Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or characters. All rights belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

WARNING: This story contains reference to and corporal punishment in later chapters. If this offends you, please don't read.

A/N: REVISED Chapter thanks to the help of my Beta! Yep…I must have been smoking something when I posted the first drafts! The chapter is much better now!

Edward's POV

I became aware of my parents arrival as soon as they turned into the parking lot of Forks High. I could tell by their thoughts that they were not at all excited about this 'little' meeting they'd been summoned to. My father in particular was quite annoyed that yet another of his 'children' was in the middle of some drama at school. He was equally annoyed at the fact that because of my tantrum this morning, he'd arrived to work late; and now he had to leave early to attend my conference. Carlisle took his work very seriously. He certainly didn't appreciate the deviation I'd caused.

I cringed with guilt as I 'watched' his thoughts. I was guilt ridden as I reminisced about how I'd somehow managed to put his patience through the fire over the past hours. My abdominal muscles reacted by knotting into a tight wad. I hated fighting with my father. I knew it was always a losing battle, but, at times I found it very difficult to control the emotions that fought for control of my body. He'd told me this morning that he was tired of my childish ways, and left a little reminder to let me know just how tired he was. The dull pain in my backside had tormented me since I'd fled from our front yard. And that was just a starter spanking…nothing compared to the one I will endure later tonight. Carlisle is really wound up by everything that has happened. He probably wouldn't have been as hard on me about the cheating…maybe just a few rough smacks…but the whole thing with mom is going to make him rain fire down on my backside. That had really ticked him off! Oh, God…and because of my sassiness this morning, I earned them all bare bottomed. Way to go Edward. You really did it this time!

My thoughts deviated for a moment while I critiqued my father's promise to 'discuss' this matter tonight. I quickly directed them back to the parking lot where Carlisle was parking his Mercedes. Charlie…they must have finished with Bella's conference, I pondered, as I 'saw' Charlie's distraught face in Carlisle's mind. He looked like a judge who had just delivered a life sentence to someone. That cannot be a good sign. My poor Bella!

I had also known when he arrived because of the banter that was taking place among the students and staff. Everybody was wondering what the Chief of Police was doing on campus. After realizing his arrival, I tried to focus on what was taking place. Bella's mind was mute so there was no point in trying to go there with her. Charlie had been my only option.

I saw Bella following Ms. Cope in the office, and the look on her face floored me. My cold heart froze harder than it had ever been. I envisioned her face through the window of Charlie's thoughts. It was enough to strengthen the growing glacier in my chest. Bella…my Bella…she looked like a little lamb being brought before the slaughterer. Charlie was calm and collected as he casually greeted his daughter, clearly irritated by having to be there in the first place.

Awareness of my intrusion on a private conversation bothered me. Carlisle often chastised me for doing this, and did not hesitate to share his disapproval at my eavesdropping on other's privacy. He'd learned to shield his thoughts quite well, but the others had not. When Charlie spoke of Renee's concern about the incident in regards to Bella and me, I tuned out without hesitation. Bella deserved privacy. She would tell me what she wanted me know of her conference. I certainly did not feel privy to anything relative to her parental involvement without her knowledge. I so desperately wanted to be nosy, but remembering Bella's reaction to the time I'd eavesdropped on one of her conversations with Jessica Stanley, I blocked the thoughts of everyone in the vicinity of my love.

Impatience swarmed over me as I sat nervously waiting for a sign that it was finished. It wasn't until my own parents made their appearance here that I realized that she had been released from her own personal hell. Well…at least part of it. Now as I saw my father reciprocate Charlie's casual wave, I knew Bella must be on her way to class. I desperately rummaged through their minds to find Bella. Their thoughts gave no indication that they'd seen her.

As Carlisle silenced the engine, I caught another disturbing thought. This time it was from Esme. My mother, the most loving person I had ever known apart from my biological mother, was fuming. Amidst the buzzing voices of students and faculty, I distinctly heard her hiss at my father. The picture of his face in her thoughts suggested that he was as surprised as I was by her reaction. What the…? What in the world is Mom so upset about? I questioned myself. Then my answer came.

She and my father had been having a heated discussion about yours truly. The contents of her words materialized in her mind. I instantly had a replay of the conversation the night before after I had gone upstairs. This was new to me since I had gone out of my way to grant Carlisle's request last night for privacy. Wow! This is serious. Carlisle and Esme…fighting? Over me? They hardly ever disagree on anything let alone argue. I can't believe Esme stood up to him like that for me! This is too much. I felt overwhelmed with love for my mother. There was never a mistake in my mind that she loved me, but, seeing this in her mind disturbed me. I had pitted her against my father. I could not believe her reaction to my father's decision to spank me. She had always been against it. This was not new information for me. It was the magnitude of her resentment that caused my duress.

There was no way I was going to avoid eavesdropping on their conversation. I remembered that I was still in class, and needed to 'pay attention' to avoid being called on. I shifted in my seated, mainly because my backside was hurting, and because I wanted to hide the fact that my mind was not in the room. I hurriedly focused back in on my parents. Carlisle 'voice,' slightly irritated yet patient, was the first to catch my special 'hearing.'

"Esme, Sweetheart, I thought we resolved to agree to disagree about this last night. I really don't care to have this discussion again." His voice was insinuated with calmness. He loved Esme and respected her. In all the years that Carlisle had known Esme, he'd always held her in the highest regard. He respected her opinion. She was truly his soul mate. If he could have had a vampire singer, she would be his. She was everything he needed her to be. A wife, a lover, a friend, a mother to his children…but, right now his mind desperately, yet silently, pleaded for her to be quiet. My sweet loving mother was getting on his nerves. Of course he did not let her in on that, but, he quickly opened the car door in an attempt to free himself from the unwanted 'talk.'

"Carlisle, I know that we did. But…you spanked him this morning…despite the fact that I said I never want to be around to witness any kind of punishment like that to Edward or any of them." She did not wait for my father to come around and open her door for her. She let herself out, slightly slamming the door. That made Carlisle's face cringe with annoyance. He quickly wiped it clean. She moved at a human pace to face him in front of the shiny sleek Mercedes. "Now I will admit that Edward's waywardness was unnerving this morning. He was rude and disrespectful. He should have been punished…but…in a way similar to the others when they are unruly."

Carlisle looked lovingly at Esme's face, yet he did not smile. His eyes never left hers as they stared each other down for a moment. His internal frustration at his beautiful wife was dying to unleash itself. He was tired of the discipline issue. Of course Carlisle would always be the gentleman…at least where Esme was concerned. I 'heard' him sigh. The song and dance of love and irritation mixing with the agony of parenting an unruly teenager dominated his thoughts.

"I am not having this conversation any longer, Esme. Besides this is certainly not the place to discuss this." He countered sternly, scanning the empty parking lot and the school.

As I 'watched' his mind, I noticed that he was definitely the perfect image of an irritated husband…and father! The beginning of their conversation in the car must have been something for the ears to hear! I thought still disturbed by their exchange.

The contortion of her porcelain face was unbearable. Without touching her, he gently stepped forward. His topaz eyes were unwavering yet gentle. "We need to go inside and deal with this once and for all. I am sure they are waiting for us." My mother was about to interject something, but, he held up his hand. "I have made my decision. You are entitled to your opinion– which I greatly respect. You have had your say, and I have sincerely regarded your concerns. Now, please let it go. Edward will be punished for all of his actions the way I think best. I am not going to apologize for spanking himthis morning, or harbor regret for what I will do to him tonight. If you don't like that Sweetheart, I'm sorry…but, Edward is my son, and I will do what I need to do. Now that's the end of it. I don't want to hear any more about it." He brushed lint from the sleeve of his shirt. The authority in his voice was intimidating.

Esme's was taken aback by Carlisle's words, clearly challenged by his firmness. I could 'feel' the hurt in Carlisle's mind as he instantly regretted being so harsh with Esme. His pain diverged from the parking lot, in the direction of my own mind as I watched Esme's eyes glaze over with venom. Oh…don't cry Mom. He had hurt her feelings. He reached to comfort her, but, she pulled back. She was not having any of that. Her view of him was congested. She was wounded. Her Carlisle…her husband…the father of her 'children'…had just basically told her to 'shut the hell up!'

She squared her shoulders and pressed her lips tight. Carlisle, the illusion of Adonis, and Esme, the goddess Aphrodite, silently acknowledged each other's frustration toward the other. This is going to be an interesting meeting. I thought, looking up quickly to answer the question that had just been hurled at me by my teacher. Perfect! Good looking out Edward. That was a close one!

Esme's soft voice interrupted my moment of self gloating. "As you wish, Carlisle." She inched ahead, determined not to cry, but, Carlisle gently took hold of her thin elbow. She spun around to face him. Fury wasmarked on her face. She was one hundred percent Rosalie's, Alice's, Emmett's, Jasper's, and Edward's mother at that moment. And Carlisle, well be it that he was father to us all, was standing in the way of her desire to be just that…our mother.

Carlisle's dissension dissolved under the weight of guilt he was feeling. He'd hurt his wife, and knew that he needed to make restitution. "Esme…baby…" He pleaded, his voice feather light. They had been in the parking lot for about ten minutes now. I wasn't aware of the scheduled time for the conference, but, I knew that they were going to be late if they didn't get moving. "Please…I apologize for my harshness. I-" She released herself from his grip. Her eyes were narrow discs that pierced him.

"You said you didn't want to talk about this anymore, did you not?" My father stroked his blond locks out of his eyes. He was speechless. He placed his hands on his hips and shook his head at his normally loving and caring wife. Now it was his turn to be taken aback by Esme. "Humph!

Very well then. Let's go!" With that she increased her pace towards the school. Carlisle, my father, the man that would no doubt bust my ass good when I got home, stuffed his hands in his pockets, heaved heavily, and followed after her. The last thing I heard him say before the teacher called on me again was, "This is just too much damn drama for one man! An angry woman…disorderly children…I am definitely in need of some down time. Uggh!"

Author's Note:

Well…there is our lioness once again trying to save her cub. I love Esme. I wanted to show Edward's response to the knowledge of how his actions affected his parents. This is necessary to build up for a later scene when he comes home from school.

Our vampire dad is number one in my book. He knows how to use his authority but it was kind of heart breaking when Esme pulled away from him. Don't worry…Esme won't begrudge him too long (smiles). It's not in her nature. She's just being a mom! That's Esme! She loves Carlisle and knows he is doing what he think is right.

Edward has to get some kudos here too for giving Bella some privacy during her conference. That is going to make for an interesting conversation between him and Bella later.

Remember our parents are about to go into the office for their conference. Remember from last chapter that Edward is going to be called during their lunch hour. I am going to flip to a scene that will show a very interesting conversation between Bella and big brother Emmett. Also for those of you who think Bella is getting off easy…keep reading… She can be quite selfish, can't she?

Then finally we will get to the Cullen's conference. That is going to be very interesting indeed.

I promise that I am not deliberately torturing you all with suspense. I have to do this so you will understand what happens! I am building for later scenes.

P.S. I agree with Carlisle…all this drama is unnecessary…but so entertaining ('wink'). I really look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for reading. Please review.