Disclaimer: Do not own Twilight or any of its wonderful characters
Warning:This chapter contains disciplinary spanking, so if this is not your thing then don't bother reading or flaming!
A/N: Thanks guys for the awesome reviews! General consensus is that Carlisle made the right decision by foregoing the second spanking, but there are some that believe she'll do something to earn back that spanking, haha! Considering this is only the halfway point of the story, well, we'll have to see!
Chapter 8: Fighting is Never the Answer
Bella's POV:
"Let us move onto the topic of your fights with Lauren," he finally began, and I felt a rush of anger at the mere thought of the girl. God, how I hated that pompous bitch! She was so darn uppity and pompous thinking that the whole world revolved around her. I mean, how dare she say those things to me about Edward, or about me sleeping with Jasper and Emmett! Ugh! I shuddered in disgust at the mere thought before suddenly becoming startled when I heard a loud snap of fingers. I immediately focused my attention on Carlisle, shrinking slightly as he was giving me a stern glare.
"You have no idea of what I just said," he stated with a frown, and I blushed, looking down at my knees in embarrassment. "That's what I thought," he said before lifting my chin with his cold fingers.
"When I am speaking to you Isabella, I expect you to show me a little respect by at least listening and looking at me," he rebuked unhappily. I lifted my head at his words, ashamed at having to be scolded for not showing proper respect. I was normally always well mannered and respectful, but you wouldn't think so with how I'd been acting recently. "Is that too much to ask?" he added.
"No Dad, not at all," I responded. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to not listen, I just got distracted," I defended weakly, and he raised a disbelieving eyebrow. Thankfully, he let the matter drop without another word.
"Out of everything you did yesterday, it is your fights that have disturbed me the most," he declared, causing me to frown. "You got into multiple fights with the same girl all because she said some things you didn't like. You were out of control and I shudder at the thought of how much harm you could have caused her had you not been stopped."
"I wasn't out of control," I protested hotly, and he gave a scoff.
"Bella, there were multiple cops trying to separate you two girls at the station yesterday," he explained exasperatedly. "How can you say you were not out of control when I had to physically drag you away kicking and screaming?"
I opened and closed my mouth multiple times as I searched for something to say, but I could think of nothing to refute what he said.
"What were you thinking Bella?" he questioned in frustration, and I could tell he was really trying to understand. "What did that child say to push you to react so irrationally? I understand the alcohol must have been of some influence, but not enough to push you into completely losing control of yourself."
"She, well, uh—Arrrgh!" I exclaimed angrily as I stood up. "She deserved everything I gave her and more! She's an awful person who has been nothing but a pompous bitch to me since we first met, and I wasn't going to put up with her bullshit anymore! I'm not sorry for what I did," I finished stubbornly as I glared at Carlisle.
He gazed back impassively, although I did notice as his eyes darkened. "Sit down," he ordered quietly. His tone clued me in to the fact that I was crossing some line with him, but I didn't care anymore.
"I'm fine standing," I responded with crossed arms, returning Carlisle's cool gaze with narrowed eyes. My eyes widened though when I heard the low growl erupt from the normally calm vampire.
"Sit down NOW!" he roared, and I immediately jumped as though scalded before planting myself on the couch. Oh shit, I thought in a panic. Carlisle actually yelled at me! I can't believe it! I stared with wide, nervous eyes at the vampire across from me. He stared right back with his onyx eyes, and my heart began to hammer away once more. Dark eyes on a vampire were never a good thing, I'd learned.
"Isabella Marie, you will mind your tone and your language when speaking to me, do you understand?" he asked calmly, although I could hear the anger he was so desperately trying to control.
"Yes sir," I quietly replied, not wanting to further anger him. He gazed at me silently for over a minute, making me extremely uncomfortable before speaking once more.
"The more we talk about your fights with Lauren, the more concerned I become; not just with the severity of your attack, but with how little remorse you feel," he told me, his voice oozing with disappointment. "You are normally a very kind and caring person, Bella, so for you to feel that Lauren deserved your attack and more alarms me, especially when you admit to only having fought with her because she insulted you," he said with an unhappy shake of his head. He paused, perhaps waiting for me to say something or defend myself, but I had nothing to say.
"I am very disappointed with you, Bella," he stated, and I found myself surprised by how much that statement hurt me. I felt my eyes beginning to well up with tears as my mind raced with how to make things better.
"I'm sorry," I finally muttered in a pitiful voice, but his eyes did not soften.
"Sorry for what?" he asked, and I immediately went to respond when he cut me off by adding in a strict tone, "And do not insult me by lying." I closed my mouth at those words. I had been ready to apologize for having fought with Lauren, but I was only partly sorry. I did feel guilt, but it was overshadowed by the anger I still felt towards her. How could she get under my skin like no other? Why did her words anger me so much?
"So you are not sorry for anything," Carlisle deduced in a dry tone, and I flushed. "I do feel some guilt for hurting Lauren, but I feel more anger towards her than anything," I confessed. "I don't know how she does it, but she infuriates me like no one else can. I know fighting is wrong, Dad," I told him, "and I know that it doesn't solve anything and that I shouldn't have done it, but I just…," I sighed as I tried to explain myself.
"I was just tired of being a victim with her all the time. She's always saying horrible things to me, and I can handle it most of the time, but when she starts telling me that Edward doesn't love me or that he'll leave me again I just lose it," I said, "and she knows that. She loves going on and on about how Edward will never love me, and how the whole school thinks I'm a, well, that I'm a slut," I choked out, red-faced. "She's always making crude comments like that, and about how everybody thinks I have to be sleeping with Edward for him to be with me, or that I'm also sleeping with-with Emmett and Jasper," I admitted, disgust clear in my tone.
"I couldn't take it anymore Dad, especially when she started treating me like a child when I was throwing up from the alcohol. I guess I…," I paused as realization began to dawn on me. I had set out to prove that I didn't need to be protected and that I could be independent yesterday, and Lauren had taken the brunt of my anger. Since I couldn't and wouldn't ever attack Edward or Alice, Lauren had been the optimal target when she had made those comments at the party, especially since I already harbored a deep-seated anger towards her. I shifted uncomfortably at these thoughts, not quite sure I wanted to voice them out loud. I wasn't sure if Carlisle would take them well or not.
"You guess," he prodded when I had remained silent too long, and I gathered from his tone that this was not a request. "I guess I took out the anger I was feeling towards Edward and Alice on Lauren," I confessed quietly. "She didn't deserve what I did to her, and neither did Edward," I then said, rationality finally making a comeback.
What had I been thinking yesterday? Edward was going to be pissed when he found out what I did. He would never forgive me, or at least never let me out of his sight again! God, how could I have been so stupid! How could I have messed up so badly?
"Bella," I heard my father call, and I found myself looking at him in hope when I heard the loving tone in his voice. "Bella, I want you to know that I am proud of you," he declared, and I gaped at him in surprise. What in the world could I have done to deserve his pride?
"I am proud of you for finally admitting that you did wrong, and for realizing the true motivations behind your fights with Lauren," he told me, and I felt my heart lift at his words. His disappointment had stung, so it was good for my soul to hear that he felt pride for me.
"Now, regarding the things Lauren said to you, you do realize that she is only saying those things because she is jealous of you," he stated, and I nodded my head.
"I know," I responded slowly.
"But it still hurts," my father finished in an understanding tone, and I looked at him with woeful eyes as I nodded my head. "I'm sorry she hurts you Bella, but by letting her words get to you, you are allowing her to win," he explained. "You are giving her power every time you allow her words to hurt or anger you. You need to just ignore her," he advised, and I gave an exasperated sigh.
"That doesn't work!" I yelled in frustration. "I mean, do you really think I haven't tried that? She never stops! She seeks me out anytime I am alone and just starts in on me!"
"Alright, relax Bella," Dad said, holding up placating hands. "I am only trying to help you, sweetheart, so do not get angry with me."
"Well, your advice sucks!" I snapped irritably. "I mean have you ever even been to school, college not included? Do you even know what it's like to be picked on? Well I do and it's no freaking picnic! I've done everything I can to stop her, so sorry for finally standing up for myself! We can't all have perfect childhoods like you!" I shouted in anger, tears of frustration pricking my eyes. "I'm sorry I'm not perfect like you want me to be, but I"—
"Isabella Marie Swan, that is quite enough!" my father suddenly ordered in a fed up tone, and I snapped my mouth shut. "You are treading on thin ice, little one, so this is my last warning. You had best control that mouth of yours or I will, and trust me when I say it will not be an enjoyable experience for you," he warned dangerously.
Carlisle's POV:
I glared at my squirming daughter, forcefully holding back the snarl I so wanted to let loose. I closed my eyes briefly and counted to ten, willing myself to calm down. My daughter had no idea how lucky she was that she was human right now. Several times already I had held myself back from doling out a few swats to her disrespectful backside for fear that I may really hurt her. I was 99.9% sure I wouldn't, but I would not take that 0.1% chance. I would not feel comfortable spanking her unless I could see the results of the punishment, and I would only be able to do that if I spanked her on the bare. After that I would know exactly how much force I would need to deliver an effective spanking with no permanent damage.
"Dad, I'm sor"—she began to apologize but I quickly cut her off as I said, "Do not speak Isabella. It is your turn to listen to me now." She snapped her mouth shut as she looked at me nervously. Good, she should be nervous. I couldn't believe how disrespectful she had been with me.
"Contrary to your beliefs, my childhood was far from perfect, and I was well acquainted with bullying," I declared, my thoughts straying briefly to my father and a boy from my youth named William. "Yes, I did in fact attend school, although it is nothing like the school you are used to. In and out of school there was a boy named William who delighted in tormenting me for all sorts of reasons. I did my best to avoid him, but he always managed to find me. Like you, I finally had enough and began to retaliate. We began trading insults every time we saw each other, and eventually we came to blows," I informed her, and she stared at me with wide, astonished eyes.
"Unfortunately, we decided to do so at school, so not only was I punished by the teacher, but by my father as well when I got home," I recalled with a slight grimace. That had been a rough day for me. "Anyways," I continued, "the fight solved nothing. It only served to make William more incensed with me, making him more vile and vicious than before. We got into several more fights over the years, and all that came about from them was several more whippings from my father. Eventually, I figured out that by insulting and fighting with William that I had lowered myself to his level. I was no longer a victim, but I was a bully instead. I don't mean to say I went about tormenting other children, but I had become to William what he had always been to me. After this realization I went back to avoiding and ignoring him. It was extremely difficult, but the longer I acted as though his words and taunts meant nothing to me, the more frustrated he became until he eventually just stopped bothering me."
I paused at this moment, allowing Bella to absorb my story and the point I was trying to make. I knew she understood when she sighed and looked down in shame. "So you're saying that by attacking Lauren I've become just like her," Bella stated after slowly lifting her eyes towards mine. I nodded my head, and she frowned unhappily as she came to terms with this revelation.
"I-I never meant for this to happen," she eventually told me in a distressed tone. "I just wanted her to leave me alone. I'm sorry Dad, I should never have fought with Lauren," she said, and this time I knew she truly meant it. Relief flooded through me that I had been able to get through to her, but it was short lived as I realized the punishment that awaited her. I just hoped she would not fight me.
"I believe you," I confirmed when she looked at me with pleading eyes, "but I hope you realize you are still going to be punished."
Bella groaned softly as she looked at me with sad eyes. "Bella, as I already told you, it was your fights that bothered me the most out of all your activities from yesterday. I have come to realize that you have quite the temper, and that is a trait I want and need you to learn to control. You cannot allow your anger to take over you as you did yesterday. Just look at everything that occurred because you let your anger at Edward and Lauren drive your decisions," I lectured sternly, and her shoulders sagged at my chiding words.
"Fighting is never the answer, Bella. It solves nothing, and only makes things worse. You are a good person, and I hate seeing you lower yourself to such levels, especially over someone like Lauren. You know she is jealous of you, and you know everything she says is a lie, so do not let her words get to you. I know it is hard, but do everything you can to avoid her, and just ignore her. Act as though anything she has to say is not worth acknowledgement, and if you want to really infuriate her, smile and be nothing but polite with her," I advised with a slight grin.
"Trust me," I remarked at Bella's disbelieving eyes, "she will not know how to react." She nodded her head in a response, a small smile forming on her face.
"Good," I said before becoming stern once more. "Now, as to your punishment, I will not be letting this one go like your other transgressions. I am going to spank you Bella," I announced, and she immediately gasped as her heart rate kicked up in pace.
"Dad please," she begged, "I swear I've learned my lesson. I know I was wrong, and I promise to never fight again, so please you don't have to-to punish me like that."
"Yes, I do," I replied firmly, although her pleading look tugged at my heart strings.
"Please Dad!" she exclaimed. "Give me any other punishment," she told me desperately, and I withheld a sigh.
"Bella, I have already been beyond lenient with you concerning the lying and drinking, but I will not with this," I explained. "Had you not been stopped both times, you could have seriously harmed Lauren. You completely lost control, and that is something I will not put up with. You will be a vampire soon, and this is not a trait I want you carrying into your new life. Besides Bella," I added, "what other punishment could I give you?"
"You, well, you could ground me," she suggested hopefully.
"Ground you from what?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
Her brow furrowed as she considered my question. "Well, um, you could ground me from…" she trailed off unhappily as she came to the same conclusion I had earlier. I had nothing to ground her from. "Okay, so no grounding, but you could give me another essay or-or," she bit her lip, obviously wracking her brain for an alternative punishment.
"An essay will not make a suitable impression," I told her when she had failed to come up with anymore suggestions.
"You've already made an impression Dad," she argued feebly, but I shook my head in disagreement.
"I am not changing my mind Bella, so please stop arguing. We are going to take care of this part of your punishment right now so you do not have to dwell on it anymore," I told her as I stood up and moved the chair.
I heard as Bella's heartbeat began to beat even more rapidly and as her breaths began to quicken. Looking at her I took in her pale face, wide eyes, and clenched fists. I could see and smell her fear, but she was not panicking, so I felt sure enough to continue. I did not like how scared she seemed, but I realized that no matter what I said there was no getting around the fact that this was going to be her first ever spanking. I was positive her mind was making it out to be worse than it would be, but she would hopefully realize this afterwards.
As I slowly made my way towards her, I saw as her eyes flicked towards the doorway. Oh baby girl, I thought with a sad sigh, you must realize you would not even make it one step beyond the couch before I'd catch you. When I finally stood before her I knelt down and forced her to look at me.
There were unshed tears in her brown eyes as she looked at me and pitifully asked, "Do you really have to do this?"
"Do you really not feel you deserve this?" I asked back, and she bit her lip for a few moments before letting her shoulders sag. "But I still don't want to be spanked," she mumbled.
"I would be astonished if you did want it, Bella," I remarked, holding back an endearing smile. "It is a punishment. You are not meant to want or enjoy it. The more you detest it, the more likely you are to work harder to avoid it," I explained softly, tucking a loose strand of her behind her ear.
"Do you have to do it now?" she then questioned. "Why not later?"
"Yes I have to do it now," I answered, "because if I put this off you will only grow more anxious. You will dwell on it, and I do not want you panicking. Trust me; you want this over and done with."
"Is…is it going to hurt a lot?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes already welling up with tears. I bit back a groan at her innocent question, desperately wanting to allay her fears, but also not wanting to lie to her.
"Yes, it will hurt," I responded gently, "but I promise you that it will not be as bad as you are thinking."
"How do you know?" she retorted somewhat petulantly. Bella, Bella, Bella, I thought with a sad internal sigh. What more can I do to allay your worries? I was about to reply to her question when I heard and felt my cell phone go off. I quickly pulled it out, frowning when I noticed it was Esme calling. Bella's phone began to ring at this point as well, and when she glanced at it she told me it was Alice calling. Growing concerned, I told Bella to ignore her call while I answered mine.
"Esme, what is it?" I asked anxiously upon answering.
"Oh good, you answered," she replied with a bit of relief in her tone. "Nothing is wrong here," she remarked, "I was actually calling to help you and Bella out. Alice saw that Bella was going to give you a bit of trouble with her spanking, so she thought it would be a good idea if she spoke with Bella before you commenced."
I blinked in surprise at her words before a smile spread across my face. "That is an excellent idea, my love," I told her. Yes, Alice would be able to help Bella with any questions or fears she may have much better than I could.
"Yes, I thought so as well," she responded happily before suggesting that I leave while they speak to give them some privacy. I readily agreed, and after exchanging a few 'I love you's,' I hung up.
"What's an excellent idea?" Bella immediately asked nervously, and I gave her a kind smile to help her relax.
"Alice wants to speak with you, Bella," I informed her, and she furrowed her brow in confusion.
"She wants to speak with you about your punishment. Alice saw that you were having trouble accepting a spanking, so she wants to help you. Feel free to ask her anything you want," I advised.
Bella looked at me in surprise before an unsure look graced her features. "Alright," she eventually remarked slowly and I patted her shoulder in comfort before standing up.
"I am going to leave to give you privacy, so when you are finished call me," I told her, fixing her with a mildly stern look to convey that she'd better call me.
"Okay," she replied, and I graced her with a small smile right as her phone began to ring once more.
"That is my cue," I stated before quickly making myself scarce.
Bella's POV:
I stared at my phone in trepidation before answering.
"Bella!" I Alice squealed before I could even form a proper greeting.
"Hi Alice," I responded, unable to keep a smile from forming on my face. We exchanged pleasantries before Alice got down to business. After apologizing for invading my privacy ("I was worried about you!") she explained that she was calling to answer any questions I had regarding my impending spanking.
I bit my lip, embarrassment seeping through my every pore at the thought of discussing this punishment with Alice.
"Come on Bella," Alice spoke as though she knew what I was thinking, "this is me, your best friend and sister talking to you, so you've got no reason to feel embarrassed! Besides, I've been spanked several times by Daddy already, so I'm the perfect person for you to talk to about what's bothering you so much."
I considered her words before letting out a small sigh. She was right. I knew I could talk to Alice about anything, and since she'd been in this position before (I found that hard to imagine) she would be the perfect person to talk to.
"How bad is it?" I suddenly burst out, my mind racing with all sorts of horrible scenarios.
"Well, I'm not going to lie to you Bella, but it sucks," she answered seriously, and my heart sunk. "It's embarrassing and it hurts, but once it's over with it's the best feeling in the world," she stated, and I frowned in confusion.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean that once it's over you know that you've been punished and forgiven and your guilt goes away. You're feeling pretty awful right now, aren't you? I mean I know when Dad or Mom are disappointed with me I just want to shrivel up and die," she said.
I nod my head even though I know she can't see. "Yeah," I admit, "I can't stand Dad's disappointment. I feel terrible for the worry I put him through, and I feel guilty and stupid over the things I did. I really messed up, and I know I deserve to be punished, but I just…I mean I've never been spanked before, Alice! I'm scared."
"Oh Bella, I understand completely, believe me," she replied immediately in an empathetic tone.
"Really?" I questioned doubtfully, and she let out a small laugh before she said, "Don't you remember? I have no memories of my human life, so the first spanking I ever remember receiving I got from Carlisle."
"Oh yeah," I responded dumbly before I told her, "I'm sorry Alice, I—well, I forgot, or didn't think…"
"Don't worry about it Bella. What I'm trying to tell you is that I really do know exactly how you feel. Even though I knew Dad would never abuse me or anything I was still terrified the first time he decided to spank me," she explained. "I'd heard the others talk about their experiences, so I knew what to expect, but I was still scared. While it was happening I thought it was the worst thing ever, and I hollered and cried like no tomorrow," she recounted in a sheepish tone, "but when it was over and done with I realized that it hadn't been as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, of course it hurt, but I wasn't traumatized or anything and I sure did learn my lesson, haha!"
I let out a small laugh, curiously wondering what Alice had done to land herself in that position. Shaking my head of those thoughts, I then took in the rest of her words and found myself relaxing somewhat. It was good to know that I wasn't the only one to have felt like this, and it was good to know that Alice's experience hadn't been as bad as she'd expected.
"The best part about the whole thing," Alice added (how can there be a best part, I wondered) "Was when Daddy was comforting me afterwards. He held me in his arms and whispered comforting words until I calmed down. It was really sweet of him, and it really helped me feel forgiven and loved."
There was silence then as Alice stopped speaking and as I mulled over everything she had said.
"Did I help?" she eventually asked in hope, and I immediately replied, "Yeah Alice, you did help. I'm still nervous and scared, but I'm no longer terrified, if you know what I mean."
"Oh yeah I do," she said with a light laugh.
"Thanks Alice," I then told her sincerely, "I really appreciate this, and thanks for looking out for me."
"What are big sisters for?" she said, and I smiled, extremely touched that she considered me her little sister.
"Alright, well I better leave you to it. I'm sure you're anxious to get this over with," she finally stated, and my stomach flip-flopped in nerves.
"Yeah," I choked out, my throat suddenly going dry.
"It'll be alright Bella, you'll see," Alice told me in a soothing tone.
"Okay, thanks again Alice. I'll talk to you later," I said in a small voice, and she said her goodbye before hanging up.
I took a few deep breaths before calling Dad and telling him he could come back. He showed up not even three minutes later and gave me an inquiring look.
"She helped," I said, answering the unspoken question, and I was somewhat surprised by the relieved sigh he gave. I guess my fear had really caused him a bit of distress. I shifted guiltily at the thought before giving Carlisle a resigned look. He caught the look, took a deep breath, and nodded his head.
"Stand up please," he told me, and I quickly obeyed. He swiftly made his way over and situated himself on the couch. Gently taking hold of my trembling hand he moved me so that I was standing next to his right knee. My breaths quickened as my heart rate picked up, but I managed to keep from panicking.
Dad surveyed me for a few seconds before he requested I tell him why I was about to receive this punishment.
"B-because I-I lost my temper and got into a fight with Lauren twice," I answered in a repentant tone.
"Correct," Dad responded as he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Now, as I told you earlier I will be spanking you on the bare. Not only do I feel you earned it, but I also want to insure that I do not cause you any permanent damage. So, please lower your jeans and lay yourself over my lap."
My face burned red at his words before I did as I was told. My hands were so shaky it took more effort than I ever thought it would to unbutton my jeans, but when I did I swiftly shoved them down as I just wanted to get this over with. Taking my hand he then helped me lower myself over his knees before he adjusted me to his liking. My heart pounded away in nervous anticipation before I let out a groan of embarrassment when I felt him lower my underwear.
I tensed when I felt him rub his hand comfortingly on my lower back.
"You need to breathe Bella," he informed me softly, and I immediately let out a breath I hadn't been aware I had been holding. Mechanically taking in and letting out a few more breaths, I slowly found myself relaxing as he continued to rub my back.
"Hold on to this so you will not be tempted to reach back," Dad then advised as he handed me a pillow, and I immediately latched onto it, burying my face in it as tears began to well up.
"Are you ready?" he asked, and I let out a small sob before I mumbled out an untruthful, "Uh huh." There was no way I would ever be ready for this, but the sooner we got this over with the better. The anticipation was killing me, and I knew if I had to wait any longer that I would seriously have a panic attack.
Dad's hand stilled, and if possible my heart rate increased even higher than before. His left arm tightened around me, and I tensed before I felt the first swat land on my poor, defenseless backside.
"Ah!" I yelped, more out of surprise than real pain. I mean it stung, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle…yet.
Carlisle's POV:
I brought my hand down sharply again and again, avidly watching for any sign that I was spanking her too hard. As expected, I found that my control was as good as ever and that I was able to deliver an effective spanking without causing her permanent damage.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ow! Ouch!" Bella cried out, her voice slightly muffled as she had it buried in the pillow.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ouch! I'm sorry Dad!" Bella yelled, and I could smell the tears that were no doubt cascading down her cheeks already.
Her cries tugged at my heartstrings, but with some difficulty I managed to tune them out as I continued to punish my young child. What I found harder to ignore though was the way Bella's bottom was turning pink and then red as I brought my hand down. I could also feel the increasing amount of heat that was building the longer I spanked her. With my other children this had and would never occur, so I was unused to seeing such effects. I found it very disconcerting as it emphasized how fragile my human daughter really was compared to her vampire siblings.
Smack! Smack! "Ah!" Smack! Smack!
"Please Dad, I'm sorry!" Bella yelled as she desperately tried to wriggle out of my grasp.
"Stop that Bella," I rebuked as I landed two harder swats on her sit-spots.
"Owww!" Bella howled, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" I winced at her obvious discomfort, deciding now would be the best time to begin to lecture.
"You must learn to control your temper, Isabella. You are a smart girl and I know you can find better outlets for your anger than fighting, or ridiculous ideas like getting drunk to get back at Edward," I scolded sternly. "I do not care what Lauren says or does to you, you will not resort to violence when dealing with her ever again unless you would like to find yourself right back in this position, do you understand me?"
"Yeow! I under—Ouch!—I understand Dad, I do!" she hollered before going limp and beginning to sob. I grimaced as my heart clenched at the pitiful sound. I could not do this anymore. I didn't know why I was so much more affected by Bella's spanking than any of my other children, but I was going to cut this short, something I had never done before. Bella definitely deserved a longer spanking, especially with how I'd already shown extreme leniency concerning her other two misdeeds, but my heart could not take causing her anymore pain. Her bottom was red and she had given in, so that was enough for me.
Decision made, I landed six more swats to her sit spots slightly harder than the previous before declaring this punishment over with. This was not the punishment she deserved, and I felt slight guilt as I knew I would never have gone this easy on any of my other children; however, I argued with myself that leniency was alright seeing as Bella was still human and that she had already seemed so repentant. Another part of me argued that I was only making excuses, but I ignored that part. Bella had given in to the punishment and that was usually when I began to end the punishment anyways, so I had done right. Just because she gave in much earlier than any of the others ever had did not mean I was too lenient…right?
I forced these thoughts out of my mind before beginning to rub soothing circles on her back. Righting her clothes, I then lifted her up and placed her on my lap, being very careful to insure her tender bottom did not touch anything.
A/N: So, did Carlisle go too easy on her or not? He certainly can't decide. Let me know your thoughts by please REVIEWING!