"Doctor, I don't understand. He died. I saw him lying there on that bed. How is he still here?"

"Alvin, in all my years as a doctor I have never seen anyone come back like he did. I cannot really explain it. Shortly after you three left, his heart resumed beating. Shortly after that his breathing returned. There have been cases where people have come back from the brink of death like this, but I have never heard of an animal doing the same thing."

"It's a miracle. Just like we asked for, Simon!"

"It is indeed. However it just doesn't make sense. We both saw him dead. I guess it just was not his time to go."

"Now I must insist that we stay here with him, Dave. Just in case he wakes up. I want us to be the first thing he sees when he wakes up."

"Of course. Doctor, can I talk to you alone for a minute?"

Dave stepped outside of the room, closing the door behind him. Alvin crept forward and stared at his brother.

"Oh Theodore… We both love you so much. Welcome back, bro."

"Alvin, he wasn't away on vacation. He was dead."

"Sorry. Anyway, we are glad that you are alive."

Alvin jumped back as he heard Theodore groan in pain. He stared contently as he waited for any response from his brother.

"Uhhh…."

"Theodore? Did you say something?"

"Wha…. Wha… what happened?" Theodore tried to raise his head up but found the pain too much to bear and quickly lowered it back down.

"We were in an accident, Theo. We got trapped in the snow and cold. If it were not for Dave getting us to the hospital just in time, we would not be here right now. You are the luckiest chipmunk to ever walk the earth, Theodore."'

"Oh… ow! Why?"

"You died. In fact, you were dead for a while. We got a message on the phone from the doctor as we got back home telling us to come back up here, where we just found out that you were still alive."

"Theo, we are so happy to have you with us and don't you worry about the concerts. Dave already cancelled them for us."

"But the… the fans…"

"We know. Some people will be angry but let's hope that they understand what we are going through right now. With any luck we will be back on our feet performing in no time."

"Not… not the way I feel, Theodore…"

"I'm Simon. You are Theodore."

"Why are you… wearing my shirt?"

Simon looked down, and noticed that he still had his brother's shirt on.

"Oh. I just wanted to wear it to remember you by, but not that you are alive, you can have it back."

"No thanks… you keep it. Good night, guys…"

Theodore closed his eyes and resumed sleeping. Simon looked at the door as Dave came walking back in and took a seat next to the bed.

"Guys, the doctor said that Theodore will have to remain here for a week or two. After that, he will have to come back once a week for treatments until he is fully recovered."

"But he is going to live, right?"

"Yes. He will live."

"Good."

*** Six months later… ***

With a slight limp, Theodore closed the door to the dressing room and joined his brothers backstage. He smiled as they gave him a hug.

"Guys, this is our first concert since the accident. I say we give them a show they will never forget!"

"Oh yeah! This is going to be the best show ever. Let's go out there and rock and roll all night!"

"Theodore, listen… They are calling for you…"

Theodore leaned closer to the stage and could hear the waiting audience chanting his name.

"Wow. That's a first. Usually they want you, Alvin."

"Tonight, you're the star Theodore. Now get out there and give the people what they want!"

The trio walked as close as they could to the stage and waited for their introductions to start.

Ladies and gentlemen… In their first concert of the new tour, please welcome onto the stage Alvin, Simon and Theodore!

The audience erupted into applause as the furry trio took center stage. They quickly gathered into a circle and whispered to each other.

"Remember this: Theodore, you are the star tonight. Kick some tail!"

"You got it, Alvin. Let's do it!"