NOTE: I have no excuse for how late this is besides laziness. (And college. . . Nope! No excuse.)

But, I am determined to finish this story, if not only for you fans. Although I do find this story good.

So, I am very very sorry. But I will finish this, I promise! I will do it for you guys!

So, know that I will do my best to get this done promptly.

Chapter twelve: One o'Clock

"Simon? Simon?"

Simon blinked and took in a very fuzzy Jeanette. Fumbling around, he found his glasses and pushed them back on his face. She came back into focus quickly, in a long-sleeved, lavender nightgown.

"Are you all right?" he asked in a sleep muffled voice. "Everything go okay?"

"Perfect," she smiled back, "Rather painful, but there were no serious complications."

"I'm so glad." Simon scrambled to his paws and hugged Jeanette tightly. He could feel her lightly damp fur, strongly scented with sweat and a little blood. He kissed her neck before pulling away.

"I'm a mess, aren't I?" Jeanette blushed, licking a paw and swiping it across her face. "I tried to clean up but—"

"Don't worry about it," Simon soothed her, "You just endured hours of labor; no one could come through that smelling like a rose."

Jeanette blushed. "Do you want to see them?" she asked.

"Of course," he beamed. Taking her paw, they walked across the table top, Jeanette moving with a slight limp. At the end of the table, Simon suddenly stooped down and scooped the chipette up into his arms like a bride. He leapt from the table to the floor and scampered to the window ledge.

"Up you go!" he laughed as he boosted Jeanette up onto the ledge. She clambered up, giggling as she did. Simon joined her in a single bound and immediately leapt to the roof of the birdhouse. Jeanette followed eagerly, feeling inspired by Simon's enthusiasm and the fact that her tummy was no longer a restriction.

Simon scuttled down the wall of the birdhouse like spider-man and paused at the door for Jeanette to join him. His paw shook a little as he pushed the door open. The room was dimly with the room's dimmer switch and, from the Barbie bed, something was stirring in the sheets.

There was a rustling next to him and Jeanette passed him, now nude. She climbed into the bed and lifted the top sheet off.

Simon shuffled forward awkwardly, pulling his hoodie off as well. He straightened his glasses to make sure he was seeing this right. He was. Three little chipmunks were clustered together in the bed. For babies, they were remarkably petite and thin, with long bird-like necks and very slender fuzzy tails. Their fur was a mix of Simon's and Jeanette's, making a color like milk chocolate. Feeling their mother's weight on the bed, they all started murmuring and lifting their heads just like baby birds.

"Dear God Jen." Simon inched forward and sat tentatively on the edge of the bed. Inhaling deeply, he could tell he had two daughters and one son. Stretching out shaking paws, he picked up the single male chipmunk. He cradled him in his arms and the infant let out a gurgle, clutching pawfuls of Simon's fur.

"Jeanette," he breathed again, all intelligent thought leaving his mind.

"Aren't they amazing?"

He couldn't even answer. He was trying to memorize every inch of his son, his scent, his fur, his weight in his arms, the tiny claws digging into his skin . . . Simon shifted his little body slightly and ran a paw across the top of his son's head. The little head popped up, miniscule nose twitching and tiny bright blue eyes blinked weakly. Eyes that were just like his.

"My son," Simon sighed, "beautiful little Atticus."

Jeanette raised her eyebrows. "Atticus?"

Simon blushed and sat down on the bed, coming slightly back to his senses. "I thought since we just finished To Kill a Mocking Bird before you went into labor, we could pay homage to one of the greatest characters in American literature. But if you don't like it–"

"No," the chipette shook her head, still smiling, "I really like it. It's unique and different and Atticus Finch was an incredible character. To be honest, I wish I had thought of it."

Simon chuckled, bouncing Atticus gently in his arms. He gurgled a little, drooling onto Simon's arm. Shuddering the slightest, the chipmunks flicked the saliva off.

Jeanette held out her arms. "Trade you?"

Simon placed Atticus into her arms and picked up one of his daughters from the bed. Immediately, the one left shivered and whimpered, wriggling her limbs frantically.

"Goodness," the chipmunk exclaimed, scooping her up in his other arm, "No need to fuss, daddy's got you."

The chipette beamed, looking up from where Atticus was suckling. "She really dislikes being alone. Well none of them like to be separated, but she really dislikes it."

Simon made sure his two daughters could feel the others fur. The larger of the two nestled in closer, nipping her sister's ear. "Don't do that," Simon soothed, shifting her mouth. The tiny female's fur was slightly lighter than Atticus' and she was the largest in the litter. Her paws gripped her sister's fur this time and her tiny brow furrowed as though she was deep in thought.

"You can see her mind working already," the chipmunk smiled, "just like-"

"Ginny?" Jeanette chuckled.

"You know me too well," Simon sighed, shaking his head. When rereading Harry Potter during the pregnancy, both Simon and Jeanette discussed who their favorite characters were. Ginny admired Hermione for her intellect and had assumed Simon would too. But he complelty surprised her by saying Ginny was better than her. He had argued that Ginny, while not as book smart as Hermione, she was still smart enough to hold her own against death eaters. And not only that, but Ginny was also much more socially involved than Hermione, thus being more popular and well liked. So, in theory, she was accomplished than Hermione because she had a life outside of books that was much more fulfilling. After making an argument like that, Jeanette had to agree. Plus Simon was so much cuter when he was debating with her.

"Well, I hope she can live up to her namesake," Jeanette giggled, switching Atticus to the other side.

"Ginny?" Simon gasped.

The chipette nodded.

"Don't you want some more say in naming?" the chipmunk asked, moving closer to his stunning partner.

"Oh, I don't mind," Jeannette shrugged, but she couldn't meet Simon's eyes. Simon laid his head on her shoulder and kissed her neck.

"Be honest with me," he purred in her ear, "you just spent months carrying our children and hours of labor; you deserve some say in this."

Jeanette pressed her cheek to his as she placed Atticus on her shoulder to burp him. "Simon . . . are you sure?"

"Of course I am." He pressed more kisses to her cheeks.

Atticus let out a large hiccup. Jeanette giggled and placed him back it the bed. Simon placed Ginny next to him and she immediately clung to him.

"Awe . . ." the both sighed. Jeanette stroked her remaining daughters head. The littlest girl cooed and rolled her head back against Jeanette's paw. Her fur was midway between Atticus' and Ginny's and she was the only one with Jeanette's eyes.

"Any ideas?" Simon asked.

"I do actually," the chipette nodded, "from one of the books we didn't read. One of my favorites actually."

"Really?" The chipmunk was surprised. "You should have told me, I would read it to you while you were pregnant."

"Well . . ." Jeanette flushed "I think the series is a little too girly for you."

"Please don't say it's Twilight."

Jeanette snorted. "I repeat, never say that around Brittany. And no, not Twilight. I meant The Little House on the Prairie."

"Oh!" Simon raised his eyebrows "That's a decent series and, after all, it's classic. I'm not wild about it, but its decent."

Jeanette blushed again. "Well then, you would have no objections to our little Laura?"

"Laura . . ." the chipmunk tested it out, "It fits her perfectly."

Laura sighed and let out a quiet yawn. Jeanette placed her next to her brother and sister. Soon, their breathing was nearly matched as they all dozed off.

"I already fed the girls," the chipette yawned. "They should be set for awhile."

"Good." Simon curved his body around his children, Jeanette following. "Now to care for their beautiful mother."

Simon kissed each of children's cheeks. Then he set to work grooming Jeanette's still sweaty coat. Jeanette moaned happily as his tongue stroked every inch of her fur. "So good . . ." she sighed "so sleepy . . ."

"You sleep, you beautiful mother," Simon coaxed, massaging her shoulders. "You put so much energy into giving us the most amazing family. You sleep now. You deserve it."

"I love you Simon."

"I love you too Jeanette." Simon reached up and took her glasses off for her. He set them, along with his, on the bedside table. By the time he looked back, Jeanette was already asleep. The chipmunk beamed and wiped his teary eyes. With arm draped over Jeanette's shoulders and the other encircling his children, he let sleep over take him. Until their early morning feeding, the only sound in the Seville's garden was a symphony of crickets.