Chapter 37 – Bella's Submission
Carlisle:
It's been a few days since our little music jokes and now it is the weekend again. The children are all still grounded and I am not relinquishing their grounding just yet. At times it gets a little tense with everyone around but all I have to do is walk in the room and whatever was going on, suddenly stops. I was working on papers again in my study when a soft knock rapped against my door. I instantly zeroed in on the scent and realized it was Edward and Bella. Wondering what could warrant a private visit by the two of them to my office made me a little unnerved. Had Bella disobeyed me again, surely this isn't a social call, not in my study. Usually my children avoid my study at all costs especially when I am occupying it.
"Come in, Edward and Bella…to what do I owe this visit?" I asked curiously.
"Nothing's wrong Dad. Bella just wants to talk to you about something," Edward explained.
"Of course. What is it, sweetheart?" I asked Bella. She seemed very nervous and uneasy. Edward said nothing was wrong, and I was hoping he was right. I didn't want to think what Bella could have gotten herself into now. "Please, both of you sit down," I offered motioning to the chairs and giving them my full attention. Bella sat down nervously and still held onto Edward's hand while biting her lip and nervously held back.
"Go ahead, Bella, tell Dad," Edward coaxed.
"Are you in trouble again, young lady?" I asked hoping this would spark her into telling me what was on her mind.
"NO! No Dad, I didn't do anything, honest," Bella replied. She seemed anxious to make it clear to me she was not the problem.
"Bella, what do you want to say?" I asked again.
"Um…I…uh…well I want to…to…uh…" Bella hesitated.
"Bella, just say it sweetie," I coaxed her again.
"Dad…I um…I want to…um…I want to submit to you," Bella said. Having finally said what she wanted, Bella quickly looked at me with a hopeful expression. She seemed ready to jump out of her skin.
"Bella, that makes me very proud to hear that, I usually like all of my newborn children to wait at least a year before submitting to me. You don't have to do it yet. Please feel free to take your time, sweetie," I suggested to her.
"No! No Dad! I want to do it now. It's my decision Dad. I want this and this is not Edward's doing either," Bella stated.
"I told her you usually want us to wait the year out, but she wants to do it now, Dad," Edward answered.
"It's just…why should I wait? You're already my parents; in fact you were before we got married. I answered to you then and that's not changing at all. It just seems natural to call you mom and dad and when I do something wrong, I know who I have to face, man do I know, so why wait?" Bella reasoned.
"Dad, it's not like Bella is going to change her mind. She's going to do it eventually, why not let her do it and get it over with," Edward suggested.
"I just don't like rushing it. We had to rush her transformation because Aro butted in and I would just rather you wait and give it more thought," I replied.
"How much can I think about it? Come on Dad, what is waiting a year going to change?" Bella asked.
I had to admit, I couldn't see a reason to put it off. Bella was already a member of the family and now a vampire. She's my daughter and Edward's wife. She certainly isn't going anywhere, but there's Charlie to consider, no I want her to wait.
"Bella, I just would feel better waiting. You have Charlie to consider also," I added.
"What has Charlie got to do with this? It's not like he knows or could stop me. I thought you wanted me to submit to you as my Coven Leader. I want to feel like I totally belong. I'm part of the Coven already. Please Dad?" Bella said longingly.
"Well, maybe we should think on it tonight before we make any rash decisions," I suggested hoping to gain some time.
"Rash decisions? It's not a rash decision. I already knew I would submit to you before we got married, even before. I always wanted to be a member of the Coven, remember?" Bella said growing angry.
"Watch your tone with me, my little newborn," I warned her.
"You're sure ready to call me on the carpet if I give you even the slightest bit of attitude, but you don't want me to submit to you yet? That doesn't make sense, and if there is one thing about you Dad, you always make sense," Bella bargained. "So what, I'm not good enough for you now? Why don't you give me a test to see if I'm worthy or not, Mr. Coven Leader!" Bella said then stuck her tongue out at me.
"Bella! NO!" Edward cautioned me.
"That's enough of your attitude young lady. Come over here," I called to her.
Bella angrily walked over to me with her arms crossed and with a pout on her face. She stood right in front of me glaring at me now and just daring me to slap her. I opened my desk drawer and pulled out the scotch tape. I pulled a large piece of tape out and tore it off. I then walked toward her with the tape. She opened her eyes in disbelief as I held the tape up in front of her lips.
"Close your lips and roll them inward," I instructed her. She did so and I stuck the tape across her mouth. "Since you can't keep your tongue in your mouth, I will help you by taping it shut. You leave it on until I say you can take it off."
I then sat at my desk and pointed to the floor next to my right side. She moved to where I pointed. "You stand here facing me so I can see that you keep the tape on until I say otherwise," I said to her.
Bella stood there looking at me with a look that now suggested she would show me a thing or two. She smirked at me and forced her tongue between her lips and licked the scotch tape. The venom in her mouth instantly dissolved it. She then threw her head back and goaded me, "Oops, tape came off!"
"Oh no," Edward said glumly putting his hand to his face covering his eyes.
I backed my chair out and tapped my right knee, "over!" I said to Bella. She immediately protested.
"Oh no, not this again," Bella complained. She laid herself over my lap and situated herself and became still.
"Alright missy, 30 minutes over my knee," I sentenced her.
"Aww, come on Dad! You know I hate this, it's stupid and boring," Bella informed me.
"Precisely why it is a great punishment for you. Now you have 45 minutes," I told her.
"Uugghh! This sucks! Sucks big time Carlisle!" Bella yelled to me.
That was enough of her antics. SMACK! I landed 6 hard smacks to her bottom alternating sides. She was kicking her feet and yelping with each one.
"OOWW! OOOWWW! Dad that hurts!" Bella yelped again.
"So, it's 'Dad' now?" I asked landing 2 very hard SMACKS to her backside.
"OOOWW! Ouch! Okay, okay, I learned my lesson! Sorry Dad," Bella apologized.
"This is not the way to convince me to allow you to submit to me, young lady. If anything, it proves my point. Your emotions and hormones are still raging and you are still going through the effects of the transformation. This is why I prefer you wait the year out," I said to her.
"Dad, please! I want to submit to you and be a full member of the Coven. I still feel like I don't quite belong yet, please let me do this. I'm sorry for the way I've acted," Bella asked again.
"All I can promise you is I'll think about it. I let you know my decision in a few days," I informed her.
"Really? Thanks Dad! I'll be on my best behavior," Bella promised.
"Yes, that remains to be seen! By the way, you now bought yourself an entire hour over my knee for your antics! So I suggest you take that time to get yourself under control and straighten up, little lady!" I scolded her.
"Yes, Dad," Bella answered.
"Edward, you need to leave us, Bella's being punished and once again needs to learn another lesson," I said to him.
"Okay, sorry about this, Dad," Edward said.
"No problem, son. Like I've said, I've been down this road before," I said grinning at him.
"Yeah, I remember my first year and then Mom, Rosalie and Emmett. Bella, my love, between the four of us, none of us ever got the better of Dad throughout our first year. Believe me, Emmett really pushed it with Dad, but Dad gave him a hand and explained to him the error of his ways, literally with his hand if you know what I mean. See you in an hour," Edward said shaking his head as he left.
"You might want to take your mate's advice and make it easy on yourself. You'll find yourself in this position every time if you keep defying me Bella," I said to her.
"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry. It's harder for me to control my rebellious streak since the transformation, it seems to just take over and I can't stop it," Bella explained.
"It's the transformation process, it takes a while for your system to get back to normal and settle down. Like I told you, your emotions and hormones are all over the place during this time. You just have to give it time. I suggest you try to remember that to save yourself this added embarrassment." I said trying to persuade her.
"Do I really have to stay here an hour?" Bella asked.
"Yes, young lady, you do! A punishment is a punishment and you once again earned this. Make yourself comfortable, we have an hour to spend together, though I would have preferred a different seating arrangement," I said lightly swatting her.
"How about I get up and we can make that happen?" Bella giggled acting like she was getting up.
"NO, you don't, plant yourself right back down there. I've been around long enough to know all the tricks!" I said to her.
"Gee-zer!" Emmett yelled out.
"Emmett Cullen, you will back my car out and wash it inside and out, young man, get to it!" I ordered.
"Aww Pops!" Emmett complained trudging down the steps.
Jake, Leah, Seth and Rosalie were outside already. They laughed when they heard about Emmett's blunder. Edward, Alice and Jasper joined them.
"Man, how long is the grounding going to be. I'm so bored, I'm even considering phasing into a wolf and letting Rose Hips brush my beautiful fur and mane," Jake said teasing Rosalie.
"You don't have a mane you lion wannabe!" Rosalie taunted. "More like dryer lint!"
"Yeah, you wish your hair was as luxurious as mine," Jake said laughing.
"Hey, here comes Mom. Looks like she wants us," Seth said seeing Esme coming out the door toward them.
"Aw man, now we'll have to do more chores. We should have made a break while we had the chance," Jake said.
"I heard that Jacob! You're still grounded so that means you are at my disposal. Rose and Alice, I want the windows in the house cleaned inside and out. Jake and Jasper, mow the lawn. Seth and Edward, you do the raking. When Emmett is finished, he will help also. Leah, the floors need to be swept and the carpets vacuumed. Where's Bella?" Esme asked.
"Over dad's knee for an hour," Edward answered.
"Oh dear, she got in trouble again?" Esme asked.
"Yep, she stuck her tongue out and pushed the limits again, so dad has her over his knee for an hour. She hates that," Edward said.
"The rest of you get busy and I'm going to inspect the work." Esme ordered.
"I hate mowing the grass. Why don't we buy a bunch of goats and they can keep the grass mowed for us. They eat anything," Jake suggested to Jasper.
"That wouldn't work. The goats wouldn't last long!" Jasper said smirking
"Why not?" Jake asked.
"That would be like kids going to candy store for us. Goat s'mores!" Jasper said licking his lips.
"Ugh! Now I can never eat s'mores again…thanks a lot Jasper!" Jake said with disgust.
A week later:
Carlisle:
After careful consideration, I decided to allow Bella to submit to me. It makes sense, she isn't going anywhere and she is my daughter and part of the family already. Even my wolf children have submitted to me through Jacob. I can understand her wanting to feel like she truly belongs. It's not that I didn't want her to submit, I just didn't want her to do it, just because she knew she would have to eventually. There is a lot to consider in submitting to the Coven Leader and I don't want Bella to take this step lightly. I will call her in to talk it over with her and explain what exactly it entails. This way, the Coven is complete with Bella and she will feel like a full member of the family and Coven. I can't say that without smiling. With Bella's submission, my family and Coven is now what I always wanted it to be, my family, full and whole, based on love and respect for all of us. My wish is finally being granted and I now feel content, fulfilled and extremely grateful for this incredible gift. When I was first turned, I could only see death for myself, but now I see life…and for the first time…love, contentment and unimaginable joy…
I heard a knock at my door and knew that Edward had heard my silent request to bring Bella to my study. I took an unneeded deep breath and told them to come in. Edward opened the door and allowed Bella to enter. She had a hopeful look on her face as she silently stood in front of my desk waiting for me to say the words she wanted to hear.
"Bella, I've thought this over thoroughly and I've decided that if you wish to still submit to me as your Coven Leader, I would most honorably accept it," I informed her. Bella's face lit up as she let out a squeal of happiness and ran over to me, flung her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly.
"Thank you, Dad! I'm so happy, when can I do it?" She asked pulling back and looking into my proud face.
"Anytime you wish," I announced to her. "However, I want to talk to you first about what this will mean for you."
"Okay, can we talk now?" Bella asked.
"Yes, have a seat. Edward you are welcome to stay if it is alright with Bella," I said to him.
"He can stay, Dad!" Bella said excitedly as she sat down in the chair in front of my desk and grabbed onto Edward's arm pulling him down into the chair next to her. "Come on Edward, sit down!"
"Bella, as you know, as vampires we are known as the Olympic Coven since we live in the Olympic, Washington area. I am the leader of the Coven since it began with me when I turned Edward, then Esme and down the line. Being the Coven Leader means I make the rules and they are to be obeyed without question and I set the tone of the family as in how we live, as vegetarian vampires. If you are a member of my Coven, you must follow the rules and live as we do. We only drink animal blood, never a human. Sometimes an incident might occur with one of us maybe losing control and an accident happens. You will not be cast out because everyone makes mistakes. We have been down that road before. I would never do that to anyone in my family. There is always forgiveness waiting. Just come to me and let me know and we will deal with it. Make sure you come to me for anything you are unsure of." I explained to her.
"Yes, you need to tell us if anything ever happens that you cannot control. Don't be afraid to tell dad or me, we need to know so that we can protect everyone in the family. Sometimes we need to move and start over, but it will turn out alright," Edward added.
"Yes, I heard about some of the times you had to move. I'll try my best to obey the rules, dad," Bella said.
"I'm glad to hear that sweetheart. Another thing, once you submit to me as your Coven Leader, that is it. That lasts forever, you cannot leave the Coven without my permission and you can never break the bond between us. You will submit to my authority and abide by my rules without questions. In other Covens, if you break the rules, you are severely punished. Arms and limbs are usually torn off for a while then reattached. It is a very painful process and one that sickens me. I treat my Coven as my family. Even though I am the Coven Leader, in my mind, the Coven Leader and my role as your father and patriarch of the family are one and the same. The Coven Leader has to be in place because of the Volturi. They insist on it. I am also over all the Covens in this country. I can override the Coven Leaders if I feel it necessary. This has been set up to satisfy the Volturi also. So the same rules apply with the Coven as with our family, Bella. Break the rules and you answer to me and you will suffer the consequences as you well know," I explained further.
"What do I have to do to submit to you?" Bella asked curiously.
"Basically you have to kneel before me and submit yourself to my authority. I have something I have everyone say as they kneel before me. I'd rather not require my family to do this, but with Aro looking over everyone's shoulders, why take the risk. One thing you do need to know, if ever you do anything that would require me to act as the Coven Leader and make you submit to me, you will do it at once and drop to your knees and kneel before me and also bend forward and bow your head on the ground and you will stay in that position until I give you permission to get up. The Volturi also requires this act of submission. If I give that order to submit, you better do it right away and not give me any backtalk. You've seen Jake and Seth do this in wolf form, but if they were in human form, they would have to do it this way also. That 'submit' order is law and it is to be obeyed immediately and you will honor this requirement or you will be punished. Understood young lady?" I asked.
"Y-yes sir. That's a little scary, I-I hope that never happens," Bella said a little unnerved.
"So do I, but if it needs to happen, I assure you, it will," I informed her.
"Yikes, my butt is tingling just thinking of it," Bella said timidly. "I bet that would be a strapping if the submit order was ignored."
"Yes it would! Bella, don't you ever make me give that order to you and if I have to, you better submit to me or you and the strap will become very well acquainted, young lady," I said to her with a stern look.
"So when can we do this?" Bella asked.
"I would like for you to take a week and think over all what we have just discussed and give yourself some time to mull it all over. After that we can decide when you want to do it," I suggested to her. "Whenever you are ready, just let me know."
"Okay, how about right now?" Bella asked with eagerness.
"Now? What about taking some time to think it all over?" I asked her.
"What's there to think over? I'm not going to change my mind and I'm not going anywhere, why waste all this time just for me to say I thought about it and I still want to go through with it? You know what my answer is going to be, so let's stop fooling around and wasting time and get it over with," Bella replied.
"You watch your tone with me young lady or you will be submitting to me with a sore bottom," I warned her.
"Pffft, that's nothing new! Come on dad, I'm tired of messing around with this. I want to submit to you and be a full member of the coven and I'm tired of waiting around for it to happen. I don't need to think about it, next you'll be having me write an essay on: 'What it means to join the Cullen Coven.' Don't even think about it, father dear, because I'm not writing it!" Bella said quickly realizing it could happen.
"That's such a great idea…" I said acting like I was in deep thought.
"NO! I'm not writing the stupid thing! Get off your high horse dad and let me do this. You're wasting enough of my time with your hee-hawing around," Bella said sarcastically to me.
"Isabella Marie…" I said through my teeth and taking a step toward her.
"No…wait Dad…I-I'm sorry…it's my transformation hormones kicking in again…please, I-I didn't mean it…I-I just want this so bad, Dad! I've wanted all of this ever since meeting Edward. I finally found where I belong, here with all of you. I have a family now and I love it and I never want to give it up. I've thought of you as my father practically since first meeting you. I love Charlie and Renee, but they never have been parents to me. You have, you and Mom both have. When I think of my parents, I think you of you and Mom first and then I almost have to remember about Charlie and Renee. See Dad, I don't have to think about what I'm going to do, I've already done it and I want it official. So please, don't make me wait anymore. I want this so bad I can taste it. I'd submit to you a thousand times over without blinking an eye because I know it's right and I already think of you as my father and all I need to do to have everything I've always wanted, is to submit to my Coven Leader and father officially. Please!" Bella said in all sincerity.
"Bella, that was from your heart. Thank you. I hope you know I feel the same way about you. From the moment I met you in the hospital that first time, I knew you would be my daughter and part of my family. So yes Bella, I would be honored to have you submit to me as your coven leader," I said to her.
I opened my arms and she smiled and ran into them. I enveloped her in a loving embrace and held her tight. I drew her in closer and tighter and whispered in her ear, "Thank you Bella!" I then kissed her forehead and looked at Edward. He smiled and looked proudly on the scene in front of him. "This is what I wanted to hear. You're submitting to me from the heart, not because you have to. You may submit to me whenever you like," I said to her.
Drawing back from me she happily looked up at me. "You mean like, now?"
"If you want," I said.
"Tell me what I have to do," she said anxiously.
"First you have to kneel in front of me and tell me in your own words you submit to me as your Coven Leader and that you will obey me without question," I instructed her. "This is the method I've used since Edward. I would rather you just use it as a guide and put it in your own words."
Bella knelt down in front of me with Edward standing a little behind her. She read over the words on the sheet of paper I handed her and I could tell she was rehearsing it in her own words in her head. I waited until she looked up.
"Ready?" I asked. She shook her head yes. "Then let's proceed."
"Dad, I submit to you and accept you as my Coven Leader. I will obey you and do as you say, without question. I will live as a vegetarian vampire and never drink from a human or take a human life. I will follow the rules you set out for our family and protect the members of this family by never revealing that we are vampires to any humans and stay out of the sunlight when in the presence of humans and do my best not to bring suspicion or do anything foolish to endanger the secrets and safety of our family. I will do this to the best of my ability and inform you immediately if something goes wrong or if I err in judgment. I fully accept your authority over me and I will accept any punishment you deem necessary when I disobey or break any of the rules. I do this freely and willingly, so help me, God. Please accept me as a member of your Coven."
"Bow down to me, Bella and fully submit to me," I said with authority.
"I submit to you, Dad!"
I stood there making her stay in that position for a minute or two before walking forward to right in front of her. Looking down at her with pride and love, I raised my hand above her and brought it down delivering two hard SMACKS to her backside.
"OOOWW! OOOWWW!" Bella yelped.
"One was for smarting off to me earlier and the other was to remind you that this life is not always easy and there will be hardships and you will make mistakes and have to accept punishment when you do. You are now a member of my Coven and my bond with you cannot be broken. I will love and protect you as my daughter as long as I exist. That is my commitment to you." I promised her. "You may get up, now Bella, my daughter."
Bella got up and looked at me and smiled. She then did the same to Edward. "Is that it? Do I belong to the Coven now?"
"Yes! You are now a member of the Cullen Coven," I said holding my arms out to her. She flung herself into them and hugged me again.
"Thanks Dad! I love you!" She said happily.
"I love you too, Bella!" I said.
"Dad, I'm sorry, but I have to rub my butt! Man that stings," she said pulling away and trying to rub the sting out.
"You had it coming, little lady and you know with your past record, you will be feeling more of them in the future," I said chuckling.
"Yeah, I knew that was coming! Figures submitting would involve a smack!" She said smirking. She and Edward hugged and kissed. You could see he was proud of her.
"I didn't want to tell you ahead of time that Dad was going to smack you as part of the submission ritual," Edward said laughing. "I thought it best to let you find out for yourself."
"Gee, thanks," she said to him.
"Edward, take Bella downstairs and have the entire family meet in the living room. I will be down there in a minute," I instructed him. They left to do as I said. I gathered the things I needed and headed down to address my family.
In the Living Room:
Carlisle:
I made my way down the stairs carrying my little box of treasures. The entire family was sitting before me. All of the couples were sitting together and Leah, Seth and Jake were on one of the couches next to Esme. They all looked at the box I had in my hand. I could tell they were all curious and looked between each other sharing wondering glances. I put the box down on the coffee table and stood to address my family.
"I'm sure all of you know this already but just to make it official, I want everyone here to know that Bella has submitted to me as her Coven Leader and now is an official member of the Coven. Now all of us belong to the Cullen Coven otherwise known as the Olympic Coven. All of you in turn have submitted to me as your Leader and it is a role I take very seriously and I am proud to have. You know this Coven is run differently from others and we all strive to follow the rules and abide by them. We are to help each other when we are weak and if the rules are broken, you must come and inform me and we will deal with things accordingly as I see fit. All of you know this already but I am just reinforcing the rules for Bella's sake. My role as Coven Leader and your father are the same in my eyes and I only use the Coven Leader role when I have to or if I need to establish a new rule. However, if I give the order to submit, it is to be obeyed immediately and if not consequences will follow. If I give the order to submit and you refuse to obey, you will face me in my study and become acquainted with the strap that Aro sent to me. Is that clear?" I asked my now nervous brood in front of me.
"Yes sir, Yes dad, Hear ya, Pops, etc." Came from all of them.
"Good, I hope I never have to give that order to any of you or apply the strap to you. It is not something I am comfortable doing, but that order is never to be disobeyed. So please don't put me in that position. Also, as I'm sure you are curious, I have something for all of you," I said to them opening the box.
"What is it Pops? You're killing me, show us what it is," Emmett said acting like a kid.
"What are you, 6 years old at Christmas?" Jake asked teasing Emmett.
"Shut up, wolf bro, you're dying to find out too," Emmett came back.
"Well yeah, but I'm not chomping at the bit like you, Emmy boy," Jake teased.
"Let me satisfy your curiosity. I had our Cullen Crest changed and added a Wolf head to it to include our wolf children as part of the family and Coven and to signify our unity with the wolves," I informed them.
I held the new crest up to show them. I began passing out their individual crests as they all wear them. I now included one for Bella. I had it for a while but was waiting to show them the changes until she submitted to me. They all looked at them and were pointing out the change. They seemed pleased.
"Wow, cool!" Leah said looking at hers with a smile. "I like it! Thanks Dad, for including us."
"It's only right, you are our family now and my children, so you need to be represented in the crest also," I said to her.
"Cool daddy vamp, that was really thoughtful," Jake said.
"I like it, I'm putting mine on right now. Thanks dad!" Seth said happily.
"Ha, you should have included a mouth on it for Bella, Pops," Emmett said laughing.
"Yeah, like you're an angel," Bella came back at him.
"Should have put an empty head on it for Emmett," Jasper said laughing.
"Listen 5 strings, he should've put a broken music note on it for that rendition of 'Home on the Range' you murdered the other night," Emmett said then singing and strumming like Jazz did. That got everyone laughing.
"Hey, don't get him started on that torture again," Jake said. "My hearing still hasn't recovered after that wailing. Feel free to make another CD for daddy vamp's car though," Jake said laughing.
I shot him a warning look. "Jacob, you better stop while you're ahead, young man," I warned him.
"Just say the word Papa and I'll begin my serenade again," Jazz said smirking.
"NO! You're right daddy vamp, I should shut up," Jake said quickly.
"Jasper, I believe you just gave me an idea for a punishment. The perpetrator will have to sit and listen to you perform your two favorite songs including all the verses and chorus. I think that will work out just fine," I said with a satisfied look.
"You know, he'd do it too," Jake said to Emmett. "Thanks a lot daddy vamp!"
"Aww man, Pops! That's…that's child abuse!" Emmett said slapping his face with his hand.
"This is all your fault, you stupid wolfhound! I told you to destroy that guitar when you had the chance," Rosalie said angrily to Jake.
"Don't go picking on my Jazzy," Alice said to them kissing Jasper.
"I noticed you're never around when he sings, Alice," Edward said to her.
"That's not always true…" Alice said lowering her eyes and grinning.
"Yes it is, Alice and you know it," Rosalie said glaring at her.
With that, Jasper started loudly strumming his 5-string guitar to get all of their attention.
"Aww, come on Dude! That's awful!" Emmett yelled covering his ears along with everyone else.
"Stop it Jazz, you're hurting my wolf hearing," Leah said putting her hands over her ears.
"DV! Make him stop!" Jake called out.
"Enough Jasper, we have their attention. I was going to lift the grounding from all of you, but your behavior here is making me change my mind," I said to them.
"Oh please Daddy Vamp, you have to lift the grounding, I'm actually starting to enjoy going to school!" Jake said pleadingly.
"Me too, dad!" Seth added.
"Come on Pops, I need to get out and feel the freedom!" Emmett said.
"Please Dad! I want to go out with David before he breaks up with me for being grounded forever and a day," Leah begged.
"Are you all going to behave and obey your mother and I? Have you all learned your lesson?" I asked looking at all of them. I was greeted with a chorus of yeses and promises. I therefore declared the grounding was now lifted.
"Doesn't make any difference to me, I'm grounded for the next year anyway," Bella said dejected.
"Yeah, and now you submitted to DV and you really have to be grounded now," Jake rubbed in.
"Gee, you're such a pal, Jacob," Bella said to him.
"Come on Leah and Seth, let's do a perimeter run," Jake said. The three of them all went out
Emmett, Rosalie, Alice and Jasper all left to run into town with Emmett yelling "Freedom" out the car window down the whole length of the drive to the road.
Bella and Edward went to their room and Esme and I were finally alone.
"I'm glad you lifted their grounding, Carlisle, but I will miss my extra hands around the house," Esme said to me.
"They are always at your disposal my love. Besides, it does them good to help out around the house. I just hope we have some peace and quiet for a while. Maybe with Bella submitting to me, she will be able to get through her newborn year with a little more stamina," I said.
Esme then nudged me and then winked at me. I knew she had something up her sleeve. She began speaking very loudly so that Edward and Bella could hear.
"Carlisle darling, how about you put some music on and we dance the tango?" Esme asked loudly.
"Why, what a splendid idea, my love, I'll get the CD," I said loudly also.
Immediately Edward and Bella came running down the stairs. They both had a look of disbelief on their faces, that or horror! I almost laughed out loud at them.
"You know, if you want some time alone, all you have to do is ask. You don't have to torture us and mar us for life with that image or that type of music and dance! Give us a break, will ya?" Edward said rolling his eyes.
"I didn't know anyone even did that kind of dance," Bella said looking at both of us with a strange look.
"We'll go to our cottage and you guys take your time. Let me know when we should come back," Edward said pulling Bella by the arm to the back door.
"But Edward, my baby boy, don't you and Bella want to dance with us?" Esme asked him barely able to keep from laughing out loud.
Edward stopped dead in his tracks and without turning around, just shook his head and shivered, and then continued out the door. Bella looked back at us with her mouth open and rolled her eyes. Esme and I couldn't hold our laughter in any longer and we both laughed out loud at them.
Bella then shoved Edward forward and said, "Hurry up before they start dancing…"
They both flashed out of the house as we both almost fell over laughing at them…
To be Continued…
Reviews are welcome…