Chapter One Hundred and Thirty: Marcus

Daniel couldn't breathe. He was sitting with Sammy and TJ, waiting to see if his girlfriend and their child would survive.

“We brought coffee.” Belle and Charlie walked in. Belle handed Daniel a coffee and sat next to him.

“You gonna sit down?” Sammy asked Charlie, who shook his head.

“How did arresting Marion go?” Charlie asked TJ.

“Well, Haiter was definitely enthused about doing it.” TJ replied. “I don't know if the Troupe still consider the Mob a threat or not, probably just Haiter being his usual hateful self.”

“She'll be out by next week, count on it.” Sammy sighed. “She knows things about Demon and Haiter that could bring them down.”

“Courtesy of being Judiths sister.” Belle said.

“Actually, we've been chatting while Judy's been having tests and stuff. She's actually really nice when she's not being the leader of the Mob.” Sammy said. “I might have let a few things slip accidentally.”

The others stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Hey.” Petunia nudged open the door with her arm. “Just letting you know things are stable for now, but the baby is coming and coming fast. We can't stop it.”

“Will they live?” Daniel asked. “Will my baby live?”

“We don't know.” Petunia said, looking tired and upset.

“For Globs sake, you useless WHOA!” Daniel had gotten up and was heading towards Petunia, but was stopped by the Lions Claw Blade.

“So THAT'S why you wouldn't sit down.” Sammy mused.

“Sit down Dan. You know full well that the staff here are doing everything they can to keep Judith and the baby alive. You know they're not miracle workers. I suggest you get over yourself before I make you.” Charlie said evenly.

“Well that escalated quickly.” Belle sipped her coffee.

“I don't think it did. I think it's been escalating since Judith got into hospital.” TJ said, standing up. He turned to Daniel. “Mate, we've been nothing but supportive, but you've treated us like we're the reason everything has gone wrong.”

Aren't you though? Daniel thought. He thought back to all the times that they could have outright killed Marion, Revolver, Roger, Daryl, Demon...all of them. He thought about how easy life would be if they had.

And killing was SO easy...

“Please, we're all on the same side here. We want you to be happy, we want Judith to live and we want your baby to be okay.” TJ continued. “Please, believe us and stop treating us like we're the enemy.”

“You sure you're not the enemy? You've got a sword to my face.” Daniel pointed out.

“And you're not supposed to have it in my hospital.” Petunia frowned.

“Are you going to stop being a butt or not?” Charlie asked impatiently.

Everyone looked at Charlie.

“Yes, I know I'm the butt right now, but Dan has been a butt longer than me.” Charlie snapped.

“Fine, I'll sit down and not say a word shall I?” Daniel slumped into a chair grumpily.

“Better than being snarky.” Charlie sheathed the Lions Claw Blade.

“Wouldn't it have been easier to bring your daggers instead of shoving that thing under your clothes? It's gotta be uncomfortable.” Sammy asked.

“But it wouldn't have been as classic.” Charlie grinned.

“We're leaving.” Belle dragged Charlie out by his collar. “REALLY Charles, you couldn't help yourself could you?”

“I had my reasons!” Charlie argued back, his voice fading as Belle hauled him away.

Daniel stiffened. Charlie couldn't know. There was no way Charlie could know...

Could he?

--

Sure enough, not even 24 hours later Marion was back at the hospital looking frazzled.

“Hey Marion. You okay?” Tammy asked, sitting near the water cooler that had been put near Judiths room.

“I've just been in gaol overnight and now my sister is giving birth!” Marion snapped.

“Yeah, I'd be pretty pissy too. Water?” Tammy offered her a drink. Marion accepted it wordlessly.

“I'd be careful going to the waiting room. Dan's not biting our heads off anymore but he's still being cold.” Tammy warned Marion as the older woman sipped her drink.

“Oh stuff him. It's Judy I'm worried about.” Marion sighed. “Do you think they're going to be okay?”

“Well, 'Tuney is looking after them, and she says it's 60-40 in favour of them both surviving.” Tammy said.

“So they'll be perfectly fine then.” Marion grinned. “Judy's faced worse odds before and won, easily.”

Tammy couldn't help but smile. Marion really WAS likeable when you took away the Mob. “Well, you've made me feel better.” She admitted.

“Good. Now let's deal with Danny Daddy-o. See if we can't get him to wise up.” Marion smiled back.

Tammy followed Marion into the waiting room, wondering which one would be more dangerous if things went wrong – Daniel or Marion?

--

Thankfully, a few hours later, it turned out everything was okay.

“IT'S A BOY!” Daniel came running out of Judith's room, looking rapt and nearly taking out Sammy.

“And Judith?!” Marion asked.

“She's tired, but all okay. They'll have to stay here for a few more weeks, but Marcus is in surprisingly good health considering how premature he is.” Daniel's face hurt with all the grinning, but he couldn't turn it off.

“Marcus?” TJ asked.

“That's his name. After her father.” Daniel looked at Marion, who started crying silently. “She wants to see you Marion. She wants you to meet your nephew.”

Marion nodded, and went to see her sister. Daniel sat down, looking exhausted and excited.

“Congrats mate!” He wasn't allowed to be exhausted for long, not with TJ and Sammy mobbing him with hugs and kisses. Tammy cheered and started running laps around the room in excitement, only stopping to help Petunia sit down when she finally emerged from the delivery room, also exhausted.

“It's almost like old times again, isn't it?” Petunia smiled, leaning back into her chair. “Just the five of us against the world.”

Daniel looked around. He was surrounded by his old playmates, who had stuck by him since they were children.

“I guess I owe you guys a huge apology...and a steak dinner...and ice cream...okay I'm not made of money!” He laughed at the greedy stares he was getting.

Inside his humicrib, Marcus looked around at his new life. His mother and aunt smiled down on him.

Back at Sunnys place, Melodys fever finally broke, and she started to sleep naturally. Outside, Belle was chasing Charlie, who had stolen her Highly Mega Ultra Super Advanced Dictionary First Class.

All was well in the world. For now.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Nine: Mental Health

“This past few weeks has almost been perfect.” Belle sighed as the leaves of the old gum tree left shadows across her face. “Ever since you established the Chamber of Commerce life in Pleasantville has gotten better for everyone.”

“Except Dan.” Charlie grimaced. “I give it another month before he storms out of the Knights of the Last Order again.”

“It'll be fine, once the baby is born he'll get over it.” Belle reassured her friend.

It had been several weeks now since the first victory over Demon with the Chamber of Commerce. Everything was going smoothly – except Sir Lionheart and his abrasive attitude.

“I hope you're right – for the baby's sake.” Charlie chuckled. Belle swatted him.

“How long until they admit it?” Peter put the curtain back and returned to his book, sitting in his comfy chair in the Masters lounge room.

“As long as it takes.” Lara shrugged, lying on the lounge.

“Anyway, the baby is only a month or two away. What's the worst that can happen?” Belle sighed as a cold breeze began to pick up.

--

Naturally, the next time Belle and Charlie went to the hospital, they walked into the iciest silence anyone had ever encountered.

“I think I might wait outside, it's warmer out there and it's negative six out there!” Charlie yelped. “Are you guys STILL fighting?!”

“Dan is now refusing to speak to any of us.” TJ told him. “Which doesn't bode well since he's our leader.”

“Honestly, I wish he'd stayed away.” Sammy said. “At least until he'd gotten his head together.”

“It's his first child and a complicated pregnancy.” Belle pointed out.

“I know, but even Judith is getting tired of him.” TJ said.

Sure enough, Judith chose that moment to kick the father of her child out of the room.

“I can't BELIEVE this!” Daniel cried angrily. “Oh, hi you two.”

“G'day Dan. Having a rough time?” Charlie tried to be sympathetic.

“Well THIS lot aren't helping!” Daniel snapped, turning to TJ and Sammy who were glaring at him.

“Well if SOMEONE would just pull his head out of his arse and realise he's not the only person in the Universe with problems then we'd be fine!” TJ shot back.

“Well MY problems are the most pressing right now!” Daniel snapped.

“Sunny still can't get a job, and Melody has gastro at the moment. Petunia is suffering from extreme overwork and is showing signs of falling apart. I think those are pretty pressing problems.” Sammy said evenly.

“Oooh, gastro, that's SO dangerous.” Daniel snapped.

“For a three year old, it can be.” Sammy told him. “Besides, if she came here and brought the gastro with her, she could put your baby in danger. So she's staying away.”

“Whatever.” Daniel said, although he was starting to look guilty. He stormed off to get himself some coffee.

“I don't understand. He used to be such a great leader, always putting us first.” TJ sat down.

“Something's changed, and I don't think it's just the baby either.” Sammy thought out loud.

Charlie blanched.

--

Daniel sat quietly in the café downstairs. Inside, he was churning up with guilt, anger, fear and exhaustion.

His first baby, and both they and his beloved girlfriend were in danger. Was this his fault, the Universe paying him out for murdering Wallace Dingbat? Was it punishment for being a bad leader of the Noble Knights of the Last Order?

He stared at his coffee, the smell making him nauseous. Everything was happening all at once, churning him up and wearing him out. He was irritable, moody and didn't want to be. Especially not to the friends who were backing him up.

But would they continue to back him up if they knew the truth?

--

“NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!” Giggles cried, chasing after Mobster Marion who was driving away with a sack full of jewellery.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES!” Marion laughed. She was a lot more daring again now that Judith was in hospital.

“I don't object to you having pretty things, but you need to pay for them!” Giggles landed on the roof of the speeding car.

“NEVER!” Marion cried.

“Look, I really don't want to shoot out the tyres of this really, really nice car you have...especially as I don't think it's yours.” Giggles tried. “Can't you please turn around?”

Marion thought about it for a second. Suddenly the Lions Claw Blade was stuck out from behind a bin, hitting the front tyre of the car and spinning it out!

“I NEARLY HAD HER CONVINCED YOU IMPATIENT PERSON!” Giggles roared at Chuckles, who shrugged.

“I SPENT $5000 ON THESE TYRES!” Marion screamed in fury as she got out of the car.

“You got ripped off.” Chuckles pointed out.

“REALLY ripped off.” Giggles added.

“I mean you got EXTREMELY ripped off.”

“Mega-ripped off.”

“Ripped off and Ripped off 2.”

“All the ripped off and then some.”

“I GET IT!” Marion screamed.

“Oh lookie, the policeman is here!” Chuckles saw TJ approaching. “We'll see you next time!”

“Great. Just great.” Marion sulked as Chuckles and Giggles left. “Hey TJ. Have you seen Judy today?”

“Yeah, I was at the hospital this morning picking Petunia up.” TJ handcuffed Marion and took her to the police car. “Judy looks fine, the baby is fine too. A few more weeks and it'll be safe to give birth.”

“I do thank your wife for looking after my sister.” Marion ducked her head as she got into the car.

“She does her best.” TJ replied.

--

“On one hand, it's great that Marions mental health is starting to improve. On the downside, I really don't want to have to keep chasing her away from every shiny thing in Pleasantville.” Charlie took off his coat back at the tip.

“She's in better shape than Dan. I can't wait for the baby to be born.” Belle stretched her arms out over her head. “How's the COC going?”

“Great, we've established a solid dispute resolution process for both customers and businesses. Means we can look at every case on its merits and make sure everyone is protected.” Charlie said proudly. “How's Demon behaving?”

“The usual. Leering, hints, snide remarks...he needs to remember he's a married man.” Belle replied as Peter Masters drove up.

“You two going back to the hospital?” Peter asked.

“Nah, I need to get home and have a shower and finish off some paperwork.” Belle said. “Plus I need a lot of sleep.”

“Makes two of us.” Charlie agreed.

“Ah to be young and busy.” Peter chuckled.

Then Belle's phone went off.

“Hello? Oh no! DAD! We gotta get to the hospital, the baby is coming and it's not good!” Belle cried. “That was Sammy, we gotta step on it!”

“I'm on it!” Peter sped up and headed towards the hospital.

“I just hope everything is okay. I don't think it'd take much to push Dan to do something he'd regret.” Belle worried as the streets flew past.

Charlie didn't say a word.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Eight: Sunshine

 “The world is is illuminated by the sun, heading towards a shining tomorrow, nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah!” Belle and Charlie sang as they entered the hospital waiting room where the others were waiting. Webster followed behind them, amused.

“We just saw the news! Oh Charlie you did it!” Tammy rushed up and hugged Charlie tightly, followed closely by Sunny, Sammy and TJ. A loud snore came from Petunia in the corner.

“Wow, out like a light. Is she overworking herself?” Belle walked over to Petunia and made sure she was covered well by TJs jacket.

“Since the fight with Dan, she's been working longer.” TJ replied bitterly. “I swear if he weren't my best friend I'd kill him.”

“He IS under a lot of pressure though. His girlfriend and his baby are in danger.” Webster pointed out.

“I don't see how that's our fault!” TJ pointed out. “At least ONE of us is always here in case anything goes wrong, we even take shifts overnight, because we want to protect Judith, and that's just not enough for him! He wants Petunia to work for free too!”

“Fear makes people unreasonable. I've been plenty unreasonable myself.” Webster said calmly. “I'm always scared of losing Maddy and Tate just like I lost my best friend. That fear has made me do stupid things.”

“Plus putting up with a bunch of kids in superhero costumes tried your patience.” Belle pointed out. Tammy bopped her on the head. “Owch!”

“Anyway, I'm gonna head back home to Brisvegas. Being here in Pleasantville makes me edgy.” Webster shuddered. “Please look after each other. We're now closer than ever towards cleaning up not just this city, but the whole country.”

“Uh, yikes much?” Charlie asked as Webster left.

--

The changes soon came rapidly. One of the first things Charlie did was make sure that Sammy and Tammys parents could finally own the shop they had been managing for years.

“You want to let THEM own a shop?” Haiter looked at the paper work dismissively. He was still livid that he had lost his power.

“And what, pray tell, is wrong with THEM?” Charlie snatched back the paper work. They were standing in the new Chamber of Commerce office, that was in Pleasantville Shopping Mall.

“You've seen them. Bloody monkeys.” Haiter scoffed.

“I'd watch it Haiter.” Eugenia said drily as she took the paper work from Charlie and put it away. “My father was a 'monkey' as you put it, and he was one of the reasons this very building is standing.”

Haiter bristled, before leaving in a huff. Eugenia scowled after him.

“He's a jerk.” Charlie shook his head.

“A powerful jerk. I don't know how you got him to budge, but you've made an enemy who could very well be the end of you.” Eugenia warned the young man as he gathered up his work and prepared to head back to the metalworks. “Be careful.”

“I'm always careful.” Charlie grinned, before heading back to his own business, which was now thriving again.

Later that day, he handed Sammy, Tammy and their family the news of their new business. Tammy ran laps around the her parents house in glee, while Sammy stood looking at Charlie with tears of happiness in his eyes.

--

“Do we risk going back to the hotel to get our paperwork?” Harold asked as he and Lady sat in their car, which was hidden in a back alley.

“We need our birth certificates at least, and our passports.” Lady told him. “I don't know why we brought them with us.”

“Because we couldn't leave them in the house, they'd have been swiped within an hour after we'd left!” Harold snapped at her. “Damn that brat and her friends! She's pretty much killed us.”

“Don't say that!” Lady cried. “Oh glob, I don't know anymore, we're doomed, we're so utterly doomed, I doubt we'll even get out of the city alive...”

“We just have to do the best we can until we can get out of the city and out of the country.” Harold tried to control his breathing. “We'll go to the Great Nations. They're so war-torn right now that we'll be able to slip under the radar very easily. Start a new life.”

“And to do that we need to go back to the hotel and get our paperwork!” Lady shrieked.

“Will you calm down?!” Harold hissed.

Suddenly something heavy landed on the car...and something wearing blue slid down the bonnet and landed on the ground.

“YOU DROPPED ME AGAIN!”

“IF YOU HAD JUST STAYED STILL WE WOULD HAVE LANDED FINE!”

“Chuckles and Giggles! What do you two want?!” Harold got out of the car.

“Belle contacted us. Here's your stuff from the hotel.” Giggles handed him a small suitcase.

“That worthless piece of trash! What's she playing at?!” Harold snatched the suitcase and went through it. Sure enough, everything they owned was safe, including passports.

“You're still her grand-parents.” Giggles said quietly. “Even if you are criminal scum.”

“Get out of Pleasantville and stay out. You will never be welcome here again.” Chuckles added.

“Can we even get out of Pleasantville safely?” Lady asked.

“You'll have to escape up north through Pleasant Gorge. Then you can double-back along the coast to Brisvegas. From there, you can do what you like.” Chuckles told them. “The Noble Knights of the Last Order have secured the gorge. We'll get you to there.”

Harold glared at the pair while Lady started sobbing. “She was supposed to be ours. She was supposed to make us the top clan in the Haunted Maze Troupe.”

“Well, you should have tried to be in her life when she was younger.” Giggles snapped.

“We couldn't! Her father stopped us!” Lady sobbed.

“You could have.” Giggles glared at her grand-parents. Their blood flowed through her veins too, more's the pity.

Harold and Lady we subdued as they drove out of the city, Chuckles and Giggles keeping a close eye on them. Along the way, they saw their old friends from the Haunted Maze Troupe glaring at them from the shadows, but not daring to step in against the two vigilantes.

Harold and Lady weren't worth the annoyance.

Finally, they made it past Pleasant Gorge and on the road out of Pleasantville. If they headed west, they would have gone to Fallsville, which Giggles advised them was a bad idea.

“Head east. Don't stop in Oaksville. Just keep driving until you hit the coast, then go straight down to Brisvegas. You might need to stop for fuel, wait until you're out of the council area first.” She told them.

“Thank you.” Harold said shortly.

“Please...tell Belle we're sorry.” Lady almost whispered.

“I'll tell her nothing.” Giggles snapped. “Now sod off.”

Harold and Lady drove off. Giggles watched until they disappeared over the horizon, and then she took Chuckles back to Pleasantville.

To finish off the tale of Harold and Lady, they made it out of Ostraya safely and went to live in a little village in the snowy north of the Great Nations. Harold became a great fisherman and Lady made a living as a tour guide. They never spoke of or to their grand-daughter again.

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Seven: The First Blow

Haiter was feeling very smug as he walked past Charlie and Webster, who were waiting outside the court room.

“Hello Andrew.” Charlie said smoothly.

“Begly.” Haiter made to push past, but Webster, with the gleam of Sir Hedgehog in his eyes, put a hand on his shoulder.

“You might want to see what we have.” Sir Hedgehog smirked. Haiter sighed, and smiled as Charlie pulled out his phone.

Charlie grinned as Haiters face contorted into rage. “That...those...they're...!” He spluttered.

“And we have it saved in plenty of places.” Sir Hedgehog told him. “Imagine if this got out.”

“How did you get them to talk?!” Haiter was furious. The video was of Harold and Lady telling Belle about how Haiter was a Trouper!

“Belle is their grand-daughter. They've been trying to get her to join up for months.” Charlie chuckled. “So, I suggest you change your mind about our little Chamber, or else you and Demon will have a lot of explaining to do.”

“And after what happened last week, I don't think you're all that popular at the moment anyway.” Sir Hedgehog added. “Wouldn't take much to have the entire city demanding Demon fire you. And as much as he likes to think his power is absolute, he knows damned well he needs public favour.”

Haiter was so furious he couldn't speak. Only moments before he'd been bragging to the Mayor and now he'd been brought down HARD.

Charlie watched him, satisfied. If Haiter was on-board, then all he needed to do was win the election.

“F-fine.” Haiter spat. “But you WILL pay for this, just see if you don't!”

“I think I'll take that chance.” Sir Hedgehog patted his briefcase. Haiter swallowed hard. What was in that briefcase? What did this little upshot lawyer know?

He snarled at the pair, and stormed back inside the courtroom. Charlie grinned at Sir Hedgehog, who smirked back.

“Nice work Sir Hedgehog.” Charlie said.

“Shhh. I'm only Webster, remember? I left the Last Order.” Was the reply. Charlie silently disagreed. Webster might not have been much of a combatant, but he was still a Noble Knight of the Last Order who was doing his part.

--

Belle felt rather dirty as she sat back down in the court room gallery. It was time to see if her work had paid off.

“Andrew Haiter, do you still object to the implementation of a Chamber of Commerce or shall we proceed with the debate?” Judge Constance Dougherty asked.

Haiter looked ready to kill.

“I've considered the motion, and I withdraw my objection.” He said through gritted teeth. Demon shot him a look of confusion, but said nothing. If Haiter was going to play ball, Demon wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth!

“Very well. Then with no objections, the establishment of the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce will proceed.” Constance declared. Charlie saw Belle in the gallery and shot her a grin – not quite a triumphant one just yet, the battle was only half won!

Belle felt a little bit better. Not much though, talking to her grand-parents usually made her feel icky.

“Now, for this establishment, we need to have a committee, that consists of a secretary, treasurer, vice-president and president. The president and vice-president are elected, the others can be nominated members of the public selected by the president and vice-president.” Constance rambled on. And on. Soon Charlie was starting to zone out again. Belle watched him and was silently betting he was going to start drooling.

“Now, for our nominations.” Constance finally said. Charlie snapped to attention immediately, wiping the drool from his mouth.

“Can those who wish to nominate for the position of president please step forward in an orderly fashion?” Constance said. “Remember you must have been a business owner in Pleasantville for the past 18 months in order to qualify, and must have plans to continue business within the next three years.”

“Good luck Chuckles.” Webster whispered as Charlie stood up.

“Thanks Sir Hedgehog.” Charlie whispered back. He straightened his shoulders and walked forward to hand his name to the judge. Sure enough, Demon had stepped forward, and so had the woman who owned West Pleasantville Jewellers. Another older man stepped forward as well. Charlie was the youngest person who had nominated.

Belle sucked in a breath. Hopefully Charlie could get in. Hopefully he would win.

“Okay, four nominations. Arnold Jones, you have the floor.” Constance read the first name off the list.

“My family has owned businesses in Pleasantville for generations. Being a business owner is in my blood. I have also led this city for five years.” Demon Jones began.

“And gotten our healthcare workers killed.” Someone muttered. A few people scowled at Demon, who realised he had no chance.

“Yes...well...” He faltered, before stepping back, embarrassed and angry.

“Is that all?” Constance asked, confused. Demon glared at her. “So be it. Charles Begly, your turn.”

This was it. Charlie stepped forward and began to speak.

“Like the Mayor, I come from a long line of business owners, and I am a direct descendant of the founders of this city. However, that is not what you want, you don't want to hear about the past. You want a future. A fair, just and good future where we can minimise the risk of owning a business while making it fairer for our consumers. I might be young, but that just means I am more open to learning and being flexible. I can grow with the growing business landscape of this city. Please consider voting for me.”

Charlie smiled at Constance and then at the business owners who had assembled. The room applauded strongly. Charlie stood with the rest of the nominees and exhaled. It was out of his hands now. He had done everything that he could have possibly done.

“That was very well spoken Mr. Begly.” Constance said approvingly. “Eugenia Wallow, please step forward.”

Charlie looked at the jeweller. Yes, she was a strong member of the Pleasantville Community Committee, but she was also someone who believed in the future of the city. Charlie thought she'd make a good vice-president.

Eugenia spoke about how she'd had to fight tooth and nail to start her business. How having a Chamber of Commerce was a great idea, and she thanked Charlie for his work. She also talked about fairness and protecting people, and how she could draw on her experiences to do it.

She also got a decent round of applause as she went back to stand with the rest of the nominees. Charlie smiled at her. She smiled back.

The last nominee wasn't much to write home about, and it was obvious to everyone in the room that he was a Haunted Maze Trouper. A few people shot dirty looks at Andrew Haiter, who was seething. Finally, it was time for the vote. All of the business owners forwarded out to cast their ballot.

“You've done well, I wouldn't be too worried about it.” Eugenia smiled at him. “All your hard work is paying off.”

Charlie smiled back. “Thanks. It's people like you who helped though.”

Demon snorted in disgust, and the other nominee tried to hide the fact that he was trying to ingest a drug in court. Charlie and Eugenia couldn't help but giggle together.

Slowly, the business owners forwarded back in, having cast their votes. An independent contractor from Brisvegas was counting the votes, so no chance of cheating.

Belle felt her phone vibrate. She pulled it out of her pocket and had a look.

“I think your grand-parents are stuffed.” Was the text from her father. Belle was confused and sent back a question mark. The next message gave her chills.

“Haiter has advised the Haunted Maze Troupe that they're the ones who gave you the information to blackmail him with. They've just been chased out of your Uncles shop.”

Oooooh boy. Belle gripped the phone tightly, not sure of how to feel. She heard people walking back into the room, and put her phone away. Her grand-parents could be dealt with later. Now it was time to support her best friend.

Constance walked back in and everyone sat. Charlie was sweating. Had he done enough?

“The votes have been tallied and verified.” Constance said. “The president of the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce is Charles Begly. The vice-president will be Eugenia Wallow.”

Charlie felt like he was floating. He could barely breathe with excitement, although a huge sigh of relief escaped him. He was the president of the Chamber of Commerce. The first blow had been struck against the corruption of the Pleasantville City Council. They no longer had control over the business domain of the city.

Constance ended the proceedings there, and everyone made to leave. Eugenia patted Charlie on the back as she left.

“I'll call you tomorrow and we'll get things organised. Well done!” She said.

“Thanks. You too. I look forward to working with you.” Charlie said breathlessly.

“We did it. We really did it.” Webster could barely believe it. “This is huge. This is really, REALLY huge. You're now one of the most powerful people in this city.”

“I just hope I can do it right.” Charlie said. Suddenly he was nearly barrelled over by Belle, who was ready to burst.

“YOU DID IT CHARLIE YOU DID IT! I KNEW YOU COULD!” Belle laughed as she hugged him tightly.

“You helped. You were there the whole way through.” Charlie squeezed her back.

“Are they dating?” Demon leaned over and asked Webster.

“That's the question.” Webster shook his head as the two friends continued to cuddle.