"See, it's perfect! We'll leave the first day of spring break and we'll have plenty of game to pick from." Edward says, clapping his hands and rubbing them together as he looks down at a large world map covering the coffee table. "I can't wait."
"Let's go tell Carlisle!" Emmett suggests wearing his big, goofy smile.
Edward gives Emmett a questioning look. Carlisle is at the hospital and has made it clear to everyone that they are not allowed anywhere near the hospital. He doesn't even want Esme there. "It's too big a risk to have anyone there," he's told them. And Emmett knows this. He knows Carlisle has made threats to the boys of what specifically would happen if they did break this rule, and it involved the strap and their asses.
But with that thought, a smile comes to Edward's face. Carlisle has basically retired the strap. So what's stopping them? Worse thing that could happen is being sent to the entryway for two hours. And two weeks vacation in exchange for only two hours of a boring afternoon seems like an awesome deal to Edward.
"Yeah, let's go!" Edward agrees and stands from the couch.
"We're not allowed to go to the hospital." Jasper says worriedly. Edward rolls his eyes and smirks at Emmett before turning his attention back to Jasper.
"I'll ask him for permission, then."
"I'll go get my coat." Emmett says quickly and runs upstairs.
"We're not suppose to text him at work unless it's an emergency." Jasper adds on.
"I'll ask Esme, goody two shoes."
Jasper holds back a growl over the childish name calling and tells himself to relax. There's no way Esme will say this is okay.
"She said yes!" He states and holds his phone out for Jasper to see. Just like the unbelievable text from Carlisle, Esme's name is at the top of a message. A message from Edward is at the top, asking "Emmett and I made plans for spring break. Can we go to the hospital to confirm them with Dad?'. The second message reads 'Of course. Take Jasper with you. He needs to get out of the house.'
"She sent that?" Jasper questions.
"That is her name, isn't it?"
"Well, yeah, but..." Jasper trails off and eyes the screen, still in disbelief that Esme would give them permission.
"So get off your ass and let's go!" Edward says happily and jumps off the couch. He runs upstairs after Emmett. Jasper stands and goes to the hall closet, pulling out his coat and boots. He really doesn't want to go to the hospital, but if Esme said he needs to go, then he won't argue, even if it's a strange command. He checks his phone and debates on whether or not to text Esme himself to ask. He shakes his head no, though. Doubting the coven leader's mate is right up there with keeping her from doing what she wants. So instead, he slides into his coat and pulls his boots on and waits for his brothers.
Upstairs, Edward and Emmett meet in the hall with smirks on their faces. Edward pats Emmett's shoulder, and murmurs to him low enough to keep Jasper from hearing.
"Adding on that Jasper has to come was a nice touch."
"So, who's going in?" Emmett asks as the three boys stare at the tall, intimidating hospital building. Edward bites his lips. Jasper's stomach knots. Now that they arrived, the two trouble-making brothers doubt their plan. Not only will Carlisle punish them when they get home, they'll also get an earful of a lecture. Maybe it's not worth it.
"He'll be off in four hours. We can tell him when he gets home." Jasper suggests. Emmett smirks.
"Jasper, you go ask him." Emmett says.
"No!"
"Why not? It'll be fine!" Edward adds on.
"Because there's blood in there!" Jasper hisses angrily.
"Jasper, listen, Esme told you to get out of the house. We all know she didn't mean just get in the car." Emmett reasons. "She wants you to become part of the community."
"I'm not going in there!"
"Do you feel in control right now?" Edward asks. Jasper pierces his lips and doesn't answer. "Well, do you?"
"Yeah." He responds bitterly.
"I've been in hospitals before, man. The smell is just as in the parking lot as it is inside. You'll be fine." Edward says. "Listen, you only have to be in there for ten or fifteen minutes. You know how to move your chest to make it look like your breathing, so hold your breath. Tell Carlisle, then turn around and come back."
"I'm not doing it."
"Fine. Don't." Edward shrugs. "But Esme and Carlisle sure will be disappointed that you aren't trying to live like us."
For about a minute, everyone in the Jeep is silent. Without saying a word, Emmett puts the keys in the ignition and fires up the engine. Before he puts it in reverse, Jasper flings open the back door.
"Fine. I'll go!"
Jasper holds his breath, straightens his coat, rolls his shoulders back and walks with a fake since of pride towards the hospital.
I can do this, I can do this, He chants mentally. Edward and Emmett watch in disbelief as he pushes through the doors, passing by patients sitting outside on bus benches and in wheelchairs with barely a flinch.
"You've been in a hospital before?" Emmett asks. Edward nods.
"Yeah. Carlisle beat the shit out of me for it."
"Hello, I'm Jasper, Dr. Cullen's son. I was told I could find him on this floor." Jasper asks worriedly at the nurses station. He pays attention to every move he makes. He shifts his weight, moves his chest, counts his blinks and the time between them, staying between fifteen and twenty-five blinks a minute. His throat burns. The nurse smiles at him as a loose blond curl falls in his face.
"Oh, hello, honey!" The old nurse says sweetly, her cheeks blushing. "Dr. Carlisle is always talking about you!"
"He is?" Jasper responds, a nervous smile pulling at his lips.
"Oh yes! He sure does love you kids. That family picture is just adorable!"
Jasper keeps smile, unsure of what picture she's speaking of. He doesn't care, though. He just wants to talk to his father and get out. He looks down the hall, and his smile turns genuine as he spots Carlisle charging down the hall. His white jacket blows backwards and he weaves in an out of the crowded hall, an angry scowl on his face.
"Jasper," He says firmly. The nurse smiles at him, completely unaware of what's going on between father and son.
"Dad, Edward and Emmett-"
"Outside. Now." Carlisle demands, grabbing Jasper by the elbow. He turns to the nurse. "Page me if I'm needed, Helen."
Jasper's smile fades as Carlisle drags him down the stairwell, their steps echoing as they go.
"Carlisle, they-"
"Hush!" Carlisle cuts him off sharply. "I don't want to hear another word out of you!"
The two make it to the bottom floor and Carlisle doesn't stop moving as he's thanked and waved to by patients. He smiles and waves with his free hand, telling whoever asks that he is just taking a dinner break to speak with his son. Jasper keeps quiet, just as he was told. When they make it to the parking lot, Carlisle scans the lot and quickly pick up Emmett and Edward's scent, and marches towards the Jeep. Edward and Emmett spot him and his angry scowl.
"Oh, shit." Emmett murmurs.
Carlisle pulls Jasper to the vehicle, opens the backdoor and scans the parking lot. Seeing that no one is close, he tells Jasper to keep quiet and lands a hard smack to Jasper's hind end. Jasper jumps, but doesn't let out any noise. His nerves go on high alert. Carlisle's never had to whoop him before.
"Get in the car!" Carlisle orders. Jasper nods and does as he's told. "Roll down your window, Edward!"
"Nervously, Edward opens his window. Carlisle points an angry finger in at the other two.
"We have Esme's permission, Carlisle!" Edward says quickly.
"Do not give me that crap, Edward! Esme would never do such a thing. And why the hell aren't you in school?"
"He has a text from her." Jasper steps in. "And a text from you."
"Shut up, Jasper!" Edward hisses.
"That's funny, because I know I haven't text any of you today." Carlisle grumbles and crosses his arms over his chest. Jasper's heart sinks. He knew there was something fishy about those text! "How many times have I told you boys that you are never to come to the hospital?"
No one answers. They all just drop their eyes to the floor.
"Go home and get to a corner. If I come home and don't see your faces buried into the wall, then there will be hell to pay. Understand?"
"Yes sir." Jasper nods. Emmett and Edward mumble yes.
"Good. Now get out of here!"
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