Chapter 20: Ashley Malton!
THREE WEEKS LATER!
The publishers had a few minor delays in getting the book all printed up, but it is now complete. Simon has even been invited to have his first book signing at a bookstore in one of the main malls of L.A. Simon is actually now enjoying himself. The turnout for this signing is better then anyone had hoped. He is also excited to know that his children will be born within a month and a half. Two weeks ago he and Jeanette went to get ultra sound test done. It came as a surprise for everyone to know that Jeanette is actually carrying three infants, two boys and one girl.
Jeanette and Simon almost had a war on what they would name the babies. Simon wanted to name them after three of his friends from the Island, to have their memory live on. Jeanette understood that, but she wanted to name at least one of them, so they tossed a coin and she would name the first boy born. Simon reluctantly agreed to that and knew the exact names he would choose for the other two.
He absently smiled to himself as he continued to sign a book for each buyer. "Here you go, ma'am. Enjoy your day!" Simon said to the woman. She took her book and left the line for the next person to step forward. Without looking up at the next person, Simon accepted the book to sign. "And whom do I make this out too?" He asked with his eyes focusing on the book only.
"Ah, Ashley Malton!" Came a shy female voice.
Simon chuckled to himself as her last name reminded him of one of his friends. "You wouldn't have any relation to a Brian Malton, would you?"
"Actually, h-he was my twin brother!"
With a look of shock, Simon looked up a young female chipmunk. Her hair is light brown and her eyes are hazel. Her facial features kind of resembled Brian's, but with more femininity. She smiled slightly, but Simon could tell she is still hurting from her brother's death just by the look in her eyes.
It wasn't until then when Simon remembered her name and face. Brian often spoke of her back on the Island. Plus he had been able to see her briefly at the Canadian airport in Ontario. That was when Brian was finally reunited with his family after been taken from them for just over five years prior to that day. Simon and Ashley stayed speechless for a few moments, as they didn't know exactly what to say.
------------
TWENTY MINUTES LATER!
As soon as he had finished the book signing Simon decided to take Ashley for a walk to a nearby park. Not only did Simon need some fresh air, but also this would give him an opportunity to talk to one of his best friends' sister. They walked up to a pond and watched some kids feeding breadcrumbs to the ducks.
"I again want to thank you for sending us the video of you guys in that field. Also, thank you for sending us the notes and stories that my brother wrote. A-a-and for translating some of them for us.you didn't really have to do all of that!" Ashley said bashfully.
"Oh, but I felt I had too! Brian was my friend, they all were! I felt it was my duty to make sure my friends' families get back everything that belongs to them." Simon said.
"I still can't believe that was the same Brian in the video. He looked so happy in that field! When we were kids, I was the only person he would really talk too. Never have I seen him having so much fun!" Ashley said with a big smile as she remembered watching the video for the first time.
Simon smiled and nodded. "There hadn't been a day that Brian wouldn't speak of you, Ashley." Ashley blushed and watched the ducks in the pond.
Both were silent for a moment, until Ashley started crying. Simon pulled her in for a hug. He knew exactly how she feels, he spent a good year and a half trying to let go and cope with the death of his friends. He still is even now.
"I.I'm sorry!" She finally managed to say after a while.
"Don't be! I understand what you are going through."
She then smiled at his kind words. Simon looked at Ashley and he remembered the same look of gratitude that Brian made once or twice before. It then had him thinking of one the adventures he and the others had on the Island. Simon smiled at Ashley and said. "Heh heh, I remember a time on the Island when Tom and I had to retrieve one of those books that I sent to you."
********
A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS
AFTER BEING ON THE ISLAND!
The boys were in their room getting ready for their next class. The more they thought about this Island the more they wanted off it. And they were determined on succeeding, too.
A week ago, during one of their adventures exploring the different secret rooms on campus, they found a pile of notebooks. They thought they would use these books for notes for plans to get off the Island. Also they would use them for creative writing. Something for them to do so they could keep their mind sane from all the chaos that was happening around them.
One morning, as the chipmunk boys were getting ready, Brian is still writing in one of the notebooks. He always loved to write; this is his way to express himself. Tom kept reminding him to hide it before one of the Founders caught him. Without both Simon and Tom realizing it, Brian hid the notebook in one of his study books (considering the risk, that was not a smart move).
Most of the day everything seemed fine until four of the Founders stopped the five Chipmunks in one of the hallways. One of them walked up to Brian. The Founder snatched the study book from Brian's hand and his notebook fell out. Almost immediately Tom, Simon, Renee and Brenda had been dragged to their quarters and Brian was dragged to the Whipping Room. One of the other Founders took Brian's notebook so it could be destroyed in basement burner. Simon saw the Founder that took the book before he was dragged around the corner.
Once Tom and Simon were left alone in their quarters, Simon talked Tom into going to get the notebook back before it is destroyed. Reluctantly Tom agreed to help. They calculated a plan right down to the last second. The two of them had found an exact match to Brian's notebook. It contained no writing in it so it wasn't as if they were destroying anything important.
By sneaking through window and climbing down the tree, they snuck through another window that lead to the basement. Instantly, Simon and Tom saw the book sitting on the table beside the burner. They managed to make the switch and escape back out the window before the Founder could throw the book in the fire. What the two boys didn't know was that the Founder knew that they were there. He turned and grinned as the Chipmunks slipped out the window.
When Brian came back from his punishment, he and the Founder that was escorting him, walked in. Simon and Tom stood up by their beds and assumed an army cadet pose. As soon as the Founder saw that the boys would now behave themselves for a while he then leaves.
When the coast was clear, Simon and Tom then ran up to Brian and began to tend to his wounds. After they cleaned him up and rapped his arms up in bandages, they then helped him to his bed. After, Simon goes to his own bed and pulls out the notebook that is hidden under his pillow. He walks over and hands it to Brian. The look on Brian's face reminded Simon so much of his brother Theodore and the time when he lost his teddy. Simon and Alvin found it and returned it to their distressed brother. Seeing Brian looking up at him like that made Simon dreadfully homesick.
"You guys are the best friends I ever had.Ah, hell, you're the only friends I ever had!" Brian said tearfully.
"Yea, well! Don't ever pull a stunt like that again, or next time we'll let the stupid book burn!" Tom added trying to not show too much emotion. He never had any siblings of his own, and both Simon and Brian knew that he considered them to be the 'brothers' he never had. Many times it was Tom that looked out for all of them. He felt it was his duty.
Brian kept looking at his friends with a smile. Simon smiled back.
********
After Simon finished his story, Ashley smiled through her tears. "I'm glad Brian had you and Tom for friends."
"Yea, we were glad that he was our friend too." Simon added with a solemn look. "We should get back!" He said when he glanced at his watch. Ashley nodded in agreement.
As they walked along the path they past a strange man that is walking towards them. He is dressed in a black suit and has a strange look about him that gave Simon an eerie feeling. The way he looked reminded Simon of one of the Founders when ever he and his friends were caught doing something they weren't suppose to. His heart began to race and his breathing quickened. For some reason he felt that he was in trouble.
Simon peered over his shoulder and noticed the man had stopped walking and stood there staring at him. All that is running through Simon's mind is that he had to get away as fast as he could. Simon gently took Ashley's arm and started to walk faster. "Come on!" He whispered harshly.
"Huh!" Ashley was a little confused on why Simon is suddenly acting so strangely.
Again, Simon looked over his shoulder and saw that the strange man is now following them. This confirms that this man was up to no good. "Run!" Simon says as he now is pulling Ashley in a sprinter's pace.
"What is it?" Ashley asks. Now she is really confused. Why was Simon acting like this? She then peers over her shoulder and sees a person in a dark suit chasing them. Ashley figures that somehow Simon knows this person and doesn't trust him.
The two young Chipmunks ran as fast as they could, trying everything to lose the strange man. Anytime they looked behind they still saw him there, in close pursuit. Finally, Simon and Ashley ran around a corner and ducked inside a department store. They hid and kept an eye on the door. After waiting for a few minuets they realize that nothing happened.
Finally Ashley decides to get up and look out to see if the man is anywhere to be seen. She looks up and down the street and sees no one that fit the description of the man that chased them. "I think he's gone now!" She said as she turned back towards Simon. Simon couldn't stop shaking. He sat with his knees up to his chest and has his arms rapped around them.
"Are you going to be ok, Simon?" Ashley asked in a worried tone.
"Yea! J-J-Just give me a m-minute." Simon replied trying to regain his composure. Both of them sat there for about ten minutes before reuniting with Dave and the others.
-----------------
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER! In A Food Court At The Mall!
This has been a very exciting day for Ashley. First, she finally gets to meet Simon, one of her brother's best friends from the Island. She is thrilled to have a chance to get his autograph and in the same book that he wrote. Then as they were walking in the park a strange man had suddenly started chasing them. Ashley promised Simon that she would not mention this to his family. He didn't want them to start worrying again. And now, she gets to meet the rest of the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. As a child, Ashley remembers listening to their albums with her twin brother, Brian. She even was able to receive each of their autographs inside her new book written by Simon Seville, as well.
Dave, Miss. Miller, Vinny, and the Chipmunks and Chipettes all sat with Ashley and ate lunch in the Mall's food court. They all talked about many things, mostly about Brian and how Ashley and her family cope with his death.
While everyone had already finished their lunch, Jeanette is still feeding on a 2nd plate of French Fries. Simon comes back after going to get some things he left behind in the book store and is surprised to see his wife still eating. He notices his brother, Alvin, staring at her with wide eyes and his jaw dropped. Simon clears his throat to get his attention and when Alvin looks up at him, Simon shakes his head as to say 'don't stare'.
"I can't help it. She's beaten Theodore's eating record. It's like she's been in a feeding frenzy all day." Alvin announces.
"That's because Jeanette is eating for four. Theodore is always eating for one and a half." Simon replies.
"Hey!" Theodore cries out. Everyone at the table begins to snicker.
Simon then goes up behind Jeanette and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She stabs a couple of French fries with her fork and holds it up to his face. Simon notices that the fries are dripping with vinegar and ketchup. 'Yeeuck.' Simon made a discussed face briefly then hide his look with a soft smile. "Heh, that's ok, Jeanette. You need all the nutrients you can get." He explains as he taps lightly on her belly.
"Are you sure you don't want some.it's good." Jeanette asked sweetly.
"Ah, I'm sure." Simon assured her.
When Jeanette turned her attention back to her plate of fries, Simon again made a disgusted look. 'Her food cravings are getting stranger and stranger!' He thought to himself. Simon looked up at Dave, Ashley, and the others as they were trying so hard to hold back their giggles. Fortunately for them, Jeanette is focusing more on her French Fries to be concerned with the world around her.
After Jeanette had finally finished eating, the Seville's and Miller's all gave Ashley a ride back to her hotel, and then they too went home.
THREE WEEKS LATER!
The publishers had a few minor delays in getting the book all printed up, but it is now complete. Simon has even been invited to have his first book signing at a bookstore in one of the main malls of L.A. Simon is actually now enjoying himself. The turnout for this signing is better then anyone had hoped. He is also excited to know that his children will be born within a month and a half. Two weeks ago he and Jeanette went to get ultra sound test done. It came as a surprise for everyone to know that Jeanette is actually carrying three infants, two boys and one girl.
Jeanette and Simon almost had a war on what they would name the babies. Simon wanted to name them after three of his friends from the Island, to have their memory live on. Jeanette understood that, but she wanted to name at least one of them, so they tossed a coin and she would name the first boy born. Simon reluctantly agreed to that and knew the exact names he would choose for the other two.
He absently smiled to himself as he continued to sign a book for each buyer. "Here you go, ma'am. Enjoy your day!" Simon said to the woman. She took her book and left the line for the next person to step forward. Without looking up at the next person, Simon accepted the book to sign. "And whom do I make this out too?" He asked with his eyes focusing on the book only.
"Ah, Ashley Malton!" Came a shy female voice.
Simon chuckled to himself as her last name reminded him of one of his friends. "You wouldn't have any relation to a Brian Malton, would you?"
"Actually, h-he was my twin brother!"
With a look of shock, Simon looked up a young female chipmunk. Her hair is light brown and her eyes are hazel. Her facial features kind of resembled Brian's, but with more femininity. She smiled slightly, but Simon could tell she is still hurting from her brother's death just by the look in her eyes.
It wasn't until then when Simon remembered her name and face. Brian often spoke of her back on the Island. Plus he had been able to see her briefly at the Canadian airport in Ontario. That was when Brian was finally reunited with his family after been taken from them for just over five years prior to that day. Simon and Ashley stayed speechless for a few moments, as they didn't know exactly what to say.
------------
TWENTY MINUTES LATER!
As soon as he had finished the book signing Simon decided to take Ashley for a walk to a nearby park. Not only did Simon need some fresh air, but also this would give him an opportunity to talk to one of his best friends' sister. They walked up to a pond and watched some kids feeding breadcrumbs to the ducks.
"I again want to thank you for sending us the video of you guys in that field. Also, thank you for sending us the notes and stories that my brother wrote. A-a-and for translating some of them for us.you didn't really have to do all of that!" Ashley said bashfully.
"Oh, but I felt I had too! Brian was my friend, they all were! I felt it was my duty to make sure my friends' families get back everything that belongs to them." Simon said.
"I still can't believe that was the same Brian in the video. He looked so happy in that field! When we were kids, I was the only person he would really talk too. Never have I seen him having so much fun!" Ashley said with a big smile as she remembered watching the video for the first time.
Simon smiled and nodded. "There hadn't been a day that Brian wouldn't speak of you, Ashley." Ashley blushed and watched the ducks in the pond.
Both were silent for a moment, until Ashley started crying. Simon pulled her in for a hug. He knew exactly how she feels, he spent a good year and a half trying to let go and cope with the death of his friends. He still is even now.
"I.I'm sorry!" She finally managed to say after a while.
"Don't be! I understand what you are going through."
She then smiled at his kind words. Simon looked at Ashley and he remembered the same look of gratitude that Brian made once or twice before. It then had him thinking of one the adventures he and the others had on the Island. Simon smiled at Ashley and said. "Heh heh, I remember a time on the Island when Tom and I had to retrieve one of those books that I sent to you."
********
A YEAR AND THREE MONTHS
AFTER BEING ON THE ISLAND!
The boys were in their room getting ready for their next class. The more they thought about this Island the more they wanted off it. And they were determined on succeeding, too.
A week ago, during one of their adventures exploring the different secret rooms on campus, they found a pile of notebooks. They thought they would use these books for notes for plans to get off the Island. Also they would use them for creative writing. Something for them to do so they could keep their mind sane from all the chaos that was happening around them.
One morning, as the chipmunk boys were getting ready, Brian is still writing in one of the notebooks. He always loved to write; this is his way to express himself. Tom kept reminding him to hide it before one of the Founders caught him. Without both Simon and Tom realizing it, Brian hid the notebook in one of his study books (considering the risk, that was not a smart move).
Most of the day everything seemed fine until four of the Founders stopped the five Chipmunks in one of the hallways. One of them walked up to Brian. The Founder snatched the study book from Brian's hand and his notebook fell out. Almost immediately Tom, Simon, Renee and Brenda had been dragged to their quarters and Brian was dragged to the Whipping Room. One of the other Founders took Brian's notebook so it could be destroyed in basement burner. Simon saw the Founder that took the book before he was dragged around the corner.
Once Tom and Simon were left alone in their quarters, Simon talked Tom into going to get the notebook back before it is destroyed. Reluctantly Tom agreed to help. They calculated a plan right down to the last second. The two of them had found an exact match to Brian's notebook. It contained no writing in it so it wasn't as if they were destroying anything important.
By sneaking through window and climbing down the tree, they snuck through another window that lead to the basement. Instantly, Simon and Tom saw the book sitting on the table beside the burner. They managed to make the switch and escape back out the window before the Founder could throw the book in the fire. What the two boys didn't know was that the Founder knew that they were there. He turned and grinned as the Chipmunks slipped out the window.
When Brian came back from his punishment, he and the Founder that was escorting him, walked in. Simon and Tom stood up by their beds and assumed an army cadet pose. As soon as the Founder saw that the boys would now behave themselves for a while he then leaves.
When the coast was clear, Simon and Tom then ran up to Brian and began to tend to his wounds. After they cleaned him up and rapped his arms up in bandages, they then helped him to his bed. After, Simon goes to his own bed and pulls out the notebook that is hidden under his pillow. He walks over and hands it to Brian. The look on Brian's face reminded Simon so much of his brother Theodore and the time when he lost his teddy. Simon and Alvin found it and returned it to their distressed brother. Seeing Brian looking up at him like that made Simon dreadfully homesick.
"You guys are the best friends I ever had.Ah, hell, you're the only friends I ever had!" Brian said tearfully.
"Yea, well! Don't ever pull a stunt like that again, or next time we'll let the stupid book burn!" Tom added trying to not show too much emotion. He never had any siblings of his own, and both Simon and Brian knew that he considered them to be the 'brothers' he never had. Many times it was Tom that looked out for all of them. He felt it was his duty.
Brian kept looking at his friends with a smile. Simon smiled back.
********
After Simon finished his story, Ashley smiled through her tears. "I'm glad Brian had you and Tom for friends."
"Yea, we were glad that he was our friend too." Simon added with a solemn look. "We should get back!" He said when he glanced at his watch. Ashley nodded in agreement.
As they walked along the path they past a strange man that is walking towards them. He is dressed in a black suit and has a strange look about him that gave Simon an eerie feeling. The way he looked reminded Simon of one of the Founders when ever he and his friends were caught doing something they weren't suppose to. His heart began to race and his breathing quickened. For some reason he felt that he was in trouble.
Simon peered over his shoulder and noticed the man had stopped walking and stood there staring at him. All that is running through Simon's mind is that he had to get away as fast as he could. Simon gently took Ashley's arm and started to walk faster. "Come on!" He whispered harshly.
"Huh!" Ashley was a little confused on why Simon is suddenly acting so strangely.
Again, Simon looked over his shoulder and saw that the strange man is now following them. This confirms that this man was up to no good. "Run!" Simon says as he now is pulling Ashley in a sprinter's pace.
"What is it?" Ashley asks. Now she is really confused. Why was Simon acting like this? She then peers over her shoulder and sees a person in a dark suit chasing them. Ashley figures that somehow Simon knows this person and doesn't trust him.
The two young Chipmunks ran as fast as they could, trying everything to lose the strange man. Anytime they looked behind they still saw him there, in close pursuit. Finally, Simon and Ashley ran around a corner and ducked inside a department store. They hid and kept an eye on the door. After waiting for a few minuets they realize that nothing happened.
Finally Ashley decides to get up and look out to see if the man is anywhere to be seen. She looks up and down the street and sees no one that fit the description of the man that chased them. "I think he's gone now!" She said as she turned back towards Simon. Simon couldn't stop shaking. He sat with his knees up to his chest and has his arms rapped around them.
"Are you going to be ok, Simon?" Ashley asked in a worried tone.
"Yea! J-J-Just give me a m-minute." Simon replied trying to regain his composure. Both of them sat there for about ten minutes before reuniting with Dave and the others.
-----------------
FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER! In A Food Court At The Mall!
This has been a very exciting day for Ashley. First, she finally gets to meet Simon, one of her brother's best friends from the Island. She is thrilled to have a chance to get his autograph and in the same book that he wrote. Then as they were walking in the park a strange man had suddenly started chasing them. Ashley promised Simon that she would not mention this to his family. He didn't want them to start worrying again. And now, she gets to meet the rest of the Chipmunks and the Chipettes. As a child, Ashley remembers listening to their albums with her twin brother, Brian. She even was able to receive each of their autographs inside her new book written by Simon Seville, as well.
Dave, Miss. Miller, Vinny, and the Chipmunks and Chipettes all sat with Ashley and ate lunch in the Mall's food court. They all talked about many things, mostly about Brian and how Ashley and her family cope with his death.
While everyone had already finished their lunch, Jeanette is still feeding on a 2nd plate of French Fries. Simon comes back after going to get some things he left behind in the book store and is surprised to see his wife still eating. He notices his brother, Alvin, staring at her with wide eyes and his jaw dropped. Simon clears his throat to get his attention and when Alvin looks up at him, Simon shakes his head as to say 'don't stare'.
"I can't help it. She's beaten Theodore's eating record. It's like she's been in a feeding frenzy all day." Alvin announces.
"That's because Jeanette is eating for four. Theodore is always eating for one and a half." Simon replies.
"Hey!" Theodore cries out. Everyone at the table begins to snicker.
Simon then goes up behind Jeanette and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She stabs a couple of French fries with her fork and holds it up to his face. Simon notices that the fries are dripping with vinegar and ketchup. 'Yeeuck.' Simon made a discussed face briefly then hide his look with a soft smile. "Heh, that's ok, Jeanette. You need all the nutrients you can get." He explains as he taps lightly on her belly.
"Are you sure you don't want some.it's good." Jeanette asked sweetly.
"Ah, I'm sure." Simon assured her.
When Jeanette turned her attention back to her plate of fries, Simon again made a disgusted look. 'Her food cravings are getting stranger and stranger!' He thought to himself. Simon looked up at Dave, Ashley, and the others as they were trying so hard to hold back their giggles. Fortunately for them, Jeanette is focusing more on her French Fries to be concerned with the world around her.
After Jeanette had finally finished eating, the Seville's and Miller's all gave Ashley a ride back to her hotel, and then they too went home.