Edward stared down from his window at the star lit black water of the river flowing in the distance. The motion of the water had always been calming to him but this evening its surface would occasionally reflect the colorful display of fireworks reminding him of why he was in this position. What should be the courier of a joyful celebration now did nothing but destroy the tranquility of his thoughts. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans as he leaned his forehead against the glass and sighed at the trouble he had managed to get himself into.

A soft knock on his bedroom door caused him to suck in a deep breath to steady his nerves.

"Edward, may I come in?"

His father's quiet voice caused him to shiver. So he was to be first. Great. Everyone will be listening to see how mad dad is. This is just wonderful. If he had still been human he knew that his heart would be racing. His chest felt tight as it was as anxiety seeped into every fiber of his being.

"Edward, son?"

He swallowed hard as he gathered his voice. "Sorry, dad. Yeah, of course."

Carlisle entered the room then quietly closed the door behind him drawing a soft groan from his miserable looking son. He knew that this was going to be hard on his first born and prayed to get through it quickly for both of them. Edward's body language already spoke volumes. He was understandably nervous but the slump of his shoulders and the fact that he had yet to turn away from the window were clear indicators to his embarrassment at being punished with so many people in the house.

"Edward, I'm sure the others are preoccupied. I doubt that they are going to be overly concerned with what is happening in here." Carlisle walked over to stand beside his son just as the night sky was lit in the distance with a rainbow of colors. "They are beautiful."

Edward grunted as he tracked the shower of glittering sparks. "Somehow they don't seem as great as they did a few hours ago."

Carlisle gave his son a slight smile as he gently placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'm sure the luster isn't gone for good." He carefully watched as Edward shifted uneasily while he dropped his gaze from the window to focus on his fidgeting hands. "Come on, son. Let's sit down and talk." He steered the bronze haired youth towards the lounge then pulled a chair up and sat in front of him.

"Can you tell me why you allowed yourself to become party to this foolishness? That's not like you, son. You are much wiser then that."

Edward shrugged as he kept his eyes downcast. "Guess I'm not that wise."

Carlisle sighed quietly. "Isn't there something that you want to say in your defense?"

"I don't see how it would matter." Edward laced his long fingers together as he tried to still his nervous movements. "Our fun went wrong. About as pretty damn wrong as it could have short of one of us blowing ourselves to kingdom come." He lifted his head slightly to look at his father. "I can promise that I will never do anything like this again regardless of how much Em wants to. I figure after ... well.. just after... I doubt that any of us will be jumping on the stupidity wagon very quickly."

The family patriarch chuckled. "No, that is something that I truly believe and have complete faith in." He patted Edward's knee.

"Dad, is there anyway that I can talk you into putting this off? I'm not trying to get out of it but maybe you and I can go somewhere else or... I don't know. It's just that..." He dropped his head into his hands as the humiliation of being spanking within ear shot of his siblings got the better of him.

"I'm sorry, son. I do understand how hard this is for you but you are going to have to deal with the same consequences as the others. I'm not going to make special allowances for them so it wouldn't be fair for me to make them for you. Does that make sense?"

Edward nodded. "Doesn't make it easier."

"I know, champ but then maybe this will be a little extra discouragement for you when it comes to following your siblings blindly into situations that you know better then to be in. If you don't want to be punished with them the simple solution is not to get into trouble with them."

The boy looked up at his father with a grimace as his hope for a stay of execution evaporated before his eyes.

"I don't think it really needs to be said but you all will be constructing a new greenhouse during your incarceration." Edward nodded mutely as he tucked his chin into his chest. Carlisle gave him a few moments to collect his thoughts then cleared his throat. "Let's get this over with, son."

Carlisle stood then reached his hand towards Edward and pulled him to his feet. "Lose the jeans, Edward."

"Aw, dad."

"Edward."

"But..."

"Now, Edward Anthony. Don't make me ask you again or your siblings over hearing will be the least of your worries."

Edward's eyes grew wide at his father's quiet threat. As badly as he didn't want to give up what little protection his clothing offered, he knew that Carlisle wasn't one for empty promises. With shaking fingers he worked the buttons on his jean free while his father sat down to take his place on the lounge. Pushing the denim over his hips he allow his jeans to fall to the floor.

Carlisle gently caught Edward's wrist and pulled his son down across his knee. Shifting him slightly to get a better grip on the boy, his father spoke softly. "What are you being punished for, Edward?"

"For being stupid enough to listen to my dumb-ass brother."

Carlisle's hand connected with his son's behind with a sharp stinging slap. "That would be incorrect, son and your word choice leaves much to be desired. I suggest that you correct that now before we continue." To emphasize his words his hand swiftly came down again.

"Ow. Alright. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Try again, Edward. Answer my question." He laid his hand lightly on his boy's thigh as he patiently waited for a response.

"I went behind your back and did something stupid that put my life in danger." He buried his face in his arms wishing frantically for this to be over.

"Good, Edward, and what else," Carlisle prompted gently.

"Put everyone in danger and destroyed mom's greenhouse."

"That's right, son and do you understand the severity of your transgression?"

"If I don't now, I'm sure I will soon," Edward muttered in a whisper which was answered with a firm swat. "Yes, sir! Yes, sir! I understand. I do."

"Watch the attitude, Edward."

Edward groaned at his father's admonishment then yelped as Carlisle set about showing his wayward son the errors in his recent behavior. He tried to twist out of his father's hold but found himself snugged tighter against Carlisle's body while his behind began to blaze in pain.

"Ow. I get it, dad. Stop. I won't do it again. I swear. Just please... OW!," Edward pleaded but his father was determined to make sure that this would be a lesson that wouldn't need repeating. The younger man's hand shot back on its own accord in an attempt to protect his behind but Carlisle captured his wrist and pinned it to his lower back.

"You know better, Edward. Another stunt like that and you lose the boxers, too. Understand?"

The boy yowled as a stinging slap struck the tender flesh where rump met thigh. He nodded his head vigorously as he squirmed harder.

"A verbal response, please, son."

Edward shook his head as tears of pain and regret clouded his vision. "Yes," he hissed through clenched teeth. "Sorry, dad. Please stop. I've had enough. That hurts."

"That is the idea, son," Carlisle answered in a gentle tone while his hand continued to pepper his boy's quivering rear end. "If it didn't hurt it wouldn't be much of a deterrent, now would it?"

Edward prayed that his father wasn't looking for an answer to that since his voice was failing as he choked on the thick venom coating his throat while his tears soaked the cushion of the lounge. The more Edward struggled the swifter and harder his father's hand fell until suddenly the boy went limp as sobs racked his body; all semblance of defiance gone.

Son, why do you do this to me. Don't you realize how much it hurts me to punish you? You were my first companion. I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to you. "Edward, I love you entirely too much to risk losing you, boy." His strokes slowed but remained firm as he drove his point home where Edward would feel the effects every time he sat for the next day or so. "If I have to spank you everyday for a month to get through to you, I'll do it. You are never to endanger yourself like this again. Do you hear me?"

Edward's sobs deepened and he coughed to clear the venom as he gasped for breath to try to answer this father. "Yes...hear you. Sorry, daddy."

"That's my good, boy."

Carlisle's hand stilled for a second then Edward found himself righted on his father's lap as he hugged his thoroughly chastised son close. "It's okay, son. Shh. You're alright. You're safe. I have you," Carlisle whispered as he ran a hand through his boy's hair while his other gently rubbed Edward's back. "All is forgiven. Shh."

Edward clung to Carlisle as he felt his body collapse while the heavy emotions of remorse and grief released themselves through his tears. Cuddled like a small child, he allowed himself the comfort of his father's love as he cried himself out on the man's broad shoulder. Gradually, the boy regained a measure of control and pulled away still sniffling.

Carlisle's golden eyes gently held Edward's as he wiped a tear from the boy's cheek. "Alright, now?"

Edward nodded slightly then hung his head in embarrassment at his display as he wiped at his eyes in frustration. Every time he would promise himself that he would take his punishment like a man but it never took his father long to bring out his tears leaving him feel like a naughty little boy.

"Let's not do this again. Agreed?" Carlisle's voice broke though his son's thoughts.

"Agreed."

Carlisle smiled as he ruffled his son's unruly hair. Gently he helped Edward to his feet then stood himself and gave the boy a last hug before releasing him fully. "Sadly, I have to attend to the rest of my troublemakers but if you need to talk later, I'm here for you."

"Thanks, dad. I'm alright." Edward briskly rubbed his battered backside ruefully. "Or I will be eventually."

His father smiled then gave his son a stern look. "Alright Edward, since you're grounded there will be no music for a week."

"AWW. Really? Please, dad. Come on. Didn't my butt pay enough already for what I did?"

Carlisle cocked an eyebrow causing Edward to glance away. "It's only a week, Edward. I could have taken your music away for the entire month."

"Yes, sir." The boy shuffled over to his desk dejectedly and picked up his I-pod with a sad sigh before turning to hand it to his father.

Carlisle waved Edward away. "Tomorrow."

Confusion shown on the younger man's face.

"I figure it will be useful to you tonight to help block your siblings thoughts. No need for you to be troubled with everyone's worries. Bring it to me tomorrow morning."

Edward looked at the tiny electronic in his hand and was suddenly grateful for his father's forethought. "Thank you."

Carlisle gave his son's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Remember. If you need to talk, you know where to find me," he said before slipping out the door to pay a visit to his next miscreant.

Edward glanced down at the lounge but a twinge of pain in his backside made him give up the idea of sitting for awhile. Donning his I-pod, he walked back over to the window just as another distant explosion illuminated the night sky. With the music soothing his spirit and the "discussion" with his father behind him, the fireworks seemed more agreeable to the young man.

"You're right, dad. They are beautiful... as long as they are over there."

AN: Hmm... well I had thought that I would have been able to get Edward and Emmett done in one chapter. I was wrong. Edward took much more time then I thought he would but at least that is one down and four more to go. Em is up next so... cue Esme! Let's see what a momma bear can do.

Thanks for all the kind words and support, guys. I will do my best to make Emmett and Esme worth the wait.