Chapter One: The Ride To Bunnyburrow

The Story so Far (If you've read the last two stories, you can skip past)

In "Guess Who's Coming for Christmas?"

Last Christmas, (2018) Nick had Judy spend the holidays with his mother. This year it was Judy's turn and Nick had to spend the holiday weekend at the Hopp's farm in Bunnyburrow. There was much tension and fear as it was the first time a predator was even allowed to set foot inside the Hopp's large home. Stu's elderly father, Max was especially against it. He convinced the grandsons to take Nick to a local bar owned by Stu's brother, Stan where they drugged Nick and beat him up. Judy's brother Steven, who had been very suspicious of Nick the entire visit and was spying on him, had a change of heart and stood against his own brothers to protect Nick. Together, they beat back the other brothers.

Stu berated his kids and the one son who drugged Nick was kicked out of the home and almost disowned. During this time, Nick had started to grow fond of a six-year-old orphan bunny named "Greedy" Greg. A bit of an opportunist, but with a heart of gold, Greg was a frequent visitor of the Hopp's farms as he was the boyfriend of Judy's niece, Cotton. Greg's personality matched Nick's very closely and the two bonded. Greg also has a raggedy, old plush bunny called "Mr. Jingles" that he's very attached to as it was a present from his birth mother when she dropped him off at the orphanage as a baby and it's his only connection to her.

Nick also met Gideon Grey. The fat fox who was Judy's old bully but now a business partner of the family and the boyfriend of Judy's sister, Julie Hopps. Julie was shocked to find out that she was pregnant with Gideon's kits. This was the first fox/bunny couple to successfully breed. Something once thought impossible. Eventually, Stu forced them into a shotgun wedding and the two are now married.

On Christmas eve, both Nick and Judy were secretly planning to get engaged to the other at the stroke of midnight. Judy topped it by secretly adopting Greg without Nick knowing (but getting his approval to make a very big decision on her own first). However, Stu (who was still a bit fearful of Nick) refused to give his consent and it caused a rift in the family. That night, both Stu and his father, Max had a shared dream where they met the spirit of Stu's long-departed mother, Jean Hopps. She taught them both an important lesson on hatred and prejudice. Near the end of the dream, Jean talked about a fox girl named Penny who Judy barely met at the orphanage. She talked about the trauma the three-year-old toddler went through when she saw her parents die in a car wreck. How Penny was traumatized and shied away from other children.

The next day, Stu and Max had completely changed. Stu begged for forgiveness and gave Nick and Judy his blessing. Max told Judy about Penny in great detail. Judy was shocked because she barely met the child. Max then went into specific details that Judy had never told anyone making Judy a lot more religious than she once was.

Engaged and with a son, Nick and Judy took Max and Stu's advice and went to adopt Penny. However, they were turned down by the nun Stacy. Stacy originally let Judy adopt Greg because she was a massive fan of Judy's (along with having a massive, lesbian crush on her) and knew she'd be a fit mother. But with Penny being a traumatized child with severe social issues, she couldn't let a single mother adopt her. The only way Nick and Judy could adopt Penny was if they got married. So on Christmas day, Nick and Judy were wed and left Bunnyburrow with their new children, Greg and Penny. Penny was very distant at first but did form an attachment to Nick. She didn't care for Judy and often called her "Stinky-butt".

On the train ride home, Nick found out that his own mother was engaged too. He became furious when he found out his future father-in-law would be none other than his former partner-in-crime, Finnick.

In "Baby Grandpa"

The Wilde family came to Nick's mother's home where Nick found out about Finnick getting engaged to his mother, Vivian. Nick was furious and the two had a big fight. Nick noted that if his mother marries Finnick, then his father's pension will cease and she will receive no more money. Plus Finnick has moved to honest work as a portrait artist (I based this off his "Disney Heroes" mobile game profile) which doesn't pay near enough.

In the meantime, the two children bonded well with Nick's mother Vivian, while Greg and Finnick formed a special bond when it was revealed that they were both runts. Judy was still emotionally hurt that Penny still kept her distance from her while slowly bonding with other members of the family.

Finnick was arrested by Nick when the fox found out that a local vendor who took Finnick's normal spot was attacked, but it was actually a member of Mr. Big's mafia whose power was starting to grow after a rival mafia boss died. Since Nick knew Finnick was innocent, he needed to find a way to make sure he wasn't targeted in the witness lineup. He told Finnick to glare at the center of the two-way mirror and he placed the witness right in the middle on the other side. Even though Finnick couldn't see the witness, he gave him a death glare that made him back down. Bogo found out about it and promptly fired Nick for witness intimidation. Nick decided to wander around the city to clear his head.

Before he found out about Nick's firing, Finnick headed home and started to try to make money by doing his own fitness video for small mammals on Ewetube. During this time, he was left alone with Penny who was starting to cry and have a tantrum. Finnick ignored his video to console Penny, but nothing was working. He finally got the idea of getting in his old baby elephant costume and cheering her up. It worked very well. He confided in her that he cries sometimes too and it's okay to cry. It's okay to grieve. What Finnick forgot was that the camera was still running. His stream went viral and Judy saw it. She got choked up and sent it to Nick.

In the meantime, Nick was deep in thought. Mainly about what he was going to do next. He didn't blame Finnick for him being fired. He blamed himself. He was starting to realize that Finnick was working hard to support his mom and that Finnick was the one who helped take care of him when his father was gone. In his moment of clarity, he was starting to forgive Finnick. What nailed it was when Judy sent him the video and he watched Finnick in his baby elephant costume be so loving to his new daughter. He realized that Finnick was his new dad. Finnick was family.

While Nick and Finnick were bonding, Vivian and Judy took the kids shopping at Targoat. Judy realized that Greg was too old and smart for preschool anymore and enrolled him for the second semester of kindergarten so he needed school supplies and clothes. During this trip, Penny had a fit because she wanted an expensive toy that Judy couldn't afford. When they left the toy aisle and looked at clothes, Penny sneaked away to try and nab the toy. She was met by a creepy coyote who offered to help her at first but then tried to take her out of the store with him. She screamed and that made Judy, Greg and Vivian go track her down. Greg got to the coyote first and attacked, but the coyote smacked him down and threatened him. This gave Judy just enough time to go on the attack and beat the tar out of the coyote. While Greg was a bit traumatized by the experience, Penny surprisingly, was not. When Judy started slamming and swinging the coyote by the tail, she saw just how strong this tiny rabbit was as she was like a superhero to her. She finally started calling Judy "mommy" much to the delight of the bunny mom.

Nick and Judy along with the kids and grandparents have grown into a full family. Nick and Judy moved out of their old apartment and into Vivian Wilde's home full time. Greg is still nervous and about school and having nightmares about the coyote, but otherwise, all is fine.

That is until Judy got a call that her sister was in Emergency due to a pregnancy complication. Nick and her rushed out to the train station to get to Bunny burrow as fast as possible. Greg was furious as he's really nervous about his first day at school and Judy broke her promise to be there for him on his first day. To make matters worse, Nick's mother Vivian found out she's pregnant at the age of 52 (equivalent to a 42 year-old human being pregnant in our world),

12 noon. January 2nd At Gideon's Bakery

Gideon and Julie were busy with the rush hour in Gideon's bakery. Gideon was in the back baking more pies while Julie was serving the guests. The normally chubby bunny had a bigger belly than before now that she was carrying Gideon's kits. Sadly, complications were about to happen. She was starting to sweat as she reached the table. A sheep couple was chatting away. "I tell you, honey, these are the best pies you'll ever have!"

As Julie got to the table, she was sweating and starting to feel faint. "H-Here you go. One a-a-apple and… and…"

She passed out and fell on the floor. The last pie fell to the floor with the plate. Everyone in the diner could hear the sound of the plates and forks hitting the floor. Gideon ran out from the back to see his wife lying unconscious. "Good gracious! Somebody call 911!"

As one patron got on his phone to call 911, the sheep took his pie off the floor and set it on the table. "Five-second rule!"

His wife was appalled. "Harold!"

"That's just how good these pies are!"

1:35pm on the bullet train from Foxden to Bunnyburrow

Judy and Nick were sitting side by side. There was a look of worry stretched across Judy's face. Nick did his best to console her by holding her paw. "She'll be fine, Carrots. You Hopps are the strongest bunnies I know. I mean… your family are also the only bunnies I know, but still…"

Judy just stared out the window. "You know Stacy. She's outside of my family."

"That's true."

"SIGH! Poor Julie. She's been in Emergency for an hour now and I'm still not there for her. I feel so helpless!"

"We're doing what we can, Fluff. We'll be down there soon."

"I'm no good to anyone. Either I stay home and disappoint mom and Julie or I go see Julie in the hospital and break my promise to Greg! Only it's taking so long, she may be home by the time we get there. Greg was right. She has hundreds of sisters, why me?"

"Well, for one, you're the favorite."

"Not... THAT much."

"She's very close to you and we are the only other fox/bunny couple in the family. We're not just there for Julie. They want me over to help comfort Gideon. He doesn't have any other fox friends."

"Yeah…. I just got Penny on my side and now Greg hates me."

"He doesn't 'hate' you, he's just mad at you. He'll get over it. Boys always do. Girls… well, you know."

"Know what?"

"You never fully forgive. Women hold on to everything."

"That's not true!"

"Sure it is! Two guys can come to blows one day and just pretend it didn't happen the next but women… you can be chatting with your best friend when suddenly 'July 15th, 2006! It was a foggy Tuesday and you were supposed to pick me up from the airport!' "

Judy chuckled. "It's not THAT bad!"

"I'm just saying, hon-bun. Guys forgive and forget. Girls forgive and keep a catalog."

"That's because men are simple and women are complex."

"Also true."

"SIGH! I think after this experience, I'm finally going to get spayed."

"Oh?"

"Is…. is that okay? I-I know we were thinking of having a few children through a sperm bank, but…"

"You don't need my permission, Carrots. It's your body. I'm perfectly happy adopting as many kids as you'd like…. or we can afford anyway. Will it affect your… y'know, 'enjoyment'?"

"Not in the least. Thanks Nick. If I get it done here, that will add an extra $5,000 to the bank account."

"What? How?"

"Bunnyburrow is heavily overpopulated. There's a tax law in place that will allow a five thousand dollar incentive for those bunnies who get spayed before their first litter."

Nick's eyes almost bulged out of his skull. "Sweet biscuits! That can go towards the kid's college fund!"

"I know. And since I technically still have a residence in both Bunnyburrow and Zootopia, I qualify!"

"Well then, I'd say go for it!"

Judy smiled. "I think I will! I feel good about this."

"You're one-hundred percent sure, Fluff? It's a big decision."

"I'm sure." Judy saw that the train was slowing down and coming to a halt. "Looks like this is our stop. I hope she's okay."

"Well, it's like you said. You Hopps are strong."

They got off the train and were greeted by Steve and his daughter, Cotton. The two went to Steve's car. Judy sat in front and as Nick got in the back with Cotton. "Is Greg okay?" Cotton asked Nick.

"Oh sure, kiddo! He was just a bit scared by that bad coyote."

"Is it true he kicked that coyote in the face?"

Nick smiled. "Sure did! He dropped on him from the light fixtures. One thing about Greg, he's sure not scared of heights."

"I wish he was," Judy said from the front seat.

Cotton was impressed. "He's so brave!"

Nick had a good idea. "Say, Greg's feeling bad because your aunt Judy had to come to see aunt Julie and he's starting at a new school in Foxden that's mostly predators. He's nervous about it. Why don't I put you on the phone with him?"

Cotton got excited. "Okay!"

Nick pulled out his smartphone, called his mother and after a few minutes, got Greg on video chat. "What's up daddy? Grandma let me use her phone."

"Hey, champ! I know you're feeling down about school, so I figured I'd cheer you up. Look who I got on the phone with me!" He turned the camera to Cotton.

She waved at the camera. "Hi Greg!"

"Cotton! You still look pretty!"

"... It's only been a week, Greg."

"I know, but time can change people's looks."

"You dumb-butt!"

"Hee-Hee! You're the dumb-butt!"

"You're my dumb-butt."

"Aww! I miss you, babe."

"I miss you too! Are you gonna visit again soon?"

"Maybe mommy can take me on the weekends."

"That'd be nice. Are you nervous about kindergarten?"

"Me?! PPHTT! No way! It's gonna be great."

"But uncle Nick said it's a predator school!"

"So? My sister's a predator and so is my daddy and my grandma and grandpa."

"No, they're not! They're bunnies!"

"No! My dad's mom and fiance'!"

"Oh, your OTHER grandma and grandpa. We share the same bunny grandma and….. OH NO!"

"What?!"

Cotton started crying. "We can't be together! We're cousins now!"

"I forgot about that. Wait! I don't think it counts since I'm an adopted cousin."

Cotton's father, Steve chimed in from the front. "Yeah, that doesn't count for much. Especially in rabbit circles. I mean, your mother is my second cousin."

Judy was surprised. "I didn't know that!"

"We're bunnies, Jude. We have such huge families that it doesn't take much for the family tree to have a few intertwining branches."

Cotton was relieved. "Whew! That's good. I heard about you attacking that coyote. You're so brave!"

Greg started to get full of himself. "Yeah. He was like, ten times my size but I kicked the dude right in his face! I probably could have taken him on myself but mom wanted a piece of him."

Judy couldn't help but laugh from the front seat. "Oh, brother."

Cotton looked concerned. "I heard he hurt you. Are you okay?"

"Me?! Please. I'm fi-"

Greg was interrupted by his sister, Penny who got on the phone. "He cried wike baby!".

"I did not!"

"Did too! He hit you and you started crying and...and saying 'Mommy! I'm scared'!"

"I was scared FOR you!"

"'Den he have nightmare and cry and I haff to cuddwe him 'ta sweep."

"I didn't cry!"

Cotton was a little upset. "She's cuddling with you?!"

"Don't be gross! She's my sister! And we got two plush dolls between us. It's a cootie barrier!"

Nick took over the phone. "Penny! You're pronouncing your 'S's now!"

Penny was mad. "I awways did!"

"No, you either used an 'F' or just didn't use the letter at the beginning of a sentence. I'm proud of you honey! Say 'Silly Sally".

"Siwwy Sawwy!"

"Getting close! One down, one more to go."

"What one?"

"...Your 'L's."

"I say 'ewe' just fine! I say 'ewe' reawwy, reawwy good!"

Steve interrupted. "We're here guys. Let me just find a parking spot."

Nick looked at his phone. "Okay kids, we gotta go. Any last words Greg?"

"Tell Cotton I love her."

Cotton gushed. "Aww! I love you too, dumb-butt! Have a good day at school!"

"Thanks!"

Nick chimed in again. "That goes for me too, Champ! Do you have anything to say to your mom?"

"No! I'm still mad at her!"

This caused Judy's ears to droop. Cotton was confused. "Why are you mad at your mommy?"

"She promised she'd wait for me in the car on my first day at school so I wouldn't be scared, and she broke her promise!"

"I thought you said you weren't scared?"

"I… that is… ummm... IGOTTAGOBYE!" With that, Greg quickly got off the phone.

Steve parked the car. Nick got out and put his phone back in his pants. He opened Judy's door. The bunny was still looking sad as Nick gently put his paw on her shoulder. "It's like I said. He's just mad at you. He didn't say he hated you. He'll get over this. I promise."

Judy smiled. "You're right."

Steve got out of the car and picked Cotton up from the back seat. As they got near the emergency section of the hospital, Judy noticed almost her entire family sitting outside of the building. Her mother Bonnie saw her and quickly ran up to her and hugged her. "Judy! I'm so glad your here!"

"Hi, mom. Why is everyone waiting outside?"

"The whole family wanted to be here for your sister. They're only allowing one visitor at a time. The bunny wing gives out numbers for family visitors due to the large volume they get. Here's yours."

Bonnie handed her daughter a ticket. Judy looked at it and her ears almost shot off of her head. "Number 256?! What number are they at now?!"

"Well, she was admitted three hours ago. Your father and I saw her Just after Gideon. Right now they're at… let's see… " She looked at one of her sons just going in. "That's James, so he's number 14."

"FOURTEEN?! I rushed to get here! She'll be out before I even see her!"

Bonnie patted Judy on the shoulder. "What matters is, your here for her now. You can still text her. She's going through a very difficult time and it's important she knows how much you care."

"I guess. It's just…. I broke a promise to Greg for this."

Bonnie then went over to Nick. "Since Gideon is the husband, he'll be in the waiting room. You can go inside and see him. He needs you right now."

"Okay, mom." Nick then walked off.

Bonnie gushed. "Aww! Did you hear that Judy? Nick called me 'mom'. Isn't that sweet?"

"Yeah. It's only fair since I call his mother 'mom' now too."

Bonnie looked upset. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah! Why? Is that a problem?"

" 'Problem?!' No! ...No. Of course not, dear." Bonnie walked away, mumbling angrily to herself.

Nick walked into the waiting room where he saw Gideon crying into a handkerchief while Stu sat next to him, patting his leg. The fox's fat frame dwarfed the old bunny who tried to console him. "It's going to be okay, son. There's….. There's just never been nothing like this before. We'll all pull through this. I promise you. Oh hey! There's Nick!"

Gideon looked up. He saw Nick through the tears swelling in his eyes. "NIIICK!"

Nick saw Gideon get up and run to him like a quarterback at a football game. "Oh no!"

Gideon almost plowed Nick over as he hugged Nick and cried into his shoulder. "Oh, Nick! Ah'm so glad yer here! This is so terrible! BAW-HAW-HAW!"

Gideon was hugging Nick so hard that he was pushing his massive weight on the poor fox. "Gid! Gotta back up buddy! You're getting heavy!"

"SOB! Oh, mah poor Julie! Ah love her so much! Ah just can't let nuttin' happen to her! Ah just can't!"

Nick's legs gave up and he fell to the ground with Gideon on top of him. "Red fox down! Red fox down!"