Chapter 11

He could not sleep.

Instead of switching off, Nick's mind mulled over the things which happened today. It was only now he truly realized how much that was. Most prominent was still the moment he stood toe to toe with Mr. Hopps. Yet also his endeavor with Caroline, and his short yet interesting meeting with Gideon replayed in his head. The few words he had with that old teacher whose name he had already forgotten. Or everything that had happened during the single breakfast he had here so far. Had this really been just one day? It felt longer, so much longer. This place had grown on him in a way he hadn't expected. For that matter, he could say the same for Sally. He should have thanked her for making him giving her the promise.

"Oh, screw it," he mumbled. Now he was wide awake again. However he had managed that. Just lying there wouldn't do him any good, Nick knew that. He turned his head. Judy was breathing in a silent rhythm, her mouth slightly agape. As gentle as he could he moved away from her. At the same moment, her paws reached after him. They had to settle for giving the pillow a tight hug. Trying his best not to wake her, he leaned in and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Judy smiled in her sleep.

Staying silent in a house that had nothing but wooden floors was a straining task. Keeping his steps slow and composed made the way to the kitchen seem at least twice as long. There, he poured himself some water. The faint scent of dinner still lingered around him. He found his perfect spot close to the door. From there, the full moon could be seen clear and bright through the windows. Nick never quite knew why, but he enjoyed these nights. It was like they held some unspoken promise to them.

Staring at the shining sphere so far above him, his thoughts began to wander again. A strange idea crept up on him. Where it came from was a mystery to Nick. All around him were hundreds of sleeping, unsuspecting bunnies. He, a single fox, was the only one awake inside their home. Most likely an idea of pure horror to the head of this wonderful family. Yet after all, he was here as a guest, invited by the most wonderful of them all.

A creaking behind him jolted him out of his thoughts. He turned around.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep. Hope you don't mind I helped myself to a glass of water, Mr. Hopps?"

The farmer didn't answer. He glanced at Nick. Shaking his head, he moved over to the closest fridge. For a moment, he stared at its contents. One deep sigh later he reached inside and held up two bottles of beer.

"You want one?"

"I'd love to, Mr. Hopps." Silently, Nick praised himself for keeping any surprise from his voice. "To what do I owe this honor?"

"My little Jude, of course," Stu answered as he sat down opposite to Nick.

Nick laughed. "Little Jude? After all she's done you still call her that?"

A hint of a smile crossed his face. "She'll always be my child. I know what she has done. What she can do. I know what she is able and willing to do. Don't get me wrong, all that makes me incredibly proud of her. Yet at the same time, it also makes me worry more for her than any other of my children."

Nick smiled at the bottle in his hand. "Sounds like you'll never let her go, huh?"

"If I hadn't let her go, she wouldn't be a cop. No, being a father means having to let them go sooner or later. Doesn't mean it gets any easier, though. First, second, fiftieth or the twohundredth child—you never stop worrying. A father will always be looking out for them."

"Yeah, I guess," Nick mumbled. "Do you honestly think I'd ever hurt your daughter?"

"I... I'm not sure what to think anymore."

"Mr. Hopps, I know you're bothered by me being a fox. You made that very clear the moment we met. All I want to know is whether you just don't want your daughter to date a fox or if you're afraid your daughter will get hurt by that fox."

He stared at Nick, his head shaking ever so slightly. "If you're asking me that you already know the answer."

"Okay, listen. You may not believe me, but just for the record, let me tell you: I would never hurt Judy."

Stu took a deep swig from the bottle. After wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he said, "I wish it were so easy."

Nick sighed. "You seem to get along with Gideon, by what I've heard. Nice guy, by the way."

"No need to say more, young man. Judy already gave me the hypocrite speech. Oh, I know it's no good, but I can't help myself. It's just..." He fell silent for a moment. Then he shook his head and said, "She always rushed off, head-first into any danger she faced. She always managed to come out on top, one way or the other. Sometimes bruised, sometimes scratched. But in the end, she'd come through."

"Yeah, I noticed," Nick chuckled.

But Stu was far from doing the same. "And all I can think about is the one time she won't. I learned to live with it. But again and again, she turns a new leaf. It started with exploring some hole in the ground she found in the woods and fighting over some carnival tickets, and went on to her becoming a police officer. That alone opened up a whole new set of dangers I don't even dare to imagine."

"Sounds like bringing home a fox as a boyfriend fits somewhere into that."

"All too well. And that's what worries me. Too many things got mixed up when I saw the two of you."

"Mr. Hopps, I-" Nick started, but the farmer held up a paw to silence him.

"I am still scared for my little girl. But I told you, that goes along with fatherhood. All I can do now is either resent what you two have and hold a grudge for the rest of my life. Or I can accept that this is Judy's way of being happy and that you will be part of our family. Whether I like it or not. What do you think I should do?"

Nick smiled. "Well, if you really ask me that you already know the answer."

Stu lifted his bottle and offered the lower end to Nick. Nick didn't hesitate to clank his bottle against it.

"I knew you'd come around, dad." The voice made them both turn towards the door. There stood Judy, leaning against the frame. "This was really sweet of you."

"Carrots," Nick greeted her. "What brings you down here?"

Judy sat down next to him. "I woke up all alone and couldn't go back to sleep without my favorite tail. So I had to look for where it went."

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, Officer Hopps." Nick bowed in his seat. He pulled her close to him and wrapped his tail around her shoulders. "Is this more to your liking?"

Judy didn't answer. She simply grabbed his fur and leaned her head onto his shoulder.

Her father shook his head. "Are you two like that at work, too?"

"Not anymore," Nick said. "The Chief said we were distracting Clawhauser."

"Dad," Judy mumbled through the fur now surrounding her. "I'm really proud of you. It's good to know that there's somebody who listens to me."

"What about me?" Nick asked.

"You never listen to anybody."

"Guilty as charged," Nick laughed.

"Speaking of guilty," Stu said, barely able to look at them. "How did you manage to do it? I know I've been nothing but hostile to you these past days. And you took it like it was nothing."

Nick smiled. "Because to me, it was nothing. You may call it hostile. I call it grocery shopping, or riding the sub. For that matter, it's just being anywhere out in the city. At some point you do get used to it, one way or another. Also, I had two good reasons. Or rather three, as of now."

"What reasons?" Stu asked.

"Well, for one, I fell in love with this farm the moment I saw it. Wherever I look, it just screams family to me. Plus, all those little kits you've got running around here are all I need to lift my mood."

"Really?" the farmer laughed. "I have to admit I hoped they would get on your nerves."

Nick shook his head. "No, they're adorable, I love children. Also, I was an only child, so they're all like the younger siblings I never had."

Stu nodded. "And the second reason?"

"Will start drooling into my tail any minute now."

"Will not," the curled up bunny protested.

"You always do. But just for the record, I never mind."

Stu cleared his throat. "You said you now had a third reason?"

"Oh, yes, I did and I do. Or rather, I had it before, but just realized it now. The third reason is that I admire you."

The farmer choked on the sip of beer he was taking. Still coughing, he asked, "You, admiring me? What for?"

"Well, just being the awesome dad you are. Like I said, I started to understand it just now. To be honest, the way you care for your children, what you are willing to go through for my carrots here. It kind of makes me wish I've had a father like you."

Nick looked down at Judy, feeling paws digging deeper into his fur. But other than that, she remained calm. Yet from the other side of the table, two wide eyes stared at Nick, asking silently for further answers.

Nick felt himself smile simply out of trained reflex. "You see, my father wasn't much of anything worth that word. As far as I can remember, it was always my mother taking care of me."

"Was your father so obsessed with work, or..."

"I wish I could say that. No, the hard working one was also my mom. She had to, with dad always chasing his dreams. That was what he was good at. Dreams and getting lost in them. He'd always have a dozen ideas ready to make us all rich over night. None of them ever worked, of course. As a cub I thought he was the coolest dad ever. I would forgive him for not being there for me, not showing up for my first day at school, or for always going back on his word. Because one day everything would be so much better."

The farmer looked at his daughter draped in fox tail. "Yes, dreams are... a difficult thing."

Nick took a deep breath. "Looking back, these dreams were nothing but empty promises. All it brought mom and me were delusional hopes and a butt-load of debt she had to deal with on her own in the end."

"Your dad ran off?" Judy asked, now having one eye open.

"Maybe, I don't know. Mom never told me what really happened. One day he was simply gone. I came home from school and found her heart-broken in the kitchen. All she would tell me was that dad was gone and we'd never see him again."

"Did you never ask her why he was gone?" Stu asked.

"Of course I did, right then and there. But she wasn't even able to talk. She just broke down. I had never seen her cry before, not ever. She was my definition of happiness up until then. But at that moment, she lost herself. Before I knew it, I had my own mother sobbing into my shoulder. She had me locked in a hug any bear would be proud of. It felt like an eternity before she let me go. After that, I never dared to ask her about dad again."

"You don't suppose he-" Judy said, but Nick didn't let her finish.

"Like I said, I don't know. Though I do have my suspicions. But there was no funeral, at least none I know of."

"And after that?" Stu asked. "How did you move on?"

"Honestly, not much different than before. Dad wasn't around, we had little money, yet still each other. Took a while to get used to him not being around at all. But overall, even for a first grader it was painfully obvious how little difference that really made."

"And your mom?" Judy asked.

Nick shook his head. "I don't think she ever really got over him. That may be the greatest feat dad ever pulled off, having her truly love him with all her heart. But then again, who am I to talk about unusual lovers."

He glanced down at Judy. Her amethyst eyes gleamed at him, forcing another smile on his face. The one Judy knew to be his most charming.

"Getting back to the point," Nick said. "My dad didn't have it in him to dedicate just a part of his mind to his only son. You on the other hand not only raised this wonderful bunny right here and are able to give her more than I'd ever wished from my own father. Somehow you can give the same to all her brothers and sisters." He took the bottle in front of him, inspecting it like it held secret meaning. "It kind of makes me wonder..."

"Yes?" Stu inquired.

"Well, you know, if I got what that takes. Being such an amazing dad."

Judy's ears shot up. "You think about being a dad?"

Nick nodded. "Yes, ever since we're here. I'm asking myself again and again how it would be. If I could handle all this. I mean, we don't need to aim for a few hundred, but having my own children to care for? That is an incredible thought. Enchanting and terrifying at the same time." He looked back at the farmer. "Would I be like you or is it as they say; like father, like son?"

He felt a soft paw taking his. "Don't worry about that. I'm sure you will be a great dad. After all, I heard you're great with elephants."

"Elephants?" Stu repeated.

Nick laughed. "Don't tell me you want to adopt Finnick?"

"Maybe later," Judy giggled. "I don't think our first child should come with his own driver's license."

"Who is Finnick?" Stu asked.

"An old friend of mine," Nick answered. "Took care of me when I was, well, at my lowest. I'm pretty sure you don't want to know too much about that time. So, let's say he made sure I wouldn't fall into the same traps he did. Helped me stay as clean as you can on the streets."

"And he's an elephant?"

"No, not really. That's a long story. One of those I-don't-know-if-you-want-to-know stories."

"Aw, come on," Judy said. "Tell the story, that's how we met. Dad deserves to know. Looking back, it was even kind of sweet."

"Really?" Nick asked. "Shady business and all?"

"You know what?" Stu said. "I do want to know. If you expect me to accept you, I need to know you. With good and bad sides."

Nick nodded. "If you say so. Okay, to fill you in, Finnick is a fennec fox. They're much smaller than us red foxes and can be mistaken as a cub of ours. You know, by those who think all foxes look the same. So, we had this little scheme, where Finnick would act as my son, dressed in a elephant costume for larger toddlers. Then we'd go into an ice-cream parlor for elephants, because my son loves all things elephant and wants one of them giant popsicles."

"I'm not sure what concerns me more," Stu commented. "That this worked or that it's necessary just to get a popsicle."

"If it's supposed to be elephant sized, it is. Most non-predator shop-owners don't like foxes around. Even predators can get cautious around us when money is involved."

"And Finnick is surprisingly convincing as a cub," Judy added.

Nick laughed. "Yeah, I've always thought he enjoyed his part a bit too much. Too each his own, I guess."

"Why did you need that popsicle in the first place?" Stu wanted to know.

"To melt it down," Nick answered. "And make it into lots of small popsicles, which we then sold with remarkable profit."

"And how did that get you to meet my daughter?"

"She simply happened to be at Jumbeaux's when we tried our stunt."

"Because I saw you sneaking around the front," Judy added. "I thought you looked suspicious."

"Didn't stop you from blackmailing that grump for us," Nick said. "And paying for the popsicle."

"That wasn't blackmailing," Judy insisted. "I went easy on him for showing some decency."

"Why did you have to at all?" Stu asked. "Did the elephant see through your scheme?"

"No," Judy answered. "He was just heartless. Who would deny a child a popsicle?"

"Well, if the child is a fox..." Nick said.

A silence fell between them. For the moment, Nick didn't feel like getting deeper into this topic. The others seemed to see it the same way. He simply enjoyed the sooth feeling of Judy's paw petting his arm.

Finally, after finishing his beer, Stu said, "Say, what is your mother doing these days? Was she able to handle that debt?"

"Oh, yes," Nick replied. "Most of that with my help."

"So that's where all your profits went?" Judy asked.

"Of course. She's finally able to just provide for herself. No need anymore to care for a child, support a no-good husband, or pay off loans that weren't even hers."

"Wait." Judy turned her head to look up into his eyes. "You're dad piled up loans for over a million dollars?"

"Well, no," Nick admitted. "It was still insane what he managed to collect. Yet the rest of my earnings ensured my mom will have a peaceful retirement. Once she can get herself to stop working, that is."

"She's so much into her job?" Stu asked.

"Both of them, yeah. She has two part-time jobs. One at Bug Burgas and one as a cleaner at some small company in her neighborhood. I told her she doesn't need to do that anymore, but she says she enjoys having those mammals around and that she's too used to it by now."

"You know what?" Judy said. "Next chance we get, we should visit her."

Nick grinned. "You want to try all this in reverse, carrots?"

"Do you think she would-"

"No, absolutely not," Nick laughed. "Just wanted to see your face. I'm sure she'd love you."

"Or, maybe..." Stu said, visibly struggling to get these words out. "Maybe you could all visit us. You know, bringing your mother along?"

Judy beamed at him. "Are you serious, dad?"

Stu closed his eyes amd sighed. "Yes, I am serious. And I need to apologize, to both of you. But especially you, um, Nick. I am sorry for the way I treated you. I never gave you a fair chance. Can you forgive a dad too worried for his daughter?"

"I already have, Mr. Hopps."

The farmer held up a paw. "Please, call me Stu."

Nick smiled. "Gladly."

Stu tried to return the smile, but he was foiled by a yawn breaking its way. "Okay, I guess this it for me. Just one more thing, Nick. Why haven't you touched your beer yet?"

"To be honest, because I'm not that fond of alcohol. My mind is my most precious tool. No sense in wearing it off before its time."

The farmer raised an eyebrow. "Then, why did you accept it in the first place?"

Nick shrugged. "I didn't want to be impolite."

Stu shook his head, bearing a disbelieving grin. Then he got up. "All right, time to hit the hay. Lots of work tomorrow."

On his way outside, he stopped next to Nick and Judy. Looking down at them, entangled like two vines grown in harmony, he couldn't help but to smile.

He patted Nick on the shoulder and said:

"Welcome to the family, son."


A/N:

I really made it. This story is done. It took quite a while, with first ideas forming literally the moment the day Zootopia premiered in Germany (one day before the US premiere, actually, in case you're wondering). After a few months, in June last year, I started taking notes. In August, I started the actual writing by writing this finale first, "Looks like I'm not the only one who can't sleep. Hope you don't mind I helped myself to a glass of water, Mr. Hopps?" being the very first complete sentences done. I finished my first draft about two weeks ago. Developing this was so much fun, and it grew so much more than I had expected. Yet even greater was the resonance I got, with all your wonderful and encouraging comments. But regardless of whether you gave me personal feedback or were just a silent reader, let me thank all of you for acompanying me through this story.

And, no, this i not a farewell message ^^. I am not done here, Nick's and Judy's visit to the Bunny Burrow is not yet over, and there are still quite a few stories I want to tell. It might take a while, I can't predict in any way when I'll release something again. Still, rest assured, I'm not even able to stop thinking up more stories about this amazing world we've been given.

So, in that sense, for one last time, please leave me all the feedback you can muster for Stranger at Home :).