NICK'S BLUE BUNNY

Nicholas Wilde was taking a nap, enjoying some peace and quiet after a long week. 'Ah, dinner will be soon' he thought to himself…Friday night pizza!'

Amazed at the doorbell ringing after Judy just ordered the pizza 5 minutes ago, Nick heard something no mate ever wants to hear.

"Nick, what's this?" Judy asked.

"Um…nothing," Not his best answer, but Nick was nap groggy, at least it gave him time learn what THIS was?

Judy asked, "It's a package from Vivienne addressed to both of us, can I open it?"

"Um…sure Fluff, tear away!"…knowing his mother, Nick was concerned just how embarrassing this was going to be. 'Oh please Mom, what did you send and will I hate it?'

Judy had the wrapper in the air, opened the box and wrapped in tissue was an old stuffed toy. A grey rabbit in a blue uniform. There was an envelope addressed to Judy in the box.

"Dear Judy, this was Nick's favorite toy, his father made this bunny for him when he was just a kit. John Wilde was a great tailor and he wanted his son to have a suit he made he could always have and would never outgrow."

Judy started sniffling, ears red and drooping down her shoulders, and then she was crying softly. Nick was instantly at Judy's side.

"What is it, what did Mom do?" and then, he saw the bunny. He saw Carrots, grabbed his blue bunny and started hugging it, eyes closed with tears running down his muzzle. "It's Carrots, I thought she was gone!"

Judy was a bit confused, 'why did Nick have a stuffed bunny?' She just asked him…"Nick, why did you have a bunny named Carrots and this is pretty emotional for you, you don't worry about things?"

Nick swallowed and gave a small smile, not his usual smirk. "My dad made me Carrots when I was born, she was always in my crib, and was my companion." He laughed and said, "Notice her ears? My poor dad had to sew them on all the time, todd kits aren't the most gentle when they're 2 years old."

Judy had some real sympathy for the poor blue bunny, "Good thing you've gotten over that habit Slick, this bunny can fight back," now laughing at the thought of a little Nick and his bunny going to his father to repair the poor girl's ear.

"There's a note in Carrot's pocket addressed to 'Nickster'" Judy said.

Nick instantly got quiet, slowly reaching for the old note with a shaking paw. It was his Dad's handwriting and when he carefully opened the envelope it still had his father's scent, very light, but still there. Eyes closed again, Nick sighed and asked, "Judy, please read it for me."

'JudY? Oh this is serious, he calls me that for serious stuff, not fun…c'mon doe, read it to your fox'

Holding her fox's paw, Judy began, "Dear Nickster, I'm watching my new kit sleeping on his mother's chest. You two are so peaceful and happy, I pray your lives will always be this way, but I know they won't. I made you Carrots for you to grow up with, to love. To care for an animal that can't fight you, but you can learn to fight for. To open your heart for another who isn't a fox. Dear son, I hope I'll always be there to help you grow, but Carrots will be there with you always. Your Father, John Wilde"

Nick smiled down at Judy, his mate and greatest love. "Well my bunny, seems like my father got his wish."