A story by The Blue Darling

The Missing Lighthouse

Chapter 4

Carlisle's P.O.V

I tried to tell myself it would be okay… I really did, but God it was hard!

Jasper was, to put it nicely, in a worse condition than I thought. He was already lying to me, acting like my rules were piece of cake, and they would be easy to follow, even though we both knew it would be extremely hard. I didn't accept lying… another rule I had to go over with him, but right now it didn't seem like he understood the consequence for any of it.

Or there would be consequences at all.

But that was just one problem. This boy clearly had no structure, or parental figures in his life. From here, I could smell the nicotine, even though it must have been hours since he smoke, and he was in need of a shower… badly. Something told me it wasn't because he didn't have access to a shower, he just didn't think about it, or didn't care.

Not to mention he was in need of new clothes, badly. His jeans and shirts had been washed so many times they lost their color, not to mentioned his jacket was old and outworn, and his shoes where full of dirt and mud, outworn too.

His eating habits wasn't something I approved either.

First of all… he had lived on burgers and pizza, and whatever else you could call junk food, something I didn't saw as healthy at all. As a doctor, I had seen this before, but never so extreme, or at least it looked that way in my eyes. He was picky too… at least when it came to vegetables and fish, and I truly don't think he ate anything else than the mashed potato at the restaurant.

Secondly, it looked like the poor boy didn't know how to use utensils, at least not very well. He looked awkward with the fork in his hand, like a small child, who was trying to learn… a bit like my kids in that age. Jasper was just sixteen, and he should have learned that by now.

But it gave sense… in some way. He had been homeless until he was eight, so when he got food, he probably used his hands. I doubt anyone ever tried to teach him how to use it, and when he got into the foster system, I think they got bigger problems than using a fork and a knife. As far as I could read, he had huge temper tantrums, mostly making the foster parents bend as he wished.

So if Jasper didn't want to eat with fork and knife, he didn't have too.

And junk food was something you ate with your hands, so if no one ever taught him, how should he know?

But the list of problems where so much longer than I expected, and I had only been with him for four hours, so much more would probably come to light. Most of his problems would take time to fix, not to mention he needed to learn basic writing, reading and math at some point.

But I just had to take this step by step. Right now, he had been introduced to the most important rules, so he could survive the evening at our home, and be told the rest in the morning. I wouldn't put more on his shoulders right now, and there was another huge topic we had to discuss…

But not before tomorrow, today he would just make a fuss.

Because punishment wasn't something I took lightly, and if someone broke the rules, they had to be disciplined. Mostly groundings and scolding's was enough, and taking privileges away worked well too, but sometimes I just needed more than that…

A spanking was needed.

I didn't do it often, and the worst two cases had been the one time Edward got himself in jail, or the once he got in a fight at school. Rosalie had her parts too, but Edward defiantly made the two worst, even though I knew Jasper would break that record quickly. I always preferred to ground them, or punish in another way, but sometimes a spanking was the only thing that would make them understand. No matter how much I spoke and tried to make them see, it wasn't before their bottoms were sore they understood.

So yes, I spanked my children, and Jasper lived under the same rules, so he would get the same treatment. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol was on my list of things that would end there, and Jasper would sooner or later cross that line.

It was just a matter of time.

I looked over on Jasper, to see he was awake, and was staring out of the window… something he had done for an hour now. After we spoke about the rules, there had been a deep silence between us, none of us had broken yet. Jasper was just staring out of the window, probably trying to accept everything, and accept he had family.

Or at least I hoped so.

When we finally got to Forks, I was beginning to get restless. I needed to see Esme, and I needed to talk to someone… to someone who understood Jasper was suffering in his own way. I couldn't really discuss this with Jasper, since he was the topic, so when we reached Forks I nearly sighed in relief, while Jasper just looked skeptical on the Welcome to Forks sign. It was clear from the start he didn't like Forks very much, or wanted to be there, but I felt he at least had to try and be positive about it.

But I wasn't going to speak to him about that right now. Instead, I just dreamed about coming home, and be together with my wife and children.

And when we finally crossed the town, and drove down the path to our house, I felt it took a million years. Our house was just outside town, surrounded by trees, with a lake in the backyard. There was a main house, where Esme, our children and I lived, and then a small cottage on the other side of the lake, where my father lived when he was here. Garrett had a cottage too, back when he was alive, but now it was just empty.

As our house finally came into view, even Jasper couldn't hide his impressed stare, and for a moment he actually looked like a normal teenager, but then he hid his feelings again. He clearly didn't like to admit it, but the house was truly impressive.

It was a three-storey house, in white, with a porch wrapped around it, and huge windows that made it look warm and light inside. It was like a diamond hidden in the forest, and even though I lived in Seattle, this was my real home.

"Is your house in Seattle even bigger?" asked Jasper, a bit amazed, and continued to stare on the house, as we got near.

"No… it's a bit smaller, but more or less the same size," I answered, and realized just how rich I must sound in his ears. "This is however my grandparent's house, who gave it to my mother and father when they died… I was actually born here, and didn't move away before I was fifteen," I told. "My father sold it to me thirteen years ago for a cheap price, since he didn't use it anymore… he just wanted a cottage by the lake," I smiled, and tried to make him realize it was a family house… something that was passed down from generation to generation, not something I just brought.

"Oh…" muttered Jasper, most of all sounding like he didn't care.

When we finally reached the house, Esme stepped outside, and stood on the porch to welcome us. She was the one who was most excited about Jasper coming, and even though I didn't like to say it, I feared she was going to be disappointed. She knew he had problems, but in her eyes, he was family, and we didn't have that much family left…

So for his own sake, I hoped with my whole heart he would act nicely, and be kind toward her.

As soon as I stopped the car, Jasper looked on me for a second, before he looked with skeptic on my wife, and then back on me. He never said anything, but he looked like he wanted to run and hide. Instead, he got out of the car without a word, and went to the trunk to get his bag.

With a sigh, I got out too, and went over to Jasper, were I grabbed my own things. We had clothes and toiletries in the house, but I always took my doctor bag and computer with me… just in case someone got hurt, or I needed to make some paper work.

"Are you ready to say hello to your aunt?" I asked Jasper, and looked up on Esme who still stood on the porch, giving Jasper time to approach her.

I tried to use aunt and uncle as much as I could, to get Jasper used to it, and make him accept we were family. I knew he needed time to get comfortable and use it, but if I said it as much as I could, he would at least see it was okay to call us aunt and uncle.

"Yeah… sure, but dude, I am not going to call her auntie or anything," he told, a bit angry, but before I could say anything he walked up to the porch, and with a sigh I followed him.

When we reached Esme, I could truly see how excited she was, and how disappointed she would be in a moment. Not because Jasper wasn't a good boy, at least deep down… he was just not the family type like she was. We didn't have much family, except her mom and dad, her sister, niece and our own children of course… not to mention my father, but that was an on and off thing. We actually just lost a family member, so Jasper was more than welcome in Esme's eyes.

"Esme, this is Jasper, our nephew" I introduced, and ignored his earlier comment. "And Jasper, this is Esme, your aunt," I presented, and tried to make this less awkward, but Jasper was already staring on her like she was an alien.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," smiled Esme, and in excitement she pulled him into a hug. Jasper on the other hand looked like he was in panic, as his body went stiff, and he stood still… like a bomb was about to explode.

"It… it's nice to meet you too, ma'am," muttered Jasper, as he finally got back to himself, and relaxed his muscles. Esme finally released him from the hug, only to take his face in her hands, and look on him with searching eyes.

"You look so much like you father," she smiled, and turned his head a bit. "Carlisle have you seen this?" she asked, and looked on me for a moment, before she turned back to look on Jasper. "It's almost like Garrett when he was young, such a handsome face," she smiled, and released a now terrified Jasper, who looked on her like she was a ghost. He didn't even try to say anything, he just stared on her, and took a small step away.

"Yes dear, he does look a lot like him," I smiled, and placed a hand on Jaspers shoulder, before he got any ideas about running. "But why don't we go inside, I am sure Jasper would like to have a shower after such a long journey, and perhaps rest for a bit before dinner?" I suggested, most of all because he was seriously in need of a shower.

"Oh of course," smiled Esme, and opened the door so we could step inside. I more or less pushed Jasper inside, and tried to make a bit space between him and Esme. It was clear she was a bit too much for him right now, and needed some time to warm up to her.

"Where are the kids by the way?" I asked, and wondered why none of them came to say hello. Right now it would be nice if one of them could show him around, and give me and Esme some time, because I really needed to talk to someone.

"Oh they all went on a picnic this afternoon, but should be home soon," she told, and closed the door behind us.

"Oh, well then Jasper can meet them later," I smiled, and looked on Jasper, just to realize he wasn't listening at all.

Instead, he was staring on our living room, with what only could be fascination. It was the biggest most open room in the whole house, with a huge panorama window, with view to the lake, a huge staircase just beside Edward's piano. Everything was decorated in soft beige and green, along with a bit of white, and a dark cherry tree floor.

"Jasper, why don't you and I go upstairs?" I suggested softly, and placed a hand on his shoulder. He truly looked tired and overwhelmed from a long day, with many new impressions, and even though it only was later afternoon, I for a moment wondered if he should go straight to bed.

"Sure," he muttered, and allowed me to lead him to the stairs, before he shook my hand of his shoulder.

"I will be in the kitchen," told Esme, and left us alone.

He didn't say much as we walked upstairs to the third floor, and down the hallway to his room. It was the last one, just beside my office, with a great view to the lake, and high enough for him not to sneak out of the window. Oh yes, we thought of that too when we chose his room.

"So, this is actually your fathers room, back when we lived here," I told, and tried to make him a bit excited about it, but it didn't really help. "I fear most of his furniture's are gone, but the desk was his, and the closet too… the rest is new," I told, and opened the door so he could look inside.

It was a nice big room, with a single bed in the corner, and colors in blue, green and brown. There was my brothers old desk and closet, along with a nightstand, a comfortable couch, and a TV. On his desk was even a laptop he could use, even though we preferred he spend time with our family, but everyone could need a few moments alone.

"This… this is my room?" he asked amazed, and looked on me like I was an complete idiot at the same time. "I don't have to share it with anyone or something?" he asked skeptical, and was most of all confused.

And it was understandable. Most of his life he probably needed to share a room with someone, or maybe even sleep on a cough… if not the streets. Then suddenly, he was given a room like this… for me it would feel like heaven.

"Yes, for the summer it's just yours." I told, and gave him a smile, as I for the first time saw him look a bit thankful. He probably needed privacy more than anything else, and if that was the only thing I could do to make him feel welcome, I would do it.

"Thanks," he muttered, and stepped into the room.

With a smile I watched him look around, before I decided to give him some time alone.

"Jasper I think you should pack out, get a shower, and rest for a bit," I told, and really hoped he registered the shower part. "I don't know exactly when dinner will be ready, but I promise to get you when it is, okay?" I asked, and patted his shoulder.

He was so amazed by the room he didn't even answer, but nodded, before he turned his concentration back to the room. With a smile, I closed the door behind me, happy because I finally saw a small part of him be happy, and… well just smile for once. He wasn't happy the whole car ride, and I was beginning to feel I couldn't do anything to make him happy, and it was too late…

But this proved there still was some part of him that was a normal teenager, with normal feelings, who could be saved, and be helped.

With a smile, I went downstairs, to find Esme in the kitchen, making roasted chicken… at least Jasper would eat that, or I hoped so.

"Hello my love," greeted Esme, and gave me quick kiss before she returned to the chicken.

"Hello," I sighed, and finally got the chance to really say hello. Before we were both busy trying to make Jasper feel at home, and never got a chance to say hello.

"So, Jasper seems like a sweet boy, a bit reserved," said Esme, "Who really need a haircut," she added with a smile, and of course that would be what she noticed first… his long hair.

"Well if just a haircut was his biggest issue," I sighed, and leaned against the counter, just beside her.

"That bad?" she asked, and stopped whatever she was doing, to look on me with concern. "He seemed nice enough, a bit shy… but not rude," she said, and looked on me questioning. Esme always believed everyone was good, at least deep down, and she even said that about Garrett until he died. So of course, Esme would only see a sweet boy, who was shy, and he was shy… because she was overwhelming.

"Well you were new," I explained. "I drove in a car with him for four hours, not to mention lunch at a restaurant… Esme honestly, he's a mess. He has no structure, no parental figures, no idea about how to behave, and isn't even giving this a chance. He is skeptical all the time, and instead of accepting we are family, he is trying to deny it in his head," I sighed, and pinched the bridge of my nose, as I tried to compose my thoughts. "I admit he did his best to behave in the car, but it was just so clear he was acting, and he more than once lied to me…"

"We can't know that yet… I just think he is a shy boy, who need's a family," tried Esme, and kissed my cheek to calm me down, but it didn't work at all.

"Yes but even if he is shy… he has huge problems with his social skills, not to mention he can't read, or do simple math. We already know he has problems with drugs, cigarettes and alcohol… Esme he don't even know how to use utensils!" I exclaimed frustrated, and couldn't understand how people allowed it to go so far.

"Calm down Carlisle," ordered Esme. "We haven't known him for long… and maybe he is over with drugs and alcohol, maybe he is trying to get a fresh start…" she tried, but I interrupted her as I saw someone move outside the window.

"What's Jasper doing in the garden?" I asked confused, and Esme immediately looked out of the kitchen window too.

"Maybe he just need some fresh air?" suggested Esme, but at the same moment, my eyes saw something in his hands…

With a sigh, I walked over to the kitchen door, and prepared myself for what was about to happen…

Because it was better to end this, before it started.

So Hello my lovely readers! :D

What is Jasper doing in the garden, and how much trouble do you think he will get?

And a guest reviewer has pointed out a few grammar mistakes (out of many) and I would just like to say thank you, since I can't send a private message, and I promise to correct it when I get time.

And appart from that, please be the great readers you are, and review, it's so nice to hear your opinions :D