Chapter 16: Brotherly Bond!
THREE WEEKS LATER!
Finally, Simon finished his book and is now getting his story published. As the story is being copied it has given the family time to prepare for another big event.
-------------
Alvin, Simon and Theodore are raking up the leaves in the back yard preparing it for the wedding tomorrow. This day had been planned for months, ever since the pregnancy had been announced. Only a few relatives were able to make it though. In fact, that suited Simon just fine. He had not been interested in a 'big deal' wedding. Everyone agreed to a simple ceremony in the backyard of the Seville's home. Much similar to the 'almost' wedding Dave had with a woman he fell in love with when the boys' were younger.
Regardless of all the pressure that the family is going through, they all maintain a calm appearance. The three brothers had seemed unusually quiet for about fifteen minutes as they raked the yard. Alvin had suddenly realized this, and being 'Mr. Action', he started to feel that he was about to go out of his mind with all the silence. He looked up at his two brothers as they worked hard to clean up the leaves. The scene reminded him of when they were 8-years-old. Both Simon and Theodore always seemed to be more in doing as they were told and finishing a job that was instructed for them.
What ever happened to those days? It all seemed so far away now. Not to mention the five-year chunk that seemed to have gone missing when Simon had been kidnapped. Now they are grown up, gaining more responsibilities, and one of them is even going to experience parenthood soon. Alvin smirked at that. He thought it was funny that his smart, logic-minded brother had suddenly 'slipped up'. As children, Simon would be the one that would do everything perfect. Everything he did had a plan. Now, this would be a new challenge for him. Alvin could tell he is scared, but is showing no sign of it. It has always been a rare sight to see Simon panic over anything.
Slowly Simon looked up and saw Alvin. As usual, he is standing around and doing nothing. Simon then gave him an annoyed look. "Alvin, are you going to help, or stand around like some kind of lawn ordainment?"
"I'm just thinking, Simon." Alvin sighed.
"For you, that's dangerous." Simon snapped back. Theodore started giggling at that remark to Alvin.
Alvin raised an eyebrow. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"It just means that anytime you think, it would eventually lead you into trouble." Simon said as he finished putting a few more leaves into a pile.
"Hmm, you mean like how you 'thought' you took precautions and yet, you still manage to get Jeanette pregnant?" Alvin couldn't help himself he had to say it.
"Oh, here we go." Simon, for some reason, knew that his brother would say something like this eventually. He stabbed his rake in the pile of leaves in front of him and began to face Alvin.
"Guys! Let's not fight, ok?" Theodore pleaded.
"I want to know where Alvin is trying to go with this." Simon said.
"Well, I was just thinking about our childhood and how much we have changed from those days." Alvin shrugged.
"Yea, so.?" Snapped Simon.
"Well, neither of us are actually 'boys' anymore, if you know what I mean?" Alvin smirked.
"Huh?" Theodore gave a puzzled look.
"You know.Getting in a little 'snuggle-time' with your girlfriend." Alvin winked. Theodore just looked even more confused on what exactly his brother was meaning.
"*Sigh*. He's talking about sex Theodore." Simon said, rolling his eyes skyward.
"Oh." Theodore blushes, "A-a-a-actually, Eleanor and I.haven't done 'it' yet." He said in an almost whispered tone.
"What? Never? .Not even that one time when you two snuck away after the 4th of July party last year? I mean you *were* giving her the 'look' all night." Alvin was sure that his younger brother snuck away to have an intimate moment with Eleanor. Now he is curious as to where Theodore went with her.
"Nope." Theodore simply said.
"So where did you two go that night?" Simon asked.
"We both got very hungry and went for pizza." Theodore blushes more.
"Wow." Alvin, for some reason, is shocked and yet, not surprised either.
Simon smiles at his, still so innocent, brother. "You don't need feel embarrassed, Theodore!" His smile faded as he thought for a moment. "If I was able to turn back the clock I would have indeed waited, at least, a few more years myself."
"But, you thought you were going to die back then? Didn't you?" Alvin asked as leaned against his rake.
Simon shook his head. "I was also drunk and really not myself back then either, Alvin. Like I've written in the book, the Founders brainwashed us into believing if we'd managed to escape and live in the real world, that we would suffer and die. In fact, all that was wrong with the others and myself was the lack of nutrition. Well, that and the fact that there were some of the Founders' assailants sending sublimable messages to our minds. That was what caused all of our headaches.
"If we knew that was all that was wrong with us, Tom and the others might still be alive today. On the Island the nutrition that we could ever need was in that green slop that they grew there. It helped to control the chemicals so that it would not poison our systems. The cure that I received enabled the reduction of the chemical enhanced portion of my brain. Afterwards the constant mind chatter had finally decreased and I was able to think normally for a change.u.until the nightmares started attacking me in my sleep."
The Chipmunks then remembered those horrible nights of Simon screaming in his sleep. Their mother, Vinny, had been staying with them to help. Her soft voice that would sing to Simon when he screamed helped calm him and come out of those dream tares. It took months for Simon to recover from that.
"As for that night with Jeanette," Simon continued. "I was also undergoing a tremendous change, physically. I had no idea what was happening to me.it didn't hit me until I thought about it recently." He looked up at his brothers with an embarrassed _expression. "Why *do* you think they had us take cold showers on the Island?"
Both boys then understood. Their jaws open slightly, "Aahhh!" they replied and nodded knowingly.
Simon sighed before continuing. "Do you guys remember when I tried to commit suicide a couple of years ago?"
Alvin and Theodore could feel their hearts sink as he reminded them of that horrible week. Slowly they nodded.
"Well, that too was the Illuminati sending messages to my brain. Somehow, the cure didn't fully work. Originally, it is suppose to block the Illuminati out of my mind and no longer could they 'control' me." Simon could feel his hands shake, but still continued to explain. "That also probably explains the memory laps during that period of my life. I still have trouble in remembering what I did back then. Mind you, it's more under control now since I had seen that councillor. No longer can they send any subliminal messages into my brain." Simon, though, had not mentioned that the Illuminati still could go into his dreams. But because of how the councillor helped Simon, they are unable to 'control' him.only scare him.
A dark look clouded over Simon's as he thought for a moment, he then continued. "But, sometimes I could swear that someone or something is still following me, and watching my every move. I feel it in my dreams, when I'm awake, walking down the street, or when I'm at work, or even.when I'm alone in my room. It's like being back on the Island w-w-when the Founders would follow you and make sure you are doing what you are suppose to do."
"But you are no longer on the Island! You are home now, and everything is pretty much back to normal.well, with a few minor changes!" Theodore said as he was trying to cheer up his brother.
Simon again, shook his head. "It's still very difficult for me to cope with everything. I may look like I'm in control, but I still keep feeling like such a failure in life. No matter how much I try getting my old life back something seems to come up and I'm back to where I started from." Simon scoffs at himself. "Take this for an example, I had a schedule all planed out, everything was going to be perfect. Just take the time I need off from school to finish writing this book and translate the notes that my friends wrote, then send them to their families.And what do I do? I get Jeanette pregnant! How ironically stupid is that?" After Simon smacks his hand over his forehead and lets out another deep sigh before continuing. "I mean you guys haven't changed much since the day I was taken away, but me."
Slowly Simon leaned against the tree that held their tree house and crouches to a sitting position on the grass. He then continued. "Now look at me.I'm a freak! Sure I was able to quit smoking and drinking, so part of my life is back, but I'm never going to be the same ever again. Like I said, I was hoping to just take a year or two off school, work only part time, maybe do some studying before going to Collage to receive more credits. Then go to University and becoming a scientist. But that's not going to happen now. Well, at least not for a long while yet. I have to work full time now, and be a responsible adult, especially if I'm going to be a d-d.dad soon!" He stopped and thought about the last few words he spoke. "I can't believe I just said that." He finishes as he covers his face with his hands.
Alvin and Theodore looked at each other and felt sympathy for their brother.
"Don't worry Simon, we're here to help!" Theodore said in a sweet voice. Simon managed to look up at him and smiled. With his hands firmly placed on his hips, Theodore looked at Alvin and glares at him. "Right, Alvin?"
"Of course we will!" Alvin chirped. Then with a mischievous look, he started to pick up a hand full of leaves from the pile that Simon just raked up and sprinkled them over his stressed brother.
Simon frowned as the leaves floated downward on his head. Slowly Simon looks up at Alvin and raised an eyebrow. "Alvin, quit it!" He said as his, still very childish, brother kept sprinkling more leafs on his head. Theodore started to giggle at the silliness.
"Why? Are you going to make me.daaaad?" Alvin said with a smirk.
"That's it.!" Simon screamed as he jumps up and tackled Alvin. They both tumbled through the pile of leaves.
It didn't take long before Theodore found himself in the middle of this leaf war and joined in. The three brothers are having so much fun wrestling each other through the leaves that it made them feel like they were eight again.
Dave comes out with a disappointed look. "BOYS!! I thought I told you to clean up this yard?" He yells angrily.
With a stunned _expression, the boys look up at their dad. Both Alvin and Theodore had Simon pinned and piling the leaves on him. "We did!" Alvin protested, before actually looking around the yard and seeing the disaster he and his siblings created. "Oh.Oops, sorry!"
Dave let out a deep sigh, "Just have this place cleaned up by the time I get back from the airport!"
"Yes Dave!" The three boys chimed at the same time.
THREE WEEKS LATER!
Finally, Simon finished his book and is now getting his story published. As the story is being copied it has given the family time to prepare for another big event.
-------------
Alvin, Simon and Theodore are raking up the leaves in the back yard preparing it for the wedding tomorrow. This day had been planned for months, ever since the pregnancy had been announced. Only a few relatives were able to make it though. In fact, that suited Simon just fine. He had not been interested in a 'big deal' wedding. Everyone agreed to a simple ceremony in the backyard of the Seville's home. Much similar to the 'almost' wedding Dave had with a woman he fell in love with when the boys' were younger.
Regardless of all the pressure that the family is going through, they all maintain a calm appearance. The three brothers had seemed unusually quiet for about fifteen minutes as they raked the yard. Alvin had suddenly realized this, and being 'Mr. Action', he started to feel that he was about to go out of his mind with all the silence. He looked up at his two brothers as they worked hard to clean up the leaves. The scene reminded him of when they were 8-years-old. Both Simon and Theodore always seemed to be more in doing as they were told and finishing a job that was instructed for them.
What ever happened to those days? It all seemed so far away now. Not to mention the five-year chunk that seemed to have gone missing when Simon had been kidnapped. Now they are grown up, gaining more responsibilities, and one of them is even going to experience parenthood soon. Alvin smirked at that. He thought it was funny that his smart, logic-minded brother had suddenly 'slipped up'. As children, Simon would be the one that would do everything perfect. Everything he did had a plan. Now, this would be a new challenge for him. Alvin could tell he is scared, but is showing no sign of it. It has always been a rare sight to see Simon panic over anything.
Slowly Simon looked up and saw Alvin. As usual, he is standing around and doing nothing. Simon then gave him an annoyed look. "Alvin, are you going to help, or stand around like some kind of lawn ordainment?"
"I'm just thinking, Simon." Alvin sighed.
"For you, that's dangerous." Simon snapped back. Theodore started giggling at that remark to Alvin.
Alvin raised an eyebrow. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"It just means that anytime you think, it would eventually lead you into trouble." Simon said as he finished putting a few more leaves into a pile.
"Hmm, you mean like how you 'thought' you took precautions and yet, you still manage to get Jeanette pregnant?" Alvin couldn't help himself he had to say it.
"Oh, here we go." Simon, for some reason, knew that his brother would say something like this eventually. He stabbed his rake in the pile of leaves in front of him and began to face Alvin.
"Guys! Let's not fight, ok?" Theodore pleaded.
"I want to know where Alvin is trying to go with this." Simon said.
"Well, I was just thinking about our childhood and how much we have changed from those days." Alvin shrugged.
"Yea, so.?" Snapped Simon.
"Well, neither of us are actually 'boys' anymore, if you know what I mean?" Alvin smirked.
"Huh?" Theodore gave a puzzled look.
"You know.Getting in a little 'snuggle-time' with your girlfriend." Alvin winked. Theodore just looked even more confused on what exactly his brother was meaning.
"*Sigh*. He's talking about sex Theodore." Simon said, rolling his eyes skyward.
"Oh." Theodore blushes, "A-a-a-actually, Eleanor and I.haven't done 'it' yet." He said in an almost whispered tone.
"What? Never? .Not even that one time when you two snuck away after the 4th of July party last year? I mean you *were* giving her the 'look' all night." Alvin was sure that his younger brother snuck away to have an intimate moment with Eleanor. Now he is curious as to where Theodore went with her.
"Nope." Theodore simply said.
"So where did you two go that night?" Simon asked.
"We both got very hungry and went for pizza." Theodore blushes more.
"Wow." Alvin, for some reason, is shocked and yet, not surprised either.
Simon smiles at his, still so innocent, brother. "You don't need feel embarrassed, Theodore!" His smile faded as he thought for a moment. "If I was able to turn back the clock I would have indeed waited, at least, a few more years myself."
"But, you thought you were going to die back then? Didn't you?" Alvin asked as leaned against his rake.
Simon shook his head. "I was also drunk and really not myself back then either, Alvin. Like I've written in the book, the Founders brainwashed us into believing if we'd managed to escape and live in the real world, that we would suffer and die. In fact, all that was wrong with the others and myself was the lack of nutrition. Well, that and the fact that there were some of the Founders' assailants sending sublimable messages to our minds. That was what caused all of our headaches.
"If we knew that was all that was wrong with us, Tom and the others might still be alive today. On the Island the nutrition that we could ever need was in that green slop that they grew there. It helped to control the chemicals so that it would not poison our systems. The cure that I received enabled the reduction of the chemical enhanced portion of my brain. Afterwards the constant mind chatter had finally decreased and I was able to think normally for a change.u.until the nightmares started attacking me in my sleep."
The Chipmunks then remembered those horrible nights of Simon screaming in his sleep. Their mother, Vinny, had been staying with them to help. Her soft voice that would sing to Simon when he screamed helped calm him and come out of those dream tares. It took months for Simon to recover from that.
"As for that night with Jeanette," Simon continued. "I was also undergoing a tremendous change, physically. I had no idea what was happening to me.it didn't hit me until I thought about it recently." He looked up at his brothers with an embarrassed _expression. "Why *do* you think they had us take cold showers on the Island?"
Both boys then understood. Their jaws open slightly, "Aahhh!" they replied and nodded knowingly.
Simon sighed before continuing. "Do you guys remember when I tried to commit suicide a couple of years ago?"
Alvin and Theodore could feel their hearts sink as he reminded them of that horrible week. Slowly they nodded.
"Well, that too was the Illuminati sending messages to my brain. Somehow, the cure didn't fully work. Originally, it is suppose to block the Illuminati out of my mind and no longer could they 'control' me." Simon could feel his hands shake, but still continued to explain. "That also probably explains the memory laps during that period of my life. I still have trouble in remembering what I did back then. Mind you, it's more under control now since I had seen that councillor. No longer can they send any subliminal messages into my brain." Simon, though, had not mentioned that the Illuminati still could go into his dreams. But because of how the councillor helped Simon, they are unable to 'control' him.only scare him.
A dark look clouded over Simon's as he thought for a moment, he then continued. "But, sometimes I could swear that someone or something is still following me, and watching my every move. I feel it in my dreams, when I'm awake, walking down the street, or when I'm at work, or even.when I'm alone in my room. It's like being back on the Island w-w-when the Founders would follow you and make sure you are doing what you are suppose to do."
"But you are no longer on the Island! You are home now, and everything is pretty much back to normal.well, with a few minor changes!" Theodore said as he was trying to cheer up his brother.
Simon again, shook his head. "It's still very difficult for me to cope with everything. I may look like I'm in control, but I still keep feeling like such a failure in life. No matter how much I try getting my old life back something seems to come up and I'm back to where I started from." Simon scoffs at himself. "Take this for an example, I had a schedule all planed out, everything was going to be perfect. Just take the time I need off from school to finish writing this book and translate the notes that my friends wrote, then send them to their families.And what do I do? I get Jeanette pregnant! How ironically stupid is that?" After Simon smacks his hand over his forehead and lets out another deep sigh before continuing. "I mean you guys haven't changed much since the day I was taken away, but me."
Slowly Simon leaned against the tree that held their tree house and crouches to a sitting position on the grass. He then continued. "Now look at me.I'm a freak! Sure I was able to quit smoking and drinking, so part of my life is back, but I'm never going to be the same ever again. Like I said, I was hoping to just take a year or two off school, work only part time, maybe do some studying before going to Collage to receive more credits. Then go to University and becoming a scientist. But that's not going to happen now. Well, at least not for a long while yet. I have to work full time now, and be a responsible adult, especially if I'm going to be a d-d.dad soon!" He stopped and thought about the last few words he spoke. "I can't believe I just said that." He finishes as he covers his face with his hands.
Alvin and Theodore looked at each other and felt sympathy for their brother.
"Don't worry Simon, we're here to help!" Theodore said in a sweet voice. Simon managed to look up at him and smiled. With his hands firmly placed on his hips, Theodore looked at Alvin and glares at him. "Right, Alvin?"
"Of course we will!" Alvin chirped. Then with a mischievous look, he started to pick up a hand full of leaves from the pile that Simon just raked up and sprinkled them over his stressed brother.
Simon frowned as the leaves floated downward on his head. Slowly Simon looks up at Alvin and raised an eyebrow. "Alvin, quit it!" He said as his, still very childish, brother kept sprinkling more leafs on his head. Theodore started to giggle at the silliness.
"Why? Are you going to make me.daaaad?" Alvin said with a smirk.
"That's it.!" Simon screamed as he jumps up and tackled Alvin. They both tumbled through the pile of leaves.
It didn't take long before Theodore found himself in the middle of this leaf war and joined in. The three brothers are having so much fun wrestling each other through the leaves that it made them feel like they were eight again.
Dave comes out with a disappointed look. "BOYS!! I thought I told you to clean up this yard?" He yells angrily.
With a stunned _expression, the boys look up at their dad. Both Alvin and Theodore had Simon pinned and piling the leaves on him. "We did!" Alvin protested, before actually looking around the yard and seeing the disaster he and his siblings created. "Oh.Oops, sorry!"
Dave let out a deep sigh, "Just have this place cleaned up by the time I get back from the airport!"
"Yes Dave!" The three boys chimed at the same time.