Chap. 8
Peter paced the kitchenette and huffed out a breath as he ran his hands through his hair. What the hell was he supposed to do now? His son, his perfect, amazing, beautiful son had broken a several major rules in just one night. Hell, the boy had almost been…God what had he almost been? Taken? Hurt? Killed? Peter didn't know, but he knew none of those things were good.
El sat with June discussing Neal over tea. Neither woman wanted to think about what could have happened had Peter not insisted on a midnight snack the night before. The possibilities were too terrible to consider. Losing Neal just was not an option. He was a part of the family. He was loved and cherished. He was everything Peter and Elizabeth had always wanted in a son. And he was in so much trouble now. With her and with Peter.
Neal sat on the bed, legs drawn up to his chest, arms wrapped around them, trying to process everything that had happened in the past several hours. His biological father had gotten close. And it was completely his fault. . He had made himself a target, all because he was selfish. He had worried his parents for nothing. Peter and El cared more about him than anyone ever had and he used that against them. Why did he continuously try their patience? Why did he test their devotion to him? Hadn't they proved that they would love him no matter what he did or said?
"Peter he cannot think this is going to continue. Even if Gerald was locked up this would not be acceptable. Now, though, with him out there waiting for Neal to mess up, this is doubly important."
"I know that! I've beefed up the security detail. I've got people from the FBI, the NYPD, hell; I've got Mozzie communicating with a private detective on this! I know how important this is!"
Elizabeth threw her knitting at him the moment he slammed his hand down onto the table. She wanted to hit something, or someone.
"Don't get testy with me Peter Burke! I'm just trying to stress the point. I don't want to start a fight. But if you do, I'm up for it!"
"Guys, please! Just calm down. You don't have to fight about this."
The load reprimand was unexpected. Both parents shouting at him drove him to obey.
"Go to your room!"
After his ears stopped ringing, Neal talked himself into making a bathroom run. He still didn't feel great, but he felt better after June's hangover cure kicked in. He had a feeling he was going to be feeling much worse after Peter and El were finished with him.
"Aren't you supposed to be in your room?"
"Mom! I had to use the bathroom."
"When you're finished come join us in the living room."
"Yes ma'am."
Peter saw the dread in his son's eyes as he walked in and sat opposite him and El. Peter didn't blame the kid for being cautious, he remembered being in this position a few times as a kid. It had never ended well for him. His backside had paid the price for the misdeed.
"Neal, we need to have a serious discussion. What happened last night cannot happen again. Especially with Gerald still at large. You put yourself in unnecessary danger for what? A good time? That is not at all acceptable, son. And it will not continue. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Now, you get to deal with me. And you know what happens when I decide I've had enough."
"I do. I guess I'm going to get spanked."
"You guess right, buddy. Peter and I have talked about this at length and we both agree that since you are already essentially grounded because of Gerald, spanking you is the way to go. We don't like having to resort to that but we won't hesitate to do it if it keeps you safe and healthy."
Neal nodded his head that he understood what they were saying. He didn't like it, but he certainly understood it. He had broken the rules and scared them in the process. He deserved to be disciplined, he knew that. He just hated getting spanked. It hurt! He never wanted to cause trouble again after a spanking, which he supposed was the whole purpose of it. Still, it was very unpleasant and sitting was difficult for sometime afterward. But he always remembered why the spanking had been doled out.
"I'm going to spank you now and Dad is going to spank you later tonight. We are both very upset with your actions. You knew better. You knew the dangers, yet you thought going out unescorted was a good idea. What were you thinking?"
"I…I was just thinking about having fun. I never thought about the repercussions. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"Oh, I know it won't. Peter and I are going make sure it doesn't. Now go get the wooden ruler from the junk drawer in the kitchen."
As Neal disappeared into the kitchen, El wrung her hands trying to rid herself of the anxiety that was running through her body. She absolutely hated what she was about to do, even if she knew it was for Neal's own good.
Neal retrieved the torture device and made his way back to the living room to face the music. He knew he deserved the spanking; he had worried Peter and El for hours, but two spankings! Again! This was going to really hurt.
Peter left the loft before Neal returned. He couldn't watch or listen to the punishment. He knew he was going to hurt the boy later; he didn't want to see his wife do it as well. He would just visit with June for a while.
"Do you have to do this?"
"No, I don't, but I'm going to. I will not have you endangering your life like this."
Neal decided not to argue anymore, he was in enough trouble as it was. Slowly he unbuttoned his pants and let them fall to the floor. His underwear came next. Finally he bent over the arm of the couch, giving his mother the perfect target.
"Why am I spanking you, Neal?"
"I left without telling anyone and I went to a club. I drank even though I'm underage and I used a fake ID to get into the club. Mom, I'm sorry."
"I know, sweetie."
With that Elizabeth raised her arm and brought the heavy wooden ruler down onto Neal's backside with a load smack.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
"Oww! Mom! Ow! Ah! Oww! Please stop!"
Neal's tears were breaking her heart. She almost stopped when she saw a tear roll down his cheek and land on the chair. Stopping now would only insure that they had to revisit the issue later. Pushing him forward, she prepared to finish what she started. Aiming at the sit spots, she raised the ruler again.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
"Moma please it hurts! No more! I won't do it again! Please Moma!"
"Just five more Honey."
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
"Oww! Oww! Oww! Moma!"
Dropping the wide ruler onto the couch, Elizabeth rubbed her son's back until he regained some control over himself. After Neal fixed his pants El pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around her sobbing baby boy. She hated that she was the one to cause him such pain, but she knew it had to be done.
Neal cried his heart out on his mother's shoulder until the tears were no more. His guilt was fading, now. Unlike the sting in his rear end, which he feared would never abate.
"Baby, I don't ever want to have to do that again."
"You won't Moma, I promise"
Dragging Neal with her, El sat on the couch and pulled her baby up against her, offering the comfort she knew he needed. She was content to hold him until they both felt better.
