Chapter 3 – Shredded Dreams
Carlisle:
Leah leapt forward and the next thing we heard was ripping and shredding. We all watched in horror as Leah destroyed Sue's wedding dress with her paws, nails and teeth, shaking it in her mouth and standing on it and ripping it by pulling back with the dress bitten in between her teeth. Sue shrieked in horror and Alice was stunned. The rest of us were also shocked and couldn't utter a word. Finally feeling my anger welling up, I snapped out of my shock and walked forward to deal with my wolf daughter.
I reached forward as Leah was busily shredding the dress with her mouth and paws and grabbed her roughly by the scruff of her neck and yanked her back. Leah yipped as I grabbed hold of her with both hands and shouted at her, pulling her back.
"Leah Cullen, you drop that dress this minute!" I said icily.
Leah let the dress drop and immediately went into a submissive posture as I pulled her back away from the dress and Sue and Charlie. I sat her down on the floor and pointed my finger at her.
"SIT! Don't you move from that spot, Young Lady," I scolded her. Leah whimpered and put her head down.
We all looked at Sue's dress which was now in tatters with pieces of lace strewn about the floor. Esme, Alice, Bella and Rosalie all let out a horrified gasp at the once beautiful wedding gown. Sue began to cry and walked forward and grabbed onto what was left of her wedding gown. She picked up a few pieces of lace and held them to her heart and openly sobbed. Everyone's heart was aching for Sue. Leah winced and bowed her head and laid out on the floor whimpering. Sue heard her and turned to her daughter in wolf form.
"How could you! Do you hate me that much?" Sue asked racked with sobs.
Charlie walked forward and put his arms around Sue. Everyone felt for Sue who was now crying her heart out still clutching the pieces of lace. Esme was upset but also angry at Leah. I turned to Leah and began lecturing her.
"Are you happy now? Look what you did to your mother?" I said pointing to Sue. Leah whimpered some more and kept her head down still cowering to me.
"Sue, don't worry, we'll fix this," Esme said walking over and putting her hand on Sue's shoulder. Sue put her hand over Esme's hand.
"Alice, order Sue another dress just like this one and have it shipped as soon as possible, no matter what the cost for the dress or expedited shipping," I instructed Alice.
"Of course, Daddy," Alice said a little relieved.
"There now Sue, we will get you another dress, just like this one," Esme tried to placate her.
"But it won't be this one. Alice, can I keep these pieces of lace?" Sue asked her.
"Of course. I'll send this dress back to them and they can use what they can of this lace and incorporate it in the replacement dress so you will have part of this one," Alice said to her.
"Really? Can they do that?" Sue asked.
"Of course, they can do anything we ask them. Besides, I'm on their best customer list," Alice said with a glint in her eyes.
"How could you do this to mom?" Seth said walking up to Leah. Leah just kept her head down and whimpered.
I then turned my attention back to Leah. "Leah, get upstairs to your room and phase back into human form and get dressed. I'll be waiting for you in my study," I said to her pointing to the doorway. Leah just looked up at me. "Go!" I said sternly to her.
Leah slowly got up and slunk out of the room with her head bowed and her tail still between her hind legs. She got out the door and raced up the stairs to her room. After a couple of minutes, I heard her door close. I went over to talk to Sue and Charlie.
"I can't begin to explain how sorry I am this happened. I assure you, your dress will be replaced and your wedding will go on as planned and will be beautiful. Again, I apologize for everything that occurred today." I said to both Sue and Charlie.
"Are y-you going to p-punish her?" Sue asked showing a little concern.
"Hell yeah, he's going to punish her and she deserves whatever he gives her. This was uncalled for and she ripped that dress out of spite," Charlie said with anger.
"Yes, Leah will be punished, I assure you. I will not tolerate this kind of behavior and Leah knows better," I explained.
"Thanks Carlisle, we appreciate your generosity with the dress and wedding," Charlie said.
"Don't worry Sue, everything will be okay," I said smiling at her. I then excused myself to go wait for Leah in my study.
"Boy, Lulu's going to get it," Jake said shaking his head.
"I'll say. Pops is going to tan her tail good for this," Emmett said.
"He won't hurt her, will he?" Sue asked.
"Of course not, but he will punish her," Esme said to her.
"She deserves to have her butt blistered," Billy said. All eyes shifted toward Billy. "Well she does," Billy said again.
"I'm going to take Sue home," Charlie said helping Sue up. "Come on, baby," Charlie said to her.
"Sue, I'm so sorry for this," Esme said to her.
"I know Esme, I am too," Sue said to her.
"Don't you worry, we'll get that dress here in a jiffy," Alice said trying to cheer her up.
"Thank you Alice," Sue said and smiled.
"Things will work out okay, you'll see," Rosalie said to Sue.
"What? Did I hear right? Rosalie's being nice? What happened to you?" Jake said shocked to hear Rosalie being kind.
"Oh shut up, you crazy wolf," Rosalie said shoving him and grinning.
"Somebody take a video of this, they're not fighting for once," Edward said.
"I'll walk you out," Esme said accompanying Charlie and Sue to the police cruiser. Bella and Edward also walked with them.
"I'm so sorry Dad," Bella said to Charlie.
"Yeah, me too. That girl seems to hate me," Charlie said.
"I think she has a lot of feelings coming in to play. Don't worry, we will talk with her and try to get her to talk it out with us," Esme said smiling.
"Thanks Esme," Sue said as she and Esme hugged.
"Bye Dad," Bella said hugging Charlie.
"See ya later, Bells," Charlie said then to Edward: "See ya Edward."
"Bye Charlie and Sue," Edward said. They then left and my family walked back into the house.
"Man, Lulu's gonna be standing up at nursing school for the next few months," Jake said.
"I'll say, Papa's gonna teach her some manners in the worse way," Jasper agreed.
"Has she gone to his study yet?" Rosalie asked.
"Not yet, but she better not keep him waiting," Alice stated.
"You mean Pops' Woodshed," Emmett laughed.
"No kidding," Jasper said. "That's a good name for it."
"Children, don't laugh at your sister," Esme cautioned them.
"She deserves it. That was terrible what she did to Charlie and shredding Sue's dress, not to mention Sue's feelings," Bella said with a bit of anger.
"Now Bella, Carlisle will deal with her, you just let him take care of this matter," Billy said. "Don't you go upsetting the apple cart when Carlisle is through with Leah."
"Hey, it was my dad she was attacking," Bella said with her irritation coming thru.
"Love, let it drop or you'll be the next one in Dad's study," Edward warned.
"Woodshed!" Emmett said as everyone laughed.
Leah in her room:
Oh no, what did I do? I'm really in for it now. I feel so bad for the way I acted. As soon as Dad grabbed me away from mom's wedding dress, I regretted everything I did. I know I hurt her so bad and I scared Charlie to death. Bella is mad at me and so is Mom. Daddy is livid and he's really going to give it to me now. I wish I could take these last few minutes back. I feel awful and now Daddy is probably so mad at me that he might tell me to leave the family and go live with mom and Charlie. I'll never do that, I'll run away to David if it comes to that. I've phased back to human form and I've been dressed but I'm afraid to go face my father who I know hates me now. He is so mad at me, I could see it in his face. I have to go before he comes for me.
I slowly walked to Dad's study knowing full well what was going to happen to me when I enter the room. He will probably strap me bare and throw me out. Now there is going to be double expense for that dress and I know Alice doesn't buy cheap. I'm such a failure as a daughter, to my new family and to my own mother. I don't want to face my father but I have to open the door and go in. Maybe I can plead insanity!
I'm at the door, the moment of truth. I slowly open the door and shamefully step inside. I'm afraid and ashamed to look at my father so I closed the door behind me and took a few steps in before I am finally getting up the nerve to face him. He is standing by the couch with his arms crossed as usual and has a very disappointed and angry, somber look on his face. I'm not about to say anything. All I can do is a hard swallow and now my eyes are being drawn to the floor at my father's feet. Then I spied it…oh no…that horrid footstool…
Carlisle:
I see my wolf daughter's shame and regret written all over her face. At least she isn't seeing 'red' anymore. Hopefully she has calmed down. Now the hard part, I have to deal with her and this is not going to be pleasant and my little wolf girl is going to be very sorry for her actions…
"Well, what have you got to say for yourself?" I asked her with sternness.
"Da-ad—daaaaad, I-I d-didn't mean it…I…I'm so…so…sorry…," I began sobbing.
"Leah, please don't insult my intelligence by trying to say you didn't mean it. That was a deliberate act to hurt your mother and Charlie," I said to her.
"But…but…Daaaaadd…I really didn't mean…" Leah began again.
"Leah Cullen! Did you just hear what I said?" I asked sharply. Leah jumped when I addressed her in that manner.
"Y-yes sir," she replied.
"What has gotten into you? Your mother and I explained to you before that you are going to have to come to terms with Charlie marrying your mother and yes, my dear, he will be your stepfather. You don't have to refer to him as such, just call him Charlie. Be happy for your mother and for Charlie. Someday we will have to move away from here and at least Charlie and your mother will have each other. Just think, both of them will be losing their children. You won't be able to come back here and be seen off the Reservation. Why can't they be happy and be together?" I pointed out to her.
"I-I never thought of it like that," Leah replied.
"That's because you're too busy trying to hurt them and trying to make yourself feel better by constantly ruining their happiness. Your mother was so happy with her new wedding dress and all she wanted to do was share the moment with you. Look how you made her feel," I said to her.
"Daddy, please…I feel so bad," Leah said crying now.
"At least you have some feelings of remorse," I said to her.
"I…I'm sorry," Leah sobbed.
"You not only ruined the moment for Sue but for Alice, your Mother, and your sisters. I hope you are satisfied," I scolded her.
"No…I'm not…I'm sorry Dad…please I feel terrible," Leah admitted.
"I will have no more of these outbursts from you and this behavior stops now, this minute. If you ever do anything again to hurt or upset your mother Sue, or Charlie or this wedding, I promise you, Young Lady, I will spank you on the spot and I will embarrass you and turn you over my knee," I warned her.
"I-I won't…I'm sor-sorry," Leah sobbed openly now.
"You better mean it, because I certainly do," I said to her.
"I do…I promise…," Leah sobbed.
"Alright, you know what's coming. Come over here," I said to her pointing to the right of me. I moved over to the footstool. Leah slowly approached me still sobbing and wiping her eyes, but she didn't try to run away.
"No Dad, please! Everyone is still home and they will all hear it," Leah complained embarrassed.
"You didn't seem to mind everyone seeing you attacking Charlie and shredding Sue's dress," I pointed out to her.
"Daadddyyyy, I-I'm sorry," Leah said openly crying now.
"I'm sorry too. Come on," I said now putting my left foot up on the stool.
"NOO! Pleeeeeeease! Not that way," Leah said horrified when she saw I was standing with my left foot on the stool. All my children hate this when I spank them this way. I usually save it for the worst stunts they pull.
"Come on Punkin, up and over my left knee," I said.
I put my hand out and grabbed her by her upper arm and easily guided her toward me. She sadly walked forward and then suddenly looked at me and stopped.
"What is it?" I asked her wondering why she had a stunned look on her face.
"You…you called me by my nickname you gave me…Punkin," Leah said.
"You are my Punkin, who else would I call that?" I asked her.
"You…you…don't hate me…or…or…want me to leave," Leah asked with pleading eyes.
"What? I don't hate you? Whatever made you think that?" I asked her wondering why she thought that.
"Because I ruined everything, I…I…know you're mad at me…and…you're fed up with my…my moods, and I'm ruining your family. I-I'm a disgrace to the Cullen name," Leah choked out.
"LEAH CULLEN! I'm going to blister your butt if I EVER hear that kind of talk coming from you again, and I MEAN it!" I shouted at her.
I then turned her to the side and landed one sizzling, sharp vampire SMACK to her backside. She hopped up and down yelping loudly. She was frantically trying to rub that stinger out.
"I-I…thought…," She eventually got out but I stopped her.
"NO! Stop right there! You listen and you better get this through your thick head! I wanted you, Seth and Jake in this family. We all did. I would NEVER throw my children out of my house or family, no matter what they have done. I may not like what you have done, but I will ALWAYS forgive you. You will be punished, but there is always love and forgiveness. Do you understand that, missy?" I asked her holding her chin firmly in my hand forcing her to look me in the eye.
"Y-yes sir," Leah stuttered.
"I prefer 'Dad or Daddy'. I'm not your drill sergeant!" I said to her. That drew a slight grin.
"Yes Daddy," Leah answered still with tears rolling down her face.
"I loved you children from the moment you came around us with Bella and the Newborns and I was excited and so happy when you finally came around and gave us a chance. Then when you allowed your Mother and me to adopt you, it was one of the happiest days of my life, our lives. That adoption is forever in our eyes and you better not forget it. You are stuck with this family whether you like it or not, so get used to it. Unfortunately, you fall under my discipline when you do something wrong but you made the choice to disobey and break the rules so you have to pay the consequences," I reminded her.
"Yes Dad, I know that. I thought I really did it this time," Leah said with a little relief in her face.
"Ripping that dress was very wrong, but there is always forgiveness and a way to replace it. You can't replace a human life, and you know that was wrong to attack Charlie. I know deep down you would never harm him, but you could have hurt him so you are being punished for both acts. Do you understand why you are going to be spanked?" I asked her.
"Believe me, I know, Dad," Leah acknowledged.
"Come here, Punkin," I said holding my arms out. She rushed into my arms and I enfolded her in my embrace.
"I'm sorry Daddy, for everything," Leah apologized and hugged me tightly.
"When you say you are afraid I will throw you out, that is very hurtful to me. I love my children all the time, not just when they are good and behaving themselves. I never want to hear that again, is that understood?" I posed to her.
"Yes Daddy," Leah said.
"One more thing, you could never be a disgrace to this family or to our name. Don't you ever let me hear you say that again. Is that clear, Leah?" I said sternly to her and swatting her again.
"Very clear, Dad," Leah gasped as it caught her by surprise.
"With that being said, it's time to get this behind us. Now, up and over Punkin," I instructed her.
"Aww, do I have to," Leah whined as she latched onto me tighter.
"Yes you do, now come on, let's get this over with," I said pulling her arms away and moving her back slightly. She stood there and wiped her eyes.
"I guess you wouldn't consider grounding me from the wedding," Leah asked with a glint in her eyes.
"No…Young Lady, you are getting as bad as Jacob! Come on," I said patting my left knee.
"Ohhhh Dad, I hate getting spanked this way," Leah said moving toward my bent knee.
"Punkin, drop your jeans," I said to her. She stopped and gritted her teeth.
"I knew that was coming, but I was hoping you'd give me a pass," Leah said looking at me hopefully.
I shook my head at her and then began counting…"one…two…,"
"Okay, okay," Leah said dropping her jeans and hoisting herself up and draping herself over my bent knee.
I steadied her and adjusted her and then asked: "Ready?"
"Ugh…I guess…," Leah replied.
DOWNSTAIRS:
Esme:
"Man, did you hear that SMACK Pops landed on Lulu?" Emmett asked the audience below.
"Yeah, OUCH!" Jake said.
"She's going to get it good," Rosalie said.
"Yes Children, I think we need to leave and give them some privacy," I said to my brood. We were still all together in the living room.
"That would be the best idea," Billy agreed.
"Yeah, I don't want to her my sister Lulu get her spanking, even if she was mean to mom and Charlie," Seth said getting up.
"Aww, for once I wanted to hear what its like for someone else," Emmett said disappointed.
"Emmett, that's not nice. How would you like it if we all heard your spanking?" I asked him.
"He wouldn't want that," Jake said.
"Of course not," I agreed.
"He wouldn't want us to hear him calling for you Mom, and bawling his eyes out," Jake said laughing. Everyone else laughed except for me and Rosalie.
"Jacob, that's not nice," I said to him again. The others stopped laughing at that.
"Just wait till this evening. You'll probably end up there in Daddy's study getting yours and then I'm recording it and playing it back to you and everyone else," Rosalie said smirking at him.
"Two can play at that, Miss Stink Weed," Jake said to her.
As I was about to address them both and make them stop, all of us heard the beginning of a spanking. There was no mistaking the sound of a bare hand striking bare skin like in a spanking. Everyone heard the first SMACK and Leah's reaction to it.
"Whew boy, that sounds like it stings," Jasper said gritting his teeth.
About ten seconds later we heard another loud SMACK and more reaction from Leah. This continued on and the SMACKS came slowly and methodically and Leah's response from them was getting louder. I then told my brood we need to go.
"Okay, let's all go into town for supper. This sounds like it may take a while," I said.
"We can take my van, I'll drive," Billy said.
"You guys go ahead. I'm staying here. I got a front row seat," Jake said sitting himself down on the couch.
"Jacob!" Billy said to him.
"What?" Jake asked Billy.
"Jacob Cullen, you march out that door and wait for us to pick you up or I will go into the kitchen and get my wooden spoon and come back here and help you out," I warned him.
"I'll be waiting outside," Jake said rushing out the front door. Everyone giggled as we left.
"Boy, that sounds like one of those awful slow spankings over Dad's left knee," Edward said grimacing at the thought.
"Yeah, it does," Bella agreed. "Been there, done that.
"That's the worst kind," Seth added. "I got one of those too. It stings and it takes forever. I never want to experience that again.
"Not to mention the humiliation of it," Alice said.
"Come on, into the van," I said to my babies.
"Stop for Jacob," Bella said to Billy.
"Aw, do we have to," Edward said laughing.
"I should just drive by him to rile him up," Billy said. "Let's have some fun!"
Billy backed out and Jacob was standing with his thumb out as if he was hitch-hiking. Billy drove slowly toward him and Jacob, impatient as ever, was motioning to him and waving him over. Billy headed for him but picked up the speed a little and tooted the horn and we all waved as we passed Jacob and headed for our drive that leads out to the highway. Jacob's mouth fell open and we could hear him hollering to us and carrying on and waving at us and then shake his fist at us! We were all laughing at him. Billy then stopped and backed up to pick him up. We were still laughing as Jake threw open the side door of the van. He glared at all of us and let out a big sigh.
"Very funny! My own father did this to me," Jake complained.
"It was his idea!" Jasper said laughing.
"What? Hey listen old man, you can go back to the Lodge any time," Jake said to him.
"Jacob, don't you talk to him like that," I warned him.
"Just having a bit of fun, son," Billy said laughing.
"Yeah, at my expense. I've never been so insulted," Jake said slamming the door and sitting down with a huff.
"Hey, dogs on the floor," Rosalie said pointing to the floor of the van.
"You belong in a briar patch," Jake said to her.
"Children, that's enough! Do you two want to sit on my lap at the restaurant," I asked them.
"NO" they both said quickly together.
"Mom, I'd pay money to see that," Edward said.
"Me too," Emmett added.
"You two can end up sitting there also," I pointed out to Em and Edward.
"But you only have two legs Momma," Emmett said laughing
"I have two legs boys that I would gladly offer to accommodate any naughty children," Billy called back.
"Uncle Billy, would you really do that to me?" Rosalie asked surprised at Billy's offer to me.
"Yes I would Rose Bud, if your Mother asked me to," Billy stated.
"I told you he's getting just like Dad and now Mom too," Jake said disgusted.
"And don't you children forget it," Billy warned them all. I was beaming at Billy standing by me.
"We are so screwed," Jake said in misery.
"JACOB!" Both Billy and I said together.
"Just kill me now," Jake lamented...
Back in the Study:
Carlisle:
My little wolf girl is sobbing her heart out and it is not just from the spanking I am giving her. She is feeling every swat I give her but she is crying from more than just the sting my hand is imparting on her. Her cries and sobs are from deep within from her remorse and regret of the hurt she brought to her mother earlier. I am hoping she can come to some peace with this upcoming wedding. Her wailing is growing louder and deeper as she releases the shame she feels for her behavior earlier and hopefully is releasing some of her hurt feelings she is harboring at her mother, Sue, leaving their home and moving on with her life after the death of Harry.
I have given her a long, slow methodical spanking, making sure she knows this behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. She also needed this to help her release all the feelings she has kept inside, the feelings of hurt, betrayal, abandonment, etc., she is feeling with her mother's upcoming marriage. Leah is still crying even though I ended her spanking about 5 minutes ago and pulled up her underpants. I am just going to let her cry it out. After a bit, she calmed down and I thought it was time to talk to her.
"Ready to get up, my Punkin," I said to her.
"Y-yes Daddy," Leah said.
I helped her up and she stood before me sniveling and wiping her eyes. I handed her some tissues and she dried her eyes and pulled her jeans up. She stood there, waiting for me to speak to her.
"I guess you want me to go to my room," Leah said sadly waiting for the order to do that.
"No, I want you to come here," I said to her. She looked down at the floor dejectedly like I was going to scold her some more. "Leah, my baby wolf girl, come here to Daddy," I said opening my arms to her.
Leah look up suddenly and when I smiled at her and shook my head 'yes' to her, she smiled broadly and practically bowled me over when she jumped at me and latched on to me.
"I'm sorry Daddy, I won't do that again," Leah said.
"Now, baby, all has been forgiven," I said holding her tight.
"You're not still mad at me?" Leah asked softly as if afraid of my answer.
"I wasn't mad at you, I was upset and disappointed at your behavior and actions. Even though I was not happy with your behavior, I never stopped loving you, baby," I assured her. She hugged me even tighter.
I then reached down and lifted her in my arms and carried her to the couch. She curled up in my arms and I sat down with her and sat her in my lap. I had my arms around her, cradling her like a baby and she snuggled comfortably against me. She didn't even complain about her sore bottom coming into contact with my hard, stone-like lap. However, I am cold and it probably felt good to her. She seemed very content. I held her like this for about a half hour. Neither of us spoke, Leah just needed to be held and reassured.
"Have you calmed down now," I asked her.
"Yes, I still feel ashamed of how I acted, and it was in front of everyone! Ugh, I feel awful," Leah said.
"Sweetie, you just need to control your emotions. Why didn't you talk to your Mother and me about this? We even talked to you before they got here. If you would have talked to us, maybe this could have been avoided," I said to her.
"I didn't really think this was going to happen. What made me act like that? I know I have problems with mom marrying Charlie, but I couldn't stop myself," Leah said. "Dad, what am I going to say to mom?"
"Sweetheart, your mother is moving forward with her life since your father, Harry's passing. You and Seth have moved forward but when your mother began to do the same, it brought back the memories of your father's passing. Children want their parents to be together, and when one of them dies and the other is left behind, it is hard for the children to imagine and see the remaining parent move forward and now be with someone else. Especially when the new spouse happens to be an old friend of the family, like Charlie. It's an intrusion to the children in their deceased parent's family. They see the friend and it reminds them of the deceased parent.
"It's hard to move forward and imagine your mother with someone other than Harry, because for most of your lives, you and Seth had your mother and father. Change is difficult for everyone. Sue had to go through this after she lost Harry. You and Seth had to grieve and come to terms with your father's death also. You never really get over a parent or child's death. You just adjust to them not being here anymore. It's never the same without them and no one can take their place.
"Sweetie, Charlie is not taking your father's place, nor does he have any intentions to do so. Sue is not replacing your father, she is just moving on in her life and adjusting without Harry. Just like you and Seth have done by moving in and becoming part of this family now. By being part of this family, you have had an easier time accepting Harry's death because you have all of this to adjust to and it makes it easier. But now that your mother is doing the same, you feel betrayed and hurt and that she is forgetting her life with Harry and maybe forgetting you and Seth, but nothing can be further from the truth. She loves you and Seth and she wants you to be part of her new life now," I tried explaining to her.
"I never thought of all of that. I wish I would have talked to you before this had to happen, but I didn't know myself what I was feeling. I'm so sorry, do you think she will ever forgive me?" Leah asked.
"Of course she will, she probably already has. She's your mother, she will always love and forgive you. You need to work on your feelings for Charlie, little lady. You cannot have these ill feelings against him. All he wants is for you and Seth to accept him. If you accept him, Seth will also. Can you please try to do that, baby," I said to her.
"I'll try Dad, but it won't be easy," Leah admitted.
"No one said it would be easy. All I ask is that you try. When you feel your emotions going the wrong direction with Charlie, come and talk to me or your Mother and let your feelings out to us. Don't take them out on Charlie. He needs understanding too. He just gave away his daughter who he really only came to know for about the last 2 years, and now he is alone again. He is as good for Sue as she is for Charlie. Give him a chance, give them a chance. Sue gave you and Seth a chance by allowing you to be adopted by us. Can you do the same for her and allow her to enjoy life again," I asked her.
"Since you put it that way," Leah said.
"At least you know Charlie, and that he is a good man. It could be someone new to the area and then that would bring a whole other issue of trust and what this person's character would be like. You know Charlie, be happy for the two of them. Look past yourself and allow them to be as happy as you and Seth are now," I advised her.
"Wow, that makes so much sense. Why didn't I see it," Leah asked.
"It's hard to see what's right in front of you, and you wouldn't allow yourself to see it because you haven't even seen it for yourself, baby," I said to her.
"What do you mean, Dad? I'm happy here with you and Mom as my parents and all my sibings," Leah said.
"But you still have doubts that we love you like our own and you still are unsure if we have accepted you in our family as if you have been here with us from the start," I pointed out to her.
"Well, I can't help having the doubt…," Leah began.
"Uh huh, that's what I'm talking about. Why do you have the doubt?" I asked her.
"Because…it's…it's…hard to trust after you have been hurt like with Sam and…," she said.
"Wait a minute, this has nothing to do with Sam and Emily. This has to do with Harry leaving you, Sue and Seth. He couldn't help it Sweetheart, his heart couldn't take it," I said to her.
"But it was my fault…I phased and so did Seth and it caused him to have a heart attack…it was our fault," Leah began crying. "It's all our fault! He'd still be here if we didn't phase in front of him and shock him."
"Finally, you got that out," I said to her.
"What, you knew this?" Leah asked me.
"Yes, I always thought that was the underlying key to your disapproval of Charlie marrying Sue," I admitted to her.
"Dad, it was our fault! Seth and I blame ourselves," Leah sobbed.
"It wasn't your fault or Seth's. Neither of you knew you were going to phase and you have no control over it. Your father knew it was a possibility that the two of you may have the wolf gene and may phase, but the shock of both of you phasing in front of him caused him to have a heart attack and die. Did you or he know he had a weak heart?" I asked her.
"No, he never mentioned anything to any of us. Mom is a nurse and she didn't know either," Leah said.
"There you have it, he didn't even know his heart was weak or that he had a problem. It was probably there all the time. It could have been anything that caused the heart attack, or nothing, or maybe his heart was at the point that one more stressful thing would cause it to fail, but eventually it was going to happen since he did not go to the doctor or have any idea he had a problem. You can't blame yourself for someone else's ill health. You can't even blame Harry, so stop blaming him for leaving you," I said to her looking her in the eyes.
"How did you know I felt that way?" Leah asked giving me a relieved look.
"I saw the look in your eye every time you looked at Charlie. It was a look of anger that went beyond Charlie. You were angry at your father for leaving the three of you. I've seen that look many times before," I said to her.
"Wow, I can't believe you knew that," Leah said. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You wouldn't have believed me, besides you needed to figure it out for yourself," I told her.
"Dad, I don't know what to say, but I feel better now that it is out and you explained it. It's like a weight has been lifted. I didn't want to believe it, thanks Daddy for helping me admit it to myself. How did you get so smart," Leah asked me.
"Oh sweetie, it comes from a long existence and life experience. I wasn't born yesterday you know and I've been a doctor many years before you were even born," I said tapping the tip of her nose.
"That's right, what did Jake say, you were the house physicians for the Pharaoh's of Egypt," Leah said snickering.
"I never heard Jake say that one…Leah, I can still flip you over my knee, Young Lady," I said glaring at her but unable to stop my spreading grin.
"Oops! I guess Jake didn't say that one," Leah said bowing her head and laughing.
"Little stinker," I said squeezing her.
"Da-ad, not so tight," Leah said giggling.
"Feel better, Punkin?" I asked her.
"Yes, much better," Leah said.
"Good, cause you are grounded until Sue's new dress arrives," I informed her.
"What? For real?" Leah asked snapping her head up to make sure I wasn't kidding.
"Yes, Young Lady, home and school, that's it until I see the new dress on a hanger in this house," I said to her sternly.
"Yes Dad," Leah said.
"And tomorrow you, your Mother and I are paying a visiting to Charlie and Sue and you are going to apologize for your behavior to both of them, is that understood?" I said to her.
"Can't I just call them instead," Leah asked whining.
I landed a swat on her bottom and she jumped as she felt it reignite her stinging backside.
"Ouch!" Leah yelped.
"Does that answer your question," I asked her.
"Sure does," Leah said rubbing now.
"It better. Do you want to go to your room now?" I asked her.
"Do I have to? I'm comfortable here," Leah said snuggling up to me again.
"No you don't have to, you're welcome to say here," I said to her giving her a little hug.
"Right here with my Daddy," Leah said.
"Do you finally feel part of the family and that you belong here," I asked her.
"I think it's finally sinking in," Leah said.
"Good, cause I like sitting here holding my little girl," I said back to her.
Leah settled in my arms and I held her as she fell asleep…
To be Continued…
Please Review!
