Hello. x Well, it began as a lil one shot for Halloween to follow on a month after a Promise is a Promise had finished but that was too much like homework...
I forgot that Ruby just don't do homework! The bubbles got out of hand...so I have had to literally chop it up and delete oodles and begin posting because otherwise I wouldn't get it out on time...Blame Cullen1007 for not reminding me it was nearly Halloween...tsk tsk...so yeah grammar and proof reading done in a panic of *oh gosh its nearly Halloween.*
Enjoy and don't look too closely for a sound plot...you won't find it. *I have already looked.*
Warning warning warning: Corporal punishment, illegal drugs, cussing, spiders in later update, violence oh and err oodles of tears *the vampire variety* - please don't read if you know you will not like it. x (RATED M)
Yup, it is a cuppa and jaffa cake moment. woo hoo!
I do not own anything especially not Stephanie Meyer's world.
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Ring Of Fire
"Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by a wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire
I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames climbed higher
And it burned, burned, burned the ring of fire
The ring of fire
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet
I fell for you like a child
Ooh, the fire went wild
Then I fell into a burning ring of fire
I went down, down, down and the flames climbed higher
And it burned, burned, burned the ring of fire
The ring of fire
Lord it burned, burned, burned the ring of fire
The ring of fire, the ring of fire, the ring of fire.."
*Jasper's interpretation of Johnny Cash:)*.
I am Cain...
The room was lit up from the flashes of lightening that showed the fear distinctly on Jasper's face. He was biting deeply into his right arm as if it was a bone and he was a wild hungry pup.
Jasper's eyes were wide open and deep violet as he watched his door swing open. He continued to bite, now moving to a new untouched piece of skin as he stood up against his bedroom wall.
Carlisle strode over to him, getting covered in a shower of rain from the broken window. Jasper looked into his Father's pitch black eyes and cringed and pressed his back against the wall.
The boy's eyes kept flickering to his Father's belt as a flash lit up the buckle around his waist. He was expecting his Papa to use it on him and beat him to death for what he had just done.
"Jasper...you must stop that." Carlisle raised his hand to take a hold on Jasper's savaged arm making the boy flinch and growl. The Patriarch touched the dirty bandage on the boy's hand and was shocked when Jasper whined.
He watched horrified as the boy was attempting to chew off his own arm. "My son, my precious boy... Stop." He tried to take a hold of Jasper's head to keep him still and try and prise his jaws open.
The growls got louder and then abruptly they stopped and Jasper released his own arm and looked at it as if it belonged to a stranger.
"I am sorry Papa he kept on at me...and I had had enough...He, he, he took my Alice." He burst into tears and hugged his bandaged hand to his shaking chest. "Oh God I am Cain." He began to bite his arm over and over...
That Morning...Before the Storm
He sniffed the air...Elk. Edward licked his lips and looked over at the house and noted that the kitchen was now empty. He took his chance and leapt from Esme Two and ran into the forest to find his fast food.
Edward was not impressed by his find...yes it was one impressive beast but... He frowned as he watched the elk swaying and kicking up the leaves and grunting.
The elk came right up to the vampire and gave Edward's nose a lick. "Ooooh...That is nasty." An image of Jasper last Halloween came into his head as he studied the effects of the drugged up beast.
Grown women dressed up in ridiculous witchy and vampire attire had kept giving Jasper candy and throwing themselves at them as they had walked home from the cinema and that added to the Pepsi which was banned in the Cullen house; had gotten the boy soldier just a little twitchy.
Hehehe, Edward thought as he remembered the hiding Jasper had gotten off their Dad for trashing the lounge and attempting to beat his 'just finished a 14 hour shift bemused Papa' in a wrestling match...needless to say, it had not ended well.
But on the plus side the siblings all had a good laugh until they were made to help Jasper tidy up the living room as punishment for encouraging his sneaky behaviour. Alice's clever idea of course. He grumbled wiping away animal spit which had ran from his nose to his bottom lip; and rubbed it down his jeans. "Go home Elk as you are drunk."
Edward went to walk away and then paused and thought about how unfair his life was and he couldn't see Bella as much as he wanted to because of a 'nosey to big for his army boots brother'. Instead of seeing the Elk he saw a hyped up Jasper about to get busted for sneaking stimulants again. If Jasper was in trouble it would take the pressure off him and perhaps he would get his privileges back.
Edward felt a flood of shame but then remembered if Jasper had not told their Dad that he had not been hunting then everything would have been okay. "Here crazy animal come to Uncle Eddy..."
Later that Morning...Over Breakfast
The current trouble had began over breakfast when constant bickering had put all the boys in a mood. Jasper grimaced at his blood. "Have you changed the brand?" He wrinkled his nose and placed his mug down. "I aint drinkin' that."
Without looking up from his laptop Carlisle had instructed his son to finish his drink and stop fussing and to be grateful for what was provided. "We provide that blood for you and Edward made that drink for you so be polite."
"Sorry Sir." Jasper said in a surly tone making his Father tsk softly.
"Oh you are welcome!" Edward shouted from the garden.
"Well maybe if ya did us drinks more often and not just when ya creepin' you would get the temperature right...What did you do Edward gob in it!" Jasper yelled making Esme give him a clip round the ear.
"Owwww Mama! That smarts." He rubbed at the sting and looked around at Esme who was tapping her foot and flicking the dreaded tea towel.
He gave her a sheepish grin. "Sorry Edward it is not your fault you can't make a cup of blood...you are just a lil special and that is why we love yah."
Emmett nearly fell off his chair laughing as Jasper got another clip round the ear from his mother who was trying not to smile and refused to look at Carlisle who was grinning...He could hide it behind his Lion King mug but those eyes were twinkling.
He put on his best stern tone. "Edward...Do not make me come out there." He went back to his emails like nothing had happened. "Great a meeting to discuss how to save money." He muttered to himself as he clicked to the weather and then muttered more negativity into the laptop. He was oblivious to Jasper's scowling face or Emmett's shit eating grin.
Jasper drank half the sludgy blood down quick and wondered why his parents were buying some cheap brand of blood and hoped it was not another of Carlisle's lessons on being penny-wise.
"Have you drank it up like a good boy Jazzy?"
"Bite me Emmett." Jasper growled wiping his mouth on a paper towel. He scrunched it up and threw it at Emmett.
"Pick that up and put it in the bin please." Jasper grumbled and tried to pick the paper towel up only to have Emmett kick it away. "Jasper." Carlisle warned as he logged off his account.
"Papa...Tell him to stop!"
"Emmett...whatever you are doing...don't."
Jasper was annoyed that Carlisle was still engrossed in his damn laptop and would always happen to glance up when he did something wrong and not Em.
"I am going out and you better stay out of my way, I would rather face the storm than stay in here with you, you big doofus."
Emmett got up from the table again and started dodging in front of his brother every time he took a step. "Doofus am I?"
"Papa...Tell Emmett!"
"Emmett...Behave." He said distractedly as he looked at his watch.
Wet Willy!
The wet willy was just one wet willy too far and Jasper threw his half cup of blood. Emmett dodged this easily and so the Deputy Dawg mug continued on its merry carefree way to Carlisle's lap. He glowered at his boys as he caught the mug before it shattered and placed it on the table.
Well, Carlisle had not been very pleased and Emmett and Jasper had been informed that they would be sent straight to their beds for the remainder of the day. Jasper was upset and tried to argue that it was Emmett's damn fault for the blood as he just kept taunting him. He was going to the forest not bed! The Patriarch's eyes narrowed when the boy stamped his foot and folded his arms sulkily.
Carlisle finished wiping the blood from his lap and snapped the tea towel down on the table making them all jump. He was irritated over his work clothes and snapped at Jasper to stop being a baby, before he really gave him something to cry about and to get to bed at once.
They all heard the chuckle from the garden. "You can shut ya hole." Jasper yelled from the open door.
"Make me Deputy." Jasper was trying to get outside but found he had a Father on his arm. "Ahh, Papa."
"Edward..." Carlisle warned and was met with silence as he gripped on to a struggling Jasper's arm.
"Jasper... Come with me." Carlisle started pulling him towards the lounge and bent the protesting vampire over the arm of the sofa.
"No, that ain't fair! They were taunting me so why am I in trouble?"
"Young man at this moment in time your voice is the only one that I am hearing...Now be quiet and keep still before you lose your jeans."
Jasper was spanked for not listening and attempting to fight his brother. It was only five swats and they had not been that hard but he imagined Emmett and Edward laughing at him.
When his Father next instructed him to get to his room...The boy wisely went...
Daddy has a Quiet Word with his Boys...and Esme...
Carlisle changed his clothes and then went to have a separate word with all three boys.
"Edward Cullen! Get your backside out of that tree right now." The annoyed Dad said as he tapped his foot impatiently at his son's slow human descent.
BAM... "Owwwwww...Daaad!" Edward was given a smack for teasing his brother and threatened to be put back on room restriction.
BAM..."Ssssssssssss! What was that one for?" Edward yelped holding his bum and jumping from foot to foot.
"That was just a reminder...in case you had already forgotten; as I know you are easily distracted these days."
He smiled and began to walk away from his moody boy. "Daad." Edward asked hesitantly and was dismayed to see his Father turn back around and fold his arms and give Edward his full Carlisle Cullen attention.
"Yes Son?"
"Well, it is just well..." Carlisle looked at his watch and back at his son. "I was wondering if I could please have my phone back?"
Edward was watching his Dad for a reaction and was dismayed to see him chuckle and walk back towards the house. "Thankyou Edward I needed a laugh..." Then he became very stern as he turned again to study his son.
"It is all your own doing you know Edward. I would have given you back your phone by now if you showed your family some respect-"
"Okay Dad...Goda" Edward rolled his eyes and just wanted his Dad to go away as he was about to start lecturing.
"Show some respect and you will get your phone back and take God's name in vain again and I will wash your mouth out!" More softly yet just as strict the lecturing Father continued..."And as for Jasper this stops now. You have more freedom than you deserve and that is only because I respect my Deputy to take his advice on your punishment and give you more leniency than you actually deserve."
Carlisle watched as Edward seemed to pale even more and look just a little green around the gills. "Dad about Jasper..." He shut his mouth quick and shook his head. "I will try harder."
"Excellent to hear my son...I know you miss your Bella." Edward's eyes misted up and he quickly wiped the tears on his sleeve. "Come here."
He went over and sank into his Father's arms and began to cry. "Shush, it will be okay you need to calm down and stop trying to rush...you have waited a long time for your mate and now is not the time to hurry."
"Sorry Dad for everything." Carlisle pulled his boy away from him and stared into his jet black eyes.
"Edward have you done something that you shouldn't have?" He watched as Edward's eyes widened and he looked down at the grass.
"If you have it is better just to tell me now so we can discuss it. Because you look troubled son and the only way to make it better is to confess and find some inner peace."
"No Dad." He whispered getting out of his Dad's gentle hold and moved further back towards the tree.
"Okay...If you do need to talk you can ask your mother for permission to use the house phone. I am giving you a chance here son."
"I don't need to talk."
Carlisle frowned as he knew his son had done something he shouldn't have...probably sneaking off when backs were turned. "Do you remember what Russian is for no Edward?"
"Niet?"
"Excellent, your Russian is improving... Just so we are clear, you may not have your phone back just yet and if I hear of any mean remarks directed at Jasper I will spank you extremely hard with whoever happens to be present in the room...and I do not think that your rear can take much more punishment do you?"
"No Dad."
"I am surprised you even entertained the idea of having your phone back yet..." Chuckling he checked his watch again. "Oh Eddy, Eddy, Eddy..."
Squeezed Bum...
Carlisle was handed his light grey waistcoat and a squeeze on the bum by Esme. He gave her a shocked face as she did up his buttons. "Storm is getting worse...be-careful today I have a really creepy feeling I wish you could stay home and that the girls were here."
Carlisle scooped his wife up and sat her on his lap on the bed...It will pass and all the boy's are home which may not be a blessing but you are altogether. Keep your phone on and I will do the same. Ahh the radio has come back on."
"Music is a comfort." She smiled and gave herself a mental slap for being so silly. Carlisle stroked his mate's hair and assisted her to stand. After a long kiss he went to speak with his Joker...
Hash Tag Onsie Day
Carlisle had been at Emmett's door for a few seconds and was now growing impatient as he did up his cufflinks. "Emmett Cullen. As beautiful as you are ...come here."
Carlisle pointed to the spot at his tapping foot. Emmett finished admiring himself in the mirror and zipped up his onsie and slowly approached his Father.
BAM, BAM, BAM... Emmett gritted his teeth as he had his rear smacked and was given a very stern warning on his behaviour and to leave Jasper alone who was now in trouble because of him and his silly jokes.
BAM..."Wowsa Pops! What was that one for?" Emmett yelled rubbing at the fresh sting.
"For not instantly coming over to me when I instructed you to...By the way, I like the Halloween costume."
"Duh, it is not a Halloween costume." Emmett said scooting back under his duvet and grinning at his bemused Father. "I thought I may as well make today a onsie day."
"Oh dear." Carlisle shook his head and closed Emmett's door and prayed to Cumor to keep a close eye on that boy...
A Quiet word with Jazzy...
More softly as he opened his son's door, Carlisle finished fixing his purple tie and stepped into the quiet room. "Jasper Whitlock Cullen come here please."
The boy pulled his blue and white stripy pj shirt over his head and looked at his Papa startled. He slowly made his own slow walk over to the door as he thought about those bams he had just heard.
Carlisle opened his arms out and the boy hesitantly at first leaned in and wrapped his own arms around his Dad's waist and placed his cheek against his leader's shoulder.
He whispered to his son to stay calm and he understood that emotions were running high at the moment because of Edward's moods and to understand that Emmett was feeling it too.
However, disobedience will not be tolerated and that is why they were sent to bed...Jasper asked why he was the only one pulled from the room and spanked?
Carlisle gently reminded Jasper that he was Second in Command and must learn to take taunts on the chin and let him handle it or Jasper himself when calm.
"What if Bella had been at the table when you threw that cup. Think, think, think."
Jasper got a light tap on his shoulder as he was distracted. "Also, if that blood had touched my laptop young man you would be one very sore boy right now."
Jasper's eyes filled up with venom and Carlisle placed his hands on either side of the soldier's temples and looked closely into his eyes. He had sworn he had seen a fleck of violet in the dark honey colour.
"How are you feeling Jasper?" He asked concerned as he stepped back to truly study his child making Jasper feel self conscience and folded his arms across his chest.
"Okay...just emotional I guess, I cannot seem to block all you guys out so well lately. Edward is driving me insane Papa. He blames me and I cannot stay cooped up with him...Please let him see Bella more."
Jasper sniffled when his Father shook his head sadly. "May I leave my restriction and go out into the forest if it gets too much?"
He asked this as Carlisle covered him back over in bed. The Patriarch was tired before the day had even began as he thought of the days ahead and what the storm would bring his way and not to mention it was Halloween next week which would bring an influx of emergencies to the hospital.
"I will make you a deal...If you promise to behave you may come off restriction at lunch time and you have my permission to go to the forest and distress."
"I appreciate that Sir, as that puts my mind at ease." He snuggled down on his side and looked forward to the peace.
"I am warning you now my son." The boy's eyes flew open and he raised them to his Father who was pointing at him.
"If you do ANYTHING to make your mother cross, even if you protest you were being taunted...the deal is off. You will answer to me when I get home and you will find yourself over my knee."
"I will behave I promise." Jasper was upset and didn't know why which concerned Carlisle as normally they would take his warnings with a pinch of salt.
"Jasper are you sure you feel well?"
"Yes Sir...just tired."
"I am not accusing you... But I do need to ask...Have you taken something you shouldn't have?"
Carlisle could not help recalling last Halloween night when he had come home to find a trashed up lounge and a very hyped up Jasper who wanted to wrestle his brothers who were taking shelter behind their mother.
He had to constantly remind that boy that stimulants played haywire with his gift yet he still sneaked soda at school...He let that pass though as he knew Jasper would be careful not to take too much and get caught.
"NO PAPA!" He shot up out of bed and began pacing which completely took his Father back as he wasn't expecting such a strong reaction. "I promised that I wouldn't do that again!"
"Calm yourself down at once and get back into bed." The command was quiet but sharp and Jasper immediately obeyed and lay back down.
"I did not mean to upset you son...You are just behaving a little highly strung. Forgive me I know that you would never do that again...I was referring to soda... Have you been sneaking it again Jasper because you know how you react when you have sugar and caffeine."
"No Sir." Well he had but he reasoned with himself that as he sneaked soda every day at school for the last umpteenth years it wouldn't make that much difference. "Not a drop of soda in the house."
"Hym...keep it that way." He kissed Jasper and looked into his eyes again, they were dark now and nothing unusual...Perhaps it had been a reflection from something.
Carlisle looked around for the source but couldn't see anything and mentally kicked himself and left his son to rest, still feeling uneasy over leaving him. Also, he decided to have a word with Esme regarding Jasper and to ask her not to go out today with the storm coming...
A Nice Relaxing Day for Esme...Not
As all the boys had been made fully aware of the consequences if they gave Esme any nonsense and with the girls away, she naturally assumed it would be a quiet day and she could give the kitchen a good clean. Esme also had a few errands she wanted to get done and as long as the rain kept off she could still do it...Carlisle had expressed his concerns about the weather but he didn't say no.
Absently, Esme rinsed Jasper's Deputy Dawg mug and placed it in the dish washer. "I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath. Scared to rock the boat and make a mess. So I sat quietly, agreed politely. I guess that I forgot I had a choice. I let you push me past the breaking point..."
"MOM... Katie Perry again!" Edward yelled as Esme was playing that song on a loop out loud and in her head driving him insane. He was just glad his mother had gotten over singing Titanium at 6 am in the morning.
Esme smiled and turned the radio up. "I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire. Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me ROAR!"
She grinned as only lovely silence came from her littlest cub. Titanium now came on and she laughed when Edward groaned from outside.
"Mama! Tell Emmett!" The boy yelled from his open door. Esme sighed and went to the stairs to tell Emmett to stop whatever it was he was doing.
"Don't make me come up there young man!" She tapped her foot and flicked the tea towel menacingly as she listened for any noise...silence was golden. She smiled pleased with her roar and went back to singing in the kitchen...
Yay Team Edward...
Edward was rubbing the stings on the back of his left leg and bottom. He was still outside in the garden and finally off room restriction, but not from the house.
Therefore he had spent most of his time sitting up in Esme Two and feeling sorry for himself...The Elk had been funny and was glad he got home before his Dad was on to him again. Carlisle had seemed suspicious about the second shower and change of clothes yet he had not said anything which Edward was relieved about. He was regretting it though as it was a stupid thing to do and he would get busted big time for spiking his brother...but what did he spike him with?
He was even more annoyed now he knew his brother's were on restriction too which meant he had to put up with Jasper's crap all day. He shifted uncomfortably to take some of his weight off his sore sit spots as they still stung even after nearly four weeks.
He tried to tune into Jasper's mind...it seemed normal, history, kickin Em's ass, Alice... He blocked him out at that point as some images a brother did not need to see. There was that guilt again... His stomach rolled as if in pain and he decided to focus on Bella. It was only fermented apples what was the harm...Jazz was sent to bed anyway so even if there was some effects he would rest and 'sleep' it off.
Alice had not been in touch so nothing bad was going to happen but what if it wasn't apples? Edward winced and looked up to Jasper's window. Then he heard Jasper yelling at Emmett and it pissed him off how he was allowed to boss it over them all the time.
Edward shook his head and thought screw it, stop worrying over nothing and thought about when Bella tripped over nothing last week...He really needed to see her more to protect her from herself.
He looked at the grey sky and shuddered and decided to go inside and ask his mom about the phone...Another cup of blood should soften her up he thought and began to rinse the I love you Mother cup he had gotten her for Mother's Day.
"Edward, there you are. Bless you, thankyou Barney."
"Mommm, stop calling me that." Esme laughed at his disgruntled expression. "How do you like the blood?" He asked sweetly.
"Lovely Edward...just the way I like it." She looked out of the window and then listened to how the radio kept switching off and on. "There is a storm coming so I am glad you have come in as you will catch your death out there."
"Does not seem likely...Mom are you okay?"
"Yes love." Esme realised she was hugging herself and relaxed. "Storms creep me out, always have." Edward gave her a hug and felt his Mom relax as the radio came back on.
"Mom when can I have my phone back?" He decided to just throw it out there and hope the tea towel didn't answer.
"Your Dad has not decided yet Edward. You will have to ask him yourself."
"Can't you ask him? Please." He smiled and handed her a nice fresh hot cuppa. Esme smiled back and said no... but nice try nether the less. "I made you all drinks this morning though."
"Edward I know you did and it was very thoughtful of you. You get your phone for one hour each evening and consider yourself lucky I wanted to take the battery out. You also get to see Bella at school and at weekends for two hours on each day! You are very lucky young man."
"Yes but..."
"No buts. I would allow you one hour on Saturdays and Sundays and two minutes on the phone each night to say a quick goodnight to Bella." Esme's voice was raising and she just wanted some peace.
"Okay mom I got it."
"Oooh that attitude is getting on my nerves and do not think I do not see the vibes that you are sending Jasper...You should be thanking him for your privileges while you are on restriction."
Edward laughed and went to go passed his mother and got the tea towel snapped at his legs. "Owwww mom!" He danced back to the spot his mother pointed to.
"I." SNAP "Was." SNAP "Not." SNAP. "Fin... ISHED!" SNAP SNAP SNAP...
"You have been downright rude and disrespectful to your brother since you were rightly punished for your behaviour. It is not his fault that you are grounded and you better stop the taunts right now mister as I am getting tired of them!"
"Okay Mom." He said quietly as he kept a close eye on the tea towel still clutched in his mother's closed fist.
"I will get my paddle down if you give me any nonsense today. I mean it I am in no mood for your rubbish Edward Cullen."
"Mom, I got it please can I go to my room." Edward decided to go to his room before he said something he would regret.
"Be nice to your brother as I do not think he is feeling well and I have a lot to do and will be in and out of the house...Therefore you are next in charge.
"Great I can be the new Deputy Rat." He regretted saying that as he watched his mother's eyes narrow and flash black.
"Fetch. My. Paddle."
"Ahh mom it was a joke."
"Do you see anyone laughing?" The two restricted boys laughed in their beds. "Boys! Edward...Fetch my paddle."
"Mom come on I didn't mean it."
"One."
"Mom"
"Better get the paddle Eddy." Emmet laughed from his room and Jasper giggled.
"Boys do you two want to line up behind Edward? Hym...do you?"
"Sorry Mom...You can do it Ed, take two for the team." Em giggled like a crazed hyena.
"Sorry Mama Dragon..." Jasper laughed. "Gooooo...Team Edward."
"Yeah Ed we are routing for your sneaky butt." Emmett nearly fell out of bed he was laughing so hard.
Jasper was chuckling as he flicked through his history magazine then stopped when he felt the icy chill seeping from his dear mother. He abruptly put the magazine down and hid his head under the duvet.
"You two can go to –" Edward yelled.
"Two." Esme decided to let the boy's off as Edward had deserved a taste of his own snidey medicine. She waited for quiet. "Two and a half and why are you still standing there?"
"Mom I am going." Edward was back with the paddle before his mother had finished saying three.
"Close Edward... Verrry close." Esme casually instructed her boy to bare his bottom and lean over the arm of the sofa. He decided against pleading as his mother had that steely look in her eye.
The paddle found its target twice before Edward was given a very stern lecture and a hug as he pulled his jeans back up embarrassed.
Esme handed the paddle to her son to put back and he wiped his eyes and looked ashamedly at his mother. "Okay Mom...I know I am lucky to have my phone in the evening." 'Lucky, ha don't make me laugh!' Edward smiled sweetly at his beloved mother.
"You are lucky son." 'Do not push me any further today young man!' The loving mother smiled sweetly back; yet gold flashes appeared in the darkness of her normally compassionate eyes making Edward back out of the room...
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A/N Whew...first bit complete...sigh...Just err a lil more to goooooo...back very soon. x
Please review and make Ruby smile.x