Autumn, for most creatures, meant the season of changes to come.
The forest was always rather peaceful this time of the year. The trees had begun to change from green to brown, red, orange, and yellow as the leaves started to fall, leaving behind various patches for the sunlight to filter through, never repeating the same splotchy pattern every year. Closer to the edge of the forest, though, sat a nice, homey log cabin, a generator outside buzzing away as it fed the home with power.
Inside was a somewhat small woman, er… chipmunk. Her dark brown hair was somewhat styled, though mainly hanging down free, some of it framing her face while the rest simply reached towards the middle of her back. She wore a cozy light blue button up shirt, paired with some slightly darker shorts that stopped just above her knees.
There was a hint of worry on her face as she wandered about the main room, the TV playing quietly in the background. The autumn weather meant just one thing for her. Winter was around the corner, followed by springtime, and with it, another season for breeding.
She didn't worry for herself, though. No, her mind was occupied with something else. Sighing, she reached to the locket hanging from her neck, opening it up to view the picture within. It was herself, though much younger, and her three boys, still babies wrapped up in their red, green, and blue blankets.
"Oh, boys… I still wish I could have stayed…" She sighs to herself. 'Or at least you could have stayed with me…' she shook her head, her tail swaying side to side as she gently touched the photo. Last time she saw them, they had grown so much… How they had become so successful in music and living in such a wonderful house. What kind of mother would have taken them away from where they were happiest?
This year had her more anxious than normal. They would be coming of age, and as far as she knew, they had very, very little experience if any when it came down to… that.
"What am I going to do? If I leave them be, they might make a mistake they'd regret. But if I interfere…" She stopped herself there. "Vinny, you… you can NOT think of that!" She scolded herself.
Unfortunately, now that she had thought it, it refused to leave her head. Her boys, her precious angels… They'd be clueless when those urges finally kick in. And their caretaker, bless his soul, may not exactly know how to handle a developing boy, much less three less than normal chipmunks.
Vinny turned her head to the TV screen, but was left unable to focus on the cartoon that played, instead eyeing the phone that sat on top. She didn't really have much of an option anymore…
Grunting, she stood up to her feet and went to it, picking it up and dialing in the number, feeling a lump form in her throat as it rang. 'No turning back now, Vinny… Just do it for your boys.' she tried to tell herself. Eventually, a familiar voice picked up on the other end.
"Hello?"
"H-Hi Dave." Vinny started. "Listen… Please tell me that you don't have anything important planned for the boys this week." She said, gulping slightly to get rid of the lump, trying to keep herself sounding confident.
"Well, no, there aren't any plans… What's going on over there? Is everything alright?" Dave asked, a note of concern in his voice. "Everything's fine. I just really need the boys to come over. I promise it'll only be for a week, and then they'll be right back at home." Vinny replied, ignoring the twinge of pain in her heart.
They didn't even live with her…
"If you say so. I could use a little break myself." Dave responded. Vinny winced at the sound of a smashing plate, followed by a familiar "I DIDN'T DO IT!". Leave it to Alvin to get himself into trouble. "I'll bring them over tomorrow." Dave says with a tired sigh. Smiling softly, Vinny swishes her tail against the floor. "Oh, and Dave? Please have them pack some extra clothes. They'll need it." She adds.
"Okay… We'll see you tomorrow then." Dave says. "See you then, Vinny." And with that, he hung up the phone.
Gulping, Vinny looks around the place. Good thing there were so many kind animals… and people around. They were more than happy to build the cabin as close to a full house as possible, having three extra bedrooms added in for the sole purpose of giving her boys their privacy.
Everything else, though, was tougher. Natural supplies only went so far, and she eventually had to borrow money from Dave in order to really make the place cozy. Three simple beds, one for each room, a couple dressers, and even a few outlets for them. Just the basics she could afford.
"Okay… You're still a good mom… Just get the boys ready for the season and there we go. Everything back to normal."
Vinny smiled as she watched Dave's car drive up, slowly being parked outside of her home, noticing the three moving figures in the back seat.
Once it came to a stop, the back door opened up, and out tumbled her three boys.
"Mommy!" Theodore cried out, running up to her and throwing himself around her, hugging her tightly around the waist. Vinny yelped, stumbling back a little as she smiled, returning the hug. "Oh, I missed you too, Theodore." She says, tousling up his hair.
Simon and Alvin's approach was calmer, but giving almost tighter hugs. "How have you been? It's been a long time since we last saw you." Simon speaks, releasing Vinny enough to look up at her.
"It has been a while," Vinny agreed, looking at her boys. "Oh gosh, you three keep on growing and growing every time I see you. And Alvin…" She winked at her oldest son, folding her arms. "I hope you haven't been getting into trouble lately."
"Er… Why would you think that? I'm good as gold!" Alvin smiled through gritted teeth, trying to look the picture of innocence while his brothers chortled from behind.
Dave came over with the boys' bags, bending down to give Vinny a hug. "Hi Vinny. It's so wonderful to see you again. Everything okay?"
"Mmhmm." Vinny blushed. "Thanks again for letting the boys stay."
"Hey now, we're all family, so there's no need to thank me," said Dave. "Besides, I wouldn't mind the time off." He adds in a whisper.
Vinny only laughed, covering her mouth. "Oh Dave. Would you like to stay for a while? I have acorn soup just waiting to be eaten."She offered, breaking from Alvin's hold to open the door, leading the way inside.
"Aaahh… That was awesome, mom!" Theodore sighs happily, placing his bowl down on the table as he licked his lips clean of any remaining soup.
Vinny smiled from the compliment, setting down her own bowl as she finished. "I'm glad you like it, Theodore. It's an old family recipe. If you'd like, I could teach you to make it. I hear you've become quite the little chef." She says with a light hum in her tone.
Blushing, Theodore looked off to the side. "You should see him when he's making sweets." Simon spoke up, eating another spoonful. "He really gets into it, especially when he's baking cakes and cookies." He continued, ignoring Theodore's little whine.
"Theo's just a really good chef." Alvin says. "Pretty good at singing too. Maaaaybe not as good as me though~"
"And there he goes again." Simon rolled his eyes. "Mom, do you have a slice of humble pie we can give Alvin?"
Alvin rolled his eyes. "C'mon Si. I'm lead singer for a reason!" Alvin insists. "Funny thing is, most lead singers are nothing without their supporting backups," Dave said.
The whole table rang with laughter as Alvin fell silent.
"I'm just so proud that you boys have made it so far. I guess all the singing I did really rubbed off on you all!" Vinny says, humming as she goes around, collecting the used bowls.
When she disappeared into the kitchen, Alvin hopped up from his seat, stretching himself out before letting out a loud burp. "Mmm… I'm gonna go for a walk if anyone needs me." he hums, tilting his cap down a little as he made his way to the front door, followed by Dave. "Okay, but you don't go too far, Alvin. It's dark out!" Dave warned as Alvin broke into a run.
"I hope it's comfy enough for you boys." Vinny says. She was in Simon's room, having insisted to tuck him in for the night. And Simon wasn't ready to deny her that.
"Don't worry, mom. We were all excited to hear you wanted us to come and visit." Simon says, wiggling a little as he got himself comfortable, his glasses resting beside the pillow. Vinny nodded slowly, giving him a kiss on the forehead. "Well, I just have a few things planned for you guys that I hope you'll like." She says with a smile, patting his head a bit as she got to her feet, heading to leave out of the room.
"I love you… Goodnight." She says, her tail swishing slowly as she closes the door behind herself. She let out a sigh, sitting down and leaning against the wall, one hand raised to brush her hair back.
'Come on, Vinny… Do it for your boys.' She thinks, letting out a huff as she gets to her feet. Come morning, her plan would jump straight into action.