Title: I do

Written by: Somnion

Disclaimer: I do not own Alvin and the Chipmunks. They belong to Bagdasarian Productions

I know many of you are waiting for the continuation for 'Chipmunk Politics' and I apologize for the delayed submission. I have hit somewhat of a writer's block because it is becoming quite a challenge to keep everyone in character given the direction of that story. I will continue the story but it may take a while because I need to get my ideas together and piece them. Anyway, this story is something that came to me one day and I feel that it would be fun to write it down. For those who have watched the episode 'Big Dreams', we see that in about twenty years, the Chipmunks have married the Chipettes. Now, based on that episode, we all know the Chipmunks will eventually marry their respective Chipettes but what we don't know was how our little Chipmunks actually popped the question to their fair Chipettes. This is what this story is going to be about, each chapter being a one shot story centring on a Chipmunk and a Chipette. This all will take place when I assume the kids are about twenty four years old, fresh out of college. Now, the first batter in this game of propositions is the lovable, sweet and kind, Theodore Seville.

Chapter 1: Theodore and Eleanor

It was quite some time since Theodore had last seen Eleanor or her sisters; a span of six years had elapsed since they all had enrolled in college. Theodore had figured that they would all have enrolled in the same college but there must have been some mistake, resulting in the Chipmunks and Chipettes enrolling in different ones. It was difficult saying goodbye to such dear friends, friends whose friendship extends as far back as elementary school. Yet, with those six years behind them, they were all together again. When Theodore and his brothers had returned home after finishing their studies, the first thing they did after meeting with their loving guardian, Dave, was to check in with Miss Miller, the Chipettes elderly matron. They always checked in with the kindly, yet slightly eccentric old woman whenever they were on break and also to see if the Chipettes were home, who as always, were never around at that time, since their college had different break intervals than the Chipmunks. Theodore found it odd that the college the Chipettes went to had different break seasons than the one he and his brothers attended. So, imagine his surprise when he found that after so long, the Chipettes had also completed their college education as well. They weren't at home so the Chipmunks had left a message with Miss Miller that they would like to meet up at a restaurant that Alvin had suggested. That was how things came to be as they are now.

Sitting down at a table, all together again; it made Theodore very happy indeed. He had missed them dearly and was thrilled when Alvin came up to their room earlier, declaring loudly and happily that the Chipettes accepted their invitation. Dinner was wonderful, as well as the conversation. Alvin had picked an excellent restaurant for the food was incredible. Yet, the most wonderful thing was being with their friends and catching up on old times and filling each other out with what has been going on in their lives. When dinner was over, everyone found it surprising that both Alvin and Brittany each volunteered individually to pay the bill. Theodore figured that his outspoken older brother had probably missed his childhood Chipette sweetheart more than he had let on. After dinner, Alvin suggested that they should split up into groups, boy-girl groups. It was a suggestion everyone agreed on, for each Chipmunk was best friends with their respective Chipette and a little time alone to talk privately did seem like a good idea.

Theodore and Eleanor made their way away from their siblings just as Alvin and Simon joined with Brittany and Jeanette respectively and wandered off. Theodore suggested taking a walk around the city park, a proposition which Eleanor agreed with a smile. They spent a lot of time talking as they made their way to their destination and soon, they found their way to the city park. Finding a suitable bench, they sat down to rest their legs. As they rested, Theodore looked to Eleanor and realised that she had not changed much since their childhood days. She was still the plump, sweet little girl he knew so long ago yet at the same time, she seemed to have gotten so much prettier and Theodore couldn't help but think of the days when he and Eleanor had been childhood sweethearts. Those days, he had always felt happy when he was with her. They shared the same interests and always saw eye to eye in matters. She had truly brightened his life then. Eleanor must have noticed him thinking for she soon asked the chubby Chipmunk a question.

"What is it, Theodore?" she asked curiously.

"Oh...oh...er...nothing, Eleanor," he stammered nervously. "I was just thinking."

Eleanor smiled to herself for she knew what Theodore was thinking about. Theodore was a boy she knew since her childhood so it wasn't easy for the green eyed Chipmunk to hide secrets or his thoughts from her. She wasn't really upset though, she was rather pleased. Boys never really paid attention to her at college; she was the chubby one after all. Eleanor had always been comfortable about herself but as she grew older, she knew that the world was not a very kind place and that people would be quick to exclude or insult people based on physical appearances. She was a nice girl and she had made many friends and had always hoped that people would judge her by her character and not her waistline. Yet, although she had friends who were boys, they all saw her simply as that, a friend. Then she remembered something that Alvin had mentioned earlier at dinner.

"I found it hard to believe, but even sweet little Theodore had girls flocking to him," Alvin said with a laugh.

"They...they're just friends, Alvin," interrupted Theodore.

"Sure, they were," Alvin said cheekily. "I mean, come on, Theodore. You've almost got the same amount of girls' cell phone numbers as I do. You can't tell me that even not one of them is your girlfriend."

Despite his podgy stature, Theodore still had girls following him. Being chubby probably didn't really matter for boys, Eleanor thought to herself. It was girls who would have to struggle with their weight and for her it was a most difficult thing to do. It was disheartening, knowing that the only person who had ever paid attention to you was now giving his attention to someone else.

"I guess you...probably got a girlfriend, Theodore?" Eleanor asked with a smile, her face trying desperately not to show any feelings of hurt.

"Wha...what?" asked the stunned Chipmunk in surprise. "Wh...Why would you think that?"

"Alvin mentioned it at the dinner," she replied, trying hard to conceal any hurt in her voice. "He said that you know a lot of girls. Surely you must have someone."

Theodore was silent for awhile and simply looked down at his feet. He was silent for some time and Eleanor began to really think that there was indeed someone who had captured his heart.

"I do know a lot of girls," he said after a pause, "but none of them are my girlfriends."

"What do you mean?" asked a curious and slightly confused Eleanor.

"Well," answered Theodore with an awkward smile, "the girls at college, well, they usually see me as someone to talk to, not someone to be with."

"I see. I'm sorry; I hope my question didn't offend you."

"No, not at all," said Theodore with a smile. "But, what about you, Eleanor? Do you have a special someone?"

Eleanor was a little taken aback by the sudden emergence of the question. Yet, she knew she had to answer him since he had answered her when she asked the same question.

"No, I don't, actually."

"Why not?" asked Theodore in surprise.

The question was now getting rather personal for Eleanor knew the reason why boys didn't want to date her and she was found it difficult to say. Still, Theodore had been forthright with her so she felt obliged to do the same.

"Because I'm..." she said in a small voice, "...fat."

"That's not true," Theodore cried suddenly, "You're not fat. In fact...I...I think you're very pretty."

Eleanor was a little shocked when Theodore responded, it wasn't like Theodore to suddenly say something like that from out of nowhere; he was the shy one amongst his brothers after all. She figured that he might have simply said that out of sympathy but when she looked at him, she could tell that he wasn't lying and that he really meant it. She blushed and smiled at him.

"Do...do you really think so?"

"Actually," he said with a bashful smile, "that's what I was thinking about just now; when you asked me what was wrong."

A moment of silence overtook the young couple as they sat alone under the light of a street lamp. After the revelations that they had told each other, neither could do anything but smile.

"You know, Ellie," Theodore said suddenly. "Simon once told me that people's inner beauty makes their outer beauty look even more beautiful."

Eleanor looked at Theodore quizzically. "Simon? Simon actually said something like that?"

"Well, he used a lot of fancy words but I think that's the message he was trying to say," Theodore said with a chuckle, which earned him a giggle from the blonde Chipette sitting next to him.

"So...why did you bring it up?" asked Eleanor. She knew why Theodore had brought it up though; she just wanted to hear him say it. After all, everyone likes to be flattered, especially if it's from someone whom you care for.

"Well, Ellie," he continued, "you...you're the nicest person I've ever met and I think that because you're so nice, it...it makes you look even more beautiful. At least I think you do."

Eleanor smiled as she thanked him. As she looked at the trees, watching the leaves sway as the breeze blew, she felt a sense of joy she had not felt for a long time. It was a joy she would only feel when she was with Theodore. He was her best friend, constant companion and confidant and the sense of joy and security she experienced, she had indeed missed it when they were apart. Quietly, she pulled the necklace she wore over head and then held it in her hand. Theodore didn't recognize it at first, for it had been hidden by the collar of her shirt but as he held it, he remembered it as the necklace he had given her that night when he was practicing for his role as Mr Hyde for the school play. Eleanor noticed the shocked look on the Chipmunk's face so she explained.

"I didn't answer your question properly," she began. "I may not have a boyfriend but there is someone very special to me. That's why I kept this necklace."

Theodore didn't answer but continued to look at the necklace. Memories began to flood his mind and he remembered that he had given it to her for he had felt a little courageous that night. Seeing the necklace again, it filled him again with courage and he figured that tonight, he would face the scariest decision there ever was. Hesitatingly, his hand moved and took Eleanor's, a gesture that surprised her greatly.

"Eleanor," he said as he looked at her, his eyes reflecting the same nervousness he saw in hers, "they...they say that birds of a feather should flock together. You and I, I feel that we're something like that."

Eleanor seemed confused and Theoodre gulped anxiously, he must have sounded so stupid to her, he thought. But he was not going to back down, not tonight.

"So, since we're birds of a feather, perhaps we could stick together," he continued, knowing full well that he must have sounded like he was babbling, "and if you want, after that we can...stay together...just you and me."

"Theodore..."

"You've always made me feel happy, Eleanor," he said finally, "and I know I...don't have a ring yet but if you'd let me, I want to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me."

Theodore watched the stunned Chipette; she must have still been trying to register what had just happened. A marriage proposition out of the blue was probably the last thing she had expected. But she surprised when she silently edged closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder with a smile on her lips and whispered.

"You already have, Theodore."

Chapter One Ends

Oh, I hope this was not too corny. It can be tough trying to keep these guys in character while getting them all lovey-dovey at the same time. Still, I hope you guys liked it and please, if there have been any screw-ups in the character or anything, please leave an opinion or review and I'll try to improve my performance in the next chapter. Looking forward to hear from you.