Chapter 17: The Question

Finally! I've been waiting a long time for this one. I was going to try to finish the latest Harvest chapter, but since Valentine's Day is upon us, I just wanted to finish this very romantic chapter.

"You and I, you, you and I. Oh yeah, I'd rather die without you and I." Lady Gaga, "You and I."

It was 11:52, December 31st, and to Maria Foxxy it was taking forever. She was wondering when her boyfriend was going to show. She sat down at her desk with a plate of nachos, some brownies, and a steaming mug of cocoa. The radio was on one of her favorite stations and she wore a black nightgown covered with glitter. Every now and then she would check her phone for any new texts, but she hadn't seen anything for hours.

She groaned and remembered what he said earlier. "Don't worry if I'm fashionably late, tonight, Angel," the Chameleon had told her. "I've got a special surprise for you tonight!" Then she heard him laughing. She nibbled on some chips. So this was his idea of fashionably late. She sighed. Maria knew patience was a virtue, but it sure wasn't one of hers! She tapped her foot angrily on the carpet. For the love of Pete, when would he-

BANG! Maria jumped. What the heck was that?! She looked at the door to her balcony and gasped in delight. Looking back at her was a pair of glowing scarlet eyes.

She slipped on a plush white robe over her dress and a pair of fuzzy blue slippers. She slid the door open and stepped but found no one out there. Just a rock laying on the floor of the balcony. "I'm going crazy." She stepped back inside, disappointed, only for two scaly hands to cover her eyes.

"I'd be surprised if you weren't already a little crazy, toots."

"What kept you so long? Was it the 'special surprise'?"

"Yep." She finally turned around to face him. He handed her an assortment of roses. "Sorry it took so long, but it'll be worth it." He chuckled. What was he up to?

"Well, regardless of how long it took, I'm glad you're here," Maria admitted. "Do you want this brownie? A fly landed on it."

"Don't mind if I do." He laid down on her bed and stretched his long legs.

"May I please have my surprise now?" she begged.

"In a minute, Maria. Good things come to those who wait just a little longer. Oh! But first I have an announcement!"

"What is it, doll?" asked the ever curious fox.

"It's official: I'm turning to the side of good. The Chief decided he's going to give me a chance and let me join TUFF. And I'm doing it for you. I just don't feel as evil as I used to be."

"I'm so proud of you! I'd love you no matter what, but this is wonderful! It's also a little surprising, because Dad's friends with the Chief. Well, I doubt that they're BFFs or anything, but I heard he lets Dad call him Herbert."

"Herbert?"

"Yeah, I heard that's his real name." They both started giggling and were about to kiss when someone knocked on the door. Angry at the fact that her moment was ruined, Maria went to answer it.

It was Mario, and Dudley and Kitty were there too. Dudley was there because Marge invited his mom, and Kitty was there because Dudley invited her. "Can we come in?" asked Mario.

"You already are," said the Chameleon.

"Not much time left," said Kitty, consulting her watch and seeing that it was 11:55.

"I'm so excited!" screamed Dudley. "I thought this day might never get here!"

"Did the Chameleon tell you that we're going to be working together soon?" Kitty asked her.

"Yes, he did. It's great news, but I doubt it was the surprise he promised."

No one noticed Mario pull out his reliable video camera, Dolores. Then the Chameleon casually asked if she could change the radio station. She was a little confused but didn't think much of it until she heard, "And now a request from a caller who identified himself as 'C,'" and then "You and I" started playing. "I love this song!"

"I know." They began dancing slowly, with only minutes to midnight.

Finally, when the song was almost over, the Chameleon sat Maria down on her bed and asked, "How about a magic trick?"

"OK, I guess."

He got down on his knees and said, "Say, what's that in your ear?" It took him a while, but hten he pulled out a "surprise" Maria certainly didn't see coming.

It was a gorgeous ring, silver with an enormous sapphire surrounded by several tiny diamonds. "Oh, Chameleon, it's beautiful!"

"I helped pick it out!" said Mario. Then she realized what was going on and blushed.

He took a deep breath. "Maria Claire Foxxy, my dearest, we may not have known each other for very long, but it seems like forever, and if there's one thing I know, it's that no matter how long or where I look, I'll never find anyone as perfect as you."

"I-I'm not perfect," she muttered.

"I disagree. But now I'll cut to the chase. Maria, Red Baron, my angel sent form heaven, I want to spend the rest of time with you. Will you marry me?"

Time stood still. "Yes, yes, of course I'll marry you!" She slid the ring on her finger. "I love you, Chameleon!"

"And I love you."

Then the clock chimed midnight as they shared a deep, passionate kiss. "Well, I waited so long for you," said the future Mrs. Chameleon, but it was worth it." They kissed again and thought of their shared future.

I hope this was worth the wait. Don't think their problems are through just yet, or that a certain father will be cool with this. But this is all the time I have for now. Peace, and Happy Valentine's Day to all!