Title: Family Life: The Long Weekend

Author: Wolf Pyre

Rated: PG…some bad language…nothing serious

Feedback: wolf_pyre@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: Not mine…just borrowing them

Pairing: None

Status: I would like to keep the AU closed for now.

Warning: This has only been checked with Spell check and Grammar check through Word. All mistakes are mine.

Warning: This story contains reference to spanking children as discipline. If that’s not something you like to read please do not continue.

Note: This is the next part of my story Family Life.

This is an AU story set in the years after the series ended. I often wondered what happened to the seven. I wanted some of the characters closer in age to my OC’s, so the timeline for this story will not follow the timeline from the series. Don’t worry…it will still make sense! The list of characters, other that the seven, are below:

Emily Tanner: Vin’s wife

Jessica Lynn Tanner: Vin’s and Emily’s 9-year-old daughter (she prefers Jesse) Logan Christopher Tanner: Vin and Emily’s 6-year-old son

Mary Travis Larabee: Chris’s wife

Billy Travis Larabee: Mary’s son from her 1^st marriage. He is 12-years-old in this story (this is where the timeline doesn’t fit <grin>)

Jacob Vin Larabee: Chris and Mary’s 9-year-old son. He and Jesse are best friends Riley Elizabeth Larabee: Chris and Mary’s 7-year-old daughter

Alyssa Standish: Ezra’s Wife

Jared Thomas Standish: Ezra and Alyssa’s 7-year-old son (twin of Connor)

Connor James Standish: Ezra and Alyssa’s 7-year-old son (twin of Jared)

Inez Wilmington: Buck’s Wife

Adam Michael Wilmington: Buck and Inez’s 8-year-old son

Kiley Ann Wilmington: Buck and Inez’s 6-year-old daughter

Maria Sanchez: Josiah’s Wife

Abigail Nicole Sanchez: Josiah and Maria’s 6-year-old daughter

Rain Jackson: Nathan’s Wife

Jacey Skye Jackson: Nathan and Rain’s 7-year-old daughter

Joshua Daniel Jackson: Nathan and Rain’s 6-year-old son

Casey Dunne: JD’s Wife

Haley Michelle Dunne: JD and Casey’s 5-year-old daughter

Nettie Wells: Casey’s aunt and Vin’s ‘foster mom’

This story will mostly revolve around the children and how the seven deal with their antics and adventures. If this is not something you would enjoy, please do not continue to read.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

This part takes place about 1 month after Family Life: An Even Dozen

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

School was out!! The children streamed out of the schoolhouse.

"Just think…we don’t have to go back to school until Tuesday! Four days to do whatever we want!" Jesse said enthusiastically.

"Yeah." Jake chimed in "I’m sure glad Miss Strong had that thing to go to…"

"It called a conference " Billy corrected.

"Whatever. Alls I care about is not havin to go t’ school."

He turned back to Jesse. " Anyway, with all the warm weather we’ve been having we can still go fishin’ and frog hunting"

"Maybe our Pa’s will let us sleep out in the tents." Josh said.

"I doubt it. Do you think they want all of us together at one time? With only one set of parents?" Jacey replied.

"Nah. I don’t think that’ll happen" Adam agreed.

"Jake, Riley, come on. We’ve got to get home and get to our chores. We don’t want anything to ruin our weekend." Billy grabbed Riley’s hand and started towards home.

"Come on Logan, we’ve got chores too." Jesse said as she slapped him in the head and took off. Logan ran after her. Jake caught him and a tickle fight broke out. After a few minutes, Billy stopped them.

"Come on guys. We don’t want to be late…they‘ll think we got in trouble again." All five children ran for home, chasing and tackling each other the whole way. It was going to be a long 4 days for the parents.

<><><><><><>

Chris and Vin were just getting finished rounding up the horses when they saw…scratch that…they heard their children. All five came running into the yard.

"Hey pa. Hey Uncle Vin." Riley said. Chris scooped her up into his arms.

"Hey Imp. You get into any trouble today? Am I gonna have to spank you? Huh?" Chris said as he tickled Riley.

"Nooo" Riley giggled.

"Are you sure? You look like you have something up your sleeve. Lets see if we can’t get it out." Chris flipped Riley so she was hanging upside-down. He shook her a little.

"Nope, I don’t see anything. All right, I guess there’s no spanking. But you still don’t get away that easy."

He lifted her shirt and gave her a big raspberry on her belly.

"Paaaa stop…I’m gonna pee myself." Riley managed to get out through her laughter. Chris put her down.

"They you best get to the outhouse." He said as he gave her a gentle swat to her backside.

Vin had been watching the entire thing. He was glad to see Chris happy. Ten years ago, he would have never done that.

"What?" Chris asked after noticing Vin staring at him.

"Nothin’ cowboy. Jus don’t ever remember you bein' so playful."

"Hey, what can I say. Their excitement is contagious."

Vin walked up to Chris and snatched his hat. "That it is my friend, that it is." He said as he ran from Chris.

<><><><><><>

"So Jake, what are you planning to do with you time off?" Vin asked.

"Well, me and Jesse are gonna go fishin and frog hunting tomorrow. I don’t know after that. I’m sure we can think of something to do." He said with a grin.

"Afraid you and Jesse aren’t going to be able to do that."

Jesse’s head snapped up. "Why?"

"Well, your ma needs some things in Sweetwater. That means I have to go with her. And I certainly ain't gonna leave you and Logan home."

"Aw pa…do I gotta go. You know how ma gets…trying to get me all prettied up and looking like a girl. Can’t I stay with Uncle Chris or something?"

Vin laughed. "Sunshine, you are a girl. You’re supposed to wear pretty things." He saw the scowl on her face. "But, I know how much you hate ‘em. So, if your Uncle Chris says you can stay with him, you don’t have to go."

Jesse turned to Chris, her puppy dog look going strong. " Can I Uncle Chris? Please! I promise I wont get into trouble."

"Jesse honey, don’t make promises you cant keep." Chris said with a smile. He saw the ‘puppy dog’ eyes and caved.

"All right, you can stay." Jesse threw herself at Chris and hugged him around the waist.

" Thank you, Uncle Chris."

Chris kissed the top of her head. "Well, I’m guessing you want to stay tonight too, so go finish your chores and get your things together."

"Yes Sir. Come on Jake!"

"Hold it." Vin cut in. "Jake did ya finish yer chores?"

"Well not exactly. I was gonna help Jesse with hers…"

"An then I’m gonna help him with his." Jesse finished.

Vin smiled. "Go on you two…remember stay away from Firedancer. She’s too wild for either of you t’ go near. You hear me?"

"Yes Sir." They replied as they ran out of the yard.

"Chris, you sure you want t’ do this? I mean they’s a handful by themselves…put them together and yer askin' for trouble."

"I know, but I couldn’t resist. You had to go an teach her the ‘hurt puppy dog’ look, didn’t you?"

"You bet Cowboy. Figure it always works for me…"

Vin didn’t get to finish. Chris grabbed at him but Vin was too quick. "What’s wrong old man…cain't keep up?" Vin taunted as Chris chased after him.

Mary watched their antics from the porch. "Sometimes they’re worse then the children."

Jesse and Jacob raced though Jesse’s chores. They both had a different agenda for today, one that didn’t include chores. They knew they only had a short time before Vin would be home, so they had to move fast.

"Jake, c’mon. If were gonna check out Firedancer we’ve gotta do it now. We don’t want my pa to catch us."

They snuck over to the corral and looked through the fence at Firedancer. "Gosh, she’s beautiful. Lets get a better look." Jake said.

They climbed the fence and started towards the horse. Suddenly, he reared up. Jake pushed Jesse out of the way and waited for the pain to come. Instead, he felt himself lifted up and pulled through the fence. He turned around to see who grabbed him.

Vin had just rode into the yard when he saw the kids enter the corral. //I’m gonna kill’em//. He had just reached the fence when he saw Firedancer rear up. He quickly dismounted, saw Jesse was okay and quietly went into the corral. He quickly grabbed Jake and pulled him out of harms way.

Vin was so angry he couldn’t speak. He took a deep breath and let it out. He nailed each child with a glare that would have rivaled Chris’s.

"What in tH’hell are you two doin’?"

Both children looked up quickly. //Uh.Oh. Pa never yells unless he’s really angry. Last time he was this mad I didn’t sit comfortably for a week. We are so dead! //

"Didn’t I jus tell you not t’ go near Firedancer? Huh?"

"Yes sir" Jake said quietly.

"Yes pa" Jesse chimed in.

"So why in th’ world did ya go near ‘em?" Neither child answered. "Jessica Lynn I asked ya a question!"

"Uh…well we jus wanted to check him out…"

"We didn’t think he was as dangerous as you and pa said." Jake finished lamely.

"Didn’t think he was dangerous…ya coulda been kil’t! D’ ya think we tell ya things to hear ourselves talk?" he asked Jake.

"No sir."

"All right. I’m too angry t’ deal with you two right now. Come with me."

Vin led them into the house. He placed each of them into a corner. "Don’t. Move."

He said and walked back outside to calm down.

Emily saw Vin bring the children into the house and push them in the corner. She followed him outside.

"What happened? Vin?" She hadn’t see Vin this angry since the time Jesse set fire to the woodshed.

"Those two fools…" Vin paused to get control. "They went into the corral with Firedancer. I tol them not an hour ago to not go near ‘em."

Emily now understood why he was so angry. Anytime one of the kids deliberately put themselves in danger he got like this. She rubbed his back and tried to calm him. She was grateful that he was aware he was too angry to punish Jesse and Jake.

Fifteen minutes later, Vin walked back into the house. He called both children out of the corner

.

"Now. Y’all know’d what ya done was wrong, so’s I’m not gonna bring it up again. Lessen’ you want me to get angry again." Both children shook their heads no.

"What are ya gonna do to us Uncle Vin?" Jake asked. He already knew the answer, but tried to stall the punishment phase of this discussion.

"I’m gonna tan both yer hides. Now, both of ya get out t’ th’ barn. Get yer britches down and lay yerselves over the grain sacks I piled out there. I’ll be out in a minute. You best be in that position when I come out there. Go. Now!" Jesse and Jake quickly did as they were told.

Emily came into the bedroom just as Vin pulled something down off the closet shelf. "My grandpa used this on me quite a bit. I’s a stubborn little terror as a kid."

"There’s a surprise!" Emily said with a laugh.

"Ya know, I never thought I’d have t’ use this on Jesse. Figured in a few years Logan would feel it, but not Jesse. Guess I was wrong." He said sadly.

He took the old razor strap in his hand and slowly walked to the barn. //I really hate having t’ do this. But they coulda been hurt or kil’t. Those two are constantly puttin' themselves in danger. Maybe this will be enough to stop it// Vin strengthened his resolve and walked into the barn.

Both children did as they were told. He walked in front of them. "I never figured on havin to use this, but I cain see both of ya need a stronger reminder to do as yer told." Both children looked and gasped when they saw what Vin held in his hands.

Vin didn’t waste any time. He wanted to get this over with as much as they did. He gave each of them 5 licks, hugged them, and then sent the into the house to get themselves calmed down. A few minutes later Vin came in the kitchen. "Jake, ya know yer gonna have to tell yer pa what happened."

Jake dropped his head and willed the tears away. He knew Uncle Vin was gonna make him tell his pa. He really wasn’t looking forward to it. He was pretty sure his pa was gonna punish him again. "Yes Sir, I know." He responded.

"You too, Jesse."

"Me? Why?"

"Because ya disobeyed him too. I know he told both ya to stay away from Firedancer. If he wants to punish ya as well, I ain't gonna stop him."

"Yes. Sir."

"Go on an’ pack yer bag for this weekend. I’ll take ya over there when yer ready."

<><><><><><>

Vin pulled up in front of the house. Chris came out on the porch, saw the glum faces of Jesse and Jake, and knew something happened.

"What happened?" He asked Vin.

Vin looked at Jesse and Jake. "Best tell ‘em right away."

Jake looked up as his pa. "Well, we sorta gotta a little close to Firedancer and he almost trampled us." He said so quietly that Chris has to strain to hear him.

"WHAT?! Are you two crazy. Didn’t I tell you both to not go near him? Didn’t Vin just tell you before you left?"

"Yes sir." They answered in unison.

"Pa already took the strap to us." Jesse threw in, hoping that Chris would take pity and not want to punish them again.

"Good. And before bed, you both are gonna get it again."

Jake and Jesse shuddered at the thought. "Both of you go on in the house and get washed up for supper."

Jesse gave her pa a goodbye hug and kiss. "Be good, Sunshine." He said.

Chris turned to Vin. "Took the strap to them, did ya?"

"Yep. Used the same one my grandpa used on me. Don’t worry; I only gave them 5 licks each. They wont even feel it anymore when ya go t’ spank ‘em tonight. Although by the sounds they were makin' you’d thought I was skinnin' the hide right off them." Vin said with a smile.

Chris snorted. "Don’t you remember the first time the strap was taken to ya? It did feel like someone was peeling the skin off your backside."

"Ya got somethin' there Cowboy. Well, I gotta get back or Emily’ll have the entire house packed up for the trip." Vin hesitated. He hated being separated from his daughter. "Thanks for lettin' Jesse stay with ya…she woulda been a terror if she had to go. Ya sure everything’s gonna be okay?"

"Yes Vin, everything will be fine. Ya know she’s like a daughter to me. I’ll take good care of her. Go on."

<><><><><><>

Chris was walking out of the barn when Jake and Jesse stopped him.

"What can I do for you two?"

"Uh, well…" Jake faltered. Jesse took the bull by the horns.

"Uncle Chris, you said that you were gonna punish us again for going near Firedancer. Right?"

"That’s right." Chris replied.

"Well, we was kinda wonderin' when you was gonna do that."

"Planning on doing it before bed to give you backsides a chance to heal from the strap you got earlier."

"Do you…" Jesse paused. She could not believe she was going to ask this question. "Do you think you could do it sooner?" Seeing Chris’s shocked expression she continued. "Not that we want to be punished again, mind you. It’s just that we was plannin' on a fun night and that is gonna be kinda hard to do if’n we cant sit comfortably."

"Jesse, honey, you two ain’t gonna be able to sit comfortable regardless of when I punish ya."

"We know that pa" Jake said finding his voice. "But at least we’ll have a fighting chance come bed time."

Chris smiled. "Well, since you two are in such an all fired hurry to be punished…"

"Now hold on pa…we ain’t in a hurry. We just…" Jake flustered.

"I know Jake. I was just teasing." Chris became serious.

"All right, come with me." He led the way out to the barn. "Over the hay bales." He told them.

Five minutes later two very contrite children left the barn and went up to the house. Mary had just finished pulling the laundry from the clothesline and went over to Chris.

"Are you sure you want to have to deal with those two all weekend?" She asked with a laugh.

"Well, after the tanning those two just got from Vin and me, they shouldn’t be any trouble. Right?" Chris replied.

"Sure honey, whatever you say" Mary kissed Chris’s cheek and went to put the laundry away.

<><><><><><>

Friday passed by uneventfully. By Saturday, Jesse and Jake were sitting just fine and were looking for some fun. A bad combination when it came to those two.

Billy had gone into town to play with his friends, so it was just Jake, Jesse and Riley. Neither of them wanted Riley along, so they managed to ditch her went to the pond to fish. They weren’t catching anything and Jesse was getting bored.

She pulled her pole from the water and stood up. "Jake, I’m bored. I’m gonna look around."

She walked a few yards from Jake when something caught her eye. She picked up her treasure and ran back to Jake.

"Look what I found!’ She exclaimed. Jake eyes widened.

"Where’d you get them?"

"Found ‘em over by the tree. Someone musta left ‘em after the church picnic. Lets go somewhere and try it."

"I don’t know Jesse. We’ve already been in enough trouble. I don’t reckon my pa’s gonna be too happy if he catches us."

"Don’t be such a baby. Where’s that ‘Devil may care attitude’?"

"Worryin' about my backside. That devil goes into hiding under my pa’s wrath. You know how scary he is when he’s angry."

Jesse silently agreed, but she was not going to be deterred. "He wont find out! I heard him tell Aunt Mary he was gonna be out in the south pasture till dinner. That leave us a few hours before he gets back. ‘Sides, just think of how jealous the others will be when they find out."

Jake liked her logic. "All right, but if we get caught…"

"Stop frettin'. We wont get caught," Jesse cut in. "C’mon." They grabbed their gear and ran back to the barn. They put everything away and crouched in the corner of one of the stalls.

"Here, take one." Jesse said handing Jake the cigarette pack. He took one and gave the pack back. Jesse removed one and lit it, then lit Jakes’. They both inhaled deeply and immediately started coughing.

Riley heard the noise coming from the barn and went to investigate. She saw her brother and Jesse smoking and saw her chance at revenge for ditching her.

"Ooooh I’m telling!" She said. Jake and Jesse’s head snapped up. "Wait till pa finds out you two been smoking…he’ll tan your hides for sure."

"You wont tell him anything, you little brat." Jesse said menacingly She curled her hand into a fist.

"Oh yeah, who’s gonna stop me? You? ‘Sides, if you hit me, pa’ll just punish you more. Either way, you’ll get a tanning."

Jesse had enough of Riley’s teasing. She let the cigarette fall from her hand and lunged at Riley. They wrestled around on the ground while Jake cheered Jesse on. Riley was doing surprisingly well considering Jesse had two years on her... having two big brothers helps. Jesse finally managed to get on top of Riley and pin her to the ground. "You’re not gonna tell on us ya brat. Got it?"

"Am too!" Just then, Jesse hopped off Riley.

"Oh no." She said when she saw the smoke. "Jake! Fire!"

Jake turned quickly and saw the small fire in the stall. "Oh shit. Riley, go get a bucket of water. Hurry!"

Riley ran out of the barn, right into her ma. "Ma, come quick. Fire!"

Mary grabbed a bucket of water and ran into the barn. She saw Jesse and Jake trying to put out the flames.

"Move!" She yelled and dumped the water. Mary sighed when the flames extinguished. Luckily the fire hadn’t spread. She turned to the children. They look on their faces spoke volumes.

" All right, what were you doing?" She said angrily.

"Nothin ma. We were just…" Jake answered.

"Don’t ‘nothing ma’ me young man." She turned to Riley. She knew Riley couldn’t lie and would get answers. "Riley?"

Riley smiled. Revenge time. "Jake and Jesse were smoking out here. I came when I heard them coughing. Jesse told me no to tell and I said I was going to. Then she tackled and we started fighting. She musta dropped her cigarette when she came at me. Next thing I know were trying to put the fire out."

Mary took Riley’s face in her hands. She saw the shiner starting. She turned to Jesse. "Is that true young lady? Did you hit Riley?"

"Yes ma’am." She answered quietly. "I’m sorry Riley. I shouldn’t have hit you."

"Riley, go on and play. Jesse, Jake and I have some talking to do. And if you value sitting down, I recommend you don’t listen in" Mary directed to Riley.

"Yes ma’am" Riley replied and ran out of the barn.

Mary looked at the two miscreants. "Now, both of you are gonna tell me what happened. I don’t want any lies or I’ll spank you then let Chris have you. Understand?"

"Yes ma’am." Jesse and Jake said in unison. They recounted the story, explaining everything. Mary was livid. "You two could have burned the barn down! Or worse, been hurt." She yelled. Mary took a calming breath.

"Okay, I want both of you to go into the house and sit at the table. You’ll stay there until Chris comes in for dinner. Then you’re both gonna tell him what you did. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes ma’am." The both started for the house. Mary grabbed them and gave them each 3 swats to the backside then pulled them into a hug. "Don’t you two ever do something like this again." She gave them another swat and pushed them toward the house.

"Shouldn’t be any trouble my foot!" She mumbled to herself.

<><><><><><>

As the noon hour approached, Jake and Jesse became more nervous. They had been sitting quietly at the table for 2 hours contemplating their fate. They both knew they were dead meat. Neither of them wanted to face Chris. They could not remember a time when the had don’t anything like this…well except for the firecracker/slingshot incident. But that time they were outside. This time they could have burned the barn down and cost their pa’s a lot of money. And what if they got hurt? They didn’t even let their thoughts stray there.

"Ching…ching…ching…ching"

Jesse and Jake paled when they heard Chris’s spurs on the porch. "Here it comes." Jake said quietly to Jesse. She groaned and dropped her head onto the table.

Chris walked into the kitchen and took in the sight at the table. Jake sat ramrod straight playing with the hem of his shirt. Jesse had her head on the table and was rocking slightly in the seat.

"What’s going on? Why aren’t you two outside?" He asked.

Jesse raised her head looked at her Uncle Chris. //I think I’m gonna be sick// She said to herself.

Mary answered for them. "Well we had a little trouble earlier. They were waiting here so they could tell you what they did when you came home. Isn’t that right?"

Jesse groaned again. Jake answered for both of them "Yes ma’am."

Mary left the room. She wasn’t worried about them not telling the whole story. She knew Chris could read them like a book. Both of them were smart enough to know not to leave anything out.

"Well, what do you need to tell me?" Neither child answered. //This cant be good//he said to himself. "Look at me!" he demanded. Two sets of eyes snapped up to meet his. "I asked you a question."

"Well pa, ya see it’s all Riley’s fault." Jake said without thinking.

"Riley’s fault?" Chris asked incredulously.

Jesse saw where Jake was going with this and her sense of doom lightened a little. "Yeah Uncle Chris. Riley startled us and a fire broke out in the barn."

"A fire? How does Riley startling you start a fire?" He asked.

" Well ya see…uh…well…" Jake stammered trying to think of an answer without lying. Chris pinned him with a glare that could have froze water.

//Damn.Gotta remember to think before I speak//. Jake knew they were not going to be able to wiggle their way out of this. He’d forgotten how perceptive his pa was. He glanced over to Jesse. Jesse sighed and hung her head.

"Jacob, answer me."

"We was smoking out in the barn and Riley came up caught us. Jesse and Riley started to argue and got into a fight. I guess when Jesse jumped on Riley she dropped her cigarette, which started the fire."

"SMOKING?!" Chris bellowed. "IN THE BARN!?" The children cringed. This was going to be bad.

"Are you crazy!? You could have burned the barn down. Don’t you realize know quickly hay burns?"

"We do now." Jake muttered sarcastically.

Before Jake knew what was happening he found himself over his pa’s knee. Five smacks later Chris sat him back into the chair. "I’m not in the mood for your smart mouth." He stated firmly.

"Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir." Jake said while rubbing his stinging behind.

He swung his gaze over to Jesse. "Any you Jessica, haven’t I told you I didn’t want you and Riley fighting?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Then why did you?"

"She said she was gonna tell on us. I was just trying to stop her."

"Did you hurt her?"

"I think I might have given her a black eye. I’m not sure."

Chris rubbed his forehead to relieve the headache he felt starting and sighed. "Where did you two get the cigarettes?" he asked quietly, not really wanting to know the answer..

"At the pond. We figure someone left them there from the church picnic." Jake answered.

"And the matches?"

//Uh.oh.// He wasn’t going to like this answer. "I had’em from the firecracker/slingshot…" Jesse started to answer. Chris cut her of.

"Didn’t I ask you if I had everything? Didn’t you tell me you two used the last match and there wasn’t anymore?"

Jesse cringed. "Yes Sir."

"So you lied."

"Well…" Jesse saw the warning look in Chris’s eye. His patience was wearing thin. "Yes, Sir."

"All right, Jake you get your tail out to the woodshed. Jesse, you stay right here. When Jake comes back in it’ll be you’re turn. Let’s go."

//Uh.oh. Not the woodshed. That only means one thing…the strap// Jesse said to herself and began to quietly cry.

Chris grabbed Jake by the scruff of the neck and led his to the shed. Once there, he removed the strap from the wall and began to give Jake the tanning of his life.

<><><><><><>

Jake walked into the kitchen slowly. "He’s waiting for you." He said with a wince and continued to his room.

Jesse took a deep breath and went out to the woodshed. Much to her surprise, Chris grabbed her and sat her up on the stack of logs in front of him.

"Jessica, why?"

She knew he was referring to the lying. "I don’t know Uncle Chris. I didn’t even think when you asked me. I just answered."

"But you knew you were wrong."

"Yes, sir." She looked up and saw the disappointment in his eyes and began to cry. "I’m sorry. I just didn’t think. And I’m real sorry I smoked."

"Jesse, I’m not that upset that you tried smoking… I’m still angry that you’d endanger you’re health, so don’t think you’re off the hook. But, I’m angrier that you tried it in the barn. Do you know what would have happened if your Aunt Mary wasn’t there to get the fire out?"

"Yes, sir. The whole barn coulda gone up and Jake and me coulda been hurt."

"That’s right. You the need to learn to think before you do anything. Now, after were through here, you are to go to Riley’s room and stay there until supper. Mary told me you already apologized to Riley, so I wont make you do it again. However, if I catch you fighting with her again you’ll feel my belt. Understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

That said, Chris pulled Jesse off the pile and administered one of the worse tannings of her young life. When they were through, Chris pulled her into a big bear hug. After the sobs stopped, he held her away from him. "You realize you have to tell your pa what happened today. Don’t you?"

"Do I have to?" she whined. Chris nodded.

"He’s gonna kill me. Can you at least tell him you strapped me already?"

"I will, but knowin' your pa, it wont make much a difference. Don’t worry, you wont be on your own. Jake will be standing right next to you. You probably will get punished again, you know that don’t you?"

"Yes, Sir. I know."

"Well, no sense fretting over it now. Go on up to the house. I’ll call you when supper is ready."

"Yes Sir."

<><><><><><>

Sunday morning came too quickly. Mary was trying to get everyone ready for church. She had just set the table when Chris joined her. She noticed the children weren’t behind him. "Where are the children?"

"Upstairs. Still in bed."

"What?! Oh, that’s it!" Mary fumed. She climbed the stairs and went into Jake and Billy’s room first. She pulled the covers off them and gave them a firm swat. "Get up. Now. If I have to come back in here, I’ll show up with my hairbrush."

The scene repeated itself in Riley’s room. She went to the closet, pulled out Riley’s Sunday dress, and laid it out on the bed. She then started rummaging through Jesse’s bag. "Jesse, where’s your Sunday dress?"

"Darn it Aunt Mary, I musta forgotten it. Guess I’ll jus have t’ wear my pants." Jesse responded trying not to smile.

"Oh, you conviently forgotten it have you? Well young lady, I just happen to have an extra dress of yours. You mother thought it’d be best …you know just in case you forgot yours when you stay with us." She went to her bedroom and returned with Jesse’s Sunday dress. "Here ya go. Now, hurry and get dressed. Breakfast is on the table."

Jesse was stunned. She had just been out-maneuvered. //Well, I’m not going down without a fight...I hate dresses. // "But Aunt Mary…"

Mary knew what was coming (since they had this argument anytime Jesse had to wear a dress) and decided to head it off. She grabbed Jesse’s arm and swatted her backside. "OW!" Mary knew that one swat would relight the fire from last night.

"Jessica! We don’t have time for this. Get dressed. Now! If your not dressed and at the table in 10 minutes I’ll send your Uncle Chris up here and you can fight with him. Understand?"

"Yes ma’am" Jesse replied sullenly. She stood there for as long as she dared trying to avoid putting on that uncomfortable dress. She had just pulled the dress over her head when Chris came into the room. "It hasn’t been 10 minutes!" she said in a panicked voice.

"Relax. I just came up here to see if you needed help." Chris reassured her. "I know you don’t wear dresses very often so I figured I’d check on your progress. ‘Sides, your Aunt Mary ‘s too angry to come up here herself."

He buttoned the back of her dress and combed her hair while she put on her shoes. Jesse finished and Chris turned her to face him. He’d forgotten how beautiful this child was underneath all the dirt and boys clothes she wears. She was the spitting image of Vin. Her blue dress brought out her cornflower blue eyes and her long sandy-brown hair was tied back with a matching ribbon.

"What? What’s wrong?" Jesse asked, uncomfortable with her Uncle’s stare.

"Nothing Angel. Just forgot how pretty a little girl you are. You should wear dresses more often."

Jesse beamed under his praise. "Thank you." She said shyly. "But that don’t mean I gotta like wearing them" She added. Chris chuckled and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "Come on, we best get downstairs before your Aunt Mary has a conniption."

<><><><><><>

Chris, Mary and the family met up with the rest of the seven at the church.

"Remember, were having a picnic right after services." Maria said. "Since there are so many of us, Josiah and I decided to have it outside the church. There’s a lot more room."

"Good idea. And don’t worry, we didn’t forget. In fact, I brought my devils food cake for dessert." Mary replied.

"Ohhh, how sinful." Inez said. "Are you sure we should be eating that on the Lord’s Day?"

The women laughed and headed into the church while the men gave their children their weekly reminders of appropriate church behavior.

Church services went by uneventfully. The children managed to behave…probably because the two instigators were nursing sore backsides. Once the church was empty, the food was brought out and everyone ate their fill.

"Pa, can we go play now?" Jake asked.

"Sure…but stay out of trouble."

"Hold it." Mary said. "All of you will change out of your Sunday clothes before you play." 15 minutes later, all 13 children were changed and ready to go.

<><><><><><>

"I’m bored." Adam whined.

"Me too. There’s gotta be something to do around here." Jacey agreed.

Connor sat up. "I’ve got it. Come on" He said and started walking.

"Where are we going?" Jared asked in interest.

"Pa’s saloon." He replied.

Jesse, Jake, Adam, Jacey, Connor, and Jared stood outside the saloon.

"What are we doing here? You know were not supposed to go in here." Adam said.

"We are going to finally find out what that stuff our pa’s drink tastes like." Connor replied.

"Are you crazy!" Jesse, Jacob and Jacey said on unison.

"Nope. It will be easy. Our folks are too busy watching the others to notice us. We just slip in there, grab a bottle, and hightail it outta there. Our folks will be none the wiser."

Jared continued. "I know you all want to do this. We’ve talked about it before. Come on guys. It’ll be fun. This is what we do…" he laid out the plan.

5 minutes later, 6 very frustrated children were standing in front of a locked cabinet. "Damn, we were so close." Jared sighed in defeat.

"We can still get it." Jesse exclaimed. She pulled out her pocketknife and began working on the lock.

"Jesse, I don’t think you should be doing that. Remember what you’re pa said after you picked the lock on that little safe Uncle JD keeps at the jail."

"Hey, I didn’t even get into trouble...I think my pa even found it funny."

Jake rolled his eyes. //Yeah right. //

"’Sides, he just said to not let him catch me doing it again. Well, he ain't here so he can't catch me."

"I wouldn’t bet on that."

Jesse dropped the knife and spun around. "P-P-Pa. Wh-what are you doing here?"

"Might ask you the same question." Vin replied. "Everyone still at the church?"

Six heads nodded since no one could find their voice. "Let’s go." Vin trailed the children out of the saloon.

<><><><><><>

Chris saw the procession before anyone else did. //Not again…one day, just one day, I’d like to go without one of my children getting into trouble. //

"Mornin’" Vin said. "Seems we got a little problem. Found ‘em," he gestured to the children hiding behind him "in th’ saloon tryin t’ pick th’ lock an get at th’ whiskey."

"WHAT?!" Mary, Inez, Rain, and Alyssa yelled in unison.

Chris, Vin, Buck, Ezra and Nathan look at each other sheepishly. They knew they were probably the reason the kids tried this so none of them were really upset. They weren’t going to do the "Do as I say not as I do" speech. They all agreed that the children were too young, but they themselves did the same thing as children. Of course, if they did it again they would be some very unhappy children. They wisely took a step back and allowed the women to handle this.

<><><><><><>

"So Vin, how was your trip?"

"Was all right. Missed my girl though." Vin replied and hugged Jesse to him. "She behave herself?" Vin felt Jesse tense up and sighed. "What did you do?" He asked Jesse.

Jesse looked at Jake then at Chris. He gave her an encouraging nod. "Well, pa, see Jake and I sorta…" Jesse began.

When she was through, she stood with her head down, waiting for the axe to fall.

Vin closed his eyes and took a calming breath and he rubbed his eyes wearily. "Jessica Lynn, what have I tol you ‘bout playin with fire? Haven’t we discussed this b’fore?"

"Yes, Sir. But I wasn’t playing with fire!"

"No? Then how did ya light them cigarettes?"

"Magic!" Jesse said under her breath. "OW!" Her hands flew to her backside to rub the sting away. She didn’t realize she spoke loud enough for her pa to hear her. She hung her head contritely.

"That’s what I thought." Vin said in a dangerous tone. "And what ‘bout what happened this mornin? I know we had ourselves a little talk ‘bout you breaking in ta other peoples things just a few weeks ago. Am I right?"

"Yes, Sir." //I’m so dead// "What are you gonna to do ta me?" She really didn’t want to ask, but desperately wanted to know.

"Don’t know yet. You go on in ta the house…"

Just then, Mary came out on the porch. "Jacob and Jessica, inside. NOW! You’ve got some bible verses to copy as punishment for that stunt you pulled today. Move!" She said and swatted their butts.

Chris and Vin watched them scamper into the house while trying to shield their backsides. Vin turned to Chris. "So, what did you to ta punish ‘em?"

"Took ‘em out to the woodshed and used the strap on ‘em. Gave it to ‘em good, too." Chris gave Vin a slight smile. At Vin questioning glance he replied, "I promised Jesse I’d tell you that."

Vin gave a small laugh, and then turned serious again.

"Think I need ta give her a reminder ‘talk’?"

"Up to you. I did tan her pretty good, though." Chris replied. After a few seconds with no response from Vin, Chris asked, "Are you?"

"I know just what to do." Vin said ignoring Chris’s question. "She’ll never do anythin like this again once I’m through with her."

"You wouldn’t? Would you?" Chris asked knowing exactly what Vin was thinking of.

"Yep. Think that exactly what I’m gonna do." That said, Vin turned and went into the house. Chris followed, not wanting to miss Jesse’s reaction.

<><><><><><>

Jesse and Jake were sitting at the table diligently copying the prescribed verses when their fathers came into the room. Jesse dropped her pencil and looked intently at her father. She could see from the look on his face she was not going to like this…nope, not one bit.

"Jessica… front and center." Vin said pointing to a spot in front of him. Jesse slowly got up stood where her father said. "Now, your Uncle Chris and me jus had an interestin talk and I’ve decided how ta punish ya." Vin paused causing Jesse to squirm anticipation.

"You are to stay in yer room for the next two weeks, 1 week for each stunt."

Jesse paled. //No, he didn’t just say what I thought he said…nooo! // "You’re grounding me?"

"Yep."

"Cant ya just give me another tanning?" Jesse slapped her hand to her mouth. She could not believe she just said that.

"Nope. Yer grounded. That means you cain only leave yer room for school, chores and meals. Rest of th’ time you’ll be in yer room."

"But pa I hate being inside…I’ll die!"

Vin knew where is daughter was coming from. He was the same way. He couldn’t stand to be inside for long periods of time. //Well, she’s definitely my kid//

"Ya won’t die. Now, lets git on home, yer ma is prolly worried sick." Vin turned to leave. "And bring those bible verses with ya so’s ya can finish ‘em for yer Aunt Mary…you’ll have plenty of time." He called over his shoulder.

<><><><><><>

"Jesse, you’ll be late for school! Logan already left, hurry up!" Emily yelled up the stairs.

"Comin!" Jesse ran down the stairs and made for the door.

"Hold it!" Vin said. "R’member, you come home straight after school and git up to yer room. Understand?"

"Yes Sir." She gave her pa a hug and kiss and ran out the door.

Emily looked on as Vin watched Jesse run out of the yard. "You going to be able to make it through the two weeks?" She asked jokingly.

"I suppose. Jus know how she feels. Don’t want to break her ‘devil may care’ spirit, ya know?"

"Don’t worry Vin. That devil will never let you break her spirit. Besides, you honestly think she’s going to be able to make it two weeks without trying to sneak out?"

Vin smiled. "Nope."