"Boys," Chip called, "Wake up! It's time for school!"
Today was a special day. Two chipmunks were working hard in their very large (for them) kitchen. It was their kids' first day of middle school, so they were making a special breakfast for their children.
Their three duck children.
Their red, blue, and green duck children.
They'd been with Chip and Dale since they were ducklings. Since the Rescue Rangers had found that boat.
None of them liked to think about it very much.
Chip was just happy to see his children growing up, watching them change and start realizing what they really want out of life.
Dale, the more doting parent, tended ti worry more.
"I'm really nervous," Dale commented, "I don't want the life and spirit sucked out of our kids. You remember how I got when I started middle school."
"Yes," Chip sarcastically recalled, "I remember the horrors of having to learn long division and how much of a bitch it made you."
"I'm being serious," Dale spat back, "I don't want my kids to have the life sucked out of them. If they're miserable at school, they're going to be miserable for the next seven years."
Chip and Dale always liked to rib on each other since they were kits. It was just one of their ways of showing love.
But they also recognized when they needed to tone it down and be more comforting.
"They're going to be fine," Chip reassured, "Huey's going to learn fast and find others like him, Dewey's going to make a million friends, and Louie's going to find his own way to be happy. You know they're strong enough to make it through middle school."
Truthfully, Chip had been telling himself these things for a while so he wouldn't feel nervous.
And it seemed Dale needed to hear this too.
"Yeah, I know," Dale appreciated, "I guess I just needed someone to remind me. Thanks Chip."
And Dale also decided to show his gratitude with a kiss.
"Ugh," Louie groaned, startling Chip and Dale into breaking apart, "Nobody wants to see parents kissing. Stop being obscene!"
Apparently their kids had snuck into the kitchen just now.
"You three came out faster than usual," Chip noted.
"We smelled pancakes," Dewey responded, "We weren't gonna be late for that."
"Well, today is a big day," Chip explained, "So go sit at the table and we'll get them set up for you."
Dewey and Louie enthusiastically left the kitchen and Chip went back to work, finishing up the pancakes. But, Dale had noticed Huey looked a bit off this morning. So, before he followed his brothers, Dale wanted to talk to him.
"Huey," Dale called out, "Hold on a sec."
"Yeah," Huey questioned as Dale scurried over to him, "What's the matter?"
"Are you doing ok," Dale asked, "You don't look too good."
Huey looked down at his feet, as if Dale had hit some sort of nerve.
"I just know that I can't rely on Dewey and Louie to be there for me since I have different classes from them," Huey lamented, "And I'm not sure if I can make it through school by myself."
Dale thought back to the words Chip had just said to him.
"Don't say that," Dale comforted, "Dewey and Louie, me and your Dad, we're always going to be there for you. Plus, I know you're going to make friends with other smart kids who like sci fi and Wes Anderson as much as you do. You're going to do great."
And Chip's words seemed to help Huey feel better as well.
"Thanks, Dad," Huey thanked, holding out his hand, which Dale promptly hopped into. Huey then brought Dale up to his cheek, which Dale proceeded to hug.
Yup, they were all going to be fine.
