"Give me the remote," Rosalie demanded while Jasper surfed from channel to channel. "I'll find something we can watch."
"Hell no. I ain't sitting through another chick flick, and I'm not interested in Top Gear at the moment. That damn show always ends up with us wanting something that we're not allow to have because of our Spartan lifestyles."
"Jasper, you have everything you need and most of what you want," Carlisle said from behind his newspaper. "I would hardly consider that a Spartan's life."
"I don't have my motorcycle."
Carlisle glanced over his paper at his sullen son.
"And whose fault is that?"
The soldier huffed as he continued his search.
"When you mother decides you've learned your lesson and can be trusted to be responsible, you'll have access to your bike again. Until then, you'll just have to make do. I really wouldn't call it a hardship, son."
"Shows how much you know," the cowboy groused in a whisper his father couldn't quite make out before angrily hitting the button on the remote once more.
"Here ya go, Rose," chirped Alice as she plucked the control from her husband's hand and tossed it over to her sister.
"HEY!" Jasper exclaimed as he shot his mate a venomous glare. "You're supposed to be on my side."
The pixie curled up in his lap and kissed his cheek. "I'm always on your side, Jazzy. If there's nothing on that you want to watch, why bother? Besides, I was just thinking of something better for us to do. Something guaranteed to chase old Mr. Grumpy Pants away."
The soldier's mood smoothly shifted as his wife purred against his chest while curling his hair around her fingers.
"Why don't you and I go upstairs, Major? There's something new I want to try."
"I thought you'd never ask, ma'am."
"Oh, for God's sake, how about the two of you take that outside and give the rest of us a break," Edward growled as he laid his book down. "That's just..."
"Eddie, you know what your problem is? Dude, you so need to get laid. You're way too wound up all the time, and that hand gets old," Emmett quipped while wrapping an arm tightly around Rosalie. "If you were getting some, you wouldn't be so bothered all the time about everyone else getting their freak on. It's not a big deal, bro."
"Really, Emmett?" Carlisle asked with a smirk.
"You and Momma don't count. That's just gross in anybody's book. Nobody ever wants to think about their parents doing it," the bruin countered with a mild shudder that caused his father to chuckle.
"You're just jealous that your old man still has fresh moves. Just the other night..."
"Can we PLEASE change the subject," Edward cried.
Rosalie stilled suddenly while a look of concern coloring her features as she hazarded a glance at her mate.
"Em, you haven't gone anything stupid lately in the name of fun have you?"
The bearish boy rubbed the back of his neck as his father quirked a brow in his direction.
"No. Nothing comes to mind anyway. Why?"
"Alice?" Rose shifted her gaze towards her sister.
"He's not here for us. He's here for Daddy," the pixie replied in a hesitant tone.
Placing his paper on the table, Carlisle made his way towards the window and stared out into the velvet twilight as a police cruiser followed by a dark sedan pulled up in his driveway.
"It's Charlie Swan, and I imagine that will be Family Services with him."
"What?" Jasper was at his father's side in an instant. "I thought they were lettin' that go."
"Apparently not," Carlisle answered calmly.
"This is ridiculous," the soldier hissed. "I nev'r said that I was abused. Greene twisted mah words 'round. Papa, I swear to God..."
The patriarch placed a calming hand on his son's shoulder.
"It's alright, Jasper. We've all talked about the possibility of this occurring. Just answer their questions honestly, but don't offer any additional information. While they won't approve of my methods, I've broken no laws. Everything will be just fine."
"You don't really believe that."
Carlisle turned to Edward, but before he could speak the boy shook his head.
"I don't need to read your mind. Everyone in this room can see that you're worried, and who could blame you?"
The elder blond closed his eyes and sighed before drawing a breath to address his children.
"I am worried...a little. We've never been in this exact situation before, but we've been through much worse. I have confidence that it will all work itself out, and if for some reason it doesn't, we'll simply start over. I realize that none of us want to leave Forks, but we'll do what we must. It's as simple as that. Now, that being said, instead of putting that cart before the horse, let's just see what happens, and do our best to soothe the issue over."
"I'm not abused. I would never allow myself to be misused or hurt again," Rose spoke up with conviction. "So why can't we just deny that you've ever laid a hand on us? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Jasper's claim was that he was worried about having to answer to you for getting into trouble. That could mean anything. He could just have been in a huff because he didn't want to be grounded from something he had planned. That's the truth, after all."
Jasper cleared his throat, drawing his sister's attention.
"Actually, when Greene told me that no one was gonna hurt me, I told him he didn't know crap, so..." The youth groaned softly as he raked a hand through his thick wavy mane before meeting his father's eyes. "Papa, I..." At a lost for words, he let his head fall in disgrace.
A firm rapping on the door disturbed the room.
Carlisle ran a hand behind his southern son's neck and pulled him close.
"There's no need for that. It was nothing more than an oversight. These things are bound to happen from time to time. The key is how we deal with them when they do."
Giving the boy's neck a firm squeeze, he released Jasper and turned to the rest of his children.
"Rose, the truth is always the correct choice. I shouldn't need to remind any of you of that fact. We're forced to conceal enough already. As I've said, I've done nothing wrong, and won't have any of you lie for me. Their job is to find the truth. They'll try to trip you up, but if you're being honest, they can't do that to you." Carlisle quickly glanced at his bruin and added, "But, Em, please try to tone down your tendencies to exaggerate this time. I know you mean no harm, but it's just the thing they'll use against us."
"You've got it, Pops."
"Thank you." The elder gave his family a reassuring smile then took a steadying breath as he went to the door.
"Good evening, Charlie," Carlisle said with a warm smile while looking over the trio standing gravely on the porch.
"Doctor Cullen," the police chief replied with a nod.
"What brings you all the way out here?"
"Well, I hate to be the bearing of bad news, but these folks would like to have a few words with your kids. As ridiculous as it sounds, it appears that some questions have been raised about ..." Charlie paused and ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable with the topic at hand. "Well there's some concern about their environment and..."
"My parenting skills?"
"Yeah," the officer agreed with a faint shake of his head. "You and your missus will need to come with me. The protection folks feel that it's better to interview the kids without the both of you being here. Think they'll be more open about whatever issues or complaints they might have and what not."
"Esme has class this evening, and I really don't like the idea of leaving my children alone with strangers."
"I totally get that. Believe me, I do, but my hands are tied. Either you have to come with me, or we have to load the kids up and take them to a neutral space. I thought this option would be the least stressful on everyone, and since you don't have any that are really young..."
"I see." Carlisle studied the professional looking couple standing in the officer's wake and exhaled softly. "Well, won't you please come in?"
"Doctor Cullen, this is Mr. Nicholas and his associate, Doctor Evans of Family Services."
Charlie stepped aside to allow the inspectors to pass while Carlisle cordially shook their hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I only wish it was under better circumstances."
"We're only here to help, Doctor Cullen," the lanky red headed woman informed him as she shook his hand firmly. "We know how overwhelming taking care of teenagers can be. It's a tough stage in a child's life, and you have quite a number of them going through it all at the same time. I can only imagine the stress that places on you and your wife."
"It can be stressful at times, but I wouldn't give up a single moment," he replied with all sincerity. "My family means the world to me."
"Then you would certainly want what's best for the children," Bryce Nicholas injected while coolly sizing Carlisle up.
"Of course."
"You understand, that could mean reassignment in a more appropriate household?"
"What the fuck!"
Jasper was at his father's shoulder in an instant, but a warning glance from the elder caused him to take a step back and lower his gaze with a muttered, "I beg your pardon."
"No. Jasper only said what the rest of us were thinking." Edward rose to his feet and glowered at the inspectors. "How dare you come in here and threaten to remove us from our home and family? If you're so concerned with keeping to what's in our best interest, then you can turn right around and leave. This is where we belong. Each of us is happy here."
"Edward," Carlisle reprimanded in a gentle tone. "The inspectors are simply trying to do their jobs. They've been appointed with the task of seeing to your well being. They would never do anything that would go against that."
"That's bullshit. He's already made up his mind, and is ready to split us up. It's written all over his face."
"Then it's up to you and your siblings change his mind, but I don't believe this display is the proper way to go about that." Sit down, Edward. You're in danger of overplaying your hand. That will not help us here.
The mind reader bit the inside of his cheek as he stubbornly stared at his father for several tense seconds before finally lowering his head and retaking his seat with a sigh.
"Son," the balding middle-aged man said, drawing the bronze-haired youth's attention. "I know change is a frightening thing, but sometimes it's for the best. I promise that we'll listen to you and your adopted siblings. Your opinions on the matter will be taken into consideration. We really only want to make sure that you're safe, and being given the best possible care. I'm on your side. I'm not your enemy."
Edward's dark eyes narrowed before he crossed his arms and turned away with a huff.
"I'm sorry, Doctor Cullen. We seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot with your children," the female inspector chimed in, while glancing over the collection of teens clustered in the living room. "We're not looking to tear apart a loving family or yank anyone out of a caring home. Positive foster families are already in short enough supply. Believe me, we don't want to jeopardize what you already have, but some questions have been raised that we're obligated to investigate."
"I understand, and we're all more than willing to cooperate," the patriarch assured her.
"The children certainly appear to love you, doctor," the man added. "But even a dog will love the hand that beats him if he knows of no other life."
"Are you suggesting that I beat my children, Mr. Nicholas?"
"Concerns have been brought to our attention."
"That's mah fault," Jasper spoke up as he stepped forward to address the adults. "Mr. Greene took what I said outta context. I nev'r meant ta imply anythin' of the sort. I'm very sorry you've been misinformed. Your time's being wasted on this stupid snipe hunt, and I'm sorry."
Carlisle patted his son's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Jasper, this is not your fault. Please go sit with Alice, and allow the adults to work out this misunderstanding on our own."
"But I need to..."
A cocked brow from the elder silenced the soldier.
"Yesh, sah," he whispered before slinking away.
Once his children were settled, Carlisle addressed Charlie and the inspectors.
"I can assure you all that I do not now, nor ever will, beat my children."
"So you've never used corporal punishment with them?" the red head asked.
"I didn't say that. I do indeed employ corporal punishment when I feel it's necessary, but a spanking is a far cry from a beating. I'm well aware of the difference."
"From seeing cases of abuse in your work, I assume," Nicholas sneered.
"From first hand experience," the patriarch countered. Swallowing hard and steadying his breath, Carlisle held the man's gaze. "My father was an abusive man, and I swore that I would never allow a child to suffer the way I was made to suffer. I have worked side by side with your organization to bring abusers to justice, and I would never, ever abuse my own children."
"And yet you admit to hitting them. Doctor, you are clearly guilty of perpetuating the cycle of abuse that your father started."
"No," the physician stated softly. "There is a world of difference between a simple, properly administrated, well earned spanking, and abuse."
"How do you administer this form of discipline, Doctor?" the woman inquired as she scribbled notes on a wire bound pad.
"As you would imagine. Typically the palm of my hand is applied to my miscreant's buttocks."
"Have you ever struck any of them with a closed fist? Ever find the need to slap a child in the face?"
"What the hell is up with that?" Emmett piped up from the couch. "It's called an ass whipping for a reason. Your face is on the opposite end. Pops has never bitch slapped anyone. A-S-S whipping. Don't you people know anything?"
Carlisle lowered his head into his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose in despair.
"Whippings?" Nicholas asked as his eyebrows attempted to disappeared into his receding hairline. "Doctor Cullen, that sounds much harsher than a few open palmed spanks to the backside, wouldn't you say?"
"It's just a figure of speech, Mr. Nicholas," Rosalie clarified while placing a hand on her mate's arm to hush him and prevent further damage. "My brother is very prone to hyperbole."
"Rosie, how can you say that?" Emmett gasped as a look of shock came over his face. "I'm not high on anything. I wouldn't touch any of that stuff, and if I did, Pops would murder me. Just say no, dude. No perboles going in this body. No way. No how."
"Oh for God's sake, Emmett. Would you please just shut the hell up?" Edward groaned while scrubbing his hand over his face.
"What?"
The inspector turned to his co-worker and whispered, "Do we have anything down saying that the Cullens took in a special needs child? I don't recall..."
"Emmett isn't slow," Carlisle clearly stated, briskly cutting the man off. "He's our resident prankster who occasionally forgets himself and gets carried away. I'm sure Em was only trying to lighten the mood."
The bearish boy gave the humans a bright smile and waggled his brows before a look from his father put his playfulness in check.
"In truth," the patriarch continued."He's exceptionally brilliant."
"Don't know that I would go that far," Edward groused in a voice too low for human ears.
EDWARD!
The bronze-haired youth cringed at the mental reprimand, before muttering a soft, "sorry" to his brother.
"It's alright, Eddie. I still love ya."
Emmett wrapped an arm around the mind reader's shoulder and hugged him tight as he ruffled his "younger" brother's hair before letting go, leaving him to sulk in the corner of the couch.
"You will find that to be true of all of my children, and I respectfully ask that you refrain from jumping to insulting conclusions. If you want to learn about them, talk to them. Conduct your interviews, and you will find that each one is a rare, unique individual, but all are caring, well-mannered, well adjusted young adults, whom I dearly love."
Charlie stepped between Carlisle and the family service officers.
"No one is doubting that, Doc, and nobody was trying to disrespect your brood. These folks just don't know how your kids operate."
"If the young man is the genius you claim, then he knows the implications of his words, and I can assume that your mode of discipline has gone beyond the scope of what's acceptable," the man stated as he pressed his advantage over the irked elder.
"Look, Nicholas. You need to just back off. This is a good man you're trying to railroad."
"That remains to be seen, Chief Swan."
"I may not be real comfortable with Doctor Cullen's method here, but I'll go on record saying that whatever he's doing works. Sure his kids get into some stuff now and then like any kid, but we haven't run into real trouble with any of them. They're good kids. Respectful. Honest. ... Hell, when I pulled that little one over the other day, she didn't even try to argue her way out of her speeding ticket. She knew she was wrong and owned up to it. I don't know of many adults that would act like that, do you?"
"Alice?" Carlisle whispered, but his pixieish daughter just glanced down at her hands as they rested in her lap, leaving the patriarch to sigh inwardly.
"They sure aren't born that way, so you have to give this man some credit for turning them out like that. He and his wife are doing a damn fine job of raising these kids. All you have to do is take a look around you and you can see that," Charlie concluded with a pointed stare.
"There are other methods of rearing well behaved children," Doctor Evan calmly stated. "Methods that work much better, with less chance of the child coming to harm."
"My father would never harm any of us," Rose countered with conviction. "I know what it means to suffer, and Daddy rescued me from that. He would do anything to keep us safe, and he makes sure that we know we're loved."
"That's commendable, sweetheart, but being a victim of past abuse puts you in even more danger of being injured emotionally as well as physically. You shouldn't be in a home where there is even the slightest possibility of you being struck, and here you are in one where it's common place."
"With respect, ma'am," Jasper said with a slight dip of his head. "I wouldn't call whoopin' common place at all. Our papa is way more likely ta ground our dumb behinds than he is ta smack 'em. I'm not from these parts. Where I come from, switchin' and strappin' were expected and accepted when ya acted up. It ain't nothin' like that around here. I've had times where I wish he would tan my hide instead of put me on restriction, but that ain't his way. There's not a day that goes by when I ain't amazed at Papa's patience and understanding. He's not a violent man, not by a long shot, so when that hidin' gets handed down, ya know damn well that you've stepped ov'r the line and earned it."
"No one has a right to strike you, son," the man informed him. "Regardless of anything you may have done."
"Daddy does, if we allow it," said Alice, as she quietly joined the conversation. "Sometimes, when we're feeling bad about what we did, it helps. It's something that we need."
"This could be worse than it first appeared," the man softly informed his colleague. "It seems that he has them convinced that this is normal treatment."
"With all due respect, sah, who are you ta say what is and isn't normal fer us?" Jasper challenged.
"Yeah. I know for a fact that each of us, even my Rosie, got whooped back in the day. Well, not sure about Alice, but being from Mississippi, I think it's a safe bet. That is close to Texas, and we know Jasper caught it when he was a young'un." Emmett stopped and thought for a few seconds before shaking his head. "It really doesn't matter if you get it or approve. The point is that we do. This ain't weird to us, and Pops isn't about to hurt any of us. So I do something stupid and my tail end gets blistered. So what? I don't have a problem with that, so why should you? Dude, can't you see that your argument is ignorant? You can't know what's best for us. That decision is up to us."
"Doctor Cullen, I believe we've gotten all that we need from you at this time. If you would please take your leave. We would like to speak to the children one on one," the red headed woman said with a glance towards Charlie.
"Come on, Doc. Let's go grab a bite at the diner."
"I really don't have much of an appetite," Carlisle softly replied while catching his soldier's eye. "Jasper, you're in charge while I'm gone. Please make sure that everyone cooperates with the inspectors, and helps their investigation run smoothly."
"Yes, sir."
"I'll call Esme and let her know what's happening."
The blond youth gave a nod.
Edward, please help your brother, and do what you can to rein Emmett in. Humor is his natural defense, but we can't afford to have it backfire on us.
The mind reader dipped his head while maintaining eye contact with his father.
Thank you, son. Let me know as soon as they've gone. I would wish you luck, but I know you won't need it. I'm leaving my family in very capable hands.
"I've heard that you're Irish," Charlie said as he slapped Carlisle on the back, breaking his concentration, and steering the doctor towards the door.
"British, actually, but my heritage is Irish."
"I've got the perfect spot for us to unwind. You're going to love it."
Catching the faint sound of Alice's laughter, the patriarch glanced over his shoulder to see his daughter and first born passing a smirk between them.
"Have fun, Daddy. Don't worry. You were right. It's all going to be okay."
"Why do I suddenly doubt that?"
"Kids got it under control. Try not to over think it," Charlie reassured him. "You'll just make yourself old before your time."
"I'm afraid that ship has sailed, Chief."
"Well you're in luck, because I have the ideal fix for that." With warm brown eyes gleaming with amusement, the officer slid behind the wheel of his patrol car while Carlisle got in beside him and buckled up. "Once we hit the highway, I'll let you run the siren. Scares the crap out of the deer around here."
"DUDE! How cool is that? Damn, Pops is one lucky S.O.B.," Carlisle heard Emmett exclaim as Charlie pulled away.
Lowering his head, the blond smiled and mentally agreed with his brawny boy, but for very different reasons.
The two men rode in companionable silence toward the edge of town, but once Charlie turned off the main highway his curiosity reached its peak.
"So, you really do...?"
"Yes," was the doctor's answer to the incomplete question.
"Does your wife?" the Chief asked in a mystified tone as his mind conjured a vision of the gentle, petite Esme.
"Very rarely, but it has happened in those moments when one of the children push her hard enough. Esme really doesn't approve of corporal punishment. She's extremely protective of our 'babies', and can't bear to see them in pain, let alone be the cause of it. Besides," Carlisle added with a light smile. "She prefers the character building qualities of hard labor. Misbehavior in our youngsters means less weeding for my wife. It's a task that everyone seems to despise. On more than one occasion, I've heard the kids beg Esme to take them to the woodshed instead of the garden."
The patriarch chuckled while Charlie shook his head.
"Gardening can be backbreaking work. Guess it's good for the kids get into trouble now and then so it saves some wear and tear on your wife."
"I believe Esme would prefer to be the one suffering, but as you've said in the past, kids will be kids. They have to test their boundaries to keep the adults around them on their toes."
"Yeah,I guess, but...spanking them? That doesn't bother you at all? You're not worried that they'll fight back, or end up hating you for hurting or humiliating them? They are teens after all. They're known to be impulsive, hot tempered, and capable of holding a grudge for a long damn time."
Carlisle sighed as he ran a hand through his silken hair.
"It does bother me for the same reason it bother's Esme. I want nothing but happiness for each and every one of them. I do my best to protect them from pain and hardship, but I can't keep them in a bubble sealed off from the world. The best I can do is prepare them for the harsh reality that's out there so they don't become blindsided. Sadly, one of those lessons is the unavoidable condition of cause and effect. Everything they do has some form of repercussion, good and bad. You teach that yourself, Charlie. Every time you hand out a ticket, you're reinforcing that lesson."
"That's different."
"Not really. Look at Alice's speeding ticket, for instance."
"Oh, man, Doc. I didn't mean to get her into trouble. I could tell from your expression that deal came as a surprise. Really wish I hadn't said anything. I was only trying to help with CPS, and now I feel like I've sunk your little one in one helluva hole."
"Charlie, you didn't get her into trouble. My princess did that all on her own, and she will be held accountable."
"But..."
The doctor held up a hand to arrest the man's defensive of his speedster daughter.
"Let me explain. You stopped her in the act of breaking the law, and you punished her with a fine. That's very basic logic. It's how most will see the scenario, but what did you really do?"
"Just what you said."
"No. It's much more complex than that. The ticket teaches a lesson that life would have taught Alice had her behavior been allowed to continue, and it teaches it in a much milder fashion. That's the same thing I do when I'm forced to take one of my children over my knee. Pain is a powerful instructor, Charlie. Physical pain. Financial pain, like having to pay that fine. Emotional pain, which is highly damaging and must be avoided at all cost. Still, all pain imparts a lesson. It's how our world helps us survive by teaching us what to avoid."
Carlisle took a calming breath as the car pulled into the parking lot of a small bar well off the beaten track.
"If Alice had continued speeding down the road, she could easily have gotten into an accident. She could have been hurt, or she could have hurt someone else. That's how life would have taught her not to drive recklessly, and that would have been far more painful than your ticket or my spanking. You saved her from having to face that devastating pain by inflicting a minor dose that wakes her up to the reality of what could have happened. You've made her a little bit wiser, so hopefully she'll make better decisions in the future."
"I taught her that if she speeds she's going to have to fork over the cash that goes into repairing the roads."
"Which makes her responsible for the care of the road she takes advantage of. That makes perfect sense, and if the lesson works properly, she'll temper her speed. Doesn't the fine increase with a repeat of the same violation?"
"Yeah, it costs more."
"That's the same principle. At some point the pain of handing over her paycheck to the county instead of being able to buy the things she wants makes speeding less attractive. When my children break a rule, and grounding doesn't inspire them to correct their behavior, I need a stronger deterrent."
"And that's the problem, Carlisle. What happens when spanking doesn't stop them from screwing up. What then? Do you hit them harder? Don't you see how this can escalate?"
"I do, and that's why it doesn't."
"I..." Charlie shook his head as he pulled into a parking spot and killed his cruiser's engine. "Look. I know you don't abuse those kids. I really do believe that, and I will back you up, but... What if something does go wrong one day. Teenagers know how to push a parent's buttons, Doc. I know you would never hurt one of them intentionally, but if you get angry..."
Carlisle shook his head as the neon lights reflected in his topaz eyes.
"No. I would never lay a finger on a anyone if I was angry. I won't even scold them until I'm sure that I'm calm enough to do so without yelling. At least I try not to raise my voice. Sometimes that can be difficult, but taking a step back from an explosive situation? That's much easier because the risk of not doing so is too great." The blond swallowed hard as he swiftly shifted through memories. "My children think I send them to their rooms to torture them. They believe I'm giving them time to worry about what their near future holds. To an extent that's true. I want them to reflect on what they've done before I speak with them, but my main reason is more important. I take that time to give me the chance to think things over as well, and to assure myself that I'm in control of my feelings and actions. I won't risk lashing out at them in anger. As you've heard, I've been on the receiving end of such treatment. I'll not see another creature suffer the same fate, certainly not my children."
"But what if that spanking doesn't work?"
"Then the failure is mine, and I need to revisit what's been said to see where I've gone wrong. If the behavior continues, I was ineffectual in explaining to my child why whatever they did was the wrong in the first place. I discipline with my words in the hopes that I never have to correct with my palm, but sometimes the message isn't as clear as I hope."
Charlie continued to stare at the doctor until Carlisle sighed softly.
"It happens. The very same thing happened not too long ago with Jasper. He got something in his head and wouldn't listen to reason. He knew what he was doing was wrong. He knew he would be punished, but that didn't matter to him. In his head, he was doing what was right and nothing I could say or do would change that. He finally went too far and put himself and others in danger. Once I got him home, he let me know that he knew his behavior was way out of line, and at the time, actually demanded that I spank him harshly. Instead I sent him to stay with some extended family in Denali for a few weeks. It took him out of the environment that was keeping him riled up, let him really settle down, and gave him time to think everything through."
"And that worked?"
"You saw him this evening."
"The one who looked like he would take a bullet to defend you?"
Carlisle nodded.
"It was a terrible decision for me to make, but I felt that sending Jasper away was in his best interest. I don't have to tell you that he didn't see it the same, and neither did the rest of my family. It wasn't a perfect solution, and caused me problems with my wife and the rest of my children, but in the end everything worked out for the best. I took time off and went up going to Denali to stay with him for a week. It gave us time to work out our differences in a neutral environment, and allowed us to develop a stronger bond. And this is only one example of solutions I've found useful when corporal punishment fails." The doctor stared into the officer's eyes with the most sincere expression Charlie had ever seen. "There's always a solution to every issue with a child's behavior, and it never involves treating them harshly - at least not physically. Being sent away was emotionally straining on my son, but at least he had his cousins to offer support throughout that trying time."
The officer exhaled in a quite huff.
"No matter what she had done, I could never smack my Bells. I just couldn't."
"Then you shouldn't, and you don't have to. Just because something works for me, that doesn't mean that it works for everyone. Each child is different. Your daughter is very likely compliant and wouldn't dream of getting herself into trouble. A cross look could be enough to keep her in line. For most children, a sharp tone and some loss of privilege will suffice in keeping them on the straight and narrow." The Cullen patriarch heaved a soft breath. "I'm not condoning violence, nor am I asking that anyone follow my example, Charlie. I just want it understood that, even with my use of corporal punishment, my children are being raised in a caring, supportive environment. No one could love them any more than Esme and me. Yes, my methods of dealing with their bouts of misbehavior are old school. I realize that they don't conform with conventional wisdom, but they work, and my children thrive. You've said it yourself. They're good kids who rarely get into trouble. Shouldn't that be enough for anyone?"
Charlie rubbed the back of his neck as he silently considered the doctor's argument.
"I know abuse. I treat its victims often enough, and have lived it in my own life. I assure you.. No, I'll swear to you, no child in my care will ever become its victim as long as there's life in this body."
"That's something I know for fact. I just hope that Family Services sees it the same way."
"That makes two of us."'
A moment of heavy silence filled the car before Charlie cleared his throat and slapped Carlisle on the shoulder.
"No point in worrying about what we can't do crap about, huh? Let's go have a couple of beers to take the edge off while we wait."
"This isn't necessary. While I appreciate it, there's no need for you to keep me company. I could have gone back to the hospital and caught up on some patient notes that I've been neglecting."
"Nonsense. You work too hard as it is. You need to learn to relax. Keep working like that, and before you know it, life will have passed you by. You'll be nothing but an old man regretting that you didn't live it up when you had the chance. Hell, they even have live music tonight. If I get enough to drink, I might join in and sing you a tune."
"As tempting as that sounds, I don't think this is the best time for me to be drinking."
"Carlisle, I'm not suggesting that you get shitfaced. Just have a brew or two to help relax. Look, I can't think of a better time to have a drink. With all this crap, you deserve it, and there's not a soul who would blame you for a second."
Getting out of the cruiser, the elder took notice of the Irish surname on the sign above the door and subconsciously smiled in response to the music wafting out into the still night air. Just looking at it, the bar felt familiar and gave Carlisle a feeling of comfort and home.
"I didn't know this place was out here," he remarked.
"One of our hidden treasures. It's something of a cop hangout now. Some of the boys like to imagine that they're in Chicago or New York working some dangerous beat while the mob breathes down your neck. Apparently the Irish element makes them feel more authentic, even though not a single one has a drop of Irish blood," Charlie replied with a shrug. "All I know is the beer is cheap, they have the Mariners game on the TV, and when you're in the mood, the music is decent."
"So it seems."
As the door opened, the vampire was overwhelmed by the scents of stale beer, sweat, musk, and blood. There was a lingering odor of wet dog that very clearly announced this place as a Quileute hangout, but none appeared to be in residence this evening. Carlisle sighed to himself in relief. While the bar wasn't within the boundaries of the pack's territory, it was close enough to become problematic should his presence be detected.
"Hey, Mac. Set me up with a draft, will ya? And put whatever my friend is having on my tab," Charlie announced while pulling his wallet from his back pocket.
"Oh, no, Charlie. Please allow me to pay. It's the least I can do."
"Have it your way, Doc," the officer said with a shrug and a tilt of the head. "But the next round's on me."
"What are ya havin'?" the bartender asked while sizing up the out of place blond.
"Pint of stout."
"Guinness okay?"
"Perfect."
Carlisle stared at the swirling black liquid in the hazy glass. He could almost taste the bitterness already, and felt his stomach lurch. At least it was liquid, making it much easier on his system than that sandwich Gloria has forced upon him, but it would still be unpleasant.
Glancing around the bar, he watched the humans celebrate their team's home run with a swig while others appeared to be drowning their sorrows. In the corner a small group had gathered around a pool table and money was being tossed around, while on the opposite side of the room a Ceilidh band played a medley of jigs and reels. The patriarch's memory was taken back over the centuries and suddenly he was home.
"You better drink that before it gets hot."
"What? Oh, right."
Steeling his nerve, Carlisle fought his natural aversion to human food and brought the foam topped glass to his lips. The beer was dark and bitter, reminding him of the ale of his youth. Repulsive, but he could do this. Swallowing hard to down the mouthful, he reminded himself that this common activity for humans would go far in furthering his facade and make him seem 'normal'.
"Hey, Doc?"
"Hm?"
"About your little one? Alice?"
Putting his glass down, the blond gave Charlie his full attention.
"Are you planning to...? You know. Because of the ticket and all."
The officer's anxiety shown brightly in his chocolate eyes as he gazed at Carlisle from over the rim of his glass.
"No," the physician answered with a light smile. "She won't be behind the wheel for a time, but I think that alone should get the point across. Gentle reminders to behave generally work wonders with Alice."
Charlie sighed in relief before draining his beer.
"Good. She's a real sweet kid. It's hard for me to imagine... Well, she's just a good kid so..."
"There's a reason for that," Carlisle said with a smirk while taking another drink. This time the black brew went down smoother and the taste seemed to mellow. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all. He might even be able to have a drink after work every now and then when invited by his coworkers. He liked the idea of being seen as 'one of the crowd', but had always shunned this particular social practice. It made people believe that he thought himself better than them, or brought to mind the possibility that he had a drinking problem.
The physician snorted as he took another drink. If they only knew.
"Oh,I get that. You gotta teach them right, but it's still..." The brunette shook his head, then waved the bartender over for a refill while toying with his empty glass.
"Oh look. The Mariners are ahead." With a nod towards the flat-screen behind the bar, the doctor smoothly changed the subject.
"And it's about damn time. I say they're going to go all the way this year. They had a slow start, but have really been showing a lot of hustle."
Charlie began to chatter away about players and statistics while another beer materialized in Carlisle's hand. Swirling the dark drink, the patriarch reflected on a rare moment in his life where he and his father shared a pleasant evening at a ale house after a successful hunt. Not all of his fragmented memories were painful, but sadly, the bad tended to outweighed the good. It's funny how memories worked, he thought to himself as he sipped his drink. Most were lost through the painful transformation, but those linked to strong emotions tended to cling fiercely to subconscious mind waiting for some external cue that allows them to resurface.
He deeply inhaled the sour stench of the humans that surrounded him and felt the draw of the salty sweetness that flowed through their veins. The normal prickling in his throat seemed to worsen and begin to burn in a way it hadn't done in over a century. Carlisle ordered another drink and downed it in a single long draw in an attempt to quell the smoldering fire.
Venom flooded his mouth, but he swallowed it back and chased it with more bitter beer as his throat continued to ache. A low growled rolled from his chest, but, thankfully, it was drowned out by the brisk music and shouts of the sports fans. What was happening to him? He hadn't felt the call of human blood this strongly in ages. He tried to hold his breath, but a dizzying nauseousness set in, forcing him to take in slow lungfuls of air to help control it.
Carlisle knew that he had to get out of the bar. He needed fresh air and distance if he was to keep the precarious hold he held over his self control.
"Charlie, I think I need to step outside for a few minutes. The heat in here is starting to make me feel a little woozy."
"Yeah, you're not looking too good. Need a hand?"
"No. No, I'll be alright. Some fresh air and I'll be fine."
Standing, the doctor felt the world lurch beneath his feet as the alcoholic effect sent his world out of focus.
"Fuck," he muttered to himself as he took a stumbling step forward only to stagger two back.
"Hold on there, Doc," Charlie called while jumping to his feet. Grasping the man's elbow, he steered him towards the bar stool and eased him back down. "I think you need to sit and sober up. Maybe have some coffee." He gestured to the bartender. "Mac, I need a cup of black, leaded down here. Pronto." Turning back to the groaning doctor, he asked, "How many of those pints did you have?"
"Apparently one too many," Carlisle replied as he rubbed his forehead to drive away the phantom pain in his head while his throat blazed. "I haven't had alcohol in a very long time. I'm afraid I'm off my game."
"With the stress you've been under, that doesn't surprise me. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here, but decompressing seemed like a good idea at the time."
"It's not your fault. I should have known..."
The good doctor froze and fell silent as a familiar scent reached him seconds before a distinctive voice belted out the words of the rebel song that the band played.
"Curse and swear, Lord Kildare,
Fiach will do what Fiach will dare
Now Fitzwilliam have a care,
Fallen is your star low.
Up with halbert, out with sword,
on we go for, by the Lord,
Fiach McHugh has given the word
'Follow me up to Carlow!'"
Carlisle shook his head in an attempt to clear the fog as he trained his focus on an impossible thought. I can't be. He pondered for a moment more before a hand landed heavily upon his shoulder and the song reverberated near his ear.
"Rooster of a fighting stock,
Would you let a Saxon cock
Crow upon an Irish Rock?
Fly up and teach him manners."
"Garrett?" The blond blinked back the haze and focused on the dark form leaning over him.
"Long time, no see, my pacifistic brother." Humor glittered in the stranger's dark eyes. They looked brown in the dimly lit bar, but Carlisle knew better.
"What are you doing here?"
"Just passing through and thought I would stop to say hello to an old friend."
"Garrett, you shouldn't be..."
"Drinking?" the man suggested with a raised brow. "Don't worry. I'm sticking to the light stuff, but it looks like you've gotten carried away. Need a bit of a pick me up, Carlisle? Here. Have a swig of this. Hair of the dog, you know."
The tall slender man produced a hip flask from an inside pocket of his worn full length coat.
"No, but thank you just the same." Carlisle raised a hand as he firmly locked gazes with Garrett.
"Hair of the dog, Carlisle. Believe me. It will perk you back up before you know it.."
"I don't know," Charlie butted in. "I think the Doc has had enough for one night, and needs to just sleep it off. If you don't mind me asking, who are you, anyway?"
"Oh, Charlie, I apologize. How rude of me. This is Garrett. He's a very old and dear friend." Taking the flash, the doctor uncapped it and took a sniff. The scent of blood mingled with whiskey caused his mouth to water. Giving the man a nod of thanks, Carlisle took a tentative sip before quickly draining the metal bottle. The whiskey rushed to his head, but the blood cooled his throat and allowed him to regain a bit of focus. "Garrett, this is Charlie Swan. He's the Chief of Police here in Forks."
"Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Swan." The rebel took Charlie's hand and gave it a firm shake before the human retracted it from the cold embrace.
"Temperature outside must be dropping."
"Maybe a bit. All I need is a glass or two of good bourbon to warm me up," Garrett countered with a brilliant smile. "I tend to have cold hands, but a very warm heart."
"Uh huh." Swan eyed the stranger up and down. There was something about him that just didn't seem right, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"You really should have let me know you were coming," Carlisle said in a mild slur as the alcohol went to work. "We could have made some sort of arrangements."
"I won't be here that long. Heading into Canada for a little hunting trip. Looking to escape the summer heat down in the Big Easy."
The physician gave a nearly imperceptible nod and breathed a sigh of relief. Garrett would be hunting well beyond the boundaries of Forks and the Reservation. The last thing Carlisle needed right now was questionable deaths in the area, or trouble with the wolves, and his friend could bring both of those possibilities to life.
Please let things be going alright back home, and just get us through this mess unscathed.
"Hey, barkeep! A round of whiskey for the house!" Garrett slapped some cash on the bar as cheers erupted from the crowd. "And don't worry, Carlisle. I have some more of that vinegar you prefer," he remarked while patting his pocket, and offering a cheeky grin.
As the glasses were lined up, the stranger grabbed one and tinted it with the elixir from the bottle in his pocket before handing it to the doctor.
Lifting his own glass, he held it aloft. "So what shall we drink to?"
"Old friends, and a quiet night," Carlisle replied.
"A quiet night? God's blood, Carlisle. You're starting to show your age," Garrett quipped before yelling out to the entire bar. "Here's to a love that's a thousand miles long, but comes in six inch installments."
Turning back to Carlisle and Charlie, he clinked his glass against theirs and smiled before downed the golden liquor in a single gulp.
"Drink up, Carlisle. The night's still young."
We're all going to hell, the patriarch thought, before emptying his glass while the bar erupted once more in drunken delight as the Mariners won the game.
"Look! More reason to celebrate. Barkeep! Set them up again!"
Move over, Lucifer, and make some room. It's about to get really crowded.
AN: So how drunk do y'all think I should allow Carlisle to get? Garrett does have some more blood on him, so we can make getting drunk a much better experience for the good doctor, not that I expect the night to get any better.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, guys. Your support is amazing. Love all of you.