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Damon POV:
I sighed and followed my irate boy upstairs. I entered after him to his room and watched as he stood in the middle waiting for me to say something. I can't help but be proud of Sam. He changed a lot in the course of those five years. He became more mature and independent, but he is still my baby boy that I love dearly and his cute face and huge brown eyes don't help my case. He can convince even the most stoic men to relent and change their minds.
I looked at him and saw the big amount of remorse in his eyes. I knew he was sorry for his display on the kitchen table. It wasn't his nature to be defiant and stubborn, but this past week, he was a terror and it is time he pays the consequences. I hardened my heart against his cuteness and spoke sternly "in the corner, I will go change out of my clothes. Then we will have our chat." He gulped at my words and moved to the free corner in his room.
"Hands on your head." I instructed him since I know if I don't give him something to do with his hands, he won't stop fidgeting and would gain himself more punishments. I waited until he obeyed my orders then went to my room.
After I took a brief shower and changed my suit to my more comfortable clothes. I brushed my wet messy hair and ran my hands through it to smooth it a little. I took a deep breath and went to Sam's room. I prevented a smile from appearing on my face. He was struggling to keep his hands on his head. The view was comical and at the same time painful for me to watch. I always thought that punishing my children will get easier every time I do it, but it was the complete opposite. I took about twenty minutes in the shower and surely the boy's arms are sore by now.
"You may come out of the corner." The moment the words left my mouth, Sam lowered his hands and started shaking his arms to get rid of any stiffness there. "Enjoyed your time out little boy?" I can't help myself but tease him.
Sam gave me one of his adorable glares and pouted. "It was horrible Daddy. My arms are so stiff."
"Come here," I said and took a seat on his bed. Sam joined me and looked at me with his puppy hazel eyes. I took his left arm and started massaging it gently. I smiled at the sigh of relief that left my boy's lips, and I repeated the same process with his right one. "Better?" I asked with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Daddy." Sam said happily and kissed my cheek.
"Okay, it is time for our chat." I changed my voice from gentle to stern and demanding. Sam sighed and nodded his head. I took his nod as an affirmative he was ready to talk "Can you tell me what made you snap this morning? Or more specifically what made you a terror this week?"
Sam shrugged his shoulders, and mumbled between his lips. I raised my eyebrow at his attitude and reached to slap his thigh. Sam hissed and mumbled a sorry. "I suggest you clean your attitude son before I do it for. We are here to have a civilised conversation. But if you want to have it while sitting on a sore bottom, be my guest. I will fulfil your wish." I threatened hoping he would follow instruction and doesn't force me to follow through my words.
My words did impact Sam's posture, and he shook his head rapidly. "I am sorry Daddy; we will have a civilised conversation."
"Make sure it stays this way son, because believe me this is your last chance before I give you the spanking you deserve." I warned him for the last time. I like always to give my boys a chance before bringing the hammer down. "Now, tell me champ, what's wrong with you? Why are you behaving badly?"
Sam took a deep breath and said in his little voice "promise me you won't be angry."
"Okay I promise." I said hoping I won't get angry with what he is going to say next. I know that Sam is feeling vulnerable for him to ask me to stay calm "just speak my boy. You know I will always be by your side. I won't let you down." I spoke sincerely to show my boy I was honest in my promise.
"I am afraid to go back to school. Aiden won't be there anymore." Sam said without meeting my eyes.
I felt my heart's beat increasing, my son was afraid of something? Now I was the one dreading asking him to elaborate more. "Why are you afraid of going back to school?"
Sam's shoulders shook from the effort of keeping his sobs hidden. I can see the tears gathering in his eyes, but he refused to let them out. "I have been bullied Daddy." He said quietly.
Even with my vampire super hearing; I was sure my ears were deceiving me. "Come again."
"I am sorry I didn't tell you Daddy. They said if I tell any adult, it will get worse." Sam spoke through his running tears.
"What are you saying Sam? I am not following you. Start from the beginning." I ordered him trying very hard to calm my nerves. I was panicking inside and it was obvious my face displayed my internal mess.
"It started last year. One boy in my class who was nearly two times my size started stealing my lunch money. I let it go at first, but then I got fed up and stood up to him, but he was more powerful than me, and he punched me in the face. Aiden saw my busted lip and made me tell him the truth. Since that day, he was like my shadow and protected me from him. Last week, when I went to school for the orientation day, he and his friends blocked my way and threatened me. They knew Aiden transferred and promised to make my year hell." By the time Sam finished speaking; hot tears were streaming down his face.
I felt rage consuming me, and I couldn't think rationally. My boy was hurt and I was kept in the dark. "Let me make my findings right. You were hurt and bullied at school. Aiden knew about it, but no one of you felt it was important to inform me." I said with my deadly voice, which my sons knew meant trouble for them.
"Sorry Daddy, it was my fault. I begged Aiden to keep it a secret. He insisted we tell you, but I refused." Sam said trying to defend his brother.
"I don't want to hear another word from you until I talk to that brother of yours." I warned him because at the moment I wasn't ready to hear any lame excuses from anyone. "Aiden Salvatore, get your butt up here immediately."
I heard little steps rushing upstairs, and then a breathless Aiden entered the room. He looked at the scene in front of him. Sam was crying in his hands while the look on my face I am sure was terrifying.
"Dad?" he asked tentatively.
"What's the rule number one in this house?" I asked sternly while pacing the floor.
"No lying no matter the circumstances." Aiden answered without hesitation.
"And what do we consider keeping secrets that can hurt one of us?" I see the moment he realised what I was talking about.
"Look Dad, it wasn't like that..." I cut him before he could complete his words.
"I asked you a specific question Aiden, and I want the answer to it. Don't test me boy." I said between clenched teeth.
"It is considered lying, sir." Aiden said with his eyes forward avoiding making eye contact with me.
"Now that we established you lying to me, I think I don't have to remind you about the punishment of lying. Stick your nose in the corner, hands behind your head." I instructed sternly. Aiden started making his way to the corner when Sam came to his side and stood between us "NO Daddy, he didn't do anything wrong. I was the one who made him do it." Sam looked at me in challenge.
"Sam, I suggest you go back to your spot on the bed. I am not done with you yet." Sam nodded his head and returned to his bed. I waited until Aiden obeyed my orders before I looked at my full on crying boy. I felt my heart soften at the sight of him. I took him in my arms and hugged him. He put his head on my shoulder and sobbed loudly.
I lifted my head and saw Elena standing at the door. I just shook my head and mouthed the word 'later, I will explain.' She nodded her head and left.
Ten minutes later, Sam was calm enough to hear the words I will tell him. I cupped his face in my hands and ran my thumbs under his eyes to get rid of any residual tears.
"I am sorry I couldn't protect myself Daddy." Sam's words broke my heart to million pieces.
"Do you think I am angry because I think you are weak?" I asked in astonishment. The silence I received was the answer to my question. I never thought my boys would think I would be angry at them because I think they are weak. I inhaled deeply and called Aiden out of the corner. It was time we have a serious conversation.
Both my boys were sitting next to each other, Aiden with his hands in his lap and Sam sniffling and trying to stop crying. I crouched down and looked into their eyes "you know I love you both more than anything in this life. You understand?"
"Yes Dad, we know." Aiden said with a grin finally gracing his face. I gave him an encouraging smile of my own. I took by boy's little hands in my larger hands and spoke seriously "you know I would never judge you. If this boy bullied you, it doesn't mean you are weak at all. It is not your fault and never would be. You are the strongest boys I know, you know why? The answer is simple because you are my sons. No sons of mine are weak. I am not disappointed in you for this accident, Sam. I am disappointed because you didn't come to me and tell me what happened. While you Aiden, I am not angry because you protected your brother. On the contrary, I am proud of you, and your actions made me realise I can count on you to protect our family." The smile on Aiden's face could light up a dark room. I saw the happiness my words brought to him.
I hated myself for the next words I was going to say "you know I am disappointed in your actions. You both kept an important secret from me which I consider lying, mind you. In this house you know I can't tolerate lying. Therefore, you are both going to be disciplined together. Since you were both okay with lying to me. I think the best course of action is you are punished together. So for starters, go find both a corner and wait for me."
They scrambled from the bed and hurried each to a corner. They stood perfectly still with their hands behind their heads. I sighed and left the room. I needed a fresh breath of air. I went downstairs and found Elena rocking a sleeping Amelia in her arms. I sat beside her and kissed my little girl's forehead.
"Are you done with the boys?" Elena whispered lowly so she doesn't jolt our daughter.
I shook my head and closed my eyes "I wish it was done. Unfortunately, I am far from done. Our boys need to learn a lesson in not keeping dangerous secrets from us."
"What happened this time?" Elena wondered.
"Sam was bullied and punched through this school year without us noticing. Aiden protected him from his tormentor, and now that he is at the Academy, Sam is scared from going back to school." By the time I was finished speaking Elena's jaw touched the floor.
"You are saying my baby boy was bullied by some kid, and I didn't know. Oh my god! What kind of mother would not see her son in anguish?" Elena said with a sad look in her eyes.
"We wouldn't know he was bullied Elena. He was acting normal through the year. He even hid his bruises from us." I reassured her since I knew the kind pain she was feeling.
"I know it was not our fault, but I can't help and feel like a failure. What did we do to give our sons the impression they can't confide in us." Elena said miserably.
"I don't know what we did wrong, but I am going to rectify this. Our boys are in for a punishment they would never forget. Every time they think of keeping something like that to themselves, they will remember it." I said sternly.
"Yes, I am with you in this one Damon. I am going to put Amelia to bed then go and talk to our sons. After that they are yours." Elena informed me and went upstairs without waiting for any words on my part. Dear poor boys, you are in for an earful from your mother. I almost pitied them because having an angry Elena on your case is scary. Now, there is one thing I need to take care of before I deal with my boys. I took my phone from my pants and dialled Stefan's number.
"Hi brother, what's up?" Stefan greeted me with bright voice. He was happy with the results we obtained with the Academy.
"Hi, I need you to create a fourth grade class in the Academy." I said without delay. There was a brief moment of silence on the other side then Stefan burst laughing.
"Are you kidding me Damon?" He asked in disbelieve.
"Do I look like I am laughing?" I shot back with annoyance evident in my tone.
"Look Damon, we started this Academy for the kids who are fourteen and older which means from nine grade and older. I can't create a class for fourth grade. If I do what you are requesting, then I had to hire new staff and change programmes. Heck I even needs students for this." Stefan tried to explain his point of view.
"Then do it. I don't care what you need to do, all I want is by Monday morning Sam will start school in the Academy." I spoke with finality.
"What's wrong Damon? Why are you suddenly insisting on this?" Stefan asked with curiosity.
"Sam was bullied in his school, Stefan, and I want him to be in the Academy under your watch." I explained.
"What?" Stefan asked shocked.
"You heard me. I don't want him in his old school for even another minute."
"Okay, I will do my best to make it work. But be prepared to be dragged to the office this weekend." He warned.
"I will do everything I can for my boy." I said with resolve.
"Alright, Lily will be with him in this class, at least we will have two students. I will contact other parents who may be interested in enrolling their children in our Academy. But the ninth grade won't stay in the dorms. They will go home at the end of every day."
"Okay, do whatever you want. I will be waiting for your report today." I said and disconnected the line. It was time I go and deal with my boys.
The scene I came to witness when I stood at the door of Sam's room would forever be engraved in my mind. Both my boys were standing with their hands behind their heads and their right legs lifted in the air. I was surprised they could keep their balance in this position. Elena was pacing in front of them and scolding them heatedly. I leaned against the door's frame and decided to watch the entertaining scene.
"You know that your father and I try always to give you the best. How could you hide something with such importance from us? While we thought you are having a peaceful life and happy, you were suffering without us knowing. Huh Sam? What do you have to say?" Elena said with a stern voice. It was unnatural for her to lose her gentleness.
The nine years old was straining to keep his balance and answering his Mom. "I am so sorry, Mommy. It was wrong to hide something like this from you. I promise I wasn't suffering much. Aiden protected me."
I nearly laughed when Elena's sharp eyes turned to our eldest who gulped nervously and shot his brother an annoyed glare for shifting Elena's attention to him. "You know you are too strong, Aiden. You were thirteen last year which means the strength of a seventeen years old human. What if you hurt this boy beyond repair due to anger huh? What would you have done then? And if we put all of this aside, how could you break our rule about being always honest with each other and never keeping secrets?"
Elena was oblivious to the struggle the boys had to keep standing in position. The moment they spotted me, they stared at me with their puppy eyes pleadingly to stop their misery. I was having half a mind to let them suffer a little more, but Elena's chatter would continue forever. It was rare to see my boys preferring to face my consequences instead of being with Elena.
I made my presence known and grabbed Elena's arm to stop her pacing. She looked up at me and immediately her features softened and she kissed my cheek.
"I think they had enough, baby." I whispered in her ear.
She turned and gave the boys a final glare before she nodded her head and relieved them from their uncomfortable position. I smiled as she took them both in her arms and kissed their heads. She pulled away and told them sternly.
"I don't want to have a repeat of this incident, boys. Am I clear?"
"Yes Mom, you are clear. It won't happen again." Aiden and Sam hastened to answer trying to go back on her good side.
"Okay boys I love you both so much." With that, Elena hugged me and said in warning. "Don't be mean to them." I nearly laughed after her retreating form. She warned me to be nice and forgot how she was just treating our boys only moments ago.
I noticed the boys trying to relieve the pain in their legs. I shook my head and told them to take a seat so they can rest a little. I exited the room and went to Aiden's room. I opened his drawer and retrieved his wooden ruler. It will be the first time I punish my boys at the same time. I don't need an implement to make an impact on them. My vampire's strength can do the job perfectly, but the thought of being punished with an implement can be very deterring.
I entered Sam's room once again and found them both sitting next to each other on the bed. I sighed and cleared my throat. Aiden was the first to look up, and his eyes widened at the sight of the ruler in my hands. Sam was next, and his reaction was very similar to his brother's.
Through the years, my two mischievous boys had their share of causing trouble and raising havoc and every time they crossed a line I was there to correct them and bring the order back. This is the mantra I repeat every single time I find myself in this position.
"Both of you, up." When they did as I ordered I walked closer to the bed and said "each one of you, take a side of the bed. Lose the pants and bend over." Aiden complied immediately and took the right side while Sam took the left. I waited until they were in position before I went and stood behind Aiden.
"Okay boys, I know this sucks and this punishment will hurt, but I think you understand why you are being punished. Right?" I waited until both of them nodded their heads and muttered a faint "yes sir."
"Good, I am going to start, brace yourself Aiden." I said in warning then lifted the ruler in the air and brought it down on Aiden's behind with a sound smack. Aiden gulped at the first smack and tightened his hold on the bed comforter. After that I got to work and gave him another four stinging slaps. I changed positions and stood behind Sam. I gave him the same treatment his brother received but with less intensity since he was younger than Aiden.
I continued alternating between my boys. I gave both of them 5 rounds of spankings, in each round five slaps, which made it twenty five smacks in total. By the end of the spanking both my boys were clutching hands and crying, Aiden with soft tears running down his cheeks while Sam was sobbing heavily. I let them took deep breaths in the same position while I righted their clothes for them.
I sat at the centre of the bed and reached out to my boys. They came running to my lap and hugged me both with all the force they possessed which was a lot for your information. I kissed their heads and whispered sweet things in their ears so they can calm down.
When the tears stopped, I tried to clean their faces as best as I could. Then, I stood both my boys in front of me and looked in their eyes "I don't want a repeat of today's events. I hate doing this, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if you dare lie to me again. Am I clear?"
"Yes Sir." Both boys answered in union. I nodded my head and gave them an easy smile to let them know everything is forgiven and the slate is clean.
"I love you Daddy." Sam said cutely.
I pinched his cheeks and bumped his nose. "You are too cute for your own good." I said as I tickled his sides.
"How about me? Am I too old of the tickling monster?" Aiden asked with a pout.
"You are the one who asked for it, big shot." I said and wiggled my fingers in his direction.
I spent at least ten minutes tormenting my boys and tickling them until the tears of pain were replaced by ones of joy and happiness. I left Aiden and Sam to rest in the room after they lied down on the bed, and I covered them with a light blanket. I kissed their foreheads and went downstairs. I found Elena in the living room reading what looks like a medical book. I sat next to her and draw her closer to me. I kissed the side of her head and smiled at her.
"How are the boys?" She asked with concern.
"Don't worry. They are still alive laughing and kicking. I didn't kill them." I said teasingly. Elena smacked my arm "be nice." She said while laughing at me.
"Where is Amelia?" I asked her when I didn't see the beautiful chubby toddler running around.
"She is still sleeping upstairs."
"All our children are sleeping and we are alone. Are you thinking what am I thinking?" I said wriggling my eyebrows suggestively.
"You dirty old man!" Elena exclaimed laughing loudly.
I stood up from the sofa and scooped her in my arms. She shrieked at the sudden movement and put her arms around my neck. "I will show you who the old man is, baby." I said and kissed her passionately.
It was another happy day in my household. We have struggles and sometimes fight. We go through tears and pain, but at the end of every day, we are a family. And I am proud to say we are a happy family.