BEING A FAMILY

Many thanks for all your reviews. They are all so encouraging and very much appreciated and keep me going. I am planning another story, but will not involve a continuance of this one. As yet it's just thoughts. Nothing down in writing yet. WARNING: There will be spanking in this chapter. Please don't read if this offends.

Chapter 4

Some time later, following the bath and change ready for bed, Adam was sitting on the bed with Davy between his knees.

"So Davy, what have you got to say for yourself?" Adam asked.

"I'm in trouble, right?"

"I would say yes. Especially mitching school, lying and disobeying the rule of going off on your own. Now I'll ask once more, what happened."

Davy took a long breath and told Adam the story. "Andy and Joey called me a coward because I wouldn't join in with their plan."

"Who are Andy and Joey?"

"Andy Brookes and Joey Freeman, school friends of mine."

"Okay. Go on."

"They….dared me to ….go riding with them."

"Something else you're not to do without an adult present. The list is getting longer, I fear."

"They dared me to go riding with them on Joey's ranch. They told me what to say to Cathy. And I waited 'till Ma was with Mrs Myers. Then I went over to Joey's ranch and waited. They never came. Then I thought I'd got the wrong ranch and it was Andy's home I was supposed to wait, but by then it was getting late and I started to make my way home."

"That's quite a story. But it doesn't excuse your disobedience."

"I know, Pa, and I'm sorry. Can you get this spanking over with please?" Davy asked, with tears forming in his eyes.

"Whatever you say. Get yourself over my knee." Adam helped place him exactly where he wanted him and wasted no time in getting started.

Davy cried out loud as soon as Adam started. His nightshirt wasn't providing any protection.

"Why are you getting this spanking?" Adam asked, but continued the spanking without interruption.

"Lying." Davy managed to get out. "Owwwwww."

"And?"

"Disobeying. Oh, ow, it hurts."

"And so it should. AND."

"Skipping school. Aaaaaaaah." Davy yelled and started sobbing.

"AND?"

"I don't….know." Adam continued, but the swats were now a little harder.

"How about riding unsupervised."

"But…..I didn't….do….it. Ow, owwwwwwwww."

"But you were going to do it, so it counts, right?"

Davy yelled. "Ow. Yes…..Sir." He managed to say. He was crying hard now.

"Okay, we'll end it there. I think the message has got home." Adam said as he pulled Davy up and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let him go. "All is forgiven now Davy," he said as he rubbed circles on his back helping to calm him down.

"Oh, Pa. I'm so sorry." His sobbing subsiding a little now.

"I know you are, Davy. I think you'll remember this spanking for a long time to come. You just have to make sure you listen to no one and do what they say, until you know for sure it's not against the rules. If in doubt, always ask me or your Grandpa or Ma or one of your Uncles. Understand?"

"Oh yes, Pa, I understand. This hurtin' is going to last for a long time."

"Right. It's to help you remember what you did wrong every time you sit, for a while."

"Hold me tight, please, Pa."

"Sure, Davy." And they stayed that way until Davy eventually fell asleep. ….

As soon as Adam has made it back downstairs, Grace asked, "What happened."

"Before I tell you," he said, as he could see anxious expressions on everyone's face. "I have a question for Cathy."

"But Pa, I haven't done anything wrong," she cried.

"I didn't say you had." He smiled. "Must have a guilty conscience."

"No, Pa. It's just that it's usually me." Everybody quietly laughed at Cathy's answer.

"Well, it has been in the past, but it looks like Davy is catching up. But seriously now, sweetheart, can you tell me if Andrew Brookes and Joseph Freeman were in school this afternoon?"

"Yes, Pa. They were. I saw them with Davy lunchtime, but a little later he told me he wasn't feeling well and would be going home with Ma. I guess he lied to me."

"Yes, he did." Grace stated. "That is the one thing that can't be tolerated. You know that full well."

"So, Adam. What's the story?" Joe was eager to learn what happened, as were the others, but they allowed Joe to do the asking.

So Adam related what Davy had told him and they all agreed he was 'had'.

"I will be speaking to those two boys and their parents tomorrow," Adam stated.

"They just wanted Davy to get into trouble, and it worked." Ben rightly surmised, sadly. "I just hope Davy's learned from this."

"I 'spect so," Hoss spoke up. "I remember learning lessons the hard way myself."

"You Uncle Hoss?" Cathy asked in surprise.

"Of course. We were all your age once and our Pa never let us get away with anything. Even your Pa."

"You, Pa?"

"Of course. I got into a lot of trouble too." Joe was sniggering at his older brother's embarrassment.

"Wow." Was all Cathy could say. Then after a pause, she continued. "I hope they both get punished by their parents."

"If not, I will make sure of it," said Adam. "It doesn't excuse what Davy did; I've dealt with that. He'll think twice before going against the rules again."

Just then Hop Sing appeared round the corner calling everyone to dinner.

"Fine, Hop Sing, thanks." Ben replied.

"Will Master Davy be joining you?"

"No, Hop Sing. He's to stay in his room." Adam informed him.

"I don't think he feels much like eating just now." Grace added. "I'll take something up to him after we finish our dinner."

"Vely good, Mrs Grace."

….

Later Grace entered Davy's room with a beef sandwich and milk and also a small piece of chocolate cake.

Davy had recently woken from his sleep and as soon as he saw his Ma, he broke into fresh tears.

"Oh, Ma. I'm sorry for what I done. Will you forgive me Ma?"

She put the tray on the small side table and lifted Davy onto her lap, kissed him on the cheek and hugged him close. "Of course I forgive you, Davy. Your Pa has punished you, as you deserved, and all is forgiven and we start afresh again tomorrow."

"Can I stand please? I'm hurtin' some." Davy confessed. As he rose from his mother's lap.

"I'm sure you are, but I think that's what your Pa intended, so you'll remember, should you think to disobey the rules in the future."

"Oh, I won't." He said, rubbing his bottom. "I'm feeling hungry now. Can I have the sandwich please?"

"Of course. That's why I brought it up, sweetheart."

They stayed together while Davy ate and drank. Grace waitied until she could feel that Davy was tired again. He laid down, on his stomach of course and Grace covered him up, kissed him and withdrew with the empty tray.

…

By the time Cathy had finished her homework and was in her bed, reading a chapter of her new book before laying down to sleep, all the others were sat in front of the fire with fresh coffee and brandy, all unwinding from the day's troubles.

Once Cathy couldn't hear anyone about upstairs, she tiptoed across to Davy's room. He was fast asleep.

"I'm sorry you got into trouble with Pa," she whispered. "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Davy."

Then she cautiously made her way back to her room. She didn't want to get caught visiting the 'condemed cell', or she'd be in trouble too.

Meanwhile back downstairs, "Come sit by me and relax, my love." Adam invited Grace to his side.

"Okay, but not for long," she said, placing the empty tray on the low table in front of them. "I feel quite tired and will retire soon, myself."

"Was Davy okay?" Ben asked.

"Yes. Sore and tired. He'll sleep well tonight."

"And Cathy?" Adam asked.

"Yes. She's ready for sleep too. Just reading a chapter before settling down."

Adam rose. "I'll just go and see she's all right." Grace felt it was her cue to retire and rose herself.

"I'm off to bed. Goodnight all, and thank you for all your support today." She said, looking at each in turn. "What a wonderful family I've married into. Any girl would be lucky to be a part of this family," smiling especially at Hoss and Joe. But before they could comment, Grace was gone. She met Adam in the upstairs hallway.

"Cathy was already fast asleep with her book still in her hand."

"Looking like an angel, no doubt." Grace added smiling.

"Let's hope for a peaceful night and that tomorrow will not be as traumatic."

They entered their room and the door closed quietly behind them.