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

Warning: Discipline Discussion

Point of View: Carlisle

A/N: The Chapter is in Carlisle's POV.

CLC III - Carlisle and Esme

Saturday, October 20, 2012

I was extremely filthy after the fight, and needed a quick shower and change of clothing. I did so with my vampire abilities. My patients were out of their beds and in the yard to watch the battle. I feared they further injured themselves, and unfortunately that assumption proved correct. I needed to check on them, but I also had to speak with my son. Without hesitation, I made my way to the medical clinic, as the patients could not wait. Sam, Billy, Sue, and the rest of Jake's pack assembled at the clinic. We had a lengthy conversation, and I desperately hoped this fight did not alter their wish to live with us. Unfortunately, that was a possibility.

Right now, my focus was on my wife, as Esme summoned me to her. I glanced up at the ceiling, and wondered about Jasper. Cautiously I entered the kitchen, and approached my mate. I was somewhat worried that she would reject my company, due to my earlier act of cruelty. I am sure Jake thought I feared a chastisement, but the thought of losing her trust was much worse. She was busy tossing broken dishes into black garbage bags. "Esme," I gently called to her. She looked up at me and enquired, "What is the rule in this house when it comes to destruction and repairs?"

I took in a deep breath as I looked at the horrendous mess and sighed. I glanced at my wife and enquired, "Esme, can we hold off on this until after my talk with Jasper? He is waiting in my study." I took a step back as she shook her head in response. It was a mess, and she was right, as it could not wait. The paint and plaster would have to dry before our visitors arrived. Helpfully I motioned to the stairs and suggested, "I will retrieve Jasper to aid with this."

"He is fine where he is Carlisle, this will not take you long," Esme stated sadly, as she pointed at the wall. "Please start demolishing that section that I marked for removal, and then we can pick up the materials we need in town." I glanced at my wife worriedly, as she seemed upset. I have very seldom seen her so emotionally withdrawn, and I hoped to earn her forgiveness. She wanted me alone to clean this mess, so is this her way of laying all the responsibility on my head? Am I the one she blames, and if so can she forgive me?

Esme rose from the shattered cupboard and approached me. She embraced me in a way that usually indicated her need for comfort. Instinctively I pulled her into a protective embrace, and held her close. Esme whispered for my ears only, "I am not ready to see him. Please Carlisle, you, and I can do this. I do not yet trust myself around him. He is better off in your study."

I gently stroked the back of her head with one hand, and offered her a gentle kiss on the cheek. She did not pull from my embrace, and I had no wish for her to do so. Quietly I whispered, "I thought you were angry with me." Her arms tightened desperately around me, as venom tears leaked from her eyes. Shaking her head, she nuzzled into my chest.

She sniffed and quietly mentioned, "Carlisle, he tried to kill you." Esme's tears became much more prominent, and her embrace began to feel like one of Emmett's. I ceased my gentle administrations of comfort, and returned both arms to wrap around my wife protectively. She sniffled quietly and added, "After everything we have done for him, he deliberately, intentionally, and willfully tried to destroy you. He tried to kill my mate! Carlisle, I am livid, but it is not because of you."

Esme slightly pulled away to look me in the eye as she shamefully admitted for my ears only, "Carlisle, you gave him more mercy than he deserved. I feel so guilty, because for a moment there I wanted you to kill him. I am so relieved that your compassion compelled you to do otherwise. I did not like how you tortured him, but I understand why you did it. I do not find fault in you, or your methods. Failure to kill him sent a bad message to our coven, and they had to understand that there are consequences. The Coven Leader's torture was intensely cruel, but it was something you had to do. I am mad at myself for those few seconds where I wished for his death, and I am furious at him for wanting yours."

I gently cupped the back of her head with the palms of my hands, and leaned into her kiss. We suckled each other's lips, as my hands moved down her back for a passionate embrace. Ever so quietly, I mentioned, "Esme, I too felt as you did. Please do not feel such guilt, as there were moments where I did wish his death. It was not until after I became the victor that I thought otherwise." I gently pulled back and brushed at her tears with my fingers. I enquired, "Do you think I would have allowed any of my children to live if they tried that with you? Esme, I am proud of the way you handled yourself. You have nothing to feel guilty about."

Esme cried into my shoulder, as I continued to offer her reassurances in my protective embrace. Edward came into the kitchen, but he stopped when he noticed our comforting of each other. He smiled supportively at us and enquired if we needed anything. I kept my voice low, to sooth my wife as I stated, "Edward, our wolf patients were among those observing the fight this morning, and they reinjured themselves. Jacob concerns me, as I believe he could have aggravated his surgery and may have internal bleeding. I would like chest x-rays taken of him to see if this is the case." I motioned to the mess and enquired, "Would you mind looking after things at the clinic today, as this might take me a while to repair."

Edward snickered as he glanced at the demolished cupboards, and then at the tunnel in the wall. He turned to me and cheekily mentioned, "I thought you would have us cleaning this up." He glanced at Esme, and sobered immediately, as he no doubt picked up her thoughts. Quietly he mentioned, "I understand Dad, and I suspect you want Bella in the clinic also?" I nodded my head, and thought of Jacob and his earlier teasing. I smirked at my son as his eyes widened and he chuckled, "are you serious, he thinks Esme will punish you?" I rolled my eyes at him and saw a gleam of mischief in his, as he quickly made his way to the clinic. I had my suspicions.

I released a light sigh, although I found amusement in my son's reaction. Esme sniffed, and murmured into my shoulder, "How could he think that? Carlisle, did you give him any reason to suspect that I was going to punish you?" She pulled back slightly to look at me with her tear-stained eyes. She brushed at her cheek while waiting for my reply.

My hand moved to her hair, and gently swept it away from her face. I smiled somewhat guiltily at her while admitting very quietly for her ears only, "I was at an impromptu meeting when you called, and I was afraid you would never forgive me. I attempted to hide my thoughts, but I acted somewhat like the children do when they mess up, and you make them wait to speak with me. I was somewhat anxious, and maybe concerned. Jacob picked up on that, and he became very curious."

Esme chuckled as she shook her head. With a glance at me she quietly enquired, "What goes through that boy's head? It makes me wonder what type of relationship he plans to have with Renesmee." She looked somewhat worried as she stared at me. She nibbled her lower lip in contemplation.

I had no real idea of where her thoughts took her, but I realized that I needed to ease her concerns. I would likely have blushed if human, but I cleared my voice and lightly whispered into her ear, "Esme, he and I spoke in New York about leadership, and accountability. I told him of my mate cha... no... You are right. I told him of my mate spanking me, and he was rather amused. Billy and Sue brought up my fight with Jasper at the meeting, and mentioned just enough information for Jake to connect the two conversations. He became very eager at that point, and I suspect he is waiting to see if you intended to spank me."

Esme's lips curled upwards as she scoffed, "Carlisle, you cannot be serious." I pressed my lips together in mock bashfulness as she threw her head back in laughter. She lowered her voice for my ears alone as she laughingly accused, "and I suppose you did nothing to dissuade his thoughts?" I looked up at the ceiling as I feigned a look of innocence, and received a playful swat on my chest. "Carlisle," she said in mock disapproval, "you are worse than the children." She gently moved from my grasp and motioned to the mess as she stated, "I made a list of the things we need, and we can pick them up in town. I sent Emmett and Rose to Seattle for the specialized glass we use in the windows." She offered me a teasing grin as she added, "I think Eleazar would love your designer boxers, but I suspect you would prefer to stop while we are in town and pick up some new ones."

I gave my wife a firm nod in confirmation at her assumption, as she turned and laughed at me. I smirked at her, and it pleased me to see her looking happier than before. Then she turned mean. Esme looked at me coyly, and glanced at my pants as she suggested, "Carlisle, you really do not have any spare pants at the moment. Unlike humans, we have no need to worry about physical damage to ourselves from construction materials. Your boxers are modest enough to wear anywhere, as they look like swimming trunks. Remove your pants, and you can work in the shorts just as easily."

"I think not," was my immediate response. I gasped at the very idea of such a thing, and just imagined myself walking around the house with that big smiling face and tongue poking out at my family. I shook my head in horror and further amused my wife. "We have work to do," I quickly suggested, and took off to start demolishing the area around the tunnel that Esme wished removed." Her laughter echoed through to the other side. Wolves stared at me curiously, as I apologized, "I am sorry for the interruption and disturbance. Esme and I are about to repair the damages to this wall." Thankfully, my wife and I whispered most of our conversation, but not all of it.

That is when I noticed Sam, as he sat back with his arm around Emily. He smirked up at me and curiously stated, "I imagine your boxers are rather graphic. Let me guess, it was something your wife picked up, because she thought they were cute?" I smirked bashfully at the alpha to the delight of the younger wolves. Sam chuckled lightly and stated, "Carlisle, you are not alone. Don't worry about the noise, and do what you need." Emily offered her mate a grin at his comment. I smiled at the playful pair, and with a nod of my head, I walked back through the tunnel.

Esme looked at me as I returned and offered an apologetic smile, before she broke out into a fit of giggles. "I decided to start on this side," I mentioned with a grin at my wife. My embarrassment over the boxers was well worth the happiness it provided Esme. This did not mean I intended to wear them around the house. That is a firm, solid, and definite no.

We hardly started on the demolition when I heard Edward's voice filter up through the clinic. "I would never use my gift like that, but I can tell you from what I saw that something is brewing."

A little intimacy, perhaps, but nothing like what Jake was thinking. Edward is having too much fun. Esme pressed her lips together in amusement as I rolled my eyes. I quietly mouthed, "That boy." I slightly raised my voice and enquired of my son, "Edward, you do realize that the sound barriers are now breached?"

Edward responded by calling out, "Dad, man. That is rough. Can't tell you what I know, but when mom finishes with ..." My eyes widened at hearing that, and a glance at my wife told me she was no help. She leaned over the island with her elbows supporting her upper body, as she tried to restrain her laughter. I rolled my eyes at her and decided to pay my son a visit.

My abrupt arrival caused the miscreants to laugh all the louder, and Edward even bent over much like his Mother. The temptation to whack his backside was almost too much, but I restrained myself as I rolled my eyes instead. He then spoke quietly so Esme could not hear, "honestly dad, I have no idea. Mom doesn't even know."

I placed a hand firmly on my son's shoulders and mentally scolded him, 'Edward, you are only setting Jake up for disappointment.' The boys were having entirely too much fun, and then I heard my wife calling for me. I smirked at my son, and returned to Esme so we could complete our project. I would hate to run out of time and forego the opportunity to pick up new boxers.

I glanced at Esme as we heard Edward's voice filter up to us, and this time he gave Jacob marital advice on the hardships women cause their husbands. Esme smirked at me and mentioned, "I see that Bella has not yet arrived with their breakfast." I grinned at my wife in amusement, and she shook her head saying, "and men wonder why they are always in trouble."

I laughed lightly, and Esme and I quickly returned to work. We did what we could at vampire speed, and within an hour, we removed the excess wall, the broken glass from around the windows, and cleaned out the mess. We filled the bin with our rubbish, and I called to alert the waste management company of a required pickup. Esme came out with her list and mentioned, "I need to rent one of their delivery trucks, so we can stop at the mall on the way to the building supplies store."

I nodded my head in understanding, and started walking back to the house when she gently grabbed at my arm. She motioned to the garage, and I shook my head as I glanced down at myself. "Esme, I am much too filthy for people to see me like this. I need a shower and a clean change of clothes."

Esme smirked at me and mentioned, "Carlisle, just brush yourself off. People can see that you are working, and they will not think poorly of you." I gawked at her suggestion, and heard her giggle as I jumped to our third floor balcony outside our bedroom. My wife soon joined me, and together we showered. We stayed under the running water as our hands danced seductively over one another. It took very little time for the innocent ritual of bathing to become one of mating. We shared a wonderful session of passion, and our rumbling growls of appreciation echoed loudly inside the bathroom. Esme grinned at me and admitted with a whisper, "I suspect Jacob's earlier confusion is no more."

Esme earned a wolfish smile as I cheekily admitted, "either that, or he thinks we are kinky." She snickered at my suggestion, and we dried ourselves off before going into the dressing room. The boxers in here were worse than the ones in the bathroom.

I turned to retrieve them when Esme picked up the black pair with the glossy lip pattern splashed all over the material. The front had large red writing that said 'Kissable.' Esme handed them to me and said, "Just wear them Carlisle, we are in a hurry. The white chalky dust from our clothes now covers the ones you earlier wore. These are fine."

I huffed indignantly as I accepted the horrid boxers and put them on. To my horror, I had only a pair of light pants left in my closet. I closed that cupboard, and pulled out a dark suit from the other. Esme glanced at me with an amused smile and stated, "I will add pants to our shopping list." I smirked at my wife, and adjusted my tie as we headed out of our suite. I glanced at the study and motioned to the door. Esme nodded her head, but did not stay as she mentioned, "We are in a hurry Carlisle, but I will meet you in the clinic. I want to check on my fur babies." I smirked at my wife's words, and realized that was something I looked forward to hearing her say around Jake.

I entered the study and watched as Alice and Jasper quickly rose, and addressed me with bowed heads. Curiously, I stared at my children, and then I recalled which persona sent Jasper to my study. Lowering my voice, I entered the role of Coven Leader. I enunciated clearly, "Jasper, I have completed your physical punishment."

I waited a moment, as I watched both of them sigh in relief. Jasper nodded his head gratefully at me, but knew not to speak. I clasped my hands before me while keeping them closer to the level of my chest, "Jasper, you are mine. I demand your complete loyalty at all times, and I will closely monitor your behavior. You alone swore to me, and I expect more from you than I do the other members of my coven. Your oath is to me, the Coven Leader. You swore no allegiance to your Father. Do you understand what I have just told you?" He nodded his head quietly. "Good," I stated, "In your own words, explain to me what I have just said."

Jasper continued to look at my feet as he mentioned, "Master, I owe you my allegiance, and my loyalty. Your wishes for the coven are my commands. I swore to you alone, and not my father. I am to obey him, but ... Master I do not understand." Jasper admitted the last bit a little sheepishly.

I continued to explain while staying in the persona of the coven leader, "Jasper, what you do physically to your father will affect me. I demand that you never attempt to injure him, as you so grievously tried earlier. I will punish you most severely if you physically confront either he or his mate." Jasper nodded his head in understanding and I continued, "Jasper, when you disobey me I will deal with you. Disobedience to your father is something the two of you will settle. You did not swear to him, and as such, the oath does not apply. Your acts of disobedience against your father's rules do not count as betrayal to me. This does not mean I approve of your disobedience to him, but that is a matter for you and he to discuss. If you understand what I have said, then repeat in your own words."

Jasper swallowed as he mentioned, "Master, anything I do to him or his mate will affect you. I am never to harm them." I nodded my head in agreement, although it was a disquieting thought that he considered such a thing as a permissible action before the oath. He continued speaking, "I swore to you alone, and I will face stricter and harsher punishments from you when I betray your trust. I am to act on your behalf. When I break one of the rules my father establishes for his family, then he punishes me. My oath was not to him, so my errors are no larger than those of my siblings." Jasper glanced up at me questioningly, "if I scuffled with one of my brothers, then he will deal with us the same?"

I nodded my head firmly to him as I continued speaking with a deep tone, "yes, as that is a rule your father can handle. The rules I will deal with are more to do with the laws of vampiric society. You breach or come near to violating any of those, and I will harshly apply my strap to your backside." I paused, and then stated. "You will stay in your quarters. Your father wishes to speak with you, but I do not know his availability. You will not leave your room until after your discussion. This may take days." I waited for his nod of understanding before commanding, "Go to your quarters." I opened the door, and watched as Jasper bowed to me. Alice dipped her head in respect, and the two briskly left the study. The door to their room closed moments later.

I gladly shed the mantel of coven leader, and walked downstairs to the medical clinic. I stopped at the entrance to the ward, and had to smile as I realized my wife brought a large plate filled with cookies and sugary snacks. I smirked at her, and glanced at Renesmee as she playfully held out a cookie to Jake. I glanced at Edward who glared at the young wolf. Mentally I chastised him, "Edward, I have no time to deal with this foolishness today. I still owe you a spanking, so do not add to it by attacking one of our patients.'

Edward swallowed and snapped his attention to me. He gazed into my eyes, and slowly nodded his head in understanding. I offered him a smile, and noticed how he deliberately did not look at Jake. I approached Bella and whispered for her ears alone, "Edward fails to have the emotional maturity to deal with the evolving relationship between Jake and his daughter. I hope this soon changes, but you may need to send Renesmee away to avoid a conflict while Esme and I are out."

Bella glanced at Edward, who knew exactly what I said as he read it from my mind. I noticed he did not look at me. Bella turned to me as she mentioned loudly enough for all to hear, "do not worry Dad; I know how to deal with him." Edward glanced at Bella, and then groaned as Jacob began teasing him about a doghouse.

Esme and I laughed as we headed for our car.