Thank you all for your comments and additions , I hope you enjoy the next chapter ! Stay safe.

TO FOLLOW

Ethan ate with the little ones, an hour passed, the children still haven't returned.

"Uncle Ethan, are you mad at us?" Asked Ben.

"No Ben, what made you ask that?"

"You look mad," confirmed George.

"I'm not mad at you. I worry because Claire and Joseph have still not returned".

Ethan took all the little ones to use the outhouse before bed. Even Tess wanted to comply. He removed her diaper, helped her without question and put a new diaper on.

Ethan put the three children in the beds telling them how he was there to care for and protect them and telling them how the train trip would be the next day.

With kisses and hugs, they fell asleep peacefully, each child hugging their new toy. He secured Tess before checking the time. It had been an hour and a half since the older children should have come home. It was dark, he was going to kill them!

Finally, the two pushed open the door. Ethan was caught between relief and anger.

"We apologize uncle Ethan! We were playing, we didn't see the time." said Joseph.

Claire said nothing.

Ethan was leaning back on the edge of the table, arms crossed and looking stern.

"You were playing? I was hoping you would have a good reason! Didn't you see the night either? An hour and a half late!" His voice was firm and stern, but he wasn't shouting.

"Claire, look at me, what did I say I would do if you were late?"

She looked up. "Spank us but please don't do that, Uncle Ethan!" She replied quietly.

"Joseph, as your guardian, should I keep my promises?"

"Yes sir."

"Well, you knew what to expect. You are going to sit down and eat, there will obviously be no dessert. Then you will put on your nightgowns, when that is done,you will come to see me. After your punishment you will go to bed immediately. By leaving tomorrow, I imagined a better evening than having to punish you." He said disappointed.

Ethan moved the chairs so the kids could sit down and quickly served them the leftover meats and beans. He wanted to administer correction to teach more than cause pain, with the little ones sleeping next to them.

"Can we leave the table Uncle Ethan?" Asked Claire.

You can! I gave you instructions, you have five minutes! Use the outhouse..

Ethan moved a chair in the middle of the living room, a corner of the wall behind him, which would allow a minimum of privacy and sat down, his knees forming a right angle. Five minutes later, two obedient children appeared right in front of him, looking at their feet.

"I see that you can obey when you want, Claire why are you getting this spanking?"

"Because we were more than an hour and a half late when it was dark".

"Yes… .and? Joseph?"

"We disobeyed you when you warned us that we would be punished."

"I must be able to trust you and be sure that you will obey me, I will leave your nightshirts in place because we lack privacy. Claire, put your nose in the corner behind me. Joseph, come here."

Ethan put the boy on his knees, face down, raising his right hand, he brought it down five times on the small behind. As Ethan thought, the simple fact of being spanked is enough to make the child cry. Ethan leaned the child forward, lifting one knee and giving another five firm spanks on the boy's covered thighs.

"I'm sorry, sir!" Apologized Joseph through tears.

Ethan sat him up on his lap and gave him a hug.

"Okay Joseph, sorry accepted. Change places with your sister.

"Claire, come here."

Claire appeared before her uncle, she was already crying. Ethan forced himself to be stern, he had to keep his word. The sooner he spanked her, the faster he could take her in his arms.

"But I'm a girl Uncle Ethan!"

"I noticed, Claire." replied Ethan. "So, do you think you can disobey me and not be punished? Do you think I would not be fair?"

"No sir."

"Trust me." he said simply.

He gently took Claire's wrist and placed her over his lap. He delivered five firm slaps, then tipped her forward for the last five, just like he did with her brother. Finally, he helped her sit on his lap to wrap her in his strong arms, hugging her tightly to his chest."

"I apologize for my behavior, sir! She cried into his shirtfront.

"You are alright and I accept your apology" He said to reassure her for a moment.

"Joseph, come here. Stand by me."

"You were both punished and I'm not angry anymore. Claire, the age you are or being a girl makes no difference. If you do something wrong you will be punished. Time to go to bed. Good night my children, I love you!" He said, hugging them again.

"Good night Uncle Ethan, we love you too." Claire replies.

Ethan went around the little apartment one last time, putting what he wanted in his bags. He had found a box with various jewelry of his sister inside, he took them. One day, Claire or Tess will want to have them. Then, in turn, he went to bed, securing Tess with his body, he fell asleep.

Ethan had only slept a few hours before waking up, long before sunrise. Tess appeared before him with arms raised. She had her diaper on her lap! It made Ethan laugh.

Claire suddenlysat up clinging to her waist.

"Uncle Ethan, I'm sorry for last night"

Obviously, she had been sensitive to her spanking.

"Claire, I told you it was over, you were punished, it's forgotten. I never imagined having a perfect little girl. You will make a lot of mistakes in your childhood. I will be there to correct you every time because I love you! I love each of you more than my own life. Do you understand?"

"Yes Uncle Ethan! I love you too, so much!"

"I know, Claire".

Out of the corner of his eye, Ethan sees the boys getting on their beds and jumping. Tess imitated them, slipping.

"Stop jumping!" Ethan said firmly. "Come here" He pointed to the ground in front of him.

Three small children, lowering their heads, arrived before him.

"Look at me," he said sternly, "I don't want to see you do this anymore! It's dangerous! Am I clear?"

"Yes sir." replied the boys. Tess looked down.

"Tess, I said your eyes on me." Ethan ordered his voice was soft but firm. It was difficult to find the right tone, she was still so small. The baby obeyed.

"If I see you jump on a bed again, you will be punished, like your brothers. If you are old enough to do dangerous things, you are old enough to be punished. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"This will be all I say this time. It's your only warning now go play but do it safely!"

Ethan then noticed that the children did not move, large tears ran from their eyes, he had obviously frightened them. Crouching down he hugged the three children as they clung to him.

"I scold you because I love you and I don't want to see you hurt. I scold and sometimes punish you but after it's over, I'm not upset anymore, understand?"

"Yes, Uncle Ethan, sorry." said Ben and George as Tess nodded."

"Okay, wipe your tears away and go play."

The children obeyed going to play near Claire by the fireplace.

After a hearty breakfast before departure, Ethan spoke to his children.

"I want your best behavior during the trip, it will be long and tiresome for children, I know it, but I want immediate obedience at all times. You must do so to be safe. I will not hesitate to punish you if I deem it necessary! I am clear?"

"Yes uncle Ethan." they said.

"Okay, let's go."