Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight or any of its wonderful characters
Warning: Just as a reminder, this story does contain non-sexual spanking, so if you don't like don't read
A/N: Thank you for the AMAZING reviews you guys! As I always say, your reviews keep me writing, so big THANK YOU!
Chapter 7: Worse than I Thought
Bella's POV:
I sat at the kitchen table absentmindedly picking at the salad I had made myself. I wasn't really hungry, but I didn't think Carlisle would appreciate it if I didn't follow as simple an order as eating. I mechanically took a forkful of the salad as I thought over the conversation I had with Dad.
I smiled at the title, remembering how happy Carlisle had looked when I called him that. It warmed my heart that such a simple thing could cause him such joy. It caused me a lot of joy as well that he accepted me calling him that because it just further cemented the fact that he really saw me as his daughter.
I shook my head in slight disbelief at how much things had changed between Carlisle and I in the last 24 hours. As I had come to realize last night, I had already looked to him as a father, but now he wasn't like a father, he was my father. I felt more comfortable and closer to him than I was to Charlie. Don't get me wrong, I loved Charlie to death, but he was more like a friend than a parent. With Carlisle though, I felt cared for and protected. I actually felt like the child in the relationship, something I wasn't quite sure I was happy about at this moment.
I was in deep trouble, there was no denying that, and I was going to be facing some serious consequences pretty soon. Dad was currently discussing with Mom how badly I had messed up last night and what my punishment would be. I shivered at the thought, praying to any god out there that my punishment didn't involve a spanking.
My palms began to sweat and my heart pound at the mere thought. God, I hated this! I had never been in trouble before. With Renee I had been too busy taking care of her that I didn't have time to cause trouble, and if I had I'm pretty sure my human mother wouldn't have had any idea what to do about it. She probably would've asked my advice, I thought with a rueful smile. I guess you could say I'd gotten in trouble with Charlie since I was grounded for my little jaunt in Italy, but I didn't really count that. I knew I hadn't done anything wrong.
This time though, I had done something wrong. I had royally screwed up and it seemed like Carlisle wasn't going to let this go. I frowned unhappily as I recalled his disappointed expression. He had not been happy with my decision to get drunk, which I can understand. It had been a stupid idea to decide getting drunk would be the best way to get back at Edward. Ugh, and he'd seemed pretty upset by my fighting as well. I can't say I was exactly sorry for having attacked Lauren. That bitch had it coming, I thought bitingly, but I guess I could've found a better way to deal with the situation.
I ruthlessly stabbed my fork over and over into my salad as I recalled all her stupid comments and her stupid smirk and her stupid face and her stupid—
"What did the salad do to you?" a voice asked in humor, and I gave a gasp of surprise as I nearly jumped out of my chair. Turning my head towards the entryway I threw my compassionate father a glare as he leaned casually against the wall with an amused smirk on his face.
"Not funny," I said as I slowed my pounding heart down.
"My apologies," he responded with a hand on his heart and a sincere look on his face that I didn't buy for a second.
"Sure you are," I muttered as I turned back to my mutilated salad.
I heard as he chuckled lightly before walking towards me. He stopped at the counter next to the table and took a seat on top of it, swinging his legs like a little kid. I stifled a laugh at the image he presented before asking, "Would Mom be happy if she knew you were sitting on top of her pristine countertop?"
Carlisle gave me a mischievous grin I was more used to seeing on Emmett's face as he lifted a finger to his lips and whispered, "Shhh."
I laughed out loud, totally amused by this playful side of him. "I don't know Dad, you had no trouble telling Mom what I did wrong, so I think it's only fair if I repay the favor," I told him with a teasing grin.
He responded by letting out an over-exaggerated sigh of defeat as he hopped off the counter. Leaning back on it he then looked at me with raised eyebrows as he asked, "Happy?"
"Ecstatic," I responded with a serious nod before bursting into laughter. Carlisle rolled his eyes as he patiently waited for me to get back under control. When I had he gestured towards my food with a curious look.
"So, do I want to know what that salad did to deserve such harsh treatment?" he questioned in mock concern. "Um, well, probably not," I answered with sheepish look.
"Did you eat anything?" he then asked, this time in true concern and I gave a slight shrug as I answered, "I'm not really hungry right now."
Dad nodded his head in understanding before taking a breath. "Why don't you clean up and then come join me in the study, sweetheart, alright?" he said, and I gave a reluctant nod as I slowly stood up.
He gave me a reassuring smile as he patted my shoulder before disappearing. I grimaced before tossing the mutilated salad and washing my dishes. Taking a deep breath I then nervously began the walk upstairs wondering what punishment had been decided on.
Once I reached the dreaded office I lifted my hand to knock, but before I could Carlisle told me to come in. I slowly opened the door before stepping in and turning to close the door behind me. When I turned back I was surprised to see he wasn't at his desk.
"Over here sweetheart," I heard him call, causing me to turn towards my left where he was setting a chair down in front of his couch. "Have a seat," he ordered as he sat down on the chair.
My mind began to race as I made my way over and sat down. Why were we having the conversation over here? Was it so I'd be more comfortable? No, that didn't make any sense. Was it—I froze as a horrid thought entered my mind. He was planning on spanking me, wasn't he? Oh god, please let me be wrong! Please, please let me be wrong!
"Bella? Bella, are you alright?" I heard my father ask anxiously, tearing me from my panicked thoughts. I took a few breaths as I forced myself to relax.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I squeaked breathlessly, and he shot me a disbelieving look.
"Bella," he began to say but I gave an emphatic shake of my head.
"I said I'm fine Dad, so please just let it go," I pleaded, and he gave me an unhappy frown before nodding his head.
Letting out a small sigh, I then began to nervously fidget as Carlisle was gracing me with his piercing gaze. Ugh, I hated it when he stared at me like that because he made me feel like I was being x-rayed or something. I felt like he was reading me like an open book. I fidgeted for a few more agonizing moments before he took a breath and crossed is right leg over his left.
"Alright Bella, before we get to the topic of your punishment there are a few topics I wanted to cover with you," he announced, and I responded with a wary nod of my head.
"First things first," he began as he held out a hand to me. "Please give me your cell phone."
I shot him a confused look as I dug the phone out of my pocket before placing it in his hand. He flipped it open, punched a few buttons, and then handed it back to me. "Tell me what you see," he ordered, and I glanced down at my phone, paling as I realized what he was showing me. It was the missed call log and it showed that Carlisle had called me around twenty times in the span of an hour last night.
"Well?" Carlisle pressed when I said nothing.
"It's the missed call log," I finally answered in a small voice.
"Indeed, and have you noticed how many times I called you last night?" he questioned with a hint of anger.
"Yes," I responded in the same small voice.
"Last night I received a frantic call from Alice begging that I go and find you because she was worried for your health," Dad stated, and I looked at him in surprise. Alice had called him? She's the reason I'm in so much trouble? Why that interfering little pixie! She was going to hear it from me—
"Oh, I know you are not blaming your sister for anything, are you Bella?" Dad asked knowingly as he interrupted my angry thoughts.
"No," I responded stubbornly as I avoided his gaze.
"Good, because she was only looking out for the wellbeing of her little sister, and with good cause if I may remind you," he scolded softly. I shifted in my seat guiltily. Dad was right; I had no right to be angry with Alice when she obviously was only looking out for me. I should be angry with myself for being such an idiot.
"Now, after Alice's call, I frantically tried to get a hold of you, but you ignored every single one of my calls. Do you have any idea how worried I was?" he questioned, and I was surprised by the sudden distress in his eyes. "I raced all over Port Angeles calling you and trying to catch your scent to see if I could find you, but no luck. I was worried sick about you Isabella. I thought for sure that something awful must have happened to you, for why else would you not answer any of my calls? Then, to make matters worse I got another call from Alice telling me you had been arrested!" he exclaimed running a hand through his hair.
"I'm sorry Dad," I immediately said, "I never meant to worry you!"
"I know baby, I know," he replied tiredly as he took one of my hands in his and gave it a comforting squeeze. "The point I am trying to make Bella is that you are to never be unreachable and you are to never ignore my calls again. You could have avoided the whole trip to the police station if you had just answered the phone the first time I had called you; and you would have definitely saved me a whole lot of stress. So, from now on I want you to have your cell phone on you at all times, and if I call you better answer." I nodded my head earnestly before he then added, "If you break this rule, Isabella, I will express my displeasure on your backside, you got me?"
"I understand Dad," I told him, guilty for the worry he had clearly felt for me. He responded with a warm smile before his face turned serious once more, and I steeled myself for whatever the next topic of conversation may be.
"Secondly, I would like to discuss your frustrations with Edward at this point," he announced, and I tensed, wondering if he was upset by how angry I was with his son.
He probably interpreted my gaze for he gave me an understanding look as he said, "Bella, I meant it when I told you earlier that I understood your anger towards Edward. He has no right to dictate your life or forbid you from going or seeing anyone. Why don't you give me a little more detail on what led you to finally snapping?" he asked with a wry grin.
I felt relief that I finally had someone on my side. I had thought for sure that all the Cullens were in agreement with Edward. Taking a breath, I launched into a tirade against Edward and his overprotectiveness. "When Edward told me about the hunting trip they were all going on he had the audacity to forbid me from seeing Jacob. Jacob is my friend, and I shouldn't have to sneak around to see him. Edward claims it is for my own protection, but I know he's just being a jealous boyfriend!"
"Has Edward been the only one to try and control your actions?" Carlisle asked, and I gave an emphatic shake of my head.
"No, Alice has been helping as well by keeping an eye on my future at all times and by kidnapping me every time Edward leaves and she stays. It's like I'm on 24-hour watch Dad, and I can't take it anymore! They have no right to tell me what to do no matter how noble their reasons are. And then they have these silent conversations all the time in front of me, and I know they're about me, but they never explain, and they always expect me to listen to them without explaining why. I know they're trying to protect me, but I just…," I trailed off in frustration as I tried to get my emotions under control. "I really can't take them doing this anymore, but I don't know what to do about it. I mean, it's not like I can physically stop them," I confessed, tears beginning to prickle in my eyes.
"Hey now," my father remarked softly as he stood up and took a seat next to me. Wrapping a comforting arm around my shoulder he cupped my face gently with his other hand as he looked into my eyes. "You are absolutely right to feel infuriated with both Edward and Alice. They have been completely out of line in their treatment of you, and had I or your mother known about what they were doing I swear we would have put a stop to it. As it is, I promise you that I will be having words with both of them when they get home," he told me with a reassuring look.
"I don't mean for them to be in trouble," I informed him weakly, suddenly feeling guilty and worried. Guilty for getting them in trouble with Dad and worried that they might be angry with me.
"Whatever is going through that stubborn head of yours, stop it," Dad ordered gently with a warm smile, and I looked at him in surprise. "You did not land them in trouble, they did that all on their own," he said, "And you have no need to fear them being upset with you."
"Okay," I responded softly as I leaned my head on his shoulder. He ran a hand through my hair before placing a kiss on my forehead. After a few moments of comfortable silence I decided to ask, "Does this mean I can visit Jake whenever I want now? And I don't have to be babysat every time Edward decides to go hunting?"
Carlisle gave a small chuckle. "Yes, my dear, you can visit Jacob whenever you would like. If I may ask," he added in amusement when I pumped my fist in the air in triumph, "could you tell me about your friendship with Jacob?"
I abruptly pulled away, giving him a suspicious look. He wasn't asking me for info on werewolves, was he?
Carlisle furrowed his brow in confusion at my look before realization struck him. "Oh, no Bella, I am not looking for information about the wolves. I was truly just curious about the relationship between you and Jacob," he rapidly stated, and I relaxed as I heard nothing but genuine curiosity in his voice.
"Sorry," I responded in embarrassment, "I-I just, I mean I know about the tension between you and the wolves, so I figured you were just fishing for information. I guess I should've known that you wouldn't feel the same prejudice Edward and Alice do."
"Ah, yes," Carlisle remarked with a frown, "my children do seem to have quite the hate-fest with the wolves."
"If it makes you feel any better," I told him drily, "the wolves are worse." Carlisle snorted mildly in amusement.
"Anyhow, so you wanna know about me and Jake?" I questioned, and my father gave a slow nod.
"You don't need to tell me anything if you do not want to," he spoke, but I waved my hand cutting him off.
"No, it's fine," I interrupted kindly. "So, Jacob and I have known each other since we were small kids. According to Jake, we used to make mud pies together," I informed Dad with a grin causing him to give a short laugh. "Did you eat them?" he asked with a teasing grin, and I immediately shook my head. "No, of course not! Well, at least I think I didn't," I said, frowning at the possibility. My dear compassionate father burst out into laughter at this point causing me to glare at him. If I wasn't so sure I'd hurt myself I would've shoved my elbow into his side. As it was, I did the mature thing and stuck my tongue out at him, which caused him to immediately stop laughing and morph his face into a repentant expression. His eyes, however gave him away as they were glowing with mischief.
"Anyways, since I avoided Forks at all costs as a kid we never really got close until, um, well until you guys left," I mumbled quickly, tensing until I felt Carlisle rubbing his hand comfortingly up and down my arm. "He, uh, he helped me feel whole again and-and alive again," I confessed quietly. "He fixed up some motorbikes I brought him so-so, uh…," I trailed off as I realized exactly what I was saying and to who I was saying it to. I stared up at my father with wide eyes as I waited for his reaction.
"Motorbikes," he finally muttered with a raised eyebrow at me. "Go on," he motioned with a twirl of his forefinger when I remained silent.
"So, yeah," I spoke hesitantly, "Jake fixed the motorbikes so we could ride them together. I-I wasn't very good," I admitted with a sheepish shrug, not wanting to admit to having been injured.
"How badly?" Dad asked in a no-nonsense voice, and I sighed, somehow not surprised that he saw through my vague words.
"It was nothing"—
"How badly?" he repeated, his voice taking on an edge.
"Just a small cut on the head, no big deal," I explained quickly, hoping he wouldn't flip out or anything. I was relieved when all he did was stare at me for a few seconds before nodding his head. Giving me a small smile, he then asked, "So, when did you find out about him being a werewolf?"
I gave an internal sigh as I realized he wasn't going to say anything about the motorcycles. Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth I immediately launched into my tale of how I had confronted Jacob when he had stopped talking to me, and then how I had remembered the legends he had told me of his tribe, leading me to the realization that he was a werewolf. I then told him of my subsequent talk with Jake, meeting the other wolves (leaving out Paul's loss of control), and of how I had found out about Victoria being after me. "See," I said, "I've been around Jake since he first started transforming and he's never hurt me or lost control around me. He and the other wolves protected me from Victoria when you guys…," I trailed off, not wanting to make Dad feel guilty once more; however, from the look on his face it would seem I didn't succeed.
"I didn't mean to make you feel guilty Dad," I immediately told him soothingly. "I was just trying to prove to you that the wolves aren't dangerous."
"I know Bella," he immediately responded warmly, "and you have no need to prove anything to me. I know the wolves would never harm you, and I know how indebted I am to those boys, Jacob especially for keeping you safe and whole when our family did not. So, I truly mean it when I say you are free to visit with him whenever you want no matter what Edward says."
"Thank you for understanding Dad," I told him, wrapping my arms around him in appreciation.
"No need, my dear, but you are welcome nonetheless," he remarked before placing a kiss on top of my head.
"So, about my bella-sitting question," I prodded quietly after a few moments of silence, and Carlisle made a hmm noise.
"We can discuss that later. Now, I believe it is time we began to address the consequences of your little adventure yesterday," he finally said, and I groaned internally. He gave my shoulder a last comforting squeeze before standing up and taking a seat in the chair directly in front of me. I watched him with nervous eyes as he took a deep breath before gazing at me with serious eyes. Gone was the playful, comforting father of a few seconds ago. In his place was a stern and disappointed father ready to express his displeasure on his troublesome daughter.
"I spoke with your mother," he eventually began, "and we have decided on the appropriate punishments"—
"Punishments?" I voiced, my voice taking on a higher pitch due to nerves.
"Yes," my father replied with a nod, "Now please do not"—
"Was she upset with me?" I interrupted once more before cringing at the stern look now being directed towards me.
"Shocked would be the more appropriate word," he said after a moment, "along with a bit of disappointment. Now, I would appreciate it if you did not interrupt me again Bella, understood?" he asked, and I quickly nodded my head.
"Good," he replied. "Now, Bella, just to be clear I am going to state what I felt you did wrong yesterday. If you feel I am incorrect or have left anything out," he said with a slight smirk at my snort, "feel free to correct me." He paused, and I gave a nod of understanding.
"You lied to me, drank illegally with the intentions of getting drunk, and you got into multiple fights," he stated. "Anything to add?"
I hesitated before timidly mentioning my arrest. Dad graced me with a warm smile before saying, "Compared to everything else you got up to, your arrest does not really bother me. I am not happy about it, but I feel the whole experience was punishment in it of itself," he expanded, and I grimaced as I recalled the unpleasant cops and how scared I had been. "Rest assured though that if it happens again I will have more to say," he warned lightly.
"Trust me," I told him with a humorless chuckle, "I don't plan on ever getting arrested again. Once was more than enough for me."
"I'm glad to hear that," Dad mentioned with a smile before turning serious once more.
"Bella," he began without preamble, "I do not spank my children for just anything. I much more prefer to use other means such as groundings, but there are a few rules in this family that will almost always earn you a trip over my knees. These rules consist of no lying to either your mother or I, no fighting in anger, no endangering your life, and no making a spectacle of yourself to the humans." He paused at this moment to make sure I was listening and understanding what he said. "In the course of one night you broke three of those rules," he then announced, and my mouth fell open as I gaped at him in horror. My heart pounded and my palms began to sweat as I tried to come to terms with what he had just said. Did he mean to tell me that I was not only going to be spanked, but that I was going to be spanked three times?!
Noting my expression, my father quickly lay a reassuring hand on my knee as he quickly said, "Relax sweetheart, I will not be spanking you three times. Take some deep breaths for me and relax now." I followed his instructions, slowly bringing myself back under control as I registered his words. Okay, I wasn't being spanked three times, but did that mean I was getting two spankings, or one? I thought in distress. My heart beat began to pound once more and my breath quicken at the thought before a loud snap of fingers caused me to stare into my father's concerned eyes.
"Focus on my voice, baby girl," he ordered in a calming voice, "and take deep breaths. You need to relax. There is no need for you to be so scared and panicked."
I did my best to follow his instructions, but I couldn't help but disagree with his last statement. I certainly found the idea of a spanking enough of a reason to panic. However, as I continued to gaze into Dad's loving and understanding eyes I found myself slowly calming down. This is Carlisle, I chided myself. There is no reason to be frightened of him, even if he may possibly be blistering your dumb ass in the near future. He would never hurt you. He loves you so much, and you know you can trust him.
I repeated these thoughts over and over in my head before I let out a sigh as the tension finally left me. My heart beat returned to its regular pace as I took one last deep, calming breath. "Good girl," I heard Dad praise quietly as he patted my knee softly.
When I was in complete control of myself I looked at my father and gave him a somewhat sheepish smile. He gave me an understanding look before assessing me to make sure I was ready to continue our discussion. When he found what he was looking for he sat back in his chair and asked, "Do you understand in what ways you broke three of my rules?"
I considered his question. The lying and fighting were obvious, but I was a bit unsure with the third rule I broke. Did I endanger my life? I leaned more towards this one than the making a spectacle of myself, because I was pretty sure that that rule would not apply to me until I was an official member of the Cullen family. How did I endanger my life then? By drinking? I really didn't have that much to drink though. Was it by going to the party? I bit my lip as I wracked my brain for the answer. It has to be the drinking, I finally decided, recalling all the questions he had asked me when he had found out I had purposefully set out to get drunk. Looking up into Carlisle's questioning gaze I wondered if I should ask him to confirm.
"I get how I broke the lying and fighting rules, but I'm not quite sure about the third rule," I confessed nervously. "I'm guessing you're looking at my drinking as endangering my life," I stated, waiting for him to agree or disagree.
My dad gazed back at me with a slight frown before saying, "Yes, I am referring to your drinking exploits. Do you truly not understand how reckless this was?"
"I know it was stupid of me to do Dad, and I know I could've gotten sick, but-but I really don't think I endangered my life by doing so," I argued weakly, face turning red from embarrassment. I couldn't believe I was questioning him, but I just didn't see how drinking could be considered reckless.
Dad's eyes narrowed slightly at me and he crossed his arms as he gazed at me. His right hand tapped against his left bicep, and I knew he was considering his next words carefully. I hoped I hadn't made him angry with me.
"Bella," he eventually spoke after several moments of agonizing silence, "I must confess that your words confound me. You are an intelligent girl, so I would have thought you well informed of the dangers of alcohol consumption. I know for a fact they cover the subject in school, and you have never struck me as the type to not pay attention in class."
"I, uh, well you see," I sputtered before closing my mouth as I had no response for him. I felt the beginnings of embarrassment and guilt stir in me at his words. It seemed Carlisle had a high opinion of me, and I was sorry for having let him down. It was true we had covered the dangers of alcohol several times throughout my scholastic career, but I had never paid it much mind. I knew drinking could make you do stupid things, but I had never planned on ever getting drunk, so I hadn't really thought those lessons worth remembering.
My father surveyed me for a few more seconds, probably waiting to see if I had anything more to say before speaking once more. "Your entire escapade last night seems to have been one immature action after another. I know you are normally a responsible, mature young lady, but last night you seem to have completely lost yourself. Your actions were those of a typical, thoughtless teenager," he remarked sternly, and I wilted with every word.
"You told me that your reasoning behind your actions was to get back at Edward for his treatment of you, but you went about it the wrong way," he continued.
"What was I supposed to do?" I burst out indignantly. "Edward and Alice wouldn't listen to me at all!"
"And you felt getting drunk would convince Edward to allow you to visit with Jacob?" Dad countered with disbelief clear in his voice. "Bella," he said with a shake of his head, "if anything your actions would have caused him to be even more overprotective of you. In fact, he probably would have come to your mother and me and convinced us to watch you anytime he happened to be away; and I assure you we would have agreed with him."
I frowned at his words. I recognized the truth in them, and I recognized that I had gone about this the wrong way, but I didn't want to admit it out loud.
"As to your question on what you should have done," Dad continued after I turned my eyes back towards him, "you should have come and spoken to either me or Esme."
I let out a huff. "I thought all of you were in agreement with Edward, so why would I have come to you?" I explained, trying in vain to justify my actions.
"Regardless of what you thought," Carlisle spoke with practiced patience, "you still should have said something to us. Even if we had agreed with Edward, you still would have been able to explain your feelings on the subject and changed our minds. You can always talk to Esme and me about anything Bella. Never be afraid to broach a subject with us for fear of our reactions or because you assume you know what we will say."
My shoulders dropped at his explanation as I once more knew he was right. I should have talked to him or Mom. I had been so stupid yesterday!
"I'm sorry Dad," I finally told him, and his stern eyes softened as he nodded his head. "I know," he responded sadly, and I gazed at him woefully, hoping he would offer some words of comfort, but he didn't.
"What are my punishments?" I reluctantly asked, no longer being able to stand not knowing. Dad graced me with a small, knowing smile before giving a short nod.
"Let us address the lying first," he began, and I took in a breath, readying myself for whatever he may say. "Lying is not tolerated in this family. I consider it an extreme form of disrespect, and I will not put up with it. There is never a good reason for you to lie to either Esme or me, and as I already mentioned, if you break this rule you will almost certainly find yourself with a sore bottom."
He paused at this moment, and I waited with bated breath to hear what my punishment would be. "I will not be spanking you for this though," he finally announced, and I let out a breath of relief. "Out of all your mistakes from yesterday I find this the least offensive, so I have decided to let you off with nothing more than a stern warning. Never lie to me again Isabella for I will not show you the same leniency," he warned and I hastily nodded my head in understanding.
"I mean it," he added sternly. "Do not lie to me or your mother for we will always find out and you will be punished. Understood?"
My stomach flip-flopped at his words as I promptly answered, "Yes sir, I promise to never lie to you again." Dad held my gaze with his serious eyes for several moments before saying, "I am glad to hear that, Bella."
"Now, let us continue our discussion about your reckless decision to get drunk at a college party," he stated, disdain and disappointment clear in his tone and face. "I am very disappointed that you fail to realize the gravity of your actions, and how dangerous they truly were. You could have gotten extremely sick or been taken advantage of," he lectured, the beginnings of anger seeping into his voice. "I assume that whoever was going to drive you home had been drinking, so you were once again putting yourself in danger by placing your life in the hands of a drunken teenager! Do you have any idea how many times I have had children your age brought into the hospital because they have had too much to drink or have been driving under the influence?"
I cringed at his words before responding very quietly, "No sir." I was beginning to feel pretty idiotic and ashamed. I hadn't really thought of the fact that I could have easily been taken advantage by someone, and it had never crossed my mind that I would've been driven home by a drunken Jessica. She was a terrible driver when sober, so I shuddered to think what might have happened had she gotten the chance to drive us all home when drunk.
"No indeed," he replied disappointedly, "it is quite obvious to me you did not think at all yesterday! It astounds me how incredibly reckless you became all in order to prove a point. I still cannot understand how you came to the conclusion that getting drunk would win you any privileges."
His words stung me, and I stared up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes full of apology. He stared right back, his stern look faltering for a moment. He bit his lip and I could see the wheels in his head turning. I wondered what he was thinking about, but I hadn't the nerve to ask. I was almost tempted to though when an unsure look passed over his face, but since it disappeared as quickly as it appeared I remained silent. Finally, after several agonizing moments, he let out a sigh before once more gazing at me with stern eyes.
"I want you to know I am going against my better judgment on this, Bella, but I have decided not to spank you for this offense either," he told me, and I immediately let out another breath of relief, happy to know that I'd dodged another bullet.
"Instead of my usual punishment, I am going to assign you an essay instead," he mentioned, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"What kind of essay?" I questioned.
"Tomorrow morning while I am at work I want you to write me an essay on the dangers of alcohol consumption. I want you to incorporate your actions from last night and all the possible consequences that could have occurred. Feel free to use my laptop to write it and the internet for research. After that I want you to end the paper with suggested punishments should you ever be foolish enough to behave so recklessly again, am I clear?"
I let out a small sigh as I nodded my head. "I got it Dad. How long do you want it to be?"
"As long as you feel is necessary," he replied. "I expect you to have it finished by tomorrow evening at which point I will read it over and decide whether or not it is satisfactory enough. If it is not finished or not to my liking, then I will give you a little incentive to take this assignment more seriously before sitting you down and having you rewrite it under my supervision until I am satisfied the lesson has been learned."
I paled slightly at his implications, having a feeling I knew exactly what he meant by a 'little incentive'. "I swear Dad, I will do it right the first time," I insisted. This punishment would be tedious, but simple. Much better than what I had been expecting, so I would put forth full effort. I didn't want to disappoint him anymore than he already was in me.
"Isabella, look at me," my father then stated sternly, and I immediately acquiesced albeit a little warily. It was never a good thing when your parent used your full first name. "I need you to understand that I am being extremely lenient with you, so please do not make me regret this. Use your head sweetheart and think before you act. You are much smarter than what you displayed last night and I expect you to prove me right."
"I will Dad, I promise," I said, caught off guard by the pleading look in his eyes.
"You had best keep that promise, young lady, because I am warning you now that if you break it I will make sitting very uncomfortable for you, do you understand?" he questioned with a steel edge to his voice.
I felt my heartbeat pick up in pace at his words, butterflies tickling my stomach as I hastily nodded my head.
"Verbal response Bella," he stated, and I choked out, "I understand Dad, no more recklessness!"
He surveyed me with narrowed eyes for a few seconds before softening his gaze. Giving my right hand a soft squeeze, he then said, "I apologize if you think I am making a big deal out of all of this Bella, but your safety means the world to me. I love you, sweetheart, and I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to you because of a poor decision."
Tears stung my eyes and a lump formed in my throat at his emotional words, and I suddenly found myself feeling even guiltier than before. "I'm so sorry Dad I never meant to worry you. I wasn't thinking, and I swear to never be reckless every again," I promised him.
He responded with a quiet snort and a loving smile. "Never say never, baby," he remarked wryly as he gave my cheek a soft caress.
"But I mean it," I insisted, not understanding his comment. Did he not believe me, or had I messed up so badly that he didn't trust my word anymore?
"Okay Bella, I hear you," he then replied calmly, and I frowned, not sure of whether or not he was humoring me.
A/N: Alright, so I know Carlisle told Esme he'd spank Bella twice, but obviously he changed his mind. I'll delve into that later.
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