Chapter 19: Start Spreading the News

Well, you may remember that I left off on a very high note with Maria accepting the Chameleon's proposal. I'm sorry I haven't updated this in a very long time, but sometimes I'm busy, or I just have trouble deciding where to take the story next. College keeps me very busy. I really appreciate Kudley93's kind review, and every review I get. I do plan on finishing this story eventually, as well as my other stories. I have plans for continuations of The Fox Next Door, and several characters to be introduced. I've considered rewriting this whole story, since I've changed a lot since I began it, but that would take a very long time. Anyway, I bet you're wondering what Malcolm will say when he learns that he'll have an outlaw for an in-law. I doubt it will be positive. . .

This new year was off to a good start for the Chameleon so far. Maria Foxxy, the girl of his dreams, had just agreed to marry him. It was strange. They really hadn't known each other for that long, yet she was the thing that gave his life meaning. Not only that, he had also reconciled with his worst enemies, T.U.F.F. Agents Dudley Puppy and Kitty Katswell, though they were still keeping a close eye on him. And Mario, who had been so helpful and seemed to idolize him a little bit, was to be his brother! He had never had a brother before. He had a twin sister, Camille, but he hadn't seen her for a very long time.

They headed down the steps. The Chameleon's heart began to pound as he wondered how Maria's parents would take the news. Marge would probably be cool about it, but it was Malcolm he was really worried about. But was that really surprising, considering his own reputation? And most girls' fathers did tend to dislike their daughters' boyfriends on sight. It was practically a law of nature! Yet he hoped Malcolm had warmed up to him a little bit, even fractionally. After all, the Chameleon hadn't harmed Maria, and he even gave Malcolm tickets to his favorite group: The Insane Clown Possums.

The Foxxy parents sat on the couch with Peg Puppy in between them. Marge was holding up some outfits she had prepared for the baby, whose arrival was drawing close, while her friend voiced her opinions on them. Malcolm was nearly dozing, but his head snapped up when he saw his children, the two agents, and a certain reptile approaching. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the Chameleon. "When did you get here?"

"Er, not very long ago, sir," said the Chameleon. His eyes went to the floor and his hands began trembling. "Uh . . . well, I, uh . . ." He then began babbling incoherently and froze in place, until Mario lightly slapped him across the face and told him to get a hold of himself. "Thanks. I really needed that. Where was I?"

"You tell me," said Malcolm, unrelenting glare still on the hapless reptile.

"Chameleon, calm down," said Maria, taking his hand. "It'll be all right. Let's just tell him already."

"Tell me what already?"

"They're getting married!" blurted Dudley, unable to contain his excitement.

"Dudley!" scolded Kitty, Maria, and the Chameleon.

"WHAT?!" cried the two older foxes. Marge and Peg dropped their needlework. Malcolm was speechless, but his face turned an ominous shade of dark purple.

"Isn't it great? I'm going to be the best man," said Mario, who was simply beside himself.

Maria showed her parents the ring. "What do you think?"

Marge was hesitant. She cleared her throat. "Well, that's great, if you think you're ready. I'm happy for you two, really, but I think it's a bit soon."

Malcolm, on the other hand, already knew his opinion. "Never!" He grabbed the Chameleon by the neck. "Forget it! You're no good for her! Do you hear me?!"

"Daddy, no!" said Maria. "You're wrong! He is good now. Give him a chance."

"I'm sorry, Maria, but you're not ready for marriage, and certainly not to him!" he ranted, shaking the Chameleon like a rag doll. "Do I have to remind you he is a master of deception?"

"Mr. Foxxy, I can't believe I'm saying this," said Kitty, "but I think he has genuinely changed."

"Yeah," said Dudley. "He's completely different now."

Malcolm's grip loosened ever so slightly, but his glare remained fierce. "So he has fooled you two as well." He shook his head in disgust. "I am NOT going to have this FREAK for a son-in law, and there is NOTHING you can do about it!"

Everyone was silent. Then the Chameleon mumbled something incoherently. "What?" said Malcolm. He mumbled again, slightly louder. "I still can't hear you!"

"I said . . . I'm not a freak, and I'm not going to tolerate being treated like one any longer!"

"You go, Chameleon!" whispered Mario.

"Don't encourage him, son!" said Malcolm, glaring at Mario.

"Malcolm, please! For years I've been miserable, all alone, no one to care if I die! But then I met your daughter, and I fell in love with her. Everything changed, everything became wonderful, full of beauty… Please, can't you accept that I've finally found happiness with her?"

Malcolm was taken aback for a second. Then he was furious again. "Why should I?! You're a supervillain! Have you forgotten your crimes already? Did you expect your slate to be wiped clean so easily?"

"No." He sighed. "I never expected that, and I knew it would be foolish to hope for it. I'll always have to live with what I did in the past. But I will do what I can to show you and everyone else that I have changed. I promise that my days as a criminal are over."

Everyone was silent for a moment, staring at the Chameleon. Then Malcolm stormed away to his office. "I need to be alone for a while. This conversation is not over."

After he left, Maria asked her fiancé, "So, did you have a date in mind?"

"Well, Angel, I'm not sure yet. While I thought Valentine's Day would be very romantic, I've always hated the cold. Probably sometime in spring, maybe closer to summer."

"Sorry to interrupt," said Kitty, "but I just got a message from the Chief. He wants to see us right away. He says it's important and that it concerns the Chameleon."

"I'm not in trouble, am I?"

"That's impossible," said Dudley. "You haven't committed any crimes for a long time."

"He didn't say what it was about," said Kitty. "Just that it was urgent." She, Dudley, the Chameleon, Maria, and Mario all left for T.U.F.F. HQ. Marge and Peg went back to their needlework and discussing the baby and the wedding. Meanwhile, Malcolm was in his office, trying to calm down, still unhappy about the situation. He was completely unaware that someone was watching his whole family and had been for quite some time, waiting to make a move…

Well, sorry for the extremely long wait. I hope you liked this chapter, and that the next review won't take so long.