“I’ve, well, no one had ever held me like that. Ever. It felt like he actually cared.” The girl sniffed and she resisted the desire to melt in Scott’s strong arms.
“Spanking can be very intimate and brings out feelings that you might not understand, including the need for non-sexual intimacy. It’s normal, honey. Have you ever been spanked before?” he asked softly.
Cecily shook her head. “Not like that. You know, with a bare hand. I’ve just been caned. And then grounded.”
“Well, we believe that once the punishment is done, it’s over. We rarely ground Sam.”
“She’s so perfect, she wouldn’t need to be.”
“Are you kidding? She’s my most precious holy terror. She gets into her share of trouble, believe me. Her biggest flaw is her degree of stubbornness and insistence on disobeying our instructions. She’s a good kid. I think she’d be a good friend for you if you let her be.”
“Randy says she’s a spoiled, nasty, stuck-up brat.”
“Does she seem spoiled, nasty or stuck-up to you?”
Cecily paused, studying her hands as they rested in her lap. “No, not really. I mean, she is kind of spoiled, but not like with money and stuff. She does have you guys wrapped around her little finger.” Cecily’s tone was bitter.
“She only thinks she does.” Scott laughed. “All of us do spoil her with a lot of love and affection. It has worsened after we almost lost her last year. Joe and I refuse to see her as anything other than our baby.”
“Lost her? How?” This was news to Cecily. She stared at the floor as Scott explained the accident and the fear the family experienced. “I had no idea. You really let her risk her life like that?”
“We don’t like it, but yes. She’s special. She has to do what she does. Maybe now you understand why we are so protective of her. Cece, please let us be a family to you. We want to give you something to make you smile,” he asked softly.
“I’m so sorry I’ve been such a bitch,” Cecily whispered, finally allowing herself to lean against Scott.
“I can’t blame it all on you. You’ve had some negative influence. Give us a chance, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Now, let’s talk about you running off like that. You scared us. And broke a house rule.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just needed to escape.”
“I understand, but you don’t know the area. Next time, say something.”
“I will. I promise.”
“And the cigarettes?”
“I’ll stop. I really don’t like smoking anyway. I do it out of defiance,” she admitted.
Scott squeezed her with a kiss on the temple. “I’ll take your word. The boys are coming over; you might want to grab a bite before they polish off everything.”
“Aren’t you going to punish me?” Cecily asked quietly, still stunned by Scott’s soft, gentle talk.
“If you feel you need to be disciplined, then yes. If not, I won’t. Think about it.”
“Would it be you or Joe?”
“That’s up to you.”
“Oh,” Cecily said, thinking. Her guilt was tremendous, more now since they’d talked. She could not believe how badly she had misjudged this man. And, she hated to admit, the earlier spanking delivered by Dr. Quimby had earned him some grudging respect.
Scott patted her leg, standing. “Take your time and think about it. Come on down and eat.”
Nodding, Cecily followed him. Her sisters and Jen were on the couch, looking at her with concern. Cecily smiled. “I’m sorry, you guys. I’ve been a real bitch. I’m going to try harder to be nice, okay?”
The three girls raced to hug her. Jen took her aside. “Are you okay? We didn’t hear any yelling.”
“He just talked to me. He’s really sweet.”
“He is. They both are. They’ve been my surrogate dads since I met them. So, he didn’t punish you?”
“No, he left it up to me. I’m choosing not to.”
“They are there if you change your mind. I hate it, but it relieves my guilt. It gives me a clean slate,” Jen admitted.
Cecily looked at her with surprise. “You let them spank you?”
“Yes. It’s part of being a girl in this old-fashioned family. Weird as it is, I know I’m loved when they do it. Fortunately, it’s not often. My butt couldn’t handle it. As we say back home ‘Them are some mighty big boys’.” Jen grinned.
Cecily just shook her head. “Wow. Where’s Joe?”
“In the office.”
“Do you think he’ll talk to me?”
“They have an open door policy for all of us. Go for it. And Cecily? They never hold grudges.”
Cecily nodded and knocked on the cracked open office door before entering. Dr. Quimby was sitting at the desk, writing some things on a notepad. “Yes? Come in, Cecily. Can I help you?” he asked warmly.
Cecily nodded, standing in front of him. “I wanted to apologize. For everything. I was jealous when I saw you with Sam. It made me see what I don’t have and I got angry. I shouldn’t have taken off or treated you like that. Please forgive me.”
Dr. Quimby tapped his cheek, then patted his lap. “Come here.” He pulled her into his arms, rocking her as she suddenly released her tears. “I’m sorry you have had such a tough time. No child deserves what you’ve been through.”
“Are things so bad because of me? Why won’t anyone tell me what I did wrong?” she cried in earnest now.
“No, honey, you did absolutely nothing wrong. Some people don’t know how to be parents, like Randolph and my mother. I was very lucky in that my dad was an incredible man and his best friend, Scott’s father, was just as amazing. When they died, I still had Scott and his sister, and Scott gave both Ally and myself loving support and boundaries. Had the Jenkins not been involved in my life, I would have been just as unhappy as you are.”
“Your mother was like Randolph?”
“I don’t want to say anything negative about your family, Ce. But, yes, she and Randolph were very much alike. They just had different ways of dealing with life. I suspect they were unhappy because of how they were raised and that they were products of others that never understood the true nature of parenting. But we can’t go forward if we keep blaming the past. We all make choices once we get old enough to see things. My personal choice was that my kids would never know what it felt like to be alone, unsupported or unloved.”
“You kept your promise,” Cecily acknowledged.
He nodded. “Integrity means everything to us. Scott and I always keep our promises. We are here for you. However and whenever you need us. Good or bad.”
“Joe?”
“What, sweetheart?”
“I need, well, Scott said…”
“Go on.”
“He gave me the option of whether I felt I should be punished and by whom.”
“And?”
“I deserve it. From you for being so awful and rude. And from him for being such a nasty bitch,” she blurted out.
“Taking double duty won’t be pleasant,” Dr. Quimby warned.
“I know, but I want a clean slate. Jen said that’s how she gets it with you.”
“Very well. Have you eaten?”
“No, sir.”
“Go eat and then meet Scott and me in my room. We’ll take care of this together and start all over.”
Cecily blushed at the firmness of his tone and at the realization that she would have to deal with both at the same time. Still, she didn’t want to go back to that miserable place. With a nod, she whispered her agreement.
Dr. Quimby smiled as the girl left the room. Maybe something good would happen with this visit after all.
“Where’s the chow?” Michael yelled, barging loudly into the house and startling the girls who sat quietly watching TV with Scott.
Jen ran to kiss him, and then hugged Rich warmly. “Hey, big bro. Miss you!”
“Miss you too. Been keeping out of trouble?
” Rich smiled, lifting her easily into his arms and kissing her nose affectionately.
Jen giggled. “Put me down, you brute. For once, yes. Hey Sam, you okay?”
Sam nodded, scowling at Rich. “I need some serious nookie time,” she whispered to her friend.
“Me too. I hate them not being here. It’s so quiet.”
“How’s Cecily?”
Jen caught her up on the events, including the private conversation she’d had with Scott.
“Okay, I’ll be patient. But if she—”
“Sam, don’t pick a fight. I know how it feels to be without a family, even briefly. I told you, mine doesn’t cuddle like yours and us girls really need that. If I felt so alone with a supportive family, think how they feel without one. Plus the neglect and abuse.”
“Abuse?”
“Well, I might be exaggerating about that. They get caned. Even the baby. And then thrown in their rooms. No hugs, no cuddles. You know how your dad feels about that.”
“Caning isn’t abusive unless it is being wielded by the wrong person for the wrong reason. I can’t believe I am defending that nasty thing, either. Rich is starting to get to me. Is blood drawn?”
“No, although I have a major issue with them using that thing on Monique.”
“Me too. Are you sure I can’t just slug—”
“Sam, please be nice. For me?”
“All right, I’ll try.” Sam scowled.
Jen grinned. “You better, or I’ll have to spank you!” she threatened.
Sam raised an eyebrow. “You? I would like to see you try. If you think you can, you are delusional. I’m also your boss, chickie, don’t forget it.”
“And you’re my kid sister, so don’t you forget that! Plus, I can call in help. From them.” Jen pointed to the two boys at the table, devouring the ribs.
Sam laughed, sitting with them. “You act like you haven’t eaten in days! Move over, I want some. No, not your bones, Mike. Gimme!”
Cecily grinned, watching the banter and play with the three over the meal. It was hard to eat ‘dinosaur bones’ like a lady, so she finally gave up and let herself get as messy as her cousins and Rich. The boys offered to clean up as Cecily shyly asked Sam to take a walk with her. They left through the kitchen door.
“Sam, I’m really sorry. I’m so jealous of you. I didn’t realize it until today after your dad, well…”
“Hey, there is no need to blush. That’s how they deal with things, that’s all. I’m not ashamed of it.”
“Why not? You’re eighteen.”
“Yes, but there was a long while when Daddy didn’t spank me. We grew apart and I felt abandoned. Scott’s always been strict, so I was closer to him. Boundaries feel safe to me, especially with what I do.”
“Scott told me what happened last year. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.”
“It hurt them more than it hurt me. And I still don’t consider their feelings like I should. I can be a selfish little bitch at times, too. I just end up with a sore backside delivered by four very large men.” Sam sighed.
Cecily’s eyes widened. “Mike and Rich, too?”
“In a heartbeat. They love me. It’s a small price to pay, believe me. Cecily, I want to be your friend. I don’t know how, but I want to try. I can’t change who I am, though, and if that’s why you’re jealous, then I don’t know what I can do. I have to admit that I really don’t know how to help you feel loved or wanted with how you act with me. I’m not used to this type of treatment. It’s foreign to me and it hurts,” Sam said, sitting on a bench.
Cecily joined her, taking a deep breath. “Your dad and Scott are going to take care of that tonight, I think. I asked them to,” Cecily said quietly.
It was Sam’s turn to widen her eyes. “Both? Together? Oh god… Girl, are you sure?”
“I’m supposed to meet Joe in his room after dinner, but I wanted to talk with you first.”
“Dang… You’re brave.”
“Or stupid. Any advice?”
“Run like hell?” Sam grinned.
Cecily bit her lip. “I have to trust them to be fair, right? How bad can it be? I mean, I’ve been caned close to cutting.”
“They would never harm you like that. The worse they would do would be Daddy’s strap. But this isn’t a strapping offense.”
“Your dad has hands like solid steel. Is Scott as bad? Worse?” Sam just nodded and Cecily paled. “Well, I better get this over with. Wish me luck, little cousin.”
“Good luck, Ce. I’ll come check on you, okay?”
“Thanks.”
Cecily bravely walked upstairs and to Dr. Quimby’s room where she sat and anxiously waited for the two men to join her.
Scott patted Dr. Quimby’s shoulder, “Ready, my friend? Rich, take this brood down to the beach to walk off dinner. Keep an eye on the short one.”
“Me?” Monique piped up with a smile. She loved her new Uncle Rich.
Scott laughed. “Actually, I was thinking of Sam. But yes, you too.”
“Come on, ladies. Mike! We’re going down to the beach. Hurry up!” Rich called to his friend in the kitchen.
“Coming!”
Scott watched the six leave, then turned to Dr. Quimby, “I like having a full house. Don’t you?”
“Yeah, it’s fun. Except for this.”
“It will work out well. Trust me. She needs this from people who care. She also needs to know she has safe boundaries. No caving.”
The two men walked into the bedroom and stood in front of the girl. Terror flashed through her eyes as she observed their heights and Dr. Quimby’s broad chest and arm muscles. She gulped fearfully, afraid to say anything.
“You sure you want this?” Scott asked softly. Trembling, she nodded, fighting back the tears. He sat on the lounge, patting his lap. “Come here, then.”
She slowly obeyed, glancing nervously at Dr. Quimby.
“You never have to be afraid of me,” Scott said as he enclosed his hands around hers. “You also must understand that once we start, it will not stop until we feel it needs to. This is your last chance to change your mind.”
“No, Scott. I’m so tired of being a horrible and mean person to people who don’t deserve it. I need a start over,” she whimpered.
Scott kissed her knuckles. “Very well, we will provide that for you. Across my knee, honey. These are coming down,” he announced, lifting her skirt and skimming her white cotton panties to her knees.
“One hundred with my hand and ten with the ruler. My rules: no kicking, squirming, reaching or twisting or we start over. Because this is your first time with me, you will not receive the hairbrush penalty. Understand?”
“Can I cry?”
“Absolutely. We want you to be able to free yourself from your guilt. Ready?”
“I guess so,” she answered, unsure of how to process the situation. Her punishment, fortunately, did not sound that dreadful. Until the first clap of his palm landed thunderously across her cheeks. Cecily gasped as the first blow fell upon her bottom, realizing it was still a little tender from her earlier session that day, and attempted escape after only five smacks.
Scott readjusted her. “No, no… I warned you about moving. We have to start over. This is about obedience and paying the price when you choose not to. I’m sorry. We’re at one again.”
Cecily was sobbing uncontrollably by the time she was able to finally complete the 100 spanks without moving.
Scott estimated her full tally to have been a good 300. Poor thing would be sore for a while. He held her as she cried, then stood her up. “Go stand in that corner until I call you. We aren’t done.”
He sounded sad. Cecily bawled into her hands, nose in the corner, the image of his eyes dancing in front of her. He felt no pleasure in punishing her and that thought made her guilt even heavier. Scott called her back after about ten minutes, ruler in hand.
“Lean over that writing table, please. Hold the edges. That’s a girl.” He squatted to look
into her eyes. “Ten of these. Count them out and same rules as before, okay?”
“Y-yes, sir.”
Scott kissed her forehead as he stood and positioned himself next to her. She shrieked as the ruler impacted her sit spots. It was almost as bad as Randy’s cane over her jeans!
“One! Oh my god!”
She danced on the tips of her toes, unable to control the wiggling as her bottom absorbed the impact of the heavy mahogany. Scott waited for her to settle, and splatted the long, thick ruler directly across the center of her cheeks. Cecily howled the number “two,” again rising to her toes.
“You are doing a lot of moving, Cecily. Do we need to begin again?”
“Noooo, I’m sorry! I’m trying to keep still!”
“I know you are, but try a little harder. Keep those heels on the floor,” Scott said softly, pressing the heel of his hand into the small of her back to force her to arch her bottom higher. His aim was for the tender swell where her thighs met her bottom.
Cecily cried out as the cracking sound filled the room. She sobbed “three” and buried her face in her upper arm. Scott’s hand was warm as he inspected her skin and patted her gently before returning to his chore.
The spanking continued slowly as Scott allowed the girl time to experience each burning stroke of his ruler, making certain that her glowing red bottom would remember the lesson when her time finished. Four, five, six… Cecily cried out the numbers, her fingers aching as she dug them into the table’s edge. The final four seemed to take forever, as though Scott was waiting for her spirit to accept its fate. Finally, he was done and Cecily found herself shrinking to the floor, clutching her burning bottom. How could Sam stand this? She thought, crying. She is loved, that’s how. By these two men.
Scott lifted the girl into his arms and held her closely as she cried. He rocked her gently, stroking her arm. “You and I are good now. There is nothing between us. Brand new beginning.”
Dr. Quimby smiled, watching his best friend comforting Cecily. He was a good father, uncle, brother, friend and boss. Dr. Quimby felt blessed, once again, for being so fortunate to have been given a second chance with Scott’s family. He prayed these girls would take some of their love with them when they left in a week.
Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) Page 21
