Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight
WARNING: This story contains disciplinary spanking of a teenage vampire. If this offends you in any way shape or form then don't read and don't bother flaming me!
Thoughts spoken to or heard by Edward will be italicized
Chapter 5: Painful Realizations
A/N: YO! You guys all rock! I really enjoy reading all your reviews! So, this chapter definitely includes the spanking. Enjoy!
Carlisle's POV:
I stared down at the headless body of John before rushing over to my son.
"Edward, are you alright?" I asked in fear. I looked his body over, checking the bite mark on his shoulder to see how bad it was.
"I'm fine Carlisle," he said, sitting up and wincing as I touched his wound. I sighed; it wasn't very deep but it would leave a scar. Looking him over once more I then wrapped my arms around him, sighing in relief.
Edward stiffened before tentatively wrapping his arms around me.
I was so scared Edward, what were you thinking? I told you to stay out of the fight! I scolded him. Pulling away, I looked into his face waiting for an explanation but he just lowered his eyes. Knowing that now was not the time to get into an argument, I decided it would be best to just get him home.
"Can you stand?" I asked.
"Yes," Edward said, pulling himself up shakily. I kept a hand on his shoulder, holding him steady. John must have had an ability to paralyze, I surmised; that's why Edward did not want John to touch me.
"You're right," Edward agreed. "I didn't plan on entering the fight, but when I saw what he was planning I had to help," he explained with an earnest look. "He was going to attack you when you weren't looking and use his ability."
I rubbed his unwounded shoulder as I shook my head at him. "Edward, I appreciate the thought but I truly had everything under control. You should have just shouted to me what his ability was instead of getting involved," I lectured. I was truly touched by his concern, but it would have been better if he had stayed out of the fight. I was almost petrified with fear when I heard his scream of pain and saw what John had done. I had not planned on killing them, but when they threatened Edward… well, let's just say I lost my temper.
I moved away from Edward and set flame to the two vampires before turning back to him.
"Let's go home," I instructed, motioning for Edward to lead the way. He looked at me uncertainly until I raised an eyebrow at him and pointed towards home. Now Edward, I ordered. And with that he took off running, only stopping to pick up his bag. When I noticed we were nearing home I suggested we both hunt. We were going to be having a serious discussion once we reached home, so we both needed to be in good control of our tempers.
Edward's POV:
I finished off the elk, fully satisfied for the moment before turning towards Carlisle. I didn't know what to think anymore. I had thought for sure earlier that Carlisle was going to banish me, but the fact that he followed and then saved me made me think otherwise. There was also the fact that he had referred to me as his son. A warm feeling spread through me at the memory of him demanding that John release his son; that he release me.
But what if that was just for show, another part of me wondered. What if he didn't mean it? I mean, I've never heard Carlisle refer to me as son, not even in his thoughts.
On the other hand, he seemed genuinely concerned for me when I got hurt. I mean, he fought- no, he killed for me. He wouldn't have gone to all that trouble if he didn't care for me.
But just because he cares doesn't mean he sees you as a son. He could just care for you as a friend; you are his only companion. He probably just doesn't want to be alone.
Carlisle hates fighting though. He's a pacifist and wouldn't have engaged in a fight without good reason. Would he do that for a friend?
Arrggh, I thought, rubbing my temples. All these thoughts were driving me crazy. I didn't understand why Carlisle hadn't just let me go.
"Edward?"
I looked up, momentarily startled from my thoughts. "Yes?" I responded.
I've called your name several times, but you did not respond.
"Oh," I said, looking down at my shoes. "Sorry."
I felt a hand on my shoulder, and looked up. Come, we have much to discuss.
I hesitated slightly before shaking my head no.
No? Carlisle asked with a furrowed brow.
"No," I said with another shake of the head, "I don't want to go home yet." I needed to know why Carlisle had come after me. I needed to know if he truly cared for me because if not…, well I don't know. Looking up at Carlisle I took a breath before mustering the courage to ask him.
"Why did you come after me?"
Carlisle let go of me and stared with surprised eyes at my question. What? Why would he ask that? "What do you mean?" he asked in confusion.
I gave a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair before turning my back on him. "Why did you come after me? Why didn't you just let me leave?" I said angrily. Turning around abruptly, I then said, "You were so angry with me before and I thought you didn't want me to live with you or something…" I bit my lip, thinking I may have said too much.
Carlisle's thoughts turned wild. He thought I wanted him to leave? What made him think that? What did I do? Why would he ever think that? Shaking his head, he took a deep breath before walking over to me and pulling my chin up so I was looking him in the eye. "Edward, I would never ask you to leave, how could you…" he started to say before closing his eyes for a moment and taking a deep breath. "Edward, you are a son to me. I went after you because I could not understand why you would leave, and I could not let you go without telling you that I love you."
Now it was my turn to stare with wide eyes. He thought me a son? He loved me?
"You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me Edward. You have given me the chance to be a father; you have become the son I thought I could never have. Never believe that I would ever tell you to leave," he finished, kneeling down slightly to look me full in the face.
"You love me?" I croaked out, still in shock.
Carlisle smiled softly while nodding. "Yes Edward Cullen, I love you," he said before pulling me in a hug.
Edward Cullen? I thought in astonishment. I could get used to that. I then returned his hug full force, fighting back tears. "I love you too," I whispered quietly, smiling when I heard Carlisle's thoughts burst with joy.
He loves me? He told me he loves me! My son told me he loves me too!
Pulling away from the hug, Carlisle held me at arm's length while smiling broadly. I returned his smile, feeling content in the moment. All too soon though, reality caught up with us.
"Are you ready to go home now, son?" Carlisle asked with a smile.
I nodded my head even though I didn't really want to go home. I didn't want to discuss anything right now because I knew it would all deal with me being in trouble, and I still didn't want to discover what he had meant yesterday when he had said I was in need of serious discipline.
Setting off, we ran in companionable silence, but all too soon we arrived home. Walking in, I turned towards my father unsure of what to do.
My office, he thought while pointing upstairs. I nodded nervously before heading up and entering his office. Once in, we both sat down at his desk facing each other.
Carlisle's POV:
I watched Edward as he fidgeted in the chair, looking anywhere but at me. Leaning back in my chair, I thought over everything that had happened recently and could not help but sympathize with my son. He had really dug himself into a hole with all his antics; first by disobeying my order to stay home, then fighting with humans and almost killing one, and finally by disobeying my order to stay out of the fight.
I could not fault him for running though. No, I thought guiltily, I could not fault him for I had not done a good enough job of showing Edward how much he meant to me. I may have been thinking of him as my son for a while, but I had let my fears keep me from telling and truly treating him so. It seems I had much to learn about being a parent. As rewarding as parenting could be, I was beginning to find how difficult and painful it could be at times. I was also finding that I could not continue to step aside and hope Edward would learn from his mistakes. I would have to guide and teach him, and if necessary, punish him when necessary. George was right; I had been much too lenient with Edward. I had set boundaries but had not reinforced them, so Edward saw no reason to obey. Well, that was going to change today.
"Carlisle," Edward said in a distressed voice, breaking me from my thoughts. I looked at him in concern.
"Carlisle, can you please say something? Or can you quit thinking in Italian? Please tell me what you are thinking," he begged.
Sorry son I thought before giving him my full attention.
"Edward, we spoke recently of your constant disobedience, and you wanted to know why I all of a sudden cared so much about what you were doing. Well, I will tell you now that I have always cared about how you behave. I have always cared about you and that will never change. I don't know how you view me Edward, but as I have told you I see you as my son. Now I know I may not have been doing my full duties to you as a father, but I assure you that will change today."
Edward looked at me, nodding his head somewhat unsurely.
"You disobeyed me Edward," I said, leaning forward slightly. "You disobeyed me when you went into town and when you got into the fight, and both times almost ended disastrously. By going into town you almost killed a human boy and exposed us, and by getting into the fight you ended up injured," I told him sternly. Edward looked at me guiltily before lowering his eyes. Eyes on me Edward Anthony.
"That fight could have ended up so much worse Edward. You could have been seriously injured; you could have died!" I told him emotionally.
"I'm so sorry Carlisle," Edward said softly, slouching slightly in his chair.
"So am I Edward," I told him sorrowfully. "I am sorry that I have allowed your behavior to get to this point."
Sitting up straight in my chair, I looked my son in the eye. "I do not set rules to make you miserable Edward; I only have your best interests at heart."
Edward nodded his head at me. "I know Carlisle," he said quietly.
"I told you I was done being lenient, and I meant what I said. I cannot let this go with only a lecture, especially since my lectures have been proved ineffective with you. I would consider grounding, but since you are home alone most the time that would be pointless. That leaves me only one other option."
Edward's brow furrowed slightly in confusion.
Taking an unnecessary breath, I said, "I am going to spank you Edward."
Silence filled the air as Edward's eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly in surprise. Then all of a sudden he jumped up and out of his chair, shaking his head emphatically. "No, no way! You are not going to sp-to punish me like that Carlisle! I am not a child!"
I stood up as well, pulling myself to my full height before crossing my arms. "Your behavior would suggest otherwise, my son," I told him calmly but sternly.
Shaking his head at me still, he began to back away from the desk. Glaring, he clenched his fists as though ready for a fight.
"Hear me now Edward Anthony Cullen, you do not want to run and you do not want to fight me on this because if you do, you will only make things worse for yourself," I said threateningly. I wasn't sure if I could actually go through with the threat, but it had the desired effect. I could see a bit of uncertainly enter his eyes as his fists began to unclench.
Losing the glare and now looking at me pleadingly, he then tried to beg. "Carlisle, please, I've learned my lesson. I swear I won't ever disobey you again," he said pleadingly.
My heart constricted painfully at his pleading, and I could not help but notice how young he looked. A wave of uncertainty tore through me and I almost changed my mind. However, remembering what could have happened I took a breath before strengthening my resolve. I had made my decision and I would stick with it.
"This is not up for discussion Edward. I have given you several opportunities to improve your behavior but you have not," I lectured while rapidly thinking how I was going to do this. I debated whether I would have him lean over my desk or a chair, or if I would have him over my lap.
I looked at Edward who just pitifully shook his head at me. "Don't do this Dad, I'm sorry." My thoughts froze at those words, and I could only stare at my son with wide eyes. Dad, he said, he called me Dad, I thought in growing astonishment and happiness.
Perhaps noticing my conflicting thoughts, Edward continued to plead with me. "Come on Dad, I swear this won't happen again. I've learned my lesson."
I swallowed thickly, once more fighting the urge to change my mind. The boy looked so pitiful and contrite that my resolve was rapidly dwindling. However, as I my resolve was dwindling, so was Edward losing his patience.
Growling lowly in frustration, he yelled, "Dammit, this is ridiculous! You have no right to punish me like this!"
Just like that, my gaze hardened and my resolve once more strengthened. Edward's temper had once more reminded me of why I had to do this; it reminded me of everything that had happened to bring us to this position.
Once more thinking back to how I was going to do this, I decided it would be best to have him over my lap. I felt that the closeness would somehow help make this easier; whether for me or for him I was not sure.
I walked to my couch by the bookshelf and sat down. Looking at my groaning child, I motioned for him to come to me, but he just shook his head.
I groaned internally. All I wanted to do was just hug my boy and tell him it was alright, but I could not do that. His disobedience could have caused the death of not only innocent humans, but himself as well, and that was something I would not stand for. Gritting my teeth, I gave my son a hard stare.
"Edward Anthony, I will not tell you again. Come here or I will spank you on the bare," I ordered.
When Edward continued to stare at me with wide eyes, I began to count down in my head. Five, four, three, two, one.
I quickly stood up, and caught my son right as he opened the door, hauling him over to the couch before throwing him over my knees and bringing my hand down five times. "Edward, you will stop struggling this instant young man!" I scolded.
"Owww," Edward yelled, "I'm sorry!"
I quickly righted him and as he rubbed his behind I undid his trousers before pulling him over my lap once more.
"No please!" he begged me as I pulled down his underwear. He tried to cover his backside with his right arm, but I quickly pinned it behind his back before bringing my hand down.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ummmff!" he groaned, trying desperately to control his yells.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
He moaned lowly, burying his head into one of the pillows on the couch.
I continued to reign down smacks on his backside until finally he began to yell and plead again.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ahhhh!" Edward screamed. "Please Dad, no more!"
I winced with every yelp he made, but did not falter.
"Why are you receiving this spanking Edward?" I asked, lessening the strength behind each spank.
"I don't know, I don't know!" he responded, causing me to groan inwardly.
Wrong answer, I thought to him before bringing my hind down on his sit spots five times. I knew from experience how sensitive this area was, and how much more painful it was to be smacked there.
"Ow, ow, owww!" he shrieked, trying to wriggle away.
I just tightened my hold on him before asking, "Care to try again?"
"OK, OK!" he yelled, before stammering out, "It's because-because I disobeyed you- OW!- and w-went into town and got into- Ahh!- into a fight!"
"What else?" I asked, lessening the strength behind each spank once more.
"I also- I also disobeyed you when you told me not to get into the fight" he said very quickly.
"And why was disobeying me wrong?" I then asked. When he only started to cry softly and not respond, I brought my hand down on his sit spots five more times.
"Owww Dad!" he yelped. "It w-was wrong because I almost k-killed a boy, and b-because I g-got hurt," he stammered tearfully, choking back sobs.
My heart constricted painfully, and I fought back tears at my son's cries.
Good boy, I thought before beginning to bring my hand down harder. I wanted to make this spanking count, so that we would not have a repeat.
"Ahhhh! I'm so sorry Dad!" he sobbed to me.
I swallowed the lump in my throat before nodding my head. I know son.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! I continued to bring my hand down on my son's poor backside, hating myself as I heard his yells and cries get louder.
"Please Daddy, no more! I promise I'll never disobey you again!" he yelled after I started on his sit spots.
I froze, hand mid-air as my son sobbed pitifully over my lap. I was done I thought, as I quickly lifted my son and righted his clothes before pulling him into a hug. I hugged him tightly, rocking him and rubbing his back to calm him.
"Shhh, shhh Edward, it's alright now," I said soothingly. "Everything is forgiven," I told him as he sobbed brokenly into my shirt.
"I-I'm sorry Dad," he cried to me as I tried desperately to calm him.
It's alright little man, I forgive you. I love you so much and nothing will ever change that, I thought emotionally.
Edward responded by gripping me more tightly and crying more loudly.
A/N: Awww, poor Edward, but he definitely deserved it. Next chapter is titled Haunting Memories, and I'll let you guess as to what that entails. As always, please let me know what you're thinking by REVIEWING!
On a side note, need some more help with Rosalie story. I can't decide what she's gonna do to get in trouble. What would be a Rosalie thing to do? I can't start writing until I get a direction to head in. Thanks!