NOTE: I told you I would get the next chapter out faster.
Hope you like it.
Chapter ten: Watching and Waiting
"I knew this would happen."
"How Alvin? How on earth could you have perceived this of occurring?"
"Because it's so blatantly obvious Simon! As soon as Dave Tweets us to say he and Claire are up in the air, on the plane to China to talk to our sponsors, all three girls go into labor! I feel like I'm in a bad movie!"
"I'll admit it's a bit cliché. But you need to try and relax Alvin. All your pacing is getting me anxious."
"You're anxious? You're anxious! I'm about ready to go out of my mind with worry! Aunt Jackie is in Idaho, Toby and Julie are on their Honeymoon; Simon, we're completely alone and, thanks to your girlfriend, we can't even help them!"
"Thanks to my girlfriend? Alvin, they all agreed they wanted to do birth naturally and for chipmunks, that means no help from the fathers."
"Jeanette was the one with the nature book. If she hadn't have read it, we could actually help them out."
"It's basic instinct Alvin, they would have kicked us out anyway! And I somehow don't see you being able to stomach helping Brittany deliver!"
"You're one to talk! Remember last summer in Disney land–"
Theodore would have covered his ears to drown out his bickering brothers, but he wanted to keep listening for Eleanor. He tried to tune everything else out and stared intently at the cupboard, willing it to give his a sign. Anything to show she was okay.
Then he heard her. A high shrill scream came from deep within the cupboard. Theodore whimpered a little and had to force himself not to leap off the dining room table were he sat and dash to her side.
Alvin and Simon had stopped yelling at Eleanor's scream. Both had tensed, then walked over to comfort their smaller brother.
"Cheer up Theodore," Simon smiled half-heartedly, "She'll be fine. The chipettes are the toughest girls we've ever met. They'll get through this."
Theodore wiped his eyes. "Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Of course!" Alvin clapped him lightly on the back. "All three of them are as tough as nails. They can handle a bit of pain."
"ALVIN SEVILE!"
This shout drifted down the stairs from the bedroom.
"WHEN I GET MY PAWS ON YOU, I'M CHOPPING OFF YOUR DICK AND MOUNTING IT ON THE WALL! YOU ARE NEVER TOUCHING ME AGAIN!"
Alvin gulped and tugged on the neck of his hoodie.
"Well . . . heh heh," he stammered, "You can't expect them to be Wonder Woman or anything crazy like that."
"Right," Theodore said, sounding a lot braver than he felt. His brother seemed to be satisfied and returned to their posts on opposite ends of the table. From their positions, they could peek up the stairs and out the window respectively.
Theodore bit his lower lip as he stared at the cupboard. He wished he could do something, anything to help Eleanor, to sooth her. Then his mouth broke into a quivering smile. Softly, he began singing his and Eleanor's song. As he sang, he realized now the song had two meanings. It worked for a romantic song for his beautiful green gumdrop and lullaby for his soon to be arriving children.
Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, Dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine
At the first note, Alvin and Simon looked at their smaller brother. Gazing at each other, they immediately forgot their petty argument. On the second verse, they both joined in, harmonizing easily, as if on stage.
Little one, when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine
Theodore sniffled a little, ears twitching as he dimly heard Eleanor give another grunt of pain. He fought to project his voice and, without realizing it, began shuffling backwards.
If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
Upstairs in the bedroom, upon a pink dollhouse bed, Brittany finished a particularly hard contraction and panted weakly. But her ears soon pricked as she heard Alvin's sweet voice and a tired smile broke on her face.
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for the
right to hold you
On the Barbie bed in the birdhouse, Jeanette was massaging her swollen stomach, fighting to control her breathing. When Simon's soothing serenade reached her, she could almost feel his paws on her shoulders and felt a little bit calmer. The song was giving her a boost of self-confidence.
From your head down to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine
Eleanor lifted her head, eyes sparkling with happy tears. She hummed gently along from her cupboard as she scooped up the first squirming bundle from between her legs. She kept humming as she licked the baby clean.
All of those people who scold you
What they'd give just for the
right to hold you
Theodore suddenly bumped into something. He turned around and saw both his brothers. They all had been moving backwards without noticing and were now all back-to-back in the center of the table. Theodore couldn't help beaming through his tears. Alvin and Simon smiled back and each took hold of one of Theodore's paws. Then they grabbed each other's free hand and stood in a circle together. They leaned on each other for support as they sang the last verse.
From your head down to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine
Baby of mine.
Baby of mine . . .
A few minutes later, all three chipmunks had slumped down onto the table. Overwhelmed by the stress of impending fatherhood, sleep had easily taken hold. Alvin, Simon and Theodore snored lightly, still gripping paws, each minute bringing them closer to fatherhood.
NOTE: I do not own the song
Disney's Baby Mine, sung by Alison Krauss, belongs to their respective copyrights.