Thanks for all your kind reviews. Sorry I missed a couple days while settling in on vacation in Barbados. It's been great to see my family after so many years.

I do not own Twilight.

FIFTEEN

Thanksgiving came quickly it seemed. Leah was so excited to host dinner at the house. They weren't celebrating the holiday as that was quite blasphemous to them, but rather, it was Billy's sixtieth birthday. She'd ended up cancelling the sale because it didn't feel like the right time. If she was honest with herself, if they did get married, she and Jacob would probably buy a new place together. She could wait until that happened. Ayanna had been disappointed, but Leah still paid her for her time.

Sue had come over to help cook all day. The house spelled like cinnamon due to the pies and special scented candles through the house. The place was toasty warm and Leah's heart felt so full. Nessie was putting together a puzzle with Billy and Julie in the living room, while Jacob, Embry and Seth were watching a game on the television in the den, shouting loudly at the jumbo screen. Jared, Kim and the kids had chosen to go back to the Reservation for the holiday break. Jacob had wanted to go too but it had been decided that the Blacks would go up for Christmas instead so that they could stay for longer. Leah was closing the practice early so she could go too, and Seth. Sue had decided to take a trip to the Makah to see her sister instead of coming with them. She hadn't said anything about Emily and Sam going too and Leah didn't want to hear about iit either.

Nessie had helped with the cake earlier that morning, so after dinner, which was fully enjoyed by all, she and Leah placed the 60 candle in the center along with a sparkler and together, carried the plate out to the table. Sue had poured the coffee and set up the ice cream and plates. Together they sang happy birthday which brought tears to Billy's eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered. "It's been a long, hard road. So many things have happened that were hard to accept, so many times I wanted to give up on life, but I'm grateful that I didn't. I'm thankful to have you all in my life, giving me the push to keep living. I have so much to live for now and I just pray for many more years to see this family grow. I love you all so much."

Jacob went over and literally collapsed over his father as he held him fiercely tight and whispered quietly to him. Leah couldn't help but shed a few tears as did Julie, while Sue smiled on alongside Seth and Embry. Little Nessie, feeling left out, forced her way between the two men and crawled onto her Papa's lap. The three held onto each other for a while before Jacob finally pulled away, his eyes red.

"You okay?" Leah mouthed to him. He nodded and came over to her, pulling her to the kitchen where they could be alone. Jacob leaned over and eagerly pressed his lips to Leah's. His warmth immediately engulfed her, and her skin tingled from head to toe, as it always did whenever he touched her.

"Thank you for this Lee, it means a lot," his breath tickled her cheek as he pressed her closer.

"Of course Jake, you know you don't have to thank me. We all deserved a little celebration."

He shook his head and took a deep breath, pulling away. "No I DO have to thank you. I know I've rushed things between us, basically forced myself and my family and my issues on you. And you've been so good to me, to us Lee. I just need you to know how much I appreciate you and all that you bring into my life. You mean the world to me Clearwater, I hope you really get that."

Leah was overwhelmed by his sudden little speech of gratitude, especially the earnest affection pouring from his brown eyes. Jacob was such an emotional being, she was still getting used to how he wore his heart on his sleeve. It was becoming easier to trust that he was being honest though, as he'd never given her a reason to doubt his affections were genuine thus far. Finally, in response to his words she nodded and cupped his cheek with one hand. "It's true, I was hesitant to let things go this far so soon. But Jake you're good for me. You've made starting over much easier, I don't know where I'd be without you after Sam-" Leah shook her head, not wanting to go down that road. Talking about their exes was never anything but a downer to the mood.

Jacob pulled her back to his chest again, folding Leah into the safety of his arms. "I know honey." He held on for a little longer before Nessie's voice called out for him to come have some of her cake.

Leah giggled and gestured to the dining room. "We DID slave over that cake for four hours, so you better have a big slice, Mr. Black."

"Only if you'll feed it to me," Jacob teased, lightly nibbling Leah's earlobe.

Leah rolled her eyes with a smile, and led the way back to the others. Unable to let her go just yet, Jacob pulled her to sit on his lap at the table where Julie and Sue were serving the birthday cake and ice-cream. Poor Billy couldn't actually have any cake but Leah had found a small tub of ice-cream for diabetics that he enjoyed.

"The cake is delicious Nessie, you must give me your recipe," Sue said to the little girl who giggled and blushed at the compliment.

"She's gotten quite good, I think we have a budding baker on our hands," Leah added with an encouraging smile.

"I'm going to make a cake for my Mommy," Nessie declared.

The sound of eating lulled for a brief moment before Leah said "And I'm sure she'll enjoy every bite of it sweetie." Nessie beamed contently and continued to eat her dessert.

Time was drawing nearer to the switch over – in a matter of weeks. Jacob had heard from Bella, who'd be back in town at the beginning of December to set up Nessie's room at Edward's house. He'd been on edge as to be expected and Leah had been trying her hardest to be whatever he needed – whether he needed her to just lay with him and stroke his hair as he sulked or needed to make love hard and fast to release his frustrations. Leah tried her best to be there. It was heartbreaking watching him unravel. She understood that the moment they shared in the kitchen was in relation to the difficult time he was going through.

She'd recommended getting a lawyer now and finding out his options, but Jacob had decided to wait until he saw Bella face to face. He didn't want to jump the gun. He worried that if she found out it would only push her to take full custody. She and Edward were Nessie's true parents and he felt like there was nothing he could do but beg for visitation rights.

They'd talked about it. Jacob would ask for one weekend a month and three days a week where he would pick Nessie up from school, give her dinner and bring her home, just so he'd have a chance to see her regularly. All they could do was hope that the Masens would agree. It was best for Nessie, at least until she got older and more used to Edward as her father. If they didn't agree, he was willing to let Leah contact lawyer.

It was now the first week of December. Leah was cleaning a patient's teeth when her phone rang. She pressed her Bluetooth connection and answered. "Hello?"

"Lee, it's me."

"Hi Jake." Her face immediately broke into a smile.

"Bella came to see me today."

Leah almost ran the buffer into Mr. Finnigan's nose. She quickly composed herself and cleared her throat. "Oh, so she's back? How did that go then?"

"Not good. I need to see you honey. Can I come over tonight?"

"Of course you can Jacob, I should be home by five, I'll bring dinner."

"Alright, bye."

He hung up abruptly and Leah tried not to take it personally. They were out of time now, and she knew that Jacob would be testy over the next few weeks, or until things got settled. Clearly things hadn't gone well. She would just have to prepare herself for his mood when she got home. She'd given him a key to the house so he could come and go as he needed. He never really came once she wasn't home though.

Leah couldn't think about anything but what he'd said for the rest of the afternoon. It couldn't be good and Jacob was sure to lose his cool if Bella threatened him. She practically ran out of the office when the last patient was gone and drove to her favorite Chinese place for take-out. When she pulled up Jacob's truck was there already. At the door Leah slipped off her heels, dumped her bag and walked through the house. She placed the food in the kitchen and called out for Jacob. She found him in the den, nursing a beer, just sitting and staring in the dark.

"Jacob?" she called to him again. He looked up, his eyes blood-shot. "Oh Jake." Leah went to him and positioned herself on his lap, her legs on either side. She pulled his face up forcing him to look at her. "Tell me what happened."

"They want to move to Canada."

Leah gasped, having not expected that at all. "But I thought you said she was going to fix up Nessie's room here and all of that?"

"They're not leaving just yet, but by summer they'll be gone."

"Okay, but six months gives you time. We still have time to prepare her for the change. If you share custody from now as planned it won't be such a shock when summer comes."

"What? What the fuck Leah?" Jacob snapped. Leah jumped at his aggressive tone. She quickly shuffled off of his lap and sat on the couch. "You think I should let her take my daughter? I can't let them do that!" he roared.

"But do you really have a choice? You know she'll take you to court and we can try to fight this but it will be a mess!"

"So you want her gone? Huh? You think it's what Nessie would want? She'll be miserable without us! She needs me and Dad. I thought you were on my side! You wanted me to go to court Leah!"

"Of course I want her to stay here Jacob! But if the Masens want to move that changes things. If you try to stop them I don't think it will work. Visitation is your only option Jacob, what you're talking about is full custody which is totally different! They won't lose that fight. I know it will be hard at first but you'll be alright. You can see her for summer or Christmas holidays, you can go spend a weekend there." Leah knew what she was saying was hard to hear, and she hated to be the one to say this to Jacob, but she just didn't see how he could stop Bella and Edward from taking Nessie out of the country. They were her parents by blood and they were well off, there would be no reason for a court to deny them their child. It would be a battle Jake was likely to lose and in the end he'd been devastated.

"It's not the same! She is MINE and HE doesn't get the right to swoop down with all his millions and take MY baby away from ME!" Jacob threw his bottle against the wall where it shattered and sent glass flying all over the place. Leah yelped as the glass rained on them and a shard managed to lodge itself into her cheek.

Jacob froze, realizing what he'd done and dropped to his denim-clad knees. "Fuck Leah I'm sorry! I'm sorry honey! Let me see it," he tried to get a good look but she backed away, not wanting him to touch her. Leah couldn't tell if he was drunk or just really messed up in his head right now. But he'd thrown a bottle against the wall which was uncalled for and she couldn't believe it. Was this what he was like when he got angry? Could her sweet, loving Jacob have a dangerous side? She didn't want to accept what had happened right in front of her eyes.

"Lee, you're shaking," Jacob said, his voice soft, his eyes pleading. "Let me take you to the bathroom and get this cleaned up, you're not wearing any shoes."

Leah shook her head in disbelief. "You…you hurt me," she sobbed, still in shock.

"I didn't mean to Lee, you gotta believe me. I'd never hurt you! I'm so sorry. I just felt so much rage I just didn't think. But please let me set this right, let me make sure you're okay. I'm SO sorry!" Jacob ran his hands along her shoulders, trying to get her to focus on his face.

Leah nodded, knowing that she couldn't walk across the floor herself. She allowed Jacob to carry her out of the room, but forced him to put her down the second they were all clear. "I can do it myself," she snapped, getting a hold of herself. "Just go, Jake. I don't want to talk to you right now. I can't." She needed a chance to clear her head.

Jacob nodded, "Just know that I'm sorry Leah. I never meant to hurt you."

Leaving him standing there Leah walked up the stairs to her suite, the blood trickling through her fingers and down her arms. When she looked in the mirror she could tell the cut wasn't too deep, but deep enough. She grabbed her magnifying mirror and a pair of tweezers and some alcohol. She pulled out the glass and cleaned the area thoroughly. She could only hope she got all the glass out. The bleeding didn't stop though, and she knew she likely needed a couple stitches. Taping her face with gauze, Leah drove herself to the twenty-four-hour clinic nearby owned by the wife of one of Sam's clients. She was taken care of quickly and assured that the scaring would be minimal.

Later that night she sat in the living room with a glass of wine, still shaken and confused at what had happened. Things had spun out of control so quickly between them, as soon as she'd opened her mouth about him letting Nessie go. Leah regretted voicing her opinion, even though her mind still hadn't changed about the situation. She knew how touchy the subject made Jacob, she should have been more cautious with her response. The whole accident had been her fault as much as his.

Jacob had cleaned up the mess before he'd left and had written a sorry note and texted five times. She knew he didn't mean it, he wouldn't do something so horrible intentionally, but it was the rage he'd displayed that she couldn't shake loose. Leah kept hearing her mother's nagging voice in her head saying that she had moved too fast without knowing what kind of a man he was.

The doorbell rang, and Leah was too afraid to answer it. She knew that Jacob would only want to apologize and yet she was still too shaken to face him so soon. She went to the security monitors and saw that it was only Embry and decided to see what he wanted.

"Hey Lee," he said quietly, regarding her from head to toe. "I stopped by to see how you're doing. Jacob would have called Seth but he didn't think Seth would be able to keep his cool right now…considering."

Leah nodded and stepped aside for him to enter. Seth would only get angry and make a scene, and while he would have been justified to defend his sister, Leah really didn't want any more conflict. "Thanks Embry, but I'm doing okay."

"You sure?"

Leah sighed and wrapped her arms around herself. "I just can't believe he did that."

Embry nodded. "Jake has an angry streak in him…but honestly, it rarely comes out. I swear I've only seen him act like that three times in our whole lives – I've known him since we were babies. The first time was when this boy picked on his sister, the second time was when he lost his mother, the third was when Bella told him the truth about Nessie and that she was leaving him. Trust me, he isn't dangerous. He's beating himself up pretty bad over this Leah, he's devastated. He thinks he cut you way worse than what I am seeing."

"No, it's not that bad. You should tell him I'll be okay." Leah couldn't help but think of Emily's scar and prayed she wouldn't end up looking like that, not that it was bad, Leah just didn't want them to share any more similarities beyond blood and husbands.

"I'll tell him. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?"

"No, I'm going to bed. I just need this day to be over."

"Alright, um…you'll talk to him though right? I mean, you two will be okay right?" Embry confirmed, his hand nervously scratching the back of his head as the other gripped the door knob.

"I just need some time to sort myself out Embry. Tell Jacob I'll call when I'm ready."

Embry opened his mouth to beg her not to wait too long but changed his mind. The set of her jaw told him that Leah wasn't up for any more discussion. "Goodnight," he said, then quietly slipped into the night.

On the way back home Embry called Jacob and told him what happened. Jacob begged him to go back and ask Leah to call him tomorrow but he ignored the request. His friend would just have to simmer down and accept that Leah called the shots in this.

Embry was grateful to Jacob for all that he'd done in his life, bringing him to Seattle, letting him experience another life besides the dead-end one of the Reservation. They were brothers, and he'd do anything for him, but he couldn't believe that Jacob had messed up like this. And it was because of Bella that he was so angry too, which wasn't a good look. What was Leah to think?

Embry liked her and he was grateful to Leah for introducing him to Donna. They'd been dating on and off since they met. Nothing serious as yet, but they enjoyed each other's company which Embry hoped would stretch into the New Year. With the couple facing such a fall-out, he worried that they'd break up. Leah wasn't the kind of woman to take these things lightly, and Jacob was facing an even harder time with his daughter and Bella that Embry didn't see how he'd manage to keep his cool over the coming weeks. Things could get a lot worse before they got better. All he could do was hope that they wouldn't.