DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, and all the characters.
WARNING: Will contain corporal punishment/Disciplinary spanking of adult vampires in other chapters. Please don't read if you find such things offensive.
Family Meeting
Friday, July 08, 2011
Bella, Esme and Jasper waited in the sitting room for the arrival of their siblings. I strode over toward Esme and enquired, "Have you spoken to Bella about tonight?" Both women shook their head in the negative while Esme motioned to Jasper with a flick of her eyes. I smiled warmly to her in thanks, and admitted "he knows."
Turning to Bella I instructed, "Bella, we need your shield tonight. If you can, please block your mother and myself from now until after the completion of what must be done. I hope you are able to keep up the shield through a solid door." She looked at me inquisitively, but didn't press the issue further as I had deliberately not mentioned what was about to take place.
Bella nodded her head in agreement, and we could feel the gentle boundary of the shield as it passed over us. She stared from Esme to myself, and wrinkled her nose awkwardly as if having shivered. With a sly smile I enquired, " Bella, what do you think we have planned for tonight?"
Bella's expression turned to one of shock, as if wondering how I knew she had thought something. A bashful smile was given Esme as she admitted, "well, you know Dad. ... Sometimes couples have make-up... you know." I imagine her face would be quite red at the moment, if she were still human.
"Bella, how old do you think we are? Surely you can't assume us to ..." I began teasingly only to stop short at Esme's amused jab to my ribs. Bella was no help, as she encouraged me all the more by the look of horror upon her face. Why is it that parents are suddenly never supposed to have done anything of the sort? How do these kids think they became parents in the first place? Well, maybe it is somewhat different for us.
"When mom called me to come home early, Alice assumed it would have to do with the shield," Bella admitted. "We assumed it would be due to my shield."
I nodded my head in understanding as the front door opened, and in poured the rest of our family. Alice found Jasper immediately, and the two stood near the corner of the room embracing passionately. Her curiosity however got the better of her, as she noticed how Bella was shielding us.
"Figures," Edward said as he stared to his wife and her shield. He turned to me curiously and asked, "What are you keeping from me?"
"Family meeting," I stated in response, a comment that quickly gained the interest of everyone in the room. "Everyone, please assemble in the kitchen. We need to discuss the events of today." It was then that I noticed the absence of one and enquired of Bella, "where is Renesmee?"
"Carlisle, it's after four in the morning. You can't expect Renesmee up at this time," Esme teasingly scolded. She paused for a moment before adding, "Though, I don't hear her heart beat. Where is she?"
"Jacob is babysitting her tonight," Bella responded with mirth at Esme's comment. "Alice suggested that it might be a good idea."
I smirked to Edward and mentioned, "He will fill her with sugar, and you'll be chasing her around for weeks before she comes back down. Fortunately vampires never tire."
The family laughed as others piped in with similar responses. We moved to the kitchen, and I took my usual place at the head of the table with Esme at my side. Everyone except for Jasper and Alice choose to join us at the table. Those two remained cuddled up near the island bar where they stood.
"Is there anyone here that does not already know what transpired today," I enquired calmly while looking into the faces of my children. Nobody responded, so I continued by telling a short version of what I knew. "Jasper, Edward and Emmett were playing a game of catch using their full vampire abilities."
At this point I let my attention wander to Emmett, and then to Edward. The two had vastly different expressions of guilt. Edward looked much more bothered by it than did Emmett.
I continued the story mentioning, "Emmett accidentally ran into Alice." I omitted the injury part, as I did not wish to bring up further emotions in her mate. "Jasper responded in anger, and Esme tried to break up the fight only to have Jasper attack her." I paused at this moment, to fully regain my composure and make sure my voice remained calm. I let the silence hang just a moment longer for poetic effect before adding, "I then attacked Jasper. Our rages combined, and I lost control. My vampire nature broke free, and I attempted to kill Jasper. Emmet rescued him by tackling me to the ground, and I bit Emmett in an effort to escape." I turned sorrowful eyes to Emmett as I admitted, "Had I done so, I would have tried to kill you too. Emmett, I deeply regret my actions tonight. Sorry is not enough." I paused, and took a deep breath before confessing, "I harmed a member of our family, and I hurt my son and attempted to destroy both Jasper and Emmett."
I glanced to the clock and noticed it was now half past four. Turning to Jasper I added, "We have already dealt with Jasper's transgression, but there are others we need to deal with."
All eyes looked expectantly at me, as I glanced back to the clock, which strangely had not moved at all since the last time. "These transgressions today are fairly serious, as such I would like draw attention to them, as we have become careless. These mistakes could cost us our lives," I explained allowing my voice to convey the seriousness of the situation. "Using vampire abilities where we could easily be overseen by mortals is dangerous on so many levels. We have taught you to fidget, breathe, and to cross yourselves to appear human. We will destroy the image that we have worked so hard to create with the simple careless act of moving too quickly. I believe you fully understand why that is, and how the Volturi look at such transgressions. Jasper and I were both equally guilty of attempting to harm another family member, and I dread what might have happened if not for the combined effort of everyone here and Renesmee's gift."
Emmett gave me a piercing look, as if daring me to punish him when my transgressions were that much worse.
Meeting his challenge I passed a bowl to Emmett saying, " you are grounded Emmett for the period of a month. We are not restricting you from anything at home. You are not to leave our property, unless you are hunting or have permission from Esme or myself. Employment is permissible, and you may wish to get a summer job to avoid some of the boredom." Turning my attention to Edward I declared, "The same goes for you." I motioned to the bowl, "Place your keys in there, as you both have also lost your driving privileges for a month."
Edward groaned loudly in complaint, and then pulled his keys out. He glared to me and whipped them across the table at Emmett's head. My bear of a son grabbed them from the air, and made a show of placing Edward's keys into the bowl. "At least you can catch keys," Edward moaned to his brother, "too bad the football was a bit much for you."
"Up yours," Emmett retorted.
A low growl of warning emanated from my chest as I turned my gaze first to Edward, and then to Emmett. Neither male offered to challenge me, so the meeting continued.
Turning to me Emmett exclaimed, "what, I get grounded for a month? Where is the justice in that?" All but Esme, Alice, and Jasper looked to me with accusing eyes. My stomach lurched threateningly towards my groin as another wave of anxiety slugged me in the gut. I dared not speak for a moment, as I tried to regain the calm which I had come so close to losing.
My arms crossed at my chest as I explained to my sons, "I hold you to these rules, as they are important. Obedience by all members of the family to these rules is mandatory." I paused a moment to let that sink in before adding to the skeptical faces, "I am no different."
Emmett slammed his keys into the bowl and passed it along. I raised my brow to his actions, but did nothing else. He felt unfairly treated, and for Emmett that was restraint.
The bowl returned to me with the two sets of keys. I picked it up, and walked it over to where Alice and her mate stood. I held the bowl out before Jasper, who fished for his keys and added them to the pile. His prompt response pleased me. Returning to my seat I placed the keys to the side closest to my lovely wife. I leaned down to where she sat, and whispered softly for her ears only, "shall I continue, or would you like to." Her fearful shake of the head alerted me that this duty was mine alone, and so I rose to my full height before addressing my family.
My gaze settled on each of my children before I informed them, "in a few moments, Esme and I will move to my study where I will atone for my transgressions." My eyes closed of their own volition, but having forced my children to look me in the eye, I had resolved to do the same with them. The accusations from earlier were now replaced with shock. I could not have imagined my anxiety becoming any worse, or bringing me to a near jittery state. How I longed for this night to finally end!
"I'll open the floor now, does anyone have any questions," I asked of my family.
"Would you like us to go hunting again," Alice enquired quickly, looking as if she'd be only too happy to go. I glanced over to Bella, who now fully understood the task that we had asked of her. She caught my glance, and nodded her head in confirmation.
"No," I said in answer to Alice's question. "Thanks to Bella and her shield, we will be able to protect Edward from the events in my study." I clenched my jaw momentarily, but forced myself to face my family. I now truly understand why Jasper needed so many reminders tonight. "I lead my family by example, and today I unfortunately provided a very bad one. In this case I shall be made an example of, and I ask that you all stay in the home."
I had to stop talking. My voice threatened to crack on me, and venom swelled in my throat. Swallowing deeply I resolved to get this meeting over with. How I have managed to act so calm, when I am anything but is beyond me. It is what my family expects, and I had already scared them once today. I could not chance doing so now.
"Before Esme, Bella and I leave, does anyone have anything you'd like to add," I enquired curiously as I once more made eye contact with each of my children. None of them had anything to say, or at least nothing they wished to express at this moment. I'm sure there will be much chatter once we are upstairs.
Esme gently pushed the bowl of keys towards me with a look of expectation. She didn't say anything, but her eyes held a mystery that I hadn't yet picked up on. I nodded my head to her, and made to put the bowl away when she tapped on my arm and mentioned, " your keys too, Carlisle."
I stared to her dumbly, as if not having understood a word she said. The sudden change in the atmosphere of the room made it abundantly clear that my children knew exactly what was happening, though I hadn't caught on. In retrospect I suppose it was that I had never imagined Esme to ever suggest it, and that such a notion would be preposterous. It just didn't occur to me.
"Dad's Grounded!" Emmett whooped as the girls broke out into giggles. "Don't worry about a thing, Dad," he continued. "I'm sure Mom will have a list of chores for you to do as well." Trust Emmett to find humor in the tensest of situations. One glance to Jasper confirmed that his mood too had lifted with Emmett's remarks. Admittedly I was somewhat stunned, but a quick glance to Esme confirmed my son's statements.
I dug into my pocket and withdrew my key ring. The good-natured laughter grew in volume, as I began removing the keys for my Mercedes and dropped them into the bowl. The laughter spoke more of our unity as a family, rather than anything disrespectful towards me. This was one of the most humiliating circumstances I had faced. Thankfully Emmett's jokes brought comedy to the situation, and allowed me to also see the humor in it. That actually made this somewhat easier.
Rosalie teasingly laughed at her mate as she poked Emmett in the arm saying, "you guys have to depend on us now. None of the men can drive, so you have to do what we want!"
Alice offered Jasper a wicked little grin as she added, " we need to take them shopping!"
Bella's laugh filled the air at the other suggestions. Suddenly it stopped, and in a voice barely above a whisper she mentioned, "what about that romantic comedy we've wanted to see?"
The girls were unrelenting as they uttered horrible suggestions that just seemed to worsen, as if they were in a competition to see who could find the most heinous one. I felt somewhat sorry for my boys at this point, as they looked far more miserable than when they handed over the keys. Coming to their rescue I added, "Being grounded to the property doesn't sound so bad now."
Playful pouting by my daughters caused Esme to join in on the mirth as she mentioned, " oh, not at all Carlisle. Certain exceptions can always be made, and the chores may need trips into town. Would it be fair for me to deny our well-behaved daughters from seeing a movie, or picking up new clothing because their husband is grounded?"
The helpless groan emanating from me at my wife's words caused a round of laughter and whoops from the women. The guys looked miserable at this new turn of events, and I knew exactly how they felt.
With my keys inside the bowl, I handed it to my wife as a symbol of her having control over them. Esme rose from her chair, and gave me a peck on the cheek. I responded with a low growl, and a quick nip to her earlobe eliciting the expected response from our children; they feigned revulsion over our show of affection. "Now who's being the hypocrite," I teased them as I leaned over to give my loving wife a hug. It isn't like any of them try to hide their affections.
One glance at the clock informed me that it was already five am. In an hour and a half Esme would have to drive me to work, and our night still hadn't ended. She followed my gaze, and with a knowing nod motioned for Bella to rise from the table and join us. The laughter in the room died down as a sense of seriousness replaced it. I likely was not the best judge at this time, as the only thing I felt was anxiety, panic, and a sense of duty. I tried to mask my humiliation with the duty, as it seemed more appropriate.
The children laughed when I held out my arm for Esme, but it seemed right at the moment. Linked with her hands upon my upper limb, we made our way upstairs and towards the study. I glanced to each of my children as we passed, their faces revealing emotions of shock and awe. I can only imagine what they will be whispering back and forth in a few moments. Dear God, I prayed silently, please give me the strength.
An appreciative glance was given to Bella who nodded her head knowingly. "Bella, would you be able to keep up the shield from out here in the hall," I enquired hoping the answer would be yes. I could not bear to have her witness the real event, as hearing it will be bad enough. A subdued nod of her head was her answer to us, as she glanced down the stairs.
"Any who wish may join Bella outside my study door. Do not breach her shield," I spoke in normal tones as anything higher was not needed for anyone in the family to hear us. I paused at my door, and stared at it for a moment. I looked to my wife, and opened the door for us to pass. Once inside we closed the door, and clicked the lock into place. Bella's shield held strong, a fact I'm sure we were both very thankful for. The two sounds were almost instantaneous; as the lock fell into place many pairs of footsteps ascended the stairs and stopped outside the door. There was no turning back now.