Lessons Learned
It was just after eight-thirty on Monday night when Brock knocked quietly on JJ's bedroom door, anxious to lay eyes on his little brother and assure himself that Bravo's baby and chief pouter was indeed going to survive the painful consequences of his most recent impulsive outburst.
"Come in," JJ called from the top bunk where he was reading a book for English class above Clay who was feeling sorry for himself in the bottom bunk with his head hidden under the pillow.
Both boys expected Josh to walk through the door, and JJ was pleasantly surprised when Bravo's dog handler and Clay's much loved teammate entered shaking his head and rolling his eyes at his pitiful little brother who apparently wasn't feeling up to talking or making eye contact with his 'very disappointed' Uncle Josh, concerned Aunt Melinda, or the nosey girls who might be popping in to get a peek at the latest kid to most recently get his butt worn out.
"Well," Brock said, sitting down on the bottom bunk next to Clay and reaching out to rub his little brother's back. "Word on the street has it that as of tonight Alpha Four has officially scorched the butts of every kid in the house."
"And we're all fucking grounded," Clay whined, coming out from hiding at the sound of Brock's voice and scooting over to wrap his arms around his brother and rest his head in the older boy's lap.
"It's like juvie up in here," JJ added from above. "And the warden and her pissed off head guard have got us all on damn lockdown in our cells. I'm reduced to actually reading boring ass Twelve Angry Men when I could be just getting the Wiki version and watching highlights online."
"Believe me," Brock sighed. "I can feel your pain. But I'm going to strongly recommend that you both pull it together and remember you are already in trouble. Keep in mind that the last thing you want is to find yourselves facing the wall with wet bars of soap cleaning your dirty mouths if the seriously annoyed grown-ups who are currently patrolling the hall overhear the cursing."
"Thanks for the heads up," JJ said, hopping down from the top bunk. "I'm going downstairs to take out the garbage. It's my only opportunity to breathe fresh air since the baby seal here decided it was a good idea to act like he was possessed by demons and seriously disrespect Uncle Jason right in front of Josh and Melinda who are firm believers in guilt by association."
"I already said I was sorry to you and the girls multiple times," Clay grouched. "It's not my fault you had already made Aunt Melinda mad and got punished before I even got here. And I'm the only one your dad hauled upstairs tonight, so you three got off easy."
"I don't know how you figure that," JJ snorted. "We were just recovering from the 'spankins' for all' my daddy unleashed yesterday. He and my mom were in semi-pleasant moods and reliving the good ol' days with the Monopoly and snickerdoodles when you went full Bad Seed on Uncle Jason just because you weren't invited to some boring meeting. Which, by the way, we all know you would have been complaining about if your boss-daddy made you attend."
JJ opened the bedroom door and called down the hall where Josh was checking on the girls, "Daddy, remember it's garbage night. I'm going down to take out the bins. Okay?"
"Go ahead," Josh said sternly, walking toward him and standing in the doorway. "And while you are down there, take the dog out for a walk. I need to chat with these boys. Take your homework to the kitchen and you can finish it when you and Nacho get back. Have your mama check it over."
"Yes sir," JJ said, looking back sympathetically at Clay and Brock, knowing they were both in for a serious lecture once he was out of the room.
Uncle Josh did not disappoint. He gave Bravo's boys a tongue-lashing that would have made Metal proud.
"Son," Josh started, sitting down in JJ's desk chair and addressing Clay. "I held off on talking to you about the absolutely shameful disrespect of your daddy who has turned his entire life upside down to give you everything you could possibly need, and plenty you don't need, but he gives it to you anyway. And that's the way you have the nerve to talk to him? You can bet if JJ or the girls ever opened their mouths and spoke to me or their mama like you did tonight, they would get themselves a good old fashioned whuppin' they'd be telling their grandchildren about. And none of them would sit comfortably for a good long time. Or leave this house for anything but school."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Josh," Clay said, looking down at the floor from his seat next to Brock on the bottom bunk.
It was clear to the loving father of three that the boy was truly feeling bad for his earlier tantrum, but the strict daddy in him was not ready to let this kid he loved off the hook just yet.
"Oh, I have no doubt that every kid on the block, who by the way were all outside enjoying the warm weather, is well aware that you are truly sorry. Including the cute blonde girls from next door that you and JJ are trying to impress," Bravo Four paused to let that embarrassing update sink in.
Clay looked down, ears red, clearly mortified at that news.
Brock put his arm around his little brother and gave him a sympathetic squeeze while keeping his mouth shut, not wanting to piss off Josh who was reminding him of his dad on the rare occasions Bravo's dog handler had been in deep shit as a kid.
"When we took care of business earlier, it was obvious that you had lost your mind and were not ready to talk calmly," Josh continued, firm but gentle. He softly rubbed the tearful boy's cheek. "And with the volume level of your fussin' and howlin' when I gave you the spanking you most definitely deserved for being an unruly and spoiled rotten brat, I think we both know you would not have been able to hear a word I was saying if I had tried to discuss your attitude at that point."
"Yes, sir," Clay cried, reaching over to grab hold of the older man's shirt. "I know I was really bad. Please tell Jason I'm sorry."
"Sweetheart," Josh said, still firm but gentle, moving his hand from the boy's cheek to lift his chin and make eye contact. "That is something you are going to need to tell your daddy yourself. And, you are absolutely not bad. You are a good kid, and you most definitely know how to act. We all, including Jason, know that you are sorry for your little fit. We know that both you and your equally regretful big brother here are feeling terrible about your recent behaviors."
"Am I correct about that, young man?" Josh said, looking over to address Brock personally.
"Yes, sir," Bravo's other worn out kid responded, looking just about as pitiful as the baby. "I know what I did was reckless and disrespectful, and I am truly ashamed of myself. I know how much you and the other guys on Alpha have done for me and Clay. And I'm sorry I let you all down."
"And in case you missed my previous message," Josh said, reaching across Clay to put his rough hand on Brock's head and using his thumb to stroke the boy's forehead. "You did not let anyone down. You are both scared and hurting. Us grumpy old men can see that, and I promise we understand. Bravo is your family. They love you both more than either of you can know, and they would do anything to take care of and protect you."
"We love them all so much," Brock said. "And we want to make them proud, not worried all the time."
"And we love you guys, too" Clay sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his sleeve, looking miserable and all of thirteen. "And I love Aunt Melinda and Aunt Catherine."
"Bravo is always proud of you. And it's the job of grumpy old men to worry. You are both good boys who made bad choices, just like all kids do sometimes," Josh scolded using his dad voice. "That in no way excuses your behavior. But you were punished, and I promise no one is mad at either of you. Bravo is moving on and ready to get you both sorted. Which I have no doubt was discussed in detail at tonight's adults only meeting."
"Why wasn't I allowed at the meeting?" Clay whispered, clearly anxious.
"Boy," Josh said gently, kissing his head. "Did you not just hear me say 'adults only meeting'? Maybe you need those ears cleaned out again."
"Josh is right, runt," Brock said. "Jason said the meeting was 'no kids allowed'. I'm actually surprised I was invited. It was long and boring, and my sorry butt was aching through the whole thing. And for the record, JJ is right. If the boss said you were attending, you would have been whining and moaning that you wanted to stay with Josh and Melinda."
"Not if I knew I was going to get my first of Uncle Josh's 'daddy bottom blazers'", Clay mumbled. "Even a boring all day meeting couldn't possibly be worse than that."
"Yeah right," Brock teased. "I think everyone in this house knows tonight wasn't your first trip, naughty tail bare, and crying like one of the girls, over Uncle Josh's knee."
"Maybe not," Clay snapped back, not yet in the mood for teasing. "But one of Josh's daddy bottom blazers is way worse than a regular spanking. JJ and the girls can tell you that. And it sounds to me like I'm not the only one who was crying with his shorts down around his knees. Jason obviously gave you a whuppin' bad enough that you still can't sit right. And at least I'm an actual kid. I bet you cried like a girl, and you're twenty-four. What did you even do to fucking piss him off that bad?"
"That's enough! Both of you," Josh said, clearly meaning business. "I know you are smart enough to know that I will not hesitate to reheat both of your sorry butts if you think you're going to act up under my roof. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," both boys chorused, looking suitably chastised, and nervous that they would be in deep shit if Jason or Trent found out they gave Josh a hard time.
"It had better be," Josh said calmly. "You both got exactly what you needed, and it's over. We are moving on."
"And as for you, big shot," Josh said, staring down Clay. "You had better watch your mouth in this house. Do you really think that you are too grown to get your dirty mouth scrubbed clean?"
"No," Clay said quietly, face reddening.
"No, what?" Josh said sternly.
"No sir," Clay said, looking up hesitantly at his much loved uncle. "I'm not too big for a mouth soaping. Please don't tell Aunt Melinda. It won't happen again, I promise."
"It had better not, son," Josh said, softening his tone, and reaching out to tousle the nervous kid's messy curls. "I'm going to head downstairs to monitor your partner in crime supposedly doing his homework. And since you already barely survived your first official Daddy Josh Bottom Blazer, I will give you a pass and not snitch to Aunt Melinda that her baby boy knows how to curse."
"I'm sorry, squirt," Brock smiled at his little brother, putting his arm around the kid and pulling him in close. "I shouldn't have teased you about getting punished. And you're right that I bawled like a girl. It was super embarrassing. And Sonny heard the whole show which you know he's not gonna let me forget."
"You boys play nice," Josh said, standing to give Bravo's youngest some time alone. "Brock is going to stay for some pizza and Scrabble. Aunt Melinda and I are opening the bars and letting everyone out as soon as the homework is done. While my naughty babies are finishing up their work, you two can catch up. Brock will tell you everything you missed at the adults only meeting. And then after game night, he's going to drop you off at home before heading back to Uncle Trent's place."
"You're staying at Trent's tonight?" Clay looked surprised. "Are you sick or something? Why aren't you staying home with Katie?"
"It's a long story, squirt," Brock sighed. "And I just want to hang out with my favorite little brother and chill for a few minutes until the pizza arrives. I'm pretty positive that Trent will be waiting for us at your place so that he and Jason can explain everything that happened this past weekend, and what was decided at the meeting. And don't get all worked up, because everything is going to be okay. Bravo has a plan. And we are both totally going to be fine. I promise."
Clay looked over at Josh who had moved to the doorway, clearly seeking confirmation that nothing bad was happening.
"Brock is absolutely correct, honey," Josh assured him confidently. "You are fine. Brock is fine. Bravo is home with their boys. And everything is going to be okay. I promise."
"Okay," Clay said softly. "I believe you."
"I surely hope you believe me, Trouble," Josh smiled, shaking his head. "Have I ever lied to you, or let you down?"
"Never," Clay said without hesitation.
"Well there you go then," Josh said. "Pizza and Scrabble downstairs in the kitchen in thirty minutes. Sounds like a plan?"
"Yes, sir," Brock said. "Shorty and I will be down in thirty."
"Thanks for taking care of me again, Uncle Josh," Clay said quietly. "I always feel safe here with you. And I love you all."
"And you better believe we love you right back, tough guy," Josh shook his head, closing the door to give Bravo's boys some much needed time together.
As expected, Trent was sitting at the kitchen table with Jason when their boys arrived back home at half-past eleven.
Clay was surprised that he was allowed to be out so late on a Monday night. He was still grounded, nursing a sore bottom, and he had not yet gotten his much dreaded scolding from Jason for his terrible behavior earlier at Josh's house. Brock was also in trouble for something he knew nothing about, and both of them had been ordered to bed early since returning from Syria. So yeah, an approved late night Scrabble tournament with pizza and Josh's family was not expected. Especially when they had work in the morning and could be spun up at any time.
What Clay didn't know, but was soon to find out, was that a lot of decisions involving the whole team were made at the 'adults only' meeting. Starting with the news that he and Brock would not be going into work in the morning. And they were both back on restricted duty until further notice.
Fortunately, his ever loyal big brother had warned their kid that Jason and Trent were going to be telling him things that might make him nervous or upset. Brock promised that if he listened to everything the grown-ups who loved them had to say without going off the rails, he thought Clay would be happy with the new plan. Brock made him promise not to throw another tantrum and get himself a second spanking in one day, making himself and everyone else very sorry.
Brock secretly doubted that either Jason or Trent would ever spank their baby a second time when his backside was still bright red from one of Josh's much storied bottom blazers. But the older boy knew he needed to bust out the big guns if they had any hope of avoiding another meltdown that no one wanted to deal with at midnight.
Clay gave his brother the promise he wanted, mostly because Brock looked so tired and nervous. The kid didn't want to be the reason the one person who always took his side and pleaded his case to the grown-ups was sad.
But Clay's promise to be on his best behavior did not help calm his nerves or settle his churning belly when Bravo's youngest walked in the apartment and came face to face with his boss-daddy and step-mama for the first time since the disrespectful tantrum which got him hauled, loudly protesting, upstairs for a spanking by Uncle Josh since Jason was too angry and done in to deal with his bratty son himself. And Trent was apparently home dealing with Brock.
"I'm sorry about today, Jase," Clay said solemnly, walking into his chosen dad's open arms and holding on tightly to the man he adored and needed so much. I was a rotten brat, even JJ and the girls said I was awful. I was afraid something bad was happening over at Trent's that you didn't want to tell me about. I freaked out, but I swear I didn't mean anything I said. I love you. I swear I do. And I'm so sorry."
Jason held his clearly upset boy in his warm, strong arms. He rubbed Clay's back calmly and let him ramble on.
"Well, Sunshine," Jason said in his matter of fact tone, "I have zero doubt that after your Uncle Josh finished with the most recent lesson learned the hard way, you are indeed one very sorry boy. And I love you too. Even though you were most certainly an awful brat tonight."
"Is more punishment coming?" Clay asked anxiously.
"Well, kiddo," Jason said, turning the kid to face his equally annoyed Uncle Trent while wrapping him in strong arms from behind. "I think we can all agree that a red, hot backside combined with a newly extended, indefinite grounding and electronics ban is plenty of punishment for one kid having a bad night."
"What do you mean by 'indefinite grounding'?" Clay asked hesitantly.
"Exactly what I said, shorty," Jason answered, giving him a quick squeeze. "Your lockdown is continuing for an undefined period of time. You'll be the first to know when I decide you've made parole."
"Great," Clay pouted.
"You are so lucky that Josh was the uncle on the scene for your disrespectful teen nonsense and not me," Trent said, showing zero emotion.
"I don't think lucky is a word I'd use to describe how I was feeling when Josh marched me upstairs in front of the whole family," Clay said. "I felt like I was walking The Green Mile."
"You got what you earned yourself," Trent said, shaking his head. "Apparently turning seventeen hasn't sparked any growth of common sense in either you or your red-headed brother from another mother according to Josh and Melinda."
"He's sorry, Trent," Brock said, defending his little brother. "You know Josh is no pushover. All three of his kids agree with Clay that their daddy's bottom blazers are bad news."
"I don't doubt either the expert testimony from Josh's kids, or your naughty brother's heartfelt remorse," Trent deadpanned seriously.
"So does that mean it's over and we're moving on," Brock asked hopefully.
"Yes, Johnnie Cochran," Trent said sarcastically. "That's what it means."
Brock and Clay looked at each other equally confused.
"Who is Johnnie Cochran?" they asked in unison.
"Thank God Sonny isn't here," Trent rolled his eyes at his longtime brother.
Jason chuckled, kissing his boy's messy head. "That is definitely a lucky break for us all."