DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, and all the characters.

Warning: There is spanking of an adult vampire, and it has dark emotional scenes. Love can seem Cruel.

Point of View: The entire chapter is from Carlisle's POV in a first person perspective.

Coven Discipline - Edward's Regret

Monday, October 08, 2012

Many received injuries Saturday from two different attacks against my family, and the wolves. The Quileute Council and I believe an individual organized them, but we have not identified the person or group responsible. The children spoke of one character with some type of traveling ability, or time warp as Bella calls it. I do not believe we have seen the last of him, and Edward is working with Jasper and the Alphas in devising an attack strategy against his gift.

I spent the entire weekend in the medical clinic, as I had no need for rest. Bella and Edward worked alongside me for much of it, although I sent them off so Bella could complete her assignments. Most of my patients remained, but Sam begged me to release him immediately after Paul's first surgical attempt. He gave me little choice, as he was very eager to leave.

Paul's condition was puzzling, and required a second surgery on Sunday once he turned into human form. Humans and Canidae have many similarities, but the differences are astounding. I do need to learn more about veterinary medicine. I have no wish to become a vet, but I do want to know more about the wolves. The closest courses I can take are those designed for canines. The two are similar enough, and that should do me well.

The young wolf ate a hearty lunch before the last fight, and during the combat, he experienced a Gastric Torsion, as his stomach flipped from the exertion. The condition is life threatening in wolves, and he required an immediate operation to correct the issue. In humans, we call this a gastric volvulus, and when he reverted into human form, it became obvious that he needed another surgery. Fortunately, he is well on his way to recovery.

Seth's condition improved in the early evening on Saturday, as he became conscious. He continues to experience soreness, and will remain tender for a few more weeks. He had five broken ribs, and at least one of them caused an internal injury that bled out into his chest cavity. Edward handled that nicely with a tube designed to drain the excess fluid from around his lungs. This allowed them to expand, and for him to breathe.

Charlie is currently staying with us, but I suspect he and Sue will go to the Clearwater home in a few days. I do enjoy Charlie's company, but it is much too dangerous for him to stay this close to my family. He chooses not to see what is before him, but one can only ignore so much. I need to speak with Edward and Bella about their trip into forks, and I am currently awaiting the arrival of Sue. She agreed to watch my patients until Dr. Edward Cullen could take over later this morning.

Edward graduated medical school twice, but is physically too young to practice in a real world setting. There is no desire to consume the blood of wolves, so this clinic is a good place for him to practice his skills. Sue found much amusement when having to write notes for us to excuse our absence from class. Most of our professors do not take any form of attendance, but the more specialized courses need it.

I heard the sound of a door closing. Sue walked in, and moved to Seth's side. I offered her a warm smile in greeting and mentioned, "Sue, I appreciate your coming in tonight." She did not need to stay awake, as my patients were well enough to alert her if needed. We made a bed for her to remain in the room with them.

Sue looked up to me and curiously enquired, "What kind of mother would refuse to help her baby when she is capable of doing so?" I thought the wolves were sleeping, but Sue's arrival may have awakened them. I heard as Seth groaned at his mother's words while Paul and Collin chuckled at the youth's expense.

"Mom... do you have to call me that," Seth whined to Sue, causing everyone else in the room to laugh at the poor pup. She offered me an impish grin, and I quickly realized this was a running joke in their family. "Shut-up Collin, at least I don't look like a child!" Seth teased the younger wolf, and once again, the others laughed in delight.

Turning to my patients I enquired, "Is anyone hungry?" Admittedly, that was a stupid question. I smirked and informed them, "I'll order pizza." Sue laughed at me when the wolves called out their orders all at once. The stuff they asked for made me question if I became the subject of a prank, so I opted to take the safe way out and handed them my cell phone. "Order what you want," I advised, and when they finished I gave the clerk on the other end my credit card number. I then handed the card to Sue as I mentioned, "use my card for the tip as well, whatever is a proper amount. I'll be upstairs if you need me." I made my way out of the clinic to a chorus of, "Night Dr. Vamp!" I suspect this is my new moniker until the youth tire of it. That can take an eternity.

Esme and I hardly spoke all weekend, and I was looking forward to a bit of time with her. Maybe if I finish with the children, then she and I can take a swim. She met me as I arrived on the upper floor of our home, and we had a few moments to share affections. Unfortunately, I had little time, and could not engage in activities that are more favourable with my wife. She understood, and knew what I had to do.

I stopped at Edward and Bella's room, and knocked softly to not awaken Charlie. The door opened before me. With a composed voice I stated, "Edward, I wish to speak with you in my study." Bella rose to interject when I silenced her with a look. I motioned for her to stay, and offered her my warning, "I suggest you do as I have asked. I will call for you next."

This foolishness caused me precious time I would rather spend with my mate, and I had no wish to prolong it with unnecessary arguments. Edward fell in behind me, and I led him to my study. I opened the door, and motioned for him to enter. Once inside I closed the door, and the other panels to soundproof the room. "Edward, I ask for privacy with my thoughts." I then motioned to the chairs before the desk and said, "Take a seat." I did not need to turn on any lights, as they sensed our entry and automatically lit up the room.

Edward swallowed deeply, and slowly moved toward the chair. I settled into mine before Edward managed to find his. He lowered his voice and admitted, "Dad, I am no longer in your mind. I know what I did wrong, and you do not have to lecture me. We can save the time on that, so you can spend it with Esme before classes." Only Edward gets away with such comments, as I realized he responded to my earlier thoughts and was not being cheeky.

I offered my son a sincere smile as I admitted, "I understand how difficult it is to hear your father's bawdy thoughts. The only solution is for you to stay out of my head." I gazed to my son in contemplation, and ran a hand through my hair. "Edward, you and Bella both acted identically yesterday. She convinced herself that Charlie would die without her help, and you felt the same of her. I tend to agree with your sentiments, but you both acted for the same basic reason. You both went to Forks against my express wishes, and you knew we needed you in La Push."

Edward gazed to his hands in his lap, and when I finished speaking, he lifted his eyes to mine and admitted, "Dad, I understand that we broke your rule. No, it was not a family rule, but a coven rule." He gulped and gazed to the floor as he added, "a coven rule about restricted access to an area with a very real possibility of exposing us." He glanced briefly up to me once more as he admitted, "She lived there, and her neighbors could have exposed us. We were also very close to where you worked. I understand how serious this is, and I do not have an excuse."

I rested my arms on the surface of my desk as I stared in the eyes of my son. "Edward, we have a problem. I heard of your argument with Bella in the woods, and I know how you tried to keep her home. Sam also filled me in on what he knew from his pack. The two of you are so very much alike and both of you have the same bullheaded stubbornness once you get an idea into your head. Nothing you said would have changed your mate's mind." I clasped my hands together as I admitted, "I am unable to think of a reasonable punishment which would affect her future decisions. Son, to spank her would have zero result on any future actions. This is why I chose to speak with you first." Edward sat up curiously, and he listened intently to my words.

"You need to control your mate," I paused long enough for the shock to settle in, and then I firmly restated, "Edward, you must learn how to control her." Edward's eyes widened as he gasped at my words, and it came as no surprise to me when I heard a quiet knock at my door. Esme has her ways of knowing what goes on in this office. I offered my son a smirk and rose from my chair as I admitted, "I believe your mother wishes to join us tonight."

Edward snickered quietly and turned in his chair to look at the door. He glanced over his shoulder and mentioned, "Yeah, good luck with that." I advised him to give us both privacy, and quickly opened the door for my wife. Esme glanced at me curiously, but she did not refuse my invitation to enter. She moved to the chair beside Edward, as I resealed my office and seated myself behind the desk.

Esme studied me in contemplation and then admitted, "Carlisle, I am curious about the lessons you wish to teach my son. What is this I hear about controlling one's mate?" Edward struggled to keep up a straight face, and fortunately, he managed the task splendidly. He stared from one parent to the other, and opted to say nothing for now. My son found entirely too much amusement in this situation.

My gaze fell to Esme as I stated, "Esme, this weekend has illustrated the dangers we face, and should something happen to me I wish to know my family will withstand whatever difficulties they come across. I cannot guess who my coven would choose to succeed me as leader, but this weakness needs immediate addressing." I stated as my gaze fell to my son, "Bella is relentless in her pursuit of an idea, and does not consider the cost of her actions. This is something we all must fight, as our internal instinct to protect the ones we love allows for us to make inane decisions without regard for the consequences of our actions."

Esme raised her left brow to me, but did not interrupt as I continued to explain. "Edward, Bella was completely unreasonable yesterday. There are few times I can imagine myself knowingly endangering my mate while following a blind passion. You told her Charlie was safe, and yet she stubbornly refused to return." Edward stared at me as I admitted, "wolves are friends of the Cullen Family, of which I am the head."

Esme sat back quietly, as she listened to my words. It would seem I had yet to convince her, and my last statement did not help any. Returning my attention to Edward I stipulated, "Bella will get you killed, and anyone else while in pursuit of an idea she gets into her head. She refuses to listen, and you being her mate are in the greatest danger. I understand the want to make our mate happy, and to please her in every way. I know the pain of failing that, and how it eats at our soul." Edward raised his brow to me at the soul comment, but I chose not to get into that now. Oddly enough, my mate did not seem overly pleased with me.

A quick glance to Esme, and then my gaze settled once more on my son as I continued, "This drive to do anything for our mate causes us to knowingly risk our own lives to keep them safe. Edward, I do not wish to lose you due to her passion. She is a good person, and I want to keep you both safe." I breathed in deeply as I mentioned, "I do not believe that spanking her will have any effect on future decisions. She weighs the spanking against her passion, and she will always consider the punishment as an unfortunate result that must happen. She deems the chastisement as the main cost of her actions."

Esme sat up curiously, as she enquired, "If you believe the spanking to have such little effect, then why bother with it? Carlisle, there are other ways to punish Bella." I offered my wife a pleasant smile, as I showed no inclination to argue with her statement.

Edward ran a hand through his hair as he studied me curiously, and he listened to his mother's words. "I agree Dad; there are other ways to punish her that would have an affect. I do not like when you spank her," he added while his gaze lowered to the surface of my desk. "I trust you Dad; I just do not like it."

"I understand son," I mentioned sincerely. I took in a deep breath and stated, "I believe the best punishment for Bella is to watch Edward's spanking." I paused for a moment, as both Edward and Esme reacted negatively to that comment. Despite this I continued, "My belief is that it forces her to witness his pain, and the suffering her stubbornness caused to her mate. Seeing the after-effects is nothing compared to watching it happen."

The room was silent, so I continued, "She knowingly risked your life Edward, and on a fanciful belief that she alone could rescue Charlie. Sanity was not her companion that morning, although you tried your best. What will happen the next time? Edward, I will not force this upon you. My idea is to have her watch your spanking, and then to dismiss you both. I will not relieve her culpability with a spanking of her own. She can hold that guilt close to her heart and it will help you in reaching her the next time she becomes stubborn. That regret is a constant reminder of her failure to you. If this lesson is not learned, then the remorse she may carry for the rest of her life is that of your death. The guilt of a chastisement is a very minor thing when you consider the alternatives." I clasped my hands upon the desk as I admitted, "Edward, you need to realize that this would be a harsh spanking."

Esme gasped loudly as she heard my explanation. She reached out defensively to our son and said, "Carlisle, you are not serious. What kind of madness is this, how can you justify harming Edward in that way? No, I cannot allow you to do this. You will not humiliate him like that." I gazed to my wife patiently, as I did not expect an easy battle.

Edward sucked in his breath at my rationalization, and winced as he heard his mother. He pinched the bridge of his nose, and sat in quiet contemplation. We waited in silence, as he attempted to form the words to express his thoughts. In a quiet voice he enquired, "What is the alternative punishment?" He turned his gaze to me and softly explained, "Dad, I just want to know what my choices are."

"Esme, this is not your decision," I bluntly scolded. I expected her immediate interruption, so I interjected her argument while motioning to Edward, "it is for him to decide. This is not something either one of us can choose for him." Esme continued to glare in my direction. I turned to Edward and calmly stipulated, "You are both equally guilty of the same action. Your intentions were similar to one another, so your punishments would be the same. Each of you would receive a spanking handled in my study with the greatest amount of privacy I can manage. That is your alternative."

Esme stared at me, as if not sure what to make of this situation. She glanced from Edward to myself and enquired, "Carlisle is this how you wish for him to control his mate?" She looked to me curiously before asking, "Is this something you do with me?"

Edward sat to his full height as he said, "I choose to protect my mate." I glanced at him curiously, at the statement and waited for further explanation. He hesitated a moment, and admitted, "Dad, I do not want to dominate Bella. I wish she would listen to me, especially when she is in danger. If you think her watching me get spanked will help me to..." he paused for a few moments as he tried to form the next part of his sentence. He glanced at Esme, and then to me as he continued, "to ... you know. Then I think we should do it."

Addressing Edward first, I turned to my son and mentioned, "You have made a wise decision. Edward, this is not about dominating our mates. You know I do not rule over my own, although it is well within my authority as coven leader to do so. It is not something I believe in." My gaze then fell upon my wife as I answered her question, "Esme, you know I do." The shocked look I received from her indicated that she did not, and so I explained, "Esme, I tell you immediately when you act in a way that I consider harmful to the wellbeing of the family. If needed I explain the consequences of your actions, and the resultant harm which they could cause to myself and the children."

I leaned forward on my elbows and mentioned with a coy grin, "and you do the same to me." She gave me a not-so-innocent smirk to my last statement as I further explained, "Bella still thinks of the consequences to Bella. She does not yet consider what her actions will do to her mate or this family. She will learn this lesson the difficult way through real loss, or hopefully tonight while watching the suffering of her mate."

Esme turned to me and enquired, "Carlisle, what makes this any different from what Aro did to us in Alaska? This is a cruel punishment."

Edward gently grasped his mother's hand in his own as he attempted to convince her, "Mother, this is different. It is humiliating to earn a punishment. It is mortifying to know that others realize I did something deserving of it. I hate that more than anything else about the punishment, and it is hard to look into their eyes when I know they heard me. This is different. I cannot explain it, but I am helping to protect Bella. I do not mean just from the spanking Dad says she earned, but actually helping her. I do not look forward to the pain, but this is not as embarrassing. I am doing this for her, and not because I was a bad little boy who needs a lesson over dad's knee." Although that in itself is, also true.

"Aro failed to obtain your consent before he carried out the torture. In this case, I have my son's approval, and I believe he agreed with me for the right reasons. This is what makes it different," I explained. I took in a deep breath as I admitted, "I will anger Bella. I am about to provoke her protectionist nature for her mate. This can end badly, but Edward I will not retaliate. To spank her would make your sacrifice for naught." Curiously, I enquired, "We comfort one another at the end of our punishment sessions. Bella's nature will not permit her comfort in my presence, so I leave this choice to you. Is it your wish to return with your mate, or for me to send her away?"

Edward answered immediately, "Dad, I love when you comfort me, but tonight I really need Bella." I smiled to my son, as I could see no other choice.

Esme mentioned quietly, "Carlisle, I am here for you. I cannot watch this, but you can seek comfort in me when you are through."

My eyes watered at my wife's words, as I felt sudden relief knowing I had attained her support. I gazed passionately to her as I spoke barely above a whisper, "Esme, I love you." I rose from my chair, and rounded the desk as I took her in my arms. I just wanted to hold her close, and by the strength of her embrace around me, I realized our feelings were mutual. After a few moments of this, Edward cleared his throat to remind us he was still here. I smiled guiltily to our son as I stated, "I understand Edward. I would make the same choice were I in your place." Turning to Esme I mentioned, "Edward will not attend classes tomorrow, as we need a physician in the medical clinic. I intended to skip, but he insisted that he should have the day off instead."

Edward smirked to me as he admitted, "Dad, it is no sacrifice."

"I'm sure of it," I agreed. My arms lowered from Esme as I stepped back. I gazed lovingly to my wife for a moment, and then I asked, "Esme, would you mind sending Bella to my study?"

"I will," my wife said as she slid the panel from the door and exited my office. Edward received a tight embrace from me, as I kissed the top of his head. Mentally I told him 'Son, I am proud of you.' Bella soon joined us, and I closed the doors to my study. I motioned to the chairs before the desk and said, "Please, be seated."

Bella turned to Edward curiously, and took the chair as directed. She rubbed at his thigh in comfort, and glanced at me cautiously. Edward smiled warmly to his mate, and leaned into her embrace as they exchanged affectionate kisses. After a few moments, I cleared my throat.

"Bella, I know from our furry friends what happened in the woods yesterday, and where you and Edward went. To make this perfectly clear, Charlie's home is also off-limits to this family. Anywhere near, Forks is off-limits. Do you need me to further clarify this rule," I enquired of her in a deathly calm voice while staring into her eyes. Bella shrunk down in her chair, and lowered her gaze as she squeaked out, "no, Sir."

My gaze landed on Edward, and I could see the anxiety building in him. I sent him a few mental words of encouragement, and then let my gaze fall to my daughter. "Bella, is there anything you wish to say before I begin with the punishment?"

Bella's eyes widened as she asked, "what?" She stared at Edward, and then returned her gaze to me as she stated, "you never punish with witnesses. Dad, you just don't do that." I released an impatient sigh, and then she stated, "Yes, there is something I have to say. Edward does not deserve any punishment. He tried to talk me out of it. He pleaded, and he did everything he could. The only reason he ran to Forks with me was to make me return home. He never wanted to go there. Dad, you cannot punish him. It was my fault! If I listened to him, then he would not have gone. It is my entire fault!"

Edward no longer looked at me or his mate, as his eyes fell to the ground. Turning to Bella I stated, "You were protecting Charlie, and Edward was protecting you. Neither of you mistakenly believed Forks was a permissible place to go. Both of you chose to do so. Edward knows better than to disregard a coven order. In the future, I hope that you two will consider the consequences of your actions, before you blatantly disobey me. Worse, you disobeyed the coven leader."

Bella stood and tried to shield Edward who remained quiet as she said, "Dad, you are so wrong here. You cannot do this to Edward. He is innocent. I am the one you want to spank. Punish me twice! I don't care what you do just don't punish Edward. Dad, he is innocent! He didn't do anything to deserve it!" Her continued disobedience grew tiresome.

I commanded my children to stand, and moved to their now vacated chairs. I leaned one against the wall, and placed the other to the left of my couch. Bella will watch his face, and have a view of everything while I punish her mate. I motioned to the chair and stated, "Bella, you are to sit here. Do not move from this chair."

I waited for her to sit, and then I continued in a deathly calm voice, "You two deliberately disobeyed me without regard for the consequences of your actions to your family. Edward is my eldest child, and you are practically a newborn. He knows the ramifications for our family when old acquaintances discover we still have not aged. You made a serious mistake. Bella, the costs are greater than you realize. Edward knew better, and tonight he has earned a severe punishment."

Bella squealed loudly, "Dad you are not listening! Edward did not want to do that. I forced him to. Are you too stupid to understand? It was me, not him!" I gritted my teeth at her question, but to relieve her of this guilt would nullify the lesson tonight.

Edward gasped loudly at his wife's accusations and pleaded desperately, "Bella, no don't do that. Please, do what he says. You are going to make this worse, please Bella, for me."

I took in a deep breath while maintaining my gaze on her, as if she never said a thing, "Edward knew better Bella, and despite that he disobeyed a direct order from his coven leader. Tonight his punishment is public. Bella, you will observe his spanking. Learn from his mistakes. I expect you to watch, listen, and stay seated. Do not make this harder on him by drawing attention to yourself. I cannot imagine the mortification he would feel every time you remind him of your presence. If you look away from the spanking, then I will remind you to watch." Having said this I moved to the couch, and stood before it. I motioned to Edward to stand at my right.

Bella screamed loudly to me, as she said, "NO! Carlisle, you can't do that! Edward is innocent he does not deserve this. You are ... you are... that is not fair!" She approached me angrily, and raised her palms to my chest as she attempted to push me back.

"Bella," I stated calmly, "this display does not please me. Do not anger me when I am about to spank Edward. I have no wish to harm my son, and you are making this extremely difficult for everyone here." I breathed in deeply, and stared at her with my darkening eyes.

Edward now spoke as he pleaded with his mate, "Bella, please do what Dad asked. You know he will not harm me, please do this for me." Tears fell from his eyes as he pleadingly said, "I do not want anyone else to witness this. Please Bella, I just want to finish this."

Bella threw the chair against the panelled window, and angrily accused me, "you are no dad of mine! Carlisle, I thought you were a nice, fair, and decent man. You are no different from the Volturi! Punishing Edward when you know he is innocent!"

The plan was working perfectly, and yet I found myself growing angered with my daughter. I had to control this, and reminded myself that I am deliberately invoking these reactions from her. I certainly hoped she could later forgive me. I spoke to Bella placidly, "Bella, it hurts me to hear you say such things, but Edward knew the rules. I realize you do not yet understand. He committed a grievous offence against our coven, and allowed his mate through ignorance to do the same. I appreciate that he tried to talk you out of your plan. I am very disappointed in you for not following his wisdom. You two took that course of action and left me no choice. In other covens Bella, this is an offence worthy of banishment. Now please be seated."

Edward approached Bella, and placed his hands lovingly around her neck as he touched his forehead to hers. "Bella," he said through his tears. "What we did yesterday was dangerous to our coven and race. It is not something Dad can ignore. Please, Bella sit and watch like he said. I do not want this hanging over my head any longer. I want it over."

Bella hugged her mate tightly, as she too had tears streaming down her face. She sat down on the chair without another word. I sat in the middle of the couch, and beckoned Edward over. Mentally I told my son, 'Edward, I am proud of you. I can see the love you two have, and I hope you get to experience it for the rest of eternity.'

Edward coughed, as he attempted to clear his throat. He kicked off his shoes, and removed his jeans. He placed these on the desk, and then he moved to my right side as indicated. I turned my gaze up to his eyes and enquired, "Edward, why are you being spanked tonight?"

Edward's voice crackled as he went to speak, causing him to swallow once more. "I disobeyed an order from my coven leader, and went into a restricted area. If someone I knew had seen me, they would ask questions. This is how rumors start. Our coven has uprooted itself many times in the past, due to the suspicions of mortals. To do so now puts the wolves in danger, and my actions risked the lives of many innocent people in Forks and the Quileute Nation."

I could not feel more proud of Edward, than what I did at this moment. Thankfully, a mind reader does not always need words, so I was sure he knew my sentiments. This was his explanation for Bella, as she would not hear those words from me. No matter how truthful they were. I glanced at her as he spoke, and noticed the dawning realization in her eyes. I patted my lap and waited while my son lowered himself. I tugged at his boxers, and shoved them to his knees.

Without another word, I brought my hand down hard against his backside. Edward reacted immediately as his head shot up and he sucked his breath in loudly. Today there was no warm up period. My hand continued to rain down with forceful swats, and at a faster rate than normal. Typically, for the more methodical spanking I have a couple of seconds between each swat. This punishment had a one second delay.

Within ten seconds, Edward hissed with each additional swat. By fifteen seconds, he wriggled desperately on my lap, and he grunted forcibly to keep from crying out. By twenty seconds, I could feel the vibration as his legs kicked frantically in the air, and his grunts became even louder. I glanced at Bella and saw tears streaming down her face, and she sat on the chair with her knees to her chest.

By twenty-five seconds Edward could no longer contain his outbursts, and he cried out with an 'ow.' From that moment on his cries became louder, and more desperate. His limbs now flailed, and he began to scream. I once more looked to Bella, and venom covered her face. It poured from her eyes and nose, and the sleeve of her shirt could hold no more. She wiped her face on her knees, as she watched Edward thrash about. The inside of my mouth was raw, as I struggled to restrain my own tears. I cannot cry.

I repositioned Edward so I had better access to his sit spots, and I heard him scream out desperately. He refused to plead, he could not allow himself that luxury, but he did not need to. Bella sobbed uncontrollably on the chair, and began pleading for her mate. "Dad, please...please stop. He can't take anymore. Dad... please."

My eyes watered, and I bit down hard on my tongue to keep from crying. I forced myself to continue, and applied another three whacks to each of his sit spots. Edward sobbed helplessly over my lap. I once again proved myself a disappointment to my father, as I failed to restrain my tears and openly wept. Gently I massaged my son's shoulders, and brushed at my face with the back of my hand to hide my disgrace. I am the father, and I need to stay strong for my children.

Physically, this spanking was no worse than normal. Emotionally it was brutal. Edward rose slowly from my lap, and fell into the arms of his mate. They embraced, and held one another firmly as they sobbed out their misery. I rose from the couch, and quietly made my way to the door. The study was theirs. I cautiously opened the doors, and quickly let myself out to give them privacy.

Once the door closed behind me, I found myself unable to move. I leaned back against the wall, and slid down to the floor. My arms wrapped tightly around my legs as I hugged them to my chest. My forehead rested on my knees, and I wept quietly. The scathing words of my Father rang loudly in my mind, and I knew I once more failed him. I prayed none would enter the hall and find me this way, but I was not alone.

Wrapped around my shoulders was the loving arm of my wife, as she kneeled beside me. Without a word, she assisted me to my feet, and walked me to our room. She guided me to the bed, and together way lay as she cradled me in her arms. We curled into one another. My head lay upon her chest as she gently stroked my back. I wept in my wife's embrace, and belittled myself for my weakness. There was no call for these tears. The more I tried to contain them, the louder my father's voice rang in my mind, and the more I cried. Esme never left my side, and I relished in her loving affections.

Eventually I managed to control my thoughts, and once more blocked the voice of my father as my wife continued to show her love. I began to focus on her, and inhaled deeply taking in her pheromones. My eyes began to notice where my head now laid. It did not take long for my thoughts to move off in an entirely different direction. A predatory growl emitted from my throat, and Esme greeted it with a seductive rumble. My wife's love pulled me from my misery, and her pheromones sent me on the road to ecstasy. With Charlie in the house, we carefully controlled ourselves until the end when my thunderous growl of appreciation emanated from my chest. I roared into the pillow, but I fear the volume remained rather loud.

I smiled sheepishly to my wife as she lovingly stroked my cheek, "Carlisle, you certainly know how to make a woman feel appreciated. I love you."

"Me too," I said teasingly to my wife, and then uttered, "Esme, I love you with everything that I am. Never have my eyes wandered, or desired another. You I long for when we are apart, and it is you I yearn for desperately when I crave release." Ok, maybe I should have stopped before that last part, as my wife giggled.

Esme smirked affectionately to me and played with her hand against my now bared chest as she admitted, "Carlisle, if all men reacted as you do after intimacy, I guarantee no man would live without." I smiled wolfishly to my wife, and noticed our tattered clothing strewn out upon the bed.

I frowned as I picked up the shredded material from my trousers, "If this keeps up, I will have to go shopping." I pondered on that dilemma for a moment, and grimaced at the thought. I glanced at my wife and mischievously stated, "New bedroom rule, we undress before we share affections."

Esme giggled lightly as she swatted my chest playfully and said, "Carlisle, once your hormones kick in there is no stopping to remove clothing. Your beast takes over, and the clothes become a minor inconvenience." I pointed to myself innocently, as if being falsely accused, causing my wife to laugh even more.

I rose from the bed, and began to clean up our mess as I offered my wife an impish grin. It was then that my eyes spotted the clock, and it occurred to me we had half an hour before I had to leave. My wife caught my glance, and she understood. I showered and dressed quickly, while Esme went to retrieve the children. I heard Alice's frantic voice, and that of my wife as my daughter dithered on what to wear. Thankfully, she knew better than to ask me.

I moved to my study to collect my things, and stopped suddenly at the door. Cautiously I knocked, and no sound came from the room. I called out softly to the children, and no response. Slowly I opened the door. The mess upon the floor confirmed the recent christening of my study. The chairs lay splintered, and tatters of clothing lay strewn all over. Thankfully, my couch, desk, and winged backed chair remained intact.

I stepped into the study, and curiously looked around at the mess. Edward charged into the room, and smiled bashfully to me as he said, "Dad... um... yeah. I'm sorry. I will clean this up. Um. . Bella is getting dressed for school and will meet you shortly."

Edward earned an amused smirk as I admitted, "I do not wish to know the details. Please tell your mother that I need a couple of chairs." Edward grinned impishly to me and nodded his head in agreement. I powered up my laptop, and looked to my computer program one more time. It pleased me, and I e-mailed it to my professor. I then did the same with my term paper. I gathered what I needed, and made my way to Alice's room.

The door was open, and she was in a debate with my wife. I looked to Jasper, and glanced at the women for a moment. My gaze returned to my son as I enquired, "Were you able to get the IDs from Jenks?" He grinned to me and pulled them from his drawer. I studied them for a moment, and admitted, "He is the best at what he does. Jasper, you have my appreciation." I turned to the women and commanded, "Alice, downstairs in five minutes, or I drag you out with whatever you have on, even if it does not match." She made it down in two.