WARNING: This story contains corporal punishment in later chapters.

A/N: For those of you who have read "The Repercussions of Petulance". This depicts the time Edward mentions of his first punishment with a bigger family. I hope you enjoy it.

I had just finished with my second deer when I heard him. Carlisle was trailing my scent, his thoughts frantic. I froze, suddenly paralyzed with fear. He wasn't supposed to be back yet… and he certainly wasn't supposed to be looking for me. Oh no…

"EDWARD!!" I heard him cry in relief when he saw me, feet rooted to the ground.

In a second I was in his arms. "Thank goodness! We were so worried!" He pulled back and looked over me quickly, making sure I was ok.

When he was satisfied that I was unharmed, his mouth set into a grim line. Now that the panic had subsided, the anger was starting to make itself known.

"I think we best get home." He said sternly. When I didn't move immediately, he grabbed hold of my arm and his voice went very low. "Now."

The tone of his voice snapped me out of my shock and got me moving. We ran back to the house, Carlisle keeping a firm grip on my arm the whole way.

By the time we reached the house he was furious. As we leapt lightly to the porch he let go of my arm.

"Go up to your room." He ordered, his voice low and sharp. "I will be up to speak with you in a moment."

I took off without a second's hesitation… I was in enough trouble already.

I shut the door behind me and sat on the low bed. Since Esme had come, I'd been practicing tuning out thoughts (though it was very difficult) and I was doing everything I could to tune them out now. I didn't want to listen to the anger, the worry and the disappointment in Carlisle's mind. I couldn't stand it. All I could think of was how stupid I was… how horrible I had been to make him worry.

I was sitting fidgeting with a patch on my bedspread when he walked in. He shut the door behind him and came to sit beside me on the bed.

I hadn't looked at him when he arrived… I kept my eyes to the floor as my fingers continued to play nervously with the bedspread. He was silent for a moment, and when he spoke his voice was calm but stern.

"Edward." I didn't look up. "Edward, look at me." He laid his hand on top of my fidgeting fingers.

I slowly raised my eyes to his.

"I am very disappointed in you Edward. You deliberately disobeyed me. I have few rules for you, but the ones I do have are for your own well being. You're still young in this life Edward, and my responsibility. What if something had happened?"

I looked down again… ashamed of myself.

"I'm not finished talking to you Edward. Look at me."

My eyes snapped back to his.

"When Esme sent for me I was terrified. She was frantic that she couldn't find you. What were you thinking running off alone like that?"

I didn't answer.

"Well?"

"I… I don't know." I whispered.

He sighed in exasperation. "You know better Edward. You are better than such... blatant disobedience." He shook his head slowly and let out an un-needed breath.

Stand up and undo your trousers son.

I stared at him, wide-eyed, in disbelief. I haven't been spanked since before Esme arrived. He wouldn't… couldn't. I had expected to be punished, but not like this… not with someone else here. Not when it wasn't just us anymore.

"W­–what?" I sputtered.

"Come now Edward." He said calmly. "You know the consequences of such behavior."

He moved to grab my wrist, but I jerked away from him. "N..no." I said, disbelievingly.

"Edward!" Carlisle exclaimed in surprise as I jumped from the bed and away from him when he reached for me again.

Carlisle was at my side in an instant, firmly gripping my wrist. Stop being so childish, He admonished.

He started to pull me back to the bed and I panicked. I pulled hard against his grip, digging my heels in the floor. "No Carlisle… NO!" I cried, struggling to free myself. All I could think of was Esme, somewhere, listening to all this. It wasn't right… he couldn't do this with her here… it wasn't right.

Carlisle stopped pulling me. "Edward Anthony!" He shouted. "What in the world has gotten into you?"

"Y-yyou can't!!" I exclaimed, looking at him, eyes wide in panic. My breath started hitching in my distress as I continued to struggle against his hold. "No.. no you can't!! You can't!"

Carlisle stared at me in utter astonishment as I started to cry tearlessly. Never had I ever resisted a punishment like this. I've pleaded, tried to talk my way out of it, even tried to get away once (the first time), but never to this degree. It was totally irrational, but I couldn't help it. I was terrified at the thought of her hearing something so personal. I don't know what came over me.

Suddenly I found myself in his embrace, his hands rubbing my shoulders in comfort.

"What is it?" He asked softly, as I shook with sobs. "What is going on? What are you so frightened of?"

He's never done this. He thought frantically as I clung to him. Is he frightened of me?

"No." I whispered, in response to his thought, voice muffled by his shirt. "No not of you."

Relief washed over him and he hugged me tighter.

"Than what? This is nothing you haven't experienced before."

I swallowed hard, trying to catch my breath as my sobs subsided. "Of… of her." I murmured as quietly as I could.

Esme? He asked, surprised. I don't understand.

"She… she's here… she'll hear… it's not…" I didn't know how to explain. He continued to sooth me silently for a moment, thinking hard as he attempted to understand.

AH. He thought after another minute. I believe I may understand. He Squeezed me a bit tighter before easing his hold.

"Alright now." He soothed, leading me to the bed and sitting me down. "Calm yourself. Sit down for a moment, and just relax."

I'll be back shortly.

I nodded in response, somewhat worn out from the whole incident. I stayed where he left me, slowly pulling myself together. I faintly heard murmuring downstairs and the sound of someone leaving.

Then Carlisle was back beside me on the bed.

"Alright now?" He asked softly. I nodded.

"Esme has been kind enough to step out for a hunt." I grimaced, but nodded again.

"Now, before we go on I want to get something straight." He said, pulling me by the chin to look at him. "If you ever have a problem, you talk to me. We should not have to go through an episode like we did just now. I don't want you get worked up like that. I am always here for you. Just because you are going to be punished, doesn't mean you cannot talk to me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir." I replied quietly.

"Good. I never want you to feel that you cannot come to me. That being said, I want you to know that just because Esme has joined our family, does not mean I love you any less. You are still my son; nothing will ever change that. But I will also continue to punish you for your transgressions the same as I always have. If you disobey like you did, you will get spanked. I am sorry that Esme's presence a moment ago upset you, but that does not change the consequences of your behavior. If you need to be punished, Esme will leave, briefly, if that makes you more at ease."

I nodded. "I love you too. I am sorry I acted as I did. I just… I…"

"You don't have to explain, son, I understand. Though next time talk to me instead, yes?"

"Yes, sir."

Alright. He thought to me, straightening up and releasing my chin. Now that we got that sorted, it's time to sort out your disobedience earlier today. Come over to my side please. As he asked, he slid himself forward to perch on the very edge of the bed.

I swallowed nervously, and slowly stood, making my way to his side.

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