Tropical Love
Day 01: to the Bahamas!
"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. Terminal four to Nassau, Bahamas is open. Please present your passports to enter the plane," the loudspeaker said in Miami's airport waiting room.
Dave, Simon, and Theodore were sitting and waiting with their luggage on the typical airport chair-row.
"Welp, time to go boys!" Dave announced, standing up.
"Wait! Where is Alvin?" Simon asked. The three then looked around in all directions. But Alvin wasn't in their sight.
Dave sighed. "Always on the bad moments! Where could he be hanging now?!"
Simon was thinking while looking around. His eyes then landed on the perfume shop. He snapped his fingers and turned to his dad. "I think I know where he is. I'll get him!"
"Okay, we'll already go wait at the terminal. Come Theodore," Dave replied as he turned away.
"Don't be late!" Theodore yelled at his smart brother.
Simon entered the shop, and not even a couple of seconds after, he heard a spritzing noise on his left behind the Hugo Boss shelf. The glassed chipmunk moved to the side to see better.
And on a little table in height, Alvin stood there with a bottle of perfume. There was also an employee standing next to him.
"Alvin!" Simon yelled with some irritation. Alvin bent backwards to see his brother. His whole head was wet in perfume.
"Simon! This perfume is amazing! Come smell it!" Alvin exclaimed. He turned to the lady, "I'll take one bottle of this please."
Simon joined his brother on the table and crossed his arms. "What are you even gonna do with this? Plus that it's overpriced here, and we must get to the plane!"
"You know Simon…" Alvin strolled a bit to the side, "girls love perfume…"
Simon raised his eyebrow. "Girls?"
Alvin nodded. "We're going on vacation, so we must smell great to attract them!"
"Alvin… How to say… A, chipmunk, and a, human… You're not seeing, a problem?"
Alvin started thinking for a moment, rubbing his chin. He then snapped his fingers. "Don't worry, small guys can get girls too! I know how to talk to them! And I'll assist you, as a real wingman!"
Simon facepalmed. Biologically impossible, sigh… What did he just say? "No thank you, I'm not planning on getting a 'girl'. Now we have to go to the terminal!"
Simon pulled Alvin with him by the sleeve. "Wait my cologne!"
At the terminal, it was almost Dave's turn to check in. Theodore stood behind him on the luggage. The little chipmunk then perceived his brothers running towards them. "I see them coming!"
Dave also turned around. "Ah, Alvin! You shouldn't disappear like that! We could've missed our flight. And why is your face wet?"
"Chill Dave, chill!" Alvin and Simon joined Theodore on the luggage, "I'm here now. Oh, my face? That's perfume."
"Mister irresistible wants to impress all the girls of the island…" Simon added on a slightly mocking tone.
Dave frowned too. He looked around for a moment and saw the whole row of passengers looking weird at him.
"Eh, Alvin… I, don't think it's possible. But I'll explain that when you're older, and not in public… Ehem! Okay!"
In the end, the group of four passed the control and headed to the jet bridge, but Theodore was hesitant. Simon noticed as his brother stopped walking. "Theo, what's wrong?"
"Wh-what if we crash in the ocean?" Theodore asked worryingly.
Simon grinned at the cute worry moment of his brother. "More people die from cars than planes, Theo. Planes are very safe. And it's only one hour flying to our destination."
"But how cool would it be to crash and survive on a stranded island?!" Alvin theorised, appearing in-between his brothers.
Simon pulled Alvin and turned their backs to Theodore. "Don't scare him more!"
"What? I'm just looking at the positive side of a plane crash…" Alvin justified with hand gestures.
"You really watched too many movies…"
But Theodore was more confident now and the three entered the plane. After roughly twenty minutes of preparations, the plane was already high in the air.
Alvin sat next to the window and decided to open it. "Oooh! The view is amazing! Theo come look!"
His younger brother, sitting two seats away from him approached to look at the clouds and the blue ocean.
"Wow we are high! Is that ocean?" Theodore asked, being amazed.
"It is, Theo," Dave replied from the seat next to the hall.
"Yep! The Pacific Ocean!" Alvin added.
Simon lowered his Nature magazine as he heard his brother. "Atlantic, Alvin…"
"Pacific, Atlantic, it's all water! Why complicate things?" Alvin nonchalantly answered.
"You do you Alv— actually no, you'd be incorrect all the time…"
"Oh come on Simon! I do know things!" Alvin approached his brother and sat next to him, "fun fact, did you know planes dumped their toilet waste mid-flight? Imagine getting that on you while just relaxing in your backyard hahaha!"
"They are not allowed to do that… It only happens as accidents," Simon replied, resuming his reading.
Alvin pushed his lower lip up and crossed his arms. "I'm sure some do it on purpose, for the fun…"
After not even an hour, the plane started lowering and ultimately hit Bahamian ground, on the island of New Providence.
The chipmunks were very excited for this, a relaxing vacation. The whole process from getting out of the plane to the luggage gathering and leaving the airport went smoothly.
As the group left the airport, a bus was ready to take them to the all-inclusive resort Dave had booked by driving through the island. There were nice pieces of nature, modest housings, the more modern-looking city and capital, Nassau, and a lot of references to the island's pirate past.
And half an hour later, the bus stopped at the resort. It looked tropical and modern.
Dave was busy getting the keys for the bungalows at the reception while the chipmunks waited at the luggage. But suddenly, Alvin got distracted. Two blonde ladies in bikinis were approaching.
"Oh, my…" Alvin thought out loud, being almost hypnotised.
The two ladies noticed Alvin's gaze and grinned a bit as they walked by.
"Hello, my ladies!" Alvin started as he jumped in front of them, "going to the beach I see? I hope to see you around, so I can show my surfing and beach ball skills!"
The ladies laughed a bit and waved at the confident chipmunk as they continued their way. Alvin looked satisfied, for now.
"Good, got the keys boys! Let's go this way!" Dave announced.
The chipmunks followed him to the bungalows across the resort, passing by several places. The open-air dining place, the large and transparent pool, the beautiful beach with the cyan-coloured ocean, and the bungalows, also on the beach on poles.
Dave had booked two next to each other, one for him and one for the chipmunks. He unlocked both and let the three brothers in.
It was a completely wooden structure, painted white and beige with a two-person bed in the back with a balcony for a view on the ocean behind it. Additional furniture was there too.
Alvin immediately rushed to the bed and started energetically jumping on it.
"Well, the bed is large enough to share. Guess that was Dave's original plan…" Simon mumbled.
"You, don't mind sleeping together, do you?" Theodore asked with a little tone of concern.
"No, of course not! As long, as 'he', stays calm, and doesn't wake us up," Simon reacted, pointing at his other brother on the bed. Their looks turned at Alvin, then back at each other.
"Can you sleep in the middle?"
"I'll sleep in the middle…" Theodore grinned.
Alvin jumped to his brothers and put his arms around their necks. 'This is gonna be an amazing holiday! This place is so magnificent! We're gonna have so much fun!"
His brothers smiled too now.
"And to start well, let's get some cocktails at the bar!" Alvin added. Theodore looked excited for the idea.
"Yes, but shouldn't we ask Dav—"
And Simon got interrupted as, Dave, walked in, suited with a tropical shirt, sunglasses, a swimming short and flip-flops. "What do you guys say?"
"It looks amazing for here!" Theodore exclaimed happily.
"Yeah, really fits the environment," Alvin added too.
"Well then it's time for you to switch to some more adequate clothes too, so we can go explore this little paradise!"
"And get cocktails after?"
"Yeah why not? "And Alvin had an excited laugh.
After putting on their tropical shirts too, the chipmunks were ready to leave the bungalow. They followed Dave around the resort, feeling relaxed.
While walking on the little stone paths, Theodore was smelling something from his left. "That must be the kitchen, and the buffet for this evening! Smells wonderfully already!"
"On the website they said there's not always a buffet, but a restaurant too," Dave added. Theodore felt more excited.
Simon and Alvin were walking right behind them, also in tropical shirts. Alvin raised his arms up.
"Aaah the fresh tropical air! Isn't it amazing to breathe it?" He asked his glassed brother with fulfilment.
"The air quality is indeed better here than in Los Angeles…"
Their conversation then got briefly interrupted as the same two blonde ladies walked past them on the little path. Alvin's attention again got absorbed to them.
"Don't forget for the surfing and the volleyball, ladies!" He said winking at them. The ladies had to laugh again.
Alvin followed them with his eyes as they went opposite directions. Simon stood with him, not really understanding what his brother was doing.
"Eh, Alvin. They're gone now… And since when do you surf?"
Alvin snapped out of his trance. "Ah eh, well, since always, Simon! If you'd leave your books a bit more…"
Simon frowned. Alvin put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I will assist you this holiday, and get you someone…"
"Alvin, I'm here primarily to study local aquatic flora and fauna…"
Alvin's eyes widened and he had a sly grin. "Ooh, and who are these Flora and Fauna? You didn't tell me about them, you sneaky guy!"
Simon sighed. Alvin continued smiling a bit. "Don't worry Simon, I'll completely transform you this holiday! Push yourself out of your comfort zone for once!"
Simon stood still for a moment, thinking. Comfort zone… He joined his family back.
After everything was visited, memorised and the cocktails tasted, it was time for the group to go eat. At the dining place, they were seated at a round table somewhere in the back.
"Tonight it's a seafood buffet apparently," Dave informed. Theodore smiled happily.
"I love seafood! I hope there are crabs!" He added.
"And I hope Simon won't be dissecting all the wildlife for biological purposes, haha!" Alvin commented. All laughed, even Simon who wondered if his brother didn't prepare this phrase in advance as it contained complex words.
After going to the buffet, the chipmunks started eating. They were all enjoying the food, Theodore the most. So much that he had already finished his plate and was ready to go a second time. What he did.
With his little plate in his paws, Theodore jumped on the buffet table and picked a couple of shrimps from the silver tray.
He jumped back off, and noticed he landed right in front of someone. Nose to nose, with another chipmunk.
Both their faces turned to confusion, and silence took place.
Theodore slowly pointed at her, his mouth open. "Y-you're a chipmunk!"
"A, chipette you mean, but wow! We're, not alone?"
Theodore smiled. "I wanted to say that too, but you beat me to it!"
The chipette giggled a bit. "My name is Eleanor…"
"T-Theodore… Nice to meet you!" They shook paws without stopping eye-contact.
Back at the table, Simon looked around a bit. "I wonder where Theo is. The buffet isn't too far."
"Nah, he's just being picky with the food…" Alvin replied, wiping his mouth and also jumping off the table, "going to the bathroom real quick!"
Alvin walked out of the dining place to a nearby building, passing the straw-themed door. He turned right for the male toilets, but his attention turned to the ladies as he heard complaints.
"Ugh! My make-up smudged my dress! I'm never buying this cheap crap again! And why was it a good idea to wear it in a hot country?"
Alvin peeked around the corner and his eyes widened. He gazed at another chipmunk, looking in the mirror from the sink.
Is that, a, a—
The chipette suddenly turned her head and noticed Alvin spying on her. She was about to scream, but nothing left her mouth. Alvin was as confused as her now. He shook his head real quick.
"Ehh, excuse m, for eh, the privacy, breach? B-but I heard s-some scr— oh holy hell I knew we wouldn't be alone!"
The chipette grinned and approached Alvin. He was astonished by her beauty from close, despite the leaking make-up.
"That's what my sisters and I also thought! Finally, other chipmunks!"
And such a beautiful one… He thought, getting half-hypnotised again.
"I'm Brittany…"
"A-Alvin."
The two stared at each other with a grin for a moment.
"Ehem, so, Alvin, on a vacation too?" Brittany asked, breaking the ice.
Back at the dining table, Simon observed Dave who was staring at a brown-haired lady a couple of tables away, sitting alone. He smirked. Dave frowned. "What are you laughing at?"
"Why don't you go say hello to that charming lady?" Simon proposed.
"I didn't know you were busy with that…"
"I'm not, for myself, but I started studying the human psychology of love, out of interest. I noticed you looking at her."
Dave put down his wine glass. "Thanks, but no really. I'm here to relax, take a break from work and such…"
Simon turned his attention back to the lady. She just sighed and hasn't stopped using her phone since a moment. Dave gulped as he was also looking. Simon tilted head.
"We'll see, we'll see…" Dave ceded, "but not tonight…"
"Alright then! I'm gonna search for my brothers. It's getting suspicious how long they have vanished," Simon explained as he left the table too.
Simon walked to the buffet, no one there. He went to the bathrooms, no Alvin either.
"Hmm, where could they be? They got, kidnapped?" Simon mumbled. He decided to walk around the dining place, taking a look behind it. He followed the path.
The spotlight was flickering a bit, but Simon was more busy looking around if he wouldn't notice his brothers. But the light suddenly died and just seconds after, Simon bumped in someone.
"Oush!"
"Aoush!"
And the light went back on.
"My—"
"—glasses," both said.
Simon and the other person were touching the surrounding ground, accidentally touching each other's hands, quickly retracting them, and finally finding their glasses. He put them back on and observed the individual.
Simon looked amazed, but mostly baffled. Another chipette stood in front of him, mimicking his facial confusion.
Simon then pointed at her. "Ehh, I t-think you have, my gl-glasses…"
"Oh, s-sorry, h-here," the chipette said, switching glasses.
"N-no problem, thanks…" Simon quickly added. The silent staring resumed.
Other, chipmunks? He thought, seeing her blush a bit.
"What are the odds, to find others, here!" She said, smiling.
Simon grinned awkwardly. "Y-yeah, you're right! S-Simon…"
He stretched his paw at the chipette who took it. "Jeanette… Nice to meet you."
Silence followed the introduction. The two just grinned a bit, forgetting they were shaking hands.
But then…
"Ah, there they are! Simon!" Alvin yelled from behind. The glassed chipmunks turned around and saw all their siblings approach. All grouped in a circle.
"I see you already met our sister!" Brittany commented.
"Ah eh, y-yeah. I was actually s-searching my brothers…" Simon replied.
"We too! And now we found each other!" Theodore added.
"And we sure did find new chipmunks!" Alvin yelled out of contentment.
"Actually, we're the chipettes!" Brittany reacted. Alvin shrugged, but laughed.
"That's the non-scientific name of, our group…" Jeanette whispered to Simon. He just nodded with a grin.
"Ehem, so, attention please!" Alvin stood in the circle, "what I propose, now we're all here… Why not spend the holidays together, to know each other better?"
All cheered enthusiastically in unison, staring at each other.
"Guys!" Dave shouted, appearing from one side.
"Girls!" The lonely lady from the other table yelled from the opposite side.
The two adults got closer and both had confused mouth movements, seeing new chipmunks and each other. Simon had a suspicious grin.
"Other, chipmunks?" Dave asked himself. He looked up at the lady and gasped a bit, "y-you are, the eh, 'mother'?"
The lady laughed a bit. "You could call that, yes… I'm Claire…"
"Dave… Nice to meet you."
The adults looked at the chipmunks again, standing around them. Simon winked when Dave looked at him.
"This is, quite, unexpected…" Claire continued. Dave looked back up.
"Y-yeah, like, the whole world, and, just here… What's the chance?"
"Very small, haha!"
Dave went silent again. Simon nodded at him in an insisting way. The adult man slowly lifted his eyes back to Claire. She smiled a bit.
"It, w-would be great, to spend the vacation, together… F-for the children, yes!"
"Yeah, great idea! F-for the children haha!" Claire repeated on Dave's tone, sounding more ironic than nervous too. Dave just laughed back.
Claire then yawned a bit. "Well, it's gonna be for tomorrow. I'm still tired from the flight. All from New York…"
"Oh eh, we are from Los Angeles, but we stayed one night in Miami…"
"That's smart! Well, see you at the breakfast then! You're coming too girls?"
"Yes Claire! Bye guys!" The chipettes said.
"B-bye!" The four males repeated.
Alvin smirked at Simon who was staring in the distance with a little grin.
"Jeanette, right?" He said.
Simon turned to his brother, frowning. Alvin continued grinning. Simon nodded no. Alvin nodded yes, and this went on for a while, until it was time to go back to the bungalow.