Thanks to all who have encouraged me to write this. I will have to say, this story is really helping me hone my writing skills and I love the fact that so many of you are enjoying the story.
This one, due to being set during their twenties, will have a few more adult scenes to it, so be forewarned. Not NC-17 or anything, but come on, a bunch of twenty-somethings definitely won't be stuck in the holding hands stage…just FYI!
Justifying the Means
"Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil."
-Niccolo Machiavelli
"The end justifies the means."
-Niccolo Machiavelli
Chapter 5"I do."
The judge looked at Simon and Jeannette, smiling. "Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Theodore smiled as he watched his older brother kiss his new wife exuberantly. The civil ceremony had been beautiful. Jeannette and Simon had written their own vows, and although the wedding had taken place their own backyard, it still seemed magical. The yard had been transformed into a wonderland, with garlands of pale roses streaming down the elegant white tents and lotus flowers adorning every inch that wasn't already covered with roses. Dangling white quartz crystals hanging from the ceiling of the tents almost gave the illusion they were in a palace made of ice. It was amazing – Theodore had no idea that Jeannette could have been so creative.
There was applause and Theodore wheeled himself through a field of bubbles as they finished the wedding procession. Jeannette had opted for individual bottles of bubbles to blow at the bride and groom instead of throwing rice. She claimed it was Brittany had threatened to kill her if she had to pick rice out of her hair after the ceremony – a comment that Brittany hadn't bothered denying. Beside him, Eleanor looked like a vision in her elegant powder-blue gown, her hair done up in an elaborate set of curls with sapphire pins in it. Ahead of him, Alvin and Brittany walked hand in hand, as did Gavin and Isabelle behind him, but Theodore couldn't wheel his chair and hold Eleanor's hand at the same time, so her hand simply rested on his shoulder.
The reception was going to be held in the same pavilion as the ceremony, and there was a flurry of activity as the catering staff removed the seats and began to set up the buffet. Theodore was busy with the rest of the Chipmunks taking the obligatory wedding photos while this was done.
"Just think," Theodore said to Eleanor as the photographer took Simon and Jeannette aside for some private photos. "Pretty soon we'll be doing this all again."
"We will?" Eleanor looked down at him in some surprise.
"Well, yeah." Theodore said. "Alvin and Brittany's wedding is in two months, remember?"
For some reason, Eleanor's face was sad. "Oh, yeah. No, I didn't forget."
Theodore frowned. Something had been going on with Eleanor for some time now…ever since Alvin and Brittany's premiere. She seemed withdrawn a lot, not to the point where most people would notice it, but Theodore knew her…there was something that was definitely bothering her. He had asked her about it a few times, but she had just dismissed it and said that she was just going to miss her sisters moving out after they got married. Simon and Jeannette had already bought a modest house not too far from the Sevilles, but Alvin and Brittany were still arguing over just what exactly they wanted. Both wanted to buy a mansion – hey, they could afford it, especially since their album had just gone double platinum – but finding one they could agree on had been nearly impossible. Theodore thought they'd still be arguing about it until they had to choose a retirement home.
"Hey, guys." Gavin said, coming over with Isabelle hand in hand. "Do you think they're done with us?"
"I'm not sure." Theodore said.
"I don't want to pose for one more bloody picture." Isabelle said irritably. Her hair was styled in the same manner as Eleanor's, but the blue jewels were almost lost in the azure color of her hair.
"I'm sure it's almost over." Gavin soothed his girlfriend. He looked over at Eleanor. "Hi, Eleanor. I haven't gotten to see you much lately – you keep bowing out of our double dates the last few months."
"Sorry." Eleanor apologized. "First year of law school, you know. I've been busy."
"I told you shouldn't have double-majored in business and law." Isabelle pointed out. "You're burning yourself out."
"Its just law school now, Belle. You know I already graduated with my bachelors in business." Eleanor reminded her.
"Which means we should have a little more time for some double-dating again, Gavin." Theodore told them, glancing up at Eleanor for approval. "Right?"
"Sure." Eleanor promised, smiling. For some reason, Theodore didn't entirely believe that smile. "Sounds great."
"Wonderful." Gavin groaned. "Your brothers have been no fun to double-date with lately. They're so wrapped up in this wedding business they barely even notice we're there."
"Well, that's understandable." Eleanor said a little defensively.
"Yeah, but they're starting to get on our case about getting married." Gavin said. "And Belle and I definitely aren't ready yet. If I even mention the word 'propose'-"
Isabelle shuddered. "Blech."
Gavin gestured to her. "She does that." He looked at her sourly. "Its just great for my self-esteem."
"Oh, get over it, luv." Isabelle waved him off. "You know I adore you. I'm just not ready for that type of commitment."
"Same here." Theodore said.
Eleanor was silent. "Oh, look." She said after a moment. "The buffet tables are up. I'm going to go and get a plate."
Theodore looked at her. "But the pictures…"
"I think they're done, see?" It did seem as if the photographer was done with them.
"Oh, great, food!" Gavin grinned. "I'm starving!" He followed Eleanor.
Isabelle stayed behind a moment with Theodore. "Theodore, is everything okay with you and Eleanor? She's acting a little odd lately."
"I know. But she won't talk to me."
Isabelle thought about that a minute. "Well…Jeannette's going to be gone on her honeymoon, but have you thought about talking to Brittany? She might be able to give you some clues as to why Eleanor seems so down lately."
Honestly, that had never occurred to Theodore…Brittany was definitely one of his closest friends, but they had never really been the type of chums who had heart-to-hearts…"That's not a bad idea, Belle. Maybe I'll do that after Simon and Jeannette leave for their honeymoon." He smiled a little. "I don't want to bring any angst to the party."
"Good idea." Isabelle nodded towards the table. "So are we going to eat, or what?"
Theodore grinned. He was grateful that Isabelle had given him an idea on what to do about Eleanor, and hoped Brittany would be able to shed some light on the situation…but for now, there was a party to get to. "Race you to the buffet table."
OoooOoooO
"Okay, men." Dave ordered. "Over there." He held up his hand, gesturing to the garden to his right. "And only eligible men, remember. Polygamy is not allowed in the state of California."
There was a scuffle as the young men gathered near the rosebushes. Alvin stood next to where Theodore's chair was, right up front, and reached down to whisper to his brother. "If the garter heads this way, you better catch it, 'cause we already know I'm doomed."
Theodore laughed a little. "I wonder what Brittany would say if she heard you referring to your engagement as you being 'doomed.'"
"Well, heh, you don't have to tell her I said that." Alvin said nervously.
There were only about a dozen young men there, as the wedding had been quite small, most of them friends of Simon's from medical school. "The odds are pretty good one of us is going to catch it." Gavin said aside to Theodore. "And I don't want it. Isabelle would probably have a heart attack."
"Geez, guys, calm down a little." Theodore grinned. "There are thirteen other guys here. Odds are we aren't going to catch it."
"With my luck…" Gavin muttered.
Alvin couldn't help but laugh as Jeannette sat on the chair and lifted one leg daintily, allowing Simon access to remove the garter. He didn't know which one was redder, his brother or his new sister in law. "If they blush anymore they're going to black out from lack of blood to their brains." Alvin whispered.
Theodore and Gavin both chuckled. Simon slid the garter off Jeannette, and she gratefully dropped her dress back down. Alvin grinned as Simon turned to them.
"You guys ready?" He asked, holding the garter – blue silk and lace, no surprise there.
"Yes!" Someone shouted from behind them.
"Not in this lifetime." Gavin muttered.
Simon turned around. "Okay…one…two…three!" The garter sailed over his shoulder.
Alvin watched it coming down, and suddenly saw Gavin's hand shoot out and close over the silk and lace accessory. A look of horror came over his face. "Oh, no!" Gavin said. "It was reflexes, seriously! I didn't mean to catch it…"
Alvin put his arm around Gavin affectionately. "Well, it looks like I'm not the only one who's doomed."
A look of panic rested in Gavin's eyes. "I didn't mean to catch it…did I ever tell you I played baseball all through high school? It was reflexes, honest!"
"I'm sure Belle will understand." Theodore teased. "I'm sure it wasn't that deep down, you really want to-"
"You finish that sentence, and you'll wake up tomorrow with no wheels on your chair." Gavin warned. Theodore just laughed at him.
"All right, ladies, time for the bouquet." Miss Miller ushered the young ladies to the opposite side of the garden. They seemed much more excited than the men had been. Alvin saw Theodore give Eleanor a little wave, who waved back from the front of the girls. For some reason, she was the only one not smiling. Isabelle just glared at Gavin, a murderous look in her eye. Beside him, Gavin giggled nervously. "Oh, boy, she's gonna kill me."
"Relax." Alvin said casually. "I know Belle. Her bark is worse than her bite."
Gavin looked at him, one eyebrow cocked. "Excuse me, but who's been dating her for four years? Trust me, her bite is pretty bad."
It was Alvin's turn to arch an eyebrow. "Oh really? And just how much biting is involved in your relationsh-"
"Okay, girls." Miss Miller hugged Jeannette and had her turn her back to the crowd. Alvin made a mental note to remember and ask Gavin later about that biting comment. "Here goes nothing!"
Jeannette threw the bouquet of lilies over her shoulder. It sailed high into the air, and suddenly Alvin grinned – it was heading directly for Eleanor. Yes! Maybe this would make his little brother start thinking about marriage, too, just like-
Alvin watched in disbelief as Eleanor stepped to one side quickly, taking herself out of the path of the bouquet. Instead it struck Isabelle in the chest, bouncing off her gently before she instinctively snatched it out of the air. "Ah hah!" Gavin said beside him. "She did it too!" He suddenly seemed to realize what that meant. "Oh, crap."
Alvin looked quickly down at Theodore. One look at his brother's stricken face made it clear that he had seen Eleanor's avoidance of the wedding bouquet just as well as he had.
Alvin didn't know what to say. Theodore just sat there, staring at the girls, while Eleanor seemed to be avoiding his gaze. Isabelle came running up to them, shaking the bouquet as if it were a stick she could beat Gavin with.
"This is all you're fault!" She yelled at him, hitting him with the bouquet and sending white lily petals flying. "If you hadn't caught the garter, I wouldn't have caught the bouquet, and we wouldn't have to get married now!"
"Belle, that makes absolutely no sense!" Gavin said. "I didn't mean to catch the garter…and you're the one holding the wedding bouquet."
"We're doomed." Belle said, unknowingly echoing Alvin from earlier.
"Calm down, this isn't binding." Gavin looked at Alvin in fear. "Is it?"
Theodore was wheeling himself away. "I don't think so." Alvin said absently, not really paying attention to his friends. "I'll be right back."
He ran off after Theodore, catching up with him quickly. "Hey, Theodore. Theodore!"
"What?" Theodore stopped, and Alvin walked around to face him. "You okay?"
"Yes." Theodore didn't sound like it. In fact, he sounded anything but okay.
"You sure?"
"Yes." Theodore started away again. "I was going to wait until tomorrow, but I need to do it today."
"Do what?"
"I need to talk to Brittany." Theodore said cryptically.
Alvin watched his brother in confusion. Brittany?
Why on earth would he need to talk to Brittany?"
OoooOoooO
"Brittany, can I talk to you?"
Brittany looked at Theodore in surprise. "Sure, Theodore. What's up?"
Theodore paused, looking around at the guests who were still dancing. "In private, please."
Brittany frowned. "Sure, okay."
Theodore led Brittany to a secluded spot in the backyard before turning and facing her, his features grim. Brittany was starting to get concerned.
"Is something wrong, Theodore? You look worried."
"I don't know, Brittany. That's the problem." He hesitated. "Brittany…is Eleanor mad at me?"
"Mad at you?" Brittany was honestly confused. "No, not at all…"
"She's been acting odd for weeks now…I'm starting to wonder if I've done something to make her angry, or upset, or…I don't know. It's really weird. Things have been so good for so long…"
Suddenly Brittany remembered her conversation with Eleanor in the bathroom at Jeannette's bachelorette party. Her expression must have changed because suddenly Theodore's eyes widened. "You do know something, don't you."
"I-"
"Please, Brittany. I don't like to see Eleanor hurting. Please let me know what I can do to help."
Brittany raised her hands helplessly. "She's just scared, Theodore. I think it was Jeannette and my engagements that did it…but she's scared of the future. She says you never want to talk about it, and that…" Brittany didn't exactly know what to say about the sex part of the talk. "I think she's just going through a rough time, trying to decide which direction her life is taking."
"Which direction her life is taking." Theodore said flatly. "You mean, whether or not she wants to continue in my direction or take another one."
"No!" Brittany said frantically. "She loves you, Theodore, and she'd never leave you. She just needs time to sort some stuff out, I think. But don't everthink she'd leave you." Brittany put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Just be patient, Theodore. She'll get through this. She'll need your help, but you're just going to have to wait until she's ready to accept it.
Theodore was quiet. "Thank you, Brittany." He said softly after a moment, and began to wheel himself away.
"Are you okay, Theodore?" The look in his eyes as he had left her was totally dejected. That scared her a little.
"Fine." Theodore replied. "And don't worry…I know what I need to do to help Eleanor."
"You do?"
"Yes." Theodore said. "I know exactly what I need to do to help her."
End of part 5
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