Back to Hollywood

chapter 3

"Thanks for house-sitting, Aunt Beatrice," Emily told Ms. Miller. "It means a lot to us."

"Oh, sure," Ms. Miller smiled back to the now adult woman. "You all have a good time now, things will be just fine until ya get back!"

"Let's just hope the house isn't on fire when she drives the car to run errands..." Patrick mumbled to himself.

"And don't worry, I've got my eyes checked." Ms. Miller assured them.

"Uh-huh..." Patrick muttered still.

Emily shoved her husband slightly, but still smiled to her childhood babysitter. "Thanks again... Um, are the Chipettes coming too or are they on tour with Dave and the Chipmunks?"

"They're coming." Ms. Miller told her.

"Ah, okay, I knew Dave said he would be too busy, so I wasn't sure if the girls had the same schedule or not." Emily smiled.

"Yes, they seemed so insistent on coming too..." Ms. Miller nodded.

The Chipettes were upstairs and telling Darla and Atticus why they decided to come too.

"Ms. Miller needs a lot of help, you know how she is," Eleanor said. "That's why we came over, so your house isn't a wreck by the time you come home!"

"Thanks, girls." Darla said to her new friends.

"Think nothing of it." Brittany said.

"Could I stay in Atticus's room?" Jeanette asked.

"You wanna stay in a boy's room!?" Brittany gawked at her taller sister.

"He has a lot of great books..." Jeanette defended with a shrug.

"Sure." Atticus smiled.

"Hope you guys have fun," Eleanor smiled, then shrugged. "Wherever you're going."

Atticus whispered to the Chipettes of where they were going, but told them to keep it a secret from Darla. Darla tried to listen in, but she was still left behind the black as she was not told of where the surprise trip was. Brittany looked jealous while Eleanor and Jeanette gave encouraging smiles.

"It's not fair!" the auburn Chipette snapped. "I wanted to go to--"

Jeanette and Eleanor covered their sister's mouth.

"Have fun." Jeanette grinned.

"Yeah, loads and loads of fun!" Eleanor added.

"We sure will," Patch smiled. "Oh, and Jeantte, we packed the weights with us, so then you can read the books with no problems in the way."

"Thanks." Jeanette sounded very relieved to hear that due to how clumsy she was.

"No problem." Atticus smiled.

"You kids ready up there!?" Emily called up. "Your father's about done loading up the car!"

"We're ready!" Atticus called down.

"Come outside and give your father your bags!" Emily said.

"Okay!" Darla called back, then looked to the Chipettes. "Excuse us a bit."

"Mine and Patch's bags might be a little too heavy for Dad, Mom!" Atticus called as he carried his bag and Patch's bag.

"Well, help him out, would you!?" Emily called. "I'm making snacks in the kitchen!"

"Have you all gone deaf or somethin'?" Ms. Miller muttered. "There's always yellin' in this house... Emily, I raised you better than that!"

"Sorry, Aunt Beatrice..." Emily rolled her eyes slightly.