On a beautiful and warm fall afternoon, Chip is patrolling New York City with the Ranger Wing, making sure there is no crime.
"Hm... Everything seems to be quiet in the city. But I'll continue to be on alert, just in case." Chip says.
Meanwhile, at the Rescue Rangers' Treehouse from the Central Park, Dale, Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper are in the living room and they have just finished wrapping up some presents.
"Tomorrow is Chip's birthday. I can hardly wait." Gadget tells her friends.
"I know, Gadget, love. Our pally will have the time of his life." Monterey Jack replies.
"For sure." Zipper squeaks.
Dale sighs. "I remember that when Chipper and I were kids, our parents, God rest their souls, told me that I was a belated birthday present for my brother. On the day I was born, Chip got to hold me in his arms. He was on cloud nine. As we smiled into each other's eyes, he told me how much he loved me and he also made a promise that he would look after me, teach me and never leave my side." he explains.
"Very thoughtful of the lad." Monterey Jack replies.
"Dale, you and Chip sure are lucky to have each other." Gadget says.
"That we are, Gadget! As our motto goes: Brothers For Life, Friends Forever!" Dale exclaims.
The other Rangers cannot help, but giggle.
"Anyway, let's go and hide these presents in our bedrooms. We don't want Chip to see them until tomorrow." Gadget tells Monterey Jack and Zipper, who agree by nodding their heads 'yes'.
As Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper leave with their presents, Dale stays behind, watching them leave. However, the minute he is all alone, Dale's happy expression is replaced with a sad expression. He walks over to the couch, before sitting on it and staring into space.
"Everybody has bought wonderful gifts for Chip, except me. If only I still had some money, but I spent it all on candy yesterday. Now what will I do?" Dale says, pondering.
As Dale continues to ponder, ten minutes later, Chip enters the treehouse, having returned from his patrol. Noticing Dale, he approaches him from behind. However, Dale is so lost in his thoughts that he does not notice Chip standing behind him.
"Is there anything wrong, Dale?" Chip asks.
Dale, being caught off guard, flinches and jumps from the couch with a scream. He turns around and finally notices Chip.
He sighs. "Oh. Hey, Chip. I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in. I was just thinking." Dale tells him.
Chip then walks up to him and they are face to face with each other.
"I'm sorry I scared you. But what were you thinking about?" Chip says, questioning his little brother and best friend.
"Well... You see..." Dale says, stammering his words.
Chip smiles. "I think I know. It is about tomorrow." he replies.
Dale is slightly surprised. "How'd you know that?" he asks.
"Because we all know what tomorrow is."
"Are you excited about tomorrow, Chip?"
"Of course I am, Dale. I know that tomorrow is going to be a very special day, since I'll be spending it with my friends. Especially with you."
Chip gives Dale a brief hug.
"Anyway, I'm going to go in our bedroom to take a nap. Talk with you later." Chip says.
With that said, Chip walks out of the living room, with Dale watching him leave.
"I fear that tomorrow's day won't be that special, since I'm the only one you won't receive a gift from." Dale says in a sombre tone.
Thirty minutes later, Dale is outside on the patio, leaning over the railing and looking up at the sky with a sad expression. Just then, Gadget, who is holding a glass of orange juice that has a straw, walks up behind him.
"Mind if I join you?" she asks him.
Dale looks behind himself and notices her.
"No, I don't mind." Dale answers, before looking back up at the sky.
Gadget joins him, while taking a few sips of the orange juice. However, noticing his sad expression, she cannot help, but worry.
"Why so glum, Dale?"
"Oh, Gadget, tomorrow is Chip's birthday and, unlike you, Monty and Zipper, I couldn't buy him a present."
"You couldn't? Why not?"
"Because I had used the last of my money to buy candy for myself. Chip will be mad at me. I just know it."
Dale then buries his face in his paws, being ashamed of himself. A few seconds later, he feels Gadget's hand on his shoulder. At first, he believes she is cross with him, but when he unburies his face and looks at her, he sees her giving him a sympathetic smile.
"Thank you for telling me what's on your mind. I can help you." Gadget says.
Dale is slightly surprised. "Really? How?" he questions her.
"Well, Dale, you do not always need money to give a gift to someone."
"I don't?"
"That's right. You should give Chip a gift from the heart. Something that will mean something to him."
"Something from my heart... But... what can I give him?"
"That is all up to you. There's still plenty of time until tomorrow. I am certain you will think of something."
"Thanks, Gadget. I shall consider your advice."
Gadget nods. She then turns around and goes back inside the treehouse, leaving Dale to take care of his problem.
That evening, after the Rescue Rangers have dinner, they decide to watch a movie. However, while Chip, Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper are in the living room, eating popcorn and watching a random movie, Dale is alone in his and Chip's bedroom, lying on his back in the top bunk and thinking very hard.
"You do not always need money to give a gift to someone. You should give Chip a gift from the heart. Something that will mean something to him." Gadget's voice echoes in his mind.
"A gift from the heart… Something that will truly mean a lot… But what exactly?" Dale wonders.
He keeps thinking and, after a few more minutes, a smile grows on Dale's face and he snaps his fingers.
"I think I've got it!" Dale exclaims.
He climbs down the top bunk. He then walks up to the desk and sits at it. Opening the drawer and pulling out a piece of paper, Dale sets it on the desk and grabs the pen, ready to write on it. Pondering for a few minutes, he starts to write on the piece of paper whatever comes to his mind.
By the time Dale finishes writing on the piece of paper, it is almost bedtime. Feeling very tired, he gets out of the chair and changes into his red and yellow nightgown. He then grabs the piece of paper that he has written on, folds it four times and puts it in one of his nightgown's pockets. As if on cue, Chip arrives in their bedroom.
"Hi, Dale. Getting ready for bed I see." Chip says.
Dale nods. "How was the movie, Chip?" he asks in a tired voice.
"It was great. Too bad you didn't watch it with us. Comedy is one of your favorite genres."
"I am certain they will show it again sometime. I could watch it then."
Chip nods. "Yeah. Well, it's getting late, so we'd better turn in." he says in a tired voice.
"My thought exactly." Dale replies, agreeing with him.
After Chip changes into his white nightgown, he turns off the light and the chipmunk brothers climb in their respective bunks, tuck themselves in and lie down.
"Goodnight, Chip."
"Goodnight, Dale."
As Chip closes his eyes, ready to fall asleep, Dale stares at the ceiling with a worried expression, thinking about tomorrow.
"Well, tomorrow's the big day. It wasn't easy, but I've done it. I hope my gift from the heart will be special enough for Chip. I want to show him how much he really means to me." Dale thinks.
Yawning, Dale finally closes his eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Before long, the next day, which is Chip's birthday, finally arrives. That morning, the Rescue Rangers are in the living room, dressed neatly, wearing party hats and celebrating Chip's birthday. The living room is decorated with balloons and there is a banner hanging above the living room's doorway which says in multicolored bold letters "Happy Birthday, Chip!" The Rescue Rangers are sitting at the table, which is full of goodies. On the table, and in front of Chip, there is also a cake shaped like a cupcake that has five burning candles.
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Chip Oakley! Happy Birthday to you!" Dale, Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper sing happily.
Chip blows out the five candles to which his friends cheer and clap their hands.
"Time for the gifts!" Gadget announces.
Standing up, the Rescue Rangers walk over, or fly over in Zipper's case, to the couch, where Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper's gifts are standing. Zipper is the first one to give Chip a gift.
"Happy Birthday, Chip." Zipper squeaks, while holding out his present to Chip.
Chip takes Zipper's present and opens it, revealing a new fedora.
"It's beautiful. Thanks, Zipper." Chip says, hugging the little housefly to his chest.
Then, it is Monterey Jack's turn.
"Happy Birthday, Chipperoo." Monterey Jack says, while holding out his gift to Chip.
Chip takes Monterey Jack's gift and opens it, revealing a little figurine toy of Chip made out of cheese.
"I love it. Thanks, Monty." Chip says, hugging Monterey Jack.
Then, it is Gadget's turn.
"Happy Birthday, Chip." Gadget replies, while holding out her present to Chip.
Chip takes Gadget's present and opens it, revealing a photo camera.
"Awesome. Thank you, Gadget." Chip replies, hugging Gadget and giving her a kiss on the cheek. As a result, Gadget blushes and giggles.
Then, everybody turns to Dale.
"It's your turn, Dale." Zipper squeaks.
Hearing this, Dale becomes nervous and gulps. Chip walks up to Dale and they are face to face with each other.
"This is it. I hope I won't mess up." Dale thinks, while looking at the smiling Chip.
"Whenever you're ready, Dale." Gadget says, while giving Dale a wink.
Seeing the wink Gadget has given him, Dale closes his eyes and takes a breath.
"Here goes." Dale thinks.
Opening his eyes, Dale looks back at the smiling Chip.
"Chip, there is something you should know." Dale nervously tells his big brother and best friend.
"What is it, Dale?" Chip questions him.
"I didn't have any money to buy you a present."
Hearing this, Chip puts on a sad expression. "You didn't?"
Dale nods. "Sadly, yeah. However, yesterday afternoon, I had a talk with Gadget and she taught me a valuable lesson."
"What's that?"
"That a present doesn't always have to be bought. It can be a gift that comes from the heart. And that type of gift can be special to someone who gets it. So, yesterday evening, while you and the others were watching TV, I was in our bedroom, thinking what my gift from the heart to you should be. And, eventually, I realized."
All eyes are on Dale now, as the red-nosed chipmunk pulls out of one of his red and yellow Hawaiian shirt's pockets the piece of paper that is folded. Dale unfolds the piece of paper, its written side facing him.
"My gift from the heart to you is a poem called A Brother Like You." Dale explains.
Looking at the piece of paper, Dale clears his throat and begins reading...
"I'm so thankful to have a brother like you to count on,
I know you'll always be there with open arms if I need a hug
and an open mind if I need someone to understand.
I'm so glad that I can be myself around you.
You know my qualities and my faults
and you love me just the same.
I'm so proud to have a brother like you ...
not just for what you have accomplished, but for who you are.
I'm so lucky to have you to talk and laugh with ...
to reminisce and make new memories with.
I can't tell you how much it means
to have a brother like you.
You're one of the most important animals in my life.
I love you.
Thanks for being ...
... a brother like you."
When he finishes reading the poem, Dale looks up to see the other Rescue Rangers smiling profusely at him. However, out of all four, Chip is the happiest, because his eyes are full of tears.
"Oh, Dale... Thank you! That was the best birthday present ever!" Chip exclaims, sniffling.
Hearing this, Dale is no longer nervous and smiles.
"Better than any gift I could have bought, if I still had any money?" Dale asks.
"Better than anything. That poem will stay in my heart forever." Chip explains. Then, hugging Dale tightly, he continues "Just like you."
Blushing and shedding tears of joy, Dale drops the piece of paper with the poem and hugs Chip back.
"Happy Birthday, Chip." Dale says.
The two chipmunk brothers continue hugging each other, with Gadget, Monterey Jack and Zipper smiling at them. Chip will remember this year's birthday for as long as he lives.
The End!
Author's Note: I hope you all enjoy my new oneshot. I have had fun writing it. Also, I want to thank ReadingsWorthSharing for helping me to come up with birthday present ideas for Chip. Furthermore, this oneshot takes place during ReadingsWorthSharing's stories where Chip and Dale are biological brothers.