Thanks to everyone who has read the story so far. Here's Chapter 5, As always, all rights belong to their respective owners.

Chapter 5: Huge News, Hard Choices

The next morning, the Sevilles were at home enjoying another clear sunny day as all the kids were having a good time together. They had all heard about the song that Theodore had made and they were all extremely proud of him. Dave was busy making breakfast for the kids when there was a knock on the door, which was odd being it was very early for any kind of house call. Alvin called out to every saying that he would get the door. Simon had created a way for the kids to open the door, Alvin pushed a button on the side of the wall that released a pin that held the door which it to easily sway open; which would come in handy when Dave would bring home food and couldn't open the door himself. Alvin opening the door to see Ian at the doorway which caught him by surprise.

"Ian?" Alvin questioned.

"Alvster! What's up?" Ian called out in a semi cool acting demeanor, though with Ian, didn't come off cool at all, just goofy.

"Uh...nothing new..." Alvin answered back puzzled by said acting demeanor which Alvin of all people knew what was cool. And cool that wasn't.

"Well I don't know about that, but...listen where's the "Man of the House" at?" Ian asked just as Dave walks up to find out who would come by so early in the morning. "Ian?"

"There he is!" Alvin responded to the "Man of the House" reference back to Ian who just grinned.

"Actually that wasn't who I was talking about..." Ian said.

"What?" Alvin and Dave both said at the same time which Alvin said "jinx" at Dave who just looked down at Alvin not having a clue what he was doing. Ian butted back in.

"Anyway, I'll explain...Dave I need to speak to you in private for a minute." Ian pointed to Dave while saying it. Not did Ian stop by at all early hours of the morning, but privately speak to Dave?

Ian pulled Dave outside as if what he needs to say is vastly important. Alvin jumps on the chair recliner in the living room trying to listen from inside trying to hear the conversation. Ian closes the door behind them making sure only they are outside.

"It's a little early for a house call Ian." Dave said in an impatient manor.

"Yeah I know, but I just couldn't wait to tell you the great news." Ian said with great enthusiasum.

"What news?" Dave confusingly said.

"The song Dave?" Ian blurted out. Dave didn't quite understand.

"The song?"

"The song your little guy made and sang yesterday." Ian reminded Dave which the light bulb went off in Dave's head.

"What about it?" Dave wondered.

"Dave...haven't you been listening to the radio. It's already the number one song in the country." Ian grabbed Dave shaking him as he said it. Dave was in complete shock.

"What! Ian, It's been just 24 hours." Dave said awestruck. Ian was quick to explain.

"I know I couldn't believe it either. After the recording, I took it straight to Jett...loved it...he sent it to all the stations on the West Coast...loved it...they sent it to all the stations in the US...loved it...people all around the country...loving it! Dave... we got the money and we got even more on the verge..." Ian said with rare delight in his voice.

While Alvin was trying to listen in on what was going on with little success, Simon and Brittney walk up seeing Alvin trying to hear in on Dave and Ian's conversation.

"Um...what are you doing Alvin?" Brittney questioned. Alvin turned to both of them.

"Oh, just listening in to Dave and Ian's conversation." Alvin said, actually being truthful for once.

"Alvin, you know it's rude to listen in on conversations that don't involve you." Simon continued to lecture Alvin every chance he could trying to teach him respect and manners.

"Simon, I think they're talking about us." Alvin answered back while still trying to put an ear to the window.

"Well why didn't you say so, move out of the way." Simon and Brittney jumped onto the chair and knock Alvin off the top and to the base as Brittney and Simon listen on and Alvin rejoins them. Simon slightly cracks the window making it easier to listen in.

"Dave, you remember how many record companies wanted contracts for the Chipmunks and Chipettes?" Ian continued his talk with Dave.

"Yeah, about a couple dozen, more than I can count." Dave being somewhat sarcastic, but he did remember that it was quite a lot. Ian nodded remembering it as well.

"Dave...I've been getting calls from every recording company in the country." Ian said fists clutched which made Dave's eyes grow in shock. The look on Dave's face was with complete shock, as well as the 3 chipmunks sitting on the chair.

"That's about 40 companies..." Dave barely uttered out the words.

"At least. Some even want to send blank checks, and let us name our price." Every word that came out of Ian's mouth was becoming more unreal by the moment. "You're joking..."

"Do I look like I'm joking Dave? Dave we could be talking millions and millions of dollars!" It was clear Ian was serious, he wouldn't go crazy like this at this time of morning. Dave didn't know how to put it in words of his reaction, he was completely speechless.

The sound of that put dollar signs in Alvin's eyes. He was almost in a complete trance. Jeanette hopped up on the couch also and put a hand in front of Alvin's face waving it up and down with Alvin giving no responce.

"What's wrong with him?" Jeanette questioned.

"Millions and Millions..." Alvin said in a mono-tone voice which kinda of freaked out Jeanette. Simon and Brittney were still listening in which Jeanette joined them.

"We're going to be rich Dave!" Ian said to Dave

"We're going to be rich Dave!" Alvin then repeated the words that Ian just said.

"And all they want is Theodore." Ian finished.

"And all they want is Th..." Those words weren't what Alvin was expecting to hear. "Theodore?"

They all heard the sentence and jumped back on the top and then started listening in closer.

"He became a solo sensation overnight. Everybody wants him Dave. And with the money they're offering...You just can't turn that kinda money down." Ian tried his hardest to contain himself, just the thought of this was bringing Ian in jubilation. Dave looked down sightly as the chipmunks inside were nearly awestruck. But Dave needed to give an answer.

"Ian, I don't know. I mean...everything he would have to do? I-I don't think Alvin could handle that kind of spotlight..." Dave said being as honest as he possibly could. "This is Theodore we're talking about."

"And that's exactly why he worked. Dave, little Theo is everything that the people want: cute, sweet, cuddly charm. He didn't even have to try, he had it just being him. Look Dave...if you don't wish to do it for yourself...then do it for him." Dave realized that Ian really believed that Theodore could do this. What changed? Yesterday, Ian was ready to throw him out the door with another mention of food, did his mind change that completely? Dave thought about it long and hard.

"Alright...I'm fine with it only if Theodore wants to do it." Dave knew that this was a very difficult position to be in, but he gave the only answer he could give.

"There you go that's the spirit." Ian pats Dave on the shoulder and the chipmunks back in the house were in shock and disbelief, but a certain red clad chipmunk almost couldn't even believe what he heard.

"Theodore? The people like...Theodore? Over me?" Alvin kept questioning himself, questioning what he heard. Questioning everything. It was almost too much for Alvin to take as he jumped off the chair and began walking slowly to the hallway. Off in the distance, the group hears Theodore and Eleanor coming up about to walk by Alvin.

"Oh boy. This isn't good." Brittney said whincing almost certain what was about to happen.

"Hi guys? What's going on?" Theodore called out, but no one answered. Theodore and Eleanor walk up to Alvin who has a blank look on his face putting a confused look on their faces.

"Alvin? Are you okay?" Theodore asked concerned.

"Alvin?" Eleanor repeated her concern.

Alvin looks up slowly to his brother and his friend, his brother's best friend.

"Oh sure, coming from the munk that's loved by everyone..." Alvin blurted out, arms extended in the air, talking to the ceiling it seemed before walking off in a fit. The others knew what was coming as Jeanette buried her head in paw. Simon and Brittney could only shake their heads. Alvin just walks by as the two look at him totally confused.

"What was that all about?" Eleanor called out. Theodore noticed the others on the couch and ran over to them.

"Simon what's going on?" Theodore called out to his brother as he hopped up half way on the couch arm. Simon wasn't ready yet to explain and a bunch of slurs and chuckles came from all of them. Theodore and Eleanor were getting more confused than ever.

"What's with everybody!" Theodore looked over to his friend.

"Maybe it's the Moonshine?" Eleanor responded.

"But you're not acting funny?" Theodore quickly answered, which was true.

"Yeah, what's with everybody?" Eleanor then repeated with her arms crossed.

Just then Dave walked in and saw the five chipmunks standing around and saw Theodore on the floor looking up at him as he returned the look. The look on Dave's face told Theodore something was going on.

"Dave? What's going on?" Theodore looked up asking.

"Theodore..." Dave started. "We need to uh... have a long...talk..."

Theodore was worried and looked over at Eleanor as he began to hold her. It was a weird tone of voice that Dave gave him, he wasn't sure if he was in trouble for Dave didn't sound mad, but Dave at the same time didn't sound any bit happy in the least.

After the day went on, Dave decided to let everyone cool down and gather themselves, even Alvin had snapped out of his little funk he was in. Theodore was sitting on the couch with all his peers behind him, some with their hands on his shoulders as Theodore was clearly nervous at what was about to be said as his paws were shaking.

"You don't have to worry Theodore, this is actually some really good news." Dave told him.

Theodore wiped his brow in a sigh of relief though no one behind him was still in a joyful mood as Dave sat in the chair by them.

"Theodore...the song that you did yesterday..." Dave started out which got his attention.

"Oh, did they like it?" Theodore asked Dave with excitement.

The others kinda looked down at him, he clearly had no idea. Alvin kinda waved his hands at Dave telling him to just say it already to rid the suspense.

"It's better than that, your song's already a number one hit . You got us our million dollars." Dave said clapping his hands on delivery.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Way to go Theodore!" Alvin cheered as he gave his brother a nuggie as he smiled though in pain.

"Hold on a second," Dave stopped as he knew they only knew hlf the story and now the tough part would come. "But with that, there came another little issue. You see, with that song you did, it got a lot of people's attention. And nearly recording studio in the country wants to sign you to big, solo contract."

The smile on Theodore's face has disappeared as he realizes the seriousness of the matter as he looks around at his peers.

The amount of money you helped us make...is nothing compared to what these people are offering for you to sing for them now." Dave said in a very serious, almost robotic tone.

"Cool! You're like walking gold bro!" Alvin called out, realizing what the talk was about. It actually wasn't near as bad as he thought at first. But that didn't seem to improve Theodore's esteem, in fact the opposite effect happened.

"But...but what did you tell them?" Theodore said with sort of panic to him.

"I didn't tell them anything. And that's why I wanted have this talk. I decided that since it's your future, and this is a real big decision... I'm gonna let you decide what you wanna do." Dave answered. Theodore's face could have wrote a thousand expressions, it was like one after another. Theodore looked around at his brothers and friends who were quick to be by his side and back to Dave.

"Now I'm not going to force to choose one or the other, because this is a big desicion. But whatever you decide, we'll support you." Dave said to his son with such love and care. Theodore still unsure though looked down at his feet.

"I don't know Dave." Theodore said. "I...I wanted to spend more time with everybody, with you. With all of you and you..." Pointing to each of them as he spoke. "...but I would be crazy to turn this down wouldn't I?" He continued with gloom.

"I'm not going to tell you "you'd be crazy"." Dave reasoned.

"But you just did..." Theodore whined.

Dave didn't get what he meant as Theodore plopped of the couch and started walking off to their bedroom by himself as the others looked on.

"Theo come back! We'll help get through this!" Alvin called out to him.

But Theodore didn't respond, nor did he turn around to even let them know he heard the comment. Eleanor then jumped off the couch and followed him back as it looked like tears were starting to form in his eyes.

"Theodore wait..." Eleanor pleaded to her friend. Her best friend.

It was the only chipmunk he would stop and turn around for as he did, she saw the tears swelling up in him. She pulled him in and gave him a big hug to try and comfort him.

"I don't know what to do..." Theodore said with whispers.

"I know..." Eleanor's comfort was so sweet to her counterpart.

"Eleanor...If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?" Theodore asked her, holding her hands.

"Of course Theodore...I always have..." Eleanor responded to her.

Theodore slowly pulled and held both her hands as they looked eye to eye.

"Should I do this?" Theodore asked with eyes wide staring straight into her pupils with green iris. Eleanor almost knew that question was coming, but she still had to think of the right thing to say. But deep down she knew what the right answer was as Theodore waited for her answer.

"Yes...I think you should." Theodore looked dejected but still had a smile on his face, he knew he could trust Eleanor to be honest with him, even in the hardest of conditions.

"You have a special gift Theodore. A gift of bringing people together, a gift of people liking you, just by being you. You have a big heart Theodore, and you have the chance of a lifetime to show that heart, and love to many people." Eleanor said with great pride to her friend, Theodore almost blushed by her words, yet there was still something wrong.

"But...I don't wanna leave you." Theodore pleaded to her. Eleanor kinda giggled though, which he didn't expect.

"Theodore...as long as I'm right there..." She poked him in his chest pointing to his heart which Theodore giggled being ticklish. "I never will leave you, just like you'll always be in mine." Eleanor smiled hoping that her demeanor would crack a smile to Theodore. Theodore looked down with a shy smile kinda blushing at the sound of her words.

"Well, we should get some sleep. Good night Theodore." Eleanor said to him.

"Good night Eleanor." Theodore responded back with a hug good night.

There's Chapter 5. Chapter 6 Coming soon...