"But serious, why can't I just type up my paper?" Edward groans. Carlisle shake's his head.
"Edward, in the time you've spent arguing with me, you could have already typed your paper and been done with it."
"Carlisle, please! Hand written papers look so tacky!"
"You've had to hand write papers and letters for years. Why are they suddenly beneath you?" Carlisle asks. Looking down at the chess board between him and Emmett, Carlisle refocuses his attention, which just pisses Edward off. He's trying to have a conversation with his father, and Carlisle won't even stop his game to talk to him. He scowls and lets out an agitated huff. Carlisle looks back up at his disgruntled boy. "Edward Anthony, I already said you're not getting your computer back. If you really need to type your paper, you can leave for school early tomorrow morning and go to the library to type it. End of discussion."
"No, not end of discussion! I need my computer!" Edward whines and stomps his foot angrily, making the house shake. Carlisle stands from his chair and grabs Edward by the ear.
"Maybe some time in the corner will fix that bratty attitude of yours." Carlisle says as he walks Edward towards the front door.
"Ow, Dad, let go!"
"In the corner, now." Carlisle orders, finally releasing Edward's aching ear. Edward huffs, but leans his shoulder against the wall, his back to Carlisle and his face about four inches from the other wall. Carlisle shakes his head. "Nose in the corner, Edward. You've been sent here enough in the past three days that you shouldn't have to be told to put your nose in the corner."
"How long do I have to stay here?" He groans and leans into the corner until his nose makes contact.
"Two hours."
"Ugh!" Edward lets out loud moan.
"You just made it two and a half."
Carlisle leaves his sulking son in his new place of punishment and returns to his game with Emmett. He examines the board and Emmett's latest move.
"Hey Dad?" Emmett asks softly, knowing his question will probably agitate Carlisle. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"So, why are you making us go to the corners now? I mean, we've never had to do that before."
"Would you rather get your hind end smacked?" Carlisle asks.
"Well, no."
"Would you rather go over my knee for a proper spanking?"
"No."
"Would you rather get the strap taken to you?"
"Of course not."
"See, Emmett, what baffles me is the fact that you say no to all those options, yet a week ago you didn't think twice about acting up even though you knew you would get a spanking for acting up." Carlisle explains, moving his piece. Emmett gives him a confused look with questioning eyes. "And now that you've been getting sent to the corner, you've been behaving better. What would you do if you were in my shoes?"
"Do what works." He sighs. "But I'm too big for that. I look absolutely ridiculous standing with my nose against the wall."
"And that's exactly why it's changing your behavior. Now take your turn."
Emmett looks at the board, his mind is more focused on Carlisle's words. At least a whooping is done in less than fifteen minutes. He hates when the others come home and see him standing in the entry way with his face pushed against the wall. And it sure eliminated any frisky mood Rosalie may when she see's her big strong husband taking a time-out.
The chess game proceeds in silence. Emmett doesn't pay much attention to his moves, and Carlisle ends up winning the game. While storing away the pieces, Emmet gives Carlisle's shoulder a friendly slap to get his attention.
"I'm sorry for all the crap I've been pulling, Carlisle."
Carlisle smiles and pats Emmett's shoulder back.
"Thanks, son."
"Dad, I think I'm getting sick. Feel my forehead." Emmett groans dramatically and flops down on the couch so his head rests on Carlisle's knee. Carlisle laughs, but plays along and puts the back of his hand on Emmett's forehead. Finally, his home is at peace. At least for the moment, anyways. Rosalie is watching her shows in her and Emmett's room, and Edward can be heard hand-writing his school paper in his own room. Alice and Jasper snuggle together on the one side of the couch, Esme and Carlisle on the other side and Emmett in the middle. "I don't think I can go to school tomorrow."
"I think you're right. You can stay home tomorrow."
"What about me?" Alice asks happily, perking up in her seat next to Jasper. Carlisle smiles.
"I bet you'll start seeing symptoms tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" She sighs. Carlisle nods.
"Let's make this believable, Mary Alice. I'm sure our whole household will be sick by the end of the week." He promises with a wink. Alice smiles back and relaxes into Jasper's arms.
"Well, if Emmett will be home tomorrow, then I'll go into Port Angeles. That new art studio opened last month. I think a big canvas piece would be perfect against the North wall in the loft." Esme says with a smile. Alice nods.
"Something colorful. Everything's so bland up there."
Jasper holds Alice a little tighter and keeps to himself instead of joining the conversation. He wishes Alice was the one who first asked to stay home. He hates feeling like a child with a babysitter. While he understands why Carlisle and Esme like him to be supervised while he's out, but he thinks by now he's proved that he can be trusted home alone. And the last thing he wants to do is inconvenience Esme. If she wanted to go to Port Angeles, he wishes she would have just gone. How disrespectful is it of him to be keeping his coven leaders wife away from what she wants to do?
"Are you okay, Jasper?" Esme asks. Jasper smiles and nods.
"Of course, Esme." He says, hiding his disheartened mood.
"Hello, this is Dr. Carlisle Cullen. I'm calling about my sons Edward and Emmett Cullen." Emmett says in a perfect imitation of Carlisle. "It seems they have both come down with a nasty cold, so neither one will be in for their classes today."
Edward smirks as he flops down on the couch. Jasper sits on the other side with his phone in his hand. He was playing a game on it, but he can tell something's not quiet right. He knows Carlisle didn't give Edward permission to stay home from school, and it makes him even more skeptically that Edward and Emmett waited until Esme left for the day to call the school.
"Are you sure Carlisle is okay with this?" Jasper asks nervously. Edward rolls his eyes.
"For the last time, yes! I even have a text from him saying it is." Edward pulls his phone out of his pocket and pulls up the message. He holds the phone out so Jasper can see the message that reads 'If you want to stay home too, you can' with Carlisle's name at the top.
It's enough to keep Jasper from asking anymore questions, but not enough to settle the uneasy feeling in his gut.
