Author's Notes: I'm not usually an egotistical person, but I am a little disappointed at the lack of reviews lately. I'm know I haven't been updating as often, but there's always a great feeling when I wake up in the morning, check my email and see like, 6 reviews. It's awesome.

Chapter 16: Together Forever

Saturday night finally arrived and Alvin was ready to set the plan in motion. At midnight, he pushed his blanket away and leaped out of bed, fully clothed in his hoodie and made his way out of the room. As quietly as he could, he wandered down the hall, stopping at Brittany's bedroom door, which was wide open. He peered inside to see that she had already left. Perfect, he thought as he rushed down the stairs and out through the back door cat flap.

Landing gracefully on his feet, Alvin bounded across the backyard and over the fence into the paddock, straight to where he had set everything up that afternoon. He followed the light coming from over the small hill and grinned when he laid his eyes on his beloved. Brittany sat on the damp grass, illuminated by the moon and gazing up at the stars. She wore the exact same outfit she had worn when Alvin first laid eyes on her and fell in love.

Coming up behind her, Alvin placed a paw on her shoulder. She jumped a little, but relaxed once she saw who it was. She smiled lovingly and leaned into his embrace when he sat down. She giggled when Alvin gently nipped at her ears and kissed them, making them flicker. He had never done it before and it tickled more than she thought it would.

"Should I be concerned?" she asked when he started to lick the fur behind her ears. She only got a gentle growl in response.

"Not only do you smell delicious, you taste delicious too," Alvin gradually answered, burying his face in her neck. He smooched up her neck in a line before nuzzling into her cheek, allowing her scent to fill his nose once again.

Brittany nuzzled back, softly sighing into his ear, "I'm glad you think so. So, what's the big occasion that has prevented me from getting any beauty sleep?"

It took Alvin a minute to settle down and readjust himself. He cleared his throat and put on a more serious tone. This was something that you could never take half hearted and lightly. This could just as well be the most important moment of their lives. Nervously, Alvin let go of his counterpart and shuffled around on his knees to face her. She peered at him curiously, her eyes reflecting the stars. Alvin allowed himself to get lost in them before he began.

"Brittany," Alvin began, softly taking her paws in his, "As you well know, I've been in love with you since day one. Despite all of our differences and fights, my love has never wavered in the slightest. You've always been my number one priority, even if I haven't been able to show it. All of those times when I seemed to be my cocky, arrogant self, inside I was melting in your presence. All I ever wanted to do was hold you, love you and sing all of our troubles away."

Brittany gave a stunning smile as Alvin continued, "You're not a hot, sexy diva, but you are a beautiful, talented singer, who deserves all the cheering and standing ovations an audience can give. You deserve the fame, money and the respect. But you also deserve a nice home and someone loving to come home to at night. You deserve a nice family and the opportunity to have one of your own. I can't make you more talented, but I can give you the rest if you really want it."

Brittany's jaw dropped. Was this what she thought it was? Was Alvin taking the vow of commitment? She glanced up into the sky and saw the full moon. It was! This was the night that every Chipette dreamed of: the night that she would make the transition from girl to woman by the time the sun rose and begins a new life with a devoted partner at her side.

With this realisation settled into her brain, Brittany got on her knees as well and moved closer to Alvin, looking him dead in the eye, "Alvin, there's nothing I want more than to be by your side, to be your lover and to be the mother of your children. I've been yours since you stole my heart in the school hallway. I love you more than anything and will do anything for you."

It felt like they were in a fairytale. Fireflies flittered all around them, acting almost like Christmas lights. A cool breeze ran through their fur and rippled the long grass around them.

Alvin looked thoroughly relieved and asked curiously, "Brittany Rose Miller, do you accept my vow and devotion? Will you allow me move us on to Bonding so we can prepare a new future together?"

"I do. I will," Brittany replied sweetly.

Again, Alvin chuckled in relief. He moved in closer to her so they could cuddle again. This time, it was Brittany's turn to be nervous. If there's one thing she remembered being taught by her mother is that the true colours of a Chipmunk would show through in stage three of the Claiming. Alvin had always been moderately gentle when showing affection, but when he was going to take it to the next level, it could easily turn rough.

Feeling deliriously happy, Alvin nuzzled his beloved and placed chaste kisses on her forehead, hoping to take her mind off the fact that he was pushing her slowly onto her back. With one arm, he removed his hoodie and turned it into a makeshift pillow as he laid her onto the grass. Now he was on top of her. Their tails began to intertwine. There was no going back.

Brittany moaned softly as Alvin began to trace her sides. He nuzzled her neck and helped her slide out of the tie and pink jacket. Despite the coolness of the night, she stayed warm while Alvin slowly removed all of her clothing and tossed it behind him. From here, it was all natural. For the first time, Brittany felt a strong desire in her heart the more Alvin explored her body. She could sense his desire growing too. She opened her eyes to see him gazing down at her with lust.

No words needed to be spoken. It was time.

An hour and a half later...

Brittany was in pain. As magical and special was Claiming was, there's a major downside to it; some Chipettes spend the first moments of their new lives in agony. Every muscle from her knees up to her lower abdominal muscles were seizing and cramping up. It felt like they were on fire. It had started unexpectedly half an hour after they had finished mating. Everything had been so pleasurable up until that moment.

So that's why they were now in the bathroom that was furthest away from all the bedrooms. Alvin had carried Brittany from the paddock, completely ignoring his own muscle soreness that wasn't even a quarter as painful as his counterpart's. Brittany lay next to the sink, trying not to cry out as Alvin filled the sink with water hot enough to relax her body. Dave had the sinks custom made to so they could double as little chipmunk baths.

Gradually, the bath was filled up enough. Alvin hopped in first and then helped Brittany ease herself into the water. She squealed in pain when the inflamed muscles protested at the movement. It took a few moments before the water soaked through her fur and started to do its job. Brittany sighed as she rested her head against the wall of the sink, feeling her muscles decreasing the cramping one by one. But the pain was still there.

Knowing that the water wasn't going to be enough, Alvin set to work. He sat beside the sore Chipette and ran a paw firmly over her left thigh, digging his fingers into her skin. Brittany closed her eyes in bliss as he massaged and manipulated every muscle until they settled down.

"Alvin, that feels amazing," she moaned.

Alvin chuckled, "That's definitely not the first time you've said that tonight, Sweetheart."

Brittany opened her eyes and gave him a playful glare, "Oh get over yourself! If I wasn't in pain right now, I'd smack you!"

"Wouldn't be the first time you'd have done that tonight either!"

"Alvin!"

Alvin laughed and pecked her nose as he continued to work his magic on her right thigh, "I'm just kidding Britt."

"I know you are," Brittany replied sweetly. She smirked as she added, "But don't get used to getting away with it all the time. I may belong to you now, but we both know who'll be making all the decisions don't we?"

Alvin gave an answer that she wasn't expecting, "The both of us together. I know that as the male, I'm always supposed to have the last say, but I don't want to have that kind of control over you. If there's one thing that the humans have right, it's equality between genders, don't you think?"

"Definitely," agreed Brittany, although still surprised at Alvin's maturity in his answer, "A couple of weeks before we came to LA, my sisters and I stayed with an elderly couple in their oak tree. The male was really strict with her and treated her like a servant. She seemed to be happy, but I could tell she hated every moment. You could just see it in her eyes. I don't want to end up like that."

"And I won't let you," Alvin vowed firmly. By now, he had finished massaging. Brittany shifted her legs and found that she could move them with ease. "Sweetheart, the day you feel like that is the day I stop loving you."

"Which means it'll never happen, right?"

"Exactly."

They had a quick nuzzle before lathering each other up with soap to wash the dirt and grass out of their coats and hopped out of the dirty, cold water. Alvin pulled the plug. Brittany threw him a face washer/towel and they dried themselves off, occasionally stopping to shake like a dog. As Brittany threw her hair back into a ponytail, Alvin ran off and retrieved pyjamas for both of them.

Alvin was already wearing his when he came back in. He handed Brittany hers and she slipped into it. Paw in paw, they set off down the hall, past the laundry and up the stairs. Brittany's room was first, but Alvin seemed surprised when she stopped to go in.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"Why would you be going in there?"

"Uhhh, maybe it's because it's my room and I'm going in to sleep? It's been a long night you know."

Alvin frowned and shook his head, "Nonsense! How are we supposed to Bond if we're separated at night?"

"Well then, by all means join me!" Brittany cried in an exasperated whisper. She made a gesture for him to follow her, but he stayed put.

Alvin shook his head again, "Sorry Britt. I may not want to have complete control over you, but I'm still a male and I still have my pride. You belong to me, so you're the one moving."

Brittany looked scandalised, "But-but!" She was quickly hushed with a kiss on the lips.

"Relax Sweetheart!" Alvin said soothingly, "Don't worry. You'll only have to hate it for tonight. I spent all of today dusting and cleaning it out so tomorrow we can turn it into our room. There's plenty of room for all your clothes and I can clear some stuff off the walls for your most favourite posters and photos. We can redecorate the room and even repaint the walls if you want it done."

Brittany smiled gratefully and caressed his cheek, "You actually cleaned your room?"

Alvin grinned cheekily, "Anything for my Mate."

That was the first time he'd called her that. Brittany felt a wave of happiness wash over her as Alvin lifted her up bridle style and carried her to his-er-their room. Alvin backed into the bedroom and placed her back on her feet. He closed the door behind them and followed her into the bed.

Together, they got under the covers. Brittany curled in a ball with her head on her paws, her back to Alvin. He shifted over and curled against her, his head in the crook of her neck. He wrapped his arms around her in a protective embrace, as if it would save her from bad dreams.

It was only three weeks ago that these two were best friends secretly crushing on each other. It was only two weeks ago that Alvin declared his love for her and they came together. And it was only just over an hour ago that they had become one for life. Things couldn't be any better as they drifted into the land of nod, both dreaming of the future ahead.

A/N: How are the others going to react when they see Brittany moving in? Will they keep it a secret like Simon and Jeanette or will they shout it off the rooftops?