Chapter 33: Where is Alvin?

TWO MONTHS LATER: The time is here!

The due date for the twins arrival wasn't far of, the tension was in the red. Alvin's little disappearances weren't helping either, but Brittany appreciated the company of her sisters and Vinny.

Yesterday she picked a fight with Alvin, their worst one so far. It resulted in Alvin storming out of the house with no sign of his return.

Usually, it wouldn't be bothering Brittany too much. But being so close to the due date it was stressing her out to the point that she wouldn't want to go into the hospital for the birth. Vinny had been visiting her other grandkids, so the fight wasn't witnessed, but she was shocked to only find Brittany at home when she returned.

Eleanor came over the next to help comfort her sister, leaving Theodore at the restaurant with their hired help. Jeanette showed up afterwards after dropping the triplets at school. All four Chipettes are in the nursery preparing, debating where the crib would and placing the stuffed toys around the room.

"The boys did a wonderful job painting this room up." Vinny admired.

"Yeah, even though Simon and Theodore did most of the work." Eleanor grumbled.

Brittany sighed in defeat knowing all too well for the lack of responsibility that Alvin had been showing for the last few weeks.

"It'll be ok Brittany," Jeanette soothed her older sister. "I'm sure Alvin will be more supportive when the twins are born."

"You're probably right, Jeanette. But I can't help wondering if I might have to strangle Alvin in the process." Brittany matched her words with actions in the hollow air only.

"I don't feel that violence is necessary, Brittany dear." Vinny said taking the role of a mother.

"It's just a figure of speech, Vinny. Brittany wouldn't really hurt Alvin." Jeanette explained.

"Speak for yourself..." Brittany mutters as she crosses her arms.

Eleanor places the last baby toy on the shelf and turns to her sisters and Vinny.

"There, that should do it." She says. "I say this calls for a lunch break at the restaurant?" She announced. "What do you all say?"

Brittany began to pat her large belly. The mention of wanting to get something to eat always made her hungry. "Sounds good to me," She smiled, curving her lips.

------------------------

An hour later, all four Chipettes arrived for lunch at Eleanor and Theodore's restaurant. Brittany naturally is still worried that Alvin seems to have no show since yesterday afternoon. Regardless of all the help Vinny, her sisters have shown her, Brittany knew that it is the fear of 'responsibility' that is getting to Alvin. If he doesn't show up, he might actually miss the arrival of the twins.

She knows for sure that he is excited in becoming a father, but perhaps it is just her that he is trying to avoid. That very thought made her very uneasy. Even eating all her favorite foods that she has been craving, Brittany was still worried about her husband.

"I'm sure Alvin will show up soon. He may be irresponsible sometimes, but he won't just leave the people he cares about." Jeanette spoke up as if she was reading her sisters thoughts.

Brittany gave her sister a sour face before talking, "Maybe, Jeanette. But I did say some pretty mean things to him yesterday. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't want to ever see me again," and stabbed her fork into the cherry pie.

"Oh, Brittany. I know for a fact my son loves you very much." Vinny reassured her daughter in-law by placing a hand on her forearm.

"Really?" Brittany asked still feeling less confident about the whole situation.

"Vinny's right, Brittany." Eleanor added as she handed Brittany another glass of milk. "Alvin will come around eventually."

"I hope you're right..." Brittany trailed off before drinking the glass of milk and suddenly stopped drinking in mid way. She started to wince with a sharp gasp that brought her sisters and Vinny to her side.

"What's wrong, dear?" Vinny asked.

"I think my water just broke..." Brittany whispered in pain.

-------------------

THIRTY MINUTES LATER...

When Simon first got the call about Brittany, he wasn't too sure where his brother might have gone too. But being persistent, he knew that there had to be one shot to find Alvin. For some reason he had a feeling he should go look in the zoo. As soon as he parked the car, he ran through the open gates. He searched for fifteen minutes until he noticed a familiar red cap on top of the head of a familiar chipmunk.

Alvin leaned over the railing to look down at the tigers in the pit. He let out a sigh indicating that he understands now what it means to be 'trapped in a cage'.

"Alvin, you have to come with me right now." Simon barked as he ran up to his brother.

Alvin groaned, "Why?" he asked not looking at his brother.

"Because Brittany is in labor, Jeanette and Vinny have taken her to the hospital."

"W-what? Already?" Shock was all he could feel. "Everything is happening so fast." He let out a stressful groan before continuing. "Simon what ever happed to the good old days?"

"I believe the correct term is called 'growing up', Alvin. Something you should really do right now."

"No, this can't be happening. I-I-I-I'm not ready to become a parent!"

"Who is ever ready to become a parent?" Simon said as matter of fact.

"What do you mean? You make it look so easy."

"Alvin, I was scared out of my mind when I heard I was going to become a father. And when the triplets were born I couldn't trust myself to be with them alone for the longest time. It never mattered how much I studied the Dr. Spock books, nothing could ever prepare me for the unexpected. Just face it, parenting is a learning experience."

Alvin allowed all the information all to sink in. One thing that his brother said suddenly hit him. "Simon, where is Brittany now?"

"She's at the hospital with mom and her sisters. Dave is on his way there and will meet us at the front door." Simon replied with a hint of excitement, as he is relieved that Alvin is finally coming around to the actual situation.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Alvin chirped while straightening his cap on his head. "Lets get going...I'm about to be a daddy." He added while running towards the zoo's exit.

Simon shook his head and smiled before following Alvin out of the zoo. It might just be interesting experience after all.

---------------------

TEN MINUTES LATER, At the Hospital!

Alvin and Simon rush through the emergency doors of the hospital. Dave is standing at the door. He directs them straight to the Maternity Ward without a second thought. Quickly they help Alvin into the proper entire with gown, gloves, and hairnet. Alvin was about to rush through the double doors where the delivery room is, when Simon stopped him.

"Oh, Alvin...wait. Whatever you do, don't say anything stupid while you are holding Brittany's hand. I accidentally asked Jeanette if she was in pain, and in response I got a sprained wrist."

"I don't think it'll be that bad, Simon." Alvin said convincingly.

"Don't be to sure of that. I've learned quickly not to underestimate the strength of a woman while she is in labor. "

Alvin started to swallow a large lump that has lodged itself in his throat. Suddenly all of this seemed too real once more.

"Now get in there and become a father already." Simon impatiently said as he pushed Alvin into the room.

"Hey!" Alvin complained as he was thrown through the doorway.

Jeanette walks up to Simon and shakes her head. "Aren't you two ever going to grow up?"

"Hey, we're brothers. How else are suppose to act?" Simon says with a smirk.

Jeanette couldn't help but to chuckle with that comment. She lets her husband take her hand into his, and they both walk to the waiting room.