Chapter II

A few days went by with not much to point out. Nick was working on the day's report, he was sitting in front of his computer and Judy was in front of hers, her back to Nick's. She was checking her emails as she had everything ready and was just waiting for Nick to finish so they could go. Then her phone started ringing.

"Hey mom, what's up?" It was a video call, she could see her mother in the kitchen in Bunnyburrow. Every few days one or both of her parents would call her to make sure she was fine.

"Hello, darling!" Said her mom with a more than excited tone before realizing her daughter was still at the office. "Wait. Why are you still at the office, my dear? Judy, we talked about this, you work too hard, you have to understand that a life outside of work is healthy…"

"Did you tell her? Did you tell her?" The voice of her sister interrupted her, which Judy appreciated since she knew where her mother was going.

"Tell me what?" She asked with genuine curiosity. "What's going on?"

"I'm getting married, Judy!" Her sister cried over the phone and she was able to see her dancing in the back.

"That's right, Judy." Her mother continued, her excitement back to her voice. "Your little sister is getting married, isn't it great?!" Her mother continued to talk about the subject but Judy was already in a bad mood because her mother had emphasized the word "little", she knew her mother was going somewhere with this. "What about you, darling? Anything exciting happening in your life? Well you are a police officer. What I mean is have you gone out on a date? Met someone nice? Anything?"

"Mom." She said a little bit annoyed, noticing Nick was now up. "We've talked about his, please let's not get into that again. I have to go. Nick is ready and waiting for me." Her mother did what she thought best and dropped the conversation and she greeted Nick who was of course listening a little amused. He returned the greeting.

"Hello Mrs. Hopps and thank you, by the way, for those blueberry pies, they were delicious." He was standing behind Judy now.

"Your welcome, Nick. I'm glad you liked them." Bonnie said with a maternal expression. "Ok kids, I'll let you go now, bye!"

When they were in the police cruiser, Nick noticed Judy's ears droopy and concern in her eyes. "What's wrong, Carrots?" He asked gently. "I thought you'd be happy to hear the good news about your sister."

"Oh no, it's not that." She tried to sounded cheerful but Nick could not be fooled, he stared at her eyes until she had to continued. "I mean, I am happy for her. It's just what my mom said, I know it's silly and it should not get to me but, you know." Nick knew what she was trying to say and even though he did not want to know, as his friend he felt he had to ask.

"Well, I know but I don't really understand." He said. "Why don't you go out on dates? I mean, I know your schedule and sometimes is not that tight. If it really bothers you…"

"It doesn't bother me not going out on dates." She sounded a little annoyed and Nick could tell right away that it was a delicate subject, but he did not understand why she looked at him with sad eyes. "Sorry, I mean… it's more complicated than that. There are many reasons…"

"Like what?" Nick asked softly and genuine interest.

Judy could only think of one reason and it was that she wanted to go out with him and not just anyone else. She tilted her head to look at him in the eye and was about to tell him the truth, she parted her lips but she couldn't bring herself to say it. She broke eye contact and started talking, saying whatever came to her mind.

"Well, you know, I need to focus on my career and I don't know anyone in the city and like I said is complicated."

For a moment, before she started rambling, Nick swore she was going to tell him what he dreamed about her saying but he brushed that thought off and tried to give her good advice.

"Oh, come on, Fluff. That's a bunch of BS. Look, don't let your mom get on your nerves. I'll take you home, you just need a good night sleep." He decided to drive since she seemed very distracted to do that.

They stayed silent the rest of the ride until they said their goodbyes.

Once Nick was alone at his apartment with his thinking, he began wondering why her eyes seemed so sad and as if he was the source of that sadness. He started wondering if maybe she was trying to tell him something. "You are just imagining things, Wilde." Said his inner voice while he fell asleep on his bed. Still, he couldn't help but feel a little hope.