Ahhhhh. Damn my head feels like it going to explode and send brain fragments everywhere. Oh, who turned on the light. I swear I will cause bodily injury to the person that put a million watt bulb in the lamp. I don't care if it is an indestructible vampire.
I grab the pillow under my head and put it over me. Yes, darkness is better, but I hear noise. It is laughter. Deep laughter than might even be sexy if I didn't feel like the atomic bomb had landed on me. I pull at the covers attempting to add more layers to my cocoon, but they won't budge. They seem to easily slide away.
"Bella," that voice says. I know that voice that usually has a dark velvety quality, however, it is scratching against my eardrums like sandpaper at the moment. "I can tell you are awake my darling little girl."
"There is no one here by that name," I groan. "Bella is still sleeping."
Edward takes my covers. I can't believe it, but he is not getting my pillow. I am not ready to face this day. Uh uh, no way, forget. I just want to continue in a comatose state of being till I feel human again. I can't help but chuckle at that thought because most days I would love to be nonhuman or a vampire. Not today though, I just want the damn hammer in my skull to quit pounding.
"Isabella, you need to wake up, love" he says. Now he takes ahold of my pillow and easily slides it from between my head and arms. God dang, there is that light again. Well, I refuse to look out. The one day I would pay anything for cloud cover, and Washington, the state of eternal dreariness, decides to become the sunshine state. I thought that is where my mom lives.
"Eeeeeerrrrrrrr," I growl, but it doesn't seem to affect my monster of a boyfriend. In fact that irritating laughter is back.
"No, no my little girl," he says as he peels my hands from over my eye. "You need to wake up and get some food into your body. You've been asleep for nearly 12 hours. It's afternoon."
"Oh no," I moan. "I never called Charlie, and I have missed school." I am now aware of my surroundings which happen to be Edward's bedroom. I am also alert to that fact that my mouth seems to have been covered in paste while I slept, but I have no idea why I feel like that, like well for a lack of a better word, shit.
"Calm down," my lover replies while he moves my head to his chest. The cool nature of his skin seems to make me feel a little better. "Carlisle called Charlie and informed him you had food poisoning as you and Alice had said last night. He said he wanted to keep you here for a day or two to make sure everything was ok. Charlie was grateful that he would keep an eye on you because he is working covering both his and
Murdock's shifts."
By the looks on Edward's face, he doesn't seem too concerned about my food poisoning. As a matter of fact he appears to be a little perturbed about something. My brain begins to slowly get to work as I start to remember that it wasn't food that made me sick. No, it was the wine and the whiskey I drank. Now it is coming back to me, and I try to move away from my man. There was alcohol, lots of it, and I remember a motorcycle, Jake...I rode with Jake on his bike.
Edward pulls me back as it becomes apparent that I am remembering what happened last night. I turn my head and close my eyes hoping he might let me sleep some more, but his chest erupts with a low rumble to let me know I am not going to be so lucky.
His frosty lips are next my ear emitting a snappy but hushed sound, "Bella, open your eyes and get up."
"Noooo," I whine, "I don't wanna." Sounding like a toddler probably is not in my best interest at the moment, but neither is waking up as I remember the threat Edward gave me about making sure I never even thought about repeating last night.
"Isabella Swan," his voice is now very demanding in nature, "get up now and I mean right now." He goes so far as to punctuate this decree by lifting my hip and giving a swat to my right ass cheek. It was really only a simple flick of his wrist, but the sting is there.
"Mmmmm," I utter, "I guess I do need to go to the bathroom." Finding a convincing butt facade to adorn my body with might be a useful thing too. I jump out bed and try to find my way to the toilette, however, walking seems more challenging now then it did last night. I could swear that someone or something has tilted the room. I am a V8 juice commercial come to life.
Finally I meander my way to the facilities and find some much needed solitude. I can tell already that the today is definitely going to be a memory I will want to forget. This disgusting flavor in my mouth is, is well I am not sure there is an adequate way to describe it. My head would be better if I could just remove it for whatever amount of time it takes to return it to a semblance of working order, at least getting rid of the nameless minion that has decided to beat me senseless would be a start. Lastly, I don't want to complain, but my stomach is like grumbling and gurgling. I feel like my body is going to self destruct. Yes, I can truly say I will never, never, ever, ever drink again.
"Bella," Edward breathes with real concern, "are you ok?"
"Ah yes," I stammer, "just ah give me a few more minutes, please." I was taught to be a polite child, and most assuredly manners can't hurt here either. I scramble shortly to sink avoiding the mirror above it and begin the routine of brushing my teeth. Maybe if I gargle with a gallon of Scope I can get this awful taste out of my mouth. Next I splash some water on my face and finally glance in the looking glass to see a reflexion that I quite honestly don't recognize.
Since vampires are real how about aliens because they must have abducted my earthling shell. I can't be held responsible for my actions last night. I can't help but giggle at the thought of passing that little story off as the truth.
Deep breath as I open the door to see what fate has in store for me. Creeeeeeek, yes that handsomely, breathtaking male specimen is awaiting me, but his delicious smile seems to missing. Looking down I gather that I am in a pair of Eddie's boxers and a tee shirt. "Hi," I try to smile. "MMMMMM, got any clothes for me. Maybe Alice can run me home so I can change."
"Alice won't be running you anywhere for a while," he informs me. It is yet to be in my favor when his topaz eyes are black onyx.
"But I can't parade around here in this," I say holding my hands up like a caught felon.
"Don't worry everyone is gone for the next few hours, and Alice did get you some clothes to wear," he states rather flatly. Arms are crossed with that one hand pinching the bridge of his nose. Guess my stand up routine should wait. "Let's go downstairs and get you something to eat."
"I'm really not hungry," I reply.
"You have to get something in your system or you will be sick again," he informs me. "I don't want that to happen."
"I really don't feel like eating," I trail off.
"I didn't ask if you did," he glares at me. "Come with me." He takes my hand and begins to lead me. I feel like I am either being led to slaughter, or I am about five again and being forced to go where I don't want to go.
The silence between us is loud. I know his mind must be working just like mine is. The problem is that I have no idea what he might be deciding. No, I know what he has concluded, but I am hoping I can do something to change the path I am on.
He leads me to the kitchen and sits me at the table. Without a word he begins fixing me something. Time seems to stand still in this wordless environment. I begin to fidget as I am becoming more apprehensive as each second passes. Esme is the perfect housekeep so there are no dust bunnies anywhere to keep me occupied. I guess even those imaginary mammals are not safe from these vegetarian vamps.
I am startled back to reality when I hear a couple of clinks. Looking at the table I see that I am to feast upon dry toast and warm tea. This seems very appropriate as I am currently being incarcerated.
"Eat" he directs.
I decide not to further attempt the I am not hungry idea as my stomach traitorously rumbles to life. Avoiding eye contact I pick up my toast and begin to nibble. When I reach for my tea, I spot two white pills on the table.
"Take those, they will help with the headache," he directs.
"I'm ok," I whisper.
"Take them," he repeats.
He looks determined with his back irises. I put the pills in my mouth but never take my eyes off his. I go on and take a bigger bite of my toast hoping it will soften the swallowing action I must endure to take these pills.
"Good girl," he sings. He then leans down sighing and kisses the top of my head.
As I finish my tea and take another bite of my toast, my mind begins to wonder about what to say. He knows everything between Jacob, my mouth, and Alice's mind. There is no use hiding anything.
"Say something," I whimper, "anything, please."
"What do you have to say for yourself," he locks eye with mine.
"What can I say? I got drunk last night, I am hungover today. I feel like crap isn't that enough," I begin to get shrill.
"No, not when you risk your safety riding a motorcycle without protection with a young werewolf. Not when you decide to lie to me about you were doing," he blatantly states.
"I knew you would get mad. OK, I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I couldn't stop myself. I guess I was just being a teen for once and not someone's keeper," I rant.
"Bella," Edward says putting his hand against my cheek. "I don't want to be your keeper either, but I do want you safe."
"It is not going to be enough to say I learned my lesson by having this horrible hangover, is it," I question. I don't want what I think is next, but I don't want Edward to keep looking at me that way.
"Are you through," he inquires standing next to me poised and ready to remove my dishes.
I feel a huge lump in my throat that prevents me from orally giving my answer so I nod. This one time, the shake of my head is enough for him. I just can't help but pray that I'm still enough for him. Dang, I feel the watery gathering in my eyes as remorse begins to fill my soul.
"Come," he says looking toward the stairs to tell me what he wants. I guess there is nothing left to say as I follow. All those words, phrases and sentences that could fill this space remain unspoken. The only sound to fill the time required to return to his hide away are the pitter patter of our footsteps.
"Isabella, I am disappointed the most that you lied," he says. I can see the hurt in his eyes as the golden color begins to seep back in. I close my own as I hear his belt being unbuckled, I hear the whooshing of air as it leaves his loops, and I hear the motion of him sitting it somewhere.
"Edward there is nothing I can say," I gulp back the tears. "I'm sorry. I'm very sorry."
Somewhere in all of this I had made it to his bed to be standing in between his two legs. We were looking at each other in the eye, but I was the only one breathing. I was breathing very fast, and I was trembling.
"Isabella, I warned you what would happen if you ever lied to me again," he says in that cold tone of his. "Now it has come time for us to get this over with. I am going to make sure that you never consider being careless with your safety as well as make certain you never try to lie to me again."
His determination makes me want to throw up, but I just swallow back whatever it is trying to escape my esophagus. Before I can register what is happening next, I find myself prone across his lap and gazing at the rumpled bedspread. This familiar position is something I don't want to be in, although I begin to wonder if maybe I need to be in it.
"Isabella Marie Swan tell me why I am going to spank you right now," he says. It is not a question. It is an expectation.
It is a good thing vampires can hear the softest of sounds because my answer is anything but audible. I whisper, "I got drunk, I rode on a motorcycle without protection with Jacob who is a wolf, and I tried to lie to cover it up."
"Exactly," he confirms. "If it was just the drinking, your hangover might be enough. Even riding with Jacob I might overlook but putting it all together, I know and you know I must make sure it doesn't happen again. I love you too much to lose you for any reason. Isabella I am going to spank you first with my hand, and then I am going to give you 10 licks with my belt."
I gasp loudly as I realize what is going to occur. He can't do this. He will hurt me. "No," I softly whimper, "no you will hurt me."
"Yes, I will hurt you, but you've left me no choice," he explains.
I feel my only thread of protection, his boxers, being pushed down my thighs. He has not even struck me once but the tears are already flowing. I am caught totally unaware as the first smack collides with my bare bottom. I barely have time to recognize the blow before he strikes again. One after another comes swatting different areas of my buttocks.
"Ah, ow, noooooooo," follow as each crack is echoed through the room. "Edward please, it is too hard." His ears must not be working so I scream louder, "It hurts, it really hurts."
His only reply is to continue slapping my ass, and I in turn cry and sob. I try to say I am sorry but my words just can't come out any longer. Being encased by one of his legs, I am unable to avoid the barrage of whacks rhythmically attacking my bottom. It is as if an inferno has been released, and there is not one fraction of an inch that has been sparred from the wraith.
I can barely get my breath, and finally I realize that I feel no more hits. Decidedly I feel the icy palms caressing my behind.
"We're not through Bella," Edward sobs. "I want you to count this last part."
"Bbbbut," I stutter, "I ccccannn'tttt"
"Yes, you can my naughty little girl," he reminds me. "Get ready."
I just want this over. I try to focus as I hear something whizzing through the air. THHWACK.
"One," I yell. It feels like a line of pain cutting into my ass.
THHWACK
"Two," I hiss. Damn nothing is worth this.
"Isabella, this is what I would feel in my heart if I lost you."
Oh my god, it couldn't be that bad. SWWWWIIIIIISSSHHHHH.
"EEEEEEEEE THREE," I scream. I can feel my butt swelling.
"Don't you ever lie to me again," he says in the most commanding voice I have ever heard.
"FFFFFFUUU...FFFOOURR," I wail. No, no lies.
"I won't let you destroy us with deceit," he continues. SMMMACCCK.
"FFFFFFFiiiive," I cry out. I am convinced my fanny is going to be covered with blisters.
THHHWACCK.
"SSSIXXX," I sob.
"BELLA, you are my life and I love you," Edward cries. He may have no tears but his voice still trembles with emotion.
SSSSWWAATTT.
"SEEVVEEN," I hiccup. I love you too my mind screams.
WHHHAACCKK. SWWISSHHH. SMMAAACKK
The last three came too fast for me to count, and even though they hurt like hell, I knew they weren't nearly as hard as the other ones had been. It is over but I can't stop crying. I feel my body raise up as Edward turns and lays me on my stomach on the bed. Oh no, he is leaving me. I have upset him too much. He realizes I am not good enough for him. I lay there sobbing like there is no tomorrow, I can't breathe.
"SSHHHHHH, little one," his voice croons. "It is all over and I am so proud of you."
I feel a coolness resting against my hind end. Edward is resting his hands on my bottom, and they feel wonderful.
"Bella," he pleads, "don't ever make me do that again. Don't ever lie to me and be careless about your well being. Never, never lie to me though no matter what."
"OOOKKKKK," I stammer. "Please love me though."
"Oh you silly girl," he coos, "I will always love you. The only reason I spanked you like that is because I don't want to loose you because of carelessness. I will love and protect you always even if that means I have to keep you safe from yourself sometimes." He places tender kisses at the nape of my neck.
I hiss as I feel something cold and wet drop on my blistered bottom. It feels like it is almost twice its normal size.
"My love I am sorry this hurts so, but the lotion will help. You are going to be sore for quite a few days, but there are no bruises, just a few welts. I want you to rest today, then you can look at school work tomorrow," he continues to lightly administer care to my backside. "You can go back to school Thursday."
"Huh," I quiver, "but what about tomorrow, Wednesday."
"This is hard on both of us and you need to rest," he says. "Charlie isn't expecting you till tomorrow night at the earliest."
Finally I can stand his light ministrations. "Bella, I do love you."
"I love you too," I sleepily confirm. My eyes are so heavy even if my heart is light. All is right again with the world, and my fine is paid. I feel the bed move and sag slightly as Edward lays down next to me and begins to hum my beautiful lullaby. He moves my head to its rightful place on his collarbone. I snuggle while a satisfied moan escapes my mouth. He pauses in his musical hypnosis to kiss my head and pull the covers ups around me.
"Sleep my beautiful angel," he says.
-Author Note-
OK, Bella gets punished, but it is what Edward has to do get across to her that he will not let anything destroy this relationship, even if her behavior is the culprit. I know some of your may find this too harsh, but realize the real pain comes in the fact that she actually deserves it. Now all is right again in the Twilight world. Bella has learned not lie to Edward, but I am sure there are a few other ways she can get in trouble. Of course, nothing has to be quite as dramatic as this. Let me know your thoughts on how or if you would like me to continue. As always I love reading your reviews.
