"Marcellus! No!" Klaus cried in his sleep that night.
"Dad! Dad, wake up. You're dreaming," Jeremy said shaking him awake.
"Oh, Jeremy, I'm sorry, son. Go back to sleep. I just...had a nightmare," Klaus said sitting up.
"Dad, you're crying," Jeremy said in awe.
"It's okay. I was dreaming of the day I turned Marcel. Then, it turned into the day he left for the Great War. Like all young men, even vampires, he thought he was impenetrable. I tried to stop him, but like so much else, I failed," Klaus said in the darkness.
"You mean Marcel was in WW1?" Jeremy asked surprised.
"Yes, he left against my wishes. So many lives lost, and for what?" Klaus fumed.
"But Dad, he's okay. Rebekah and Marcel are just in New Orleans again for a little while, right? He'll be back. He's okay," Jeremy reassured him.
"Yes, son. I'm sorry. I frightened you. Come here," Klaus said, putting his arms around Jeremy, though Klaus was the one trembling.
"It's okay," Jeremy said quietly.
"Shh, shut your eyes, I guess I need to let you sleep in now that I've awakened you at this hour," Klaus mused.
Jeremy didn't answer because he was already fast asleep, but Klaus lay awake thinking about losing Marcel again and again.
The next two days of Jeremy's suspension went quickly. He was able to get his school work done and spent a lot of time helping Henrik and Finn. Vanessa came up during the afternoons and read them all stories, after the tutor left.
On the third day, which was Friday, Klaus let him sleep in again. Matt and Tyler didn't really think it was fair, but they kept their mouths shut about it. There had been many times when they too, had gotten off easier than they should have.
The first morning of his suspension, Klaus had woken Jeremy up with a light swat on each cheek with the helping hand paddle. It had smarted, especially since he hadn't replaced his pants and underwear from the night before. The second day, Klaus gave him a single smack with the flimsy cutting board after he was dressed in his sweats, which didn't hurt at all. For this third day of his suspension, Jeremy was not really nervous as he had been cooperative and helpful the previous day. Yet, it was his last day home and he was to return to school on Monday. He was to have several apology letters to school staff drafted. Klaus had asked him if he was almost finished and he said that he was, but he hadn't started yet. Jeremy was a fast writer, so he figured he could scrawl them during breakfast. He got dressed for the day and brought his notebook down to the kitchen.
"Jeremy, will you get the boys their cereal, please?" Freya asked as she was making the rest of them blueberry muffins.
"Ah, sure," Jeremy rushed a bit so he could get to his letters and ended up spilling the bowl of cereal directly on Finn.
"Oh my god, Finn, I'm so sorry," Jeremy said grabbing a dish towel to wipe him off.
"Yuck! It's all over me. Freya, I have to take a bath now!" Finn groaned.
"Little dude, it's okay. I'll get you a clean shirt. You don't need to take a bath," Jeremy said nervously.
"Jeremy, he's as fussy as Elijah. He's not going to stop until he gets a bath. You can take him in my bathroom. I have some clean clothes for him in the basket, hang on," Freya said wiping her hands on her apron.
Jeremy groaned inwardly. He was to show his father or Elijah the letters first thing before he typed them. That was going to be hard to do since he hadn't written them yet. That token whack of the paddle was going to turn into a real spanking unless Jeremy could write fast.
"Come on, Finn, let's get you started. Henrik, you okay, here?" Jeremy asked.
"Sure," Henrik said eating his cereal oblivious to the mess on the floor beside him.
Jeremy grabbed a notebook and pen figuring he could start when the kid was doing whatever the hell he did in the bathtub.
Jeremy was surprised at the huge marble tub in Freya's bathroom. Hadn't this been the other maid's room before that?
Jeremy started filling up the tub, making sure the water wasn't too hot.
"Come on, Finn. Take off those clothes. Freya's getting you dry ones," Jeremy prompted.
Finn just stood there helplessly until Jeremy started helping him.
"There's no bubbles!" Finn shouted at Jeremy.
"Dude, chill. Here, this should work," Jeremy poured some kind of bath tub in. It smelled like roses.
"Yuck! I'm not getting in. That's not the kind we use, I want the other bubbles," Finn said shortly.
"Finn, get in the goddamn tub and quit being a brat! Hurry up," Jeremy said to him going to grab him and physically dump him in.
Finn started crying and ran out of the bathroom.
"Jesus christ, what the fuck!" Jeremy muttered to himself.
Freya came back in with the dry clothes.
"Where's Finn?" she asked looking around.
"I, ah, he,-" Jeremy stuttered.
Elijah came in with Finn, "What did you say to him, Jeremy?"
"Nothing. I just told him to quit being a brat and get in," Jeremy defended.
Freya was guiding Finn to the tub. He still didn't want to get in.
Elijah interjected, "Sister, tend to your muffins. I'll tend to these boys."
"Thank you, Elijah," Freya said hearing the timer go off on the oven. She didn't want her muffins to burn.
"Finn, get in the tub. The water is fine. Now," Elijah said firmly.
Finn whined and tried to twist away, Elijah smacked him on the backside and plopped him in the tub.
"Now, here's your washcloth and soap. Start scrubbing," Elijah ordered. Finn was crying, but obeyed him.
Elijah turned to look at Jeremy. Jeremy took a deep breath.
"I thought I would have time to do my apology letters during breakfast. Freya asked me to help, I was rushing and I spilled cereal on him. Then, I yelled at Finn when he didn't want to get in the tub," Jeremy admitted.
"Elijah! He cursed at me. He said 'get in the goddamn tub,'" Finn wept.
Elijah asked firmly, "Is that true, Jeremy?"
Jeremy nodded.
"Jeremy, I want to hear you say it, young man!" Elijah snapped.
"Yes, I said it. I'm sorry," Jeremy mumbled in shame.
"You will be. Go get the paddle from the kitchen drawer, please," Elijah responded.
"No, please, Uncle Elijah. Don't spank me. Dad's already going to paddle me again for not doing the letters. Please... Finn, I'm sorry I made you cry," Jeremy pleaded.
Elijah took a deep breath, "Jeremy, I know you don't want to get punished, but if you don't obey me right now, I am going to double the number of smacks I was going to give you. Now march."
Finn was watching this scene with big eyes.
"Finn, you still scrubbing? Need help?" Elijah said rolling up his sleeves. He had never smacked Finn before and could tell the boy was taken aback.
"What's wrong?" Elijah asked.
"He was really mean to me and so were you," Finn said, his eyes filling with tears.
"Honey, I'm sorry you are having a rough morning. I don't like to have to spank anyone, but if boys do not behave, you can expect a sore behind from me," Elijah said tapping him on the nose playfully.
"Jeremy is mad at me now. You're mad, too," Finn said softly, as Elijah rinsed the soap from him.
"Finn, it's okay. Jeremy's not angry with you, nor am I," Elijah said, draining the tub.
He grabbed a towel and wrapped Finn in it. Elijah sat on the closed toilet lid and sat Finn on his lap.
Jeremy came in carrying the paddleball paddle.
"Jeremy, is there something you want to say to Finn? He thinks you're mad at him," Elijah said holding Finn and drying his hair with another towel.
"Finn, I'm sorry I yelled you and swore. I'm not mad at you, okay? Don't worry, buddy, the paddle is for my butt, not yours," Jeremy joked.
Finn started laughing when he said butt.
Elijah nodded, "Thank you, Jeremy. I'll dress him. Can you wait for me in Freya's room please?"
"Yes, sir," Jeremy said going to sit on Freya's chair. Elijah brought Finn out dressed a moment later and sent him out to Freya. He shut her bedroom door.
"Uncle Elijah! I-," Jeremy started, thinking maybe he could talk himself out of the spanking he was facing, until he saw the look on Elijah's face.
"What, Jeremy? It's okay. I'm listening," Elijah said.
"Nothing. I should have done the letters last night. I'm sorry. I was mean to Finn and cursed at him. I don't know how you are so patient with us," Jeremy said truthfully.
"Oh Jeremy, you know I lose my temper just like anyone else. Like I told Finn, I'm not angry now, but I do think you deserve a spanking. I do appreciate you admitting your mistake," Elijah said piling up pillows the bed.
"Over the pillows?" Jeremy said.
"Pants and underwear down," Elijah indicated picking up the paddle.
Jeremy unbuckled his belt, and took down his pants and briefs to his knees. He had never been in this position before and it felt odd to him. He leaned over the pillows so his backside was right where Elijah wanted it. Elijah told him to spread his legs a little and stay down. Jeremy rested his upper body on the bed and supported himself on his elbows.
"How many swats do you think you deserve?" Elijah asked lining up the paddle with Jeremy's backside.
"Uncle Elijah, I don't know," Jeremy whined.
Pop! Elijah swatted him right in the center of both cheeks.
"Try again!" Elijah said, whacking him again in the same spot.
Pop!
"Ah, 30?" Jeremy shot out. He did feel guilty about making Finn cry. It was only right that he should be made to cry.
"How about 15?" Elijah asked swatting his right cheek hard.
Pop!
"Yes, sir," Jeremy spit out, trying to hold his position.
Pop! Elijah smacked him on his left cheek firmly.
Pop! The next swat caught him on both cheeks and Jeremy bounced up. Elijah steadied him with his hand.
Elijah gave him the rest of the paddling slowly popping randomly until Jeremy's behind was a light shade of pink. The last ten were firm, but not hard enough that Jeremy started crying. He was struggling to stay still, but managed counting the smacks in his head.
"Okay, all done. You took that well," Elijah said sitting on the bed.
Jeremy went to pull up his pants.
"Leave your pants where they are and stay down on the bed. I'm going to see if your father wants to discuss the apology letters further with you," Elijah remarked patting him on the back.
"But Uncle Elijah, I can do them really fast," Jeremy argued.
Crack! Crack! Elijah paddled Jeremy hard once across each sit spot.
"Owww! That hurts," Jeremy yelled, starting to cry.
"I don't think your apology letters were meant to be rushed, Jeremy. Do you?" Elijah asked tapping the paddle against his behind.
Jeremy sniffled and didn't answer.
Pop! Pop!
"Jeremy, do I need to give you another paddling? Because if I do, it will not be as mild as this first spanking. I asked you a question. Are apology letters meant to be rushed?" Elijah asked again.
Pop!
"No, sir. I'm sorry," Jeremy was now crying harder. He thought he was done. He was pretty sure his father was going to give him another spanking now. He would rather be at school than here getting his butt beat over and over again. Plus, Finn knew he was in trouble and probably Freya, now Elijah was going to involve his dad? When did it end?
"They are not. Now do not move and think about why you just got a spanking and may get another one in a moment," Elijah said firmly causing Jeremy to break out into heavy, hopeless sobs.
"Elijah, Jeremy didn't his even eat breakfast yet," Freya said when he came in the kitchen.
"Oh, I didn't realize that. I'm sure this will be over quickly. Where's Niklaus?" Elijah asked.
"Right here, brother," Klaus said anxiously.
Elijah filled him in.
"Thanks, Elijah. It seems like Jeremy's told me a fib last night. Sister, did you say he didn't eat yet. Perhaps I'll spare him the ordeal of eating soap then and just spank him soundly. I'm sure this will be his last time suspended from school. Thank you," Klaus said as Freya held a mini muffin up to his lips.
Klaus saw Jeremy still bent over and now just sniffling. His backside was pink from the paddling Elijah had just administered.
"Jeremy, I hear that it's been quite a morning," Klaus said to the bent over boy.
"Sorry, D-ddaddy," Jeremy cried.
"Hey, tell me what happened," Klaus said pulling him up to stand in front of him as he sat on the bed. Jeremy sobbed out the whole story.
"I should wash out your mouth with soap, but your aunt said you didn't even eat yet. I do think you earned a good spanking in addition to what Elijah gave you. But since you were honest and apologized to Finn, you can pick if you want to get it over with now or get it tonight," Klaus asked gently.
"Over with now, please," Jeremy decided tearfully.
"I'm not going to go easier on you just because your uncle already paddled you," Klaus stated firmly.
Jeremy nodded, "I shouldn't have lied. I just didn't think it was that big of a deal."
Klaus bent Jeremy over his left knee and locked his right leg over Jeremy's legs to lock him into place. He picked up the round wooden paddle and steadied Jeremy with his left arm. He wanted to get this over with.
"I love you and sometimes that means paddling your naughty behind when you misbehave. Think about how you could have avoided all of this, son," Klaus said.
"No, please, Dad. I already got it from Uncle-," Jeremy started to protest and panic as he felt the smooth wood rest on his already stinging behind.
Klaus began to swat Jeremy's bottom quickly and firmly all over with the light paddle. He spanked him steadily, not stopping until Jeremy's backside was bright red and he heard him sobbing. The boy howled and tried to thrash as much as possible, but he was pinned tightly and had to take the burning swats. Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!
Klaus threw down the paddle and released his legs. The whole punishment only took a moment or two. He gave him a moment to catch his breath and then stood him up. Jeremy's hands finally could try to rub out the sting from his backside. Klaus got up and got a wet washcloth to wipe his face. Jeremy was still crying.
"Do you need to calm down in the corner or do you want to come out and apologize to Elijah?" Klaus asked.
"Uncle Elijah," Jeremy sniffled.
Klaus stood and held him a minute and asked if he was alright.
"Yes, Dad. I think so. I mean, I will be," Jeremy said with a half smile. His backside hurt and felt raw every time he moved, but he knew that it would fade to a warm itchiness by evening.
"After you write your letters, want to go paint in the studio?" Klaus asked quietly. He knew that Jeremy finished all of his schoolwork already, a little together time might make up for the taxing morning.
Jeremy nodded and let Klaus smooth back his hair. Klaus grabbed the paddle to put back in the drawer and put his arm around Jeremy to walk him out.
Elijah saw the boy and almost smiled at how worn out he looked. Anyone seeing Jeremy would know the boy just got a very sound spanking.
Elijah stood and opened his arms to the still weepy boy, whispering, "Shh, it's over now. Love you."
Jeremy said he was sorry and Elijah held him a bit longer and rubbed his back. Freya brought out the plate of muffins and tea for everyone. Vanessa and Kol joined. They didn't need to ask what happened, Jeremy's face was blotchy and he kept trying to rub his behind.
Klaus and Elijah let Jeremy write his apology letters standing up at the kitchen island. No one really had the heart to force him to sit.
Elijah watched as Vanessa went over some vocabulary words with Finn and Henrik. Finn seemed to bounce back quickly from his morning trauma.
"Elijah, can we go play now?" Finn asked.
"I don't know. Miss Monroe, what do you think?" Elijah smiled.
"I think they did a very nice job today and it is Friday," Vanessa replied happily.
"Thank you. You are very good with them," Elijah said honestly.
"They are sweet boys. So innocent. You know, I think they might be okay at school. There is a small private school that I interviewed at. I didn't get the job there, but if you are interested, it may be a perfect fit for your brothers," Vanessa shared.
"It sounds great," Elijah said.
"I mean, it's very expensive, but if that isn't an issue," Vanessa shared.
"If it helps them, we'll get the money," Elijah promised.
"Is Jeremy okay? He looked like he had been through the ringer. I don't mean to pry," Vanessa remarked shyly.
"Oh no, Vanessa. You're family now. Part of Jeremy's punishment for his suspension was to write apology letters, he fibbed about it last night and was rushing to do it today. He dumped cereal on Finn by mistake and then shouted at him in the bathtub. I found Finn sobbing and running around out here naked!" Elijah shared as they both laughed.
"I shouldn't laugh, but these kids do keep things interesting," Vanessa admitted, pushing her brown hair behind her ears.
"I ended up smacking Finn on the backside for the first time to get him in the tub. Then I paddled Jeremy's behind for him for telling Finn to 'get in the goddamn tub.' I guess that is why they call me 'the mean one.'" Elijah revealed.
"I'm sorry you had to be the heavy today. But they love you," Vanessa shared.
"Thank you. I do love them. More than I ever thought possible," Elijah confessed with bright eyes.
Vanessa leaned over and kissed him softly.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know what got into-," Vanessa gasped.
Elijah didn't let her finish, but kissed her back a little harder. Elijah asked Freya and Kol to watch the boys and no one saw him or Vanessa the rest of the night.