HOME SWEET HOME

"Edward, what's wrong?" asked Carlisle.

"Nothing dad."

"Alright, if that is the case then you really have no reason to be whining and complaining."

"I'm not whining and complaining," whined Edward.

"Edward, I am on my way home now. We are about to board the plane. I want you to be a good boy. If I hear otherwise when I get home then I'm going to spank you. Is that clear young man?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Alright, good, now please put your mother back on the phone."

Edward handed the phone to his mother with pouty lips. He ran back up to his room.

"I take it you warned him to straighten up or he'll receive a spanking when you get home," said Esme.

"I had no choice sweetheart. Edward really needs a firm hand sometimes," said Carlisle.

"I know," Esme sighed, "I just wish he would learn to behave without having to be spanked but I'm starting to see I may have to change my tactics in the future."

"Well, you know you have my support either way. Okay, I need to go. I'll see you in about 13 hours. I love you," said Carlisle.

"I love you too. See you soon."

Carlisle hung up his phone and walked over to meet back up with his children. Hailey was sitting on Emmet's lap putting most of her weight on her thighs and hanging her tender little bottom over her brother's lap as comfortably as she could. He looked at his little girl and couldn't help but feel very sympathetic for the idea that she had to sit through a 13 hour flight after she already recently sat through a 10 hour train ride. He didn't regret spanking her for she deserved every bit of her punishment; however, he began to think that some aloe would at least help lessen the sting a bit. Carlisle bought a bottle of a gel meant for sunburns with a good supply of aloe from a shop at the airport. He brought it over to Hailey.

"Okay, I wouldn't normally do this but because we have such a long flight ahead of us I am making an exception. Take this in the bathroom and use it where you need it most. It should help relieve the sting a bit," said Carlisle.

Hailey grew a huge smile on her face, grabbed the bottle from Carlisle's hand, gave him a kiss on the cheek then ran to the bathroom to apply the gel on her stinging bottom. She knew she had to hurry as she just heard the final boarding call for their flight. She quickly rubbed the gel over her entire bottom. It did seem to help a bit. She was wearing her pink juicy catour sweat pant suit that she changed into when they got back from Paris; the softer the fabric the better. She ran to catch up to Carlisle and Emmett who were waiting for her. She grabbed her tote, threw the bottle in and began to walk towards the boarding line. As they walked, Hailey slipped her hand into Carlisle's. He automatically embraced her hand as any good father would. He looked down and gave his newest daughter a very loving and warm smile. She reciprocated.

The three made into to their seats on the plane and Hailey sat as best as she could. She told herself that the second the seatbelt light went off she was going to jump in someone's lap. Even with the gel, there wouldn't be any way she could bear sitting directly on her bottom for 13 hours. Within 30 minutes the plane had safely taken off and the seat belt light was turned off. Passengers were allowed to get up if necessary.

"Carlisle?" Hailey asked as a question with a very sweet tone.

"Yes, baby doll?" He replied.

"May I please sit on your lap for awhile?" She asked while looking Carlisle directly into his eyes and giving him the most adorable puppy dog look followed with a slight pouty lip.

Carlisle felt the tug at his heart and knew without a doubt he now had adopted another child that would keep him constantly on his toes as Edward already did. He pulled Hailey onto his lap. She snuggled in close, laying her head on between his shoulder and neck. He looked over at Emmett and realized he hasn't given him a lot of individual attention for the past week.

"Emmett," Carlisle whispered.

Emmett looked over at his father and took the earphones out from his ears.

"I'm sorry if you felt I have neglected you in any way this past week."

"Dad, don't be so hard on your-self. Trust me when I tell you that I completely understand and I know how much of hand-full my baby sister can be. I don't feel neglected, honest."

"Okay, well, if you need me for anything, you know I'm here."

"I know dad," Emmett replied, smiled then put the earphones back in his ears to continue watching the in-flight movie.

Carlisle closed his eyes to rest and held Hailey close. He started to think more about Edward and what could possibly be causing his bad behavior. He couldn't help but think of a hypothesis or two. The main one was because Edward (for many, many years) has been the baby of the family (developmentally). The past few months Edward has accepted Hailey without much trouble because he always figured it would just be temporary. Now that it's official and Hailey is being adopted into the Cullen family, Edward will no longer be the baby as Hailey is the youngest developmentally and as a vampire. Carlisle told himself that he would make sure and put aside some special one-on-one time with Edward when he got home. Of course if he finds out that he hasn't behaved then the first one-on-one session will be Edward over his lap.

vvv

The plane landed and the three restless vampires quickly grabbed their carry-on luggage and headed through the front. They thought for a moment about grabbing a taxi but soon agreed that they didn't want to sit any longer. Hailey wined a little about the thought of running as it would affect her bottom since she would have to use those muscles. Emmett just wanted to get home so he made a quick plan.

"Dad, I'll carry Hailey and you carry the entire luggage then we'll just make a run for it. Sound good?"

"Works for me," Carlisle answered.

Emmett grabbed Hailey into a bear hug and she wrapped her legs and arms around her big brother. Carlisle gathered all the luggage and they both sped off once they were out of sight from all humans. It didn't take them too long to get home as they were both anxious to see everyone, especially their mates. They made their way to the house and up the stairs to find everyone either watching TV or reading; everyone except Edward who was upstairs. Emmett gently put down his little sister and filled his arms again with Rosalie. Carlisle gave Esme a big warm hug and passionate hello kiss. Once they first welcomed their mates everyone else exchanged hugs as well. Esme waited to be the last to hug Hailey. She just wanted to hold her for more than a few seconds. She was so relieved that she was okay. She held her close, very close.

"Oh Hailey, baby, I am so happy that nothing horrible happened to you. I was so worried," said Esme.

"I'm sorry Esme. I promise to never, ever runaway like that again."

Hailey then realized that due to her spanking and then long travel home she never properly apologized to Carlisle for what she did. She gently pulled away from Esme then turned her attention onto Carlisle who was standing directly behind her already.

"Carlisle, I really am sorry for running away. I just wanted to forget everything and I didn't care who I hurt. I really do mean it, I'll never runaway again," said Hailey before she wrapped her arms around Carlisle again. "I love you."

"I love you too baby doll," replied Carlisle.

Hailey looked up and gave him a smile Carlisle would never forget. She then grabbed her bags and began to head up to her room.

"I'm going to take a long shower okay. I just feel really grungy."

Hailey made her way upstairs and dropped her bags off in the guest room which she assumed was now her new permanent room. She realized she hadn't seen Edward and wanted to say hello before taking a shower. She went up to his room and knocked gently on his door.

"Come in," said Edward.

She popped her head in first and said hi. To her surprise he gave her a big smile and got up off his bed to give her a big hug. She met him halfway in his room and hugged him back. She could sense something was wrong.

"I know I'm not as emotionally sensitive as Jasper but I still have pretty good instincts. Is something wrong?"

Edward looked down at Hailey and decided if anyone would understand it would be her.

"Do you have your cell on you?" Edward asked as quietly as possible.

"Yes," Hailey mouthed back. "Why?"

He took his cell phone out of his pocket and proceeded to text Hailey. He told her that he had to text her as he didn't want to risk anyone in the family overhearing.

'I did something really stupid. I raced my car against another kid from school. Bella was in the front seat. The other kid's tire popped and ran into my car. Bella broke her arm and there is a huge dent in his car and mine. Charlie wanted to talk to mom and dad but I told him that they were out of town. Now that dad is back I am sure that Charlie will somehow run into him and tell him what happened. Charlie may even drive by the house to see if we're home. I am in so much trouble! Dad is going to kill me.'

'WOW! U r def in trbl! ' Hailey texted back. 'Don't worry, sec8 safe w m.'

As Edward and Hailey were texting each other the house phone rang downstairs. Just three minutes go by before they hear their father calling from downstairs.

"Edward Anthony Cullen! Get down here immediately!" demanded Carlisle.