Chapter 8 – The Showdown

Carlisle:

It's been a few days since the last episode involving Seth and those troublemakers at school. Billy has fully recovered and is back to himself. He shows no signs of heart trouble and is watching his diet now as Rosalie is keeping close tabs on him and makes his meals for him and sits with him while he eats. Billy has made some headway with Rosalie and she and Billy have become close to the astonishment of Jacob. Although Jake and Rosalie's relationship remains the same, there seems to be more tolerance of each other. Billy's stay here has become a blessing in disguise. Seth is a little more approachable to me and still seems a little distant, but he has improved. No more such incidents have occurred since the carjacking of Jake's prized possession.

We have almost finished the living quarters for Billy, Sam and Emily and soon they will be finished. Billy's stay is almost at a close and we are all going to miss him terribly. Especially, Rosalie. I wonder how this will play out.

I am on the early shift today, so I will be home from the hospital about the same time the boys get out of school. We are going to the Lodge this evening when we all get home and Esme is bringing supper for the pack. I'm on my way already to the hospital, so I'm sure my brood is beginning to stir to get to school.

Esme:

"Seth and Jacob, breakfast is almost ready. Get down here if you want some," I called to my wolf children. Leah was already down making her plate.

"This looks great Mom," Leah said of the pancakes and bacon I had prepared.

"Eat up sweetheart," I said to her.

"Momma, I'm bringing Billy down and he's as hungry as a bear," Emmett called out to me.

"I have his breakfast all set for him," Rosalie called to Emmett.

"Oh shoot! Emmett, you have to help me score a few pieces of bacon," Billy implored.

"Nothing doing. I tried to get you a piece yesterday, and Rosie about took my hand off…literally," Emmett said.

"I love bacon, just one piece," Billy asked again.

"Oh alright, what should I do?" Emmett asked.

"Distract her and I'll nab a few pieces when she's busy with you," Billy suggested.

"If I get caught, it's your fault," Emmett said to Billy.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell them it was my idea," Billy agreed.

"You better hope Momma doesn't take it out on my backside," Emmett warned Billy.

"Oh, Esme wouldn't be that hard on you," Billy said.

"That's what you think! You better cover your own too," Emmett said laughing.

"Thanks Emmett, I can wheel myself to the table," Billy said to Emmett winking at him to commence his distraction.

"Hey gorgeous, you look beautiful today," Emmett said spinning Rosalie around and dipping and kissing her.

As Emmett distracted Rosie, I saw Billy snatch a few pieces of bacon and Leah giggled. He put his finger up to his lips and quietly indicated for her not to give him away.

"Shhhhhh!" Billy motioned to Leah. Leah just giggled. Billy thought he got away with it until he turned and I was standing smiling at him.

"Billy you know better," I said warning him.

"What? What does Uncle Billy know better…Uncle Billy! You naughty uncle," Rosalie said snatching the pieces of bacon from him.

"Aww, come on Rosie, those few pieces won't hurt me," Billy implored.

"No, they will only raise your salt intake and shoot your blood pressure up," Rosalie scolded her uncle. "And you…" Rosalie said slapping Emmett on the arm.

"Oww, babe," Emmett complained.

"You shouldn't encourage him," Rosalie scolded Emmett now.

Billy was laughing and all eyes were on Rosalie and Emmett and I noticed Billy had secured one slice of bacon and smiled at it when I cleared my throat next to him.

"Ahem!" I said folding my arms and tapping my foot at him.

"Ugh!" Billy said but quickly scarfed down the slice of bacon. I just shook my head and finger at him.

"Billy Black!" I said to him.

"Esme, please don't rat me out to Carlisle…he's been giving me that 'dad' look and I don't like it," Billy said a little uneasy.

"Well, you deserve it. I have a good mind to tell Daddy myself, Uncle Billy!" Rosalie threatened.

"Oh come on now, my beautiful Rose Bud, you wouldn't rat your favorite uncle out to your dad now would you?" Billy said imploring her and buttering her up. "Let your uncle see that beautiful smile so my day will begin with joy," Billy added.

"I think I'm going to throw up," Jake said standing and staring at his dad and Rosalie reacting to her uncle's words. "You're not going to fall for that, are you Rose?" Jake asked her.

"Uncle Billy, how dare you!" Rosalie said coming to her senses. "I should call Daddy right now."

"No, don't bother Carlisle at work," Billy begged her.

"No, let's call Dad and tell him about this Cassanova Moocher!" Jake said getting his phone out.

"Jacob you dial that phone and I'll tell Carlisle you were speeding down the driveway with your car," Billy threatened.

"Of all the lowdown, dirty tricks to do to your own son. I didn't do that. Dad would kill me if he caught me driving while grounded. Take a look around you and count all my witnesses," Jake said indicating everyone standing there.

"You're not supposed to be driving your car yet anyway so stop speeding down the driveway. Tell Daddy Uncle Billy," Rosalie said glaring at Jake.

"You think you're so smart. Just ask Mom…hey Mom…where'd she go?" Jake asked.

"Ah ha…they got you wolf bro," Emmett said laughing. "Give it up and don't call Pops, Jake Wolf."

"You two are in cohoots. No fair. You're supposed to be on my side," Jake said hitting Billy on the arm.

"Jacob, don't hit your father," I said coming in with the morning paper. "Here you go Billy."

"Thanks Esme," Billy said reaching for the paper.

"Hey, I'm the one you adopted here, not him. I always get the raw end of the deal," Jake complained.

"Awe, poor Jakey, you're so abused," Billy said taunting him.

"Billy, how would you like your new living quarters decorated at the lodge?" I asked him.

"I thought you were taking the things from my room here," Billy said.

"No, no, those stay here," I told Billy.

"I thought the things in my room were also for my new quarters at the Lodge," Billy explained.

"Aww, do you have to move there Uncle Billy?" Rosalie asked him.

"Well, of course I do," Billy said to her.

"No you don't. You could stay here," Rosalie said.

"I can't do that, Rose Bud, this is your home. Your mother is probably counting the days until she can get me out," Billy said smiling at me.

"Billy Black, how dare you say such a thing," I scolded him.

"Esme, forgive me. It was presumptuous of me to think that those decorations were for my new quarters. I misunderstood you," Billy said embarrassed.

"Billy Black, you silly man. Those items stay in your room here. We will get you new items for your new quarters in the Lodge," I explained to him.

"My room here?" Billy asked.

"Yes, your room here. That room will always be your room and you can come and stay whenever and for as long as you wish. You don't have to move out if you don't want to," I informed him.

"Really? I get a room here?" Billy asked surprised.

"Of course, Uncle Billy. You don't think we would let our uncle get away that easy. We are all so happy you are our uncle, we don't know why we didn't think of it before," Alice said joining the conversation.

"Heck yeah, Unck! With Jake Wolf here as our brother, you have to be relation to us," Emmett said.

"I don't know what to say, except I am deeply touched by your feelings of me," Billy said.

"I told ya, you're a Cullen now. It grows on ya, don't fight it," Jake said putting his hand on his dad's shoulder.

"Esme, that's so very kind of you. Thank you, but I couldn't live here. I would feel as though I was intruding on your lives. I would like to be able to come and spend a few days here now and then if that is okay," Billy asked me.

"You are always welcome here, Billy. You don't have to ask. You always have a home here with us, anytime you want," Esme said. "You're family, Billy."

"Please don't move out Uncle Billy. I finally got someone who understands me and now you want to leave us," Rosalie pleaded.

"Take sour rose with you, dad," Jake said to Billy.

"Shut up, you bobcat," Rosalie said to Jake.

"Make me, tumble weed," Jake dared her.

"My pleasure," Rose said getting up.

"Stop it right now. Your father isn't the only one who will punish you in this house," I warned them.

"Yeah, her swats sting," Jake admitted.

"Hi Mom," Seth said walking into the kitchen.

"Breakfast is ready, sweetheart," I said to him. "Seth, make sure to come home right after school tonight. I want you to help me take supper over to the Lodge tonight," I said to Seth.

"Sure thing, Mom," Seth answered.

"Be here right after school. Your father gets home early, but I want to get the food over there early so I can heat it up and it will be hot by 5:00 p.m." I instructed him.

"Yes Mom, I'll be here," Seth answered.

"Come on Seth, we have to walk to school again since I'm still grounded. That's a long 100 miles to school in this bitter winter with snow past our knees and the wind howling through our hair, no hats or mittens to keep us warm. Oh woe is us, woe is us," Jake lamented endlessly.

"I should go get my violin and play it to accompany that performance," Jasper said to Jake.

"Well, gotta go! Come on Seth, let's get out of here before he breaks our eardrums with that violin," Jake said latching onto Seth and yanking him out the door. "Later people!"

"That's one way to shut him up," Rosalie said laughing.

End of School:

Seth:

I just finished my last class and was making my way to my locker when I heard my name called. Oh no, not these two again.

"Hey hold up, Cullen," Jeb shouted.

"What? I have to get going. My Mom wants me home right after school to help her, so make it fast," I said to the two of them. They were standing there looking at me with these evil grins on their faces that said they were proud of themselves.

"We came up with the mother of all pranks! In fact, it involves your mother," Braden explained.

"What involves my mother?" I asked them.

"The ultimate test and this will play right into it with you having to get right home after school to help your old lady," Jeb said.

"Hey, watch how you talk about my Mom," I said getting in his face.

"Calm down, Cullen boy, so you have to get right home huh?" Jeb asked.

"Yes, and by the way, my Dad says I can't hang around with you two anymore. I need to get going so whatever you want to say, do it now," I said beginning to walk outside.

"Are you going with your brother?" Braden asked.

"No, I'm walking straight home," I said.

"First things first, how's your ass doing from your daddy blistering it after you took your brother's car?" Braden asked. "Make another trip over your daddy's knee?"

"Shut up, it's none of your business," I said to them.

"Yes it is, you never did let us hear your punishments, so this time we will. You will keep your phone on this time because you will do it right here in front of us and put it on speaker. Let's go outside and away from school so no one hears us," Jeb said leading me out of the school and near the woods, but not too far because our cell phone service would drop off.

"What do you mean you'll hear it?" I asked wondering what they had cooked up.

"You're gonna call your Mom and tell her you are not coming to help, and that she can take the stuff by herself. When she starts chewing your ass out, you're going to cuss her out," Jeb said happily dialing our house.

"No way! I don't want to cuss my Mother, I love her," I said.

"Don't you see? That will be the ultimate test to see if your old Man really loves you or you are just his tax write off," Braden said.

"But, she'll be hurt. I don't want to hurt her. I don't know what to say to her," I said to them.

"Here's what you'll say, you call her a name and then add to it as you begin to argue with her and then hang up," Jeb said.

"I bet your Dad kicks you out, you just wait and see," Braden said.

"I don't want to do that," I said to them.

"Oh yes you do, remember this?" Jeb said showing me the video he took on his phone again.

"You do it, or he sends it right now," Braden said. "You have to the count of 3! One-two-thre…", Braden counted.

"Okay, okay, I'll do it," I said grabbing for my phone.

"Here, I'll dial the number for you so you don't try to trick us," Braden said grabbing my phone, dialing our house and putting it on speaker. I could hear the phone ringing.

"Hello? Seth?" Mom said into the phone. Braden quickly handed me the phone.

"Yes, yes it's me Mom," I said to her.

"Are you on your way home, Sweetie?" She asked so kindly.

"No, that's why I'm calling," I explained.

"Oh no, Seth you didn't get in trouble again, did you?" Mom asked worried.

"No, I just can't come home, that's all," I said to her.

"What do you mean you can't come home?" She asked.

"Just that, I can't come. You'll have to take the food over to the Lodge yourself," I said to her rather abruptly.

"Why can't you come home, dear?" Mom asked.

"I just can't, now stop badgering me," I said smartly to her.

"I don't like this attitude, Young Man. You watch your tone when you address me," Mom scolded.

"I'm not coming, you just have to take the food yourself," I said again.

"Listen to me, Seth Cullen. You march yourself right home this minute," Mom scolded me.

"NO! I won't. I said I'm not coming so deal with it," I said sharply again.

"Deal with it? You come home and I'll deal with you, mister," Mom threatened.

"You're all talk. You couldn't hurt a flea," I said to her. I knew that was not true because Mom walloped Jake's and my tail when she found out we were cliff diving on our camping trip last fall.

"Seth Cullen, you get home this minute, and I mean it," Mom said firmly.

"I said I'm not coming. Take your crap there yourself. I'm not your servant," I said smartly to her.

It was killing me talking to my wonderful Mother this way, until I thought about what my Dad was going to do to me when he found out how I sassed Mom.

"Get home or I'm calling your father," Mom threatened.

"Go ahead and call him. I'm not afraid of him. You would tell him too. You're such a snitch, always tattling to Dad what any of us do," I shouted at her.

"Seth, how could you say that to me? Where is all this coming from," Mom asked me.

"From being told to do this and do that and help this one and help that one. Well, what about me? No one ever does anything for me. I have to help everyone else, like helping you take food to the Lodge. I'm not a kid for rent, you know," I said sarcastically to her.

"What has gotten into you?" Mom said. I could tell Mom was crying.

"You, you drive me nuts with having to come home and do your stupid tasks all the time," I shouted again at her. "I'm going straight to the Lodge."

"For the last time, Seth Cullen, get home and help me this minute," Mom said very sternly.

"I don't have to do what you tell me to do, so shut up you b#tch," Seth shouted to Esme on the phone.

"What did you call me?" Esme asked in shock.

"I called you a b#tch", Seth said again. "In case you didn't hear it right, it rhymes with witch!" Seth shouted sarcastically.

"I cannot believe you said that to me," Esme said crying.

"You're a f###ing b#tch!" Seth shouted again.

"Seth…how could you…" Esme said into the phone as I hung up on her. She was crying.

"Oh that was great, Cullen. You'll find out tonight how your Daddy really feels about you," Jeb said.

"I can't wait to hear what he does to you. You better keep this frickin' phone on this time," Braden warned.

Carlisle:

I had just parked in the garage and I could hear Esme shouting in the kitchen at someone and she was also crying. What is going on now? I quickly grabbed my bag and went in the kitchen from the garage.

"Esme, what's wrong?" I asked grabbing the phone from her.

"Oh Carlisle…nothing…its…nothing," Esme said barely able to speak.

"Oh I beg to differ, my love. Who was that and what happened," I asked her.

"Carlisle…just let it go," Esme said.

"No, what just happened? Who were you talking to? You are so upset, tell me," I said to her grabbing her face in my hands.

"I'd rather not, it's over now," Esme said.

"Esme Ann Cullen, you tell me what has got you so upset my love and I will not let go of you until you do," I coaxed her. "I can see you are terribly upset. Was it...did Seth say something to upset you?" I asked hoping it was not true. With all that has been going on over the past few weeks, he was the first one I thought of.

"He didn't mean it, I'm sure," Esme said wiping a venom tear from her eye.

"What did he say to you," I asked her.

"He just called me a name, that's all," Esme said.

"What did he call you and I want the truth," I said to her grabbing her face.

"He called me a…I was just asking him why he didn't come home first like I told him to, and he just exploded at me," Esme said.

"Esme, what did he call you?" I asked her now growing impatient.

"He called me a f###ing b#tch," Esme said slowly and began crying again.

I just looked at her in horror and held her in my arms while she cried her heart out. I was seething and knew that Seth had crossed a line now. He was going to answer to me for saying that to his mother. I grabbed Esme and pulled her back and held her head in my hands.

"Where is Seth?" I asked her.

"Carlisle, no! Don't do anything to him," Esme pleaded with me.

"He's gone too far this time. Where is he? At the lodge?" I asked her again.

"Yes…he was supposed to come home and help me take supper over there," Esme said. "I was waiting for him and he called me and said he couldn't come and that I should take my crap there myself. I got stern with him and told him to come home and...and...he starting screaming at me and then…he called me that…that name," Esme said crying again.

"You wait here," I said to her.

"Carlisle, please…I'm sure he didn't mean it," Esme said pleading with me again.

"No one speaks to you that way, especially our children. They will never be disrespectful to their mother. He will answer to me. He has crossed a line now," I said getting in my car and backing out quickly.

"Oh no, please Carlisle...Carlisle...," I heard Esme say as I drove out of our drive to the Lodge.

At the Lodge:

"Hey, why are you so quiet," Jake said to Seth.

"Leave me alone," Seth said brushing by Jake to go work in the clinic.

"What's with him anyway," Paul said to Jake.

"I don't know. He won't talk to anyone and he's been pushing it with Dad, and Dad has tried everything to get him to open up, but he won't budge," Jake explained.

"Well he sure seems to be in a snit now," Jared said. "I'm surprised Doc Cullen doesn't wear his butt out."

"He has, believe me. Then he holds the kid trying to make the little brat talk and Seth just won't tell him anything. He even goes in his room every night and watches him sleep," Jake said.

"Wow, he's really concerned about Seth," Paul said.

"Yeah, it's practically tearing Dad apart," Jake said.

"He should beat his ass for him," Paul said.

"Oh he's gotten his hide tanned a few times, but he still keeps acting up. He's about pushed every limit he can," Jake said shaking his head.

"Hey, Doc Cullen just pulled up and he looks really mad," Embry said coming in. We all went out to see what was going on.

Carlisle:

I pulled up at the Lodge and stopped short. I turned my car off and flung my door open. I stepped out, still dressed in my suit from work and began angrily making my way to the Lodge. Billy had come out onto the porch and saw my demeanor and knew something had happened by the look on my face. Jake, Paul, Jared and Embry now came outside also. I continued making my way to the Lodge at a determined pace.

"SETH CULLEN! COME HERE!" I called as I walked toward the Lodge.

"Hey Seth, your Dad wants you," Embry called into the Lodge. All of a sudden all of my children came outside. Seth came out lagging behind everyone. Everyone had now come out of the lodge to see what was going on. Seth stood on the porch and stared at me with a fearful look on his face when he saw me making my way toward him. He began walking down the steps toward me.

"COME HERE!" I shouted at him, stopping and pointing to right in front of me.

Seth slowly walked down the steps and carefully walked toward me. I could see the uneasiness on his face as he neared me. He knew I was here to deal with his conversation with his mother and he knew this was not looking good for him. He stopped a couple of feet from me.

"GET OVER HERE!" I said to him in a steely voice. Seth did come and stood about 2 feet from me.

"I want you to say to me, exactly what you said to your mother on the phone a few minutes ago, and you better say it word for word because I know what you said. You say it to me now, out loud," I shouted at him.

Seth took in a gasp and stepped back, now visibly shaking. He shook his head no to me which only infuriated me more.

"SAY IT!" I shouted loudly at him. He jumped back since I rarely ever shout that loudly at my children or anyone for that matter.

"I…I…told Momma I…didn't have to do what she told me, and called her a…" Seth dropped off putting his head down.

"Put your head up and face me. Say it to me!" I shouted at him.

"I called her a…b#tch," Seth said softly under his breath.

"Say it like you said it to her," I shouted again at him.

"I CALLED HER A B#TCH! A F###ING B#TCH!" Seth shouted loudly at me. I heard everyone gasp in shock at the words Seth just uttered.

I took a step toward him and angrily looked at him with a piercing stare. I growled loudly and deeply and raised my right hand to slap his face. I heard the others gasp again as I'm sure I was looking like the powerful angry vampire I could become. As I was about to bring my hand down on Seth, I looked at his face and held my hand still. Instead of seeing the spiteful, willful and defiant teenager I was expecting to see, I saw my baby Cub standing there, bracing himself for the powerful slap he was expecting me to deliver to his filthy, sassy mouth. This was not a brazen teenager smarting off just to act smart, this was my trembling son, waiting to take his medicine for cursing at his mother. He wasn't glaring at me, daring me to strike him, he was bracing himself for a just-deserved punishment.

At that moment, something clicked and I finally figured out what has been going on with Seth and why he has been acting this way all along. He was being manipulated by someone, being forced to act this way to prove something or to try to provoke me to discipline him. It had to be, it was the only thing that made any sense. Why didn't I figure this out before? Seth was standing before me, ready to accept whatever I delivered to him. Instead of a searing slap to his face, I gently grabbed his face and held it in my hands staring at my baby Cub, who was trying to prepare himself for his just desserts.

"Seth…Seth my Baby Cub…look at me," I said to him.

Seth slowly opened his eyes and looked at me. He looked me in the eyes. My face had changed from the angry, seething vampire to a loving father once again as I gave him a slight smile.

"Seth…this is not like you. Someone is forcing you to act this way, are they not?" I asked him. Seth shook his head 'yes'.

"Seth, what is going on? Tell me, son," I said to him.

At that, Seth looked me in the eye once again, and this time he lost it and began crying uncontrollably and fell to his knees in front of me, grasping my legs as he fell to the ground and laid at my feet with his arms now around my ankles, and lay sobbing, in a crumpled pile. He was crying his heart out and in between sobs, he would utter he was sorry. My heart melted. I bent down and picked my son up like a baby and cradled him in my arms.

"Seth, my baby Cub, tell me what's wrong, son. Let Daddy help you, my baby," I said as I carried him to the lodge and sat down on the porch and held him, rocking him back and forth in my arms. Seth continued sobbing in my arms.

"Seth, what is it," Leah said coming up to us.

"Seth, tell us what's wrong," Emmett said putting his hand on Seth's head.

"Come on Seth, tell Dad, tell us what's wrong," Edward said grabbing his shoulder.

"Come on Cubby, let it out," Jasper said to him.

Rosalie, Alice and Bella had just pulled up. They came running over seeing me holding Seth with their siblings around us.

"Cubby, what's wrong?" Rosalie asked.

"What happened?" Bella asked.

"Seth, our Cubby," Alice said grabbing her brother's leg.

Billy was watching this scene unfold. The Pack was now gathered around also, as Jake joined us and sat down next to me on the porch. Paul, Embry, Jared and Quil along with Sam stood near but around all of us Cullens.

"What's wrong with him?" Sam asked.

"We can't get him to say," Emmett said.

Esme now pulled up in Edward's Volvo. She saw the scene before her and flashed over to us on the porch. I could see the panic on her face.

"Carlisle, what happened to my baby?" Esme asked grabbing Seth's face and looking him over.

"Nothing, he broke down and we're trying to get him to tell us what is wrong," I said to her.

"Seth my baby Cub, please talk to us. What's wrong my darling?" Esme asked smoothing his hair.

"Momma…I'm sorry Momma," Seth cried out.

"Hush now, tell us what's wrong, my baby," Esme cooed.

I heard a sound like muffled laughing coming from Seth's pocket. I listened and heard it again. I heard a voice faintly say, "Oh good, he's gonna get it good." I looked around and felt Seth's pants. I felt his phone there and reached for it. Seth felt that and quickly stopped me from reaching it.

"No! Just let it there," Seth said to me.

"Give me your phone," I said to him.

"No Dad, please," Seth pleaded.

Ignoring him, I reached into his pocket and extracted his phone. To my surprise, it was on and someone was on the line. I put the phone up to my ear. Seth was desperate to get it away from me.

"Dad…please give it me. Don't say anything," Seth said reaching for the phone.

"Seth, no!" I said pulling my hand away from him and putting it up to my ear. I heard someone talking and immediately my venom began to boil.

"Oh this is great, his rich doctor old man is gonna beat him good for cussing out his old lady," someone laughed on the other end.

I looked down at Seth. "Seth, who is on this phone?" I asked him. Seth refused to tell me.

"No one, just hang up. It's nothing," Seth said desperately reaching again for the phone.

"Jake, do you know who this is?" I asked handing the phone to Jake. Jake grabbed the phone and looked at the name listed.

"Jake, give it to me," Seth called to his brother.

"Oh, I should've known! That's those two new kids at the Rez school. They're twins and we call them the Tornadoes. They've been nothing but trouble since they first came. Their names are Jeb and Braden Graycloud." Jake said turning the phone off.

"Those two who we let come to the Rez school?" Sam asked.

"Yeah, what a mistake. The school has nothing but trouble with them," Jake said.

Seth had finally settled down in my arms and I was still holding him like a baby. He was leaning against my chest and Esme was next to me cooing all over him. All of my children were standing around us concerned also, as was the entire Wolf Pack.

"Seth, tell me what has been going on, and don't tell me it was nothing," I said to him.

"They're jealous of us because you're a doctor and we have nice things. They saw Jake and I pull up in Jake's car on their first day of school. That's what started it. They are in my classes so they tried to get next to me and said since we were adopted, you really didn't care that much for us. You would love your other children more than us. They said you only adopted us to save on taxes," Seth explained.

"What? Seth Cullen, you know that is not true," I said to him.

"Well I was doubting things. You said we would be partners here while working on the Lodge and then as usual, one of my brothers or sisters get in trouble and I get pushed aside. I didn't think I was that important to you and I was feeling down and they just made me feel worse," Seth explained. "Then the things they said, started to make sense to me."

"How could you think Dad and Mom didn't really care for us. They tell us all the time how much they love us and they're always here for us," Jake said to him.

"Really Seth. You're even the baby. You get more attention than we do because you're more on your own than us," Rosalie said.

"Seth, Daddy and Momma love each of us and you know that," Alice said to him.

"Seth, how could you think your father and I felt that way about you, Jake and Leah. Can't you see how much we love you?" Esme asked him.

"Well, lately it hasn't been so obvious," Seth said.

"Seth Cullen, I should turn you over my knee right here in front of everyone and spank your little Cub bottom for thinking we could ever be that shallow. I'm really hurt and disappointed that you would think so little of our love for you and your brothers and sisters," I said with a little anger.

"Sorry Dad," Seth said. "I…I couldn't help it. Then those guys just kept badgering me and telling me you didn't care about us, and I just believed it," Seth said.

"So for the past year, all we have done for you and all the times we have told you we love you and give you anything, discipline you when you need it and praise you when you do something wonderful, that meant nothing? You allowed these two to come into your life for the past month or so and completely turn you against us. You should've come to me and talked to me about this and let me ease your mind. Instead, you believed them?" I scolded him.

"Yes s-sir, I-I guess," Seth said shakily.

"Now I really want to spank you," I said smacking his hind end.

"Ouch," Seth said.

"Come on Seth, even we can see how much Doc…ah…Carl…uh…" Paul stuttered.

"Uncle Carlisle and Aunt Esme," Esme filled in for him.

"Yeah…uh…what?" Paul asked.

"I think they want all of you Pack members to think of them as your aunt and uncle," Billy explained.

"Ah Ha ha ha ha ha, you guys have to call them Aunt and Uncle. And you laughed at us and called us Cullen Wolves. Well, welcome to the family, Cullen Cousins," Jake laughed at his brother pack members.

"I kinda like it," Embry said smiling.

"So do I," Billy added.

"Heck, I'm already doing it. Esme smacked me when Carlisle grounded me," Sam said embarrassed.

"Yeah, that was great," Jake added still laughing.

"We'd love it if you referred to us as your aunt and uncle," Esme said happily. "You don't have to, but it would be nice."

"Aw man, look at all the Christmas gifts we have to get next Christmas," Emmett said looking at all the Pack members.

"I want a car," Jared said laughing.

"Just what we need, more animals around us," Rosalie said smirking at them.

"Yeah, you love it," Jake said rubbing up against her.

"Oh get away with your cooties," Rosalie said shoving Jake down.

"Dad, she pushed me," Jake shouted to me.

"Enough! Seth, did those boys put you up to all this mischief?" I asked him.

"Yeah. They said if I did all these things, you would get sick of me and send me away. They said doing all these things would show if you really cared about me or just had me as a tax write-off. They said you would kick me out," Seth said. "I told them you wouldn't, but they said they would prove it to me. So the final test was smarting off to Mom and calling her names," Seth explained.

"Seth, why would you believe them?" Esme said to him.

"They were so convincing," Seth said.

"What did all those stunts get you," I asked him.

"A sore behind," Seth said.

"Was it worth it?" I asked him.

"You didn't kick me out of the family," Seth said.

"Seth, what is wrong with you? You're my son and I love you no matter what you do. I will always forgive you. You'll get punished, but I would never kick you out. You're not an item we picked up at the store and got tired of and wanted to return. You're our son. We love you and all your siblings with our whole hearts. Don't you realize that?" I put to him.

"I-I guess so…I always kinda knew," Seth said sheepishly.

"Maybe I better reinforce that love with another trip over my knee," I said smacking his hind end again.

"OWW! No Dad! I believe it now," Seth said quickly.

"Every time you did one of those awful stunts, I punished you because I love you and wanted to teach you right from wrong. That's all. I would never send you away, no matter how you messed up. That doesn't give you a free ticket to cause any more of this mischief, Young Man," I warned him.

"Don't worry Dad, I learned my lesson," Seth said still rubbing the sting.

"Well, you may have one more lesson coming, my baby Cub," Esme said pulling his ear.

"Ow, Mom that hurts," Seth said.

"Good! You naughty little Cub," Esme said now kissing his cheek.

"Man, you're gonna get your ass beat," Jake said laughing.

"So are you if I hear you use that term one more time," I said warning Jake.

"Hey, I'm the good wolf, he's the bad wolf! Did you forget old man?" Jake said laughing.

Emmett walked over and grabbed Jake by the waist bending him over with his butt sticking out front. He then walked over to me and held Jake's rear out to me.

"Hey! Put me down you big ox," Jake shouted.

"Here ya go, Pops! Let him have it," Emmett said.

"Why thank you Emmett," I said as I applied one good swat to Jake's bottom.

"OOUUCCHH! AAAHHHH! OWW! OWW! OWWW! OUCHIEE! OOOOO! EEEEEE! AAAHH!" Jake carried on. He then looked back at me.

"Are you finished?" I asked him.

"Too much?" Jake asked.

"Just a little," I said shaking my head.

"You're lucky you escaped with only one smack. I would have given you more," Billy said. "You're too lenient on him, my brother," Billy added.

"Oh no! Now look what you did! Now they're brothers," Jake said to Seth. "Put me down, Goliath!"

"Pops, should I let Wolf bro down," Emmett asked me.

"Yes, he knows better," I said to Emmett. Emmett just dropped him on the ground.

"OW! Hey! Some brotherly love. Now my dad is also my uncle. So I have two Dads, one uncle, 4 brothers and 4 sisters, and a Wolf Pack full of cousins! What is this Tribe coming too?" Jake asked.

"You started it!" Embry said.

"ME? What did I do?" Jake asked.

"You were friends with Bella," Quil said.

"Oh yeah," Jake said.

"Back to the issue at hand. Boys, I'd like to have a word with these two troublemakers," I said to my boys.

"Yeah, so do we," Emmett said.

"No, you will do nothing but bring them back here," I said to them. "Do I make myself clear?" I needed to make sure they did nothing to those boys.

"Yeah, okay Pops," Emmett said. "Darn!"

"Always taking our fun away," Jake said to me.

"You better not do anything to them but bring them here," I said warning them again.

"We'll hold ourselves back Dad, but it will be hard," Edward said. The four of them went off in search of the boys.

"How's my baby Cubby? Are you okay, son?" I asked my baby.

"I'm okay Dad. I just hated what they made me do," Seth said.

I was still holding Seth in my arms like a baby and I just couldn't put him down yet. I was so happy I finally got to the bottom of what has been going on with him. I continued to hold him and kiss him along with Esme.

"My Cubby, I missed you so much. You better never do anything like this again," I scolded him.

"Uh, Dad, there's one more thing," Seth said.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Tell us right now," Esme ordered him.

"They always wanted me to take a picture or video of you punishing me. I never did, so after the rock throwing incident, they made me show them how red I was after you spanked me. Jeb took a picture and if I didn't do what they said, they were going to send that video to the authorities and tell them you whip us. I didn't want that to happen, so I went along with their schemes," Seth explained.

"What a dope!" Paul said. "Why would you believe them and not tell Doc Cullen or Billy, or us, ya goof?"

"Seth Cullen, I just may redden your backside again. You should have told me what was going on and saved yourself all of this grief. I told you before, there is nothing so terrible that you and I can't work through together. All you need to do is talk to me," I said to him.

"But what about that video?" Seth asked concerned.

"That video wouldn't stand a chance. They could have made it up or it could be anybody. They couldn't prove it was you, they couldn't see your face," I said to him.

"Well, I didn't want them to ruin your reputation as a doctor because of me," Seth explained.

"Oh Cubby, we could have taken care of that. We could have gotten them on blackmail," I said hugging him tightly again.

"Uh…Dad…can't…breathe…," Seth said.

"Sorry, I just missed my Cub," I said hugging him again.

"Dad, you don't have to keep holding me," Seth said.

"Yes I do. It's my prerogative," I said to him.

"You see, I told you to talk to your Dad," Billy said to Seth. "You can't deny their love for you now, son. In fact, the whole family loves you. As do we, the Tribe and Pack," Billy pointed out to him.

"Thanks Chief Black," Seth said.

"What's my name?" Billy asked him.

"Sorry, Uncle Billy," Seth said as everyone laughed.

"Cubby Baby, how could you ever think your father and I didn't love you," Esme said kissing his cheek. She put her arms around Seth and we both hugged him.

"I'm sorry Mom and Dad," Seth apologized.

"You better be," I scolded him again as I stood up with him still in my arms. "My baby," I said holding him tight and rocking him back and forth.

"Uh, Dad, could you put me down now?" Seth asked.

"No, I don't want to let go of you ever again," I said hugging him again.

"Oh brother," Seth said.

"Serves you right," Mom said. She then took Seth into her arms.

"Oh no!" Seth said. We both laughed along with everyone else. Esme finally put him down after loving on him some more.

"Hey, Uncle Carlisle, they're back with those two juveniles," Jared said to us.

"Oh good! Time to straighten out some issues with those boys," I said.

I could see my sons herding the two miscreants toward us. Everyone was watching them and Jake and Emmett were right behind Jeb and Braden, helping them move forward by giving them a slight shove every now and then when they would stop.

"Dad!" Seth said.

"Yes Cubby?" I replied.

"Dad, they're going to blame me for squealing on them," Seth requested.

"Oh no they're not. You just leave it to me and your brothers," I said smiling at my Cub. "They are going to find out what happens when they mess with a Cullen, if that's okay with you," I said looking at my child.

"Yes, that's okay, Dad," Seth said smiling at me. I returned the smile.

"Over here you two punks," Emmett said.

Esme and I were standing with Seth in between us. All of my children were around us glaring at those two little hooligans. The Pack along with Billy and Sam were all around on the porch and some came and stood with us. Sam came and stood next to Esme. Esme gave Sam a questioning look.

"Yeah, yeah, no mess inside and we didn't have another party, Aunt Esme," Sam said rolling his eyes.

"You better not, and don't you roll your eyes at me, Young Man," Esme scolded him.

"Okay, okay," Sam said taking a step to the side away from Esme. She just giggled along with me and Seth at Sam's discomfort.

"Come on, over here. We have someone who wants to meet you," Emmett said to Jeb and Braden.

"Who?" Braden asked.

"Our Dad," Jasper said to them herding them closer to us. They knew Jake but not Emmett, Jasper or Edward.

"Who's your dad?" Jeb asked.

"He's right here. Meet Dr. Carlisle Cullen, Seth's and our Dad," Emmett said shoving them forward to right in front of me.

"Uh oh," Jeb said with Braden looking very nervous.

"Hello Boys," I said to them giving them a glaring, icy stare. "I believe you know my son, Seth," I said nodding to Seth.

"Let's go," Braden said turning to run but ran right into Emmett and my boys standing behind the two of them.

"Oh no you don't," Emmett said pushing them both forward again. "You have some unfinished business with our Dad."

"Don't worry, we got the video," Jeb said to Braden.

"Oh yeah, I forgot," Braden said whispering.

"Hey, it's Chief Swan, he just pulled up," Jeb said nudging Braden.

"This is going to be so cool," Braden said.

"Is it now?" I said to them.

"Yeah, it is," Braden said sarcastically to me.

"You watch your tone with me, young man," I said sternly to Braden.

"I'm not afraid of you," Braden said to me.

"Well good, because I'm not afraid of you or your little video either," I said back to him now crossing my arms over my chest. Esme was just as angry as I was and so were my children.

"You either let us go, or we'll show this video to Chief Swan. Glad someone called him, and we'll make Seth's life miserable at school if you don't let us go home right now," Jeb threatened me.

"I believe you are threatening me, are you not?" I asked him.

"I guess you could call it that," Jeb replied.

"Pardon me, Dad. You know, I go to the same school as you two mooks do. I'm Seth's brother remember? The one with the car you took for a joy ride after you coerced my brother into taking it," Jake threatened them. "So before you go making threats to my brother about making his life miserable at school, just remember I can do the same to you, you two no good, little …," Jake threatened back at them.

"Jacob, watch that language," I cautioned Jake.

"Yes sir," Jake said still face to face with Jeb. Jake was a lot taller than the two of them.

"Oh, so your pretend daddy has you bowing to him also," Jeb jabbed at Jake.

"Hey! That's our Dad you're talking about," Emmett said while picking Jeb up effortlessly and holding him up high.

"Hey, put me down," Jeb shouted nervously.

"Put him down, Emmett," I said to Em.

"Okay Pops," Emmett said bringing Jeb down and holding him about a foot off the ground and then letting him drop.

"Hey, you big oaf," Jeb said brushing himself off.

"What's going on here?" Charlie said walking up now in his uniform.

"These are Seth's two companions in mischief," I said to him.

"Oh, they are, huh?" Charlie said. "Seth finally gave them up?"

"Yeah, the little snitch told on us," Braden said glaring at Seth.

"No he didn't, Dad heard you two laughing on Seth's phone and he asked me to identify you. I recognized you both right away, so it wasn't Seth. You ratted yourselves out, you two idiots!" Jake said.

"Doesn't matter, we have this," Jeb said holding his phone out and walking up to Charlie.

"Chief Swan, I'd like to report Dr. Cullen here for whipping his kid. We took this picture the next day at school after the rock throwing," Jeb said showing Charlie a picture of Seth's red backside with my handprint on it.

"You mean the rock throwing off the overpass," Charlie asked them.

"Yeah, the three of us were there," Jeb admitted.

"Oh I see, you had a part in it too," Charlie said again.

"Yeah, you didn't catch us, you just got Seth. His hire-a-daddy, who adopted him for tax purposes, tanned his hide good for what we did. Just look at the evidence," Jeb said.

"Yes, I'm looking at the evidence right now," Charlie said looking at both Jeb and Braden.

"Look how red his fanny is," Braden pointed out.

"Yes, I see that, but ya know…," Charlie started then stopped thinking to himself.

"Know what?" Jeb asked.

"Well, he's red alright, but…I imagine the two of you will be redder than that when Carlisle, or Dr. Cullen, gets done with the two of you," Charlie said shaking his head and handing the phone back to Jeb. "Wouldn't want to be in your shoes that's for sure," Charlie said now letting out a long whistle and shaking his head at them.

"What? What'd ya mean, when he gets through with us," Jeb asked now becoming a little leery.

My boys and children began walking in and forming a circle around us so that the two of them could not run off, as if they would get very far.

"Uh…Braden, I think I hear our mom calling us," Jeb said taking a step back.

"Yeah, me too…" Braden said also stepping back.

"Come here, boys," I said crooking my finger at them. "I believe you and I have a few things to discuss," I said to them. They both gulped and stepped back again and bumped into my boys behind them.

"You bums are going nowhere," Emmett said sticking his face in between the two of them and putting his arms around both of them and latching onto them.

"No! Chief Swan, help us," Braden said pleading at Charlie.

"Sure thing, boys," Charlie said walking up and grabbing both of them and walking them up to me. They started to panic.

"NO, not to him," Jeb yelled.

"Somebody help us," Braden screamed.

"Here ya go, Carlisle. Be sure to leave a lasting impression on them," Charlie said winking at me.

"I intend to," I said now walking and grabbing both of them.

"NO, let us go," Jeb shouted.

"I will, when we get inside. You two come with me," I said sternly and began propelling them toward the Lodge. They were shouting and trying to get away, but I had a good grip on the little brats.

As we made our way to the Lodge, everyone, my family and our Pack family began hooting and hollering and clapping as we got closer to the Lodge. As we got to the door, I had both of them firmly in my grasp. I opened the door and stopped and turned around.

"Seth, come join me please," I called to him.

"WOOO HOOO!" Jake shouted and applause then erupted again.

Seth was beaming from ear to ear as he made his way to me. Seth was going to have a front row seat at this trial. He knew it and so did I, that justice was going to be served…

To Be Continued...

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