Note: This chapter is going to be less pornographic/raunchy than previous ones. There will be sex, but at this point in the story everyone is pretty fatigued and I'd like to let that honestly show through to be true to the story. Sex isn't always mindblowing, especially when starting a family. Regardless, I hope you enjoy for the honesty and (hopefully) good story!
Judy sat on the rim of the tub, resting her forehead on her paws. The cold porcelain sent shivers down her backside, but she didn't seem to notice much. She sat and sighed, holding a pair of pregnancy tests in her paws. She shook her head and peered back down at the second test again, hoping this one had a very very delayed reaction. Nope, still negative.
Eight days. It had been eight days since Skye discovered she was pregnant with her and Jack's children. She of course had been over-the-moon happy for them, and she still was. The way Skye seemed to glow with a radiant happiness made her a mother already in Judy's eyes, and she was excited to see the two of them become parents together. But foxes usually have a harder time conceiving when compared to bunnies. In fact, that was true of all species. Bunnies were notorious for being able to "multiply", and the size of her own family was evidence to that point.
So why was it taking so long? She of course had rushed home after leaving the Savage house to test herself, only to discover Skye had beaten her to the punch. That fact was odd enough, so Judy decided she wouldn't worry for now and would continue simply trying with Jack for another week. If she still wasn't pregnant at that point, then she might worry. That was eight days ago.
A cold empty feeling dashed across her chest for a fleeting moment as a thought she so desperately tried to banish kept swinging back for another drive-by. Whenever her mind went there, it would cause her a sickening sort of preemptive grief that would quickly tie her stomach in a knot before she could use her own reminders of common sense to keep it back and away from her mind. Judy only really new fear a few times in her life, but the twinge in her heart was always unmistakeable.
What if I can't have children?
The thought swung back around and hit her again, and this time it refused to leave. Growing up, all the kids around her would talk about when they become parents some day. They'd discuss the future with this vague sense of certainty. There where a few variations between them, like joining the police for herself, for example. But nearly every fantasy involved getting falling in love, getting married, and having kids. Each part of that story was always told with a sense of when, not if. Never 'if'. 'If' is too scary, right? So it's easier to believe it was definitely going to happen someday.
But the real world is full of 'if'. Becoming a cop was the biggest 'if' she ever battled, so much so that the falling in love and getting married parts were certainly at the top of Judy's "maybe it will, maybe it won't happen" list. But having kids was something Judy always knew she at the very least could do, if she were so lucky to have the opportunity to try. But when she tossed the last two of her pregnancy tests into the garbage, the 'ifs' in life claimed another victim.
Judy sniffled and wiped back a tear gunning for her cheek.
"Carrots," she heard from outside the bathroom door. She hadn't even heard him come home from the precinct. That fox appeared at the right moment just when she needed him, as if magically summoned to her via sniffles. Thank god for that fox.
"I'm alright." No, quit lying. She scolded herself. He knows and he's not gonna buy it. Plus, you need him right now so now is no time to act tough.
"Yeah, and I'm purple," he said from the door.
She sniffled again. See?
He slowly opened the door and made his way over to her. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, so she just kept staring at the bathroom rug that was missing a few threads and needed a wash. For a moment he didn't speak, perhaps giving time for her to start instead. When she remained silent, he got down onto one knee and placed a gentle paw on her thigh.
She felt another tear escape as soon as he touched her. "I'm sorry, Nick."
"No, none of that," he said softly while shaking his head.
"I really thought it would've happened by now. I'm just so scared that I let you down and that––"
"––No more, Carrots. Hush." He took her cheek in his paw tenderly.
"Nick," she sobbed and her head fell forward into his shoulder.
"Shh, no more apologies." He gently rubbed her back and ushered her closer into his torso. "I've got a list of reasons why you shouldn't be sorry for anything. Number one: I love you, and there is absolutely nothing that is going to change that, go it? Number two: sure it's been a little while but we've hardly been at this forever. We've still got plenty of time before we get to number 3."
Judy wrapped a paw around his shoulder and used his long thick fur to wipe her eyes against. "What is number 3?"
"Number 3, Carrots, is that a doctor gets to tell us that kind of news, not some flimsy piece of plastic. Remember when Skye's third test was negative and she flipped out? They went to the doctor and he confirmed that she's fine and so are their kids. So if, and when, we decide to see if your body needs a little help from the miracle of modern medicine, we will call up the doc and take care of it then. Until that point, nothing is different. And nothing is wrong with you, Judy."
He scooped her up into his paws and carried her out of the bathroom. Her legs swayed lethargically as she surrendered herself to his strength for thousandth time. "I know you're right, Nick. Deep down, I do. I'm just so scared."
Nick chuckled a little. "Most mammals get scared at the concept of being pregnant. The fact that the concept of not being pregnant frightens you tells me you're going to be the best mom these kids could ever ask for."
"Nick..."
"You'll be a mom, Judy. One way or the other, I'll make you a parent even if I have to kit-nap."
"Please don't. I don't want to arrest you."
"If that's true, look how far we've come as a couple!"
Judy cracked a smile. Her voice was still muffled from being buried in Nick's fur. "Okay. We'll keep trying and then see a doctor if we don't get there. But what if the worst happens?"
He sat down at the foot of their bed and propped her up on his lap, holding onto her hips. He lifted her chin with his fingertips and looked her straight in the eye. "Then we'll go back to plan A and adopt. I told you, I'm making you a parent somehow. You trust me, right?"
"Yeah," she said with a nod. She smiled and wiped her tears again, this time drying them completely. She nuzzled into the cream-color fur under his chin and warmed herself further. "Thanks, Slick."
The two of them sat in tranquil silence for a while. Nick slowly ran his paw down her back, soothing her further. She breathed more calmly now, taking in the scent of her partner. He was a million times more comfortable than the cold porcelain she had spent the previous half hour moping on. He hummed contently, seeming to feel her relax more in his arms.
"It's getting colder outside. This feels nice."
"Yeah. Snow got so thick yesterday I totally lost track of Wolford, even though he was right next to me."
"Any news on the owl?"
Nick frowned. "More sightings, north of the city," he explained. "Hunters are going after it now, trying to catch it as a trophy. Bogo's got me and Howler searching for anyone using illegal meat as bait. Luckily no one's been hurt."
"Good. You were right about me before: I hate staying cooped up inside."
"Hey, Carrots. We agreed that––"
"––I know, I know. Just venting frustration is all."
He nodded and tapped his finger on her nose, causing her to furrow her brow at him. "Vent all you want, if it keeps you from getting carried off."
"You're lucky I love you."
"That I am, every day."
The doorbell rang, and they both glanced out the bedroom door. "That'll be Stripes. Do you want me to send him home?"
"Mmm?" Judy cocked an eyebrow at him. "Why would you do that?"
"Because, Judy, I hardly feel like you're even remotely in the mood for sex after being so emotional a few minutes ago."
He had a point. Sex with Jack had fallen into routine at this point. Not that it was ever painful or unpleasant, but it had grown monotonous and more tiresome than it was before. Luckily Jack could finish quickly when he wanted to, so they opted for saving time whenever they could. But as a result, there was little room to enjoy the experience, and more than once Judy simply had to carry on even though she wasn't feeling particularly sexy. Tonight would be no different.
But she had a commitment to keep and a family to start. "That's what lube is for. Just send him up here and I'll send him back down when I'm done with him."
"You want me to stay here with you?"
She shook her head. "He always takes longer when you're in the room, so would you mind just waiting downstairs again? We'll finish up and then we can get some sleep."
"You sure you don't want some dessert? I think we still have that pumpkin pie your mother sent us from Carrot Days."
"Nick, you are such a sweet husband. But I think I need sleep more than I need sugar right now."
"Anything for the bunny," he said with a smile. He lifted her up and rolled her over onto the bed carefully. He placed a sweet kiss on her cheek before he turned and left her lying on her back at the edge of the bed.
The doorbell rang again. "I'm know, I'm coming! Keep your balls full a few more seconds, will ya?"
Judy rolled her eyes at her husband's crass remarks. Reaching over to one side, Judy opened the drawer on the bedside table and pulled out a small towel and a bottle of lubricant. She could already hear Jack and Nick trading quips downstairs. Lifting up her rear, she dropped her sweatpants over her legs and tossed them to the side, followed quickly by her panties, before shuffling the towel underneath her rear in anticipation of a mess.
"Judith?" Jack called for her as he ascended the stairs towards the bedroom. She could hear slight creaks in the wooden steps as he bounded towards her. She reached down with one paw and gave herself a few gentle rubs over her vulva, an effort mostly to wake herself up rather than to turn herself on. A little warm up always helped before a workout.
Wooden creaks turned into quiet padding feet on carpet as Jack entered the bedroom. His eyes widened to find Judy laying on the bed with her paw on her clitorus rubbing it tenderly. She gave him a welcoming smile and an even more welcoming gesture when she opened her legs a little wider.
"W-well," he stammered. "You seem ready."
"I don't want to keep you from your expecting wife." That was true, but not the whole truth. She was also tired, and the sooner they fucked the sooner she could get some rest. But Jack didn't need to know that. He was just keeping his end of the bargain like a good friend.
"She's likely already asleep back home, so I doubt we're bothering her much. But I'm not about to turn down an invitation that looks like that." He smiled and winked at her before undoing the belt on his slacks. His effort at flirting was appreciated, but it didn't exactly set her heart beating faster like it might have weeks ago. His body had become familiar and comfortable for her at this point, and she wasn't entirely in the mood to be wooed anyway. She needed sperm and sleep.
"I'm not going to be much of a host this time, I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You look beat, and Nick told me you haven't been feeling great today." Jack gestured with his head towards the stairs where Nick was likely turning on the TV or playing some music to himself downstairs. "We could always postpone, if you're not feeling up to it. I know you're committed, but there's no reason to make yourself do something you don't want to."
"Thank you, Jack. But I do want to. I want this more than anything right now. I'm just tired and a little worn out from all of our recent romps."
"Would you like me to go downstairs and get Nicholas? He could help you enjoy yourself some more."
She shook her head. "No, but thank you for offering."
"Well alright then, I won't keep you waiting any longer."
Jack dropped his slacks and unbuttoned his shirt, shuffling off his clothes and stepping closer to Judy who was still wearing a t-shirt but kept her exposed rear and open legs facing him. He first placed his paws on the tips of her knees and let the sweep down her thighs as he stepped closer. She felt his gentle touch along her fur and she reflexively drew in a breath through her lips in anticipation.
His erection slipped along her lips and over her mound, teasing her clitorus. He pushed forward until his hips pressed against her rear and his crimson member rested on top of her. Reaching over her, he picked up the bottle of lubricant and laid a line down his length before rubbing it along the shaft nice and evenly. This was practically ritual for them now, but not exactly an unpleasant one.
Jack drew back, positioning himself at her opening and shot her one more glance for reassurance before continuing. She nodded and felt him spread her open, taking him in slowly bit by bit. She bit her bottom lip and moaned lightly as he filled her, feeling that familiar pressure and warmth sweep over her. For the final inch or so, he leaned down and placed his paws on either side of her, getting close enough to where she could feel his breath against her nose.
"All ok?" he whispered. She nodded again, and he started moving. His pace rhythm was steady and his pace was easy but not sluggish. His eyes closed as a moan escaped his lips. Judy wrapped her fingers around his wrists to steady herself as she was rocked back with each of his thrusts forward. She could feel his skin against hers with a hot intensity as his member slipped out of her and pushed forward again. Soon the bed rocked with his more powerful movements as he quickened his pace.
The hot friction went from intense to uncomfortable, and she bit her bottom lip with a wince. "Jack?"
He stopped mid thrust and opened his eyes again. "Hmm? Everything alright?"
"Could you use a little more?"
Jack seemed to take a second to ponder her request, then a bashful look came over his face. "Oh! So sorry, Judith. Of course."
He reached back over and picked up the lubricant again before slowly withdrawing himself from her until nothing but his tip remained inside. The friction still felt a little tender to her, but it was never outright painful. "Don't worry, Jack. I'm fine."
"I'll be sure not to be so conservative this time," he assured her. True to his word, he laid on a thick healthy helping of the cold fluid this time, the cool feeling helping to sooth her sore skin. He used a free paw to spread it around as best he could before finally leaving a final dab at the top of her lips. She stifled a shiver, and wondered if there was a device that could keep lube warm before sex like a crockpot before dinner. She'd bet the market for couples trying to start a family might appreciate making the act just that much easier.
Jack looked back at her with an apprehensive look, but she nodded and spread her legs a little wider all the same, ushering him back inside her. "Ahhhh, that's *–mmff* better," she breathed.
"Good," he said and began moving again. "I'll try to take it easy from here."
His thrusts were slower than before, and more careful. His eyes stayed open and focused on her, only occasionally squinting as his penis throbbed inside her. The lubricant worked wonders for her as he slid effortlessly in and out. She gripped his forearms again and brought her knees closer to her chest, her legs bouncing a little with each push forward.
"Don't be too easy with me," she reassured him. "You can move as fast as you like."
His eyebrows raised. "Are you sure?"
She choked on a moan before smiling at him. "This feels way better, Jack. Just go for it."
"Yes ma'am," he said, reflecting her smile. He brought his paws off of the mattress beside her and took a firm grip of her hips. He lifted her ever so slightly to where her tail had just enough freedom to wiggle before his pace exploded forward.
"Oooohhh!" she moaned as his vigor helped awaken the sparks in her nerves. She felt his dick push in and out of her with alarming speed. Wet slipping sounds of her lips dragging across his penis filled the room along with their occasional moans and heavy breathing. He kept his gaze locked with hers, but it soon began to waver. He was getting close.
"Jud….Judith I'm close," he practically begged.
"Yes, Jack. Do it!" she moaned back. She let her knees graze his torso and pull him closer in. "I want it all inside."
"MMmm!" he grunted as he slammed himself forward a few more times. She felt his balls, now dripping with lube, slap against her rear as he hilted himself inside her and pushed forward. He thrusted so hard she felt her back slide up the bedding. Lifting her rear higher, she brought his hips directly on top of hers so that his thrusting, powerful spurts, and gravity were all working together to fill her as completely as possible.
She could feel his scrotum pulsate a in small up and down motions as he pumped his seed deep inside her. He grunted further, gritting his teeth, and held onto her hips with a vice grip. His member flexed and hardened with each spasm, and she felt his warm orgasm fill her up again.
Every drop, she thought. Wrapping her legs around his hips, she drew him in even closer as he finished out his last throbs inside her. He gasped for air as he finished, feeling the final throbs wash through his penis as he remained buried inside as deep as he could go.
"Gahh! Ahhh…. hanhhh... Wow…" Jack muttered. "I bet you that did it this time."
"Really?" Judy said with a hint of excitement in her voice. "What makes you say that?"
He eased off of her, lowering them both back down to the bed's edge but keeping himself hilted. He shivered with an aftershock and a slightly dopey smile she always found adorable. "Just a hunch, but I'm positively empty."
Judy laughed and let him pull away slowly. "I hope you're right."
"I'm sorry again, Judith. I won't be so stingy with the lubricant in the future. I imagine if I'm feeling sore after all this lovemaking, you must be feeling it seriously as well."
Judy shrugged. "You don't need to apologize, but you're right. I'm sore, but it's a good kind of sore. Like recovering after a good workout."
"You would make that analogy. Shall I send your husband back up on my way out?"
Judy leaned forward and found her sweatpants she had dropped earlier. "Let me walk you out."
"Oh no, it's fine," he assured her. "I'm sure you're exhausted too."
"I can stand a trip down the stairs, Jack."
They both were cut off when they heard Nick call to them from downstairs. "You guys done?"
Judy put her paw to her lips and called back. "All finished!"
Nick's tone was dark. "Get down here, Carrots. You should see this."
Jack and Judy gave each other a somber look before making their way out the door and down the stairs. Judy was just tying the waistband up when she saw Nick pointing the remote at the TV screen to raise the volume. The TV showed the picture of a male ferret posing for a family portrait. The headline read Male Ferret (31) Carried Away by Owl, Presumed Dead. Judy's paws covered her mouth.
The news anchor's voice filled the room. "... Witnesses say the owl was completely white and nearly 36 inches in wingspan, making it the largest owl sighting in Zootopia on record."
"Heavens…" Jack murmured. Their eyes all trained to the screen as a map of the surrounding counties displayed the location of the poor ferret's demise.
"Last known sighting was in the forests outside Grazerville," the anchor continued. "Deerbroke county officials are urging any mammals under twenty pounds to stay indoors and not to travel at night. The recent snow and overcast weather we're expecting in the city will make it that much more difficult to spot the dangerous animal from the ground. While owl's rarely enter populated areas, members of the Zootopia Police Department are not taking any risks."
The screen then cut to a press conference where Chief Bogo addressed questions from the press. This must have been a few minutes ago, Judy thought.
"We have procedures in place for just this kind of situation, but we need the cooperation of everyone in the city to make sure we keep everyone as safe as possible. We are encouraging anyone reporting a sighting to dial 9-1-1 immediately, and for the smaller mammals of Little Rodentia to stay in the enclosure until we give the all-clear."
Nick turned to Judy. "I guess this means they've put up the bird cage around the Little-Ro."
Judy nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on the screen. "Deerbroke County is close, Nick. That bird could be above the city in under an hour."
Bogo continued. "I've authorized all patrol officers to carry bird-shot weapons with them. The largest of our officers will be concentrated around all schools in city limits. The schools in the suburban areas will be closed until further notice."
One reporter from the front shouted his question before called on. "Chief! What can the regular citizens do to help? How can we protect ourselves?"
"The simplest answer is to be smart," Bogo said frankly. "This bird is dangerous, yes, but if you follow our instructions and keep yourself calm, we can catch it before it hurts anyone else."
The news feed cut to the victim's house, where members of the community laid flowers and lit candles. Family members held each other close and sobbed. "Friends of the victim say he was just on his way home when–"
Nick shut the TV off, knowing that the news would stay on the saddest part of the story for far longer than was respectful. "No more of that," he muttered under his teeth before turning to Jack. "Stripes, you good to get home?"
He nodded with a dark expression. "I've still got my firearm from my time in the service, but I let the carry license expire last month. You think the ZPD could take it easy on me during this if I get caught with it?"
Nick shook his head and waved him off. "Just keep the ZBI badge on you and you'll be fine. Let me walk you to your car at least."
Jack waved him off. "You've got one bunny to worry about, Nicholas, with more on the way hopefully. But what we should figure out is do we keep going?"
"Mm?" Judy snapped back to reality and looked over to Jack. "You mean keep our commitment?"
"Why not?" Nick shrugged. "It's not like you're bangin' outside."
Judy pondered for a moment, before realizing this new revelation would probably keep them from fulfilling their commitment for a while. "I don't think we should."
"Carrots…" Nick started, but she shook her head.
"Bogo will setup a curfew soon, and one of us visiting the other's house every night will gather suspicion from everyone at work."
Nick frowned. "I thought we didn't care about what they thought."
"When the babies are born, we don't. But until then, it'll look like we're cheating on each other and I don't want that circling around at work. Besides, it's best not to make unnecessary risks right now anyway."
Jack nodded and placed a comforting paw on her shoulder. "We can start trying again once the owl is dealt with, fair?"
She nodded. "Fair. Thanks for understanding, Jack."
"Absolutely. Give us a call if you just want to chat. I'm sure Skylar will be visiting to help keep you company while you're stuck indoors."
With that, Jack made his way to the door and shook Nick's paw. "Be safe out there, Stripes."
"Don't worry about me. That monster will probably think I'm a miniature tiger with these stripes anyway."
He left and closed the door behind him. Judy quietly padded over to Nick who wrapped her up into his arms and held her close again. He leaned his snout down and placed a tender kiss between her ears. "It'll be alright."
"I know… Bogo's gonna call soon. He'll probably want to get you over to the station for more patrols."
Kneeling down, he swept Judy's legs up and carried her back up the stairs towards there bedroom. "Until he calls, I give a damn about anything else right now. My hopefully-pregnant wife is tired and emotional and I am not going anywhere until she's fast asleep."
"I'm not some feeble elderly female, Slick. . . but thank you."
Once again, she felt his fur between her fingertips and held him close. She worried about him. He was a predator and bigger than she was, so he'd probably get put on patrol while she was meant for desk work until it all blew over, but an owl that big was still capable of hurting him. She held him close, letting her body sway with his steps toward the bed, practically rocking her to sleep.
"You're gonna be a great dad, honey."
It was a fact and a prayer wrapped into one.