Dinner
Well here we go—the big reveal. Nick stood tall and waited for the slight tug on his arm from Judy. He opened the door with his unencumbered paw and they walked into The Hutch, the place in Bunnyburrow closest to 'cuisine' and furthest from 'hometown cookin'.
Dressed their best and carefully groomed by and to the satisfaction of each other—Nick's preference would have been to continue with that. Instead, here they were, greeted politely by the neat young buck at the reservation stand, and escorted to their table. He'd obviously expected the couple. As for the patrons of the packed restaurant, nearly all pairs of eyes and ears were on them—at least three hundred bunnies.
The Hopps family accepted them as mates, and some of their trusted friends knew; but the majority of Bunnyburrow still did not. Judy had obviously tired of the nearly yearlong subtle speculations about them and had decided to show off her fox. Nick thought it interesting that she'd easily gotten the late reservation, considering how full the place was now.
Attention slowly drifted away from them as they read menus, ordered, and ignored their audience while they waited for their meals. He got something inoffensive—having no other choices. Judy splurged and got a flamboyantly prepared salad. Nick tried to maintain a proper mien as they ate, until Judy leaned closer with her arm on the table. She wants to make a point Nick understood, so he reached to hold her paw. He still had another to eat with.
He couldn't avoid hiking an eyebrow when she softly growled at him. Not exactly a growl he decided, it was slightly muffled and originated somewhat…lower. It started and stopped; then built in intensity and continuity as Judy's eyes grew in concert with them. She let go of his paw, and clapped hers to her belly, which brought forth a very distinct gurgle.
"Oh Nick," his mate whispered huskily, "I'm so sorry!" Behind her, an erect forest of pink concavities topped many dozens of staring eyes. A zone of silence spread away from them throughout the restaurant, which served to amplify her intestinal discomfort.
"Don't worry about it," Nick replied, getting up to assist and carefully gripping her shoulder with a paw; stroking her ears with the other to ease her distress before placing a gentle kiss upon her cheek. "Do you need help, Judy? What can I do?" He looked at her salad. "You haven't eaten that much, did this cause it?"
"No, I think it was lunch, I had some applesauce!" Judy flinched to another burble.
"That can make some mammals feel bloated, how much did you have?"
"A whole jar Nick! It was so sweet and good." A grumble worked its way up and out, and her paws flew to cover her petite muzzle as her ears collapsed. Her face showed absolute mortification; she'd been—performing—for almost a minute now.
Oh boy. He didn't know if rabbits were supposed to eat apples at all. But she'd had plenty, and enough time to allow…fermentation. Sugars turned into gas…and alcohols.
"I really need to…hic!" Judy said, and hiccuped again. Nick helped her rise, rubbing her back, and they headed unsteadily for the bathrooms—a plumper bunny from a table near the wall hurried to them; it was Bonnie!
She'd come to protect her daughter, but not from him, from disapproval of them! Seemingly afraid he might pick up his mate and add to her humiliation, Mrs. Hopps took Judy's other arm, motioned him to guard the entrance, and led her inside the bathroom. He heard another hic; then a loud belch after the door had closed behind them.