What You Do To Me

Chapter 9

The Best Intentions

XOXOXOXOXO

Author's Note: It's Friday, so you guys get a chapter early!

This will be a big turning point in the story. We're nearly done, you guys!

Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and stuff. Also, if you're reviewing without an account, that's fine, but it's hard to answer questions and stuff personally. So... yeah!

Enjoy!

XOXOXOXOXO

Alvin pressed himself against the wall, listening intently. Dave and Claire were sitting in the living room, having a heated conversation. But it was hard for him to understand what the problem was. He only got bits and pieces of what was going on, but it must have been serious. Dave and Claire got along pretty well for the most part! What got them so riled up?

"Hi Alvin! Whatcha doing?"

Alvin jumped, spinning around. Theodore stood before him, looking as cheerful as always. Theodore looked at him questioningly.

"Are you eavesdropping?" Theodore asked, a bit too loud for Alvin's liking.

Alvin quickly put a hand over his brother's mouth, listening for the sound of Dave's footsteps. There were none. Only the sound of the two of them arguing. Alvin sighed in relief and released his baby brother.

"Keep it down, Theo!" Alvin hissed, returning to the edge of the door. "Dave and Claire are talking about something important."

Theodore nodded, hiding behind him. "But why are you listening in?"

"It sounds like they're arguing," Alvin whispered back. "I want to figure out why."

"W-What?" Theodore gasped, hands over his mouth. He really liked Claire! Claire had always been an important figure in their lives. Theodore even thought that, somewhere down the road, Dave would marry her and she'd be a mother to them. After all, Dave truly did deserve someone to share his life with. "This is terrible! What if they break up?"

"I know, Theo," Alvin sighed. "I know what you mean. They've been together for years! But it sounds pretty serious in there."

Alvin and Theodore leaned in as close as they could without being seen. Claire was now snapping at Dave to listen to her.

"Dave, just hear me out!" Claire said, clearly at her wit's end. "This is serious. You can't just ignore me like this."

Alvin and Theodore glanced at each other. What was going on?

"No, Claire. I don't want to do this," Dave said adamantly. He sounded extremely annoyed with the blonde woman sitting across from him. "Don't you know how attached I've become to the girls? How can you expect me to just give them up?"

Alvin and Theodore gasped, looking at each other with wide eyes. They were talking about the Chipettes!

"I understand that, Dave," Claire said with a tired sigh. "But I just think this would be a great opportunity for the Chipettes. They need a mother figure in their lives, Dave. You can't give that to them."

"I thought you were a good mother figure," Dave pointed out.

"Don't do that. Just don't. You know I love the girls as much as you do. But I'm not fit to take them in. Not with my career dragging me everywhere," Claire snapped. Dave grew quiet. She signed again, her voice softening. "I know a really nice, middle-aged woman who lives next door to me. She's always wanted daughters of her own. I'm sure the girls would love her if they gave her a chance."

Dave didn't respond. They heard Claire give him a kiss.

"Just think about it. Okay?" she said softly. "For me?"

"Alright," Dave gave in. "I'll give it some thought. I'll run it by them when I make up my mind."

"Thanks, Dave," Claire said, a smile in her voice. "I'll know you'll make the right choice."

Theodore tugged at Alvin's shirt. Alvin looked over and frowned. Theodore's eyes were wet and he looked like he didn't know what to do.

"Alvin, what are we going to do?" Theodore asked. "I don't want them to leave! I don't want Ellie to leave!"

Alvin swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn't want them to leave any more than he did. All of them had grown so close in the year and a half they had known each other.

They were family.

"I'll talk to you later, Claire. Thanks for running it by me," Dave said. They heard the front door open as Claire grabbed her purse and keys. She walked over to him, the sound of them giving a quick kiss to each other soon followed. "I'll definitely think about it."

"Take your time, Dave," Claire said sympathetically. "I'll call you tomorrow."

Dave closed the door soon after. They heard him sigh heavily before walking right towards them!

Alvin grabbed Theodore's hand and ran towards the nearby waste bin. The two of them hid behind it, not daring to make a sound. They watched Dave stop at the base of the stairs. His shoulders were slumped and his eyes looked so tired. He shook his head.

"I'll tell them after the concert," Dave said. He rubbed his black hair. "I have to do what's best for the girls. I just hope they understand."

He headed upstairs. As soon as he was out of earshot, Theodore hopped out into the open and turned back to Alvin.

"What do we do?" Theodore asked desperately. "The girls have a right to know. They'll be heartbroken."

"Theo, we can not tell the Chipettes," Alvin said quickly. He shook his head to let his brother know he was absolutely serious. "We just can't."

"What?" Theodore gasped. "But, Alvin –!"

"We should be happy for them. As their friends, we should want what's best for them," Alvin forced himself to say. He thought back the conversation he and Brittany had, shortly before they started dating. In a way, this was exactly what she wanted, right? This way, they wouldn't share the same last name, which would make them free to date without anyone getting any sick ideas. But where would Brittany and her sisters live? Who was this lady who wanted to take them in? Would she take care of them and show them all the love and attention they needed and deserved? Would they be far away when they moved out? Alvin didn't want to let them go. He didn't want to let Brittany go. He sighed and hugged Theodore. "I know it's tough, Theo. I don't want them to go either. But, this way, they'll finally have a mom. We have a dad in our lives. They need a mother in theirs. We have to do what's best for the girls."

"Y-You're right," Theodore sobbed, holding onto Alvin. "But I'm going to miss them."

"Hey, hey! Who says they'll be far away?" Alvin said, giving Theodore a weak smile. "We might be able to visit them. You want Eleanor to be happy, don't you?"

Theodore smiled at the sound of his girlfriend's name. He loved his little gumdrop, and would do anything to see her happy. Even if it broke his heart in the process.

"You're right, Alvin," Theodore said softly. Alvin rubbed the top of his head affectionately. "I just hope we're doing the right thing."

"Me too, Theo," Alvin sighed. "Me too."

XOXOXOXOXO

Author's Note: Oh no! The girls, leaving?

Next chapter will be up soon!