"Alice." Carlisle said from the door. "You're going first princess."
Alice nodded and sniffled, but entered the office with as much bravery as she could muster.
"Let's sit and talk first." Carlisle gestured to the couch. "I want to know every detail about your involvement so I know how to punish you."
"Yes daddy." Alice answered and then delivered a thorough retelling of the story, accounting for every detail, blink and breath. When she was finished, Carlisle took her hands in his.
"My sweet Alice. My good little girl. You mustn't let anyone convince you to do what you know is wrong. I know you don't want to tell on your siblings, but if you had, I wouldn't have to come down as hard on them as I am now forced to."
Alice lowered her head as a tear spilled onto her cheek. "I know. It's just so hard. But I will do better, I swear."
Carlie tipped her chin up to look him in the eye. "I know you will. You are very bright and have such a good heart. You thrive on making everyone happy. You are a beacon of joy in this family."
"Thank you." Alice murmured leaning into her fathers chest. They sat a moment, saying nothing. Carlisle briefly wondered if he ought to hurry along the process to quell the mounting anxiety he felt beginning to pour across the house. But Alice spoke up.
"I did defend you daddy." She said. "I don't mind you using spankings, thrashing, whipping, or whatever it is those naughty boys decide to call it. Even if my mate ends up on the wrong side of your belt way more often than he used to" She sat up before continuing. "We all feel safe and guarded here. Please, never fault us for feeling like children here. We are eternally your children. You'll eternally be our father. And sometimes, we forget that the world we live in, is not the world we belong to." Alice paused to let her words sink in. Carlisle was thankful for them. For a moment, Alice seemed to look far away into his soul, and when she returned she looked into Carlisles eyes as if she knew something he didn't. And then she confirmed that idea.
"You're going to have an idea later. When you're with the boys." She paused, looking uncomfortable. "It will work though. If you follow through." She finished with a hug and a quick peck on the cheek.
Carlisle studied her a moment, wondering if he shoul ask what his idea will be. He decided, if she felt it necessary to tell him, she would have. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and then began to unbutton the cuff of his sleeve and slowly roll it back two folds. "Let's get this over with shall we?"
Alice nodded and Carlisle slowly guided her over his lap until she was comfortably across his knees. She wrapped her arms around his leg and held on for dear life.
Three hard crisp smacks fell quickly on Alices upended backside and she squeaked at the sting. But no more fell. Carlisle chuckled at the surprise on Alices face when he helped her off his knees and sat her back beside him.
"Is that it?" She asked.
"Yes my dear. You were put in a tough spot. You also could have walked away blameless, but you owned up to your involvement. Im sure you know the boys had absolved you of wrongdoing before you arrived. Therefore, I don't feel the need to truly punish you."
Alice wrapped her arms around Carlisles neck and squeezed him in a tight hug.
"Oh thank you!" She managed to squeak out.
"Yes, yes. But please, next time your mate and his troublesome brothers have such a hair brained scheme, come to me. I'd much rather talk about something awkward or uncomfortable, than have to punish all my children in one day."
"I will do my best." Alice said standing up. "I suspect I ought to go to my room now?"
"No dear. I don't think any restrictions are necessary for you or Rose. I am undecided if the boys will have restrictions or not." Carlisle stood to walk Alice to the door. He gave her another quick hug before opening it and saying, "Rosalie. You may come in now."
As Alice exited the room, she whispered something to Jasper and gave him a quick kiss. Everyone sighed as a wave of relief washed over the house.
"Sorry" said Jasper.
"Guess I'm not getting off quite that easy." Said Rose the second the office door had closed.
"Do you think you deserve to be?" Carlisle asked.
"If I'm being perfectly honest, I would have preferred a whipping to the two hours of corner time." She said plopping down on the couch next to Carlisle. "But I made the others write my apology letter for me, so I guess the answer would be no."
"I see." Carlisle responded pensively. "Still, I would like to know your full involvement and why if you don't mind."
Rosalie did not mind. She shared as readily as Alice had, adding at the end of her tale,
"I only agreed because the boys were going to do something idiotic. I thought they'd let it go after my shining hours in the corner."
"You could also have come to tell me the boys were being idiotic, as you say." Carlisle chided.
Rose smirked. "I'm not a tattle tale kind of girl. A good captain always goes down with her ship and all that." Then she grew quiet and said softly. "I did feel bad though. And I am sorry."
"I know you are Rose." Carlisle said. "But I am going to have to spank you. It's only fair."
"I know."
Carlisle motioned for Rose to lay over his lap, instead of moving closer, she jumped up.
"No way. I do NOT want to go over your lap like I'm three." She shouted.
"I did not ask you if that is what you wanted Rose. I am giving you what you have earned." Carlisle said sternly, never moving from his spot on the couch. "I strongly recommend you deposit yourself over my lap this instance young lady."
Rose fidgeted at his tone but made no move to obey. Instead she whined, "why can't I go over your desk or over the back of a chair like usual."
Carlisle was growing visibly frustrated. "Because Rosalie, I am in charge here. I decide what punishment is warranted. I have to punish every single one of my children today, and I'm already tired Rose. I've been pushed too much lately, and I'm tired. So please, make this a little easier on me and do as I've requested."
Rosalie stared dumbfounded at the man who had never broken, not once in the decades they had been family. All hesitation gone, she finally felt her feet moving back towards the couch and lowering herself across her fathers lap.
"Sorry" she muttered.
"I am as well." Carlisle added. "I didn't mean to yell."
"Its ok" sniffed Rose.
"No, it's really not." Came the sad reply. "But I appreciate your forgiveness. I fully extend mine to you as well."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Carlisle lifted his hand and brought it down firmly. Rose twitched and gasped a slight "ah" before resolving to not react the rest of the punishment. This was not hard to do as half hearted smacks met her rear for less than half a minute. And soon, she stood shakily and rubbed the itchy sting from her rump before issuing yet another apology. Carlisle stood next to her and assured, "You are forgiven, of course."
And was then caught by surprise when his oldest daughter caught him in a hug. Rose was quite infrequently touchy feely, and less so after a correction. He, of course, heartily hugged back and as with Alice, gave a quick kiss on the forehead.
"Now, if you'll excuse me" he said guiding her to the door. "The most difficult part of my evening awaits."