Esme stood several feet back from Carlisle's study listening intently as Emmett paced about the room. It appeared that his nerves were frazzled as he contemplated what awaited him but she was certain that she was feeling just as nervous as he was; more so, quite likely. She was half tempted to go to Carlisle and tell him that she had changed her mind. He had offered her an out in this unpleasantness after all so it wasn't like this was something that she had to do, it was just something that needed to be done.

She leaned heavily against the wall, wrapping her arms around her body for some form of comfort. Have I bitten off more then I can chew? Maybe I should have asked Carlisle to be here with me. Her mind wandered for a few minutes as it played through several scenarios. No, I can do this. Carlisle would have taken over at the first sign of my hesitation. I can't do that to him and I can't do that to Emmett. My baby bear needs to know that I care enough to not let him get away with his recklessness. My God, he didn't even seem to think that having a bottle rocket nearly go off in his hand was something to be concerned about. That cavalier attitude really will get him killed one of these days.

At her last thought, Esme's determination returned in force as she suddenly slapped her palms down on the wall behind her. She heard Alice jump from the sound of the abrupt thump against her bedroom wall but then her focus returned to her son. Emmett's pacing had stopped and she could picture him standing there listening to try and figure out what was happening.

Knowing that at least two of her children were now on pins and needles, Esme forced herself to act. Stepping up to the study's heavy door she knocked gently. Esme couldn't suppress a slight grin at hearing her daughter's soft sigh as Alice settled in safe in the knowledge that her time had not yet come. Emmett on the other hand...

Emmett froze as the sudden thud caught him off guard. If that was the sound of his father laying into one of siblings butts, they were all up a creek this time. He strained to hear what was going on but things outside the room were oddly quiet causing his nerves to prickle more. His concentration was so intense that the soft knock on the door nearly caused him to jump out of his skin.

Oh, crap. He inhaled deeply as he gazed at the door. Calm your ass down. Not like this is your first rodeo. Emmett smirked as he realized that he had just used one of his brother's sayings. Wouldn't Jasper be proud. Slowly he released the held breath willing himself to speak as calmly as he could.

"Yep, come on in, Pops. Aint ready but I'm waiting."

When the door cracked open Emmett was surprised to see his gentle mother standing there in the entrance.

"Oh hiya, momma." He craned his neck to try to look behind her as he searched for his father but it appeared that Esme had come alone. Letting out a sigh of relief, Emmett visibly relaxed. Apparently she was there to lecture him some more, and while he hated having to listen to his faults being pointed out, at least it meant that his behind was safe for a little while longer. "Come in and have a seat if you want. I probably should be sitting anyway since I'm not likely going to be able to here shortly." He gave her his best smile as he sat down on the loveseat against the wall and patted the cushion next to him invitingly. "I'm guessing you want to talk."

Esme slowly stepped into the study and closed the door. She looked at her son comfortably settling into the embrace of the small couch but declined the offer to join him. Walking over to Carlisle desk, she leaned back against it as she crossed her arms with a sigh.

"I'm not really here to talk, Em. I think that most of what needed to be said has already been covered, don't you?"

He tilted his head as his brows knitted in confusion.

"Yeah, I think you and Pops did a good job of going off on us but since you're here I figure there must have been something that got missed." He thought hard for a few seconds before adding, "Can't think of anything else I did though."

"Then how about telling me what it is that you have done to land you into trouble tonight, baby bear. If there is anything that you're missing I'll be able to fill in the blanks."

Damn it! Now I have to remember what all was said because I don't want to take a chance of adding anything else. "Um, well of course we're all mourning the passing of your hothouse and all those little green wonders that you had. Really sorry about that, momma. I promise we'll find a way to make that up to you."

Esme nodded. "I know, baby. I'm sure that you all will be spending some time out in the yard with me and it will be bigger and better then ever." She gave her son a warm smile of reassurance before she motioned for him to continue.

Emmett cleared his throat to tackle the hardest part of his self disclosure. "I forced the others to join me in blowing shit up but in my defense no one got hurt."

"Because you were extremely lucky, young man." Esme raised a brow as she looked directly into her son's eyes. "Hold out your hands, Emmett."

The dark haired bulky boy looked much younger then his years as confusion raced along his features. He had no idea what his mother was trying to get at but he did as he was told and extended his hands.

Esme rubbed her eyes as frustration came to the forefront of her emotions.

"Turn them over, Emmett. Palms up, please."

"Oh." He gave her a sheepish grin as he flipped his hands over in compliance.

"Baby bear, what are those dark marks on your hands?"

He looked at his palms and then rolled them back over and rubbed them against his jean clad thighs. The room suddenly felt a little warmer and confined even though the youngster knew that nothing had changed. His head drooped as he found it much more difficult to meet his mother's gaze.

"Em?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"What caused those marks on your hands?"

Esme's heart went out to her precious boy as he shifted around uncomfortably. Her instincts screamed at her to comfort him, to hold him and let him know that everything was okay, but she knew that she had to make him realize the extent of his folly.

Pushing off from the desk, she closed the short distance to her son. Gently taking his chin in her hand she tilted his head up. Emmett continued to avoid eye contact. Maybe you're finally learning, baby. "Emmett McCarty Cullen, look at me and tell me what caused those marks."

The sternness of her voice caused him to obey.

"A bottle rocket going off in my hand."

As Esme released her hold on his chin his head immediately dropped down again.

"Are you still going to tell me that no one was injured?"

"No ma'am, but it wasn't much of an injury. I mean there really wasn't any damaged done."

Sitting down next to her son, Esme wrapped her arms around Emmett and pulled him towards her. "Baby bear, if damage wasn't done those wounds would have already been healed. It takes longer for your body to recover from burns then anything else. Yes, even minor burns are something to be concerned about and I want you to understand that you can't do these things; ever. Venom is extremely flammable. It doesn't take much to set it off. Emmy, you put yourself in the worst possible danger all in the name of having a good time. That is just not acceptable."

With his head pressed against her he nodded in accession. "I'll be more careful next time."

Esme tilted her head back as she growled softly. Carlisle was right about this boy having a hard head. "Emmett, there will not be a next time. If I ever seen anything flammable in your hands..."

The boy slunk back slightly out of his mother's embraced. He had never heard her take that tone and while he hated to admit it, he found it a bit frightening.

"I'm sorry, momma. You're right. There won't be a next time. I promise. I'll never do anything like this again." His eyes were wide with worry. The last thing he needed right now was an angry Esme to end up talking to Carlisle and getting his butt in deeper trouble then need be. "I promise. I really do."

Esme stood and paced a bit before returning to her previous place against the heavy hardwood desk.

"You know what, baby bear, I believe you because I'm going to make sure that you never want to break that promise to me." Her eyes were unusually hard and her tone firm. "Come here, Em. There is no point in putting this off any longer." She nodded towards the desk expectantly.

What is momma talking... OH HOLY SHIT! "No." He shook his head as his wide eyes reflected the bewilderment that consumed his brain. "No, no, no. This isn't right. No, momma. You can't."

Esme took a deep breath then answered calmly, "Yes, I can and I will, baby bear. The only question is how hard do you want to make this?"

"But, momma..." His words ceased as his brain quickly caught up to what was happening. Shut up, you damn fool. This is better. Carlisle will take your hide clean off. Esme is a soft touch. Go with the flow, dude. You're getting off so much easier if you just shut the hell up.

"Come here, baby. Don't fight me."

Emmett's huge eyes turned sad and watery as he silently pleaded with his mother for leniency.

"Not going to work, Em. Come on. Front and center." Esme struggled to keep her voice soft and even, disguising the trepidation she was feeling about carrying out this mission. Her baby looked so sad. How could she do this to him? She kept reminding herself of Carlisle's words about how she would have to make this punishment count or her baby might end up pulling the same stunt again. The idea of him being hurt was the only thing that kept Esme determined to carry out this dreadful act, but she still feared that their relationship would end up suffering. As long as I can know that he is safe, I guess I can live with him hating me. With that dark thought in her head she watched as her baby boy lumbered towards her with his head hung low.

Emmett approached the desk then stood silently as he waited for Esme to move. He knew from much too much experience that he would be required to lean over the desk and accept what he had coming; the only problem right now was that his mother was right in his way.

"Emmy, you're are going to have to undo your pants, sweetheart."

He looked up and simply stared at his mother, dumbfounded. A shake of his head told her that he wasn't in agreement with this latest revelation.

"Baby, I'm not asking you to bare your backside because I know how uncomfortable that would make you but I'm not going to spank you through jeans. Now, do as I ask or I will take them down for you and I won't promise that your shorts wouldn't follow if that has to happen."

"Momma." His voice came out in much more of a whine then he would have liked but Emmett was finding his discomfort growing by the second. "Can't we come to some other understanding?"

"I wish we could, baby bear. Right now you should consider yourself rather lucky because your father suggested that I ask for your belt instead of trying to use my hand to get through to you. I don't think that should be necessary but if you keep questioning me..."

He sighed in defeat as his head dropped. Slowly he freed his belt then unfastened his jeans fully aware that if he had been able to blush his face would be an astonishing shade of red. "Momma, you are going to have to move if you want me to bend over the desk."

Esme scooted up on the desk and turned towards her son slightly so that her left leg was fully supported by the smooth wooden surface before she patted the desk top.

Emmett cocked an eyebrow as he looked from the desk to his mother and back again.

"Emmy, you're too big for me to put over my knee comfortably so this is the next best thing that I can think of. You still end up over my knee but you can have the support of the desk and a bit more freedom of movement."

He groaned but positioned himself as best as he could. No use fighting it at this point. Might as well just get it over with. Shouldn't be too terrible anyway so what's a little humiliation, right?

Esme pushed her son's pants down to his knees then wrapped her arm around his waist drawing him closer. Fragmented memories of her as a little girl turned over her father's knee flashed in her head. She had never hated her father so maybe Emmett wouldn't end up hating her; at least it was something to hope for.

"Alright, baby bear?" At his nod she raised her hand and brought it swiftly down in an arc that caught the under curve of his right cheek.

"Holy SHIT!" Emmett pushed up from the desk, easily breaking her hold, as he danced away holding onto his rear. "Damn, momma but that hurts. Where in the hell did you learn to do that."

Esme watched him quietly as he brought himself back under control. "Em, have you just taken leave of your senses?"

Her softly spoken question caused a mortified expression to come across his face. "Yes, ma'am. I think that I did but I'm better now." He hung his head slightly as he retook his position across the desk and over his mother's knee. "Won't happen again."

His mother grasped his waist again but this time locked her arm tightly before releasing a volley of swats to her baby's clenched backside. It didn't take long for Esme to settle into a rhythm that took her from cheek to cheek and top to the very bottom where all the nerves seemed to collect.

Emmett hiss and moaned as fire raged on his butt making him question why he had ever thought that tonight's events were a good idea. He had known that he would be punished if he was caught and he knew what course that punishment would take but it hadn't been enough to dissuade him at the time. Now the it had become a reality his brain berated him for his stupidity. He almost wished he had been killed since that had to have hurt much less then this.

"Emmy, I never want to have to do this again but believe me when I say that I will."

His breath caught in a gasp as the first sob broke from his throat. Emmett's knuckles had turned even paler shade of white as he clung to the edge of the desk for dear life, all while praying that he didn't break it.

"I don't want you to do this again either, momma. Believe you, me," he managed through gritted teeth as tears welled up in his eyes. He would have never believed anyone if they told him that Esme could spank this hard. Where had his sweet, soft-hearted mom gone and who was this woman who had taken her place? Shit!

Esme shifted her attention to the back of her bear boy's thighs and the underside of his bottom. She grimaced as he cried out when the pain intensified, hating herself for causing his grief. Without warning she heard his fist slam into the desktop then his body stilled while silent sobs caused his shoulders to shake slightly. She stopped her assault instantly as tears filled her eyes at her son's suffering.

Gently she rubbed her son's back trying to ease his tension. "It's okay, baby bear. We're done. It's all over." Thank God. Leaning over, she laid her cheek against Emmett's back as she hugged him. "I love you, baby."

Emmett sucked in deep breaths to try to calm himself as he continued to lay against his father's desk. The light pressure of his mother against him was reassuring as he fought against his tears. As his eye began to clear he was greeted by a vision that brought a new wave of concern. "Oh damn."

Esme sat up and placed her hand against her baby's shoulder. "What's wrong, Emmett? Are you alright?"

"I'm okay, momma but the desk isn't." He pushed himself up and pointed to the dent caused by his fist. "Now dad is going to bust my ass, too." He moaned loudly at the thought.

Esme laughed a little as she pulled her son into a hug. "No, he won't. I'll explain it to him. You'll see. I know how to tame that savage beast."

Emmett wiped his eyes as he pulled back from his mother's embrace. "You know how to tame me, that's for sure." He rubbed his behind then pulled his jeans back up, wincing as they brushed against his sore skin. "Seriously, where did you learn how to do that?"

"Oh, I picked up a little bit here and a little bit there. Just because it's not my preferred method for dealing with my children's shenanigans doesn't mean that I can't tan your hides when the need arises." She smiled gently then seriousness and sadness shown through her eyes. "I hated doing that, baby bear."

"Probably about as much as my butt hated it." Emmett nodded.

Esme looked down as she took a deep breath then looked up to meet her son's eyes. "Emmy, are we alright?"

He cocked his head to the side with a questioning expression. "Why wouldn't we be, momma?"

She closed her eyes and swallowed hard before giving voice to her fears.

"I hurt you, Em. Can you still love me after that? I'll understand if..."

Her words were interrupted as she was lifted off of the desk and swung around in her burly son's arms.

"You can't be serious." He laughed as his eyes twinkled. "Of course I love you. You're my momma. What's there not to love?"

"But I..."

"Gave me what I deserved? Yeah you did. Dad would have done the same." He gently released her on her feet so he could rub away some of the sting. "I would have never thought ... well never mind, but safe to say that I'm not going to be looking to cross you anytime soon. You do pack a mean wallop." He grinned at his mother doing his best to lighten her mood.

Esme smiled as her son's contagious good humor got the best of her. "So I didn't need to use the belt to get my point across?"

Emmett snorted. "No, ma'am. I got your point loud and clear. This is one boy who is not going to play with anything that flamms, ever again."

She found herself giggling at his odd word choice. "Well, that's good. I don't know what I would do if anything happen to you, baby bear."

"What could ever happen as long as I have you and dad looking out for me?"

"I don't know, Em but you seem to be a magnet for trouble."

"It's a gift." He smiled widely as he gave Esme a little mischievous wink.

With a shake of her head she smiled then ruffled his dark curly locks. "What to do with you, son?"

"Love me?"

"Always."

Esme hugged her bear again then placed a light kiss on his cheek before she sighed. "Baby, I have to go have a little discussion with Rose so you can either hang out in here until I give you the okay or you can go downstairs. Your father and I haven't spoken about the game consoles but I'm going to say that for now they are off limits. And whatever you do, stay in the house."

"Yes, ma'am." He shifted a little uncomfortably then added, "Um, momma, don't be too hard on Rose. I have a bad feeling and don't want to see either one of you pissed off or hurt. You know? Besides, she really didn't do anything as bad as the rest of us."

She brushed her hand against his cheek softly. "This is between Rose and me, baby but I do appreciate your concern and will take it into consideration."

"Okay, momma. Thanks."

Esme gave him one last smile then turned to leave but as she stepped though the door his words stopped her.

"Momma bear? Good luck."

She looked back over her shoulder at her sweet baby boy. "Thanks, baby. I think I'm going to need it."

AN: Longer then I thought but.. there y'all go. Hope it lived up to expectations. I do believe that Esme took Emmett by surprise.

Thank you all for the fantastic comments. They are all loved and greatly appreciated. Not sure if I'm going with Jasper or Alice next. I'm thinking Alice but, as always, I'm open to suggestions.

IMCullen, I just wanted to let you know that I did think about poor Edward being on his own while the others have a mate to lean on. I had originally planned on having him stuck in his room for the night but then realized how unfair that would be to him so he is free to move about the cabin and will by the time this thing wraps up. ;-) Guess I might have to find a way to tackle Bella at some point.

And to Edward being a wimp. I didn't really see him that way though he is the artistic sensitive type so that might be where that comes from. Frankly, I thought it was pretty gutsy to backtalk Carlisle when Edward already knew his butt was on the line. I think of myself as rather brave and I would never do that. *grins* ... just wanted to respond so you can know what goes on in my strange little brain. ... it is a scary place.