Chapter X

They ordered some dinner since they didn't feel like going out. It was getting late and they had to go to work the next day. They were now sitting at the table talking about their partnership at work. They didn't know if dating would be a problem so they decided not to tell anyone yet until they knew for sure their jobs were not in jeopardy.

"What about my family?" Judy asked Nick.

He looked nervous. "We can keep it a secret from them too, if you want." He offered.

"I want to tell them." She said quickly. "But only if that's OK with you."

"I think it's OK, Carrots." He said, but he still looked nervous. "They're your family and if you want to tell them then my opinion should not change that." He sounded like he really meant that. "How do you think they'll take it, though?"

"To be honest I don't know." she replied. "I know they like you. They know you protect me and keep me safe on the job, but now that you are my boyfriend I'm not sure how they will react." She saw Nick with a worried look. "Nick, it doesn't matter to me what they think of us, I want to tell them because I just don't want to keep this a secret from them. I'm not looking for their approval."

They returned to bed after a few minutes and cuddled each other. Nick was only wearing boxers and Judy had borrowed one of his t-shirts and it was of course oversized for her. Nick wrapped Judy with his tail and she fell asleep while rubbing it. He kissed her forehead and ears before closing his eyes.

"Please, don't let this be a dream." Was his last thought before falling into unconsciousness.

The next morning Nick was waking up from a dreamless night to the smell of something delicious. For a moment he feared he had had indeed a dream because he didn't see Judy next to him, but he discarded that idea when he heard her in the kitchen.

He got up and followed the smell. He saw her still wearing the oversized t-shirt, on a stool in front of the stove.

"Morning, Slick!" She had turned a little but was still cooking. "I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen, I just wanted to make you some breakfast."

Nick approached her and hugged her from behind, resting his muzzle on her shoulder. He could see now she was making pancakes.

"I don't mind at all, but you didn't have to do it."

"I know, like I said, I wanted to." She said as she flipped a pancake.

"I didn't even know you could cook." He went to sit and took everything with him to set the table for them.

"I'm full of surprises, Wilde." They both laugh a little. Nick was just sitting there, watching her cook about ten pancakes, then she joined him at the table. "I really hope you like them. I'm a little out of practice. I hadn't cooked anything in a long time." She said while putting some pancakes on her plate.

"Oh Carrots, these are delicious". Nick was really enjoying them. "Is there anything you are not good at?"

"Oh hush." She was smiling.

"I'm serious. Why don't you cook more often?" He asked but immediately knew the answer. "Oh, yeah. There's not kitchen in your 'shoe box'." She just nodded and kept on eating.

Nick was now lost in thought. He had asked Judy to be his roommate ever since he found out where she lived. She had liked the idea but she was in a one year contract, however, if he was not mistaken, that was about to expire. He didn't know if he should bring that out now that they were a couple. It would not be like they were roommates, they would be living together.

"But isn't that what you want?" He asked himself. "Being with her. Starting and ending your day together, cuddling at night… and the pancakes are definitely a perk. No, it's too soon..."

"Nick, are you ok? You have been staring into space for like five minutes."

"Move in with me." He blurted out. The words left his mouth before he could stop himself.

"What?"

"What?" He echoed after her almost regretting saying anything. "No, wait. Why not? We talked about being roommates before."

Judy was contemplating the idea. She had agreed to being his roommate. The only thing that had stopped her was her contract. "You don't think it's too fast?" Before he could answer she added. "Wait. Do you mean living together as roommates or as a couple?"

"Does it matter?" He replied, now sure of his decision. "If we weren't a couple we would have done it without hesitating. You are my best friend who also happen to be my girlfriend and I'd love it if we can be roommates."

"You're right." She was totally convinced. "It makes sense. Although the reason I was asking is because of the distribution."

"Distribution?"

"I mean, if we live together as roommates each one would have their own room, but as a couple we would share one, right?"

"Well, what do you want?"

"I want to share, of course." She was being completely honest.

"Me too." He said. "We have about a month to figure out all the details."

"Wow, look at you, Slick." She teased him. "Who would've thought you'd be so committed."

Nick rolled his eyes but was smiling. "Judy, for you I'd be anything."

"I just want you to be yourself." They share a few kisses and finish their breakfast in silence.

"Ok." Nick said. "You go ahead and get in the shower and I'll clear the table and bring your bag with your clothes."

While Judy was in the shower, she heard a knock on the door.

"It's me!" The unasked question got Judy rolling her eyes in amusement. "I'm just gonna leave a clean towel." He opened the door and entered. "Unless, you want me to join you, of course."

"Thank you, Nick." She paused for a moment. "And yes, you can join me if you want."

"R-really?" Judy snort at hearing his nervous reaction.

"Nevermind, Slick." She had turned the water off and now her head was leaning out of the shower. "I'm done." She stretched an arm and took the towel from Nick's paws. She then stepped out, the towel wrapped around her torso, giving Nick a nice view of her shoulders and most of her legs. He just stood there looking like an idiot, his muzzle hanging open.

Judy stood on her toes and give him a peck on the cheek and left him.