Surprises and Misunderstandings

Okay, so I came up with something for the next chapter. Jeanette is recovering in the hospital and Simon is nowhere to be found. What surprise will he have in store for her when he finally shows up?

Brittany spent the night in the hospital looking after Jeanette. Alvin wanted to stay with her, but she insisted that he go home and get some sleep. He reluctantly agreed. Ellie was still upset, but Theodore insisted on taking her home. Brittany had fallen asleep in a chair in Jeanette's room and had only been awakened by the attending nurse that came into the room.

"How is she doing?" Brittany asked, watching the nurse taking her sister's vitals.

"She'll be fine," the nurse said. "All she needs is rest, so we've given her something to help her sleep." The nurse looked up at Brittany. "You're the sister, right?"

"One of them. Since our mother died it's been just the three of us. I just don't know what I would do if I lost her."

"I know how you feel. I have a brother. He's a policeman. I wonder everyday if today is the day I get the call telling me he's... well, you know."

"But Jeanette's has anyways been the rational one, the careful one, the level headed one. I just never expected any of this."

"We never do," she said.

She soon exited the room, leaving Brittany alone with her sister. She looked so fragile, and that made Brittany feel even more guilty. If only she had taken better care of her sister. After their adoptive mother died she vowed she would always look out for her younger sisters, but she failed.

She heard footsteps coming down the hall and stop at the door to Jeanette room. She quickly turned around to see a familiar face.

"Alvin," she , just above a whisper. "I thought I told you to go home."

"And when do I ever listen to anyone?" his tone sarcastic.

"Good point," she said. "So why did you come back?"

"I thought you could use a change of clothes and something to eat, since dinner got canceled."

"Sorry about that," she said. "But I'm glad you're here."

"So how's she doing?" Alvin asked.

"She been sleeping most of the time. The nurse told me they gave her something, but earlier she was asking for Simon. Where is he, anyway? He should be here."

"I don't know. I tried looking for him, but I couldn't find him. I don't think he came home last night. I called all his friends, and no one has seen him. I think he feels guilty."

"Maybe he should," Brittany fired. Alvin looked shocked at her. "Well, it's true. He was supposed have been with her last night."

"Hey, now you're getting yourself all upset.

Why don't you go change and get some food in you. You'll feel better. Don't worry. I'll stay with Jeanette."

"Okay," Brittany said. "I won't be long."

She walked into the bathroom with the bag of clothes Alvin brought and changed quickly. There was a comb, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste in the small bathroom, so she was at least able to make herself presentable. She looked at her watch. It was 8am.

Soon she came out and Alvin had a take-out breakfast waiting for her. "Hey, you hungry?"

"I guess so," she said. "I'm not really interested in food."

"Come on, babe, ya gotta eat."

"How can I think of food, when my sister's lying here in a hospital bed?" she said. Her emotions got the better of her, but she wasn't going to let herself breakdown again. "I should be taking care of her."

"Brittany, you have been taking care of her," Alvin said. "Now, I'm going to take care of you."

She thought about it, and realized he was right. "I don't deserve you."

"It's the other way around," he said. "Now, sit down and eat." She sat down in the chair and took a few bites. Just then, Jeanette began to stir.

"Simon," she called out. "I'm so sorry."

Brittany put her try of food down and ran to her sister, who was only half-conscious. "Shhh... it's okay, Jean."

Jeanette opened her eyes and saw her sister standing over her. "Brittany?"

"Yea, sweetie, I'm here," Brittany said, trying to sooth her sister.

"I want Simon," she said, through her haze. "Where is he?"

"He's not here right now, but he will be. I promise." Jeanette closed her eyes again and went back to sleep. Brittany walked back over to Alvin. He already knew what she was thinking. "Do me a favor? Go find your brother and get his ass down here."

"Sure thing," Alvin said. "Don't worry. I'll find him."

At that moment Simon was in his car driving. He had been driving all night. He was so distraught and hurt by the way Brittany had treated him, but she had every right to say those things. She wasn't wrong in telling him this was his fault. He should have been there for Jeanette. She was the woman he loved more than his own life. If he had only known and if she would have just told him, but in his heart he felt that he should have known. For that he would always feel guilty.

He pulled into the driveway of his apartment building. He parked his car and just sat there. He pulled out a little blue velvet box from his pocket.

"It was supposed to be so perfect, Jean."

He opened the box to reveal a simple diamond ring. He had saved for nearly a year to buy it for her, but now... How would she ever forgive him for letting this happen to her? Tears flowed from his eyes just thinking about it.

At that moment he heard his phone ring. He didn't bother the check the caller ID. He tried to turned the phone off, but he accidentally answered it.

"Hey, Si," he heard his brother's voice over the phone, but he didn't say anything. "Would you answer, please. I know you're there."

"What do you want, Alvin?"

"You, at the hospital, right now."

"Why?" he asked, his voice sullen.

"Because if you don't I'm going to be in deep shit with Brittany. Look, Jean's been asking for you. So would you get down here?"

"She wants to see me?" Simon questioned.

"Yes, you son of a bitch," he said, almost half-teasing. "She's hurting, Si. She needs you."

"Okay, I'm on my way," he said and hung up the phone. He put the ring box back into his pocket and started his car and drove off. Somehow, he was going to make this up to her.

Alvin came back into Jeanette's hospital room. Brittany looked up from her vigil of her sleeping sister to see him standing in front of her.

"What's up?" she said, standing up and facing him.

"He's on his way," he said. She felt relieved and put her arms around him. He did the same with her. "I told you I would take care of it."

"Thanks." She looked into his eyes, feeling his warmth. He leaned in and kissed her, and suddenly she felt better.

Not ten minutes had passed that Brittany and Alvin heard the door swing open and saw Simon standing there. He looked like he hadn't slept all night.

Brittany approached him cautiously. "So, you finally showed up."

"I'm sorry I ran out early. I was just upset."

"And how do you think my sister feels? She been asking for you all night."

Jeanette awakened again, hearing her sister's voice. "Brittany?"

She walked back over to her sister's bedside. "Hey, I thought you were sleeping."

Jeanette focused her eyes and looked over and saw the person she wanted to see more than anything. "Simon!" she said, trying to get out of bed.

"Jean, lie down," Brittany said. "You're in no condition..."

"I want to talk to Simon... alone," she said, laying back down.

"Okay," Brittany said. "I'll be right outside if you need me." On her way out she turned to Simon and whispered, "Don't upset her."

Jeanette looked up at Simon and smiled. "You're here," she said.

"Yes, I'm here," he said, sitting at her bedside. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired?" she said. "I think it's the drugs."

"Are you in any pain?" he asked in concern.

"Not really, but I will be," she said. She knew very well that the effects from the drugs wouldn't kill the pain forever.

"Jean, when I heard about what happened to you, I felt so guilty. It's all my fault. I should have taken better care of you."

"No, Simon, you didn't do anything wrong," she said, taking his hand. He finally looked at her and smiled. Through all this she was still taking care of him. "Brittany said the doctor told you about..." She couldn't finish as the tears filled her eyes.

"I know about the baby, Jean." She cried even more. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

"You must hate me," she said, turning away from him.

"No, Jean, I don't hate you. I just wished you would have told me." He put his hand on her cheek. She turned back to him and saw that he was just as upset as she was. They put their arms around each other and held each other.

After a while she calmed down. "I'm glad you're here," she said.

He took her hand and kissed it. "Jeanette, last night I kind of had something special planned. I wanted to ask you something important."

"What?" she asked, intrigued by what he had to say. "Ask me, now."

"Well, this isn't the place I wanted to do this, but I can't wait another minute."

"Just say it, Simon." He pulled the little velvet box out of his pocket. She saw it and asked, "What's this?"

"I've been carrying this thing around for months, trying to find the right moment. I thought last night would have been the prefect time, but I just have to say it, Jean. I love you. You know that, right?"

"Yes," she said.

"And I couldn't imagine my life with anyone else but you. So Jeanette Miller, will you marry me?" He opened the box to reveal the beautiful diamond ring.

Tears filled her eyes once more. She just couldn't speak. Simon suddenly got a cold chill.

"Jean? Please, if you're not ready..."

"No, that's not it. I didn't think you would..."

"What? Jean, I love you, only you, no matter what. So, do you need time to think about?"

"No, I don't need time. I love you, Simon, and I can't wait to marry you."

"Really?" he asked, not truly believing her.

"Yes, oh, yes," she said, putting her arms around him. She turned to face him, and he kissed her. He knew what a fragile state she was in and was careful with her. He gently laid her back down and picked up the ring and placed it on her finger.

"Now, you get herself out of this hospital. Okay?"

"Alright," she said.

At that moment both her sisters came into her hospital room. Theodore and Alvin were waiting outside. "Jeanette," Eleanor said. "You look so much better today."

"I am," she said and smiled. "Now that Simon is here."

"Did you two have a nice talk?" Brittany asked.

"Yes," she said. "In fact, there's something I need to tell you both." That's when she held up her hand to reveal the diamond engagement ring.

"Oh, Jean," Eleanor squealed. "It's beautiful." She took her sister's hand and admired the ring. "But when?" Eleanor asked.

"Just now," she said, smiling up at Simon. Then she turned to her sisters and said, "So, will you two help us plan the wedding?"

"Of course, we will," Eleanor said. "This is so exciting. So... when is it?"

"I don't know," Jeanette said. "We haven't decided."

"Hey, don't worry about that, now," Brittany said. "We'll figure that all out when you get out of here." She looked over at Simon. "Can I talk to you for a moment? Outside."

"Sure," Simon said. "It will give Jean and Ellie a chance to talk."

Simon followed Brittany out in the hallway. Theodore and Alvin were nowhere to be found. "Okay, what do you want to talk about?"

"Why did you propose to my sister?" Brittany asked.

"Because I love her," he said.

"I know that, but why did you propose now?"

"Because I didn't get to do it last night."

"Wait a minute. You were planning this?"

"Yes, I was Brittany. I've been planning this since the day I met her. If she hadn't canceled our date last night..."

"I know," Brittany said. "Simon, I'm sorry I was so hard on you. I guess I'm just overly protective."

"It's okay," he said, and gave her a hug.

"Oh, god, I just thought of something." He looked confused. "Because of you, I'm going to be related to my boyfriend."

They both laughed at that. That's when Alvin and Theodore came walking down the hallway. "Hey, what's so funny?" Alvin asked.

He put an arm around Brittany and gave her a quick kiss. "Well, it seems your brother just asked my sister to marry him."

"Damn, Simon. You finally did it. So what did she say?"

"What do you think she said?" Simon asked.

"Well, I don't know. When we're talking about my egghead brother..."

"Alvin!" Simon fumed.

"Okay, you two stop it. We're all going to be family, so no fighting."

"Yea, family," Theodore said. "That's sounds really great."

They all crowded into Jeanette's hospital room and celebrated their good fortune, despite the almost tragedy of the night before.

Okay, that's the end of this one, but don't think it's sooth sailing from now on. What will happen when Theodore and Eleanor decide to take their relationship to the next level? Be here next time for the next exciting episode of The Chipmunk Chronicles.