"Oooh, perfect! Bananas." Judy began reaching for a bunch as Nick reached over her head parting her ears and grabbed the ones she was reaching for. He placed them in the cart as Judy glared at him, that was the third time he had done it and as much as it annoyed her she enjoyed how carefree and playful he could be.
"Do that again fox and we're going to have problems." Judy put up her paws in a classic boxing position bouncing lightly on the tips of her paws.
"Didn't I warn you once already about police brutality, and now you want to openly fight me. Tisk, Tisk, what would your mother say." Nick turned around to give his signature sly grin to Judy but she wasn't by the produce anymore.
*click*
Nick looked down at the metallic sound to see a familiar yellow device, "Did you just boot my cart, and another thing how did you get one so small, lastly how did I not see you?" He bent down to examine the miniature boot and was amazed at its small size.
"First, yes. Yes, I did just boot your cart. Second, I had one made for just this purpose. Third, that's my little secret." Nick looked up to see Judy holding onto the front of the cart with HIS trademark grin on her face.
"Clever bunny."
"Dumb fox."
They looked at each other for a while before both of them broke out into laughter. It was so loud other customers started looking down the aisle with perplexed expressions on their faces. Some even had scowls on their muzzles, not liking at all of a rabbit and fox getting along so well.
"Cute joke, but can you please remove it so we can get to my place and start making dinner. I'm completely famished from today's events." Nick was holding his sides from laughing so much as Judy bent down to remove the miniature boot and place it back into her paw bag.
They finished getting the ingredients for the dinner Judy had planned and headed for the checkout lines, the whole time laughing and joking with each other. While standing in line to pay for their groceries they received more perplexed looks from other customers and staff. While placing the food on the conveyor Judy caught one of the looks from another bunny, one of utter disgust. Locking onto his eyes the bunny mouthed a single word, "trash."
"Carrots," Nick called out breaking Judy's fixation of the other bunny bringing her eyes to Nick. "It's your turn to pay this time." Nick could see pain building in Judy's eyes as she walked past to pay. He looked back and saw the other bunny shaking his head at Judy speaking under his breath, "what a waste."
"You got a problem buddy." Nick's voice was cold as ice hoping for the bunny to say or do something so he could arrest him.
"Nick, please. Let's just go." Judy placed a paw on Nicks' shoulder and he looked down. The pain being replaced with a pleading to not do anything stupid. He took one last look at the bunny who himself now had a scared look in his eyes with his nose twitching as if debating to run. Nick spun around pushed the cart to the return in the front of the store and picked up the bags of groceries and kicking the cart into the rest.
Nick was used to that kind of treatment but to treat Judy like that he couldn't stand. If it wasn't for Judy there was a good chance he would've done something that he may have regretted later.
"No one will ever talk about my bunny like that again," Nick said to himself in his head as he looked down at Judy a far-away gleam in her eyes. Wait! Did he just say his bunny? Again that fleeting idea coming into his head, but no. There's no way it would ever work, the bunny in the grocery store pointed that out.
Judy looked up at Nick as they reached a crosswalk and waited for the light to change, "Never let them see they get to you, that's your saying right. But what if they DO get to you, how do you keep it in?" Judy gripped her ears behind her head and shoulders slouching forward.
"I used to just keep it bottled inside until I found some way to vent the pain. But as the years went by it became easier and easier to just let things roll off my back." Nick thought back to the incident with the junior ranger scouts. The first time he felt truly scared, being pinned to the ground and having that horrible muzzle put on.
"Nick it's green. Now who's the one staring off into space." Judy tried to chuckle but that rabbit in the store had gotten to both of them. Their cheery mood of the boot joke faded and they both sensed the underlying feelings some mammals had towards them.
They arrived at the main entrance to Nick's condo after a short, quite, but emotionally painful walk. Riding the elevator to the tenth floor they stepped out and nick fished the keys from his pocket. He kicked the door open and stepped inside with Judy closing it behind her as she walked in, flipping a light switch she was in awe of the room.
"Wow, Nick. I really love what you have done with the place." Judy had been to his condo when he first got it but not since he got it all fixed up. Walking in on the left was a large sitting room with a big flat screen TV and surround sound speaker system. A large couch and two rocking, recliner chairs on either side. If flowed into the sit-in kitchen with a small round table that Nick had set the groceries onto. A breakfast bar with 4 stools separated the two rooms from the hallway that led to the two bedrooms. One Nick had turned into a simple study with a bookshelf full of the latest hit novels and a huge comfy recliner to sit in and read. The main bedroom Nick had modestly furnished with a bed, dresser, and nightstand. The only things a bachelor needs for his room, it did, however, open up into a large covered patio with a small fireplace, low table, wicker chairs, and oversized padded lounger overlooking a large expanse of the city.
"Where did you go carrots?" Judy was taking in the beautified view of the city during sunset, the gold and purple hues bouncing off the skyscrapers painting everything different shades of color when Nick called to her after coming out of the bathroom.
She walked into the kitchen as Nick was unloading the groceries. "You've really done well for yourself her Nick! The place looks awesome."
"Thanks, and with being on the top floor I don't have to worry about anyone pounding on the ceiling walking around and the walls are completely soundproof so no loud neighbors." Judy had often complained about her neighbors keeping her up at night and Nick always suggested she should file a complaint against them but to no avail.
"After seeing that large patio we should eat outside, it's so nice a night and lovely view." Judy hopped onto a stool and began sorting the groceries as Nick removed them from the bags.
"Sounds like a great idea, so what are we having. I'm fairly hopeless in the kitchen so it's mostly ready to eat meals and takeout." Nick looked at all the food on the table and tried to make sense of how all this could turn into a meal.
"Hopefully you're not too hopeless to cut up fruit and mix it for a salad." Judy was already by the stove heating some water and pointing to the counter next to her with the apples, grapes, banana, pineapple, cantaloupe, and oranges all laid out.
Nick walked over and pulled out a cutting board and knife to start cutting up the fruit, "like this?" Nick was already cutting up a banana.
"Yes, that's a good size. However, you may want to remove the peel first. They don't taste too good." Judy had a small laugh as Nick was cutting the banana into little circles but with the peel one he was smashing about as many as he cut.
"See I can't even cut up a banana right, told you I'm hopeless. You need to be in charge of meals from now on." Nick peeled the next banana and found a much easier time cutting it up and quickly got into the swing of it, dicing the remaining bananas and putting them in a bowl.
Judy kept a watch out of the corner of her eye as Nick began to hack an apple to pieces. She turned back to her water which had begun to boil and poured the penne pasta and set a timer. Bringing her attention to the spinach, basil, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil she would soon make into pesto sauce for the pasta. Nick's food processor made short work of combining all of the ingredients, though it did frustrate Judy to have to remove to from the box and clean as it had never been used.
"I don't understand it Nick. You said you never cook but you have all this nice cooking utensils and appliances. Why did you spend so much money on theses thing to never use them." Judy looked at the knife in her paw as she cut of some carrots to steam above the pasta.
"Well, I did just buy all of it. After what you said about making meals I went out and got the best stuff I could get. All of it looks new because I got it all for you this week." Nick had given up trying to cut the oranges and just peeled and separated the parts mixing them into the bowl of other fruit.
Judy slowly turned to Nick, "You bought all this… for me?"
Nick put the last fruit piece into the bowl and started mixing it up, "Yes. I wanted you to have the best, I still have a decent sum after paying back the tax office. It's just been sitting in an account at the bank and this seemed like the perfect use for some of it."
Judy just kept staring at Nick, she was about to speak when a hissing on the stove sent her head spinning in its direction. "Cheese and crackers." She quickly turned the burner down as hot water poured over the brim of the pot.
"Well, everything was new." Nick grinned at Judy as he finished mixing the fruit.
"Quiet you or no dessert." Judy had begun mixing different ingredients into a large bowl and had the oven heating up.
"Oooo, dessert! What's it going to be?" Nick started to walk over when she shooed him away with a wooden spoon.
"You'll find out if I feel your deserving of getting my dessert." She turned her head and gave him a sly grin. Nick was taken back a bit by her look, it wasn't just the normal sly grin she gave. There was something else in those amethyst eyes of her's, a fire that got his mind and heart racing. The thought again going through his mind, maybe it could work.
"That's it. Tonight. I'm going to ask her tonight. I just have to wait for the perfect moment and hope it won't ruin what we have." Nick thought to himself as he carried out the dishes to the balcony, the sun's reflection turning the whole patio into gold.
"Gotta set the mood then if this is going to happen right." Nick went into his room and pulled out a few candles and placed them around the patio and started a small fire. The shadows cast from the fire dancing along the walls as they slowly shifted from gold to dark reds and purples while the sun sank lower.
He went inside to see Judy placing a large pan into the oven, the pasta mixture in its own bowl ready to serve. Judy began to reach for it when Nick grabbed it first, "I'll bring everything outside, just wait here as I have a surprise for you."
Judy gave him a sideways look, she hated surprises but it was Nick so it couldn't be too bad, could it?
Nick brought all the food to the patio and waited until just the right moment, just before the sun went completely over the horizon and all the sunset colors were their most vibrant. He quickly went inside and got Judy.
"Now no peeking." Nick led Judy, who had her paws to her eyes as Nick had instructed her, onto the balcony. Just before the last ray of sunset left he told her to remove her paws and open her eyes.
Her paws dropped for a second then shot back to her muzzle letting out a gasp as her ears shot straight into the air, her nose lightly twitching, the setting was perfect. The food laid out on the table with two place settings right next to each other, the candles and fire sending shadows as if they were dancing around her, the last rays of the sun bathing Nick in golden light. Her mind raced. Nick! He looked so handsome standing with his back to the balcony wall, a ring of light surrounding his lean muscular form and in his hand two glasses of wine.
"So what do you think, beautiful isn't it." He started to walk towards her with a glass outstretched handing it to her. She took it absentmindedly still awestruck by the scene in front of her. "To another successful case." Nick had the glass outstretched in front of him waiting for her response.
"And to a perfect partnership, one that I hope can grow." Judy raised her glass and they clinked them together. That both took a small sip of the wine Judy's last statement not lost on Nick's ears. He guided her to the table and pulled out the chair for her to sit after she hopped up he pushed her in like a true gentle mammal.
He then sat, "Shall we dig in before it goes cold."
This finally broke Judy from her trance. "Yes let's dig in." She smiled as she scooped some fruit salad into a bowl. They mostly ate and didn't do much talking through the meal, when the last of the pasta was gone Judy leaned back in her chair as Nick refilled her glass, the sky had become dark with a neon glow coming from the buildings of the city center.
"When did you learn to be such a gentle mammal." Judy looked as Nick walked over to the balcony wall and leaned against it.
"This is it Nick, time to finally act." He took a drink from his glass and turned around his eyes fixated on the bunny in front of him. The fire had died down letting out a soft amber light on Judy as she stretched out on the chair. The candles letting out stronger light reflecting in her eyes.
"My mom always told me that when you find the…. the one, you do everything in your power to never let them go and treat them even better than yourself." Judy sat up slight in her chair and was about to speak when Nick continued. "Yes Judy, I've found the one, in you. I know it's crazy, a fox falling for a bunny, but I can't help it. You changed my life, you saved me! You make me want to be and do better. I never want to lose that feeling, that is why Judy I am asking if you feel anything for me? I'll understand if you don…" Nick stopped talking as Judy walked up and put a paw to his muzzle. Nick dropped his head staring at the floor thinking he had just ruined everything they had built over the past year.
She slowly slid it down the length of his muzzle, feeling his soft fur across her paw pads until she reached his cheek raising his head to meet back with her eyes. He never called her Judy and now in a single sentence, he had used her name twice. He saw the fire back in those bright amethyst eyes burning even brighter than before.
"My sly dumb fox." She made sure to accentuate my. She reached up with her other paw and lightly grasped his other cheek and pulled him slowly down into a soft kiss. Nick reached down and grabbed her waist pulling her into him as he closed his eyes along with Judy. The kiss seemed to last forever in Nick's mind and he never wanted it to end.
Judy finally broke it pulling her head back slightly, running a paw across Nick's cheek and up to play with his ear. "Yes Nick, I feel the same way, too." A huge smile running across his face. "I couldn't explain it myself. The past few days it felt like something was eating away at me, something missing. But now I've found it and never want it to go away." Nick pulled her tightly to him draping his muzzle along her back as she buried her face in his neck. They both held the embrace for a long time just enjoying each other scent when a sudden loud electric screech echoed from inside tearing them apart.
"CHEESE AND CRACKERS, THE CAKE!" Judy darted through the open door to the kitchen leaving Nick thoroughly confused. He walked inside to see Judy pulling out a black mess from the oven and drop it into the sink more smoke continuing to come from inside. He got a fan to blow the smoke from the detector and opened a window to help clear it out.
He came back to the kitchen to find Judy sobbing on the floor her big ears covering her face. He rushed to her fearing she had burnt herself. "Oh Nick I'm so sorry, we were having a perfect moment and I ruined it by burning the damn cake."
Nick smiled feeling better knowing her wasn't hurt. "Silly rabbit, always so emotional. See your still in my paws, right where you belong." Judy looked up to see the warm comforting smile and soft emerald eyes looking at her as they sat together on the cold kitchen floor.
"You're right," Judy said turning her face into his chest, "your paws are where I belong, never let me go ok Nick."
"Of course, Judy. Us foxes search for and only have one mate our entire life. Now that I've found mine I'm never letting you go." Judy felt a drop on her head and looked up to see Nick with tears in his eyes. "I won't ever let you go however we need to move somewhere more commutable."
"Why's that?" Judy looked at him perplexed.
"Because we're sitting on my tail and it's going numb Ow-ow-ow." Judy got off Nick's lap so he could stand up and get the feeling back in his tail. "Well the cake may be burned but we still have half a bottle of wine and I have some carrot ice-cream in the freezer."
Judy's face perked up a bit. Wiping her eyes with the back of her paw while smiling, "Sure Nick. That sounds good."
"Ok go outside, and throw another log on the fire and I'll be out in a bit with the ice cream. She stepped outside getting the fire going again as Nick came out with two big bowls of ice-cream. He set them down on the table and refilled both their glasses.
"This is good Nick, what's all in it can't just be carrots." Judy took another spoonful in her mouth enjoying the taste.
"Carrots, walnuts, caramel, bananas, and chocolate. Found it at the store the other day and thought it would sound good for our meal." Nick looked over at Judy savoring the flavor. "Yep! Very good choice Nick", he thought to himself.
They finished up the ice-cream as Nick poured the last of the wine into their glasses, deciding to cuddle up with his bunny on the lounger. "I could get used to this, carrots. Meals cooked together, dessert, then enjoying the sights and sounds of the city from out here. Hard to imagine how it could get any better."
Judy snuggled tighter into Nick rating her glass, "I want to make another toast, to us."
"To us." Nick raised his glass as well and they finished them off before setting both glasses down on the table. They both stayed snuggled together on the chair enjoying to sounds of each other breathing and scent as the slowly fell asleep together.
*A/N* So I know I said I would do Friday or Saturday releases but I just got into a groove and knocked this one out pretty quick also I'll be traveling this Friday and Saturday back home from vacation so wanted to get it out. Also this one and the past two were initially suppose to be one chapter so I really wanted to get the flow going on these together so heres an early release. So for the next chapter I can two ways, it can either be a jump ahead and meet the parents, or a chapter of some dating then a meet the parents. So I'll leave it up to you, what would you like to see. Also thank you to all the readers out there, 3.5 weeks since its release and over 1,000 readers. WOW, seeing that really makes me want to write more and give a good product to you. So please review, like, and follow it really does push me.