Here's a short one. It's the intro to something bad that is explained in the next chapter. If you don't want to read about terrible things, don't read this story past this chapter. Skip the next one, at least. Do not flame me for this. It is part of the storyline, which is several stories long after this one is done. That said, enjoy!
"Pathetic piece of shit!" Carlisle roared, slamming the metal rod down on Jasper's back. Jasper moaned, arching away, tears streaming down his face. He writhed as the man brought down the rod again.
"No! Father! Please!" Jasper begged, feeling bruises form on around the bleeding gashes
"No! You're terrible. I don't know why I even let you into this family. You're not worth it!"
"Father! Please stop it!"
"No! This time, you're not getting back up!"
"Ah'll do better! Ah will, Father!"
"Jasper!" Carlisle shook the boy hard. Jasper came out of the nightmare with a shuddering gasp. Edward was sitting up, yawning on the other side of the bed.
"Edward, go sleep in my office," Carlisle said seriously.
Edward nodded and walked out then the doctor settled on the edge of the bed. Jasper turned over and hid his face under the blankets. This was the twenty-third night in a row that Carlisle had woken him up because of nightmares. The vampire took a long, deep breath then crawled into the bed, pulling Jasper close. Jasper was tense and felt awkward pressed against the man's side. But, though he felt self conscious every time he did it, he latched onto Carlisle and pulled himself up to breath in the strong scent coming off of his neck. His heart slowed considerably as he inhaled greedily. When Jasper was calm again, Carlisle wrapped an arm around him.
"Better?"
Jasper nodded. "Yeah. Better." He took another breath, letting it out in a sigh. "Ah feel…" he started, but trailed off nervously.
"You feel what?" Carlisle asked. "Come now, Jazz. Trust me."
"…Safe. Ya know, when yer with me. Ah ain't never felt that afore."
Carlisle's emotions sang in happiness at that moment. "Thank you, Jasper. I feel safe with you, too."
"Ya do?" Jasper looked up at Carlisle, his dark green eyes gleaming in the light from the hallway.
"Yes. Your scent is very nice. Strong. Protective. Helps me to trust you."
"Thanks," Jasper said gratefully. "Ya don't know how much that means ta meh."
"I think I have an idea. It's like my big bear telling me he feels safe with me. It's not that it strokes your ego," Carlisle added quickly. "But it makes you feel…" He paused to think about it.
"Useful. Needed. Wanted," Jasper said softly.
Carlisle nodded. "Exactly." He paused. "You want to talk about it?"
It was the same question that he always asked after a nightmare. And for the first time, Jasper nodded.
"Only if'n ya promise ya won't be mad at meh."
"For a nightmare? Never. I promise."
Jasper nodded and, knowing the others were listening, shyly related what he'd seen. Carlisle tightened his grip, holding Jasper closer.
"I'm sorry your mind does this to you, Jasper." he said solemnly.
"Lahke Ah said afore, 'tain't yer fault."
Carlisle nodded thoughtfully. "How about we go do something tomorrow? I'm off and it's going to rain."
"Really?" Jasper looked eager. "Can we go see some theatre?"
"You like theatre?" Carlisle asked, appearing very pleased.
"Yeah! There's the Lion King's playin'! Please?"
"I'll get the tickets right now," Carlisle said. "You get some sleep. I'll be in here in a few minutes to make sure you're not having anymore nightmares."
"Thanks, Carlisle," Jasper sighed, settling back down into the bed.
Carlisle smiled as he went to his office. Edward was sitting up on the couch. The doctor knew that Edward was reading his thoughts as much as he knew that Jasper hadn't been.
"Dad. Talk to me."
"I just…he calls me Father only when he's screaming in fear," he said, sounding disturbed. Esme was in the room in an instant with Emmett and Rosalie behind her.
"He can't help it, dear. His biological father sounds like an awful man," the vampire's wife said, going to kiss him.
"Jedidiah wasn't a man at all," Edward said darkly. "He was a monster. You don't even know the worst thing he did to Alice and Jazz. And don't ask. It's their business. But because of it, you will probably never spank Alice, Dad. Just so you know."
"What?" Why not?" Rosalie asked.
"Because he spanks us bare."
"So?"
A haunted look came over Edward's face. "I've seen the memory. The way he was looking at them when they were…" He shuddered hard and picked up his blanket. "I'm going back to bed."
He shoved past his brother and sister and hurried down the hall to his room. They were silent, and they actually felt Edward's mind withdraw from theirs. He clearly didn't want to 'hear' them talking about it.
"What could have happened?" Esme whispered ever so quietly.
"I don't know, dear," Carlisle said just as softly. "Hopefully I can help them with it."
"Carlisle?" asked a dreary voice from Edward's room.
"Yes, Jasper?" Carlisle asked, certain that he was going to get in trouble for talking about whatever it was.
"Ah had 'nother 'un."
"I'll be right there."
"Mmkay."
"Do not talk about it. He will tell us when he's ready," Carlisle warned in a voice just above nothing then hurried out to comfort his son.
