As the weeks progressed with dad's term, things soon took an interesting change to say the least. He quickly found himself unable to do certain tasks that he used to do with ease! On top of that, there was the constant pain, especially around his back and feet. Mom always said it was karma because "he always keeps me on my feet" and "he's always a pain in my back." Which I'm sure she meant, well the lower region but when talking to a kit she tried to make me smile and, despite the minor guilt I felt for dad when he went through his time to have me, thinking of dad in that discomfort because of "karma" was always funny for me. Yet, she only said this after I was born. Prior to that I knew, for a fact, that she was always there for dad whenever he needed it. According to dad she even slept over at his apartment just to make sure he would be okay. A claim that mom quickly denies though I know better than to believe her. With mom being a more frequent character in dad's life it was inevitable for their emotions for one another to rise at some points and with them seeing one another on a regular basis…well let's just say that some things changed. However it would still be sometime until dad actually did anything about his feelings towards mom…
For the past few weeks, well almost two months, I had been spending a lot of time with Nick. Helping him prepare for the soon to be born kit. Nick had been counting down the remaining weeks he had left and both he and the doctor were certain they had about another month left. That alone was a big relief because nick was nowhere near ready! That may sound more insulting than what it truly is! When I say nick is "nowhere near ready", again I don't mean to sound rude, but he's still learning all the basic things on how to take care of a kit. Thanks to my parents help we thankfully took care of the clothing bit and the crib, but nick still had to go and buy all the other necessities, which I was more than happy to help him with! On some days we would spend hours in the malls around Zootopia.
Nick and I would go out many different stores, one of my personal favourites was called 'Kits, Cubs, and Beyond!' The whole place smelled like baby powder and had a wide variety of soft colours covering the store, ranging from blue to pink, and everything in between. It was one of my favourite stores, I remember coming here a few times with my sisters when they were getting stuff for themselves and their kits. Nick and I walked into the store and right away we, or I should say, I dragged him, to the clothing section. It was where we…or really, I, found so many cute outfits that would, at the time, fit both a boy and a girl.
"Carrots I think you're going a little overboard with this, we won't know the gender until today, and even when we do, I don't want to know."
"Yeah, yeah I know you told me! But look!" I squealed as I held up this adorable grey bunny onesie.
"You do know most fox kits tear up basically everything right?" Nick said with a smug grin.
"Ahah but look!" I said pointing to the tag "specially designed for young claws and gnaws. Rip and tear proof!"
"Stupid, smart, company. Alright fine! Throw it in the buggy." Nick groaned as he tilted his head back in defeat.
Victorious, I threw the onesie in the cart and peered over to Nick's stomach, which had grown in size over the past few weeks. The sight alone made me smile. It had taken more than a few attempts to get Nick out of his apartment, away from the pickles and peanut butter, to come out shopping with me. Not because he didn't want to, though I'm sure he didn't want to leave his "peanut-pickles", but because he was still a little embarrassed about how he looked, constantly commenting on his weight. I once made the mistake of saying he was "as sweet as a blueberry" to which his response was "Why? Because I'm round?"
He didn't talk to me for the rest of the day after that but I still stuck around to bug and look after him. He was my partner after all, and I still cared about him nonetheless. We did laugh about it later so, no harm no foul!
We kept walking around the store, throwing in a few things ranging from toys, to formula, bottles, and last but definitely not least, diapers. Nick grabbed one box and threw it into the cart without a moment's hesitation. I lightly slapped his arm, in a more playful manner than anything else, looking up at him sternly.
"Ow! What was that for?" Nick asked, rubbing his arm.
"You didn't even read the box!"
"So? It says "diapers" what more is there to read?"
"How much it can handle, will it hurt the baby, how long will it stay dry for, does it cause any irritation towards the baby's legs-"
"Alright! I get it, mom!" Nick said with a sigh. I then looked down at the box, my eyes widened and I couldn't help but giggle.
"What?"
"Are those even for fox kits?" I asked Nick, covering my mouth as I sniggered.
"What do you mean "are they for fox kits?" Of course there for fox kits! It says right here built tough for your rhin-"
"I'm sorry can you say that one more time?" I said with a sly grin holding my paw up to my ear but Nick only growled, putting the box back where he found it. With a quick survey of the options, I jumped up to the one that I thought was best. I threw down a few boxes most of which landed in the cart.
"Geez Fluff, it's only for one kit!" Nick said astonished as he looked at the pile of boxes I had thrown into the cart. I jumped down and dusted myself off.
"Trust me, you'll thank me later." With a quick wink I peered down at my phone, I was suprised to realize that we had spent the last few hours in this one store, it was almost three in the afternoon, Nick's appointment was at four, and I didn't want to be late for that!
Nick and I walked over to the cash register and as we stood in line waiting, we were behind a young lioness. She turned around, just looking around the store, when she gazed down at Nick and I with our cart full of baby items. She then looked over at me, my hand on the cart.
"Ohh congratulations, how far along are you?" She asked, directing her question at me.
"W-what? Oh! No, no, I'm not pregnant!" I said with a nervous laugh as I rested my paw overtop of Nicks. The lioness gave me a puzzled looked when I smiled at Nick, who returned a smile to me. She didn't say anything, she only turned back around and walked up to the counter.
With a small sigh, Nick rested his paw on top of his stomach, it was the perfect size for it. It hid under the handle of the cart, away from any prying eyes, though I'm sure a few mammals seen but didn't say anything.
"Hey?" I said soft spoken, resting my paw on Nick's shoulder. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah… I'm just, a little uncomfortable I guess."
"Don't worry, we will be out of here in no time. Then it's back home to rest, after your
appointment of course."
"Judy?"
"Yes?" I asked as we pushed the cart up to the counter.
"C-could you sleep at my place tonight? It's a comfort knowing that I have someone there that'll help me if something happened."
I looked up at Nick and right away I could see his worry, even his embarrassment for asking. It's not like I haven't slept over before, especially in the recent weeks. Since winter was right around the corner, I did stay over more than a few times just to make sure Nick would be okay in case the power went out. Or if he had to go for an appointment, I would stay over so I could drive him. I'd be silly not to admit that there was a little bit of emotional gratification by staying over with Nick. We've often found ourselves either sleeping on the same furniture, usually the couch or the bed, but I never tried to push to hard. He was still going through his breakup and I think the last thing he needed was having someone flirt or try anything of that nature. But none the less, I took advantage of the circumstances, not to mention it was also more time together with Nick, which was nice after his enforced separation.
"I wouldn't mind that in the slightest, I'd be happy to stay over." I put my paw back down on Nick's and when I peered back up to him, I noticed him staring down at my paw. Looking up at his eyes, his perfect, strong, emerald eyes, for that moment I could feel my heart start to beat faster, my mouth was dry and I opened to say what I've wanted to say for so long…
"NICK! JUDY!" An overly friendly voice screamed. Nick and I both jumped as we looked over at the store's entrance. There, wearing a plaid shirt and cargo shorts was… Clawhauser? What in the world was he doing here? Wasn't he working?
Nick produced a small squeak, which made me turn and look at him. His eyes were wide, his ears were down, and his tail was between his legs. The only reason we came at this time was to avoid this, but before I could say anything to stop it, Ben had already started to walk our way with a large smile on his face and both of his paws laden with bags from other stores.
"Benji, hi!" I said trying to sound excited but, internally, I was screaming.
"I thought I seen you two in here! I haven't seen you guys around the precinct for a while. What's going on?" Ben said coming to a halt just ahead of Nick and I.
"Oh well we, uh…" I tried to think of something to say but before I could, Ben looked down at our cart, though Nick's head was still down, the first thing Ben noticed was all of the baby supplies.
He moved his large paws up to his mouth, making his chubby cheeks jiggle, and started to laugh and giggle with excitement. He then bent over, as far as he could, still holding his paw over his mouth.
"Judy! You didn't tell us that you were expecting!"
"No, no, Ben it's not like that i-"
"Nick! Oh my goodness I almost forgot about you! How've you been, when Judy toldus you were taking a leave from work a lot of us were worried sick! There's still a wager on if you'd come back alive or not! Some of us, not me of course, thought that Heather had killed you over something. Not that she would, she's so cute and sweet! You two make such a cute couple! How is she by the way? I mean, Judy hasn't told us anything and every time we start to bring up the conversation she-"
"Ben." I said in a commanding tone.
"Yeah does that!" Ben then looked over the car and right away noticed Nick's stomach. With his happy grin still on his face he let out a small giggle "Looks like all that time off took its toll on you Nicky, I mean like I'm one to say anything!" Ben said grabbing his stomach.
"Ben…" I said softly as I looked over at Nick who had yet to said a word and still had his head down in embarrassment.
Within a second, Ben's happy-go-lucky smile was gone and it was replaced with a look of concern. Without saying a word he reached down, hooked his claws into the cart and slowly pulled it away from Nick. I wanted to stop him, to do something but I couldn't…I was just, frozen. Ben moved the cart away fully exposing Nick's stomach and its actual size. Nick didn't look up, but Ben's eyes went wide. He then put his paw to his mouth and looked over at me, his big, soft eyes were filled with empathy. Ben looked over at the register, then back down to us.
"You guys haven't paid yet, have you?"
Nick only shook his head no, still keeping it down. I couldn't begin to imagine what Nick was feeling, and I knew Ben could see how bad Nick felt.
"Good, it's my treat then." Nick's head shot up and I reached over to stop Clawhauser but he didn't give me the chance to. He handed his bank card over to the elk running the cash register and handed us the small copy of the receipt. The total alone came to just under 800 dollars. Nick, still speechless looked up at the large cheetah who was smiling happily as he put his card back into his wallet and into the pocket of his pants.
"You know, there's nothing wrong with this, right Nick?" Ben calmly said. Nick didn't say anything, he only looked down at his stomach then, with his ears still down, he looked back up to Clawhauser.
"A lot of us at the precinct were waiting for you and Heather to settle down. We all think you would make a great dad." Clawhauser straightened his back, exposing more of his chubby tummy which only added to his lovable personality.
"You two take care." And as Ben started to turn to walk out of the store he spun back around and smiled at Nick " I think I can speak for all of the department when I say; you better bring your little bundle of fox over to see us." And with a small giggle Ben walked out of the store, just as happy as when he first walked in.
Though I was extremely happy with what Clawhauser did, Nick stood frozen and mute, still holding the receipt in hand. I pulled Nick and the cart along, away from the line of mammals that were standing behind us and the few strange looks that we were given. Guess they've never seen a fox and a bunny before.
"Hey." I said softly, running my paw along Nick's fur on his head and along his back.
"You okay, Slick?"
"Yeah, I'm all good carrots." Nick said, rubbing his eye. "Stupid hormones." He added with a broken chuckle.
"Well, we have one more place to go and then we're done for today. Think you can manage?" I asked, trying to get a little rise out of Nick. He smiled at me, brushing the rest of his tears away.
"Off we go again, one last time."
"Let's go see what your little kit will be." I moved my paw over the top of Nick's as we both pushed the cart of baby supplies out of the store and on to our last stop of the day…
Through the course of dad's term there wasn't one appointment that he wasn't worried in some aspect. Was the baby okay? Was the artificial…everything still working? Would the test fail? I guess it was something all mothers felt, so it's not like it was unheard of. But when it was a male worrying if something would go wrong with his pregnancy then it's a little more unique. Though for the past twelve appointments or so, there were no problems, or any signs to indicate a problem, dad still worried. However this was his last appointment and for that, he was excited. His term was almost over and he, and "Aunt Judy" were both extremely excited to meet me, or rather the soon-to-be-born kit!
When we arrived at the hospital Nick and I sat in the car and didn't move. It was a moment of pure anticipation and anxiety that was shared between the two of us. Turning to look at Nick, I saw that both paws were around his stomach, one on the top of his bump and one cradling the bottom. His eyes were straight ahead and his soft pointed ears, that usually stood up with excitement and joy were low. They resembled the same night Heather had left Nick, a look I remember all too well.
"Hey, you okay slick?" I asked, reaching out to his shoulder and holding it tenderly.
"Yeah, I'm okay, Carrots. Just a little nervous I guess." Nick chuckled, but it sounded more forced out than anything else.
"Everything will be fine, you'll see." I said reassuringly. "Soon your kit will be brought into the world and our lives will be much better." Wait, what?! What did I just say?
Nick turned his head over to me, then to my paw on his shoulder. In that moment it felt like my heart was beating so fast it could've leaped out of my chest.
"What did you say?" Nick murmured.
"Nothing important!" I brushed off hurriedly. "Come on, we better get inside before we're late!"
"Judy, wait." Nick stated in a tone I had never heard before. It was a mixture of order but tenderness and caring. "There's something I wanted to ask you."
"Yes, Nick?" Oh goodness if my heart wasn't beating fast enough then, it sure as heck was now!
"You know I care about you a lot, right? More than any other mammal, well…" Nick gave a small smile as he looked down at his stomach, "almost any other mammal."
I gave a small giggle, nodding in agreement.
"I can't express how thankful I am to you for sticking by me for the past few months. Everything you've done for me, with me, I couldn't wish for a better friend or partner." Nick took a deep breath, his ears still lowered "I don't know what's going to happen when the baby comes. I don't and it scares me. So I've decided that, in the event something does happen, I want you to look after my kit."
"Nick?" I questioned softly. Did I hear him right?
"I want you to be the godmother of my kit. It'd be nice knowing that they would be under the care of someone who knows what they're doing and who truly cares about them."
"I don't know what to say, thank you, Nick." I said trying to keep my voice and excitement down. That alone wasn't completely what I was hoping for, but it made me just as happy.
"Hey, in case I don't say it enough, I do love you, Carrots." Nicks sly smile quickly disappeared into a look of embarrassment. "I-I mean you know, as a friend! I'd never want to jeopardize that or disrespect you or-"
I leaned in and quickly kissed his cheek. A good and quick way for him calm down and quite down. When I sat back in my seat Nick didn't move a muscle. I've heard my siblings call me cold at times, I guess this just proves their claims.
"Come on, ya dumb fox, let's get going. You're going to make us late." As I hoped out of the car, closing the door behind myself, my ears twitched slightly. As Nick stepped out, I heard a small muffled comment.
"Sly bunny."
Walking into the hospital, it was quiet. More so than what you'd expect in a hospital. A few nurses passed us, some with patients in wheelchairs, with clothing in hand or even some food and medication, but most just walked by empty handed. I watched as many larger mammals stepped around us and, out of instinct and habit, I hurriedly grabbed Nick's paw, my silly attempt to help him if he needed it. In Nick's current term, he was arching his back, keeping his blueberry like tummy higher than normal. It was cute to watch but it also scared me. He was a walking target for any accident!
"Carrots could you loosen your grip on me?" Nick asked in a small chuckle.
"But what if something happens?" I exclaimed.
"The only thing that may happen soon is I may lose my arm due to a certain bunny squeezing it to hard and pulling it off in the process. If anything happens, I promise you'll be the first to know. Here I thought I was the one who was supposed to be worried and nervous." Nick said with a little laugh.
I did loosen my grip, but only a little bit. If I had to pull him away I was ready!
"Let's see…room 109…110….111…112 ah here we are room 113, look familiar, Carrots?"
As we stepped into the room right away I realized that it was the same room that I had barged in just a few months ago. To be honest, this was the first time I had actually came in with Nick to his appointment and not just waited out in the reception area. Not what I had imagined a doctor's appointment to look like for him. I expected a more elaborate set up, more machines to measure this that and the other thing. But that wasn't the case, it was just the standard sleeping arrangement, bed, dressers, seats, all normal.
With a shallow grunt Nick took a seat on the bed and slowly swung his legs over and sat up, using the headboard as a back support. With a quick huff he was in his position, I just hope the doctor doesn't ask him to move to much, by the look of Nick's face he'd bite the next person who asked him to move. His ears were down and his tail was just barely twitching. It would have been so cute if it wasn't so funny. He reminded me of a kit that didn't get what he wanted at the toy store.
Before we knew it there was a small knock on the door and a mongoose in a white coat, white formal shirt, and jeans with a stethoscope around his neck walked through the door. He was smiling happily as he pushed his clipboard under his arm.
"Afternoon Nick, pleasure to see you again. How's my patient and soon to be patient? He asked as he walked towards Nick and I.
"I'm alive doc, I'm carrying what feels like a ton of weight in my stomach. My back and feet are sore. I crave the most disgusting things and I cry almost every hour."
"That's fantastic! Seems the drugs and artificial substitutes are working perfectly!" The doctor said ecstatically as he wrote down some notes on his clipboard. He then looked over at me in confusion.
"I'm sorry I don't think we've met. I'm Dr. Maison, and you are?"
"Oh right, I'm Judy. Judy Hopps, Nick's partner." I said extending my paw to shake his, which he gladly did as well.
"Oh of course! You're the bunny cop that saved the city! My wife and I are friends with a friend of yours, the Ottertons? They talk about you both quite frequently. I wasn't aware you two were partners? Well this is Zootopia after all! Anyone can be anything, and anyone can be with anyone!"
My eyes widened along with Nicks when we heard the doctors last comment we both stuttered trying to figure out what to say. Nick was the one who blurted out the truth
first.
"Not that kind of partners!" Nick said with a small laugh.
"Partners in the friend sense and at work." I added.
"Well you two could've fooled me, but that's none of my business. Are you ready to see the kit, Nick?" The doctor said as he put a paw on Nick's lower leg.
Nick couldn't speak, his excitement had built up when the doctor said that. He only nodded with a large grin across his face. Shortly after a young cheetah nurse, wearing a blue shirt and pants with a name and photo badge hanging of her shirt, walked into the room, pushing a cart with a small ultrasound machine on it. Something that I had seen many times from a few of my other sisters and even my mom. The doctor then coated Nick's stomach in a clear gel which caused Nick to jump slightly as the doctor rubbed it in.
"It's cold, haha." Nick said as he took a quick breath.
The doctor turned on the machine and pulled the sensor over to Nick's stomach. I moved to the end of Nick's bed, near his feet, as the doctor sat beside him on a chair but kept the monitor away from us.
"Okay Mr. Wilde, the image is coming into view." The doctor said with minor excitement in his voice.
I guess seeing something grow from stage one, even to someone who's not a family member, it must be a enjoyable and humble feeling.
Nick started to fidget, biting his lip and moving his hands around in his excitement. I sat down on the foot of the bed, reached over and held his paw and smiled softly at him. A small way to calm him down. My smile prompted nick to calmly smile back at me, relief and joy in his eyes as he rubbed my paw with his thumb.
"Here he is!"
"It's a he!" Nick asked in astonishment as he almost bolted up but stopped when his stomach pained.
"Sorry bad word to use. I can't see that yet but I do see your kit, Nick."
"That's okay, but can I see?"
"Do you want to wait until I can find something to tell the gender?"
"No, I prefer to keep it a surprise."
"In that case."
The doctor happily turned the screen around, now facing Nick and I and on the screen showed a small figure, a small fox that was curled up. It's small ears and tail could be easily seen along with its paws and feet but nothing else.
"Oh my goodness." Nick said cupping his mouth as he began to softly cry. I soon joined him, feeling tears of pure joy build up in my eyes, I didn't want to take my eyes away from the screen. Soon there was a small movement, Nick looked down in excitement.
"I felt that! Carrots! Look!" Nick took my paw and placed it on his stomach, we waited for a second another movement, another small kick.
I was at an absolute loss for words, I looked back up at the screen and right away my eyes caught something. I turned to Nick but thankfully, his head was still down. I lightly nudged the sensor with my hand, changing its angle but still keeping it on the kit.
"Congrats Mr. Wilde, it seems your term is very, very close to being complete. If it wouldn't be too much to ask, do you mind staying a few nights so we can do some final observations?"
"No, not at all doc." Nick said in a calm, passive voice as he lied back on the bed, holding his stomach. The doctor then signalled me to the door. Nick was in his own world so I didn't think he would mind.
I followed the doctor out of the room, shutting the door behind us. The look on the doctor's face told me right away the he kept something from Nick, and that worried me.
"You have no idea how thankful I am that you're here."
"Pardon?" I asked, but the doctor only sighed.
"Nick's A.E.C.U, what gives his kit the ability to grow in him, is made of a organic material so there is no probability of him getting hurt through infection. However there seems to be a small tear through the first layering. Something that I don't think he noticed, nor will he."
"Why is it a good thing that I'm here?"
"If the unit breaks it can cause damage to him, more so than the normal procedure would. I'm not going to lie, I'm not sure what the chances are that he'd walk out of the O.R."
"Are you telling me Nick is…"
"Heavens no! Thankfully I can prep everything prior to try and minimize any problems, but you need to stay with him. Keep him calm and collected."
I nodded in agreement as the doctor thanked me once more and shook my paw. When I walked back in, Nick, to my surprise, was already fast asleep. Curled up in a small ball on his side, his tail curled around himself. I softly giggled as I walked towards him and sat down where the doctor sat. I was just about to rest my head when I felt a soft tap on my leg. Nick moved over on the bed and patted the empty spot beside him. Smiling, I moved onto the bed, snuggling close beside him. Nick then wrapped his arm around me and for the first time since I had solved my first case, I felt at ease.
"I…move Mose…" nick mumbles softly
"Hmm?" I asked softly as I put my ear a little closer to his snout.
"I…love you, Judy…" Nick mumbled, like he was dreaming. My eyes went wide but only for a second, they then softened as I felt my heart beat a little faster.
"I love you too, you dumb fox." I said in a soft whisper as I began to sleep calmly in his arms…
"Huh…what?" I asked as I began to open my eyes.
Something woke me up, but I wasn't sure what. The sun was gone and the room was darker than before, the light of the hallway outlining the door and shaded window. I felt something shaking beside me and it took me a minute to realize it was Nick. I put my paw on the bed and as I did it was quickly met with a wet sensation.
"What the?" My eyes bolted open as I jumped off the bed and turned on the lamp. The bed was soaked with a pink and yellowish mixture.
"Judy….." a weak voice groaned.
I lifted my head and there was Nick, lying down, his hand red, clutching his stomach.
"Nick!" I shouted in panic as I kneeled down beside him. Then, without even thinking I bolted up and slammed the panic button signalling an alarm to rig throughout the wing.
CODE BLUE-ROOM 113! CODE BLUE-ROOM 113!
"Come on Nick, stay with me! Stay with me!" I looked over Nick in sheer horror…"This wasn't supposed to happen…."
