Like Father, Like Son
By Peppe1951
Summary: While his parents are on vacation Neal spends a week with his grandparents, Maggie and Tim Burke. Warning: The story contains the non-consensual spanking of an adult; if you don't like, don't read. Disclaimer: White Collar belongs to USA; I only write about it.
AN: This story is a sequel to Disrespect and takes place a few weeks later. It is also the second story in the Father/Son series. In this universe corporal punishment is a recognized form of discipline.
Chapter 1
"Are you sure that granddad won't mind me coming?" asked Neal once again from the backseat of the car that Peter was driving.
"El, see if you can convince our son," requested Peter as he drove on.
"Sweetie, why is it so hard for you to realize that your grandparents want you to come for a visit?' she asked tenderly.
Neal shrugged his shoulders, "I've never had grandparents before and to be suddenly sprung on them is scary. I guess I'm just surprised that they want me and afraid that once I get there they may change their minds."
"Oh Sweetie, Maggie and Tim wouldn't do that to you. If they had any reservations they would have said so up front and not waited until you got there," El assured the fearful boy in the backseat. They were shocked to learn Neal's true age when Maggie and Tim first visited but then realized later that they should have known that twenty-five years was way too old for the person that acted more like a kid than an adult.
Once he was satisfied that he was wanted Neal put his head back and promptly fell asleep. El checked that he was asleep before she turned to her husband, "How did you persuade Hughes to go along with this? In the past you always had to be with him before they would allow him to leave the city."
"Once I told Hughes just how old he was when I caught him he was just as devastated as I was to learn that a sixteen year old was sentence to a Super-max prison. He felt that if my dad would be responsible for Neal then he could allow him to visit for a week without me," Peter explained. "Now he can get to know his grandparents and meet his Uncle Stan and Aunt Jean and we can visit that little bed and breakfast you've wanted to go to."
Long before they arrived Neal had stretched out on the back seat, even though he had to pull his knees up a bit to fit, and had slept the whole journey away. "Neal...wake up, we're here," El said as the car came to a rolling stop under a tree in the yard. She had to shake him twice before he woke up and sleepily looked around.
"Wow...we are in the country," Neal observed as he took in the scene in front of him. The first thing he noticed was that there were no nearby houses or buildings. He got out and walked around the car just as he was pulled into a hug by his grandmother, Maggie Burke. He readily returned the embrace as a smile lit up his face. Then his grandfather grabbed hold of him and greeted him just as warmly.
"It's about time you got here...did you forget the way, son," Tim asked Peter, implying that it had been awhile since his last visit.
"Nope, but the traffic was heavy leaving the city," Peter admitted as he hugged his dad and kissed his mom.
El said her hellos as well; as she walked in with Maggie both talking about the Bed and Breakfast she and Peter were going to as soon as they dropped Neal off. "I hope you will stay for a slice of pie before you head out," enticed Maggie with a smile.
"I wouldn't think of refusing it besides all Peter has to do is get downwind of it before he will be at your table eating. I needed to get out of the car for a bit also," replied El as she watched her husband stop and sniff the air before he hurried past them into the house.
"What did I tell you," laughed El as they followed Peter quickly, with Neal and Tim bringing up the rear, carrying Neal's luggage and art supplies.
About an hour later Peter was in a deep conversation with Neal while El was walking out with Maggie and Tim. "What is Peter telling Neal?" asked Maggie interestedly.
"He's probably giving him the riot act about what he can expect if he misbehaves while staying with you," replied El as she watched Neal's body language as well as that of her husband.
"Honey, you have already told him to behave...now put Neal into the hands of your folks and let's get on our way," El called before giving Maggie and Tim one last hug and walking toward the car. She was soon joined by Neal who gave her a goodbye hug before walking back towards the older couple.
They watched as Peter and El drove away. "Dad said that I was to follow your directions to the letter or else...what did he mean...I'm not going anywhere?" Neal asked.
Tim smiled, "That was your dad's way of saying to behave...to mind me."
"Oh...I'll try," replied Neal with a smile. "Can you tell me more stories about my dad growing up?"
"I guess it is too late for me to show you around town now; let's go back in and see if we can talk your grandmother out of one more slice of pie and I will tell you some tales," remarked Tim as he walked back in with Neal.
"Town? What town?" asked Neal as he looked around and not seeing anything that even resembled a town?
"It's about thirty minutes up the road," replied Tim as he pointed in that direction. "It's called Barberry."
Neal was about to make a comment on the name when he heard his granddad ask,
"Honey, we were wondering if we could have just one more slice of your apple pie?" with a twinkle in his eyes. All thoughts about the name of his father's birthplace left Neal's mind when the thought of another slice of pie entered.
"And a glass of milk please," Neal added with a smile. "Granddad is going to tell me some stories about dad."
Maggie smiled at him before replying, "I'll get you your pie but first let's get you settled in your room. We decided to put you in your dad's old room...it still has some of his old stuff in it," explained Maggie as she headed upstairs.
As soon as he heard that Neal grabbed his bag and followed eagerly to see his dad's boyhood room.