Chapter 14: Another Happy Ending
At the White House, Bert and the TTC threw a party for Bentley and his new son. It was spectacular, with good food, drinks, and plenty of music to dance to.
"Well, Bentley," said Alex II. "You said you wanted to do the impossible, and now here you are--a proud dad of a baby boy."
"I certainly am," replied Bentley with a smile.
Bert asked, "Are you sure you're gonna tell LeChien about this?"
"He already found out. When Xochitl told him that I was going to Mr. Stork's Paradise Island, I was given paid paternity leave. And look--" Here he took out a $100,000,000 check. Bentley continued slyly, "I knew he would accept strange phenomenons like this."
Just then, Vanessa came by with Clark and Maeve. She said to them, "And this, children, is your new baby brother. Say 'hi' to little Maurice."
"Hi, Maurice," said Clark cheerfully. "I'm Clark Raccoon, and I'm two years old."
"Me, too!" babbled Maeve.
"Nice to meet you," said Maurice happily. "By the way, I'm over one day, 24 hours, and 60 minutes old."
The two kids stared at him in astonishment. Maurice continued, "Well, what can you expect? Even as a baby I can tell my exact age."
Then, four-year-old Eric arrived. And following him came the other children: April, Percy and Harrison Raccoon (Bert's grandsons), Randall, Diana, Maureen, Royce, Joyce, Milhouse, the Snooper quadruplets (Selma, Lorna, Daisy, Sly), Mark, Nancy, Derrick Jr., Dolly, Morris, Angel, Alice, Charlie, Arthur, Lucille, and little Davy. Dolly asked, "You're the mixed-breed baby Bentley was carrying all along?"
"Oh, yes," said Maurice with a nod. "I am."
"You look so cool!" commented Charlie. "I'm pretty sure we're gonna be best friends for life. We're gonna play hide-and-seek. Do you want to join in?"
"Sure--I guess so."
Morris shouted happily, "I'll count!"
"No, I'll count, Morris," said Dolly curtly. "I'm older, you know." She leaned against a wall, covered her eyes, and started counting while the other kids ran off to hide. Looking on, King Faolan said to Bentley, "You know, there's an ancient prophecy Baron Reynard uttered upon his deathbed."
"Really?" asked Bentley. "What was it?"
Ardal cleared his throat and began reciting the verse.
When the world is near to tumbling down,
When there is none but fire around,
The children of heroes will rise again
And thus shall the hints of true justice begin.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You'll soon learn in time," answered King Faolan wisely. "But remember this--now with your new son by your side, I have a certain feeling that your team will flourish without failure. New adventures will be undertaken, new allies will be discovered, and new villains will be conquered by your ever-growing light of the spirit of truth and justice. Let this be the prophecy for the Time Toon Cops, Bentley, and I wish you and your child a greater amount of luck."
Flattered by those solemn words, Bentley nodded and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty...thank you."
"That's pretty nice," said Bert. Looking around, he continued, "I wonder where Xochitl had gone off to..."
Rufus overheard the question and said, "Oh, she's off in Las Vegas to elope with Disco Bear. He's alive again."
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas in Nevada, Xochitl and Disco Bear were standing in front of a minister at a wedding chapel. The minister said, "...and do you, Amberley Elizabeth Dudley, take Disco Bear to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do!" Xochitl said happily. Then, she heard her cell phone ring. She took it out and answered it, saying, "Hello? Oh...hey, Bert."
"Where have you been, Xochitl?" said Bert. "You were supposed to attend Bentley's party! Did you get the invitation?"
"Of course, I did," replied Xochitl. "But right now, I'm going to be Mrs. Disco Bear in a minute, and I'll get back to you just as soon as I can." And she hung up. Grabbing Disco Bear's hand, she said sweetly, "So, now, where were we?"
Bert put the cell phone back into his pocket. He said, "I guess Xochitl won't be back until the end of a honeymoon."
"My point exactly," said Rufus.
And so ends the TTC's greatest battle ever fought--a battle for the life of Bentley and his hybrid baby. But what further adventures await our fantastic heroes? You'll find out in the next action-packed, powered-up episode of the Time Toon Cops!
"You may now kiss the bride!"
"Oh, how I love you, Disco Bear! Come here and kiss me!"
THE END!