Chapter Eight:
Back to Reality
The time passed slowly, Judy enjoyed being close to Nick. The sun was setting casting everything in a warm orange light, making Nick's orange fur glow white. The air was growing chilly the rain falling harder than before, but it didn't matter as long as the two of them were together.
Admittedly the evening hadn't gone as planned, but in light of the realization, it was worth losing the bet. When Nick whispered that his butt had fallen asleep from sitting on hard wood bench, it was time to return to reality. Judy slipped off of his lap using her phone to signaling the gondola controller to start the power up again. The light flickered on and they started their decent into the misty jungle below.
Nick followed Judy to the railing, wrapping his arms across her belly, resting his chin between her ears. Judy felt warm all over in his embrace, a relaxed sigh slipping.
"You were really going through with it, huh..." Nick's voice vibrated Judy's ears, forcing them to lay back.
"And then some." She knew the chipper tone in her voice would tease him.
"Man, I kinda wish I would have taken your suggestion and shut up."
Judy giggled, her fingers slipping back to grip the band of his pants. "The nights not over yet."
Nick squeezed tighter. "So the bet...should we call it a draw then?"
"No..."
Nick let a questioning hum escape his lips, it tickled the fur on the top of her head. Judy knew he wanted an answer why, but there was another question she wanted to ask him first. It was very pertinent to answering his question.
"Nick?"
"Judy?" She felt him kiss the top of her head, the gesture making her swoon again. Thankful that he was holding her or else she may fall.
"I don't..."
"It won't, Judy...I've always felt closer to you than any of my friends. I've been plagued with the same thoughts and questions since I graduated the academy. It's hard for me to..."
"Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
Judy smiled at the feeling of Nick's body starting to tremble. There was still more to him then she realized, but with each passing day she worked her way through that foxy shell of his. That's where she wanted to be most of all, through that shell to his heart.
Nick took her hand, turning so they could look at each other. It was Nick who instigated this kiss, just a tender peck, but it carried so much emotion with it. Judy wanted to kick her leg up or something incredibly cheesy like that, but she was against it, insisting that this wasn't a hamfisted love story. Judy pulled from the kiss, feeling his warm breath against her moist lips.
"Good." She whispered going back in for another soft peck.
They held each other in silence once again as the Gondola slid back into the station. Nick took her hand like a gentlemen and lead her off. Nick popping his umbrella so they could walk hand in hand shielded from the weather.
There were a few words spoken between them as they made their well back, mostly teasing quips and playful notions. Each one sweeter than the next. When they reached the bottom of the tall staircase, Judy took Nick's hand again looking at him.
"Come with me?"
"Where?"
Judy pondered that question for a second, even though it felt longer. "Home."
Nick's lips tightened and he nodded slowly. "Home."
They boarded the tram that would take them back into the city. Judy didn't know exactly what she was doing, but she liked the turn out of the evening so far. Things were just beginning to get interesting, she mused. Judy knew they would work out just fine. They leaned against each other in a booth ignoring the judgmental looks from the other passengers. It simply pushed her to be more affectionate with the fox. She climbed up on her knees on the bench leaning in to give her man another kiss.
