Hello All! Welcome to Chapter 11 of Carlisle's Mistake this story is complete and has 12 chapters, updates should be weekly unless something comes up. This story was inspired by Phoenixhp5t3's The Pastor's Son; all of her work I can highly recommend.
Summary: It's coming close to the end of Bella's newborn year and Bella is frustrated with her lack of independence. Carlisle hasn't been having an easy time either. What happens when tempers flare?
Warning: This story contains spanking; if that's not your thing don't read it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters in this story.
I would like to say a special thank you to Jules Ann for beta-reading this and listening to me vent and talk, I'm so glad I can call you a friend.
~o~
Carlisle held his wife and two of his kids for a while but he knew what he had to do, and putting it off wasn't going to make it any easier. "Jasper, Esme, I reckon Bella needs to hunt, Esme I'm sure you'd like to spend some time with Jasper and Bella, and I have some phone calls to make. I'm going to call into work and take some of my holiday, and call up the school and pull the kids out for a little bit. I think we could all do with some time together."
Jasper could tell from Carlisle's emotions there was something he was not telling them but he decided not to comment.
Esme smiled at her husband and kissed his cheek, they had a long way to go before she could be ok with what had happened, but this was definitely helping. "I think that sounds wonderful Carlisle. Bella why don't you go and get changed into some comfortable clothes for hunting and Jasper and I will take you out," she suggested.
Bella nodded and let go of her Mom to give her Daddy a tight hug. "I love you Daddy."
Carlisle smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of Bella's head. "I love you too Baby Girl," Carlisle replied.
Bella kicked off her jeans, she didn't want to pull them back up, and climbed off Carlisle's lap; she carried her jeans to her room and changed into a pair of leggings and shorts. She wasn't a messy hunter all the time anymore, only when she went out with Emmett, but she still didn't think wearing a cocktail dress to go hunting was a good idea. She jumped out of her window and joined her Mom and Jasper in the garden.
Carlisle watched as his youngest daughter took off with his most responsible son and his mate. He stared out of the window for a long moment before walking back to his desk and picking up his phone. He dialled the number of his closest friend. The phone rang three times before he heard someone pick up.
"Eleazar Denali speaking," Eleazar spoke.
Carlisle momentarily struggled to speak. "Brother, I… I need you," he managed to choke out.
Eleazar didn't hesitate, "Carmen and I will be there in two hours little brother." Eleazar knew Carlisle and his family had settled in Alaska this time round they had visited a few times, but not too many as the youngest Cullen was still getting accustomed to this life.
Carlisle heard the line go dead and felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his chest. He quickly took care of the other phone calls, stating a family emergency to the hospital asking to take three weeks of his saved up holiday to deal with it. He phoned the school and elaborated on the story Esme had given to pull Jasper out that he and his sister needed the rest of their family around them; Bella was playing Jasper's terminally ill sister this time round.
Eleazar on his way, the kids out of school, and he off work Carlisle simply waited for Esme, Jasper, and Bella to return from their hunt. He was pretty sure they would be back before Eleazar and Carmen arrived.
Carlisle knew Esme would understand what it meant when he told her he'd asked Eleazar to come, the kids wouldn't because it wasn't part of his life he had shared with the kids, he had told Esme and he was pretty sure Esme would approve. The kids all called Eleazar Uncle, Emmett enjoyed calling him Uncle Ellie, but the others just called him Uncle Eleazar, though Alice and Bella would sometimes call him Uncle El.
Carlisle got up and went to the spare room to prepare it for Carmen and Eleazar, they didn't need to sleep naturally, but they would appreciate having somewhere private to go to spend time together. Carlisle wasn't sure how long they would stay, but they were welcome for as long as they wanted to be here. He doubted it would be more than a few days; Eleazar didn't like to leave the Denali sisters for longer than necessary.
When his wife, Bella, and Jasper returned from their hunt Carlisle was pleased to see Esme was smiling brightly. He flitted down to join them watching as Bella and Jasper fooled around teasing each other and Esme laughed at their antics. Carlisle stood by the backdoor, if Eleazar was to arrive when he said he'd be here in half an hour. "Esme, I called Eleazar," he told her quietly.
Esme looked up and gave Carlisle long look before giving a small smile and nodding in approval. "Ok, when will he get here?" She asked.
"He and Carmen should be here in about half an hour," Carlisle answered.
Jasper smiled. "It'll be nice to see Aunt Carmen and Uncle Eleazar."
Esme nodded. "That it will."
Rose pulled up in the garage and got out bickering with Edward.
Edward let out a short growl at Rose, her attitude pissing him off.
Emmett growled and squared up to Edward.
Carlisle flitted round to the front of the house and let out a growl of his own. "Emmett," he scolded.
Rose, Alice, Edward, and Emmett stopped and looked at their father.
"Do not growl at your brother Emmett," Carlisle scolded. Carlisle turned his attention to Edward. "Edward, you don't growl at your sister," he reprimanded. Carlisle looked at Rose. "Rosalie, I don't know how many time I've have to split up an argument between you and Edward, but this is the last time. You need to stop winding him up," he rebuked.
Rose, Edward, and Emmett ducked their heads and nodded. "Yes Dad," Rose and Edward acknowledged.
"Sorry Pops," Emmett supplied.
Carlisle nodded. "Go on, get inside and get your assignments done, Uncle Eleazar and Aunt Carmen are coming to visit for a while."
All four of the kids grinned and headed inside the frustration from earlier forgotten.
Jasper and Bella joined their siblings and mates inside. Alice beamed at Bella so thankful her sister had managed to bring back their father.
The kids sat and did their homework, Jasper having Bella work on her motor skills by sketching random objects and shading correctly.
Eleazar and Carmen arrived outside the Cullen house and let themselves in.
"Uncle Eleazar! Aunt Carmen!" The kids all exclaimed. They rose from their chairs and greeted their extended family, exchanging hugs and kisses on the cheek.
Carmen held Bella by the shoulders and smiled at her. "La mia bella ragazza, so beautiful, almost a year old now, it is good to see your eyes golden," she cooed.
Bella smiled and wrapped her arms around Carmen. "It is wonderful to see you too Aunt Carmen, and yes I much prefer gold to crimson red."
Edward smiled as he greeted Eleazar. "Uncle Eleazar, it's great to see you."
Eleazar drew his nephew into a hug and then wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, your mate really suits being a vampire. Didn't I tell you things would work out?" He teased.
Edward laughed remembering Eleazar's words of advice when he had run to the Denali family after catching Bella's human scent the first time. "That you did Uncle," Edward acknowledged.
Carlisle greeted his brother then, he wasn't related to Eleazar through blood or venom, but during his time in Volterra the vampire had become very much a brother to him.
Eleazar drew his brother into his arms and noted the tense set of his shoulders but gave no outward sign he recognised them. "Little brother, in our haste to get here I neglected to hunt, perhaps you and I can catch up while we try and find a good hunt?" He asked.
Carmen and Esme knew hunting would not be the only thing happening out in those woods so worked together to prevent the kids from inviting themselves along. "You must fill me in on everything that has been going on Edward, and we should plan for when you are to visit us. Young Bella should be ready to travel soon," Carmen suggested.
Carlisle saw his wife and sister-in-law keeping the kids from inviting themselves on the hunt and nodded at his brother. "Of course brother," he agreed. He headed out of the house and took off for the forest at an easy run.
Eleazar followed closely behind. When they reached a clearing far enough away from the house to be out of Edward's range Eleazar reached out a hand to stop Carlisle. "Here will do little brother," he prompted gently.
Carlisle reluctantly stopped and turned to face Eleazar.
Eleazar studied Carlisle for a moment reading the guilt on his face. "Tell me what has you feeling so guilty," he requested.
Carlisle ran a hand through his hair. "Eleazar, I… I have done something that is completely unforgivable. I'm the true definition of a monster," he admitted weakly.
"Tell me what you have done and allow me to decide whether or not what you have done is beyond redemption," Eleazar pressed firmly. He placed a hand on Carlisle's shoulder, offering his support.
Carlisle sighed. "I allowed the monster control when I was supposed to be disciplining one of the children."
Eleazar sucked in a breath but nodded. "I see. I will admit that is not something I ever expected to hear and am highly disappointed to do so, but it is not unforgivable, I saw your children just a moment ago, they do not appear to be suffering from this mistake," he supplied.
Carlisle let out a small growl only to instantly regret it when Eleazar flitted into his personal space staring down at him, growling low in his chest.
"Do not, growl at me," Eleazar ordered.
Carlisle ducked his head and nodded. "I apologise but you do not understand," he defended.
Eleazar took a step back allowing the younger vampire his space and nodded. "Well then I suggest you tell me the full story." Though it was put as a suggestion it was anything but and Carlisle knew that.
Carlisle sighed and launched into the story of how he hadn't fed in a while, the nurse at the hospital had been unable to take a hint, and Bella's newborn tantrums were grating on the whole house. He explained the call he'd gotten from Esme and how Bella biting Esme had caused something in him to just snap and the monster was in control. Brokenly he described the beating he'd given his youngest daughter and his actions afterwards.
Eleazar listened without interrupting, he could tell Carlisle was deeply regretting his actions, but he wasn't regretting everything… or at least he was worrying over the wrong thing. "Carlisle, tell me out of all that you have done, what action do you believe is the worst? The most unforgivable?" He asked.
Carlisle stared at his brother. "Letting the monster out and beating Bella," he answered instantly.
Eleazar shook his head. "No Carlisle, while that was indeed something I never want to hear happen again, it is not the worst of your actions," he disagreed sadly. "The worst was how you acted afterwards, trying to run away from your problems, that is the reaction of a child who knows they have done wrong but does not want to face it. You were prepared to abandon your family, to leave them permanently. Do you know what that would do to them? You are their father, their leader, their guider, and their protector. Bella, whom you already treated atrociously, would blame herself for making you leave, you know your children, and you know this," he lectured.
Carlisle stared dumbfounded at his brother. "Were you not listening? I beat her! I caused a crack in her skin and I was enjoying it!" He shouted.
"Stop this nonsense Carlisle. You are acting like a spoilt young boy rather than the father of six wonderful teenage vampires. Instead of facing up to what you had done you tried to run, and when that was prevented you tried to hide and took not only yourself from those children, but their mother as well," Eleazar scolded. "You remember how you felt, when your father would beat you and then leave you to comfort yourself? You did that to your youngest child, the child that always calls you and your wife Mom and Dad. You beat her, then you refused to comfort her and disowned her as a daughter, she prevents you from leaving so you take her mother from her," he continued.
Carlisle blinked as, finally, the full consequences of his actions hit him and he fell to his knees.
~o~
There you go, Chapter 11 of Carlisle's Mistake. Let me know what you thought.
