Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) (23 page)

He nodded. “Yes, she is. A lot of trouble, I’m afraid.”

“What’s gonna happen? Is she gonna get grounded?”

“No, I don’t usually ground my girls. No, she’s going to have her bottom warmed. Again,” he said sadly, picking up his wallet and car keys.

Cherell stared at him. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

“No ma’am. That’s what happens to disobedient children in this house. Remember that,” he said, beckoning for Sam to follow him in his hunt for her cousin.

Cherell stared at Jen, who nodded. “He doesn’t care how old, either. Trust me, you don’t want to tread on that line.”

Two hours later, Cecily was found sitting on a park bench at the Cove, puffing away on a cigarette. Sam pointed her out to her father, who marched straight up to the girl.

“How did you get here?” he demanded.

“Hitchhiked. No big,” she shrugged, staring out at the waves.

“Get up, you’re coming home.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you. Touch me, and I’ll scream,” she threatened him. Before he could say anything, Sam had the girl in a neck lock.

“You will never threaten my father again, hear me? You have done nothing but cause trouble to people trying to help you and I won’t stand for this. You can scream all you want, but I have immunity and no one will interfere who wants to survive. Got it?”

“Y-yes,” Cecily gasped, amazed at the strength her young cousin exhibited.

“Good, now get your butt up and follow Daddy to the car. You can’t outrun me, so don’t try it,” Sam growled, pushing the girl as she released her.

“You bitch—”

“Move it or I’ll knock you down again and this time leave bruises.”

Dr. Quimby remained quiet, watching his daughter. Given the situation, she was keeping her temper in check. He still, however, needed to talk with her about her interference. He gave her a firm look as Sam shoved Cecily in the front seat and then took her place in the back. The tension was heavy during the silent ride home and Sam avoided the frequent glances her father gave her through the rear view mirror.

After pulling into the driveway of the house, Dr. Quimby turned to his daughter. “Take my car and go report to your brother and Rich. Tell them what occurred.”

“But—”

“Would you rather report to Scott?”

“No, sir. Daddy—”

“Go then. And have them come home with you. I’m sure there will be plenty of leftovers.”

Dr. Quimby silently led Cecily into the house. “Go to your room,” he ordered staring until she ran to obey. “We found her at The Cove puffing away on a cigarette like it was candy. She hitchhiked there!” he told Scott as he sat at the table with the other girls.

“Damn. She okay?”

“For now. I sent Sam to report to the boys and then bring them back to finish the dinosaur bones.” He pointed to the platter piled high with ribs. “How many people are you feeding?”

“Nothing will be left once the boys arrive. Report to them? What did she do?”

“Interfered again. Although, I appreciated it this time. We could have had a scene otherwise. Cherell, Monique, what your sister did was not only wrong, but very dangerous. Both of you understand how dangerous hitchhiking is, right?”

“She’s not allowed to smoke either,” Cherell said quietly. “Randy caned her for that a couple of years ago.”

“She obviously did not learn her lesson. She is not going to be happy when I’m done with her tonight. I do not want to hear any teasing from any of you. Got it?”

The girls nodded fearfully, watching him eat his dinner. Monique started to cry.

“What’s the matter, munchkin?” Scott asked with concern.

“Please don’t cane Cecily. It hurts too much.”

“Your father canes you?” Dr. Quimby frowned, neck vein pulsing.

The little girl nodded. “A lot. I always deserve it though. I can’t sit for days.”

“That son of a—”

“Joe, cool it. They are from England. Things are different there. Cherell, does he bring blood?”

“No sir, just a lot of bruises. He uses the little one on her, over her britches.”

“Okay. Joe, breathe. We talked about this. I’m going to handle Cecily. You eat your dinner,” Scott said firmly, patting the angry man on the shoulder. Dr. Quimby did not argue as he tore into a rib.

***

After parking in the street, Sam tapped gently on Rich’s front door and nervously waited for him to answer. He was surprised, hefting her into his arms. “Look what UPS left! Why didn’t you just walk in?” he asked, kissing her.

Michael was sitting on the couch and held out his arms for his little sister to join him. “I like packages like this. Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked, holding her close. Slowly, she explained her visit to them, watching the floor as she spoke. Rich and Michael shared a look.

“Personally, I don’t think you should be punished. The only thing wrong you did was interfere with Dad’s authority over her, but she wasn’t listening anyway,” Michael said.

“I agree. He could have gotten into some trouble if she started screaming. No one would have intercepted a girl fight, though,” Rich commented.

Sam looked up, smiling at her two boys gratefully. “I have missed you two so much at home. It’s miserable for me without you. Where’s my puppy?”

“In the backyard. I’ll get her,” Rich said, letting Storm run in.

Sam was on the floor, kissing the little muzzle happily. She hugged the animal close, burying her face in the warm, soft fur. “I’ve missed you too. You’re growing fast. So I’m not in trouble with you two?”

“Not by me,” Rich said.

Michael wrinkled his nose. “Why would he send you here if he felt you were in the wrong? Doesn’t make sense to me. However, he did tell you no fighting.”

“I didn’t fight. I intercepted.”

“Let me see what is going on.” Michael picked up the phone and dialed home. “Dad? What do you want me to do here? Rich and I don’t think… Yes, sir, I know that she… uh huh. Oh. Are you sure? Yes, sir… Yes sir, I will. See you soon.” He beckoned to his sister.

Sam approached him cautiously. “What did he say?”

“He said to give you a measure of obedience because you didn’t mind him when he told you to stop interfering with his decisions. He left it to my discretion; however, informed me that I was not to ignore it.”

“That’s not right,” Rich said, frowning.

“It’s either you or me. He did not say how much or for how long.”

“Or how hard?” Rich smiled.

Michael shook his head. “No, he didn’t. So?”

“I will be happy to do the honors, if you don’t mind,” Rich grinned, pushing up his sleeves.

Sam smiled sexily. “In the bedroom?”

“Maybe.”

“I’m going to go take the puppy for a walk. Will 30 minutes be enough?” Michael groaned, standing. Sam shook her head while Rich nodded. Laughing, Michael left the house as Sam squealed, running into the master bedroom.

Rich walked slowly behind her, shutting the door. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Young lady, what must I do to get you to start minding your elders?”

“I’m sorry I was bad.” Sam smiled, hands behind her back.

“Like hell you’re sorry. Come now, bend over my knee.” He patted his lap, his large thigh muscles flexing. Sam stuck her lower lip out and slowly obeyed, hiding her smile as he positioned her. Tsking, he peeled her shorts and panties away from her bottom, pausing to admire its shape. His hand stroked her warm, soft skin. “Such a bad little girl. Getting into fights. You’re going to be spanked for that, you know.”

“I know,” she whimpered, already feeling herself getting excited and aching for him.

“On the bare bottom, too. Just like a naughty little girl should be spanked,” Rich said, lifting his hand. Sam shrieked as he brought it down. Even in play, the man had a hand like a wooden paddle!

He rubbed the red mark and then brought his hand down twice more. She started to wiggle to escape. He tsked again. “No, no, none of that. You’ll take your spanking like a big girl. No squirming, pinching, biting or reaching back.”

“You always let me squirm!” Sam protested.

“I don’t want you to this time,” Rich stated, starting to spank her again, this time in earnest. Sam gasped, trying to remember that she really wasn’t being punished, but it still hurt! The only difference with this spanking was that he frequently paused to rub her bottom and insert his fingers deeply into her body to tease her. Ten… Twenty… Thirty harsh smacks covered her small posterior, turning it very hot and red very quickly.

“Take me, Rich. Please?” Sam begged as his fingers taunted her from behind. He reached under her to release his hungry, swollen penis and grinned as she attempted to reach for it.

“No, no, bad girls don’t get to touch. Hands on my shoulders and don’t move them,” he ordered, lifting her up to straddle his thighs. He eased into her gently and then started to move her body up and down, stroking slowly and deeply. Sam closed her eyes, groaning with want. He knew her well. He could feel when she was close and how he needed to touch her. With long, slow strokes, he pulled her down to penetrate her deeply, and then lifted her to complete the stroke. With a grunt, he pulled her off his lap and flipped her on her knees upon the bed, plunging deep within her from behind. Her warm bottom pressed against his pelvis and he pistoned furiously into her, holding her hips to prevent her from sliding away. Sam arched her back and screamed out her satisfaction as she spasmed, stimulating his explosion as his rigid cock buried itself to the hilt. He leaned over her back, panting as his organ twitched inside of her, happy and spent. Sam maneuvered underneath him, keeping him tucked inside her as she faced him.

“Mmm, I need to be a bad girl more often.”

“I don’t think your dad was planning on you coming here to have sex.” Rich chuckled, slowly unraveling himself from her.

Sam pouted as he slid out. “I want more. It’s been so long.”

“Don’t be greedy. These are called quickies for a reason. Hurry and clean up before Mike gets back.”

Sam was on the couch, arms crossed, when her brother returned.

He grinned, putting Storm out back. “You either didn’t get some or didn’t get enough. Ready to go?”

“You’re a perv and I’m famished,” she grumped, walking by him to go to the door. Rich winked at him on the way out.

“Not enough, I guess,” Michael concluded, locking the door.

Scott knocked on the bedroom door before entering. Cecily was standing next to the window, arms crossed and face covered with tears. “What do you want?” she asked.

Scott sat on the bed. “To talk to you. Why are you so unhappy?”

Cecily stared at him in disbelief. She had not been expecting a calm discussion about her feelings. “You wouldn’t understand. Go away. Please.”

“Nope. Not until you talk to me. Cece, I’ve dealt with stubborn girls all my life – starting with my kid sister and now with Sam. I see through things. Tell me what’s really on your mind. Please,” he said gently, patting the bed.

“Are you going to punish me?” she snapped.

“I will leave that up to you after we talk. I need to know what’s going on.”

With a heavy sigh, Cecily started to unload her pain. She didn’t know why she trusted this man; her stepfather had said nothing but nasty things about him and his family. She had to be honest with herself and what she was seeing around her. Her cousins were happy, well-rounded people and enjoyed being together. They were well loved and lacked for nothing from their parents. Even the absence of a mother didn’t seem to have caused them problems. That said something about both Joe and Scott.

Scott listened carefully, his heart aching for the young woman in front of him. An ugly divorce with an absent father, negligent and vain mother, unhappy second marriage to a selfish, insulting man, abandoned to boarding school to prevent interference with Randolph’s travel plans… the list went on and on. Cecily finally admitted feeling jealous over watching Dr. Quimby holding his daughter, wishing with all her might that someone would love her like that. She bitterly stated how unfair it was that Sam had four men to hold and care for her, while she didn’t even have one.

Scott slowly put his arm around the girl’s shoulders, pulling her close. “I can imagine how seeing that must have hurt. Especially after he had to discipline you.”

“You know!” Cecily sounded horrified.

Scott pulled her closer. “There are no secrets in this house. And that’s how we deal with Sam if she gets out of line. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. He held you, didn’t he?”

“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.