Jarrod. I'm going to call this off."

She started toward the door but Jarrod caught her hand and stopped her as he pulled her close to him. "If you want to stop this we can but I don't think you do. I know how badly you want to show Mr. Gibbs that you can run that shop and make it even more successful than it is now. If being married for one year is all we have to do than it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make if you are. When we get back to San Francisco everything will go back to the way it was before. Every once in awhile we'll have to make appearances together for a social gathering; but that's it. And when it comes time to come back here we'll figure it out, okay?" Alexandria nodded her head yes and Jarrod smiled. "Well then now that we have gotten that out of the way what do you say to becoming Mrs. Jarrod Barkley?"

Alexandria smiled as she responded, "I would be honored to be Mrs. Jarrod Barkley even if it is only due to the contract."

Jarrod opened the door and escorted her back to the guest room as he made his way to the front parlour and put on his best smile. As he walked down the stairs he kept thinking over and over in his mind, it's only for one year, it's only for one year.

As he walked past his mother and took his place he noticed the tears in her eyes and he felt a sudden rush of guilt. He had eloped with Beth and in doing so, so he had cheated his mother from seeing him married. He could not do that to her again even if this marriage was only due to The Contract.