Family Bonds
Chapter One: It's A Nice Day For A Wedding
I finally finished this first chapter. The not too long awaited sequel to A New Life. This chapter is kind of long, but there was so much to say. Well, anyway, enjoy.
"Where's my dress?! Where's my shoes?!" Brittany screamed from the girl's dressing room at the church.
It made her two sisters laugh. "You would think she was the one getting married," Eleanor said, laughing a little at her sister's erratic behavior.
"This is serious, girls," Brittany said. "I've never been a bridesmaid before."
"And nether have we," Jeanette said. "Just calm down. If you're nervous, Sadie will be, too."
Suddenly, Sadie and another woman came into the bridal dressing room. "Hi, girls," Sadie said. "I want you to meet someone. This is Karen James. We went to school together. Karen, these are my girls. Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor."
"They are adorable," Karen said. "When Sadie called me and told me she was marrying a man with six kids, I thought she was crazy, but now I'm so jealous."
"Okay, girls, let's get dressed," Sadie said. "We can't keep the boys waiting."
Karen went into the hallway and rolled in a portable garment rack. She handed the girls their dresses, and they disappeared into the bathroom to change.
"So what do you think of the girls?" Sadie asked Karen.
"I like them," she said. "So what are the boys like?"
"They're great kids," Sadie said. "I just hope I can be a good mom to them."
"Oh, Sadie," Karen said. "Those kids couldn't have a better mom, and that David is a dream."
"And he's all mine," Sadie said and the two friends laughed.
At that moment all three girls came out if the bathroom in their pretty violet dresses made of lace and silk. Sadie wear a big smile seeing the Chipettes all dressed up.
"Well, I have never seen three more beautiful girls," Sadie said with a smile.
Karen was next to go into the bathroom to change. It gave Sadie a few minutes alone with the girls. "You all look wonderful."
"Thanks, Sadie," Jeanette said.
"Before we forget," Brittany said. "We have to follow the wedding tradition. "Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, something blue."
"Yes," Eleanor said. "It's bad luck if we don't."
"Bad luck, huh?" Sadie said.
Suddenly a knock came to the door. "Sadie," came Dave's voice. "Can I come in?"
Brittany gasped and ran for the door. "Dave, are you crazy?" Brittany shouted through the door. "You can't come in here!"
"Come on, Brittany," she heard Alvin's voice.
"No, way," she said. "Everyone knows it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the ceremony."
"That's just superstition," Alvin yelled through the door.
"You're still not getting in," Brittany said.
Sadie came to the door. "Dave, you wanted to talk to me?" she asked. Brittany looked up at Sadie sternly. "Don't worry. I'm not going to open the door."
"I just wanted to let you know that the minister is going to be a little late, and..."
"And?" she questioned.
"I love you," he said. Sadie gave a giggle. "Is that funny?"
"No, it's sweet, and I love you, too. And don't worry about starting late. We're not ready yet anyway."
"But we are," Alvin said, sounding testy. "Does Brittany have anything to do with it?"
"Hey!" Brittany shouted.
"Just kidding," she heard Alvin say through the door.
"You better be," she said.
They heard the footsteps walking away and becoming fainter. Karen had come out of the bathroom.
"Hey, was that Dave by the door?" Karen asked, with a disapproving look.
"Yes it was," Sadie said. Karen was about to say something about it, but Sadie stopped her. Don't worry. He didn't see me."
"Good," Karen said. "Now, we have to get you dressed."
"What about the tradition?" Brittany demanded, with her paws on her hips. She was also tapping her foot on the floor with a disapproving look on her face.
"Well, I think where pretty much covered," Sadie said. "The ring is old, and the dress is new. The flowers on my veil are blue."
"What about borrowed?" Brittany said. "We can't have a wedding without something borrowed."
"How about this bracelet?" Karen suggested. It was made of white gold with pink and blue stones shaped into hearts.
"That's perfect," Sadie said. "Well, I guess I should go put on my dress."
The boys were already down in the lobby greeting the guests who were arriving. Doctor Rubin, their principal, had just arrived. Alvin slid up next to her.
"Hey, Doctor Rubes," he said. "Lookin' good." He winked at her, which made Doctor Rubin laugh.
"I hope Brittany didn't see that," Doctor Rubin said.
"Nah," Alvin said. "She's still upstairs primping."
"In that case," Doctor Rubin whispered in his ear. "I think you look handsome."
"All right, Casanova," Simon said, dragging Alvin back to reality.
More guests flooded into the church. Finally the minister showed up and all three chipmunks crowded around him.
"It's about time you showed up," Alvin said.
"Alvin!" Simon scolded and nudged him a bit. Simon led him to the side entrance. While Theodore volunteered to tell the girls they were ready to start.
He ran up the stairs as fast as his little chipmunks feet could carry him. He knocked on the door. "Yes," he heard Eleanor's voice through the door.
"Hi, Ellie," Theodore said. "We're ready if you are."
"Okay, we'll be right down," Eleanor said.
Theodore shot back downstairs and relayed the message.
"Okay, everybody," Alvin said, taking charge. "It's showtime."
First, the Chipettes came down the stairs. "Hey, boys," Brittany said as she and her sisters approached the boys.
"Wow!" Alvin said to her. "I love the way you primp."
Theodore took Eleanor's hand and the music started to play. They walked slowly, one step at a time. They looked at each other several times as they walked down the isle together. Simon and Jeanette were next. Then Brittany and Alvin. As they took their places near the alter, Karen came down the isle with Willis Tanby, Dave's best man. The couple walked slowly. Dave was at the alter. He looked happy and anxious at the same time.
Suddenly all the guests rose to their feet. The music changed. It was the traditional bridal march, but the bride was anything but traditional. She wear a long dress in an eggshell color with pink and lavender flowers printed on it. There was a circular cut at the collar almost showing cleavage. There was no long train in the back like traditional wedding gowns, which made it much easier to walk in. She walked slowly and elegantly, while carrying her bouquet of pink and lavender roses. She had a simple garland of flowers that served as a veil. She looked very much a fairy princess in her gown and her brown hair long and flowing.
Finally she reached the alter. She looked lovingly at Dave, while he smiled at her. She handed her bouquet to Karen, her matron of honor. The minister stepped forward, standing before the couple to start the ceremony.
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today..."
The minister continued on. Alvin wasn't paying attention to ceremony. He was too preoccupied with the pretty auburn-haired chipette standing on the opposite side of the church. She was staring at him as well.
Alvin thought back to a few months before and how he almost lost her. Today, he thought he had never seen her look more beautiful. Before he knew it the minister announced, "Now, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Dave and Sadie kissed tenderly and heard all the claps and cheers from their guests. They both smiled at each other and embraced.
The music started to play and again, and Dave and Sadie ran down the aisle, now a married couple. As they left the church they were still kissing. The wedding party followed after them, all except Brittany and Alvin. He led her to a private corner far beyond prying eyes.
"I saw you staring at me through the whole ceremony," Brittany said with a laugh.
"You were staring at me, too," he said. "What were you thinking about?"
"Oh, nothing," she said with a short giggle. "Just how handsome you look in your tuxedo."
"Anything else?" he asked.
"Maybe," she said as he took her paws in his.
"And what's that?" he asked.
"Only what you said to me on the cliff." She looked deeply into his eyes. "Do you remember?"
"Yea, I remember," he said. "I'd never been so scared in my life."
"Neither have I," she said. "Did you really mean what you said?"
"Yea, I did," he said, putting his arms around her. "Would you like me to prove it?" She nodded that she did. He pulled her close to him, his lips touching hers. She melted in his arms.
"Hey, has anyone seen Alvin and Brittany?" Simon asked. Alvin and Brittany both heard him, and kept quiet so no one would hear them.
"They probably went someplace private," Jeanette said, taking Simon's hand. "It sounds like a good idea."
Alvin and Brittany heard their brother and sister both walk away. The whole thing made Brittany giggle. "Shh..." Alvin said, covering her mouth. "They might hear you."
"There's better ways to shut me up," she said, still giggling.
"Oh, really," he said.
"Really," she said and put her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He pulled her close to him. When the kiss was over he said. "This place has lots of rooms. Why don't we find one?"
"Alvin! Are you crazy?" Brittany said, shocked that he would even suggest such a thing. "Not in a church."
"Why not?" Alvin asked her with a devilish look in his eye.
"No, not here," she said.
"Alright," he said. "But you're missing a thrill of a lifetime."
She led him out of their hiding place and ran into Theodore and Eleanor. "Have you seen Simon and Jeanette?" Eleanor asked.
"No," Alvin and Brittany said at the same time.
"We haven't seen them," Brittany said, acting uncharacteristically awkward.
That more than anything tipped Elanor off that they knew more than they were telling. "Okay, spill it," Eleanor demanded.
"There's nothing to tell," Brittany said. "They could be anywhere, just the two of them. Alone."
"Yeah, they're probably doing what we..."
Brittany elbowed him in the side. "Shut up," she whispered to him.
"Dave and Sadie have already left for the reception hall," Theodore said.
"We're getting a ride with Toby and Julie," Eleanor said. Alvin and Brittany groaned, all too familiar with Toby's driving. "So we have to find Simon and Jeanette."
"Let's check upstairs," Theodore suggested. "I'm not going to miss out one single second of all that yummy food."
"Come on," Alvin said, taking hold of Theodore's paw. "Let's go."
They made their way down the hall, until they heard sounds coming from the bridal dressing room. "Do you think...?" Brittany started.
"Naw!" Eleanor said. "But it wouldn't hurt to check."
They opened the door and were shocked when they walked in and beheld the sight. "Jeanette!" Brittany shouted.
Jeanette shot up from the chair she and Simon were sitting in. Her cheeks turned bright red from embarrassment. "And just what do you think you're doing?" Eleanor asked in a scolding manner.
Jeanette slipped off the chair and ran into the bathroom. Simon slipped off the chair and approached the four chipmunks. He looked directly at Alvin, who was smirking.
"Don't you ever knock?" Simon asked.
"Next time lock the door," Alvin said.
Alvin and Brittany left the room. They couldn't help but laugh thinking of the time Simon and Jeanette caught them in a compromising situation. Inside the room, Theodore looked over at his older brother.
"We'll wait for you downstairs," Theodore said, looking more embarrassed than either Simon or Jeanette.
"Yeah," Eleanor said. "That's a good idea." Eleanor and Theodore both left, leaving Simon alone in the room.
He went to the bathroom door to check on Jeanette. He knocked on the bathroom door. "Jeanette, are you alright?"
"Please, just go away," she said. She was obviously upset.
"Jeanette, please open the door," Simon called from the outside.
"I don't want to," she said crying. "It's too embarrassing."
"It's not that bad," he said. "So what they caught us. There's nothing embarrassing about me showing you how I feel about you."
Slowly the door opened and Jeanette came out. "I'm sorry, Simon," she said. "I didn't mean to be cross with you."
"That's okay," he said. "So why don't we go downstairs and join the others.?
"But what if say something about...?"
"They had better not say anything," he said, putting his arm around her.
"Are you my protector?" Jeanette asked, smiling up at him.
"Always," he said and led her towards the stairs. They walked down together and joined their siblings who were still waiting for Toby and Julie.
"I wish they would hurry up," Brittany said, getting impatient.
"Just calm down," Eleanor said.
"I agree with Brittany on this," Theodore remarked. Eleanor gave him a look of astonishment. "Hey, I'm hungry."
At that moment Toby came flying out into the lobby of the church. "Hey, guys," he said. "I hope you haven't been waiting long?"
"No," Alvin said, with his arms folded and scowling look on his face. "We haven't been waiting long." We could have walked there by now.
"Okay," Julie said. "Let's go."
They all headed for the door and quickly walked out to the car. There was a relief on all the chipmunks' faces when Julie entered the driver's side.
"Great," Alvin said. "Now we have a chance of getting there alive."
"Alvin!" Simon said. "Hush up."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." Alvin entered the back seat of the car, sliding over next to Brittany.
The rest of the chipmunks entered the back seat, while their human chauffeurs sat in the front. Toby fiddled with the radio, but all he could find was commercials. Soon they were off. They all couldn't wait to get there, not only because it was a big party, but they also wanted to spend some time with Dave and Sadie before they left on their honeymoon.
They were all pretty excited when they arrived at the reception hall. All six chipmunks practically flew through the door. Most of the guests had arrived and the party was under way. Theodore made a beeline to the dessert table, while Eleanor followed him.
"Theodore, don't you think we should eat our meal first?"
"Maybe," Theodore said. "I'm just having an appetizer."
Eleanor giggled as Theodore handed her a cream puff, and they soon joined their siblings at the main table. Dave and Sadie had already been seated. Theodore was happy to see that his dinner was already waiting there for him.
He dug in with gusto as Dave's best man, Willis Tanby, stood up to give a toast. "To the bride and groom," he started. "May you always have happiness and prosperity. And even if you fight, may you always make up." Willis gave Dave a wink, which made his face turn red. Sadie just laughed, as did Karen.
The music started to play, and Willis made another announcement. "Okay, everyone," he said. "It's time for the first dance."
Dave rose from his seat and helped Sadie out of hers. He led her to the dance floor. 100 Years was playing, one of their favorite songs. The couple seemed to be in their own world as they continued to dance and stared into each others eyes. Alvin rose from his seat and led Brittany to the dance floor. His brother followed suit and also led Jeanette and Eleanor. The song seem to last forever to onlookers, but for those dancing it didn't last long enough.
After the song was over the kids all huddled up. Alvin was the first to speak. "Remember our plan," he said.
"Yea," Brittany said excitedly. "Dave and Sadie will be so surprised."
"Okay," Simon said. "Now or never."
The six chipmunks hopped on the stage. Alvin jumped up to the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he started to say. "May I have you attention."
Both Dave and Sadie turned around. "Okay, what's he up to?" Dave questioned.
"Don't be so suspicious," Sadie whispered to him.
Brittany came up next to Alvin and spoke into the microphone. "We would like to sing a special song right now for the happy couple, Dave and Sadie.
The rest of the chipmunks took their place on stage, while the DJ set out six chipmunk-sized microphones. Then the music started to play.
The Chipettes started to sing first.
Love me or leave me.
Make your choice,
But believe me.
I love you.
The Chipmunks joined in.
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.
The Chipmunks sang the next verse.
I can't conceal it.
Don't you see.
Can't you feel it.
Don't you too?
The Chipmunks and Chipettes sang the next line together.
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.
Brittany sang the next part. She was staring at Alvin as she sang.
Oh, I've been dreaming
Through my lonely past.
Alvin sang the next line, while looking into Brittany's eyes.
Now, I made it.
I found you at last.
Alvin and Brittany sang together.
So come on now let's try it.
I love you.
Can't deny it.
'Cause it's true.
The Chipmunks and Chipettes all sang together.
I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.
When they were finished. They took their bows. Then they all shouted out over the cheers. "We love you, Dave and Sadie."
Sadie was about in tears and came up to the kids and gave them all hugs. "That was so wonderful," she said.
"Yes. it was," Dave said. "Thanks, kids."
They all smiled then heard the squeals from all the single women. "It's time to throw the bouquet," one of them shouted out. The Chipettes were excited too and joined the other ladies. They saw Julie standing over in the corner talking to Toby.
"Julie," Brittany called out. "Come on. Sadie's about to throw the bouquet." Brittany and Julie saw a slight look of horror on Toby's face.
"No, I don't think so,"Julie said
"It's tradition," Brittany insisted. "You have to."
"Okay," Julie said and walked over with Brittany.
"Alright, ladies," Sadie said. "Ready?"
They all shouted out. "Throw it!"
The bouquet went flying. Julie was standing in the back, and suddenly it just fell into her hands. Julie looked shocked, but Brittany jumped up and down all excited.
Toby came up to her. "Hey, you caught it," he said.
"Not really," Julie said. "It just kind of fell into my hands. "
Willis approached Toby. "Now, it's your turn. Dave still has to throw the garter belt."
"What?" Toby said and was dragged off by Willis. By the expression on his face, he looked as if he was being bragged off to his execution.
Sadie sat down in a chair, while Dave attempted to retrieve the garter belt. He seemed to be having a hard time finding it.
"Hey, Dave," Willis said. "Need some help?"
Sadie laughed at Willis's irreverence, but Dave just looked annoyed. "I don't think so, Willis," Dave said, finally reaching the garter belt. He slid it down her leg and off her foot. He waved it in the air. "Got it," he said and stood up.
The gentlemen lined up, while Dave threw it in the air. It landed on the far side. At first he thought he threw it too far, until he saw who was twirling it around his finger.
"Look!" Theodore shouted out. "Alvin caught the garter belt."
"Yea," Eleanor said. She was standing next to Theodore. "You know what that means." Eleanor looked directly at Brittany.
"Hey!" Brittany shouted to her. "It's not binding." But then she looked over at Alvin, and a part of her kind of liked the idea.
Alvin slid up to Brittany, who felt a little awkward after his little antics. "Hey, Britt," he said. "It's just your color. Pink."
"Alvin, be serious," Brittany said, but she knew that was impossible for Alvin. It was one of the things she loved about him.
Theodore ran up to them. "Hey, guys, let's go," he said. "They're about to cut the cake."
"Okay, Theodore," Alvin said. "We're coming."
He took Brittany's hand and walked toward the table where the huge wedding cake sat. Dave and Sadie took the knife and cut the cake together. They both took a piece and tried to feed each other, but they both missed and accidentally smashed the cake into each others face.
They both laughed about how silly they both looked and picked up some napkins and tried to wipe the frosting off each other.
"And they say we're messy eaters," Alvin whispered to Theodore.
After the initial cutting of the cake, all the guests dug in and before long there wasn't much left. It was approaching evening and soon it would be time for Dave and Sadie to leave. They gathered the kids for a last goodbye.
"We'll miss you all," Sadie said. "Won't we, Dave?"
"Oh, yes," he said. "Now, you all behave for Toby and Julie. Promise?"
"We promise," they all said, all except for Alvin.
"Alvin?" Dave said. "I didn't hear you promise."
"I promise," he said. "I just don't get why we need a babysitter anyway."
"Because, Sadie and I would like to come home to a house... in tact."
"Whatever," Alvin said.
Julie came up to them. "The getaway car is waiting out front."
"Thanks, Julie," Sadie said. "Well, I guess it's time for us to go."
The bride and groom both left with most of the guests trailing behind. Theodore cried a little, while the rest of the kids just waved goodbye.
"Don't worry, Theodore," Eleanor said, taking his hand. "They'll be back before you know it."
"That's right, Theo," Simon said. "Two weeks isn't that long."
Toby and Julie approached the Chipmunks and Chipettes. "So, are you guys ready to go home?" Toby asked.
"It's been a long day," Julie said.
"Yeah," they all said at once.
They all gathered in the car and took off for home. Theodore and Eleanor fell asleep in minutes, and Simon and Jeanette followed soon after. Alvin was still awake and so was Brittany, but just barely. Alvin still had hold of Sadie's garter belt. He couldn't resist the temptation of teasing Brittany with it. He put in her lap and started humming the wedding march in her ear.
"Alvin, stop it," Brittany scolded. "I'm too tired."
"This is proof," he said as she cuddled next to him.
"Of what?" she said, starting to yawn.
"You and me," he said, but she was already asleep. He fell asleep soon after, cuddling next to the girl he loved.
Okay, everybody. Here's the first chapter. This took several days to write, because I wasn't sure exactly where I was going with it. I hope you all enjoyed it. By the way, if anyone was wondering the song the kids were singing for Dave and Sadie was I do, I do, I do by Abba. Be here next time for chapter two.