Edward had taken a seat on the couch as his father has indicated. He was still reeling from the shock of the unexpected slap, although any pain was rapidly dissipating. It was just so unlike Carlisle. Even on the few times that the coven leader had felt forced to mete out discipline, it had always been so controlled and carefully considered. Although, Edward supposed, he hadn't tried to kill himself before. Now and then, he was getting little glimpses of his father's carefully disguised thoughts. More of a sense of frustration than anything concrete, and then guilt...? Oh right. So, basically, he thought he should have tanned Edward's behind sooner? Lovely.

Edward was feeling small tendrils of apprehension begin to wind their way around his insides. His father had clearly reached the end of his tether and was now committed to taking some kind of parental stance. Carlisle wasn't lying when he said he gave them the freedom of adults, bar the required attendance of school and discouragement from drawing unwanted attention, the Cullen children basically had free reign. So the idea of longterm imposed 'restricted privileges' was enough to send Edward's unbeating heart plummeting into his shoes. About to inquire as to what these restrictions would be, he realised that Carlisle hadn't finished.

"... And I think i need to give you a little reminder about who you are Edward. You are first and foremost my son. MY responsibility, and , clearly, you are losing your grip on what that means. That will end today"

Edward felt nauseous. Whatever that reminder would entail he was certain he wouldn't find pleasant. And the bitter taste of Carlisle's disappointment. That stung more than any physical punishment would. He let his eyes drop, unable to cope with the intensity of his father's gaze. He hadn't been asked any questions, and, beginning to comprehend the extent of his family's displeasure, for once he kept quiet and let Carlisle continue.

Look at me Edward, I wont tell you again. Edward reluctantly obeyed, and his father spoke aloud again.

"No cell, no driving, no hunting unaccompanied, you are to come straight home from school with the others. Bella may visit you here but you are not to go to her home, and when she is here you will be chaperoned by another member of the family. That is how we start out."

Edward couldn't believe his ears. This was harsher than any other punishment he could remember, ever. He couldn't stop himself from protesting.

" But..."

"No buts. Until I know I can trust you not to do anything so STUPID and RECKLESS again, then these restrictions stay in place."

Carlisle's voice was firm, and he let Edward into his thoughts long enough for him to garner that there was little hope of him changing his mind. Edward huffed, all at once feeling furious and hopeless. How would he see Bella? And chaperoned time with her? He could feel the unwelcome burn of venom tears behind his eyes. He had really screwed up. His parents really didn't seem to have any faith in his ability to act rationally, and his actions earlier in the day had done little but compound their feelings. He should have known that life wouldn't simply continue as if the whole Italy debacle had never happened.
His father gave him a moment to absorb this new information before his voice took a more serious tone.

" Your behavior today was appalling Edward, but worse than that, it wasn't surprising. Your choices, ever since we left Forks, have been selfish and self destructive. As your father and the leader of this coven, I must ensure you don't continue down this as it seems the softly softly approach isn't helping you, then we will have to try something else"

At this point, Carlisle allowed his son access to his mind, and Edward was assaulted by a myriad of images and thoughts. He felt his stomach clench with nerves as he saw what Carlisle was thinking about. Him, bent over his desk, whilst his father gave him a very physical deterrent for any future misdeeds. He swallowed audibly. The last time Carlisle had spanked him was upon his return from his rebellious years away. He remembered distinctly vowing never to get in the same situation ever again. And yet here he was. He could sense as well his father's disappointment at having to go through the experience. It had been painful for him too, to see and be the cause of his son's pain.

Edward shook his head. " N..no Carlisle" he stuttered " You don't need to.. I'll follow the restrictions, I'll watch my mouth...p..please." He hated hearing himself snivelling like a child, but the thought of having to take a spanking was mortifying beyond anything else. He was 109 years old for God's sake. And with all the benefit of his perfect vampire recall, he remembered the pain! He hadn't sat comfortably for a week after the last and only time, even with his accelerated healing. He couldn't go through it again.

His father was not easily swayed however. " Do you honestly believe I am being unjust here Edward? Maybe I should remind you AGAIN of what has led to this point." Carlisle's patience was wearing thin, and he stood up, pacing the small floorspace of the bedroom and punctuating each point with a stab of his finger in Edward's direction

" You left that poor girl, against all of our advice, and lied to her to make it easier for yourself. You shut your family tried to get yourself killed, and in doing so, endangered the lives of Bella and Alice and exposed us all to the Volturi. You then come here today and behave like an infant when you don't get your own way, showing total disregard for Bella's wants, verbally attacking her, and then, why not, going one step further and physically attacking your sister and me." Carlisle stopped dead in front on his son, and raised his brows, inviting any further protest.

He found none. Edward had dropped his head into his hands, tugging at his hair. He hated being the source of his father's anger, and felt defeated by the conviction in his creator's voice. He wasn't going to be able to talk his way out of this one. He had only two options remaining to him; take his punishment, or run. Neither was appealing, and he scrubbed a hand over his face before chancing a look up at his father. Carlisle beckoned him with a curled index finger.

"Lets just get this done Edward" he sighed, moving over towards the traitorous desk that Edward had seen in his thoughts, and rolling up his shirt sleeves. To give him greater range of movement whilst he pummels my ass, Edward thought bitterly as he stood. His feet were leaden, his mouth inexplicably dry and he could feel the build up of tension, similar to adrenalin, tightening his muscles. The window to his left was calling him, the forest beyond offering a seemingly safe haven, but Edward's logical side knew better. Carlisle would catch up with him, and then he would be seriously pissed, as if he wasn't already. So, Edward forced his feet to carry him over to the far side of the room, where he paused uncertainly in front of Carlisle.

" Drop your trousers and bend over the desk please son" his father instructed. The younger vampire obeyed, fumbling with the button on his jeans for an excruciatingly long time, and then hesitating again, until Carlisle sighed in frustration and guided him forwards with a cool hand on the back of his neck, until Edward was leaning heavily on the desk, his face pressed against the smooth wooden surface. He could see a paper that he needed to finish before the semester started, and, annoyingly, a CD left out of its case. Cataloging these minor details worked efficiently as a method of distraction until he felt his father's hand rest on his back.
" We'll begin now Edward". And Edward braced himself for the first blow to fall.