Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters

Warning: This story contains disciplinary spanking so if that offends you then please don't bother reading or flaming.

A/N: I am really loving your guys' reviews. Hearing all your opinions and guesses as to what will happen is just great, I love it! Please keep them coming! As you can tell by the title this is the chapter our dear soldier boy is going to be taken to task. Time for Mama to put our stubborn boy in his place. Enjoy!

Chapter 8: A Mother's Touch

Esme's POV:

I felt relieved that Alice put up little fuss. While one of the main reasons I was punishing Jasper was because I knew Carlisle was not up to it, the other was because I felt this would be a good time for Alice and Carlisle to talk. Alice needed to open up about her past and what happened today, and while I'm sure her pain would hurt Carlisle, I knew it would be cathartic for him to finally be able to help his angel.

I also felt I would be able to make a better impression on my southern boy than Carlisle solely for the fact that I was his mother. He was used to accepting discipline from Carlisle, but not from me and I knew from the few times that I had spanked him that he hated it when I punished him. I had compared my experiences with those of Carlisle's and Jasper had always reacted worse with me, even if it was just a few swats. His pride suffered, and my inability to shut my emotions away as effectively as Carlisle always hurt him more. These emotional tolls that he did not experience as strongly when being punished by Carlisle would make more of an impact, or at least that is what I was hoping for.

Jasper needed to learn to get his temper under control. He needed to learn that it was never alright to treat us with such disrespect and defiance just because he felt Alice was in danger. I couldn't believe how he'd tried to threaten his father! My son was going to be one sorry little boy once I was through with him.

I took a few breaths, resolving myself to what lay ahead. This would be the first time I would be dealing with an issue this severe. All other times I had physically chastised my children they had all been spur of the moment with not much discussion involved as the misbehavior had not really warranted it. Temper tantrums usually, or childish mischief, actions that the children knew were wrong and all that was needed was correction.

I knew Jasper was going to take this badly, and I didn't need Alice's visions to tell me that. He would fight me. He would try to change my mind, and I was prepared for anything, lies, manipulation, begging.

I was secretly hoping I was wrong and that Jasper would accept this spanking as easily as he did Carlisle's. Sigh, well, here's to hoping.

Alright, I had reflected enough. Now was time to take my son in hand. No doubt he was anxious enough as it was.

Glancing about the destroyed room I let out a sad sigh before making my way to Carlisle's study. Taking one last deep breath, I walked in purposefully and with confidence. I felt and saw Jasper's confusion as he looked at me.

"Hello Mama," he spoke hesitantly, "Don't tell me ya talked Papa out of this, did ya?"

"No," I answered with a small shake of my head. His brow furrowed as his confusion mounted.

"So yer here ta talk to me," he guessed, and I just raised an eyebrow at obtuseness.

My son bit his lip, shifting from one foot to another before hedging another guess. "If yer here ta warn me, I promise to be on my best behavior with Dad. I won't fight 'im." He gave me a reassuring look, and I couldn't help the jolt of amusement I felt at his expression. Oh baby, I couldn't help but coo internally.

My little Texan narrowed his eyes at me, and I could actually feel his mounting confusion.
"Not exactly," I answered him, and this time along with his confusion I felt his frustration.

"Then why are you here?" Is it…," he paused, a frown marring his before his eyes widened and his whole body tensed. "It's Alice, isn't it? He's gonna spank her again! That bastard! She's already been punished once today, wasn't that enough?!" he burst out angrily, turning to rush out of this room. He was just opening the door when I reached him, slamming the door shut before he could take a step outside. I slammed it with such force that a huge crack appeared, stemming from the top to halfway down the solid ebony door, and if that wasn't bad enough there was also a dent in the shape of my hand. In the back of my mind I gave an internal curse, knowing Carlisle was not going to like this. Better the door than his desk, I thought dryly. At least it's replaceable.

These thoughts registered in under a second before I whirled on my ill-tempered, foolish boy. I gave him a fierce look, totally fed up with his lack of control. I cannot believe he was about to rush out of here all hot-headed because he thought Alice was being spanked.

"Did I give you permission to leave?" I asked Jasper in a quiet, dangerous tone.

My son took a step back away from me, his eyes stunned at my actions. I made no attempt to hide my emotions for him. I wanted him to feel my anger. I wanted him to feel my frustration. I wanted him to feel my disappointment. Jasper eyed me warily before straightening up and giving me a stubborn look. No one would ever accuse him of being a coward, that was for sure. Foolish, yes, but not a coward.

"Carlisle already punished Alice today, so he got no right to be doin' so again so soon," he hissed angrily, his eyes flashing. "It ain't right, and I intend ta tell 'im so!"

I responded with a heated glare as I took a step into his personal space. I could feel how uncomfortable he was having me this near, but he refused to back away. He refused to give in. That was not going to work with me though. This boy would give in, and he would learn to respect my authority as much as he did Carlisle's.

"I am sick and tired of your attitude, Jasper Lee Cullen, absolutely sick and tired!" I hissed in his face. His brow furrowed slightly, a bit of guilt and hurt flashing through his eyes before I snatched up his left ear in my hand and dragged him over to one of the seats in front of Carlisle's desk.

"Sit down," I ordered sharply, giving a satisfied nod when the boy promptly did as he was told. He sat stiffly with his arms crossed, a disgruntled expression on his face, and I had to fight back an exasperated roll of my eyes as he was the epitome of a sulking teenager right now. H was even grumbling to himself while shooting me a mutinous look. "She don't understand," he muttered. "She's always takin' his side."

I couldn't help the spark of amusement I felt at seeing Jasper act like this. This was the boy who used to frown upon the childish antics of his siblings, who used to voluntarily confess everything he considered to be misbehavior along with suggested punishments, and who used to fear any little bit of disrespect would get him kicked out of the family. Over his many years in this family he had begun to come out of his shell and act more his physical age (or younger), but today seemed to be the topping on the cake. First Alice and now Jasper. Leaving Bella had really messed this family up, and it was becoming more and more noticeable to me.

I continued to watch Jasper in silence as he slowly began to bring his temper under control. He took several deep breaths before staring up at me with clouded eyes. He was attempting to look stoic and uncaring, but not only had I known him long enough, I was also more than familiar with this tactic because of my stubborn husband.

"Are you through with all the tantrums for today?" I asked after several tense seconds of silence. I immediately felt a spike in anger from my moody son but he quickly stifled it as he gave me a slow nod. It was an obviously difficult move for him.

"Yes, ma'am," he managed to choke out before asking, "but if I may, could you please tell me if Carlisle is punishin' my wife?"

I sighed irritably at his question and the way he spoke his father's name, rubbing my forehead before just shaking my head. Jasper narrowed his eyes as he surveyed me, no doubt gauging my sincerity. When he found what he was looking for he immediately relaxed, all tension leaving him as he literally sank into his seat.

"Oh," Jazz mumbled, his relief coursing quickly from mild guilt to confusion. "Well, uh, then why are you here, Mom? You said you weren't here to talk to me, so…," he trailed off awkwardly as he sensed my mounting disappointment. I watched him fidget, nervously moving his hands from the arm rests to his lap as he tried to figure out what was going on. I was surprised he hadn't figured it out yet. My cowboy was no fool, but I supposed this wasn't a normal situation. It took longer than expected, but after a few more seconds the frozen body and widening eyes alerted me that he had finally realized what was about to take place.

"A-are ya here ta—I mean are ya gonna be—you…," he stammered nearly incoherently and I just nodded my head. I didn't think it possible, but his eyes managed to widen even more as his mouth fell open in an 'o' shape. He began opening and closing it looking very much like a fish out of water as he tried to come up with something to say. Truthfully I had been expecting quite a passionate and well thought argument, so I was a tad bit disappointed when all the boy managed to choke out was a strangled, "No."

If the situation hadn't been so serious I may have given my son a sympathetic smile, but I wasn't in the mood for protests right now. I was thoroughly fed up with Jasper's extreme disrespect and temper so there was no way this boy was talking himself out of this. Mama was not happy with her child.

"Yes," I responded, but he just shook his head at me as he said, "But-but, you just can't"—

"Don't you dare tell me what I can and cannot do, young man," I sharply interjected. "I am your mother and you will do well to remember that."

Jasper snapped his mouth shut, leaning back in his chair at my rebuke, his eyes turning troubled before he began to speak. "I'm sorry, Mama, I meant no disrespect, but"—

I cut him off once more with a silencing hand.

"That is your problem though, isn't it," I remarked seating myself on top of my husband's desk. "You never mean to be disrespectful and you are always sorry, but you don't learn. That is why I am here instead of Carlisle right now. He has tried his hand at teaching you how to mind your temper, but now it is my turn."

Jasper shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his brow furrowed as he struggled to come up with a proper response.

"Before we get to your punishment, Jazz, we are going to talk," I informed him with a pointed look. "We are going to talk openly, honestly, and civilly with one another," I added, now taking a seat in the chair next to him. We both turned our chairs so that we were facing each other.

"Yes, ma'am," was my boy's response, and I gave him a proud smile to show my happiness with his sudden compliance. I only hoped he would be able to keep a hold of his gentlemanly nature throughout this entire conversation.

"You know why you are here, Jasper," I began softly. "Your actions today have been absolutely atrocious. The disrespect and defiance you exhibited with not only me, but with Carlisle has been completely uncalled for and unacceptable. This behavior nearly always comes up when Alice is in trouble, but I thought you were getting better. I thought you were learning how to control your over protectiveness, but today you proved me wrong. You did everything short of attacking one of us; and for the record, I am proud of you for this as I recognize this shows you have grown to trust us, at least to some extent. What will it take for Carlisle and I to gain the rest of your trust, son?"

"I do trust ya," he immediately protested, looking upset that I could think any differently.

"It doesn't seem like it," I told him. "What other reason is there for the way you lose your temper every time Alice is in trouble with us? It's obvious that you don't trust us with her. You're still afraid we're going to hurt her even though you've experienced the same punishment she is subject to."

"It's not like that," he refuted, giving me an earnest look as he once more repeated, "I do trust you, Mama."

I refrained from giving a sigh. Either there was more to this than either Carlisle or I realized or the boy really didn't understand his own actions. "Then please explain, sweetheart, because I am obviously failing to understand the issue."

"I really do trust you and Papa," the boy declared vehemently, "it's just that Alice is my mate and it's my job to protect her. Everything I do, every move I make she's always in the back o' mah mind. My happiness is linked to her happiness. Everythin' she feels, I feel it too, and when she's upset or in pain because one of ya scolded or spanked her, it's pure agony for me. My every instinct, every fiber of mah bein' demands for justice. It demands I take care of whateva or whoeva hurt my mate."

I took in his passionate words, comparing them to my own in regards to Carlisle. I felt basically the same towards my mate, but Jasper felt everything more strongly. Due to his gift, he not only saw everything his mate went through but he actually felt it. I couldn't imagine what this would do to either me or Carlisle if we possessed our empathic boy's ability. Add that to the fact that Jasper was still a boy in so many ways, dealing with teenage hormones, and unable to always control the emotional highs and lows he experienced, well, things were becoming clearer to me. It in no way excused the boy's actions, but I was certainly on my way to understanding why his reactions were always stronger than Emmett's or even Carlisle's.

"Do you trust your father or me to spank Alice?" I decided to press, knowing that despite his claims there were definite trust issues in my boy. The hard part would be getting him to acknowledge that.

"This ain't got nuthin' to do with"—

"Think carefully before responding," I interrupted firmly, giving him a pointed look.

He sighed impatiently before unhappily doing as requested. It didn't take long before he was frowning and then looking up at me with a slightly shameful expression.

"I-I guess I don't," he spoke very quietly, unable to look me in the eyes now. "I'm sorry, I just, I mean I trust you when yer spankin' me, but Alice, well she's a special kind o' woman, and she just ain't me. She more sensitive and fragile, and she just can't handle the stuff I can. I deserve ta have my hide tanned every now an' again, but mah Alice don't. She's a sensible sort and ya really only need ta talk ta her and tell her what she done wrong for her to understand. A spanking is just overkill," the cowboy declared strongly, giving me an earnest look.

I nodded my head, feeling even more understanding of what the issue was. Jasper was right in a way, this really wasn't about trust. This was about him being misinformed and his inability to see the strength Alice possessed.

"Jasper, do you think we spank all you children in the same manner?" I asked, first wanting to clarify something with him.

"Well, yes why wouldn't you?" he questioned in confusion, not understanding the purpose behind my question. "I mean, obviously things'll be different depending on how badly we messed up, but I assume you treat us all the same so nobody can claim unfairness or that somebody got off easier than the other. I know when I've gotten in trouble with mah brothers that Papa has usually given us all the same numba of licks."

"Usually?" I pressed, and he looked a bit sheepish as he said, "Well, sometimes one of us gets a bit mouthy and we'll get extra, or sometimes if we been fightin' whoeva started it gets it worse than the others."

"Yes, so even in the same circumstances the punishment can be different," I remarked, and Jasper frowned lightly as said, "I suppose."

"Look son, all of you kids are your own unique individuals with different personalities. Because of these differing traits we tend to approach discipline differently with each one of you, even in terms of spanking. You, my young Texan have an issue with overcoming guilt. You hold onto your misbehavior much more strongly than your siblings would, and because of this, we are usually a little harder on you than we would be with them. Not to mention you are more prone to arguing and manipulation," I added sternly. "Alice on the other hand is nearly always very good at readily admitting her wrong doings and easily accepting of her punishments, so her spankings are rarely ever hard, especially in comparison to what you receive. It doesn't take much for Alice to understand the error of her ways, or to forgive herself. So, when you fear that Alice faces the same punishment as you, don't because that is rarely the case."

My son face looked conflicted as he thought over what I said. I allowed him a moment before addressing another issue.

"As for Alice being more sensitive and frail than you, Jasper, please don't be ridiculous," I chided mildly. "Alice is not as physically strong as you, that's true, and nor has she suffered the horrors and painful punishments you have, but that in no ways means she's any less strong. Do not confuse strength of body with strength of character. Alice is not some delicate flower that will fall apart at the least bit of wind. She is hardy and resilient like you and like all your siblings. The spanking she received today was a harsh one, but she bounced right back. Apart from a very sore bottom, did she seem broken or overly distraught to you?" I asked him.

"She was upset," he stated somewhat angrily, and when I raised an eyebrow at him, he then quietly admitted, "but overall she seemed alright." I graced my boy with a proud smile, happy that he seemed to finally be listening to a bit of reason. Of course, things couldn't be this easy though.

"But Carlisle still shouldn't have spanked her so hard. I mean, the belt, really? What could she possibly of done to deserve somethin' like that?" Jasper argued stubbornly. "It was too harsh."

"And how do you know she was undeserving? Do you even know what she did?" I questioned, and he shifted somewhat guiltily in his seat as he said, "Well, uh, no, I don't quite know what she did, but I do know he was still too hard on her."

I shook my head at his continued bull-headedness. "I assure you Jasper Lee that Alice received nothing more and nothing less than she deserved. She seriously injured a human at school, was unrepentant, and as such expelled. She gave your father and I nothing but attitude all the way home so we sent her to her room to calm down. While up there she proceeded to destroy all her clothes and belongings in a temper tantrum. When we tried to stop her and ask what was wrong she screamed at us to go away, nearly throwing me into a wall when I attempted to approach her. When your father eventually managed to grab a hold of her she fought him tooth and nail, landing a rather vicious jab into his stomach before then proceeding to bite down very hard on his wrist."

Jasper was basically gaping at me in full-blown shock at what I had just told him.

"Alice would never hurt Dad," Jasper attempted to argue. "She-she—There had to have been a damn good reason for why she was acting like this."

I resisted rolling my eyes. "We tried to get her to talk, but she refused only becoming increasingly irritable and disrespectful with us. As it is, let me remind you Jasper that you are not Alice's father or mother. It is not up to you to determine what behavior warrants punishment, or how much punishment that should be. Alice attacked not only me, but your father as well, and every Cullen child knows that sort of behavior will earn you a whipping no matter the circumstances."

Jasper's POV:

I heard what my mother was saying, and I could see what she was getting at, but I was just finding it hard to accept. I knew Alice wasn't perfect, and that even with her extraordinary gift she was bound to make mistakes, but I'd always had so much difficulty watching her be disciplined. I just couldn't stand the thought of my sweet, little mate being subjected to the kinds of punishments I'd been given; but according to Mom they were never as hard on Alice as they were on me. I'll admit, I really liked hearing that.

Mom also told me that Alice wasn't as weak and vulnerable as I seemed to describe her. Truthfully, I already knew that. She may not be as strong as me physically or have the battle experience, but even I knew that strength came in more forms. She was strong inside, and I knew it'd take more than a spanking to break her spirit, but I still worried. It was reassuring to know Mom thought so highly of Alice though, and that she recognized her strength of character. I really was doing my mate a disservice by thinking so lowly of her, and if Alice found out she'd tear me a new one. She didn't like to be thought of as weak in any way, and she didn't deserve to be.

As for what she deserved, well, Mom had a point again. I wasn't her father, and it wasn't my decision to decide what she deserved or didn't, but it was just so hard not to. Even knowing now what she did I just couldn't stand the thought of what pain Alice musta gone through when Dad had whipped her with that belt. I'd felt it before and it was no picnic. It was pain, pure and simple. Even if Dad hadn't spanked as hard with it as he would with me, it would still be extremely painful. She didn't deserve that kind of pain, not at all!

But what Mom said was right though. All us kids knew that the only surefire way to end up with a whippin' was to physically attack either one of our parents. Dad had laid that law out after the first time I'd been spanked for shoving Mom. I think he'd done it more as a way to let Mama know she wouldn't be interferin' in such cases anymore like she'd done with me, but we'd all taken the warning to heart; although it sure didn't stop Rose and I from eventually breakin' the rule.

I sighed, ruffling my hair in frustration as I thought all this over. I'd always felt guilty for the way I'd treated my parents when they punished Alice, but somehow I'd neva been able to stop. I'd certainly gotten better. I'd long since learned through a memorable experience with Dad's belt that attacking him or Mom was unacceptable. I'd let up when I'd heard them scolding or even grounding Alice. It was just when they spanked her that I was still having trouble.

Arrghh, but Mama was right. I've been actin' ridiculous and like a right darned fool! Dad would never abuse Alice, just never! Besides, how many times had I heard Edward and Emmett complaining about how much easier Dad was on the girls than us boys? I'd witnessed the same thing when I'd gotten into trouble with Rose once, so why didn't I make the connection to Alice? I'd been punished with each one of my siblings and neva once did I feel he'd been too hard with any of us. Actually, more than a time 'o two I felt he'd been too easy. I tried to control those sorts of thoughts though because they tended to lead to me runnin' my mouth off and gettin' into even worse trouble.

"I see your point Mama, I really do," I finally spoke, "and I'll try, I really will to do better. I realize I've been actin' horribly and that I've treated you and Papa unfairly, but it's just so darn hard to rememba all this when I see or even hear 'bout Alice in any kind of pain. I can't help but feel that if I don't try and defend her, even from you guys, that I'd be an awful mate undeserving of her."

"Sweetheart," Mom said in a scolding manner, "that is ridiculous and you know it. You are the best mate Alice could ever ask for. There is no man more suited to be her other half than you, and don't you forget that, young man."

"Yes ma'am," I respectfully responded, my heart warming at the utter certainty in her voice and emotions.

"As for remembering that Alice is in no danger and needs no defending, well, that is where the next part of your punishment comes in," my mama announced, her emotions turning stern and determined all of a sudden. My stomach did a nice somersault as I recalled that she had promised me a lickin'.

"Stand up soldier," Mom commanded as she stood up, and I obeyed without thought. I was not happy about this at all. I didn't want Mom to spank me. She wouldn't be hard enough on me. I'd messed up real bad, and I probably deserved Papa's belt for how I'd disrespected and defied not only him but Mama as well. My sweet mama just didn't have what it takes to deliver a good, hard lickin'. And, if I was a little bit truthful with myself, my pride couldn't stand the beatin' it took when it was my mother doin' the spankin'. It was more embarrassing when she did it, and it just, well it just neva felt right. It was a father's job to punish his son, not the mothers. Then there was also the fact that try as she might Mom couldn't hide her emotions from me like Dad could, which made her punishments that much worse to bear. I could handle pain, but her emotional turmoil always tore me up.

I hesitantly followed my Mama over to the couch, wondering if I should argue or just let it be. Once there she sat down and patted her lap, giving me an expectant look.

Her lap? She wanted me over her lap? She'd never spanked me over her lap! She'd always had me bend over my bed or the armrest of a couch, and even a few times over the kitchen table, but never her lap. Nu uh, no way! I may allow Dad to subject me to this, but not her, not my mother! I would not demean myself in such a way.

I took a few steps back, stood up straight, crossed my arms and gave her a defiant look.

Mom straightened up when she noticed my expression, her eyes narrowing and her emotions displaying disbelief and increasing anger.

"Come here," she ordered, but I just shook my head.

Mom shook her head back at me, but hers was of exasperation. "Jasper Lee Cullen, I would never have believed you capable of such defiance, but time and time again today you have proved me utterly wrong. You know what you did wrong and you knew this punishment was coming, so why the refusal?"

I remained silent, fighting the back the sting of her words. I didn't want to be defiant, but…"

"Do you feel deserving of punishment?" Mom asked, and I gave her a nod as I said, "Yes ma'am, I most certainly do."

"Do you feel deserving of a spanking?" she then asked, and once more I gave her a nod.

"Then the issue here is that I am the one delivering it, isn't it?" she ascertained, and I felt guilty when I felt her hurt, but I nodded my head anyways. "Yes ma'am," I said softly.

"Why? What is it about me being the one spanking you that could cause you to exhibit such defiance?" she pressed, both her appearance and emotions presenting a calm and collected front. She wasn't surprised by my reaction at all, I realized. She'd been expecting this. I wasn't sure why that bothered me so much.

"Mama, you know I love and respect you, but I just don't believe you've got what it takes to properly punish me," I declared, deciding there was no need to beat around the bush. "You can handle the small stuff, but I really messed up this time and you and I both know it. The level of disrespect and defiance I've exhibited today has been beyond reproach. I not only stepped over the line, but I took a leaping bound, and to be able to atone for such sins I deserve a harsh punishment. I believe Dad should be the one to punish me not only because he has the strength to give me the punishment I've rightly earned, but because I wronged him more than I did you." There, I thought. There was no way she could argue with that logic, I thought confidently.

It seemed my assumption was wrong though because she stood up, crossed her arms, stared me straight in the eye and said, "I thought we had already established Jasper that you are not the parent, yet here you are once more trying to decide who deserves what punishment and even who gets to administer it. This arrogance, this presumption completely astounds me, and I fail to understand how it doesn't bother you. You have always claimed to be respectful of authority, but time and time again you try to tell that authority what to do, only turning respectful when you feel they are right. Does that make sense to you?"

I was taken aback by her words, my mind suddenly reeling. "Respect doesn't always equate to obedience," I argued, already cursing myself for the idiotic comment when Mom raised an amused eyebrow at me.

"No, it doesn't, but it is certainly an aspect of it. Right now, for example, your refusal to submit to this punishment willingly shows you hold no respect for my position as your mother," she commented, and her words stung me more than I cared to admit. I didn't like people questioning my character.

"I do too respect you as my mother," I retorted hotly, "but it ain't a mother's job to punish her son."

Both my mother's eyebrows rose up this time in surprise. "Is that what's really the issue here, son?" she asked, and I was surprised by the suddenly kind voice she was using. "Did your human mother never punish you?"

"I-she…," I shifted uncomfortably, tugging at my waist coat. "No ma'am, she did not. In the Whitlock household it was only us boys who got lickins and it was only eva done by my pa. My pa told me that women was too frail hearted for such punishment, and they didn't need it anyhow."

Mom closed her eyes briefly, a look of sudden realization hitting her. "I understand," she stated as she looked at me. "I understand where you are coming from now, Jasper, but you've clearly seen that that is not the way things work in the Cullen household. I mean absolutely no disrespect to your human father, but woman are hardier than he believed. I thought you would have realized that by now."

"I do, I mean I have noticed," I defended. "I don't think like my pa does, but…" I grimaced, as I realized that a part of me still clung to my human father's beliefs. It was antiquated, I knew that, but in a way so was I. Letting out a tired sigh, I rubbed my scarred hand over my face. I didn't know what to think anymore because it seemed like my mama was intent on challengin' all my beliefs today.

"Jasper, sweetheart, do you trust me?" she questioned, and I immediately nodded my head. "Of course I do," I told her.

"Do you trust me as much as your father?" she then asked, and once more I immediately nodded my head.

I felt her relief and gratitude before she spoke again. "Do you trust Carlisle to punish you? Do you trust him to know what it is you need and deserve?"

I bit my lip briefly, thinking the question over before nodding my head. "I do."

"So, if your trust in me is the same as for your dad, then can you not trust me to know what is best for you? Can you not trust me to adequately handle your punishment?" she questioned, and once again her logic had me beat. I meant it when I said I trusted her as much as I did Dad, so shouldn't that mean I could trust her to give me the punishment I deserved? It should.

She and Dad were the parents, I had to remind myself. They were in charge, not me, and it should be them who decided on my punishment. All these years Dad had been able to successfully discipline me, and even the few times Mom had spanked me for minor misbehavior her punishments had been exactly what I'd needed. Why then was I having such a problem? Was it really just pride?

Damn it all to hell, but it was! I was embarrassed by the thought of having to go over her knees like a little child. She was my mother, and she'd probably be spankin' me bare bottom! If I could blush I'd be beet red right now from mortification. Why was this so much easier with Dad?

Who was I kidding? Even with Dad spankings were never easy. I always hated having to go over his lap and having to drop my pants. It was humiliating, but Dad had told me on more than one occasion that that was part of the punishment.

This sucked!

Man up Cullen! I scolded myself harshly. Yer afraid of bein treated like a child, but that's all you've been acting like today. You should be absolutely ashamed of yerself for how you've behaved. Carlisle and Esme are nuthin but good to you. They're the best parents you could've ever asked for and look at how you repaid them! By being mistrusting, disrespectful, defiant, and even downright threatening.

Oh god, I messed up. I messed up real bad. Sorrow and guilt began to spread through me, and suddenly I had no fight left in me anymore. What the hell had been wrong with me today? I'd given my parents so much trouble. Even now when I should've been accepting my more than deserved punishment, I was fighting with Mom about it and even insultin' her abilities. How messed up was that?

I should take this lickin and then ask Dad for another one.

My head was bowed now and my shoulders slumped. I couldn't even lift my head up to look at Mom I was filled with so much shame. How could she bare to even look at me? I heard as she walked to me and felt as she put her hands on my cheeks, lifting my head so she could look into my miserable eyes.

"I'm' sorry Mama for being such a wretched son," I told her. "I'll take my lickin now," I assured her, and she gave me a look of motherly pride I didn't feel I deserved at all.

"Alright cowboy, let's get this over with," she stated, leading me back to the couch. When she'd once more sat down I didn't even wait for her to tell me what to do before dropping my jeans to the floor and bending over her lap. I shifted awkwardly, noting right away the difference between being over her lap and over Dad's. She was definitely smaller, but no less strong I realized as she easily adjusted me to her liking.

"This will be on the bare," she told me, and I bit back a groan of embarrassment, burying my head in my arms when I felt her lower my boxers.

"I am extremely disappointed with you, Jasper Cullen," she spoke, and I don't even know why she bothered saying that because I could all too easily feel that disappointment. In fact, I could feel not only her disappointment, but her anger, frustration, exasperation, sadness, and hurt. All these emotions were weighing heavily on me as I was already suffering from guilt and anxiety. Usually my parents kept as tight a rein on their emotions as they could when disciplining me, but it was like she wasn't even trying. It was almost as though she wanted me to feel all this.

My thoughts were abruptly cut short when I felt the first of many sharp smacks begin to land on my naked behind. I let out a grunt at the start, but afterwards clenched my teeth tightly, determined to take this punishment in absolute silence. I would not make this any harder on my mother than I already had.

Swat! Swat! Swat! Swat!

Mom spanked at a steady pace although her swats landed randomly so I wasn't able to predict where she'd land next. She made sure to pepper my entire backside, paying special attention to my sensitive sit spots. I gritted my teeth even more tightly, tensing my body as the fire began to build. This definitely hurt, but I could handle it.

Swat! Swat! Swat! Swat!

I let out a quiet whimper when she then began concentrating on a single area, and had to really fight the urge to kick my legs in order to somehow alleviate some of the pain. She'd spank one area a dozen times before moving onto another area.

I tried the best I could to push the pain out of my mind, but that didn' work too well because instead I ended up focusin' on the increasing distress I was feeling from my mother. This spanking seemed to be hurting her as much as it was me, and tears that I'd so desperately tried to hold back began to fall silently down my cheeks.

"Jasper, tell me why you are in this position," Mom demanded in a steady voice that belied none of her inner turmoil.

I let out a groan, hating it when I was forced to speak during a spankin'. It was much harder to concentrate on being silent when I was forced to actually open my mouth.

"I-I was *hiss* disrespectful," I responded, but Mom wasn't satisfied with that simple answer.

"I want specifics," she demanded. "How were you disrespectful?"

"I—ouch!—talked back ta ya a-and Dad, screamed—Ah!—screamed at ya, did-didn't l-listen *hiss* and I tried to threaten Dad!" I shouted before once more shutting my mouth tightly.

"What else?" Mom asked, and I groaned out loud before letting out a yelp when she landed a particularly hard swat.

I racked my mind for what else I'd done before once more beginning to speak. "I gr-growled and—Ow!—glared at the-the both o-of ya, and—Ouch!—and I-I disobeyed ya countless t-times—Ah!—and-and-and I dunno what else!" I screamed, choking back a sob as not only did she increase the strength and speed of the swats, but her disappointment in me mounted significantly along with sadness. I felt horrible. I was a terrible son and I had let her down horribly. I didn't know why they put up with me. I obviously neva learned.

"I think you about covered it all," Mom spoke, oblivious to my self-hatred, "and I believe it goes without saying how unacceptable all those actions are, isn't that right?"

"Y-yes ma'am!" I spoke through gritted teeth, futilely trying to wipe away my tears on my shirt sleeve.

"I'm glad to hear that. Now, tell me the reason behind this abominable behavior," Mother demanded, and I whimpered before answering, "I *hiss* thought y-you and—Mmmff!—Papa w-was bein'-being t-too hard on A-Alice!"

"Correct," she answered, her voice no longer calm but hoarse from the emotions she was feeling, but that didn't stop her from once more upping the intensity of the spanking. Tears were streaming down my face, my shoulders shaking as I fought desperately to keep from openly sobbing.

"And will you react this way in the future?" was the next question asked, and I shook my head as I screamed out, "No ma'am!"

"So when Alice receives her punishment for fighting, what will you do to keep these events from repeating?" Mom questioned, and I felt at a loss. I had no idea what I was going to do differently. Everything seemed to make perfect sense when I was getting my tail tanned, but in the heat of the moment I wasn't sure I'd be able to control myself. I mean, this wasn't exactly my first spankin' for this offense.

"I-I dunno, Mama, I dunno!" I cried, and the increase in my mother's sorrow along with her hand concentrating solely on my sit spots now sent me over the edge. I began to sob, hating myself for the pain I caused her and for my inability to control myself. I couldn't even promise her that I'd not commit these same offenses the next time Alice was being disciplined. I was a failure and undeserving of their love.

"I don't believe that," Mom told me, and I cried, her disappointment cutting straight to my heart.

"I-I-It's tr-true. I just-I just-I just," I stuttered, unable to even finish the statement I was so upset with myself. Sighing heavily, my mother abruptly stopped spanking me. She pulled my boxers up but yanked my pants all the way off along with my shoes before setting me in her lap. She held me in her arms, slightly rocking me as I tried to bring myself under control.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," I repeated over and over, but she just shushed me, running her hand through my hair.

I had managed to stifle my sobs, but still hadn't managed to stop my tears before she began to speak. "I want to discuss how you are going to handle yourself when Alice is in trouble," she said, and I inhaled a very shaky breath as I gave her a nod.

"I want your complete focus on this moment, Jasper," Mom stated. "I want you to focus on my emotions, the disappointment, anger, hurt, and sadness that I am feeling, and I want you to focus on your own emotions." I did as she requested, a new wave of tears beginning to fall as I felt her emotions. My guilt intensified, and several sobs escaped me as my mother once more tried to calm me.

Her voice was shaky as she spoke. "I want you to remember all this in vivid detail the next time you feel the need to defend your mate from Carlisle or me. I want you to remember my emotions, your emotions, and that sting in your backside."

I nodded my head in understanding, unable to speak.

Mom continued to run a hand through my hair, intently studying my face before asking, "Why the guilt, honey? Is it over how you behaved today?"

I nodded my head, choking back a sob with great difficulty as I told her, "I-I'm a-a failure," I cried brokenly. "I'm a h-horrible s-son and-and you"—but I didn't get to finish my sentence because in the blink of an eye I found myself once more facedown over my mother's lap with my boxers pulled down and a hard hand falling down on my very sore tail.

"Owww, owww, Mama!" I sobbed, the pain coming back full force as she wailed away on my poor behind.

"Jasper Lee Cullen, how dare you say such awful things about yourself!" she scolded sharply. "You are a wonderful, loving son and just because you have a problem with your temper at times does not make you a failure or a horrible son, do you hear me?"

"Y-Yes ma'am!" I hollered, actually beginning to kick my feet as the pain began to overwhelm me. "I'm s-s-s-sorry!" I told her, and after a few more well placed swats I found myself being righted and placed onto her lap. I immediately clung to her, wrapping my arms around her neck, burying my head into her shoulder and cried.

"Shhh, sweetheart, it's alright, but you mustn't say such horrible things about yourself," she chided lightly. "The next time I hear that kind of talk I'll wash your mouth out with soap after I warm your bottom up, are we clear?"

"Uh huh," I choked out, nodding my head sincerely. I felt her love envelop me and that went a long way in soothing my guilty conscience, but her ever increasing sorrow kept me from fully recovering. My gift was out of control, I realized and now we were both influencing each other, so I was unsurprised when I felt my mother's tears land onto my hair and cheek.

"Mama," I cried, "please, please don't cry, I'm sorry. I swear I'll do betta, I swear," I promised her. "You won't eva have any mo' trouble from me," I assured her, realizing that was an impossible promise, but willing to say anything to help her feel better.

She chuckled, a sharp spike of amusement rising in her as she held me tighter and kissed my brow. "Hush Cowboy, you know you shouldn't make such absurd promises," she spoke, and I just shrugged my shoulders, focusing on helping us both out. Mama realized what I was doing and began to take deep and steady breaths, doing the best she could to bring herself back under control while also trying to keep her emotions from me. Her efforts paid off because almost instantly I felt the agonizing sense of deep sadness, disappointment, and guilt leave me. I still felt those emotions, but they were more manageable and I was able to finally stop my crying and settle down.

A/N: Yikes! So Jazzy was taken to task by dear ol mama bear! We'll check in with Carlisle and Esme next chapter!

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