Nick and Judy scrambled to get out of the Deerlorean, limbs flailing.
Finnick laughed at the sight of them and lowered the bat. "Oh Nick man, I'm sorry!"
Judy bounced to her feet, ears red.
"Sorry Fuzz, didn't mean to ruin nothin'. We'll get outta yo fur," Finnick said with a chuckle.
He offered his paw to Nick, who took it reluctantly and stood.
"C'mon Viv. Ain't no thugs, so let's leave 'em be-" he looked up to Vivienne beside him.
Shit.
Her ears were back, tail puffed out with all fur standing on end.
"Nicholas," she began, her voice soft.
Nick sighed. "Ma, I knew if I asked, you'd say no and... I really wanted to bring Judy here."
Beeps and digitized chatter echoed around the arcade.
Vivienne's scowl deepened. "You tripped the silent alarm. I thought I was being robbed. You know these machines are irreplaceable!"
Nick ran a paw over a nearby pinball machine. "I know. I've had so many good memories here... but I don't want it to be a mausoleum."
Finnick exchanged a confused glance with Judy.
Vivienne looked up and met her son's gaze, folding her arms. "That isn't up to you. This place belongs to me. I can do with it as I please. Right now, I want you to leave."
Finnick put a gentle paw on her elbow. "Viv, it's no big deal-"
Vivienne rounded on him.
The look in her amber eyes chilled the blood in his veins. "You have no idea what I put myself through to hold onto this place. It's all I have left of John!"
Finnick's ears fell.
You had me, Viv... you still have me.
Nick put his paw on his mother's shoulder. "I'm sorry, okay? I just wanted to share the good times I had with Judy."
"A-and it was fun, thank you Viv- we'll go now," Judy said, giving her an apologetic smile.
I'm gonna wreck it! Wreck-it-Rhino called out from across the room.
"Forget it. Do what you want," Vivienne said, turning on her heel.
Nick's paw was left hanging in the air as the heavy door closed with a clank.
Finnick chuckled, but there was no humor in it.
John Wilde, you one hell of a ghost.
"Guess some shoes are jus' too big for me to fill, huh?"
Did I say that out loud?
Judging from the crestfallen expressions on Nick and Judy's faces, he must have.
"I'm gonna go. Ciao," Finnick mumbled.
He slammed the door closed behind him.
The lights flickered.
Judy shook herself out of her stupor.
"I'm sorry, Nick," she said, putting her paw on his forearm.
Nick quirked an eyebrow at her. "What have you got to be sorry about?"
"Your mom... I didn't mean to cause any trouble," she said, frowning.
Nick waved a paw, nonchalant. "She'll cool down, Carrots. Don't worry."
He coughed.
"You're still getting over the flu – maybe we should get you away from the dust, 'kay?" she suggested.
Nick sighed. "Sorry, our date..."
Judy put her paws on her hips. "Well, the day isn't over yet!"
He smiled at her.
"Ever the optimist, huh?"
Growl.
Nick chuckled. "Guess you're hungry?"
"...maybe a little," she muttered.
Nick reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. "Hey, it is lunch time. Zander recommended a place in Tundratown. It's supposed to be inter... I mean, 'us'
friendly," he muttered.
"Sounds good!" Judy said. "Although, should we be going there while you're recovering?"
Her smile was replaced with a look of concern.
"We'll be inside, it'll be fine!" He grinned, turning up the charm.
"Oh, alright. But if you get sick, it's on your tail!" Judy pointed at him.
Nick smiled. "We can get the train – it stops right outside Snow Castle Way," he said.
Judy bounded over to the door. "To the train station!"
He grinned at her and mimed pulling a train horn. "Toot-toot!"
Nick looked up at the sky.
Clear, blue and cloudless.
Nothing like the frigid breeze that made him shiver.
Buildings towered over them, their icy spires glimmering in the sunshine.
He stood in wonder at the sight of snow falling from the artificial geysers.
No matter how many times he visited Tundratown, it always left him awe-struck.
For mammal to have conquered nature itself...
He shook himself out of his reverie and zipped up the thick coat he had bought from the station.
"Aw Nick, we match!" Judy elbowed Nick in the ribs.
"I cut quite the dashing figure, do I not?" he did a strong-mammal pose.
Judy giggled.
They did have bunny sizes, but only the small buck size was left.
Her excess sleeves drooped.
"Ooh it has a hood!" she discovered, pulling it over her head.
She disappeared beneath it.
Nick smothered a snicker.
Cute.
"Whenever you're ready, Fluff," he teased.
They walked along the avenue, the snow crunching beneath their feet.
Judy took a deep breath through her nose. "It smells like Christmas!" she said, looking wide-eyed around them.
Nick nodded in agreement, taking in the towering fir and pine trees either side of them.
Other mammals passed them by, going about their day.
A polar bear carried a crate of fish past them to a waiting truck.
Judy covered her nose. "I don't know how you guys get past the smell!" she said.
Nick suppressed a sigh.
"We don't ALL like fish, Carrots. I'm not a fan of the smell myself, either," he said.
"Oh. Sorry," Judy looked up at him.
Nick nodded, accepting her apology.
Judy breathed on her paws. "I should have bought the mittens," she grumbled.
Nick grinned.
Opportunity!
He was left-pawed, she was right-pawed.
A perfect fit.
He walked to her right and casually brushed his paw against hers.
She was too busy marveling at the snowflakes drifting around them.
Sticking out her tongue, she caught one.
Ow. The cuteness. It's painful.
They walked a bit further.
Nick bumped his arm by hers, a little harder this time.
Hold my damn paw already, rabbit!
"Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!" Judy moved aside to give him more space.
Nick sighed and brought his paw to his forehead.
What, do I need handcuffs for you to get the message?!
"Your paws still cold?" he asked.
"Nope! Got 'em in my pockets, now!" Judy replied with a cheerful grin.
...dumb bunny.
"Is this it, Nick?" Judy pointed a large castle-style building, 'Enchanted Lodge'.
He craned his neck, trying to see the top of the building.
It was enormous and framed by ice and snow.
"Yeah, this is it," he said, checking the card before slipping it back into his jacket pocket. "It certainly looks enchanted. Maybe you'll get pulled out of a hat?"
Judy smothered a giggle with her paw. "Or maybe you'll kiss a toad princess!"
Nick wiggled his eyebrows. "She should be so lucky!"
Judy shifted from foot to foot. "This looks... expensive."
"Well, it's not just a restaurant, I guess," Nick said. "Come on, let's get some grub."
She walked with him to the entrance, making a face. "You eat grubs?"
"And small baby mammals. You cool with that?" he deadpanned.
Judy chuckled. "But grubs, I mean, blech!"
"Don't knock it 'till you try it!" Nick huffed, pushing open the icy front door.
It was cool, but not as cold inside.
Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, icy beads glittering in the light.
This was a lot fancier than he had expected.
And larger – it must have at least thirty floors!
He couldn't even see the end of the long corridor.
It was more like a mini-mall than a lodge. Cozy boutiques were ensconced along the strip mall.
Soft music whispered through his ears.
They wiped the snow off their feet on the mat.
His mouth watered from the rich aroma of spices wafting from the restaurant.
He and Judy noticed at the same time:
The floor was made of ice.
They both took tentative steps forward, expecting it to be slippery.
A bull elk in a black suit came to greet them.
"I take it this is your first visit?" he said with a warm smile.
"Yeah, it is," Nick said.
"You needn't worry about slipping. This is treated ice, so walk as you normally would. So, what brings you here today?"
"We heard you had a good restaurant?" Nick asked.
The elk nodded. "We have a few, but I think the one you may enjoy the most is Steady Stream," he paused, looking them up and down.
"But I'm afraid the dress code is semi-formal..."
Judy's ears fell. "Oh, that's a shame."
"Well, we have some fashion boutiques that would meet your needs," the elk said.
"Convenient," Nick said with a lopsided smile.
Good hustle. Wish I'd thought of that!
Nick nudged Judy. "Hey droopy, feel like some shopping?"
She wilted. "I don't have a lot to spend-"
"I do, remember?" he smiled. "Let me treat you, huh?"
"In that case," the elk handed them a pamphlet.
Massages?
Beauty treatments?
Makeup?
He rolled his eyes and was about to hand the pamphlet back.
Aaand there goes her tail.
"Would you happen to be interested, Judy?" he asked, doing his best to keep his voice even and keep from laughing.
Judy's eyes sparkled.
"If it's okay? Ooh, a massage would be fantastic!" She balled her fists, excited.
Nick nodded. "We'll do that, then."
The elk walked them over to the opulent front desk. "It would be more economical for you to do a package deal. Would you consider staying the night?"
Judy piped up. "Sounds good! Oh," she looked at Nick, uncertain.
"...but only if that's okay with you?" she said, fiddling with the zipper on her jacket.
Nick's throat went dry.
Stay?
Night?
Nick's brain isn't here right now...
He swallowed. "Don't you have work tomorrow, Carrots?"
Judy nodded. "Yeah, but it's the night shift."
Pull it together! How is this any different from sleeping in the next room back home?
"S-sure, we'll take the package deal," he managed.
Nick sat on the king-sized bed in their hotel room, fidgeting with his cufflinks.
He looked around.
The fireplace crackled cheerfully to itself in the center of the room.
Of course, the only heated suite available for mammals their size was the luxury suite.
That elk is a good hustler.
Still...
He walked out to the frosted glass atrium.
A jacuzzi?
Is this how some people actually live?
He pulled at his over-starched collar.
The bathroom was luxurious too – all marble with a waterfall rain shower as the main feature.
That's where Judy was, getting ready.
Making him wait, again.
He sighed and lay back on the bed, smiling.
Worth it.
"Nick?"
He sprang to his feet. "Yeah?"
"R-ready for dinner?" she asked.
She sounds nervous.
Lighten the mood!
"Am I ever! Especially since this was supposed to be lunch. Boy, those massages and beauty things sure do take a whil-"
His jaw fell open as she walked out of the bathroom.
She wore a silky cheongsam dress that matched the vivid hue of her eyes.
It hugged her figure at the waist and split at the leg, without being too revealing.
White and pink flower embroidery danced along her collar.
Her fur shone like burnished silver.
She smoothed out a non-existent wrinkle in her dress with nervous fingers. "I look silly, don't I?"
Hey.
Nick.
Yeah, you.
The one standing there like a moron.
He swallowed.
"Judy, you're breathtaking," he whispered.
She blushed.
"You look pretty slick yourself!" she said, walking over to him.
Nick cringed. He had just picked the first suit off the rack, with an emerald green vest over a white shirt.
"Compared to you, I look like a leprechaun!" he blurted.
Smooth.
Judy chuckled. "You do not!"
"Well, I certainly got the luck part, getting to take you out to dinner!" Nick said with a soft smile, offering Judy his arm. "Shall we?"
As they walked to their seats, all eyes were on them. Judy flinched, thinking to the unkind whispers from earlier that day.
Need to fight against the tide!
She needn't have worried. All they received were warm smiles from the other interspecies couples in the restaurant.
A hippo and a cheetah...
A giraffe and a boar...
A quokka and...
Judy peered closer.
...a mouse!
The mouse caught her gaze and beamed, adjusting his tie with pride as he turned back to face his date. The quokka smiled and put a little of his own meal on a claw,
offering it to the mouse to taste.
Judy smiled.
Hopefully one day, no one will bat an eyelid... including me.
A squirrel guided them to a table by the window, where they could watch the snow flurries.
She caught Nick staring at her and blushed.
The massage had been blissful, it was like all the stress melted away.
The beauty treatments had also been fun, but she was glad she didn't have to do it all the time.
Too high maintenance for a police officer, after all.
Nick's phone vibrated and he took it out to turn it off.
It gave her the opportunity to stare at him.
Whatever treatment they used on her fur must have been used on his.
His fur shone with glints of bronze and flecks of gold here and there.
Seeing him out of his usual outfit was a new experience.
He looks so handsome.
"Penny for your thoughts, Carrots?" Nick said with a knowing grin, catching her gaze.
She laughed and held out her wrists. "You got me, rookie! Cuff me!"
He laughed with her.
She looked at the array of silverware beside her plate.
"I don't know how to use most of these," she leaned over and whispered to Nick.
"You think I do? We'll wing it," Nick said, taking a bread roll from the basket.
Their orders didn't take long to arrive.
A pasta and zucchini dish for her, a beetle lasagna for him.
Judy couldn't help but wrinkle her nose. "I'm sure it tastes good, but it doesn't look appealing!"
She offered him a forkful of her meal, "-wanna taste of me?"
Nick dropped his fork on the table.
"Mine! My meal, I mean!" Judy said, flustered.
Nick dabbed his napkin over the lasagna stain on the white tablecloth.
"I know," he mumbled, picking up his fork.
Judy held out her fork again, not meeting his eyes.
After a moment her fork got lighter.
"Mm, pretty good!" Nick said. "Sure you don't want a taste of this?" he gestured to his lasagna.
Judy wrinkled her nose. "No thank you," she said.
"You could have ordered wine, you know," Nick said as he sipped his.
Judy shrugged. "Didn't feel like it. Besides, this juice-" she gestured with her glass, "-tastes like liquid sunshine!"
She met his gaze. "Seriously, you've spent enough money on me already!"
Nick shrugged. "If it makes you happy, Judy, then it's worth every penny."
"Being with you makes me happy," she said, taking a bite of her pasta. "Mm, yum."
She tilted her head to the side. "You know I don't expect any of this, right?" she said.
"My wallet expresses its sincere gratitude," he said with a chuckle. He cut himself another slice of lasagna.
She leaned on her palm.
His eyes are such a dark green.
Nick looked up and smirked. "I believe this is your second offence, officer."
"Oh shush!" she said, the blush heating her ears once more.
The smirk disappeared and he smiled.
A real, genuine smile.
Like under the bridge when I apologized.
Judy drew circles in the condensation on her glass. "Thank you for all of this, Nick. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before."
Nick shrugged. "It's the least I can do for the gal that changed my life," he said.
His voice was so soft that he probably thought she didn't hear it.
But she did, and it made her smile wider than ever.
Her ears also picked up a change of music:
Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Nick looked around, then got to his feet.
"Are you finished?"
Judy nodded, disappointed that the evening was already over.
Nick shook his head and moved to the clear space by the window.
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
He held his paw out to her. "I love this song."
Judy looked around, self-conscious. "I can't dance! Besides, I don't think this is the kind of place to do that."
"I don't care," Nick beckoned with his extended paw.
He lip-synced:
In other words, hold my hand
She rolled her eyes but took it.
In other words, darling, kiss me
At this, he planted a light kiss on the top of her head.
Her skin tingled where his lips had been.
He lay his other paw on her shoulder, her waist being too low.
She put her other paw up on his waist. "Heh, there's a bit of a height difference," she chuckled.
"Yup. I did not think this through," Nick replied, a sheepish grin on his lips.
Judy returned the smile, letting him take the lead. He gently swayed them to the beat.
Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
The snowflakes joined their impromptu dance, swirling in gentle circles outside the window.
"Ahem," came a voice behind them.
They jumped, ripped from the cozy world of just the two of them.
"I'm terribly sorry," said the squirrel waitress, "-but we have a rather long wait for a free table. If you've finished your meal..."
She gestured to the line of mammals snaking outside the restaurant door.
"Oh, sure, of course!" Judy squeaked, breaking away from Nick.
Nick picked up his coat from the back of the chair and went to pay for the meal.
Once they had made it back to their room, Nick sighed, loosening his tie.
It had been going so well... I wanted to keep dancing with her.
"That's a shame, we didn't even get dessert!" he said.
Judy walked over to the dining table and picked up a menu. "They have room service!" she said in a sing-song voice.
Nick peered over her shoulder. "Ooh, chocolate-coated strawberries! Officer, make the call!"
Judy smiled and gave him a mock salute. "Right away, chief!"
"Oof. I ate too much," Nick groaned from the couch.
"Dinner really filled me up, I don't know how you had room!" Judy agreed.
"I need to burn it off," Nick got up and held his hand out to Judy. "Besides, don't we have a dance to finish?"
Judy couldn't hide her delight. "Okay!"
"Wait. Go and stand on the bed," Nick said.
Huh?
Judy raised an eyebrow but still climbed up onto the bed and stood.
Nick gazed right into her eyes as he walked towards her.
It was like a game of chicken – who would look away first?
Not Nick, this time.
Nick slid his paw around her torso, making her gasp a little.
"See? We're the right height now. Perfect," he said with a soft smile.
Judy put one paw on his shoulder and the other into his own paw.
"Perfect," she whispered back, "-but no music..."
Nick sighed, his breath tickling her ear. "Then you leave me no choice."
He started singing to her, his voice soft but deep:
"Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more"
Judy's eyes widened, he actually had a decent voice.
The song from the restaurant!
He brought her paw from his shoulder and placed it on his chest.
It was warm. The vibrations from his voice harmonized to the beat of his heart.
"You are all I long for
All I worship and adore"
She rested her head on his shoulder, resisting the urge to nuzzle him.
Nick stroked her cheek, making her breath hitch.
"In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you..."
Her heart pounded.
He pulled her close to him and grazed his cheek against hers, making her shiver.
"Judy, this is all new to me," he whispered. "I think... I'm falling for you. If you don't feel the same way then just... just pretend I didn't say it, okay?"
Judy felt like her heart was going to burst.
His breathing quickened as she leaned closer. "...I think I'm falling for you too, Nicholas."
They were holding each other so tightly that she could feel the tension in his muscles relax from her words.
Judy leaned forward to press her lips to his.
He tastes like strawberries.
A/N: The song 'Fly Me to the Moon' was written by Bart Howard. I listened to a few covers while writing this but I've yet to find one that tops Frank Sinatra's 1964
version!
Sorry for the late update! It's flu season where I hang my hat and boy, did I catch a doozy! My lungs suck anyway so *shrugs* what can you do?
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to review/PM/contact me on Tumblr (under the same name) to let me know what you thought or if you have any
questions. :)
Chapter 22 should be ready to be posted by the 25th of September. Thank you so much for reading, you guys are awesome! ^^