:-)

This chapter here actually wasn't planned ... but then I was in the mood for writing what came to my mind and this is the result!

Sounds kind of stupid actually ... I always write what comes to my mind, duh.

Just go ahead and read, haha!

"Uh, that one!" Maddie pointed to a big, off-white picture frame. It had little ornaments carved decoratively into the wood before it got painted and Maddie thought it would look awesome on the wall of the second floor. Esme liked the contrast between their modern interior mixed with little antique items - like picture frames. So this one would be perfect.

"You like that one? The white one?" Esme asked her daughter, who seemed quite bubbly all of a sudden.

As soon as they had seated themselves in the car, Maddie had asked Esme if they could buy the new frames today. New ones, because she and Emmett had destroyed some things in the house while fighting with streamer spray. Actually, they still didn't know who won. Maybe they should have another fight soon ... but this time: Not at home! Definitely not at home!

"Yep." Maddie nodded her head and looked up at her mother, who patted her hair and smiled consent.

"Righto!" Emmett exclaimed and picked it up.

It was the second frame already, so they were ready to pay now and leave the little corner shop that sold them.

"Where do we go next?" Emmett asked and placed the new picture frames into the trunk of his car.

"New jeans!" Alice shouted.

"Why would we need new clothes, Alice?" Esme frowned. Well, Alice loved shopping dearly, everybody knew that, but why now?

"Maddie's finger ruined her beautiful pale denim slacks, so we need to get a new pair," Alice told Esme without taking her eyes off Maddie.

"I didn't know venom leaves such nasty stains, Alice," Maddie said apologetically, bottom lip protruding.

"I know, don't worry. We'll just get new ones for you ... and then you're forgiven," Alice promised and patted her sister on the cheek.

"Ok ...," Maddie sighed. She wasn't in the mood for arguing; she did ruin the trousers her sister had picked out for her after all. So she kinda owed Alice the fun of picking out new ones for her.

"I haven't seen a pair of jeans with stains this morning. Where did you put it, Maddie?" Esme picked up Maddie's laundry every day from wherever she let it fall to the floor in her room, but she had not seen a pair of jeans.

"Hid 'em," Maddie murmured.

"Why do you even ask ...," Jasper commented dryly and walked past them towards the car.

Maddie poked her tongue out at her brother, who suddenly turned around and glared at her, mumbling something she couldn't make out. Did he have eyes in the back of his head? Freak.

When they were back in the car, Rosalie addressed Maddie. "Are you comfortable?" she crooned. She was sitting at the window, right behind Emmett, who drove the car. It was his, after all. Alice and Maddie both sat in the middle and Esme had seated herself right behind Jasper.

Since Maddie had not been willing to be too close to Rosalie, Alice had quickly taken the seat between the two of them.

"How can I? I don't have a child's safety seat," Maddie snapped at her blonde sister, not deigning to look at her.

"Mad, don't give her any ideas!" Emmett laughed and immediately earned himself a slap to the back of his head by his wife.

"Rose! Don't hit the driver!" he complained and rubbed the spot where she had hit him.

"No fighting today! We want to have fun, don't we?" Esme asked.

They all nodded their heads.

Rosalie shot Maddie worried sideways glances all the way to the next store where they would buy new clothes. She didn't want her sister to bear grudges against her, but Maddie was clearly still upset. Whenever Rose stood next to her and made to put her hand on Maddie's shoulder or tuck a strand of hair behind Maddie's ear, Maddie ducked away and walked over to Esme.

That was, until Rose had had enough.

"Stop this nonsense, will you?" she called angrily when Maddie made to walk away from her again.

Esme wanted to take a step closer towards her two daughters and diffuse the situation, but Alice held her back. She smiled up at Esme and winked. Her mother did get that hint and remained standing where she was.

"What?" Maddie asked in an angelic voice.

"I just called you a little girl to make Edward feel bad, all right?" she huffed.

Maddie tilted her head to the side and kept on staring at her sister, unblinking.

"It wasn't meant to offend you, but to make him feel guilty for hurting you! And now stop these antics at once!" Rose rebuked.

Maddie looked at her with wide eyes, her voice soft. "Really? So you didn't mean it?"

"No. Now come here."

The funny thing was: Both knew it was a lie. Maddie was aware that Rose was solicitous about her and actually thought of her as a child.

And Rose did mean what she said; Maddie was a little girl to her and she had wanted for Edward to see her as such, too. That way he would be more careful with her, wouldn't he?

But somehow, that was enough heart-to-heart conversation for these two about that matter.

They hugged, Rose gave her a peck on the cheek, whispered something in her ear and they were reconciled.

It was as simple as that.

Emmett cheered and dashed towards them, engulfing both in a tight big bear hug.

"Hey! I didn't forgive you, Em!" Maddie snubbed, desperately trying to suppress a laugh when she saw the look on his face.

"Oh," he replied and straightened up, looking pensive. "How about we play some video games later and I'll let you win?"

Maddie burst out laughing. "I'll win one way or the other, but ... all right! It's on!"

Esme heaved a sigh of relief. Finally they made up ... even though the way they did seemed quite odd. Rose had yelled at her and Emmett offered to play with her, and that was enough for Maddie to forgive them?

Well, the restored harmony between them made the shopping trip more relaxed and fun. Maddie was at ease, she smiled and laughed, her eyes were bright with excitement even though Alice made her try on a million pairs of slacks.

Back home, the first thing Esme did was hurry up the stairs to see Edward. She felt bad for her baby boy, he got shouted at by his angry sister and older brother, then he had gotten punishment by his father while his siblings were out having fun.

Edward was a very sensitive boy and that was why Esme couldn't wait any longer to hold him tight and console him. She knew he needed the comfort and she was more than willing to offer it to him.

Reaching the top floor, she immediately heard a hesitant, "Mama?"

Picking up her pace, she opened her son's door and walked in. He sat curled up on his couch, looking up at her.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm here!" she cooed and sat next to him, already hugging him to herself.

She patted his unruly, auburn hair and rocked him lightly.

"Has your father been too harsh? Are you hurt, dear?" Esme asked, her voice held concern. She knew Carlisle would never be violent towards their children; still, she wanted for Edward to be honest to her about his punishment.

"He put a ban on playing the piano for the next two weeks." Edward moaned.

Esme pulled away. "He did?"

"Yes, and he forbade me from listening to any music for the same duration." He looked up at his mother with sad eyes.

She sighed. "I understand that must be very hard for you. But two weeks aren't that long, Edward. It'll be over in no time."

He hesitated, before carefully asking, "Can't you talk to him?"

Esme shook her head. "No, Edward. I will not change your father's mind. Lying and fighting is wrong, you knew what to expect."

Edward sighed and nodded his head.

"Mama?" he then asked in a small voice.

"Yes, darling?"

"I also stole something," he admitted.

She sat up straighter now and cleared her throat before speaking again. "You stole something? From whom? When?"

"The CD Maddie and I fought about ... it was hers. I took it a while ago without telling her."

"Oh, Edward! Does your father know?" Esme was suddenly getting upset with her beloved son. How could he do that?

"Yes, he does."

"And you really don't think you deserve your punishment then?"

"I guess I do deserve it," he murmured, averting his eyes.

Esme hugged him once more. "Come now, it is forgiven, there is no need to mention it again."

Edward nodded his head in response and let his head rest on his mother's shoulder, enjoying her presence and having her all to himself for a while.

After a couple of minutes he abruptly pulled away and asked, "What about Maddie?"

Esme frowned. "Well, what about Maddie?"

"Carlisle said, he would talk to her, too. What does that mean? I didn't understand his thoughts."

"Well, dear, you know your father. It is important that your sister comprehends what we told her before, he just wants to make sure she does," she responded and gave his arm a gentle rub. "Let us go downstairs. I know that Emmett and Maddie are planning on playing video games. Maybe you would like to join them?"

"Sure," he replied and stood up together with his mother.

Playing some games now would help him take his mind off the bad day he was having so far.

Downstairs in the living room, he seated himself next to Maddie, who was occupying the couch whereas Emmett had spread himself out on the carpet.

The moment Maddie noticed Edward, she pressed pause and asked with a sympathetic look on her face, "You all right?"

"Yes, I am fine," he replied and tried to find a more comfortable sitting position.

Emmett took in a sharp breath. "I feel for you, bro. Had the same 'fun' a couple of days ago. Pops still has that mean swing."

"Well, he had enough practice on my butt," Maddie threw in and made a face.

Emmett reached back over his shoulder and patted Maddie's knee. "I know, Tiny, I know. I feel for you, too."

"Good," Maddie replied, pressed play and bashed Emmett's character in the face with a battleaxe.

"Ha, I won!" she cheered and prodded him lightly in the back with her foot. "See?"

"Hey, that wasn't fair, you know!" Emmett accused with furrowed brow.

"Sue me." She giggled, then said, "It's Edward's turn to get his ass kicked now. Why don't you give him your controller, Emmy?"

He grumbled, but handed it to Edward, who took it with a smirk before asking, "Are you sure you can play with your hand?"

"Sure, you just saw it, didn't you? I mostly use my thumb." She held up her bandaged hand and wiggled her thumb to show him.

"Very well, then I don't need to hold back while clobbering you character."

She nudged him in the arm. "You wish."

An hour full of squealing, laughing and moaning later, Carlisle set foot in the room and called for Maddie.

She turned around and looked over the backrest of the couch at him.

"Madeline, if you'd care to follow me. We need to talk."

What do you think Carlisle will do?

Btw: I am really surprised that we have already reached 136 reviews! It's getting closer to 200 every single day ... awesom-o!

Keep 'em coming ... REVIEW!