So, here we are again. I apologize for it taking so long, but every time I would start to work on it I couldn't get inspired. It also didn't help that I type so freakin' slow. . . But I digress. . . On with the story!
Chapter 6
"Si," Alvin made no attempt to hide his frustration. "You're harmony was off tonight, again"
The eldest chipmunk narrowed his blue eyes, "Yes, well it's hard to keep harmony with a certain chipmunk that cannot stay on key."
Brown eyes flared with anger, "don't blame me! It's not MY fault that YOU can't keep up with me anymore!" He gave a wide grin. "Besides, the fans still love me!"
"All ten of them," Simon said, dead pan. "Alvin, Theodore and I are tired. Please put you considerable ego aside and let us take a break!"
"Not gonna happed!" Alvin yelled. "As long as we keep selling tickets, I'll keep doing shows." He kept the smile plastered on his face. "You can't stop me from being a star!"
"I've got news for you little brother! YOU ARE NOT A BIG FUCKING STAR ANYMORE" Simon was yelling at the top of his lungs. "YOU'RE A WASHED UP CHILD SINGING SENSATION WHO CAN NO LONGER CARRY A TUNE TO SAVE HIS WORTHLESS LIFE!" Now Alvin was seeing red. But Simon, having bottled up his emotions for so long, continued anyway. "GET REAL ALVIN, I'TS GOING TO TAKE A FUCKING MIRACLE FOR YOU TO BE A STAR AGAIN!"
The lead chipmunk snapped and launched himself at his older brother claws first. He was in a blind rage for a few seconds. Until, he heard a scream that made his blood run cold.
The next thing he saw was his little brother on the floor covered in blood. Simon was kneeling down next to him holding the youngest chipmunk's hand. Dave was calling an ambulance, while Matt stood guard at the door. Cody arrived a second later with a roll of paper towels, tore one off and folded it, then gently pressed it to the youngest chipmunks chest in an attempt to stop the considerable bleeding.
"What happened?" The teen asked.
Simon explained the fight and Alvin losing it, then turned to Theodore. "Why did you jump in front of me?" Simon asked, almost in tears.
"I love my brothers," He smiled weakly. " And, I don't like seeing them hurt. . . Even, when they hurt each other."
"That was about two weeks ago." Theodore said, coming back to the present. "I spent that night in the hospital. The doctor said that the only major problem was that I had lost a lot of blood and needed to rest." The chipmunk looked into the sky, and let his eyes rest on the moon. "Simon stayed with me in the room that night because he felt guilty." He sighed, "Alvin has barely said two words to me since. After I was released, Dave said I was staying with Cody and Matt for the rest of the tour."
His lips spread into the first true smile the chipette had seen since they came outside. "Cody came into my life at just the right time." He looked back at her. "Without his love. . . And yours," he quickly added, "this would have been a lot harder for me to go through." He closed his eyes and fought the tears. "He's been more of a brother to me than my real brothers have. Especially, since we're partners now." As soon as he said though, he knew he slipped up.
"Partners?", now the chipette was curious. "What kind of partners?"
Theodore smiled nervously and added, "Song writing partners. I write the lyrics, and he writes the music."
The chipette smiled wide. "That's great!"
He nodded, "Dave even got us a contract. . . But I was kinda worried about it at first. I thought it might push Alvin farther away if we were successful. I don't think Simon would care," He gave a thoughtful smile. "He'd probably be proud of me, like a brother should." Theodore shook his head. "Alvin would think I was moving in on his territory. He's supposed to be the star attraction of the group."
The chipmunk gave another thoughtful look at the sky. "I don't write because I want to be famous, even though we have. I do it because sometimes I will hear something that will spark an idea for lyrics. Or," he swallowed hard, "I have emotions that I have to get out in some way or I'll explode."
"Anyway," His green eyes fixed on hers again. "Cody suggested that we come up with a name that we could write our songs under. . . And I liked the idea." He smiled, "that's how T. C. Richards was born. . ." He waited for her reaction.
Eleanor smiled and shook her head. "T for Theodore, C for Cody. And, Richards is short for Richardson." She laughed, "I should have picked up on the initials right away."
"I think Cody and I did a god job considering you didn't even figure it out." Theodore laughed too. Then his voice grew serious. "Please don't tell anyone. . . Not Rosie, your sisters, or Mrs. Miller." He took her hands in his own. "No one. . . Please Ellie Bell?" Just as she could use his special nickname to manipulate him, he could use her special nickname for the same reason.
"Of course," she said gently. "My lips are sealed."
He grinned playfully, "I'm not sure I trust you. Let me make sure those lips are sealed." He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her closer. Then, closing his eyes, the chipmunk gently pressed his lips to hers. For a few long moments, they stayed lost in each other's love.
Finally, much to his disappointment, Eleanor pulled away. "Do you trust me now?" Her voice was now playful as well.
"I guess so.", he said with mock uncertainty, "I'll have to test your loyalty to me again later". He glanced back at the restaurant. "We really should go back inside, our food will get cold."
Theodore, having finished everything on his plate, leaned back in his chair and smiled. "That was better than the first time we came here." The chipmunk looked across the table. "What songs do The Chipettes preform in their live show?" He knew they had just started their tour and where still refining their show.
The chipette's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I think we've finally got the show where we want it." Her smile grew wider as she talked. "The hardest part was arranging the songs. You know, who sings what when. It took a while to get the balance just right, and at our last show I think we got it right. I think my favorites are when we all sing different parts of the same song."
"We used to do that." The chipmunk smiled as he thought back to one of 'The Chipmunks' early hits, 'Witch Doctor' and how he would hit the high notes. "Dave says I sing better now than I did back then." His eyes grew darker. He also recalled that it was before Alvin insisted that he sing lead vocals on almost everything. He caught the concerned look he was getting from his girlfriend.
"Sorry. . ." He brightened. "Do you sing our song?
She smiled, "of course I do. Right after the girls and I do our ABBA medley" Now she waited on his reaction.
"ABBA. . . Medley." He spoke slowly, and then he smiled. "Cool. Ever since we went to see 'Mamma Mia', I've had their songs stuck in my head."
Across the room, a cell phone rang. Matt got up and left the room to answer. "Yes sir?"
It was Dave, "Alvin finally decided that he needed help with his voice."
"Good", Matt blew out a breath.
Dave gave a wide smile even though Matt couldn't see him. "It is! He and Simon sang for Theodore's voice coach . . . They just need to train their new voices." Matt could hear the relief in his best friend's voice. "Once Alvin learned that it was going to take months to get their voices back, he finally agreed to cancel the rest of the tour."
Matt beamed. "Great . . . Do you want me to tell Theodore?"
"No. . ." Dave said "Let me tell him . . . Can you get him for me? For some strange reason his phone his off." The father laughed. A few seconds later, Theodore came on the line. "Hey Theodore . . . Are you and Eleanor having a good time?"
"Of course, I haven't had this much fun in a long time." Dave could hear the pure joy in his son's voice. "How are Alvin and Simon?"
Dave's smile grew even bigger. "That's what I wanted to tell you." He went on to explain to the chipmunk about his brothers, their voices, and the canceled tour.
The chipmunk hesitated, in a small voice he asked "He's not leaving?"
On the other end of the phone, Dave shook his head. "No Theodore . . ." He made sure the youngest chipmunk understood ". . . Alvin isn't leaving."
Theodore instantly felt part of his heart mend. "Has he made up with Simon yet?" The chipmunks voice was full of hope.
Dave hesitated, and at the same time, his heart dropped.
"Dad," Theodore asked again. By now however, he knew what would the answer would be. "Have Alvin and Simon apologized to each other?"
After a few more moments, Dave answered. "No . . . Not yet."
The youngest chipmunk was noticeably disappointed. "I guess that was too much to hope for, huh."
"Not really" his father's voice was full of warmth. "You should hold on to that dream, Theodore. Eventually, it might come true." After a few moments of silence, Dave spoke again. "Well, I'll let you get back to dinner. . . Can I talk to Mrs. Miller for a second?"
The chipmunk's curiosity was peaked, "Sure . . . Love you, Dad.
On the other side of the phone, Dave smiled. His boys rarely called him 'dad' anymore. So, at a time like this, it sounded nice. "I love you, Theodore."
Moments later, Mrs. Miller spoke into the phone. And Theodore listened, trying to make out what the conversation was about.
"Hello David, how are you? . . . Good. And, the boys? . . . Wonderful!" This time there was a painfully long pause before she spoke again. "Why don't you go back to your table, Theodore?" Her lips formed a smile. "I'm sure Eleanor is waiting."
Theodore only nodded as he went to claim the chair across from Eleanor. After he sat down, Mrs. Miller glanced at Matt, who was seated at the table they were the adults were. As Matt caught her glance, she motioned him to come over.
"David, you're on speaker phone." She said. "Matt is here as well."
Before Dave could speak from the other side of the speaker, Matt spoke with a smile. "You want him to stay, don't you?"
Dave laughed, and then said "And I want you and Cody to stay with him."
"Of course, as long as Mrs. M's ok with it." He looked to her, and she nodded.
"Theodore is always welcome to stay as long as he wants."
Even though they couldn't see him, Dave was smiling. "Thanks Mrs. Miller. . . Theodore needs to be around people that show they love him and care for him." He sighed. "He knows Alvin and Simon love him, they just haven't shown it in a long time."
Matt nodded. "He and Cody have become very close, like brothers. Cody has really come out of his shell since he met Theodore."
"And Theodore has really gained confidence as well. I mean, before they met, Theodore wouldn't have even dared to sin solo on stage without his brothers. I think Cody has definitely taught Theodore to believe in himself." Dave stopped, realizing he was getting off topic. "I'll send more of his things. And if there's anything you and Cody need, Matt. Let me know." Mrs. Miller and Matt smiled as well, said goodbye, and ended the conversation.
"So," Matt eyes fell on the table where the chipette and chipmunk where seated. As her eyes followed, he spoke. "Do you want to tell them?" He smiled because she was already nodding.
I promise to quicker with my next update. Please Review. . . And don't be afraid to critique . . . Nicely . . . No flames.
