AN: *warning* Was tossing back a good amount of redbull today since I didn't get much sleep last night. That tends to reflect in my writing. Just wanted to give y'all a heads up because it makes for some serious turbulence in this one. ... a sudden stop, as well.

Esme stood quietly at her son's bedroom door as she said a silent prayer that he wouldn't make this more difficult for her than necessary. Of all of her children, it was clear that Edward was her baby. Esme tried hard not to play favorites, but Carlisle's first born would always hold a special place in her heart. The thought of ever having to punish him was abhorrent to her. Why do the children have to be so head strong? A frustrated sigh escaped her lips.

"There is no point in standing out there all night, mom. Just come in."

It wasn't the most elegant of invitations, but Esme accepted and soon found herself leaning against the opposite side of the closed door. "Edward, we need to talk."

Edward looked up from the lounge and rolled his eyes at her words. "I already had figured that out."

"Baby, that attitude is unbecoming. I would appreciate it if you would take it down a bit. Disregard and disrespect is what has landed you in this mess to being with."

Esme watched as her son's head bowed and shoulders sagged at the reminder of his earlier blunder. "I'm sorry, momma. I know that I should have listened to you, but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. I just wanted to help my brother."

His mother crossed the short distance between them and placed her hand lightly on the boy's shoulder. "I know, baby, but when I told you to wait until your father could look at Emmett's shoulder I had my reasons. It would have been just too easy for something to go wrong."

"I know." He moved his legs to make room for his mother to sit with him as he sighed softly. "It's just that I know how to do it. It's not like I haven't been trained. Rose could have set his shoulder also."

Esme sat down with her hands folded in her lap. "Yes, she could have, but she didn't. She has been the latest of you children to run through medical school so I know she is knowledgeable, but your father has a great deal more practice. It is the "practice" of medicine, love. You know what they say, practice makes perfect." She reached her hand out and tipped his head back until he met her eyes. "I know that you meant well, baby and your father says that you did an excellent job, however there was another reason that I didn't want your involvement. You robbed your father of an opportunity to feel needed which would have helped divert his mind from his troubles for a least a few precious minutes."

The pained expression on Edward's face told Esme that she need not say anymore. "I...It never even occurred... God, I'm so sorry, momma. If I had realized... I didn't even think about..." His hands came up to cover his face as he suddenly lamented his actions. Esme pulled his hands away and stared into his shimmering venom filled eyes. "If I had known I would have never done that to dad."

"I know, sweetheart, but you didn't realize it which is why I gave you those instructions. You need to learn to listen to me. This may come as a shock to you, Edward, but I don't say things just to hear myself talk." Oh dear, did I just become my mother? I swear I can remember her saying that. It's rather strange when you think about which memories don't quite fade. Esme shook her head for a moment before continuing, "The next time I ask you to do something, please respect my wishes, baby. I have no desire to limit your activities; just know that I always have reasons behind my requests even if you don't understand them at the time."

Edward nodded then let his head bow again as he muttered, "Yes, ma'am."

Esme patted his thigh. "Looks like we are almost finished here, sweetheart."

The boy looked up at her slightly confused. While his mother's lecture hadn't been pleasant, it wasn't nearly as bad as he had feared. "You're not going to punish me? Ground me or something?"

Esme sighed as she stood up and motioned for him to follow. "I didn't say that, love. Both you and Em were deliberately disobedient, something that you know neither your father nor I will stand for. Emmett has already been punished. I think it would be unfair of me to punish him and not you, don't you?"

Edward swallowed hard as he got to his feet then simply nodded in agreement.

"Alright, baby. Same crime, same punishment." She gently took Edward's elbow and turned him so he was angled away from her. Her hand popped his behind sharply three times causing her baby boy to hiss before she turned him back to face her.

Edward rubbed at the stinging in his cheeks while he cautiously met his mother's eyes wondering what was coming next.

Esme folded her arms at her waist as she held her son with a stern no-nonsense look. "Don't let this sort of thing happen again, Edward. I mean it. From now on you listen when I tell you something. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am, I understand."

His mother continued to stare at him as if she wasn't sure that she believed him then a smile slowly grew upon her lips. Opening her arms she invited Edward into a hug that he was only too happy to accept. Esme's fingers tangled in his bronze locks as she cooed softly. After several minutes of being awashed in her love and forgiveness Edward pulled back with tears in his eyes. The slight spanking was no cause for tears, but his mother's easy acceptance of him and his flaws tugged at the boy's unbeating heart.

"It's alright, baby." With her hand on the back of his neck she pulled his head down and kissed his forehead. "Don't worry so much, Edward. Everyone, including your daddy, is going to be just fine." She released him then took a step back before taking one of his hands in hers and slapping it with her free hand smartly.

"Ow!" He jerked his hand away and shook it while a questioning look darkened his features.

"That is for disturbing your father and I. He would be further along on this road to recovery had you not butted in, young man."

"That was not entirely my fault. Can't the two of you go off somewhere to do that sort of thing? That really is not cool, mom. And dear Lord the things dad was thinking about doing." He shuddered at the recall.

"Oh, do share, hon; your father always comes up with the most unique ideas."

"NO!" His eyes were big as saucers and he sneered in disgust. "Just...ew. You keep that between yourselves and out of the house if at all possible."

Esme couldn't help but laugh at her son's objections. "Edward, love, you wouldn't be nearly as upset if you hadn't been probing around in your father's head. We actually do try to take everyone's feelings into account and plan our fun when you all are out of the house, but sometimes you are just going to have to accept the fact that we are no different than any other couple in this house. Just wait until you find the right girl for you. Then you will feel differently because you'll understand better."

"PFFT. I still don't want to hear my parents f ... Oh just never mind."

Esme smiled and ruffled his hair. "You are my sweet silly little boy." She pulled him into a quick hug then let him go as she spoke softly, "I think we're done here, Edward. Behave yourself, sweetheart. I would hate to have to punish you more sternly, but should we run into this problem again, I wouldn't hesitate. I know that your father won't either."

He nodded then kissed her cheek. "I love you, momma."

"I love you too, Edward." Esme smiled at her baby boy. "After my talk with your sister, maybe you can give me a hand with patching that wall?"

His eyes twinkled as he grinned. "It would be my pleasure. Just let me know when I'm needed and I'll be there."

"You always are there when I need you, sweetheart. You always are." She lightly patted his cheek then aimed him back towards his lounge chair with a soft swat before taking her leave.

As the door latch clicked quietly behind her, Esme could only hope that Rosalie would prove as easy to deal with as Edward had been, but she highly doubted it. Her daughter's combative attitude was in full swing this evening which caused Esme no end of stress as she walked down the hallway much slower than usual, yet arrived all too soon.

With a soft knock she announced herself. "Rosalie. Emmett. May I please come in?"

"Sure thing mom. Door is always open to you," Emmett answered in a jovial voice as he swiftly let his mother in and swept her into his arms. The bruin boy spun Esme around before placing her carefully back on her feet.

Esme laughed at her son's playfulness then turned her attention towards her daughter with a slight sigh. The expression on Rose's face was just as dour as it had been when she was downstairs. Apparently time spent with her mate hadn't tempered the girl's demeanor at all.

"Emmy, would you please leave us alone for a little while? We shouldn't be very long and then I'll come get you."

The muscular dark haired youth looked from his mother to his wife and then back again. He wasn't wild about the idea of leaving either alone with the other, but he knew that the choice really wasn't his to make. "Yes, ma'am, but if you all need something just give a shout out. I won't be far." He ambled over to where his mate sat on the bed sulking. "Be back, babe. Love you." Emmett leaned over and gave his mate a kiss. "Go light on mom, okay?"

As he moved towards the door, Em glanced back once more at his mother. She smiled and gave him a nod of dismissal, but he could tell that she was just as worried as he was. "If you need me," he added again before heading out to see if maybe Eddie was interested in a little Xbox to help keep him occupied. He would have rather challenged Jasper to some Call of Duty, but it sounded like his little bro was already answering another call.

"Rosalie…"

"Esme, this really isn't necessary. Look, I'm sorry that I lost my temper and put a hole in the damn wall, but I cleaned up the mess. You can't get mad at me because of Edward and Emmett. I did all that I could. I can't help it if they are too stupid to listen. They are just bullheaded and you know it."

Esme sat down on the foot of the bed and allowed her daughter to finish before she spoke again.

"Rose, this is not about Emmett or Edward's misbehavior. I know that they went behind your back. Their foolishness is no fault of yours, sweetheart." She shifted a little and sighed. "But we do need to discuss your behavior and yes, your temper."

Rose rolled her eyes as she turned her attention away from her mother and towards her nails. The color and condition of her polish was much more pressing than her mother's petty complaints about her behavior.

"Rosalie, please look at me when I'm speaking. Give me that much respect."

The elegant blonde huffed and glared at her mother.

"That is enough, young lady. Your language has been vulgar, your attitude abysmal, and your overall deportment completely offensive. I have had all that I care to take from you. I did not come up here to punish you, Rosalie, but if you don't straighten up right now that may very well change."

"Whatever."

Esme closed her eyes and counted in her head as she fought to maintain her calm. "Rosalie Lillian Hale Cullen, you will not take that tone with me. Where is this attitude coming from? You were fine when I left you to go after your father, but we came home to this. What happened?"

"Your precious baby showed what an ass he is and I get the blame. That's what happened and it happens all the time. I'm sick of it, Esme. Edward can do no wrong. You told me to keep them from fucking with Emmett's shoulder, but I couldn't do that. No matter what you say, I know you blame me. It's just not fair."

"No one is blaming you, Rose, but it sounds like you're holding this over your own head," Esme kept her voice even as she attempted to reason with her daughter. Rosalie appeared to be looking for a fight and her mother was determined not to get sucked into it. "Talk to me, Rose. Let's work this out."

"Fuck you, mother."

Some instinct buried deeply within Esme caused her to draw her hand back, but with a gasp of shock she managed to stop herself just short of striking the sneer off of her daughter's face. "Oh dear, God," she whispered to herself as tears flooded her eyes.

"What? So you're going to hit me now? Well come on, mother. Give me your best shot. I've been through worse before, you know? Figures that you would stoop to something like that. Pointers from Charles, I guess? You coddle your boys, but heaven forbid one of the girls fuck up. All we're good for is slapping around, right?"

Esme got up and walked over to the window. She needed to put a little space between herself and her insolent daughter before the situation got any further out of hand. The matriarch of the family had rarely raised a hand to her children and if she did she was careful and methodical in its application. She would have never dreamed of striking in anger or slapping any one of her children in the face. That was far too much like…"What is happening to this family?" She slumped to the floor and sat, drawing her knees up into her chest while she pressed her head against the smooth glass. One small incident, a tiny regrettable episode between two brothers, and we all lose our humanity? Her slim frame began to shake uncontrollably as the horrors of her day crashed over her. Brother against brother. Father against son. Carlisle losing himself in the fear of becoming a child abuser. Now, she herself moved to violence much too reminiscent of the abuse she suffered at Charles' hands. The foundation of her seemingly perfect family suddenly seemed so deeply cracked, flawed, and crumbling that she wasn't sure how it managed to continue to stand.

With cold indifference Rose watched Esme walk away, but when her mother collapsed Rosalie's initial smugness gave way to fear for the one woman she truly admired and loved. Leaping from the bed she was at Esme's side in a blink. "I'm sorry, mom. I didn't mean any of it. I was angry. I should have never said those things to you." She laid her hand on Esme's arm only to have her mother jerk away as if her daughter's touch had burnt her. "CARLISLE! CARLISLE, COME QUICK! WE NEED YOU RIGHT NOW!"

"Momma, please talk to me. Tell me what I can do to fix this."

"What do you need, Kitty? Is your mother being too…?" Carlisle's easy demeanor turned to panic as he took in the sight of his daughter crouched next to his apparently despondent wife. "Esme sweetheart, what happened?" For the second time today he found himself on his knees next to his lover though this time the wound that dropped her was not so apparent. "Rosalie, what is going on in here?"

As he reached for Esme, she turned and buried her face against his chest while clinging to Carlisle with all her strength. He stroked her hair as he cradled her against him. "It's okay, love. Shh." He kissed her forehead gently then laid his cheek against the top of her head while he rocked in an attempt to calm them both.

Alerted by Rose's call, Emmett and Edward stood silently in the doorway watching the scene before them unfold.

"What's going on," a hushed voice drawled.

Edward glanced over his shoulder to find Jasper standing behind him fumbling with the buttons on his shirt as he hurriedly dressed. Try as he might, Edward could not suppress a smirk. "Forgot something there, Chief?"

Jasper looked down at his underwear then rolled his eyes at his brother. "Look, at least I'm not nekkid. Now, are ya gonna fill me in or what?"

Alice wrapped her arms around her mate as she walked up behind him, causing him to flinch when she brushed against his hindquarters. "Oops," she whispered before turning her expectant gaze on her brother while she also waited for his response. Her and Jasper's 'activities' had distracted Alice, so for once her visions had been completely kept in the dark.

"From what I'm getting from Rose, it seems that she was going all out on mom and then momma just snapped. Rose's head is oddly jumbled up right now." He stopped for a second while he appeared to be straining to hear something then shook his head. "I'm not getting anything at all from mom."

A calming wave filled the room to wash over the three occupants. Carlisle noticed Esme relax slightly in his arms and he was once again reminded as to how lucky he was to be a father to such wonderful children. Thank you, son.

Keeping his voice very calm and quiet so as not to upset his mate any further he looked his daughter in the eye and demanded, "Rosalie, I am waiting for an explanation. Some clarity would be of great value in sorting this all out."

Rosalie swallowed back a lump in her throat as she looked away from her father's penetrating gaze. "I honestly don't know entirely what happened."

"Start with what you do know."

She inhaled deeply and held the breath as she struggled with her words before slowly releasing the trapped air. With her head slightly bowed, Rose placed her fingers against her temples and rubbed away at the tension she felt herself buckling under. Dropping her hands she raised her head to look back at her father's face then sighed.

"Mom came in to talk to me. I suppose I was being a bit belligerent."

Edward's snort caused Carlisle to glance over towards the congregation at the door. A raised brow compelled his son to shift his gaze to the floor and fall quiet as he silently vowed to keep his comments to himself. Satisfied with the success of his wordless rebuke, Carlisle returned his attention to his daughter.

"Please continue, Rosalie."

"I wasn't what you would call respectful and said some things that really don't bear repeating." She glanced at Esme curled up against Carlisle's chest. The devastating shame she felt in recalling her treatment of her mother was worse than anything she had ever experienced. "I cursed at momma. I knew that I was pushing her hard, but just couldn't stop myself." She thought for a moment then shook her head. Rose had a tendency to be brutally honest and she would extend that quirk towards herself. Her father needed to know the complete truth if he was going to be able to help her mother. Rosalie would bear his wrath if it would somehow benefit her mother and undo the harm she had caused. "That isn't quite right. I could have stopped myself; I just didn't want to. I was angry and I wanted to hurt momma."

Emmett groaned quietly and shook his head at his wife's confession. He had known that it was a bad idea to leave his mate and his mother alone. The burly boy had tried and tried to calm Rose down before Esme's arrival, but obviously he had been completely unsuccessful and this was the result.

Carlisle drew a deep breath as he held his daughter's amber eyes then tilted his head slightly. "I would say that you were extremely successful in your endeavor, Kitty. Your mother is certainly hurting now. Are you pleased with your accomplishment?"

His often haughty daughter looked at him for a moment before humbly dropping her gaze and shaking her head. "If there was any way to do so, I would take it all back; every word."

"Well, you know that is an impossibility which is why you must be mindful of your words and the harm that they can cause." While still holding Esme close to him he reached a hand out and lifted his daughter's head up with light pressure beneath her chin. He noted the film of venom that coated her eyes as she was forced to endure a rarely experienced moment of remorsefulness. "Words have the ability to cause more harm than some of the harshest of actions when carelessly used by the ones we love."

"Yes, sir. I'm realizing that now." Her voice was very quiet and subdued.

Carlisle gave her a few moments with her own thoughts then broke the silence with his gentle tone. "I think that we may want to move this conversation to the privacy of my study, Kitty."

Esme shook her head and spoke for the first time since her collapse. "No, Carlisle. Don't please. She has been through so much already."

Sensing his mother's agitation, Jasper intervened with his calming ability as he worked hard to ease the tension around him. Carlisle and Rose both welcomed the comfort that the boy's gift offered, but Esme's discomposure was rapidly building to the point that his serene manipulation was having little effect.

Thoughts of the abuse that had brought about an end to her daughter's life flooded her mind with a sudden fury. She would not allow her husband to facilitate any action that stood even the slightest possibility of bring those memories back. Rose had said it herself; she had endured worse than the slap that Esme had nearly dealt her. She could not stand the thought of her daughter coming to equate her or Carlisle with the abuse she had suffered at the hands of Royce King and his associates.

The images her mind created of Rosalie's suffering began to mingle with the worst memories Esme possessed; memories so deeply entrenched that even the painful venom had not been able to take them away. Her body quivered as its own physically imprinted memories recalled open handed slaps and closed fisted punches. She recalled Charles' rough touches that so often turned into sexual abuse. In her heart she knew it was rape, but her parents had told her that no such thing existed in a marriage bed. She had been forced to accept their explanation just to keep them happy.

"Carlisle, please promise me."

He registered physical pain at her pitiful pleas. "Sweetheart, I won't make a promise that I'm not sure I can keep. Rosalie's actions deserve to be punished."

"But not like that, Carlisle. Find another way to correct her. I can't stand for her to feel abused."

"Abused?" A chill raced down his spine at the horrendous word that had been his constant companion this evening. He looked towards his daughter for illumination.

Instead of offering an explanation, Rose reached out and took her mother's hand gently. Once she was sure that she had Esme's attention she spoke quietly. "Momma, I can't tell you how sorry I am to have put these thoughts in your head. I don't know what I was thinking. I should have never brought up Charles. I was lashing out. I knew exactly how to hurt you and now I regret doing that." Her eyes never left Esme's but she could feel the intensity of her father's glare as she conceded to the vilest part of her conduct. "I have never felt abused. There is not a soul in this house who would permit that to happen. We all fight for each other and protect one another. The only victim of abuse here is you, momma, and I am the culprit. I verbally and emotionally abused you. I'm so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?"

AN: Well it was an emotional roller coaster for me. This was not the way I had intended to break Esme down, but she saw the opening and just went with it. Now, I would like to make a request because I'm on the fence here and am interested in y'all's opinions again. What do y'all think Carlisle should do with Rose? He is well within his right to punish her. While she didn't attack Esme and endanger her life like Jasper did, Rosalie did still cause harm. Not to mention that she was so far from the realm of being respectful that it is amazing that she can find her way back at all. That being said, I don't think that anyone can fail to realize how truly contrite she is. Rosalie knows that she screwed up and hurt someone who really does mean a great deal to her. With her knowing that she should be punished for this, there can be a great deal to be learned through unexpected mercy; more so when it is completely undeserved. Carlisle is nothing if not merciful. So, where do you guys stand? Look forward to reading your thoughts.

All my gratitude to you all for the continual adds, reviews, pms and putting up with this story in general; there is a light starting to glow at the end of this tunnel. Special thanks to Splinter and her poor bleeding eyes that take the hit for everyone else. *grins*