Christmas

Ethan rose to his feet, followed by Dakota, Ethan grabbed his belt which was obviously gone! He understood!

"Drop your gun! It's not an attack, it's the kids!"

They rushed into the barn, the lantern was lit there. The two boys were on the ground, Adam was shaking and Joseph was holding his leg crying. Ethan rushed to Joseph who was screaming!

"Ah, Pa! I'm in pain! "

Despite the cries, the fact that the child was crying and had not passed out was a good sign.

"Let me see Joseph!" Ethan ordered!

The man tore the leg of his pants with bare hands, surely adrenaline and fear. He was relieved to see that the bullet had only grazed him! It was only a scratch!

"It's going to be fine son! It's okay." Ethan reassured.

"Ethan? Adam is in shock!, I can't calm him down!" Dakota said.

Ethan approached Adam as Dakota replaced Ethan in helping Joseph.

"Adam!" The man called.

"I killed him! I killed him!" Adam was crying.

"Adam! Look at me!" Ethan ordered in a stern voice he knew the boy would recognize! "He will be fine! He only has a small scratch! You didn't kill him! You hear me my son! Look at me!"

"My father died like that! And now I hurt my brother!"

Ethan hugged him.

"Hush, calm down my son, it's going to be fine!"

"Dakota, carry Joseph, please, I'll take Adam, let's get warm!"

"Amelia, please boil some water! Claire, get a clean cloth in my room, Jason, can you bring me the whiskey bottle from the closet? Jessie, please get Joseph's nightshirt!"

Ethan cleaned the wound like a doctor! He had seen many wounds in his life, on himself and on others. With the bandaging done, Ethan put the nightshirt on his child.

"Joseph, take a sip of whiskey, it will ease your pain."

Then a heavy silence invades the room.

"Pa, we just wanted to watch it, I'm sorry!" Joseph said.

"Pa, it's my fault! I could have killed him! I deserve your belt to spank me!" Adam said, as he lowered his pants to his knees.

"Pull up your pants! It is not for you to decide your punishment! I am your father! The decision is mine! And mine alone!"

"But Pa! Adam insisted…

"That's enough! Go to your room! Both of you! We'll talk in the morning! I don't want to see you until the morning! Dakota, can you put Joseph in his bed please?"

"Dakota? Pa is really angry, isn't he?" Joseph asked.

"You already know the answer to that question, but yes, he's angry. That's why he doesn't want to punish you now, Adam. He will when he's calmer."

"We're dead! Huh Uncle Dakota?" Joseph asked.

"What you have done tonight is extremely serious kids! I don't know what your father is going to decide. Come on, don't make your case worse. Obey, you have tosleep! "

"Good night Uncle Dakota!"

"Good night children."

Ethan had gone to pick up his gun in the barn, and Amelia had followed him.

"Ethan? Are you okay?" She asked softly.

The man was shaking, he who was so strong, so muscular, so powerful was crying like a little boy! Amelia moved closer and hugged him, hugging him tight!

"Oh Amelia! Do you know what could have happened?"

"I know, but it didn't happen, calm down!"

"I don't know how I'm going to punish them!"

"That's why I love you Ethan! You are a great father, the best, you will be fair!"

"You have absolute confidence in me my darling! It must be true, love is blind!" He teased.

"You are kidding, so you are feeling better! Let's meet our guests!"

The evening quickly ended, the events of the evening had tired everyone.

After putting all the children to bed, Ethan and Amelia had a chat in their bed.

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know. Wonderful Christmas morning! Isn't it?"

"Sorry Ethan, but I think you must use your belt!"

"I'm not sure…. I was so scared! I feel like pulling down their pants and shorts and applying my hand severely to their bare backsides! I don't know, I need to feel them on my knees this time, does that make sense to you?"

"Yes, you were so scared!"

"Are you asking me to apply my belt?"

"I think if they deserve it once, it's this time, you applied it for simple disobedience for the floor. Don't you think it's worse this time?"

"Yes, you're right, I see your point, let me think about it. I'm too exhausted tonight! Hold me tight Amelia! I need comfort! "

And so, for once, the role were reversed, she rested Ethan's head on her chest and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight!

"I will support you no matter what you decide Ethan. You are such a good husband and father! I am so lucky to have you! I love you!"

"I am lucky to have you too my love!"

And they fell asleep.

Christmas morning was here! The little ones came downstairs so excited!

"Good morning Papa! Good morning Mama! Merry Christmas!"They all said!

"Good morning children! Merry Christmas!" Replied Ethan and Amelia.

Adam and Joseph were standing at the top of the stairs. They didn't know what to do and were waiting for their father's orders.

"Come down and get your presents, we'll talk after lunch." The man informed them.

Ethan had decided to let the punishment wait on Christmas morning. He wouldn't have had the heart to spank them now.

"Yes Pa."

Claire had been delighted with her surprises!

"Oh an account in my name! Thank you!" Ten dollars in it! Thank you! That's a lot! And I love the book too!"

"Yes, Santa Claus is crazy!" Ethan declared!

Claire threw herself into his arms! "We hope this reassures you once and for all!" Ethan whispered.

"Yes Pa, it's not the money, I'm not somebody's intended, it's security! Do you understand what I mean? "

"Yes, you can thank your new Ma, that's her idea!"

"Really? Thank you Ma" She whispered so that the little ones wouldn't hear. They believed in Santa Claus!

"You're welcome Claire! I love you!"

"I love you too, both of you!" She said, crying.

George got his train, Jessie her doll, Jason a box with toy soldiers, Adam his chess set, Ben got a minifigure similar to the one he stole, but not the same. Tess got her music box. Everyone had an extra book, a dollar and a candy stick!

As Joseph opened his present, tears came to his eyes!

"Oh! Pa, Ma, it's so beautiful! And I am so bad!" Joseph burst into tears!

Throwing himself into his father's arms, his leg was still bandaged, but it didn't hurt anymore.

"It seems Santa Claus thinks that has nothing to do with it, my son!" Ethan stated.

Christmas morning had been a success, filled with joy and good humor, however at times Ethan saw his sons' eyes on him. Looking at him with gratitude this Christmas morning, but also with love and apprehension. Ethan knew that 'he had to take care of them, he couldn't leave them waiting all day.

After lunch, like a deliverance, Ethan informed his children.

"Adam, Joseph come in the barn with me. The others, you stay in the house! I don't want anyone outside for the moment!"

"Yes Pa."

Ethan sat down on a haystack and placed his boys in front of him between his knees.

"I'm listening" he said.

Adam and Joseph began to explain, that Joseph had said no, then changed his mind, surprising Adam.

"Why did you change your mind, Joseph?"

"I don't know, I guess the adrenaline was stronger than reason!" The child said honestly.

I HAVE FORBIDDEN YOU TO TOUCH MY WEAPON! I FORBID YOU TO EVEN LOOK AT IT! NOR ANY OTHER! What you did was not responsible !, you acted like very little children, and this is how I'm going to punish you!"

Ethan gently unfastened the buttons on Adam's pants, one by one so he could see what he was doing, he pulled the pants down to his ankles, then pulled the boy's shorts down to meet his pants. He then pulled Adam onto his knees, securing him with his left arm, he raised his right hand and lowered it with power and firmness on the exposed little butt, with force, even though he was controlling himself, he swatted again and again, the loud slaps echoed in the barn.

"OH PAPA! I'm Sorry! I won't do it again! I will be good!" Adam was crying and apologizing.

After six slaps, Ethan pulled him back to his feet, in front of him, his pants still at his ankles.

Then he unfastened Joseph's psnts the same way he had Adam's. He tilted Joseph over and also brought his mighty hand down to the little bare backside in front of him. He wanted the lesson to be learned! Also with measured strength.

"Ouch! Papa! Your hand is made of iron!" Oh, I am sorry Pa! I'll be good!" Cried the boy.

After five hot slaps Ethan lifted Joseph up. The two boys with naked and rosy buttocks were waiting. Ethan stood up and gently removed his belt from the loops in his pants, folding it in half. The children's eyes widened.

Ethan put his foot on the haystack where he had previously sat, he hoisted Adam onto his knee and applied his belt firmly to the boy's bare buttocks.

"Ouch! I apologize Pa! But I know I deserve it! I could have killed him!" Adam said after the first hit. Adam started counting each lick, apologizing and asking for the next one. Ethan was a little surprised but didn't say anything, he let him. Maybe James demanded this behavior? If the boy needed this to atone for his faults, why not?

He would tell Amelia about it.

Six times in a row, Ethan's belt landed with the unmistakable sound of a well-deserved severe spanking!

Then he put Adam on his feet and hoisted Joseph up on his knee, lowering his belt five times in a row over the little bare butt.

"Ah! Sorry Papa!" Ah!

Joseph was screaming! Impressed by the mere fact that Ethan was using him, he was crying and apologizing! Ethan had never held his children to account a spanking,

He put Joseph on his feet!

" Look at me!" They instantly obeyed.

"I've been harsh, but I don't ever want you to touch a gun again! Because if you do, that spanking will be nothing compared to what I will inflict if it happens again! Am I clear?"

"Yes sir!"

"Good!," He pulled up his sons' clothes before hugging them in his strong arms. "I want you two in bed for a nap together! You're not leaving your room this afternoon!"

"Yes Pa! " both boys answered.

Ethan told Amelia about how he had punished them.

"Thanks for using your belt! They deserved it! I was so scared Ethan! In the end they got the number of spanks for their ages. I knew you would be good and fair! "

"Thank you Amelia! I was surprised when Adam started counting each stroke of the belt, apologizing and asking for the next one! I didn't say anything, just let him do it. I wonder, did James demand this of the children when they were being punished?"

"Yes, he wanted it! Especially Adam, he also liked them to confess their wrongdoing and ask for the spanking, I think that's why Adam asked you that last night."

"I understand, but I'm not James. I'm going to have to talk to Adam about it, he doesn't have to do this with me."

That evening after supper, Ethan called Adam.

"Adam? Come here a minute!" Ethan called up the stairs. A second later Adam was in front of him. "Come to my room, I want to talk to you."

As Ethan closed the door behind them, Adam thought about what he could have done wrong, finding nothing, he said:

"Do you want to spank me again for taking your gun?"

"No, son, you've been punished, don't worry. I just want to tell you about one thing that surprised me, while I spanked you; your words and your counting."

"Oh"

"James demanded that of you during punishment, didn't he?"

"Yes, also confess and ask for a spanking, that's why I asked you to spank me last night."

Amelia was right, James was really tough! Ethan thought.

"Sorry for scolding you for that last night, I was crazy. I would never have punished you while angry. I didn't understand why you were asking me to spank you. I took it as a challenge. I'm not James, Adam." Ethan said softly. "I am now your father and I inform you that you do not have to do it. All I demand of my children is respect and obedience at all times, including before, during and after a spanking. Now if you feel better doing it and it helps you to atone for your fault, I don't mind. That's why I didn't say anything at the time, but you don't have to do it."

"Yes Pa, I love you!" Adam threw himself into Ethan's arms!

"I love you too, son! I have one more question; why have you never counted before? I have punished you this way before."

Adam thought for a minute.

"I do not know. Maybe because I really see you as my Pa, now? I need to give you the same respect my daddy James had? Before, I still saw you as my uncle. Does that make sense? Also this time I knew I deserved it! I almost killed him! I wanted to be punished! maybe a bit of both?"

"Okay, I understand Adam, even though I don't agree with James' practices. I never demanded my kids to count or ask me for more spanking! It seems strange to me, but if you want to do it that way, I will respect it!"

"I'd rather not be spanked at all!" Adam replied making Ethan smile.

"I had rather not give out spankings, son! Go on to bed."

"I love you Pa! You know ... maybe more than my daddy James! Do you think he's mad at me?"

"Thank you Adam! I love you too as I love each of my children! And, no, he wouldn't blame you, it's normal that your feelings increase in relation to me. I think he would understand. Good night my son!" Said Ethan hugging him.

"Good night my Pa!" The child hugged him so tight!