A/N: Hello. I do not own anything, especially Twilight. I may own sunrise; the papers are still being signed on that one. Anyways...

Warning; Disciplinary spanking throughout chapter and also spanking with a strap. (sorry, I can't help it as not only Cumor but Cullen1007 made me do it. *shifty eyes and backs out of room.*

Enjoy. Hopefully. x

Alice's Music

Alice had been with her brother for the last two hours trying to soothe his nerves. She had caught a glimpse of his punishment from their dad and she wanted to wrap her arms around him and protect him from his own foolishness. She had enticed him from Carlisle's bed with the promise of a hot drink and some TLC.

"I can see from your face my punishment will be severe. Do not worry Al I won't ask you what it will be." Edward said and smiled to try and calm his sister. "I don't want to know anyway. Thanks for always having my back; I am so sorry I got you into trouble." Alice hugged Edward before skipping over to the piano.

"Play me something." Edward was about to decline as he just wanted to go and hide yet he knew his sister was trying to distract him and decided to play along if it made her feel better.

"I wrote a piece for you once long ago Al, I just was too embarrassed to tell you. To be honest it is way too happy a tune; just like you." Alice jumped up and down clapping her hands, she knew the music well as she had seen it in a vision long ago, she had been disappointed when her brother didn't share it with her. She never forgot the tune and began to hum it while Edward paused gaping at her in astonishment before slowly easing himself onto the piano stool.

The siblings were so engrossed in the music that they were unaware that Jasper had joined them. He leaned against the doorframe and listened sadly. He felt a sudden rush of protectiveness for his stubborn jackass of a brother. He knew the boy was absolutely in knots about what had taken place. He could feel his anxiety yet longing for their dad's return; he could sense a determination to make things right with Al to make her feel better.

Edward's hands paused over the keys when the Mercedes pulled up. He looked over at his brother and Edward's eyes grew darker and he froze for a moment before feeling Jasper's calmness wash over him. Alice went behind her brother and threw her arms around him; kissing his cheek she whispered that she loved him. "I really like Bella Swan, she will fit in well with this crazy family." Alice said quietly in her brother's ear, making him smile for the first time in days.

"Thank you Al. That means alot..."

The siblings were all hovering at the table when their parents came through the back door leading onto the kitchen. The girls rushed up to Esme excitedly and began to babble about Esme's new red dress. Carlisle was quiet as he looked at his three sons who remained by the table. Emmett smiled before going to his dad and bumping his shoulder playfully. Carlisle hugged him close.

"Your mother and I want to have a word with you in a moment. As soon as I have spoken to Jasper and Edward I will call you so do not go far okay?" Emmett became rigid in his dad's arms. "You are not in trouble do not fret." Whispering in his son's ear Emmett was told how proud Carlisle and Esme were of him. Emmett grinned widely at this.

"I guess you backed the wrong stubborn mule ay Dad." Emmett wriggled away before Carlisle could respond; the frown was enough to shut his inappropriate mouth from saying any more. Jasper looked down at the patterned floor; he was hurt at his brother's words. Esme then grabbed her burly son and fiercely hugged him before telling them to help her with the luggage. She looked at Edward for a moment before ushering them out to the car.

Carlisle watched Edward; he had planned to go in and give him a good dressing down, yet as he watched his boy standing so still and ashamed all he wanted to do was love him. He opened his arms and Edward did not hesitate before letting himself be comforted. He burst into tears and sobbed onto Carlisle's new blue t-shirt. He rocked his boy soothingly, whispering that he loved him. He glanced at Jasper as he stood to attention and gave him a small smile of reassurance. "Let us go into my study, just for a moment." He said to his boys as he wiped the tears from Edward's cheeks.

Both boys sat next to each other and watched their father who sat quietly with his arms folded on the desk. "I will be addressing both of you for your behaviour. However, your mother and I want to discuss the events of the last two days with your siblings before I deal with your punishments.

Jasper looked at his father worriedly. "Papa is that really necessary to speak with the others."

"Yes son it is most indeed necessary. I have heard both your accounts and even though I doubt if you have deliberately omitted parts out of your versions I would like to get the whole story as I don't want to treat either of you unfairly." Carlisle said kindly as he had a feeling he knew why his son was anxious.

"My Alice, I have already punished her. She is very sorry Papa there is no need to –" Carlisle raised his hand to stop his son.

"I am aware of that Jasper; we just want to talk to her that is all." He looked at both his troubled boys and decided that when this ordeal was over he would make more time for them to help repair the hurt that they were feeling with each other and after the severity of their punishments they would need a great deal of love and reassurance as both boys were highly sensitive due to their emotional gifts that burdened them deeply.

"I would like you both to remain in your rooms until I call you. Neither of you will ask your siblings what has been privately discussed." He looked hard at Jasper. "You will not ask Alice or badger her over your punishment. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes Papa."

"Off you go now. I will call you when I am ready." He went passed them and opened the door. He watched his sad children trudge out and head to their respective rooms to wait...

Emmett sat fidgeting as he faced his mom and dad. Esme sat in Carlisle's chair with her mate beside her. She reached over the desk and took her son's large hands in her own small ones and gave them a squeeze. "Calm down Em, you are not in trouble now let me see that smile that I miss whenever I go away." Emmett smiled to placate his mom. The beam that he got back in return made him shake his head and grin widely. "That is better."

"Emmett, we are aware that Jasper had to reprimand some foolish behaviour on your part." Carlisle's eyes darkened for a moment before returning to their normal amber lights. "Was Jasper fair with you?"

"Yes Dad. It hurt though not as much as if it was you who had punished me." Emmett watched as his dad raised an eyebrow. The boy put his hands out in front of him as if his Dad would suddenly smack him. "I am still feeling it though Dad I have learnt my lesson."

"Please calm down son. Did you give Jasper any trouble over your punishment?"

"No Dad I knew it was just as rough on him to give it as it was for me to receive it. Me and Jazz are cool."

"That was a very mature attitude to have son and Jasper is lucky to have you as a brother." Emmett smiled proudly and winked at his mother who rolled her eyes as she tried to suppress her smile.

"Emmett please be honest on these last questions. Did Jasper at any time manipulate your emotions?" Carlisle paused before asking the question that he was dreading the answer too. "Did Jasper punish you when he was calm and in control or was he still angry?"

"Dad I promise you that Jasper did not manipulate me or get mad. Well he was mad to start with that is why he broke my car door but –"

"He did what!" Carlisle said sharply making Emmett wince when he realized he had just gotten Jasper deeper in trouble.

"He has already fixed it Dad. He was really sorry and by the time he punished me he was way calmer." Carlisle smiled sadly when he saw the panic in the boy's eyes.

"Dad don't be too hard on Jazz he has really been through the mill and he cannot always help projecting it is normal for him. Yeah, it was sucky scaring Eddie the way he did, but it was just those two trying to get one over the other. Dad if you had seen Jasper's face when he nearly punished Ed in anger. I was afraid he would run and not come back. There is no way you could make him feel any worse than he already does." Emmett implored before flicking his eyes to his mother.

"Emmett son, please do not fret over your brother's punishment, Jasper would expect nothing less than to be held accountable for not keeping order in his ranks. He will be fine." Esme reassured her worried child.

Carlisle took hold of Esme's hand for support and reassurance. "Emmett I am about to disclose Edward's punishment to you as I want you to be prepared for when it happens..."

Alice was next to be sent to the study. Carlisle and Esme were sharing a mug of hot blood and whispering when Alice knocked and entered. It was clear that she had been crying and Esme scooted her chair back and opened her arms to give her daughter some much needed comfort. "It is okay baby." Esme crooned and kissed Alice's short soft hair. Carlisle gave her his drink and Alice sipped the blood and relaxed slightly.

"I have let my husband down and hurt him. I should have been beside him helping him to adjust to his new position. Instead I started to see him as – " Alice was not sure how to finish the sentence and sighed.

"You saw him as the enemy." Carlisle said with a slight twitch of his lips. "Do not look so shocked. Jasper was part of your gang; you could always plot together to keep each other out of trouble against me. It is natural I am the leader which sets me out of the circle. Jasper went from being your fellow conspirator to being the one that is now in charge. You had a vision of Edward's activities and wanted to protect him against the boss. I do not approve young lady, yet I do understand."

"Alice, Jasper understands too. He will not resent you; after all this decision affects all of us and we are all finding ways to adapt to this new coven dynamic." Esme encased her daughter in a tight embrace and continued to comfort and reassure her. "You are sorry though Baby and that is what matters I know you did not deliberately try and hurt Jasper. He knows it too." Esme rocked Alice soothingly.

"Alice we want to ask you something and normally what happens between husband and wife is none of our concern. However –"

"No Dad, Jasper was calm when he –" Alice paused ashamed and embarrassed. "When he had to correct me."

"That is good to hear princess." Carlisle stroked Alice's cheek and she leaned her head into his hand. Sitting up straight she took her father's hand and looked into his golden eyes.

"Daddy about Jasper having to be punished will you not reconsider? He followed your advice...Well, eventually and Edward was treated fairly. He has already ordered a new lounger and –"

"Why has he ordered a new lounger Alice?" Carlisle said sharply, removing his hand from his daughters and folding his arms.

"Eddie's got smashed when he was – " Alice became silent and looked down at her mother's wedding band.

"When..." Carlisle prompted.

"Jazzy threw him." Biting her lip she looked down as a tear splashed Esme's hand. "Please do not punish Jazzy." Carlisle shook his head sadly.

"Edward is sorry too, it was a male ego pride reaction to Jazzy's rule. But daddy it was more than that, he loves Bella Swan and I do not think even you could have kept him in. He wants to be with his mate."

Carlisle looked quizzically at his daughter. "Mate? Is it that serious Alice?"

"Yes Dad. Please take that into consideration and reconsider my brother's punish-"

"No Alice we are not negotiating for Edward or Jasper. Do not use your vision to warn them. I will be most displeased if you do..."

Rose was clearly agitated as she sat stiffly and looked at her nails. "Rose I asked you a question, look at me please." She lifted up her dark eyes to her mother.

"Okay, Em may have let it slip about Edward's punishment but only because he was upset. Honestly, are we living in the dark ages? Edward was being a brat but then again that is nothing new."

"I suggest you change your tone when addressing your mother and I." Carlisle said softly while watching his daughter closely. "We are not here to discuss Edward's punishment. I realise that it will be difficult for all of you. We have made our minds up on this matter and arguing over the details will not change the outcome."

Rose huffed and looked at her mother instead. "Mother are you seriously saying that you go along with this. It is barbaric and –"

"Enough!" Carlisle snapped, making Rose flinch. Esme touched her mate's hand reassuringly and went to kneel by her daughter's chair.

"Rose I know you are upset."

"Upset! Upset!" Rose shouted. "You left Soldier Boy in charge who has a seriously hard time in keeping his gift or his hands to himself. Your first born was terrified of his own brother! All he has wanted since yesterday is his dad to come and make him feel better." Rose lowered her tone when she saw the dark look that Esme was giving her. Rose looked back at her father who seemed so sad by her words that she just gave up and crossed her arms.

"Now you listen to me young lady. Do not raise your voice at your father again or you and I will be having serious words. We understand that you are upset. Jasper should not have frightened Edward and he will be held accountable for his actions. However, Edward has acted in an appalling manner and he must learn that when Jasper is in charge he will show him respect and obedience." Esme looked hard at Rose. "As you all must learn; Edward's punishment just may make you reconsider your disregard for Jasper's rank. If I hear you refer to Jasper as soldier boy again I will take the paddle to you. Do you understand me Rose?"

"Yes Mom. Sorry Dad." Rose whispered. "I just keep thinking about how he was so scared." She put her head down and became silent for a moment. "That is the only reason why Edward hit Jasper."

"He did what!" Carlisle exclaimed.

"Well he did but like I said only because he was scared. Anyway Jasper went crazy and that is when Em stopped Jazz from beating the crap –"

"Language."

"Sorry." Rose leaned into her mother for comfort. "I am just mad with Jasper for how he handled it. It all got blown out of proportion and now everyone will have to suffer..."

After a very long day of waiting Carlisle retrieved first Jasper and then Edward. Carlisle's eyes went straight to the cracked window and he turned to look at Jasper; who put his head down ashamed. Shaking his head he swiftly left the room before pausing and looked at Edward's door which had shiny new brass hinges. "You have been busy today Jasper first you fix the jeep and now the door. You will be spending tomorrow replacing Edward's window!"

"Yes Sir." Jasper whispered. The boys followed their father to the study both resigned to their punishments.

Once again both boys sat beside each other as they worriedly watched their mother and father. After a few moments of light conversation to calm Jasper's emotions Carlisle addressed his children. "Your mother and I want to discuss both your actions over the last few days before your mother leaves us to take the others on a hunt." Both boys visibly relaxed when they knew their mother would not witness their humiliation.

"While we are addressing your behaviour the other sibling will remain silent unless spoken too. Do you both understand? Any interruptions or tantrums will be dealt with swiftly." Carlisle turned his full attention on Jasper who kept eye contact and willed himself to keep calm.

"It has been a difficult couple of days for you son. I apologise on behalf of Edward for putting you through unnecessary grief." Carlisle briefly looked at Edward who lowered his head further. "Remind me of the rules Jasper that I set out for you to adhere to."

"No manipulating my fellow siblings."

"And..."

"Do not punish in anger."

"Did you abide by those rules son?"

"No Sir." Jasper quietly drawled before looking at his hands, a quiet cough from his father snapped Jasper's head back up and eyes once more locked onto his father's dark amber ones.

"Explain to me young man when it is ever acceptable to throw your siblings?"

"Never sir." Jasper whispered ashamed as he glanced at his mother, before his sad eyes rested on his father.

"Explain to me when it is ever acceptable to slap your siblings face!" Carlisle continued to talk in a calm quiet tone, yet his eyes suddenly turned to onyx with his last question. Jasper bowed his head and remained silent.

Esme leaned forward to take Jasper's hand. "Jasper, look at me please." Slowly he raised his head to meet his mother's eyes. "You are showing a great deal of disrespect by ignoring your father's question and not keeping eye contact. Do you need a very physical reminder of the basic of our house rules my son?"

"No Mama, a reminder will not be required; I am sorry as no disrespect was intended." Looking at his father Jasper continued in a deep and quiet tone. "It is never acceptable to slap a fellow sibling in the face and I deeply regret the incident and how it made my brother feel." Jasper meant every word and tears welled up in his eyes which he quickly wiped away on the back of his sleeve.

"Jasper, when is it ever acceptable to break other people's property? It seems that you left that part out of your account which makes me feel that you were hiding it from us purposely." Carlisle frowned at his son's guilty expression. "Your rank is a title that I take very seriously Jasper. I expect for you to always be honest with me or this is not going to work."

"I am sorry Papa." He bowed his head, ashamed of the dishonour he had shown to his father.

"Have you left any other details out Jasper?"

Pausing Jasper sighed. "N-no Sir." He whispered and glanced at his brother.

"I see, so the window broke itself did it?" Carlisle snapped irritated by his son's evasiveness. "Does trust mean nothing to you boy!" He said slightly louder as he pierced Jasper with a hard stare.

"It was my fault Dad, Jasper is trying to protect me." Edward said as he looked from his Father to brother.

"I already know that you hit your brother Edward. I was hoping that I would hear it from you two. I was very wrong to assume I could trust my sons." Carlisle softened his tone as he looked at the frightened faces of his children. "We will discuss this again after I have dealt with Jasper's punishment." The soldier bowed his head. "Look at me Jasper, that is better."

"As you are already aware you will be punished in front of Edward for your inactivity in dealing with this situation and your reluctance to punish Edward when he first disobeyed you." Carlisle looked hard at his first-born for a moment before giving Jasper his full attention.

"Jasper Whitlock Cullen you will receive a very severe spanking for manipulating, throwing and slapping your brother's face!" Carlisle raised his voice and abruptly stood up and was beside Jasper's chair in an instant making the boy flinch slightly.

Esme got up from her chair and went to stand by Carlisle. He turned to her and smiled sadly. "I will call you when we are done here. Do not fret they will be handed back in one piece I promise you."

"I know that." She smiled back at her troubled mate. "I will just fret about you." Carlisle brushed a tear from her cheek and watched her leave wishing he could leave also. She deliberately did not look back at her boys as it was too painful.

Jasper shakily stood and turned to face his father keeping his arms behind his back. Edward became fixated on Jasper's crest that was tied to his wrist as he tried to block out his distressed thoughts at this humiliation. "Go and stand at the end of the desk and pull your pants down." Carlisle paused before placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Because of the severity of your actions son, your mother and I have both agreed that after your spanking you will receive additional with my strap - "

"Dad no! It was all my fault!" Edward yelled as he stood up. He was about to continue his defense when Carlisle suddenly was in front of Edward and pushing him back down in his seat, making his son yelp from the sudden contact on his sore behind. The yelp made Jasper cringe and he began to project.

"Jasper calm those emotions!" Turning back to Edward he looked down and took Edward's chin firmly and looked him in the eyes. "I believe I told you that you would remain quiet until spoken to. Is that correct?"

"Y-yes sir." Edward mumbled.

"You will remain sitting still and silent or you will make everything so much harder for yourself. Jasper is about to be punished severely and I do hope that you take note son as most of this mess is your doing! If I have to repeat myself I will take you to the corner and smack your legs very hard. Do you understand?" Edward nodded his head and Carlisle released his chin and went to stand by Jasper.

"Jasper, lean over the desk please and remember to watch your language at all times." Jasper felt a phantom blush at his dad's sentence as he knew him too well. Leaning into the smooth surface of the desk he inhaled the scent of the wood and it soothed his nerves. He opened his eyes to see Edward sitting huddled in the chair with his head bowed and shoulders hunched. He was wringing his hands and tapping his foot nervously. Jasper turned his head only to face the strap, hanging on the opposite wall; and decided that view had not improved his anxiety of his current situation.

Carlisle sighed and leaned his hand firmly on the small of his son's back making Jasper close his eyes tight and chew his lip. The first heavy swat to his behind made him hiss softly and he shifted slightly as the sudden pain blossomed across his left cheek. The pressure on his back was increased and he prepared for the second swat which landed in the exact same spot making the boy inhale deeply. The spanking continued in a slow, hard yet steady rhythm building up a heat that was becoming intolerable to Jasper's silent mewls. He leaned his forehead on the desk and began to whimper as the smacks continued.

Jasper began to stamp his feet to alleviate the burn until Carlisle growled and smacked the backs of his son's bare legs with great force; over and over until Jasper became completely still.

The boy's boxers were lowered to his knees to join his pants in a very sombre reunion. The patriarch smacked the lower sensitive areas where thighs met a very punished bottom; making his son keen more loudly.

Jasper was determined not to beg for mercy. He had to set a good example to Edward as he deserved this spanking and could feel the disappointment coming from his father in waves due to his rough treatment of his sibling. He needed to stay compliant so that Carlisle would understand that he was very sorry.

However, Jasper began to panic that he would be unable to remain calm. He had not been spanked this hard with just his father's punishing hand and for this duration since the painful day his father had once again caught him smoking pot. "P-please Sir!" Jasper began before he could stop himself. He began to bite down on the leather cuff as the smacks continued. He flinched each time his father raised his hand, he attempted to dodge it only to receive another dose of warning stings to his sore legs.

Edward closed his eyes and wished he could play some music to block out the sounds as he wanted to get Jasper out of his head. He began to feel every slap that was administered to his brother's battered behind and legs. Jasper's mind was in total pain and panic and Edward began to take deep breaths and let his own mind go void to allow himself to be calm enough not to influence his brother's feelings any more than he could help.

Edward began to drift away with only the ticking of the clock and the relentless rhythm of slaps to be heard; which became quieter as Edward focused his attention else where. He concentrated on Bella and her huge sad brown eyes. The slapping finally faded away and he looked in his peripheral vision to see his brother crying in their dad's loving arms. Jasper's thoughts suddenly jolted back into Edward's head. 'please, not the strap daddy.' Closing his eyes he allowed himself to detach once more as he could not take the pain from remaining in the room.

The sound of the strap being unhooked from the wall made Edward open his eyes and come back once more. He glanced at the wall clock and an hour had already passed since the spanking had commenced. Apart from the relentless ticking counting down to his own punishment and Jasper's quiet crying the study was eerily silent once more.

Watching his Dad move back towards Jasper with the strap doubled over made Edward begin to shift in his seat and panic. Jasper slightly flinched away from their father. "Please Dad, do not strap him. It was my fault!" Edward suddenly cried before he could prevent the words from slipping out. Carlisle looked at his son sharply and bade him to stand. "D-don't smack my legs I will be quiet." He pleaded.

Edward stood shakily and watched as his father placed the strap by Jasper's shaking back and strode with speed to his son. Taking him by the upper arm he marched him to the corner. "Hands on your head and not one more sound." Before Edward could comply he was given five stinging smacks on the back of each leg which made him cry out from the suddenness of the pain and reach out to the wall to steady himself. "You are already in for one severe whipping my son. Do not make it two."

"S -sorry Dad." Edward whispered as he took up his position in the corner and placed his hands upon his head. He had a sudden image of Bella Swan in the corner with him and he shook his head to concentrate. "I will be good."

"Hymmmmm, let us hope for your hides sake that you do son." Carlisle walked back to Jasper who was trembling and hiding his face in his crossed arms. "It is nearly over Jasper, calm down my boy." Carlisle stroked his son's shoulder and loosened the knots that he could feel with his expert hands. Jasper began to relax and mumbled to his father that he was ready.

The boy reached out and gripped onto both sides of the desk in an attempt to keep himself bowed down. The pain was fierce and he trembled from the exertion of remaining compliant. The swoosh of the strap in the still office made both boys flinch. It snapped loudly across Jasper's tortured skin and he yelled out in pain and panic. The strap hit the same spot once more and Jasper began to rise. The growl from Carlisle was so fierce that he immediately got back into position and put both arms over the back of his head and laced his fingers to try and prevent another outburst. Carlisle swung the strap hard another five times aiming for the same blistered sit spots as he knew it would make an impression on the boy every time he sat down for the next month. "Only three more Jasper. You are doing well."

Jasper was in agony and began to squirm once more. "s-seven, s-seven, just three more, three mo- OUCH!" The strap landed on a particularly sensitive area which seemed to have been spanked more thoroughly than the rest of his bruised skin. Jasper panicked that the lower portion of his left cheek had torn as the pain was so intense. "OH SHIT, FUCK, HOLY HELLFIRE!" The soldier hollered out and jumped up, shielding his bottom and trying to back away. He was aware of the irony of breaking his position when he only had two licks left to endure. Carlisle lowered the strap and eyed his boy. Jasper went to pull up his pants as he continued to step further away from his exasperated Father.

"Did I give you permission to pull your pants back up? Hold out your hands Mr Whitlock Cullen as the last two will be administered on your palms to instil the fact that you do not treat your sibling in such a brutish manner.

"Sorry Papa."

"That would be the end of your punishment; yet once again you have disobeyed me, moved position and used foul language and then you dare to pull your pants back up without permission!" Carlisle raised his voice and Jasper cringed and shakily held out his right palm.

The white hot pain left from the strap made the boy cry out and he hugged his hand to his chest before shakily putting his left palm out and receiving the same. They watched each other father and son and resignedly Jasper painfully lowered himself once more over the desk this times palms facing up and cried onto the surface no longer caring that he was being observed. Jasper could not feel his brother's emotions and sensed that Edward had detached himself. He wished he had thought of that!

Carlisle was relieved at his son's compliance that he would receive additional punishment for moving position. He knew he would have had to force Edward or Rose down if it had been them and make the whole ordeal even harder to endure. He looked down at his trembling son and visually assessed him through a physician's eyes. He went to his medical bag and took out a lavender latex glove and pulled it on. Bunching the back of Jasper's jumper to the middle of his back he very gently began to touch the boy's skin, concentrating on the lower area of his left cheek making Jasper cry out and struggle before settling himself once more.

"It hurts Papa." He whimpered quietly. Carlisle went to the bin and disposed of the glove. The skin was not torn which he had feared the way Jasper had cried. He knew he was very sore and considered forgoing the extra punishment. Then again Edward was present and it was not a good example to set. "Please don't."

Carlisle placed the strap back on the hook and then went back to his quietly sobbing son and listened to his shuddering breathing. "I am tempted to wash your mouth out young man! Please consider that before you speak." Putting his left hand on the small of his boy's back he raised his other hand and gave his boy five firm swats across the middle of Jasper's pulsing bottom. Jasper howled out and arched his back against his father's stilled left hand. He hollered out once more when his clothes were righted.

Jasper lay across the desk mentally exhausted. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his nerves and pull himself together. The agony blazed in his rear and his legs throbbed and burned. "I'm sorry Daddy." He whispered more to himself than his father. His father rubbed his back and once more and eased the knots from his boy's aching muscles.

"It is over my boy you do not keep having to say that you are sorry. All is forgiven. Stand up." Carlisle assisted his son to stand and embraced him. Jasper's shallow breaths were hitching in his stilled chest as he tried to keep the tears to a minimum; yet his father's soothing tone made him sob trailing venom on his dad's shoulder.

"You will learn from this incident and I know this will never happen again as I have faith in you Jasper. Everything will be okay I promise you and I am still very proud of you and always will be. Do not fret on that score."

After several long moments Jasper pulled away and wiped his eyes on his now sodden sleeves. "Thank you Sir for saying that. I h-have learned my lesson well and it will never h-happen again." Carlisle stroked Jasper's hair and kissed his forehead.

Carlisle continued to rub his son's trembling arms as if to warm him. He needed to find the courage to continue with this heartbreaking task. "I know it will be uncomfortable, yet take a seat Jasper please."

"Please may I stand just for awhile?" He implored as he stood to attention. The look from his father gave him his answer.

"Sit down Jasper." Carlisle repeated and indicated to the vacant chair. He watched Jasper struggle to sit down and remain still. He knew he had blistered his son's hide very hard and he would have liked nothing better than to be able to send him to his room to gather his thoughts and rest. However, Jasper needed to hear the details of Edward's punishment.

When he was sure that Jasper was settled he sat behind his desk and watched first his crying son who sat so rigid in front of him and then he turned his sad eyes towards his first born who remained still in the corner. 'Please God, give me the strength to endure Edward's punishment.' Carlisle thought and saw his son visibly flinch. "Edward keep out of my head!"

"Sorry Dad." He whispered now terrified at the stray thoughts that his father was letting slip. Carlisle would have liked nothing more than to just let the matter go and pretend that all was well. However, all was far from well and only Edward admitting to his faults and accepting his punishment would wipe the slate clean.

He stood up and went to Jasper and put his arm around the boy's shoulders to comfort him, and perhaps to comfort himself also. Jasper leaned into his Papa and soaked the side of his shirt with venom. "Esme is going to kill me, this t-shirt was new today." He smiled when he heard his son's muffled chuckle.

Sighing Carlisle patted the boy's shoulder and gave his full attention to Edward. "Please take a seat Edward we have much to discuss..."

Review please if I have made you smile. x