Chapter 29: Time To Go!
THREE DAYS LATER!
Jeanette's sisters, Eleanor and Brittany, come by during their daily visits. After giving Jeanette a big hug and hello, they head straight to the living room where the babies sat in their play pin.
"Aww, there they are," Brittany cried. "How's my big boy?" She asked baby Vincent. Brittany picks him up and does blowfishes on his on his bare belly.
Vincent immediately wiggles and giggles as this always tickles his tummy. Brittany knows the weak-spot on this little one. It wasn't till she noticed an odd odour coming from him that Brittany instantly pushed him away from her face.
"Pee-u! Someone needs a dipper change! Here you go Jeanette!" Brittany cries as she hands him to his mother.
"Thanks Brittany!" Jeanette said in a grim tone. She knew that her sister would most likely never change. Never the less this sort of action always seemed annoy her as well. It would be her own fault for not saying anything either. Jeanette frowned as she sat there for a moment and never made a move. She just looked at her son, baffled, like she forgot what she was supposed to do.
"Here, I'll take him Jeanette!" Eleanor chirped finally understanding her sister's state. Jeanette looked really tired and figured that Jeanette had been changing diapers all day.
"Huh?" Jeanette attention snapped to her younger sister. "Oh, thanks Ellie!" She said sighing as she handed her son over to her.
Eleanor gave a quick worried glance at Jeanette as she sat with a vacant stare towards Vincent in her hands. She thought that with Vinny's help in raising the children, things would be under control. The triplets would still cried in the middle of the night and still needed to be feed every four hours, lack of sleep and proper eating had started show in Jeanette.
Jeanette watched carefully with an absent stare, as Eleanor changed Vincent's dipper. Brittany looked over to Jeanette after picking up Mary- Anne; this one didn't smell of dirty dipper. 'She looks tired', Brittany though. Her sister used to be the cheerful one between the three of them. She frowned, and then wondered if Simon was treating her right? Or if it could be the late nights feeding and tending to the babies needs.or could be both?
"Is there something the matter, Jeanette?" She finally asked.
"Wha.? Oh, no Brittany! I'm just tired that's all!" Jeanette said as a yawn escaped. Was she trying to convince herself or her sisters? Even without even looking at them, Jeanette could tell that her sisters were giving her the look saying that they weren't convinced.
Jeanette sighed in defeat before speaking. "Tom was screaming again last night. We are concerned that he may not be feeling well. Neither Simon, nor myself could seem to make him happy.Vinny came in and took Tom before he could wake up Vincent and Mary, and somehow knew what to do. She had him quiet and asleep in minutes." Jeanette finished in her voice both sisters could detect jealousy.
"Wow, she must be a big help to you and Simon?" Eleanor perked trying to cheer up Jeanette.
"Yea, a big help!" Jeanette scoffed as she rolled her eyes upward.
"Jeanette? Are you sure there are no problems?" Brittany asked in a sisterly concern.
"Well, it's just that I want to be able to know some of her secrets. I.I mean, these guys respond to Vinny more then they do to me." Jeanette explained. "Sometimes I feel left out, even when Simon is home, it seems he too spends more time with Vinny and the children then he ever would with me." She finally admits.
"Oh, Jeanette!" Both Eleanor and Brittany sympathized with their sister's
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The girls didn't even notice Vinny walking by the living room and overhearing Jeanette's comments. She frowned and walked away quickly before she is even seen.
************
ONE WEEK LATER!
Vinny sits in her room in a dreamy state as she prepares her things to return home. A knock on the door brings her back to reality. "Come in!"
Jeanette walks in with a small parcel in her hand. "I hope you are not leaving because of me?" She says guiltily.
Vinny grins at her young daughter-in-law.
"Of course not."
"I really hope you weren't too offended when I said you were a rotten mother by leaving the boys when it's the mother's job to care for her kids no matter what. I-I guess I was feeling a bit jealous that the babies were responding to you more then me that day."
"Oh, sweetie. I understand. I sometimes can stick my nose a little too far in where it shouldn't be. There is one thing I should remember, and that is to give the mother a chance to learn how to raise her own babies."
"Please don't get me wrong. I appreciate everything you have done. It.it's just that me and my sisters grew up not knowing our real parents! For the longest time the three of us were very independent, until Miss. Miller was nice enough to take us in. You have been the closest thing to a real mother to me for these last couple of months, a-a-and I just want to say thank you!" She looks down at the parcel in her hand. "Here.I got you something."
"You didn't have to." but Vinny was cut off.
"No.I had too! It's actually from Simon, me and the children!"
Vinny accepts the gift and opens it. Inside was a framed photo of Simon and Jeanette with their three 'little ones' in a perfect family portrait. In the Picture showed Jeanette sitting on a stool as she held Vincent and Tom on her lap. Simon stood beside them with Mary-Anne in his arms.
In the package there was also a charm necklace that opened up. When Vinny looked inside she saw a picture of just her grandkids. Needless to say she is very pleased and speechless as she looked up at Jeanette.
Jeanette gave a shy smile and took a deep breath. "Simon and I had these pictures taken last week. We just got them back yesterday. As we were getting a few frames for the pictures we saw this necklace and just had to get it for you."
"Oh, Thank you Jeanette! I will treasure them always!" Vinny whispered as she whipped a tear from her eye. She reached over and gave her daughter-in- law a hug.
For many moments the two female chipmunks held each other in an embrace that seemed to never want to end. Finally Vinny pulled away. "Come now. I don't think we should be late for my bus. It will be leaving in an hour."
"Ok." Jeanette nodded.
Jeanette helped Vinny with her necklace so she could wear it on the bus trip home, and of course to show everyone her grandchildren. Together they leave the room with Vinny's bags.
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Downstairs, the rest of the family waited patiently for Vinny and Jeanette to be ready. Finally they hear them coming out of the room and walking down the steps towards the front door.
"Gee, we were wondering if you two would ever be ready." Alvin commented sarcastically.
"Alvin!" Simon glared at his annoying brother. He stood with Mary-Anne in his arms. Simon turned and looked up to the two Chipettes coming down the stairs. He immediately recognizes the necklace charm that he and Jeanette bought and smiles.
"What did you think if your gifts, mom?" He asks.
"Oh, I love them, dear. Thank you." Vinny cooed as she walked up to her second child and hugged him. She then takes Mary-Anne from his arms.
"Aw, you are such a little angel." Vinny says just before giving her a little kiss on the cheek.
Mary gives her Nana a big bright smile and a look of understanding.
Vinny was about to continue her 'goodbyes' with Mary in her arms, but then she stops. She looks at the little toddler in her arm, and turned to Jeanette. With a smile, Vinny hands the young child to her rightful mother.
"Thanks Vinny." Jeanette said when she accepted her daughter.
Vinny walked up to Eleanor and Theodore, whom were holding Tom and Vincent.
"We wish you didn't have to leave, mom." Theodore whined.
"I know, sweetie." Vinny says as she reaches up and touches her youngest son on the cheek. "But I have to. I'm needed back home. My friends in the forest need me as much as you do." Vinny briefly turns to look at Simon and Jeanette with little Mary in her mother's arms. She begins to smile and turns back to Theodore.
".And besides, things seems to be all under control here." Vinny's attention is then directed to little Vincent, whom sat quietly in his Uncle Theo's arms. She reached over to his tiny head and pats it gently.
"You be good now, you hear me?" She warns him.
Just then a little sneeze was heard from the third infant. Vinny turns to Eleanor that is holding little Tom carefully. With a look of sympathy Vinny goes to him.
"Oh, little one.this little cold of yours is really bothersome for you, isn't it?" She asks him.
Tom just looks up at his Nana with a pout.
"You think he will be ok, Vinny?" Eleanor asks worryingly.
"Oh, I'm sure. Make sure he gets plenty of vitamins in his baby formula, and he will be fine." Vinny assured everyone.
"Thanks again, Vinny." Jeanette chirped.
"Your Welcome, Jeanette dear." Vinny said as she turned to give Jeanette one last hug.
"Alright, fella's," Dave announced to his boys. "Let's get Vinny's things into the car."
"Yes, Dave!" Alvin, Simon, and Theodore chimed at once. Theodore hands Vincent to Vinny and heads towards the luggage and helps his brothers and dad.
Dave and the boys gather up the suitcases and carry bags to the car, while the women finished saying goodbye to Vinny.
"We will certainly miss you, Vinny!" Brittany said as she gave her a big hug.
"Will you visit us again soon?" Eleanor asks hopefully.
"Oh, girls. You three are the best things to happen to my boys. I will certainly do my best to come and visit more often.especially now that I have three young grandchildren to check up on." Vinny says brightly.
All four of them start to laugh knowingly.
"We're all set." Dave calls out.
Vinny walks up to her sons. How she regrets saying 'bye' to them after every visit. With a heavy sigh she begins to give a huge hug to each of them.
"We wish you didn't have to go, mom." Alvin whines.
"Oh my, not so, little Ones! It seems that it was just yesterday that you were tiny infants.now look at you three. All grown up, and having little Ones of your own." She says to her boys.
Simon's face turns instant red. "Aw, mom."
Vinny looks at her smart son, and smiles at all that he has achieved in his life. From a carefree kid, to surviving a dangerous kidnapping, then depression and suicide attempt.and now he's raising a family of his own. She then looks at her other two boys, and couldn't help but to show how proud of them she is.
"Your father, if he were here today, would be so proud of all of you." She finally says.
After one final hug for her boys, Vinny heads for the passenger side of the car. She gets her seat belt on and watches Dave as he sits on the driver's side. Dave begins to pull out and Vinny waves to the Chipmunks and Chipette's. She then lets out another big sigh when they are out of sight.
"You will miss them, won't you?" Dave asks.
"It is always hard to leave after every visit, Dave." Vinny admits. "How my boys have grown.I feel bad that I couldn't be there for them when they were young. You did a wonderful job in raising them."
"Thanks Vinny." Dave says bashfully. "It was certainly a nice surprise of Jeanette and Simon to have that portrait done of them and the babies."
"Yes, it was." Vinny trailed off. She then glanced down to her necklace and admires it some more. How it seems to sit peacefully near her heart. Her hand slowly reached up and begins to hold it gently so she could see it more clearly. Vinny then opens it, and looks at the tiny picture of her adorable grandkids. She smiled warmly.
"What are you thinking, Vinny?" Dave asked.
"Oh, nothing Dave.Just reminiscing my recent visit."
"Ah, indeed. Certainly it will be a memorable one for a long time."
For the rest of the ride to the bus depot, Dave and Vinny rarely said anything more. It wasn't that they didn't like talking to each other, it is just they already know what the other is thinking. Their 'Little Ones' are all grown up.
THREE DAYS LATER!
Jeanette's sisters, Eleanor and Brittany, come by during their daily visits. After giving Jeanette a big hug and hello, they head straight to the living room where the babies sat in their play pin.
"Aww, there they are," Brittany cried. "How's my big boy?" She asked baby Vincent. Brittany picks him up and does blowfishes on his on his bare belly.
Vincent immediately wiggles and giggles as this always tickles his tummy. Brittany knows the weak-spot on this little one. It wasn't till she noticed an odd odour coming from him that Brittany instantly pushed him away from her face.
"Pee-u! Someone needs a dipper change! Here you go Jeanette!" Brittany cries as she hands him to his mother.
"Thanks Brittany!" Jeanette said in a grim tone. She knew that her sister would most likely never change. Never the less this sort of action always seemed annoy her as well. It would be her own fault for not saying anything either. Jeanette frowned as she sat there for a moment and never made a move. She just looked at her son, baffled, like she forgot what she was supposed to do.
"Here, I'll take him Jeanette!" Eleanor chirped finally understanding her sister's state. Jeanette looked really tired and figured that Jeanette had been changing diapers all day.
"Huh?" Jeanette attention snapped to her younger sister. "Oh, thanks Ellie!" She said sighing as she handed her son over to her.
Eleanor gave a quick worried glance at Jeanette as she sat with a vacant stare towards Vincent in her hands. She thought that with Vinny's help in raising the children, things would be under control. The triplets would still cried in the middle of the night and still needed to be feed every four hours, lack of sleep and proper eating had started show in Jeanette.
Jeanette watched carefully with an absent stare, as Eleanor changed Vincent's dipper. Brittany looked over to Jeanette after picking up Mary- Anne; this one didn't smell of dirty dipper. 'She looks tired', Brittany though. Her sister used to be the cheerful one between the three of them. She frowned, and then wondered if Simon was treating her right? Or if it could be the late nights feeding and tending to the babies needs.or could be both?
"Is there something the matter, Jeanette?" She finally asked.
"Wha.? Oh, no Brittany! I'm just tired that's all!" Jeanette said as a yawn escaped. Was she trying to convince herself or her sisters? Even without even looking at them, Jeanette could tell that her sisters were giving her the look saying that they weren't convinced.
Jeanette sighed in defeat before speaking. "Tom was screaming again last night. We are concerned that he may not be feeling well. Neither Simon, nor myself could seem to make him happy.Vinny came in and took Tom before he could wake up Vincent and Mary, and somehow knew what to do. She had him quiet and asleep in minutes." Jeanette finished in her voice both sisters could detect jealousy.
"Wow, she must be a big help to you and Simon?" Eleanor perked trying to cheer up Jeanette.
"Yea, a big help!" Jeanette scoffed as she rolled her eyes upward.
"Jeanette? Are you sure there are no problems?" Brittany asked in a sisterly concern.
"Well, it's just that I want to be able to know some of her secrets. I.I mean, these guys respond to Vinny more then they do to me." Jeanette explained. "Sometimes I feel left out, even when Simon is home, it seems he too spends more time with Vinny and the children then he ever would with me." She finally admits.
"Oh, Jeanette!" Both Eleanor and Brittany sympathized with their sister's
-------------
The girls didn't even notice Vinny walking by the living room and overhearing Jeanette's comments. She frowned and walked away quickly before she is even seen.
************
ONE WEEK LATER!
Vinny sits in her room in a dreamy state as she prepares her things to return home. A knock on the door brings her back to reality. "Come in!"
Jeanette walks in with a small parcel in her hand. "I hope you are not leaving because of me?" She says guiltily.
Vinny grins at her young daughter-in-law.
"Of course not."
"I really hope you weren't too offended when I said you were a rotten mother by leaving the boys when it's the mother's job to care for her kids no matter what. I-I guess I was feeling a bit jealous that the babies were responding to you more then me that day."
"Oh, sweetie. I understand. I sometimes can stick my nose a little too far in where it shouldn't be. There is one thing I should remember, and that is to give the mother a chance to learn how to raise her own babies."
"Please don't get me wrong. I appreciate everything you have done. It.it's just that me and my sisters grew up not knowing our real parents! For the longest time the three of us were very independent, until Miss. Miller was nice enough to take us in. You have been the closest thing to a real mother to me for these last couple of months, a-a-and I just want to say thank you!" She looks down at the parcel in her hand. "Here.I got you something."
"You didn't have to." but Vinny was cut off.
"No.I had too! It's actually from Simon, me and the children!"
Vinny accepts the gift and opens it. Inside was a framed photo of Simon and Jeanette with their three 'little ones' in a perfect family portrait. In the Picture showed Jeanette sitting on a stool as she held Vincent and Tom on her lap. Simon stood beside them with Mary-Anne in his arms.
In the package there was also a charm necklace that opened up. When Vinny looked inside she saw a picture of just her grandkids. Needless to say she is very pleased and speechless as she looked up at Jeanette.
Jeanette gave a shy smile and took a deep breath. "Simon and I had these pictures taken last week. We just got them back yesterday. As we were getting a few frames for the pictures we saw this necklace and just had to get it for you."
"Oh, Thank you Jeanette! I will treasure them always!" Vinny whispered as she whipped a tear from her eye. She reached over and gave her daughter-in- law a hug.
For many moments the two female chipmunks held each other in an embrace that seemed to never want to end. Finally Vinny pulled away. "Come now. I don't think we should be late for my bus. It will be leaving in an hour."
"Ok." Jeanette nodded.
Jeanette helped Vinny with her necklace so she could wear it on the bus trip home, and of course to show everyone her grandchildren. Together they leave the room with Vinny's bags.
------------------
Downstairs, the rest of the family waited patiently for Vinny and Jeanette to be ready. Finally they hear them coming out of the room and walking down the steps towards the front door.
"Gee, we were wondering if you two would ever be ready." Alvin commented sarcastically.
"Alvin!" Simon glared at his annoying brother. He stood with Mary-Anne in his arms. Simon turned and looked up to the two Chipettes coming down the stairs. He immediately recognizes the necklace charm that he and Jeanette bought and smiles.
"What did you think if your gifts, mom?" He asks.
"Oh, I love them, dear. Thank you." Vinny cooed as she walked up to her second child and hugged him. She then takes Mary-Anne from his arms.
"Aw, you are such a little angel." Vinny says just before giving her a little kiss on the cheek.
Mary gives her Nana a big bright smile and a look of understanding.
Vinny was about to continue her 'goodbyes' with Mary in her arms, but then she stops. She looks at the little toddler in her arm, and turned to Jeanette. With a smile, Vinny hands the young child to her rightful mother.
"Thanks Vinny." Jeanette said when she accepted her daughter.
Vinny walked up to Eleanor and Theodore, whom were holding Tom and Vincent.
"We wish you didn't have to leave, mom." Theodore whined.
"I know, sweetie." Vinny says as she reaches up and touches her youngest son on the cheek. "But I have to. I'm needed back home. My friends in the forest need me as much as you do." Vinny briefly turns to look at Simon and Jeanette with little Mary in her mother's arms. She begins to smile and turns back to Theodore.
".And besides, things seems to be all under control here." Vinny's attention is then directed to little Vincent, whom sat quietly in his Uncle Theo's arms. She reached over to his tiny head and pats it gently.
"You be good now, you hear me?" She warns him.
Just then a little sneeze was heard from the third infant. Vinny turns to Eleanor that is holding little Tom carefully. With a look of sympathy Vinny goes to him.
"Oh, little one.this little cold of yours is really bothersome for you, isn't it?" She asks him.
Tom just looks up at his Nana with a pout.
"You think he will be ok, Vinny?" Eleanor asks worryingly.
"Oh, I'm sure. Make sure he gets plenty of vitamins in his baby formula, and he will be fine." Vinny assured everyone.
"Thanks again, Vinny." Jeanette chirped.
"Your Welcome, Jeanette dear." Vinny said as she turned to give Jeanette one last hug.
"Alright, fella's," Dave announced to his boys. "Let's get Vinny's things into the car."
"Yes, Dave!" Alvin, Simon, and Theodore chimed at once. Theodore hands Vincent to Vinny and heads towards the luggage and helps his brothers and dad.
Dave and the boys gather up the suitcases and carry bags to the car, while the women finished saying goodbye to Vinny.
"We will certainly miss you, Vinny!" Brittany said as she gave her a big hug.
"Will you visit us again soon?" Eleanor asks hopefully.
"Oh, girls. You three are the best things to happen to my boys. I will certainly do my best to come and visit more often.especially now that I have three young grandchildren to check up on." Vinny says brightly.
All four of them start to laugh knowingly.
"We're all set." Dave calls out.
Vinny walks up to her sons. How she regrets saying 'bye' to them after every visit. With a heavy sigh she begins to give a huge hug to each of them.
"We wish you didn't have to go, mom." Alvin whines.
"Oh my, not so, little Ones! It seems that it was just yesterday that you were tiny infants.now look at you three. All grown up, and having little Ones of your own." She says to her boys.
Simon's face turns instant red. "Aw, mom."
Vinny looks at her smart son, and smiles at all that he has achieved in his life. From a carefree kid, to surviving a dangerous kidnapping, then depression and suicide attempt.and now he's raising a family of his own. She then looks at her other two boys, and couldn't help but to show how proud of them she is.
"Your father, if he were here today, would be so proud of all of you." She finally says.
After one final hug for her boys, Vinny heads for the passenger side of the car. She gets her seat belt on and watches Dave as he sits on the driver's side. Dave begins to pull out and Vinny waves to the Chipmunks and Chipette's. She then lets out another big sigh when they are out of sight.
"You will miss them, won't you?" Dave asks.
"It is always hard to leave after every visit, Dave." Vinny admits. "How my boys have grown.I feel bad that I couldn't be there for them when they were young. You did a wonderful job in raising them."
"Thanks Vinny." Dave says bashfully. "It was certainly a nice surprise of Jeanette and Simon to have that portrait done of them and the babies."
"Yes, it was." Vinny trailed off. She then glanced down to her necklace and admires it some more. How it seems to sit peacefully near her heart. Her hand slowly reached up and begins to hold it gently so she could see it more clearly. Vinny then opens it, and looks at the tiny picture of her adorable grandkids. She smiled warmly.
"What are you thinking, Vinny?" Dave asked.
"Oh, nothing Dave.Just reminiscing my recent visit."
"Ah, indeed. Certainly it will be a memorable one for a long time."
For the rest of the ride to the bus depot, Dave and Vinny rarely said anything more. It wasn't that they didn't like talking to each other, it is just they already know what the other is thinking. Their 'Little Ones' are all grown up.