Disclaimer: I do not own Zootopia or any of its characters, they all belong to Disney.

It's Snowing

Judy got home from work and looked at her apartment. It was movie night and her Fox was coming over! She put a few things back in place and did a little cleaning. This apartment was much larger than her room back in her parent's burrow and her bedroom closet was larger than her place at the Grande Pangolin Arms. That was a bit of an exaggeration, but this place much better than that dump. She'd lived here a little more than a year and it had been almost a year and a couple of months since she'd come to Zootopia the first time.

She thought about all things that had happened in that short time. She'd become a police officer in ZPD and with help of her Fox they'd cracked the missing mammal case and put that corrupt mayor in prison. She winced knowing that she'd had started Zootopia down that destructive path by publicly expressing her own prejudices. Nick had called her on it and he'd been correct! Then she'd resigned and ran away. That was definitely a low point in her life.

After finding out that night howlers were poisonous flowers it had been the hardest thing she'd ever done going back to Nick and apologizing. Surprisingly he'd forgiven her and then helped solve the case exposing Dawn Bellwether conspiracy and stopping Zootopia from tearing itself apart along predator/prey lines. After that the city had offered to rehire her as a police officer (with a promotion and bit more money) and she readily accepted. Then her Fox went to the police academy and had become a police officer too! It was the proudest day of her life pinning that badge on his chest. Secretly she wanted to hug him and dance a little jig around the stage.

Then they'd assigned them to be partners which only made sense since all the other officers where larger and they were both about the same size. She thought that maybe someone recognized that since worked together so well in the past that it might be a good idea to keep them together. That was just fine with her since she was the senior officer and in charge of his breaking in period. Then she remembered their first day on patrol together. How could she forget – it was a turning point in her life!

"You know you love me."

Her heart thumped, but somehow she'd kept a straight face. God, she'd fallen in love with him!

"Do I know that? Yes. Yes, I do."

But what she really wanted to say to her Fox was 'Yes, Nick, I do love you with all my heart.' She'd kept that bottled up inside for more than a year now and still hadn't done anything about it.

Nick pulled up at his bunny's apartment house and got out. His bunny, he thought. When had he fallen in love with her? When they'd first met he hustled her out of Z20.00 and even then he'd thought she was cute, but naïve. Then he thought about went they met the second time and winced. The mean things he'd said to her! He'd been such a jerk. Then third time they'd met she'd hustled him into helping her. She was no dumb bunny and he had to smile. Or when they were on the Skytram and she touched his arm and he pulled away, but God, her touch felt wonderful! He even tried to tell on her on his first day at the ZPD.

"You know you love me."

"Do I know that? Yes. Yes, I do."

That had gotten his hopes up. He didn't think she'd throw herself into his arms, but he thought she'd at least smile.

He pulled his coat tighter around himself. It was December again and apparently it was going to be a cold one. Tonight was their movie night and he'd found a good one!

She heard the knock and opened the door. Her Fox stood there with that grin on his face holding up his pick. She held up hers and they both burst out laughing. Somehow they'd picked out the same hokey movie. He came in, hung up his coat, and sat on the couch. She brought a bowl of popcorn from the kitchen and sat it between them. Her Fox picked up the remote and hit play.

The movie was so bad that it was good and they laughed like loons. Judy surreptitiously looked at her Fox and wondered what he thought of her. They worked all day together and most nights when she had nothing else to do they would do something together. He must feel something for her since she knew he didn't date and he must have noticed that she never did either. The movie ended and he looked at her.

"Carrots, since we picked the same movie we have a little time," he said and smiled. "What do like to do now?"

She smiled too.

"Let's talk," she said and saw him wince a bit.

"OK," he said and drew out the word.

What minefield did I step onto this time, he thought.

"I remember you said that you said that you were taking vacation for Christmas." He nodded. "I think I told you I am too. Well, I'm going back to BunnyBurrow. I know you told me that you didn't have any family and I don't think anyone should be alone on Christmas. Nick, I would like you to come with me and celebrate with my family."

"Let me think about it."

"Sure."

He was touched and really happy that she would ask him. He didn't really want to spend Christmas alone either. Actually he'd never been outside of Zootopia. Then he wondered how all those Rabbits would react to a Fox. Well they must have a few Foxes in BunnyBurrow.

"Since we still have some time would you like to go out and do something?" he asked.

"OK, a new Snarlbucks Coffee opened a few blocks down," she said and smiled. "I've been wanting to try it. We can walk it if you don't mind."

"It's cold."

"That's OK."

He put on his coat and then helped his bunny on with hers. It was pink with a white fur collar. Then she put on a cream color muffler with matching mittens. He looked at her and smiled.

"What?"

"Fluff, you look…"

"Don't you say it!"

"CUTE!"

She growled and then swatted him. He pretended to duck and then laughed.

"Come on," he said and opened the door for her.

As they walked she looked up at her Fox. She wondered if it looked odd to the other animals for a Fox and Rabbit to be walking together. Actually she didn't really care! He opened the door for her and she reveled in the warmth. Then she wondered when they'd have their first snow. She certainly hoped it snow for Christmas.

"So what would you like?" he asked and winked. "My treat!"

She looked at the menu and smiled.

"Hot chocolate," she said.

"Make it two," he told the barista holding up two fingers.

"Whipped cream?" she asked.

"Yes," they said simultaneously.

"That'll be Z5.00."

Her Fox passed her a Z5.00 bill and dropped Z2.00 in her tip jar.

"Thanks," she said.

After waiting for a few minutes their drinks came and they sat at a booth by the window. For a time they sipped their hot chocolate and just stared out watching the traffic pass by.

"Judy, I'd like to come with you to BunnyBurrow if it's OK with your parents."

She touched his arm and gave it a squeeze, but this time she noted that her fox didn't mind her touch.

Nick knocked on his bunny's door and when she opened it he noticed that she wasn't quite ready.

"You're early. It's only 10."

"Well, I thought we might have lunch at the train station since the one for BunnyBurrow doesn't leave till noon."

"I guess I'd better hurry up then."

He smiled and sat on the couch. Ten minutes later she was ready and he helped his bunny with her jacket. It was the same one and he smiled.

"Don't even think it!"

This time there was a bit of a smile on her face.

"Judy, you look cute." he said and tapped the muffler around her neck.

This time he noted that his bunny blushed just a little.

Her Fox helped her with her bag and they found a seat together. A few of the other animals gave them odd looks, but she stared at them until they looked away. She looked at her Fox and she was glad he hadn't noticed. He seemed to be engrossed in his book and he got out hers. Before she knew it three hours had passed.

"Nick, there is an observation bubble on this car. We'll be coming into BunnyBurrow soon and I thought you might want to have a look. He put in his bookmark and put it away.

"OK, Fluff."

She noticed a few of the other Rabbit ears go up and she smiled. As she started up the stairs she felt her Fox beside her and his hand in the middle of her back and she smiled again. They were alone for which she was grateful since she'd notice a few other animals still glancing at them every once in a while. She didn't understand how or why they could be so rude. Then she started to recognize the area they passed through and started to describe it to her Fox. Finally he knelt so they could be at eyelevel.

"I did notice," he said and she sighed.

"It's just rude!"

"I liked your solution to just stare back at them," he said and smiled. "I guess a Fox and a Rabbit together is big deal out here in the country."

Judy rolled her eyes and sighed again.

"God, now we sound like we're a bunch of hicks!"

Nick laughed and patted her arm.

"But you're a cute hick."

"Thanks."

For a while they just watched the scenery passed by.

"You are now entering BunnyBurrow Population 83,123,543…, 44…, 45…, 46…"

Judy blushed and Her Fox laughed.

"What can I say? Apparently Rabbits are very prolific."

Judy's blush deepened.

The train slowed and then finally came stop at the station. Nick followed his bunny down the stairs and out of passenger car. He stayed close not wanting lose track of her in the sea of Rabbits and other animals.

"Judy … Judy!"

"Dad! Mom!"

His bunny came to a stop before two older Rabbits and he stood behind her.

"Judy, a F-O-X followed you from the train and is standing right behind you," her father whispered.

His bunny and older female Rabbit both facepalmed and he laughed out loud.

"Judy, I assume you know…" her mother began.

"Nick. Remember I told you my partner was a Fox and also, I told you that I was bringing someone home for Christmas. So here we are."

"Well …"

"Well what!"

He put a hand on Judy's shoulder and turned his bunny around. He knelt so they were at eyelevel.

"Judy, it's not big a deal. Your parents are just a bit surprised. That's all. I'm not offended, but I am a bit amused."

He chuckled.

"But…"

"Nicholas P. Wilde," he said extending a hand to her father.

The older Rabbit hesitantly took it and the Rabbit's hand disappeared into his. Nick noticed that he was actually shaking.

"Stuart Hopps and this is my wife Bonnie."

He turned to his bunny's mother.

"Bonnie," he said extended his hand to her. "Nice to meet you both."

Her parents had brought the old pickup truck to the station, but not all four of them could ride in the cab. Her Fox had volunteered to ride in the back and she'd nixed that idea immediately.

"Dad, please go home and get the car."

"But…," her Fox began.

"No!" she said and tapped her foot. "Nick, you'll be frozen be the time we get home."

Her parents went to get the car. Then she took her Fox's hand and led him into the station. They walked to coffee shop.

"So what would you like?" she asked and squeezed his hand. "My treat!"

Her Fox looked at her and chuckled and then looked at menu. He smiled.

"Hot chocolate".

"Make it two," she told the waitress.

"Whipped cream?" she asked.

"Yes," they said simultaneously and then laughed.

"That'll be Z3.50."

She gave the waitress a Z5.00 bill and dropped the change in her tip jar.

"Thanks," she said.

"Well it's certain cheaper here," her Fox said.

They sat by the window, sipped their hot chocolate, and watched the crowd.

He sat in the back seat with his bunny as Stu drove. He kept looking in the rearview mirror keeping an eye on them. Nick only smiled and shook his head.

"So what does your family your usually do for Christmas?"

"Oh, just the normal things. We have a big tree, presents, sing carols …"

"Judy, do you sing?"

His bunny blushed a bit.

"Yes."

"Would you sing for me?"

"Sure," she said and smiled. "We're almost there."

Her father pulled into the garage and they got their bags out of the trunk. She took her Fox's hand and led him into her parent's burrow.

"It's not as big as I thought."

"Nick, it's a burrow so…"

"Most of it is underground," her Fox said and thumped his forehead. "Clever bunny!"

"Dumb Fox!"

They both laughed and stared at each other. When they looked up they were surrounded by Rabbits.

"Judy," came a hesitant voice.

"Jill!" she said and hugged her younger sister. She released her and then turned to her Fox. "Jill, this is my friend Nicholas Piberius Wilde.

Her Fox knelt so they could be at eyelevel and held out a hand. Despite herself Jill smiled and took it.

"Jill Marie Hopps, nice to meet you."

Nick smiled.

"You remind me a lot of another bunny I know."

Jill giggled and rest of the Rabbits swarmed them. Judy saw her Fox sit and then to be surrounded by a number of her younger siblings.

Nick had never seen Rabbits this young. Most of them stood on hind legs sniffing the air. He looked at his bunny and she only giggled.

"You're a Fox!"

"I am."

"Why are you here?"

"Judy invited me."

"Are you going to eat us?" a small female kit asked.

"I'd never eat a beautiful little bunny like you."

He set his hand in front of her and she sniffed it. Then she touched a finger and backed away. After a minute she returned and crawled into his hand. She was just a little larger than his palm and used both hands to lift her to eyelevel. She stood in his palm and he put other hand behind her just in case. Then Judy came and sat beside him.

"Are you having fun meeting the family?"

"Yes, actually I am."

"I see you made a friend."

"You have a lot of teeth," the kit said.

"Ann, Foxes have more teeth than bunnies."

"Judy, has he ever bit you?"

Purple eyes met green ones and they both laughed.

"Mayor Bellwether was telling me how she was going to stay in power by turning all the prey animals against predators."

"I was acting like a savage Fox growling and stalking Judy."

"And I was backed up against a wall and Nick crept closer growling all the time. Then he lunged forward and seized my throat in his jaws. I screamed."

She actually screamed like did in the museum. Then she noticed that all the eyes were looking past her and she turned to see her parents.

"Hi," she said.

Bonnie had her hand to mouth and her father was pale as a ghost.

"We we just telling the kids how we caught Mayor Bellwether and you heard all that didn't you."

They both nodded.

"Oh! Sweet cheese and crackers!"

Her Fox chuckled.

Nick looked around his bunny's room and he wondered if she ever threw anything away. There was a telescope, baseball equipment, a soccer ball, basketball, and a guitar among a lot of other things.

"So what do you think?"

"I like it," he said and smiled. "It remind me of my room when I lived at home."

He lay down on the couch.

"Making yourself at home?"

"Yes."

"If we want some supper we'd better get up there soon."

He followed he bunny to the dining room and it had been set up as a buffet. They got in line and he picked out a few things they he liked.

"I have something to do," she said and grinned. "I'll be down in a few minutes. OK?"

"No problem."

He watched his bunny disappear into the kitchen. Ten minutes later she rejoined him and set a sealed bowl on the table. He looked at his bunny and she grinned again.

"For you, Nick. Merry Christmas."

"You're a day early."

He pealed the lid off and smell hit him. He salivated so much he had to swallow. The speared a piece of the meat with his fork and popped it into his mouth. He chewed and closed his eyes.

"Chicken!" he said after he swallowed. "Judy, thank you. I haven't had chicken since I lived at home. Where did you find it?"

"There are a few Foxes here in BunnyBurrow who raise them for food. I just called ahead and they deliver."

"I'd like to get some more."

"I'll get you some more so you can take it back to Zootopia."

He smiled with his mouth full and gave her a thumbs up. She giggled.

When they finished she took their plates back up stairs. When she returned her Fox was stretched out on the couch.

"You know what tonight is, don't you."

"Christmas Eve."

She smiled.

"It's movie night!"

She went to the closet and pulled out a large box.

"You're choice!"

Her fox sat before the box, cracked his knuckles, and opened it. He found two that he wanted to see, but couldn't decide.

"Let's watch both," she said being practical. "I'll get some popcorn."

She was back in ten minutes with popcorn and the first movie was an adventure. The hero was a Fox, of course, and heroine was stunning vixen. She looked at her Fox and he was practically drooling, but she had to admit the movie was excellent. When the second movie started her Fox started to yawn and during the second half he laid down. Then she started to yawn. Somewhere toward the end they both fell asleep.

Nick woke and felt toasty warm. Then he tried to movie his arm and it was numb. He pulled back the blanket and his bunny was using it as pillow. She looked beautiful and he smiled.

"Judy," he said and she moaned. "Time to get up."

"Five more minutes mom."

"Judy, it's Christmas morning. Don't you want to open you presents?"

Then she yawned and she opened her eyes. Green eyes met purple ones.

"Morning Nick."

"Morning Fluff."

Then he watched her eyes widen and he smiled.

"Why are in sleeping together?"

"Don't you remember last night?"

She seemed to turn pink for head to toe.

"No!"

"Well we were watching the second movie and I guess you fell asleep in my arms."

"And then?"

"We must have slept together all night." She sighed. "But I wonder who put the blanket on us?"

"Merry Christmas!"

They looked up to see Jill standing there watching them.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough," she said and smiled. "You two looked so cute sleeping together last night. How often do you sleep together?"

For a moment Judy lost her voice and her ears turn a cherry red. Jill giggled.

"Th … This is the first time."

"Anyway I thought you might get cold last night so I cover you two up," she said and Judy sighed. "What? Did you think it was mom?"

Jill laughed.

"You better get a move on. Breakfast is almost ready and then we'll be open presents. Oh, it snowed last night too."

Judy felt like her mother was staring at them during the entire meal. She'd made her Fox some more chicken and he quickly ate it hoping none the Rabbits noticed. It took a couple of hours to get presents distributed to her 283 siblings.

"Ann," Bonnie said and handed the kit her present.

"Nick."

The package was passed to her Fox and he smiled at her.

"Thank you."

"Open it."

It was a framed picture of her pinning on his badge.

"Judy," Bonnie said. "That's it."

"Now open yours."

It was a necklace with a gold heart on the chain.

"Thank you Nick!" she said and hugged him. "Let's go outside and have some fun in the snow."

He stood beside of his bunny as they looked at the beauty around them. Then he looked over her and she was hiding something.

"What's that behind your back, Judy?"

"Nothing."

Snowflakes started to slowly drifting down.

"Look! It's snowing!" he said looking up.

"Why, yes Nick," she said flipping a snowball into the air, "yes it is."

She threw it and he tried to duck, but it hit him the back of the head. His bunny ran and he chased her. When he was close enough he pounced. He looked down at her and she was beautiful.

"I love you," he said and smiled.

Then she reached up and touched his face.

"I love you too."

Then he moved closer and their lips met. Their first kiss seemed to stretch on forever.