Disclimer:SM owns Twilight

Ch15:Mr. Elite vs Rubber Ducky

Jacob turned his SUV onto a private road leading to Clearwater Farms. Seth Clearwater had warned him that the horse farm was like a fortress, and judging from the camera and security checkpoint Jacob knew Leah's brother wasn't just blowing smoke. Stopping at the checkpoint, he nodded to the man in the booth. A high powered rifle in plain sight was a definite deterrent for anyone attempting to bypass security.

A man who wore every year of his advanced age on his face slid back the window in the air-cooled booth. "May I please see your driver's license?"

Jacob reached in the rear pocket of his jeans where he kept his license, placing it in the outstretched hand while strategically positioned cameras recorded his and Leah's image along with the vehicle's license plate.

They had gotten up before sunrise because Leah wanted to be on the road before rush hour traffic. He had loaded Terry in a crate, placing him and his doggie supplies in his SUV's cargo area. Once he had loaded their luggage, they headed for the interstate highway. Jacob stopped once they crossed the state line from North Carolina into Virginia where he had ordered breakfast to go, because they didn't want to leave the puppy in the truck with the rising temperatures.

"Follow the signs, Mr. Black," the guard said, smiling and handing Jacob his license.

Jacob returned his license to his back pocket, shifted into gear and continued along the newly paved road. Towering trees stood along the roadway like sentinels. The mowed grass reminded him of baseball fields. "How big is this farm?" he asked Leah.

"Seth said it's about almost four hundred acres. He claims it's much smaller than some of the other farms in the area."

"The landscaping is impeccable. It must take a week to mow the grass." He pointed to his right." Look over there babe."

Leah caught her breath when she spied several mares with their young. The sunlight shimmered on their deep red coats. "The foals are adorable, but I still don't want any part of them."

Jacob slowed to five miles an hour when he recognized what appeared to be a gray Arabian stallion racing across the meadow at break neck speed in pursuit of a mare that kicked up her hind legs whenever he got too close.

"Isn't that just like a woman?" he said. "Why is she playing hard to get?"

Leah noticed the stallion was aroused. "Maybe she's not estrous."

"I'm willing to bet she is or he wouldn't be all over her. See, I was right." At that moment the mare stopped and permitted the stallion to mount her. Jacob gave Leah a sidelong glance. "One of these days we're going to try that position."

She was saved from replying when a trio of chimneys came into view. As Jacob maneuvered up an incline, Leah gasped when she saw the three-story antebellum great house at the end of a live oak allee. A full height, columned porch wrapping around the front and sides of the magnificent Greek Revival mansion made her feel as if she had stepped back in time. When Seth talked of spending most of all his inheritance to start up a horse farm she had thought him frivolous, but he had proven her wrong.

Her smile was dazzling. "It looks as if my little brother is doing the damn thing."

Jacob shook his head in awe. "Nice." He maneuvered around to the rear of the house where sedans and SUVs and pickups were parked.

Leah was out of the truck as soon as Jacob cut off the engine. Arms outstretched, she met her brother when he came forward to meet her. "You fooled me, Seth." She said kissing his cheek.

Seth's dark eyes swept over his sister. She looked wonderful, and there was no doubt her bodyguard was just the medicine she needed to heal from the ordeal that had turned her life upside down.

"What are you talking about?"

"You told me you bought a little place in Virginia, while most of your money went into buying horses."

"The house came with the land. It was abandoned and dilapidated and I spent more renovating and trying to restore it than I did buying horseflesh. If it hadn't been for Aunt Parris buying furnishings at wholesale I probably would have declared bankruptcy."

Leah's smile turned into a scowl. "You know you could have come to me if you needed money."

"No, I couldn't. Remember, you needed your money for that free clinic you planned to open in Miami." Reaching for her hand, he squeezed her fingers. "Do you intend to go through with your plans?"

She nodded. "Yes. I have decided not to return to the hospital." It was a decision that hadn't come easily for Leah, but she knew she would never be able to walk into the E.R. without reliving the trauma of that fateful night.

Seth glanced over his sister's head to see Jacob approaching with a dog on a leash. "We'll talk later." He offered his free hand. "Welcome to the Clearwater Farms."

Jacob shook his soon to be brother in law's hand. "Thank you. This is a beautiful place."

"Thank you," he said modestly. "And I want to thank you for convincing my sister to come for a visit."

Leah rolled her eyes at Seth. "If you had told me it was like this I would have come sooner."

"I tried to tell you Lee Lee, but you wouldn't listen." He bent over and patted the terrier's head. "Hello, handsome. There are some dogs around here that would be glad to show you the lay of the land." Seth straightened. "Is he old enough to mate?"

"No! Terry is still a puppy."

Seth exchanged a look with Jacob, who lifted his shoulders. "That's what I thought about a stray runt until he got one of my girl pups pregnant."

"That's not going to happen with Terry," Leah said, "because I plan to have him neutered."

"You will not take his manhood," Jacob stated emphatically.

"Did I say something wrong?" Seth asked.

Leah glared at Jacob. "No, but Jacob did. Do you have any idea of the number of stray dogs that are put down each year because people don't neuter or spay their pets?"

Seth preempted Jacob from answering. "You two must be exhausted after the drive. Come inside and let me show you your rooms. If you brought a crate for the dog with you, then he can stay in the room with you. Otherwise, you can board him with the other dogs, all of which have had their shots."

Jacob spoke first. "He can stay with us tonight. Tomorrow he is going to have to hold his own against the big dogs."

"I wouldn't worry too much about him," Seth said over his shoulder as led the way around to the front of the house. "Terry may decide that he prefers living on a horse farm to hanging out in the mountains or in Florida."

Leah wondered if Seth were referring to himself. He preferred breeding horses to working for his father's company. And yet, no one would ever question Seth's business acumen. He had become a master when it became to negotiating a deal.

The day he had exchanged his custom made tailored suits, imported footwear and expensive sports cars for jeans, boots and a pickup was the day Seth Clearwater had found his niche. Her brother, four years her junior, had established himself as a breeder of note within Virginia's horse country, while she'd floundered in an attempt to find her own professional footing.

Leah knew the shooting had changed her life; however, she'd allowed it to slow down her life. She had vacillated about whether to return to the hospital or follow through with her plan to open the clinic. Jacob coming to live with her represented a return to normalcy, while she was reminded that she had spent too much time alone.

Marrying a stranger was anything but normal, but she realized that she more comfortable living with Jacob than she had ever been in her three year relationship with Sam. Jacob respected her personal space and the time when she preferred being alone to do the things she liked doing. But then when they did come together to cook, eat, watch a movie, play a board game or take a walk, she knew she'd found her soul mate.

Wiping her feet on a mat inside the entry hall and walking into the living room, Leah stared up at the massive crystal chandelier suspending from the ceiling rising more than twenty feet above a parquet floor bordered by an intricate rosewood inlaid pattern. Twin curving staircases leading to the second story were a scene out of Gone with the Wind.

She recognized her great-aunt's decorating trademarks with a collection of candlesticks on the fireplace mantel, the elegant fabrics on love seats, sofa and chairs and the collection of framed prints featuring horses.

"This is more than I ever could have imagined." The only house she had seen that was comparable to Seth's house was the one her great grand-father had built for his wife and children. The twenty four room West Palm Beach mansion overlooking a lake was filled with priceless artifacts and had become nothing short of a showplace.

"Amen to that," Jacob said.

Seth stopped at the staircase. "I can't take any of the credit for what you see. My great aunt designed the rooms, her daughter the gardens, and another cousin who's an architectural historian selected the antiques. Everyone asked if I was going to give the horse a name, so I decided to call it Clearwater House because it was Clearwater women who did what they did best."

"They sound like incredible women," Jacob said.

Seth gave Jacob a long, penetrating stare. "You should know that firsthand. After all, you're marrying one."

Jacob returned the stare. "I don't need you to tell me that."

Leah's gaze shifted to Seth, then Jacob and back to her brother. "Please don't start that male posturing nonsense or there will be no wedding."

Seth waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Clearwater women give their men a lot of lip until they become mothers. After that, they go into 'yes dear' and 'no dear' mode."

Jacob winked at Seth. "That's something I'll keep in mind."

Leah folded her hands at her waist. "Seth, why do you always want to start something?"

"Love you too, Lee Lee." Turning, Seth made his way up the staircase as Leah and Jacob followed. "I'm putting you in the west wing because the sun doesn't reach that section of the house until late morning. I'm at the opposite end in the east wing." He opened a set of double doors and then stepped aside. "You have a bedroom, a private bath, sitting and dressing area. There's a wet bar in a chest in the sitting room and if you need anything let me know and I'll have someone bring it to you."

Shifting Terry to his left hand, Jacob wrapped his right arm around Leah's waist. "Leah and I would like to take you out for dinner tonight. That is, if you don't have other plans." His fingers tightened on her waist.

"Please say yes Seth," Leah chimed in as if she and Jacob had discussed it beforehand.

Seth reached for his cell phone attached to his waist. "Let me make a call first."

"Why don't you have her join us," Leah said perceptively. "unless you don't want me to meet your girlfriend?"

"Peyton is not my girlfriend."

Leah's eyebrows show up. "Her name is Peyton?"

Seth angled his head. "Her father wanted a boy. I'll call and let her know we're going to have company."

"What time do you want us to be ready?" Jacob asked.

"Seven. See you guys later."

Leah waited for her brother to close the door before glaring at Jacob. "Let me give you a word of caution, Jacob. Please don't get into it with Seth, because he likes nothing better than verbal confrontation. And, he's not above backing it up with his fists."

"Stop trying to protect your brother, Leah. He is not your little brother anymore. In case you've forgotten he is a grown man."

She ran her fingers through her hair. "You're right m'ijo. Seth doesn't need me to fight his battles. Just take a look at this house, the farm. My younger brother has succeeded when most of us believed he would fail."

"Did anyone tell you that you couldn't be a doctor?"

"Not really. But, it was my older brother Brady who always had my back."

"You don't have to have your brothers' protection, m'ija. Now that's my responsibility."

A beat passed as Leah stared at the man with whom she had fallen in love. "You're really serious, aren't you?"

There was another pause. "You just don't know how serious I am," Jacob said. He approached Leah, handing her Terry. "I'm going down to the truck to bring up his crate before he ruins your brother's priceless Persian rug."

Turning on his heels, he walked out of the bedroom suite. Jacob hadn't lied to Leah. He had promised protect her and he would—with his life if the situation called for it. He would forfeit his life because he had fallen in love with her.

As ordered, he'd called his supervisor to let him know he was in Virginia. Charlie informed him there still was no further communication from Embry Call, but if the undercover agent did contact the Bureau, then a jet would be standing by to fly Jacob back to a North Carolina regional airport or private airstrip.

Come on bro call me. He felt that if he'd mentally willed it, then his brother would contact him. He wanted to bring Embry Call in, and then concentrate on trying to make his marriage to Leah work without a list of conditions.

Leah waited for Jacob to fall asleep before she slipped out of bed, dressed and tiptoed out of the bedroom. Terry, curled into a ball on the fleece mattress in the crate, was sleeping. The bedroom she'd been assigned overlooked a beautiful English garden. Walking along a stone path, she stopped under an archway covered with climbing pale pink roses. The plantings were mixed, roses set among perennials, presenting a riot of color. She continued, smiling when seeing a wooden fence with a doorway that reminded her of one of her favorite books, The Secret Garden.

Suddenly it hit Leah. She didn't want to be married in a cold, sterile courthouse with a clerk officiating at what was to be one of the most important days in her life. She wanted a minister or a priest to marry her and Jacob in her brother's garden.

From her second story bedroom window she was able to see the half dozen cottages where full time permanent farm personnel lived with their families, a larger building that was the mess hall and in the distance, the stables where the horses were bedded down for the night. She knew that horses were social animals and were kept outdoors during the day to graze and run to release pent up energy. She had noticed men on horseback and others in pickups patrolling the property. All were armed with either handguns or rifles.

Leah bumped into Seth as she walked into the large, ultra-modern kitchen. "I was just coming to ask you something."

"And I wanted to give you this," he handed her several pages. "They came in on my fax machine."

When Leah had called her attorney to let him know she needed a prenuptial agreement, he suggested faxing the papers would be quicker than sending them overnight. She had to call Seth to get his fax number. "That's the prenup I asked my lawyer to draw up for me."

The nostrils of Seth's nose flared slightly. "You know this is a first Lee Lee."

"What are you talking about Seth?"

"You're the first Clearwater to have a prenup."

"It wasn't my idea."

"Whose idea was it?"

Leah bit her lip. "It was Jacob's. He was the one who suggested a prenup."

Seth narrowed his gaze. "What's the matter? The two of you don't plan to stay together?"

Reaching for her brother's hand, she pulled him over to a stool at the cooking island. "I have something to tell you, and if you repeat it then I'm going to beat you up, Seth Andrew Clearwater."

Seth gave her an incredulous look. "Damn, Lee Lee, it must be serious if you're calling me by my full name."

"This is serious, Seth."

He sobered. "Okay, I'm listening."

Leah told him everything from her initial meeting with Jacob to their decision to make their farce of a marriage legal. What surprised her was that Seth's impassive expression did not change.

"No comment?" She taunted.

Seth threw up his hands. "What do you want me to say Leah? When a man proposes marriage, it usually means he is tired of chasing skirts and wants to settle down and have a family of his own. Consider yourself blessed, because you're getting someone who's willing to commit without feeling as if there's a noose around his neck. And I really admire the guy for suggesting a prenup, but something tells me you're not going to need it."

"What makes you think that?" she asked.

"The man is in love with you."

"That is where you are wrong, Seth. Jacob may like me, but I know he is not in love with me."

"Oh, because you say so?" Seth asked.

"Because I know so," Leah retorted.

"That shows how much you know, Doc."

Seth and Leah turned at the same time to find Jacob standing barefoot under the entrance to the kitchen. A pair of jeans rode low on his hips and the T-shirt stretched over his broad chest appeared to be a size too small. Leah wanted to be anywhere but in the kitchen with Jacob glaring at her as if he had defamed his character.

Crossing muscular arms over his chest, Jacob leaned against the door frame. "What's the matter, Leah? I've never known you to be at a loss for words," he taunted, ignoring her gasp.

Seth, feeling the tension rising in the kitchen like a hot breeze, stood up. "Uh… I'm going to… uh… leave you two. Yup… leaving sounds really good right about now."

"Stay!" the command was crisp, sharp and Seth sat back down. "You need to hear this," Jacob said, his voice calm and softer. "I didn't propose to Leah out of some perverted sense of duty and honor, but because I'm in love with her. It wouldn't have mattered if she had a problem pretending to be my wife, I still wouldn't have agreed to make it legal. I know what she is worth and I suggested a prenup because I don't want or need her money.

Tell me now, Leah, if we're going through with this. If not, then I'll head back to North Carolina. I'll pick up my stuff from your place and leave your keys with Jared and Kim." He glanced at the clock on the microwave. "You have exactly one minute to give me your answer."

Leah closed her eyes and bit down on her lip to stop its trembling. "I…" Her words trailed off.

Seth popped up. "Look man, you're not going to pressure my sis like that."

Jacob lowered his arms. "And what exactly are you going to do about it? This is between your sister and me. I'd asked you to stay because I want you to hear me out, not interfere."

"Enough Seth." Leah said softly.

"It isn't enough Leah." Seth countered.

"Yes it is. Jacob asked me a question and he has a right to get an answer." Her eyelids fluttered wildly, matching the runaway pulse in her throat. She had balked, refusing to set a wedding date with Sam, but she was determined not to make the same mistake twice. A smile trembled over her quivering lips. "Yes, Jacob."

His eyebrows lifted a fraction. "Yes what, Leah."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Yes, I will marry you."

Crossing his arms over his chest again, Jacob angled his head. "Why?"

Rising to her feet, Leah walked over to Jacob and placed both palms over his heart. "Because not only do I love you, but I'm also in love with you. I want to go to bed and wake up with you beside me. And if you want a house full of babies I'm willing to push out as many as I can before I'm too old."

Jacob picked up Leah, fastening his mouth on hers as her arms went around his neck. He kissed her, silently communicating the depth of his love for her. "We can start as soon as we're married," he whispered against her moist lips.

Seth stood up. "Come on guys. Enough P.D.A take that upstairs." He walked over to the couple still locked in a passionate embrace. He placed a hand on Jacob's shoulder. "I only let you order me about in my home because of my sister. You need to remember that when you're lord of your own castle and someone gets in your face."

"I don't think so Clearwater. Not too many men are crazy enough to get in my face."

"So it's like that, Mr. Elite Special Forces?"

"You got that right, rubber ducky."

"Stop it!" Leah waved her arms above her head. "I'm not going to have my brother and my fiancé at each other's throats because of some silly military competition."

Jacob and Seth bumped fists, and then pointed at Leah while laughing uncontrollably. "Gotcha!" they chorused.

At that moment Leah realized she had been duped. "You guys make me sick," she scowled. She pulled away from Jacob, walked over to the countertop and picked up the printed pages and tore them into strips, then returned to throw them at Jacob. "That is what I think of your freakin' prenup. And I don't want to get married in the courthouse." She turned her angry glare on Seth. "I want you to find a minister to marry me and Jacob here at the house. I don't care how much you have to bribe him to perform the ceremony, just make certain he is here Thursday evening."

Seth waited until Leah stalked out of the kitchen to look at Jacob. "Are you certain you want to get hitched with my crazy sister?"

Jacob smiled. "I've seen her worse."

"And you still want to marry her?"

Jacob sobered. "When you find yourself in love with a woman you learn to ignore a lot. She is funny, sensitive, kind and generous I know you don't want to hear this being that you are her brother. But, the girl is sexy as hell."

"If you say so," Seth drawled. He leaned in closer to Jacob. "I know who you are and what you do."

Jacob pretended ignorance. "What are you talking about?"

"I have a cousin who works in Langley who called his friend at Quantico. And I don't want to know what you're doing in North Carolina."

"And I'm not going to tell you," Jacob shot back.

"Whatever it is, I don't want my sister in the line of fire. She has been through enough this past year."

"Don't worry about Leah. The marshals are ready to step in at a moment's notice." Seth offered his hand but Jacob ignored it and gave Seth a rough hug. "Do you think you can find a minister for Thursday?"

"Halestone Farms has a resident ordained minister, who I'm certain would be happy to officiate. I'll call Reverend Carlisle Cullen and ask him. Maybe we can have a little something afterward to celebrate the happy occasion. I'm warning you in advance, that the Clearwater's expect you to repeat your vows New Year's Eve."

"Why New Year's Eve?" Jacob asked.

"It's become a family tradition, dating back to when my great-grandfather married my great-grandmother, that we marry on the last day of the year."

"It sounds like a wonderful way to welcome in a new year."

"The Clearwater's tend to get a little raucous, but it's all in good fun."

Jacob smiled. He was looked forward to meeting Leah's family, but he knew that wouldn't happen until after he was reunited with his brother.

True Blood was like (0_0) worthy tonight... I'd totally have a vampire affair with Eric ..

And I was thinking that lately I've completely been slipping on my daily updates for ALL my stories...

I completely blame life.. and all the fantastical problems that come with it

but after this whole wedding fiasco I should be back on point...

Especially with LC's Room :)

But to everyone that has reviewed, alerted or added me to their favorites I adore you

If you've done two out of the three then you are simply Ah-mazing.. your the perfect carmel&chocolate frappuccino & my version of Jake loves you!

No one can have Embry though. He's mine! Maybe you can borrow him but he is to be returned to the rightful owner *cough cough* (me) by the end of the day

I can dream :) lol

Okay my A/N are starting to become longer than the chapter so I'll hush now :)

Review lovies.