Episode 2: The Guardian
…..."Peter…Peter…Peter!"
"Uh." I reached out to turn the faucet off, only to find myself grabbing the chair in front.
"Peter," El whispered, "the judge is talking to you."
"Oh," Putting on my best professional face, I jumped to my feet, "I'm sorry your honor?"
"Agent Burke."
"Yes your honor?"
"You are Nick and Neal Caffrey's father?"
"Correct your honor." The boys, who were no longer standing, turned in their seats and looked up at me with, was that pride? Perhaps it was wishful thinking on my part, but I was happy to believe it nevertheless.
"And you and your wife Elizabeth adopted these two individuals when they were…" the judge checked through the file on his desk, "they were twelve."
"Correct your honor. However, Elizabeth and I had been involved in the boy's care for many years prior to that."
"Involved to what capacity? There's no record here of official guardianship before the age of twelve."
I searched my memories trying to work out at what point I had become the twins 'unofficial' guardian. During the first few years after Nicco's death, I guess El and I offered mostly emotional support; a shoulder to cry on, a companion with whom to share and celebrate special occasions, a helping hand when the task of caring for two young toddlers single-handedly became overwhelming.
Somewhere along the way though, my involvement in the boys' care became more active and hands-on. My role in their lives evolved from that of 'Uncle Peter' to their surrogate dad without any conscious decision on my part. I'm not clear at what point my un-appointed duties as 'father' kicked in, but I'm pretty sure the first notable time was when the boys were about seven.
"Agent Burke?"
"No your honor. There are no official records. Nick and Neal's parents were close family friends of ours from before the twins were born. And after their dad lost his life, well, Elizabeth and I did whatever we could to support Kate."
"Kate? Mrs. Caffrey?"
"Yes your honor, the boy's biological mother, Kate…..
###
…..."Kate! Come in." Elizabeth pulled back the door and beckoned the younger woman inside with a warm wave of her hand.
"Thanks." Kate walked in completely unsure of herself. Then realizing that Elizabeth was still in her dressing gown, she set about apologizing. "Sorry to bother you so early El."
"Don't be silly. It's no bother. In fact it's great to see you here. Please, sit down." El moved a couple of the cushions and indicated for Kate to take a seat.
"Hey Kate." Peter came down the stairs with damp hair looking like he'd just popped out of the shower. "How's things?" He leaned down and gave her a kiss before dropping into the single armchair.
"Can I get us all a coffee?" El moved towards the kitchen.
"No, I'm fine thanks El…I've had way too many already." The young woman's voice cracked with emotion.
Elizabeth moved back to the couch and sat with her friend. Placing a caring hand on her knee she asked, "What's up Kate? Did something happen?"
"It's the boys."
"What about them? They okay? Where are they now?" Peter quickly lost his complacency and leaned forward snapping into agent mode.
"They ah, they got up," Kate pressed her fingers to her forehead, having a difficult time recalling what happened. "They got up, had breakfast and I haven't seen them since. I've looked everywhere."
Peter checked his watch. Two seven year old boys shouldn't be missing at all, for any length of time, particularly those two but it was only eight thirty in the morning. "They couldn't have gone too far Kate," Peter tried to sound reassuring. "How long ago did they have breakfast?" He walked over and collected his coat off the hanger while trying to work out where to begin the search. "About an hour ago?"
Kate dropped her gaze, before admitting somewhat nervously, "Uh, no…I um haven't seen them since yesterday morning, breakfast yesterday."
Peter raised his eyebrows as he watched his wife's mouth drop open. "Kate, you haven't seen your boys for over twenty-four hours! They have been missing all night!"
"Yeah, I uh…I guess. When I got home they were gone. I don't know what time they left the house yesterday."
"Were you at work, honey?" El was trying to balance the building storm from across the room with her own calming influence."
"Yes, till five-thirty."
Peter sighed in frustration. "And…? What time was it that the sitter saw them last?" Getting blood out of a stone would have been an easier task!
"The sitter was sick."
"Oh for crying out loud Kate, you realize it's against the law to leave seven year old children at home without adult supervision!"
"Peter, calm down." El could understand her husband's frustration but he wasn't helping the situation.
"I didn't have a choice Peter. I couldn't call in myself. The deli manager said the next time I didn't come in for my shift, no matter what the reason, I'd be let go. I have rent due next week, I didn't have a choice."
"You realize that in itself is illegal don't you Kate. You know you have legal rights as an employee?"
"Peter, the boys. We're getting off track here." The one voice of reason in the room took control. "Kate, where are the boys more likely to go? Where have you looked?"
"Everywhere El, I walked around everywhere last night. I checked the parks, I checked the all-night stores, I checked the alleys behind our building. I looked-"
Peter finally snapped, "So what Kate, you didn't think of calling me or, you know, the police!"
Kate's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry Peter I tried looking everywhere."
The agent gestured wildly with his hands, "They're seven years old-"
"Peter! Enough!" El mouthed the words 'not helping' and glared down her husband. Honestly, she couldn't blame him. He was only saying what they both thought. Even so, there was a time and place for this type of lecture and the boys were still missing. Peter's gripe with Kate's severe lack of parental judgment would have to wait.
The agent inhaled deeply and calmed himself enough to take stock of the situation. El was right, losing it with Kate would only push her away, and where would the little guys be then. "Kate," Peter came and sat on the coffee table in front of the younger woman and softened his voice, "why would the boys run away, tell me what happened." If he knew why they were missing, there may be a clue to their whereabouts.
"Well the boys and I had a fight."
Peter cringed. Oh unbelievable! You didn't fight with seven year olds, not when you were the adult. "What over?"
"I got a call from the school on Friday to come and pick the boys up early. Nick had been involved in some kind of tussle with a few other kids at recess and while I was there the principal called me in for a chat. Told me Nick had been acting out, even more so than usual and he had been sent to the office every day this week. Neal, well he'd stolen another kid's lunch money, his teacher had seen him and report it. The principal told me both boys were being sent home early as punishment and they'd have one week's detention beginning Monday…He also suggested I attend some kind of positive parenting class being held at the school next month."
Peter held his tongue about that sounding like a tremendously fabulous idea and focused his attention on the missing children. There wasn't much in the way of clues from the information Kate had divulged to give a solid lead. He checked his watch. Eight fifty-three. "Okay, Kate, I want you to go back home with El and wait there-"
"No Peter, I want to keep looking."
"Kate," Elizabeth took the younger woman's hand and patted it caringly. "If the boy's come home, someone needs to be there. They may only drop in for a short time before deciding to take off again so it's important that someone is there. You understand, honey?"
"Yes El." Kate ran her free hand down her face before hoping up and reaching for her coat. "I, uh, I caught the subway over. Do you want me to call us a cab?"
"No need. I'll drive. Just give me a minute or two to get changed." El dashed up the stairs and out of sight leaving the young woman alone with Peter. She gave a discrete sideways glance in his direction, wondering nervously what he was going to chew her out for next.
Peter surprised her however when he pulled her into a warm embrace. "Don't worry Katie, I'll find them. Everything will be alright."
Kate blinked away swelling tears. "I hope so Peter. I'm so sorry I've let everybody down. I shouldn't have-"
"Don't worry about it now Kate, we'll sort it out later."
"I just wish I could help Peter. Sitting at home, doing nothing, I should be doing something."
"You can Kate. I want you to tell me the five top places the boys like to go on the weekends. Perhaps places that they ask to go to but don't get there very often, if at all."
"Oh, I don't really know Peter. I'm not sure what they like to do." Kate hung her head and squeezed her palms against her temples. "I'm a bad mother, I can't even think of the places my boys like."
"Kate, you can do it, I know you can. Five places, this will help, this is how you can help to find the boys."
"Well…They like the markets on 48th Street. Neal's always coming home with little treasures he finds there and Nicky says there's a stall there that has the best comic collection in New York City."
"That's great, four more."
"There's a park, two blocks behind our building, I checked it a couple of times already but the boys spend some time there most weekends. They like the MET, well Neal likes the MET and Nick goes along to…I'm not really sure why Nicky tags along. Both boys like going to the movies. There's a theatre on Harrington Ave not too far up the road from my Deli. We've seen movies there a few times and the boys have been asking to go back."
"One more Kate. You're doing so well." Peter noted that Elizabeth was on her way back down after getting dressed in record time.
"Uh…the boys were invited to a birthday party last month. Some kid in their class. Anyway the party was held at a video arcade on the same stretch as the McMahon Theatre. They had a really enjoyable time and they've been pestering me ever since to go back there."
"The McMahon Theatre, on 15th, three blocks from your building?"
"Yes, it's called the uh, the 'Timezone'?"
###
Less than twenty minutes later, Agent Peter Burke stood outside Timezone, and pulled out his cell.
"Hey El, I got them…..at the arcade…they appear fine…no they don't know I'm here yet…..they're too preoccupied with their…," Peter squinted his eyes for a clearer inspection, "with their dancing machine, of course that's about to change…okay hon….see you soon."
Peter stepped inside the decrepit video arcade, bothered as much by the putrid aroma emanating from the carpet as from the litter randomly scattered throughout the room. He wondered when the place had last being cleaned, if ever! As he approached the pair of runaway dancing delinquents from behind, his anger was fuelled by the fact that the two little boys, the only patrons of this grand establishment, had obviously gone unchecked by the first class citizen laying back with his feet up on the desk, behind the bared opening to the change counter.
He stood impatiently behind the youngsters, resisting the urge to start yelling at the top of his lungs or to swipe their backsides well into next week, fearing that either of those two avenues may have disastrous consequences resulting in the boys tumbling off their dancing machine and seriously injuring themselves. So instead, he cleared his throat and waited, hands on hips, the most pointed no-nonsense look he could muster forming on his face. One of the boys spun at the sound, his eyes shooting open like saucers, all color draining from his face, his dance moves frozen in time as he tugged his brother's arm to alert him of the new arrival. Oblivious to the danger, Nick pulled his arm away and continued dancing, "What the hell Li'l Bro! You almost ruined it! I'm just 10,000 points away from breaking the record."
Peter took Neal's arm and pulled him carefully off the machine. Once the boy had both feet firmly on the ground, the agent felt far more capable of securing one lone child. Reaching out, he grabbed him under the arms and lifted him into the air. The kid's legs waving wildly a couple of feet above the ground made little difference. "What the fu-" Nick spun to see who had so rudely interrupted his game and was about to let fly a string of verbal abuse when he made eye contact with the only person in his life capable of shutting down any such outburst. As Peter planted him on the ground beside his brother, Nick's shoulders slumped in defeat.
Both boys withered under the agent's stern glare as they contemplated their fate. Without speaking, Peter grabbed hold of the back of each boy's shirt with his right hand and marched them across to the coin exchange counter. With his left hand, Peter reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his badge. "FBI!"
Startled by the sudden announcement, the duty manager fell off his chair while attempting to remove his feet hastily from the assortment of crap piled on his desk. It may have been funny under less serious circumstances. The young punk, clearly not much older than a kid himself, righted himself, straightened his clothes and wiped a sleeve across his face to remove any remnants of food.
"Ah, yeah…What can I do you for Agent?"
"Were you aware these two boys were on your premises playing video games?"
Nick and Neal hung their heads, too frightened to make eye contact with the older man behind the counter, hoping unrealistically that he wouldn't be able to provide Peter with any details.
"Ah yeah, bout an hour ago I changed some notes for them." Neal cringed. They were so busted!
"What type?"
"What type of what?" The young man was clearly clueless as he shrugged.
"What type of notes? How much did they change? Peter's frustration was boiling.
The young guy shrugged, "Uh, dunno, maybe fifty, sixty, yeah, I think it was three twenties. That right little dudes?"
Nick and Neal, still firmly attached to Peter's iron grip, remained silent, hoping against hope that the dumb punk would shut the hell up!
"So!" The younger man flinched at Peter's tone, "Two small children arrive here early on a Sunday morning, without any parental supervision, wielding large amounts of cash and that doesn't send up a red flag for you!" Peter was shouting and he didn't care.
"Uh, n-no sir."
"Why not! I don't get it. Your brain doesn't say, ah, two little kids, all by themselves, they've been here for well over an hour and no one has even bothered to come and check on them. Gee, something must be wrong! Maybe I should call someone! Maybe, just maybe I could call the police!" What was wrong with these people!
"It never occurred to me sir."
"Why the hell not!"
The guy, clearly frazzled by this unexpected turn of events – up till five minutes ago he'd been happily watching Rage on the TV and eating his reheated Bacon and Egg McMuffin – wasn't sure that divulging his opinion would win any favors with the agitated man clutching the shirt collars of the two little dudes on the opposite side of the bars. "Because…."
"Because…why!"
"Because kids come in here all the time without their parents. Sometimes they spend all day… It's just the way it is Agent."
"The hell it is!" Peter turned towards the front entrance, dragging his silent young charges with him, but hastily turned back with an afterthought. "I suggest you get off your backside and clean up this disgusting mess. You're going to be getting a visit later to today from the Department of Health and Safety and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they shut you down!"
###
It had been over half an hour since Peter had called with the news that he'd found Nick and Neal safe and sound. Elizabeth had made Kate and herself a cup of herbal tea, which went a long way to settling the younger woman's anxiety. They were heading back into the kitchen to clean up when the lock on the door rattled. El continued on through, leaving Kate to deal with her sons.
Peter shoved the reluctant young runaways the remaining final steps into the living area. Their mother stood before them, arms crossed, shaking her head. "Oh boys," Kate sighed. "Why did you take off? Was it because of our fight?"
"Dunno Kate," Nick offered. "We were just having some fun."
"Well, you two just made it a whole lot worse for yourself. Won't be much fun spending the next month or two in your room. Give momma a kiss and off you go."
Neal kissed his mom on the cheek and walked off down the hall to his bedroom. Nick did the same but couldn't help but ask, "How many months?"
"Many Junior. When Mommy's no longer upset with you I might let you come back out."
"That could be for the rest of my life!" The young boy grumbled.
"Perhaps, maybe just till you're an adult," she called after the boy as he joined his brother in the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
During the little interaction between the mother and her boys, Peter stood dumfounded, rendered speechless by the extent of how the running away episode was handled, or lack thereof. Where was the emotional parent, so happy to see her children returned that she broke down in a cascade of tears? Where was the angry parent, so distraught with her boys disappearance that she chewed them out, teetering on the line of losing control as she screamed and shouted out every reason under the sun why what they did would never happen again? Where was the loving parent, so grateful to have her little boys home that she cuddled and squeezed them, unable to let them out of her grasp, afraid they may disappear into the abyss once again, this time for good? Where was any of it? Peter was at a loss to understand.
El came out of the kitchen, moments later, unaware of how the situation had been dealt with. "So…what's the story?"
The three adults sat around the lounge as Peter conveyed the misadventures of the two little scamps. Apparently they had 'hung out' at the house for most of the day but decided to clear off to the basement laundry just before Kate arrived home. They slept the night there-"
"I checked the laundry three or four times," Kate asked in confusion.
"Yeah, the stairs leading down to the basement, they're metal which gives plenty of notice that someone is about to come through the door. It was more than enough time for our two juveniles to relocate themselves behind the laundry baskets under the folding bench."
"Oh…I didn't think of that."
"Yeah, anyway, when they woke up this morning, they went down to the subway, picked a few pockets, bought a couple of hot dogs from the street vendor and made their way to Timezone. While you spent your night frantic and distressed, Nick and Neal were having the time of their lives."
El stared at Peter in confusion. Something about rubbing salt in ones wounds came to mind. That wasn't like her husband. "Uh, did they say why?"
Peter shook his head, "Neither were very forthcoming in that department but I was able to read between the lines that they were planning to stay away for a number of days so they didn't have to 'suffer through' detention at school next week. They were also upset with you Kate for 'getting up' them and 'confining them to house arrest'." Peter was reluctant to divulge the final piece of information but continued despite his inner conscious, "Kate, for some reason they think this is all your fault."
Kate gave a hopeless shake of her head and began pacing the living room. "Just one more thing to add to my list of failures. I don't know what I'm doing any more. I can't even get something as simple as taking care of my own children right. They were hiding down in the basement, probably laughing at me every time I came down looking for them."
El got up and caught the younger woman as she passed. "Now sweetie, don't get down. All kids get up to mischief of some type; it's not the end of the world. The boys need you, are counting on you every day. You do a great job, but we understand that sometimes things can get a bit overwhelming. Do you need us to take Nick and Neal for a little while to give you a break?"
"No, thank you any way El. I'm sorry I'm such a mess."
"Don't be silly," El pulled her friend in for a hug. "Look, how about we take the boys each Saturday, what time does your shift start?"
"Uh, 9 a.m."
"Okay then, what about if I called by to get them around 8:30? Would that give you enough time to get down to the deli?"
"Plenty, but El, that's too much to ask."
"Not at all Kate," Peter joined in from across the room. "Perhaps some weeks we can come and get the boys on a Friday night, so you can," he waved his arm thinking, "go out maybe, have a nice pleasant evening with some friends…"
"Collapse on the bed after work and not have to worry about getting up again to prepare dinner, soak in the bath without any interruptions. Have my bed all to myself and not have little bodies encroach into my space. I could get used to that. Thank you both so much for you kind offer."
"You're welcome sweetie, it really is no problem. We'll look forward to spending more time with the boys." El guided her friend back to the couch, knowing there was still more to discuss.
Peter leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. "Kate…we have to talk about the boys running away. I'd like to know what consequences there are for what I am certain we all consider to be seriously unacceptable behavior."
"Yeah, well they have to stay in their room until I tell them they can come out."
"You sent the boys to their room for…an indiscriminate amount of time?"
"Yeah, I guess maybe for a week or two. They can come out to go to school but they're going to stay in their rooms the rest of the time."
"What about dinner time sweetie? Do they come out so you can eat together?"
"Not usually El. Normally I just bring them food to their room and they eat there."
"On the floor?" Peter knew the set-up of the boy's rather small bedroom. One set of bunk beds, a chest of drawers, a hamper for the toys and not much of anything else.
"Yeah on the floor or on the bed. As long as they don't come out."
Oh, where to start! "Kate," Peter heaved a deep sigh. Where to start indeed? "The boys ran away from home. They spent the night in an unsecured room on their own. The stole two wallets belonging to commuters travelling the subway and they squandered the money at a video arcade. I honestly don't believe that sending them to their room for a 'week or two' where they don't have to do any chores, engage as a family or accept responsibility for their actions is going to send an appropriate message that there are severe consequences for their actions and they can't do what they did ever again."
Kate thought for a long moment before responding. "I know you're right Peter but, I don't know how else to handle them. I feel like I'm losing control and I can't do anything to stop that from happening. I honestly feel like I'm raising one child that is demon spawn and one baby kleptomaniac that steals anything and everything not tied down. How can I work with that?" Kate's voice had risen considerably during her outburst and both Peter and El looked down the hall hoping the twins hadn't heard.
"Oh sweetie, it's not that bad, you're just having a rough time of it," El rubbed the younger woman's shoulder, "You know you're not in this alone?"
"I know El, I'm sorry." Kate began to run her hands through her hair, a telltale sign that she was at her wits end.
"Kate," Peter spoke gently, "you've been with me when I've given the boys a swat of two for misbehaving."
"Yeah, Nicky and his cursing spring to mind," Kate smiled while recalling a recent incident.
"Okay, let's take that for example. When I have swatted Nick for cursing, do you think that's made a difference?"
"I know he watches his language a good deal more carefully around you than he does me." Kate paused, "I know what you're saying Peter, I've tried giving the boys a whack when they play up but I don't seem to get results. They get all upset and start to freak out and I end up backing down immediately. It's not as easy as you make it look you know."
El smiled, "Half the things Peter makes looks easy floors me too, but then again, bet he wouldn't even come close to making a chocolate soufflé to your five star standards or ever be able to beat you at Trivial Pursuit. What's the current tally Peter, twenty-three games since your last win?"
"No, twenty-two. I did not forfeit the last game. In my defense, Neal throwing up his apple pie all over my token did not constitute a defeat – I just refused to continue with the smell of vomit emanating from my plastic wedges."
Both El and Kate chuckled at that memory. Peter had put on quite a performance that night saying the boy had been sent to infiltrate his defenses!
"Anyhow we're getting off topic here," Peter was keen to change the subject. "Nick and Neal? I know it's not easy Kate but I feel they need an appropriate punishment for their behavior."
"Yes, I know you're right." Kate turned on the couch so she could face El, "If they were your boys, what would you do?"
"Well sweetie, let me think, when they came home, I'd give them the longest hug they'd ever had. I'd hold them tight and tell them how happy I was to have them back, then we'd sit together on the couch and I'd tell them how worried I had been and how very dangerous it was to do what they did because there are so many bad people out there and they were never to do that again. I would kiss them both and then tell them I was going to spank them for being so naughty. I'd take one of the boys and lay him over my knees. I'd pull down his pants and deliver a dozen or so very firm whacks to his backside. And then I would sit him on my lap and cuddle him until he stopped crying before dealing with my other boy."
Peter spoke up from across the room, "I'd also give them additional chores for a few days so when the sting of the spanking wore off, they'd still have something to remind them that it probably wasn't a good idea to do what they did."
Kate sat silently for ages considering her options before finally conceding, "Well, I guess it's worth giving it another shot. Confining them to their room hasn't had much success as a deterrent." Hoping up, she walked to the start of the hall.
"We should probably leave, sweetie. Let you take care of it with a little privacy."
"No….Please stay. Would you mind… so I didn't feel like I wasn't doing this alone."
El looked at Peter, slightly uncomfortable with that idea, particularly thinking it might not be so easy for the boys with three adults in the room. She thought quickly, "How about Peter stays and I'll take that washing down to the laundry." El indicated the basket of dirty laundry sitting by the door, obviously on the 'to do' list. "That should be a little less intimidating for the boys with just the two of you."
"Yeah, you don't mind? The laundry I mean."
"Not at all sweetie." El wasted no time in collecting the basket and heading out the door.
Peter walked over and rested his hands reassuringly on Kate's shoulders. "It's going to be fine Katie. I'll be right here if you need me."
"Thanks Peter. And thank you so much for bringing them home safely."
"It was no trouble at all and you're welcome."
"We'll, let's do this."
Peter nodded in approval and sat back down on one of the single chairs.
Kate called down the hall to the closed door, "Nick, Neal, come here please." When there was no response she shouted, "NICK! NEAL!" Peter cringed at the sudden eruption. "They probably had their headphones on," Kate offered by way of explanation.
Soon after, one of the boys poked his head down the hall, "What? We allowed out now?"
"Yes, I need to speak to you both. Come here please."
"What's up Kate?" Nick announced with a cocky attitude as he sauntered into the room only to flinch with shock at the sound of Peter clearing his throat behind him. He had thought the Burkes left ages ago. He was wrong. He quickly adjusted his attitude appropriately, "Uh, yes Mom?"
Neal strolled out a moment later and also appeared surprised and possibly a little concerned that Peter was still present. Neal was a little more forward thinking than his single-minded twin and could hear alarm bells ringing loud and clear. He pulled up beside his brother and did his best, repentant son impersonation.
Kate took each boy's hand and pulled them close. "Nick…Neal…I've been thinking about what you did, the running away, the stealing, worrying Mommy like you did and I've worked out a suitable punishment."
"I thought we're already being punished! Confined to our six by twelve cell indefinitely isn't punishment enough?" The youngster yanked his hand free from his mother's only to fly smack bang into a solid wall behind him. Peter had moved over to offer his support. Nick looked up into the agent's disapproving eyes before quickly deciding he'd rather take his chances with his mom. He crossed his arms and faced Kate, waiting unhappily for her to continue.
"As I was saying, because you were both so naughty, you will not be staying in your room, instead you will have extra chores to do every day. Nick, you will be taking the trash down to the basement every morning-"
"Oh you've got to be kidding me," the kid groaned.
"And," Kate continued, ignoring the performance, "as well as the trash you are going to clean the bathroom each night."
"NO WAY Kate!"
Peter moved himself into Nick's line of vision, positioning himself on the arm of the couch where he was able to send the little boy a rather pointed glare, which elicited a satisfactory response.
"Oh fine, whatever, I could care less!" Well, satisfactory enough for now. Small steps, Peter reminded himself. It did however annoy him to no end that Nick called his mother Kate and she never pulled him up on it.
"Neal, you will clean the kitchen every day. Wash the dishes, put away the food, and wipe the benches."
"Yes mommy. I'm sorry Junior and I caused you so much trouble. And I'm sorry Uncle Peter that you had to come out and find us."
"Thank you for your apology, Neal." Pete saw the boy's words for what they were – a very wise attempt to save his butt. A far wiser course of action than the one his brother had taken.
"Now boys, in addition to the chores, mommy is going to give you both a spanking for running away."
"Mom! Please no." Neal's composure crumbled immediately.
"What! Can't we just go back to our rooms for, you know, the next year or two!"
"No Junior, you've earned this spanking so let's get it over with."
Kate pulled on Neal's hand figuring he'd be the easier of the two and bent him slightly over one knee. The boy still had both feet on the ground so when the first swat landed, he was easily able to jump out of the way of a second. He hopped up and down on the spot, rubbing his butt. "Owwwwwww! I'm sorry Mommy, please don't hit me anymore. I won't be bad again."
Peter rolled his eyes at the performance. The one light swat Kate had given the kid across the seat of his jeans in no way warranted such a dramatic response.
But Neal's little act had its desired effect on his mother as she turned her attention to the older twin. Taking Nick off guard, she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into a similar position she had Neal. Lifting her arm, she managed to miss the boy's butt and instead smacked herself on the thigh as the kid twisted out of the way at the last second. Kate tried again, this time with success, resulting in Nick swinging his arms back to protect his backside. "Noooooo! No Kate, this isn't fair. You're soooooo mean!"
Kate released the boy rather than to continue and slumped on the couch in defeat. Glaring at her boys, all she had the energy for was, "I'm so disappointed in both of you."
For their part, Nick and Neal stood silently, looking like they'd both been dealt a severe beating, all part of the act to make their mother feel too guilty to continue.
Peter, of course, had no such issue. "Right!" Nick and Neal discontinued their performance immediately, real fear and concern taking over their composure at the sound of Peter's voice. The agent went and sat back on his own chair, both boys trailing him with their eyes. "You're mother has punished you for running away, now I am going to give you something to think about for being disobedient, misbehaving and disrespectful towards your mom." The last part was directed solely at Nick and he knew it. "When your mom asks you to do something, you do it. If she tells you to stay in your room, that's what you do. You do not play games by hiding in the basement or worry her by thinking it's fun to stay out all night. We won't even go into how much trouble she would have been in if you were caught stealing those wallets." Neal sniffled back the tears swelling in his eyes, brought on by Peter's words. "You pair have been very naughty little boys for your mommy and I'm going to spank you so you'll think twice about doing it again." It wasn't Peter's preferred choice, but after witnessing Kate's failed attempt at discipline, he felt as her friend he needed to step in and bring about some order before the house of cards imploded on itself.
"B-but Uncle Peter. We are sorry already. We won't be mean to mommy again. We didn't mean to be so naughty. We'll think before we act next time."
It was good. The kid was a pro. Even Peter found himself being sucked in by his sweet, thoughtful baby-like innocence. He had to mentally shake his head and remind himself what the little con was actually capable of. "I'm glad to hear that Neal because this is the last time I want to have to spank you for this type of behavior." Peter motioned to the boy with the two finger point.
"Mommy!" Neal spun back hoping for a last minute reprieve, only to realize that was a lost cause as Kate pointed back in the direction of Peter.
Neal burst into tears, for real this time, fully aware that they'd be no getting out of his punishment. Peter had swatted him a number of times in the past, and each and every time it had been a painful experience. The thought of submitting to an actual spanking just didn't bode well for the youngster. Without any control in the matter, he stood weeping in the middle of the living room floor.
Peter's confidence dropped several notches but one look at Kate reminded him that she needed this followed through as much as the boys. Steeling himself, he stood up, stepped over to the boy, lifted him up and carried him back to the chair. Without any effort, he laid Neal across his lap, tugged down his pants and wrapped a firm hand around his waist. Nick stood watching, horrified at the realization that he'd undoubtedly be the next victim. Neal made no effort to wiggle or move, all his energy currently being channeled into his uncontrolled sobbing. Peter raised his hand and brought it down, sending a sharp slapping noise echoing throughout the room and eliciting a loud scream from the youngster lying across his lap.
His first instinct was to stop, but Kate needed him to be strong. If Nicco were alive, he would not have tolerated this type of behavior from his boys. Nicco had been a man of strong principles and he would have wanted Peter to use a firm hand if his sons were reeling out of control. With those thoughts to bolster him, Peter soldiered on and delivered another nine very solid whacks. While the kid was still screaming his lungs out, Peter reached down and pulled the jeans up and over a rather bright red backside, of course resulting in more painful crying from the youngster. Peter righted the boy on his lap and hugged him tightly. "Hey kiddo, calm down, it's all over." He kissed the little boy on his forehead before setting him back on the floor. Neal ran over to his mom where he jumped into her lap and began howling with renewed vigor. Kate wrapped the youngster in her arms, surprised by his sudden need for comfort. It had been a long time.
Nick dragged his eyes away from his mother and brother and turned reluctantly in the direction of his fate. Peter once again issued the two finger point only to have a completely different reaction from the previous child. Nick held up his middle finger and shouted "Fuck you, Peter," as he bolted for the front door.
Of course, the trained agent was quick on his feet and had a hold of the boy before his little hands had even managed to turn the handle. "Let go of me you prick!" Nick kicked wildly as Peter carried his young charge back to the seat where he managed to get him across his lap without it being too painful. A couple of the kicks had found their target! "I said let me go you ass!" Peter got the boy's pants down and wasted no time in administering the spanking. After the third whack, the cursing sprouting from the youngster's lips resolved into yelps and yeowwws before finally succumbing to sorrowful sobs.
Peter stopped after ten spanks and rested his hand on the little boy's back. "Now Nick, we would have been done were it not for your little outburst of foul language." The boy sobbed louder knowing where these words were headed. "I don't talk like that. None of the people I know speak like that. Your mother doesn't use language like that. No matter how upset you are is no excuse. I don't ever want to hear you speaking like that again, understand?"
"Y-yes s-sir," Nick cried out between sobs.
"Good, cause if you do, you can expect more of this." Peter pulled back his hand and delivered six stinging slaps to the boy's upper thighs and sit spot. Nick's sobbing increased with each whack and was a weeping uncontrollably as Peter pulled up his pants and sat him upright on his lap. He cradled the boy, hoping he wouldn't have to go through this ordeal any time soon. It was far from a pleasant experience.
Sensing the boy was getting himself together; he kissed him atop of his head and placed him back on his feet. The kid went running over to his mother, "K-Kate, Kate, I'm s-sorry. I won't do that ever again."
Peter rolled his eyes upon hearing the boy refer to his mother by her first name, once again. Some problems were going to take longer to fix than others but he vowed to himself, watching over the mother cuddling her two young sons, probably for the first time in a long while, that he was going to be more vigilant in taking an active role with what really was, his second family.
Caught up in his thoughts, Peter hadn't heard El come through the door so he jumped slightly when she placed a hand on his arm…