"Alvin… ALVIN!" Alvin awoke with a start, breathing heavily. His body was drenched in sweat and he had tearstains down his cheeks. His pillow was soaked. Alvin looked around. He was in his room, under his covers. Bright light came in, and it took a second to focus on the figure in front of him. It was Simon. He was looking intently into Alvin's eyes, his hand raised, as if he had just shook Alvin.

Alvin waited a second before asking, "Simon?"

At this, Simon smiled gently. "You're finally awake," Simon said quietly, so as not to hurt Alvin's ears. Alvin was confused.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to be scared of me, and not speak right and stuff?" Alvin tried sitting up but realized he was really sore.

Simon raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked, no," his eyes darkened. "But I know that's what you want me to be."

Guilt and shame hit Alvin head-on once more. His eyes filled with tears as he forced himself to sit up and hug Simon tightly. "No, Simon. I know that's what I said, but I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry." Simon was shocked. Alvin? Sorry? What was the world coming to? Just then, Theo came in the room.

"Simon, Dave wants to know how Alvin's doi- Hey, he's awake!" Theo interrupted himself. Alvin's eyes snapped open as he heard his baby brother's voice.

"Theo?" He asked, his voice cracking. A vision of Theodore, a giant slit through his neck, blood everywhere, flitted through his mind. Simon stepped back so Theo could hug Alvin. As they hugged, Alvin whispered in disbelief, "You aren't dead," Theo stiffened a bit, but when he heard Alvin sob gratefully and squeeze him, Theo hugged back, not really thinking too hard on the past.

When they finally let go, Alvin asked, "Where's Dave?"

Simon answered, "He's down by the Christmas Tree, most likely. He wanted to see if you've woken up in time for Christmas."

Alvin was startled. In time for Christmas? "Huh?"

"You've been asleep for a whole day!" Theo clarified. "You missed Christmas Eve, so we were hoping you might be awake for Christmas."

Alvin jumped out of bed, despite being a bit sore, and placed his arms around his brothers' shoulders. "Of course! I wouldn't want to miss Christmas with the best family in the world!" Simon and Theodore smiled happily. Alvin pulled them close and whispered in complete honesty, "I'm so sorry for everything I said a few days ago, when I was really mad. I wasn't thinking. Can you guys forgive me?"

Simon and Theo exchanged glances before replying in unison, "Sure, Alvin!" Alvin smiled gratefully.

"Thanks, fellas." Then, as they headed downstairs and Dave saw them, Dave greeted,

"Merry Christmas, fellas!"

To which the Chipmunks all sang in reply, "Merry Christmas!" Before sitting down around the tree.

But this year, Alvin had a whole new meaning to the words.