Author Notes: I hope you all enjoy this next chapter. Please let me know your thoughts and reviews on the story as it unfolds. As always, thank you to those of you following this story. Please keep your comments coming, I really do enjoy reading all of them.

CHAPTER 14

As the wedding day between Judy and Nick continued to advance ever closer, little had changed within Casterly Manor. Judy, as she went about her normal routine with young Sophie, could not help but overhear every so often some of the servant staff. Many of them still found it odd to believe Mr. Wilde had chosen Judy as his future wife. Judy, when hearing this as she passed by, simply laughed as she continued on her way throughout the house.

Judy was simply invigorated as she observed Mrs. Otterton during the final week leading up to the wedding. Judy watched many a night Mrs. Otterton almost skipping during these last few days as she hummed along the passageways.

"Judy…Miss." Tabitha called out softly to Judy one afternoon as she was ascended the staircase. "A letter came for you in the afternoon post."

Judy, stopping just shy of the upper landing, turned around as she watched Tabitha approach her along the stairs. "Thank you Tabitha." Judy said taking the letter. As she watched Tabitha turn to head back to the main floor, Judy suddenly smiled as a thought came to her head. "So how is your timber wolf today?" Judy asked in a playful tone.

"W…What?" Tabitha said, her voice cracking slightly and quickly. Tabitha's cheeks began to puff out slightly as they became red.

"Tabitha, you know what I mean." Judy laughed, smiling down at Tabitha. "I saw you and Ben this morning in the garden together. You both looked so happy I did not want to interrupt."

"We are, Judy, very much, but we are still being very cautious. We do not want others in the household to know just yet." Tabitha replied as she glanced down along the stairs banister, scanning for anyone.

"Ok Tabitha, thank you again for the letter." Judy said, starting once more to move up to the second floor as she began to open the letter and read, still smiling.

My dearest niece,

Since your last letter, describing the events and words spoken to you while you were here in the capital, I was very disheartened by the actions of the young Miss Stevens. Simmons, my valet, I am sorry to say witnessed my response to the event quite vocally, which made me feel ungentlemanly afterwards. Granted, his own words to the matter I can say should also never be repeated.

I immediately set out to the Stevens residence at once to address the words. As disgusting they were to you I shall not repeat ever to Miss Stevens' father directly. I will not describe to you the words I used during that meeting describing his daughter actions. But I will say, after that meeting, any hope of Miss Stevens having any social life here in the capital will certainly be limited.

The Honorable Mr. Stevens has asked me to pass on to you his most humble apologies for his daughter's actions and disgrace on our family's good name. He is a good and honorable man that I have known for these long years, so I cannot hate him fully by the actions of one stupid daughter.

All I can say, child, is that your father and mother, rest their souls, were the kindness, most loving, mammals in the world, as I have told you before. Do not feel troubled by any of the words spoken about them. Your uncle, Mr. Footerton, held your father in the highest regards. His absolute love for his sister and having already a family of his own, made him the most suitable in taking you after your parent's deaths. I am truly sorry once more. If I had only been braver those years past to care for such a small and delicate child, I feel you would never have had to go through life as you had.

But think no more of this. I want you to be happy child on your approaching day, and I hope to be there with you to usher you into this new wonderful part of life. I wish you nothing but happiness.

Your loving uncle,

Charles Hopps

Three days before the wedding Judy, already feeling ever increasing nerves, never would have believed she would feel both a wave of delight and panic erupt in a single afternoon.

"Miss Hopps! Miss Hopps!" Mrs. Otterton loudly called out along the corridor leading toward the library.

Judy, rising quickly from the table in the library where she was helping Sophie with her mathematics lesson, watched shockingly as the library door was suddenly flung open.

"Mrs. Otterton, what is the matter?" Judy asked, she eyes gazing across the room at the elderly otter.

"It's here, Miss Hopps. I have told Tabitha to take it up quickly to your room." Mrs. Otterton replied back, smiling broadly. "I am sorry, but I just had to look. Forgive me, it looks breathtaking, my dear."

Judy, smiling back, rushed toward the elderly otter, embracing her quickly, before turning and rushing through the doorway of the library, leaving Sophie still sitting at the table, bewildered.

"What is here?" Sophie asked Mrs. Otterton, confused. "What's happened?

"The dress…Sophie…Miss Hopps' wedding dress. It just arrived from the seamstress in Zootopia." Mrs. Otterton said turning back into the corridor.

Judy, standing alongside her bed, her paws shaking slightly, continued to gaze longingly at the white box perched on top of her mattress. Tabitha, Mrs. Otterton and Sophie all watched eagerly, their smiles glowing with anticipation. Judy, finally mustering up the courage, slowly began opening the large box. Gazing down into the contents, Judy let out a deep breath as she raised a bright ivory white dress up and against her body.

"Put in on! Please Miss Hopps, please." Sophie asked, her eyes glowing as she began to jump up and down as she watched Judy walk over to the full length mirror.

"Yes, my dear, let us see how wonderful you look in it." Mrs. Otterton said as she too watched Judy examining herself in the mirror, her paws clutching the sides of her face.

"Alright, alright." Judy replied back to both of them, smiling back at them. "Tabitha, will you help me?" Judy asked turning to the rabbit who was also smiling back.

"It would be my honor miss." Tabitha replied.

Hidden behind a changing screen, Judy, her heart beating faster and faster, stood perfectly still as Tabitha carefully tightened the last of the silk straps which went up the back of the dress like a corset. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, Judy felt the dress tightly around her midsection expand just the tinniest bit.

"Ok, I am ready." Judy called out from behind the screen.

As Judy walked out from behind the screen, Mrs. Otterton's and Sophie's face immediately lit up as they watched her do a quick swish of her dress. Judy, walking back over to the full length mirror near her vanity, stood in amazement as she began to examine herself. The ivory color of the charmeuse and tulle fabric simply helped magnify the A-line style princess dress against her gray fur. Judy, raising a shaking paw to her chest, slowly and lightly began to brush the dress's upper lace scoop neckline, moving it up and along the low cut shoulder lace sleeves. Turning around, again brushing her paw along the soft charmeuse and tulle material, she examined the sweeping train and silk straps that traveled up along her back. Taking another deep breath, Judy slowly turned to Mrs. Otterton.

"Well…Mrs. Otterton…will I do?" Judy asked almost to the point of tears.

"Oh my dear, you looked so lovely. I am so happy for you." Mrs. Otterton said as she starting to cry.

Knock…Knock.

"Judy, are you ready? We need to leave now if you still wish to call on the Featherings and be back before dinner." Nick suddenly spoke from behind the bedroom door. "I am coming in."

Everyone in room watched as if in slow motion, their eyes all showing signs of utter shock. The door knob to the bedroom turned fully and the door began to open just slightly.

"Mr. Wilde! Stop! You cannot come in!" Mrs. Otterton cried out, rushing to the bedroom door, slamming it shut and locking it.

"Mrs. Otterton? Nick yelled back through the door in a worried voice. "What is going on? Is Miss Hopps in there with you?" Nick called back out, holding his ear to the door, listening.

"She is sir. But you cannot see her right now. She is wearing her dress, it arrived this afternoon." Nick heard Tabitha's voice echo through the heavy wooden door. "Very well, I will go find Leodore and he can drive us there." Nick replied through the door.

As Nick's footsteps slowly began to fade, inside the bedroom hysterical laughter suddenly erupted. Sophie, rushing toward Judy, gently began to embrace her followed by Mrs. Otterton and Tabitha.

"Well, Miss Hopps, that was indeed a close call." Mrs. Otterton said, wiping tears from her eyes. "Tabitha, help Miss Hopps out of her dress, then take it down to my room for safe keeping. Come along Sophie."

As the late darkness covered the manor house, moon rays began to flicker through the manor's windows as a chilly wind began whispering through the trees along the grounds. Along a solitary passageway a shadowy figure, hooded in a dark cloak, suddenly stopped as it crossed into a lonely corridor. Cackling loudly, the figure running along the deserted hallway stopping suddenly, for no particular reason. Staring at a solitary door along the main residence corridor, the figure simply stood, examining it. Slowly, walking up to it, a long very thin paw began to extend itself. The paw, matted in what seemed to be greyish fur, through the moon's lighted glow, gently began to turn the knob on the door. Breathing heavily, still cloaked, the figure slowly press onto the door as the latch slowly disengaged, opening into the room within.

Pacing itself slowly about dark room within, the figure stopped as it neared a large four poster bed near the middle of the room. Breathing shallow and rasping, it stood motionless as it gazed upon the small gray bunny, watching as she slept quietly. Turning toward the small table close by, the figure noticed through the light of the moon through the solitary window, Judy's wedding veil sitting on top of her empty dress box.

Standing next to the open drapes, the moonlight illuminating its outline, the figure, removing the cloak hood from its head, placed the veil on top of itself. Moving about the room in small stomping steps, the figure began to mumble lightly as incoherent words began to erupt from it. Stirring suddenly, woken by the low voice and sounds from the unknown visitor in her room, Judy, fear quickly overtaking her, remained perfectly still as she continued to listen.

"Who is there?" Judy, her voice shaking, called out to the room.

As Judy listened, her eyes catching sight of something, she turned slowly toward the direction of the room's window.

Two heavily matted paws were holding to the lower half of Judy's veil, as the figure continued to move about, still wearing it, when suddenly the sound of ripping began to erupt.

Gasping, Judy quickly turned her eyes away, as she lay on the bed, unable to move.

"No…No." The gasping voice said over and over as it ripped the veil more. Quickly turning its gaze back toward Judy laying on the bed, the figure began to emanate a low growl as it moved closer to Judy's bedside. Grabbing hold of the torn veil and throwing it to the floor the figure turned suddenly, rushing for the open door, the sound of its echoed cackle fading as it moved along the vacant corridor.

"Judy, come now, you must have been dreaming." Nick said early the next morning, as both stood in his office. "Tell me now, what do you think of this color?" Nick asked putting on a simple green vest over his white dress shirt. "I have been told green was always a good color for me, on account of my eyes." Nick said smiling back at Judy.

"Yes, it's very nice." Judy replied back, still worried. "Nicholas, please, the veil was ripped nearly in half. See for yourself. I will go and bring it to you right now. We have to do something. With the likes of Anna running freely about at night, it is not safe." Judy looked deeply into Nick's eyes. "What about Sophie? What would you do if something happened, if she was hurt by her?"

Nick, taking a deep breath, moved around to his desk, quickly shuffling through some papers. "I promised a time ago, and I have made a few inquiries. I simply cannot just throw her out on the streets, Judy. The only place I can truly send her is to the asylum." Nick said retuning to Judy's side. "How can I do that to her, a mammal who has served this family faithfully her entire life? Sentence her, in the last years of her life, to mayhem and destruction?"

Judy, her head held low, listening to Nick's words simply replied, "You can't." Looking once more up at Nick she implored, "Nicholas, please promise me, for Sophie's and our own sake, until a better option arises."

"Mrs. Otterton, who I have spoken to, will ensure that Sophie is well and safe while we are away. She has informed me Tabitha will sleep in the nursery next to her room." Nick replied as he continued to look at Judy.

"Miss Hopps!" Mrs. Otterton voice spoke, suddenly appearing at the office door. "This letter just arrived for you by express from the capital."

"Thank you." Judy said quickly taking the letter and opening it. As she quickly began to read the letter, her face fell suddenly as the words upon it cause her grab at her chest, as if she was in pain.

"Judy, what is it?" Nick said worryingly.

"My uncle has fallen ill." Judy said as she lowered herself slowly to the floor. "His doctor tells me he is unable to leave his bed at this moment." Turning her head up, she gazing up at Nick. "Please, Nicholas, may I ask, after the wedding tomorrow, we delay our trip two days, so I may go see him?

"Of course. I know how much your uncle means to you." Nick said reaching down as he helped Judy up. "Now, I ask two things from you. One, go write to your uncle's doctor and tell him we will be calling on your uncle the day after tomorrow. Two, I want you to be happy and enjoy today." Nick said kissing Judy on her soft nose. "Because tomorrow, I will be the happiest mammal on earth."

In the distance, church bells were tolling loudly across the lonely village, as a middle age weasel ran along a narrow road toward the sound of the bells, breathing heavily.

Standing before the church alter, the pastor, an elderly male badger, stood tall and firm as he faced Nick and Judy. "Dearly beloved, we have gathered here in sight of the creator, and those gathered before us, to witness the joining union of this predator…" The badger, laid one paw on Nick's head. "…and this prey…" The badger, laid his other paw on Judy's head. "…in a sacred matrimonial bond." The badger removed his paws and extended them out past his sides. "I charge you both, here and now, just as you must on the day of your own judgment, that if either of you have any reason why this union may not be lawfully joined together, I ask you to confess it now."

The weasel, still running tirelessly turned one last corner in the village, as he continued to his final destination.

"Nicholas Piberius Wilde…" The badger asked, turning toward Nick. "…will you take this…"

Suddenly, from the rear of the church, bursting through the doors, the male weasel came to a sudden stop. "STOP!" The weasel yelled out. "This marriage ceremony cannot go on any further. I declare here and now, there is a barrier preventing this union."

"Continue." Nick called back to the badger, his anger rising quickly.

"Mr. Wilde has a wife still living!" The weasel shout out among the stun faces within the church.

"Silence! This man does not know what he is saying. Continue sir!" Nick shouted back at the badger.

"Mr. Wilde, I am obliged by the laws of the creator to hear any and all accusations." The badger replied back.

"Sir, my name is Drake Weaselton, and I am the valet to a Mr. Gideon Gray." Drake called back. "I was sent here ahead of my employer to show that Mr. Nicholas Wilde here was in fact, over ten years ago, married to his sister, Martha Gray, at St. Maximus church meadowlands district." As Drake continued to walk diligently toward the alter, he began to remove a sheet of folded paper from the inside pocket of his coat. "I have here a signed copy of the register here with me."

"Nicholas!" A lonely voice echoed from the rear end of the church. Gideon Gray suddenly appeared through the open door, leaning on a dark thick cane for support and slowly entered. "Sir, I declare my sister is alive and at Casterly Manor. I was in her presence no less than ten months ago."