Chapter 16: Present Wars: First Edition!

A week after the unexpectedly amazing Tamesgiving dinner. Emphasis on the amazing since it had gone genuinely better than Judy had initially thought. Anyway, she and Nick were currently at one of her weekly check-ups with Dr. Firefox. You know, the usual. Blood pressure tests, ultrasounds, anything out of the ordinary that would raise concern, stuff like that.

Judy laid awkwardly on the bed, as the pregnancy now made her feel sore and weird all over, and Nick stood close enough to be right by her side but not too close to interfere with Virginia's work. The two felt closer now since finding out about the kit's genders. Well, not so much "finding" since Nina literally forced Judy to read everything in the envelope as the awesome aunt she is. According to her, that is.

Everything appeared to go through normally. She and Nick gushed over how big the kits had gotten, and the rest of the data showed promising. The only one thing, however, that did raise concern, was the fact that Judy still hadn't been able to feel the kits move yet. Even when sometimes, by the smallest of twitches, she swore she'd see them moving on the screen.

"Are you sure it isn't a big deal that I haven't felt them yet?" Judy asked fearfully once Dr. Firefox finished going through everything.

"I'm sure Judy. Most mothers don't necessarily start "counting" their babies movements until weeks 30 through 31." She answered reassuringly.

"I think I've read that somewhere before!" Judy exclaimed, thinking back to one of the many books on pregnancies she got once really finding out about her own pregnancy through Karla.

(Gosh! Do you guys remember Karla? Feels like we haven't seen her in years! Don't worry though! She'll be back soon enough. Along with some of our old friends too….:D)

"W-What does counting mean?" Nick questioned, making himself a mental note to look through some of those books later when there was a chance.

"Counting is where I would start monitoring the kit's movements to figure out their schedule and see if they're all growing at the correct pace," Judy said, smiling in response. He nodded in acknowledgment, now feeling a better grasp on the ordeal as well. She was happy Nick at least put in enough effort to want to know what was going. Not that he never put in enough effort before.

The two left the hospital, waving goodbye to Virginia in the process when Judy suddenly stopped before getting into the car to stretch her back. Random aches started to appear everywhere nowadays. But what's worse was the fact that she couldn't even stand for more than an hour without having to sit down.

Nick looked at Judy worried, concern lining his eyes. "You ok? Do you want to sit down?" She looked back at him, rolling her eyes playfully but responding nonetheless. "I'm fine Nick. Just need a little breather." He took this as an opportunity to get a laugh out of her and smirked.

"Who would have thought the great Judy Hopps could get winded out by her own kits?" She squinted her eyes and scowled at him in a joking manner, but happily returned with a witty comeback of her own.

"Try dealing with a pregnancy yourself then we'll talk."

"Touche Carrots." Nick grinned. They both climbed into the front car seats, Judy with some help, and Nick starting the ignition. It was silent for a few minutes, almost peaceful, and Judy found herself leaning against the cool of the window beside her. She stared aimlessly outside, watching more and more mammals disappear from sight. And It was calm for a few mere moments until Judy realized they weren't heading back in the direction of their apartment.

"Wait, where are we going?" She exclaimed, sitting up and turning to face Nick confused. He faced her with an all-knowing look, the kind that made her 100% sure that Nick had managed to figure out yet another one of her plans.

" We are dropping you off to meet up with Nina, Fru, and my mother. Since, obviously, you were going to try making up some fake rendezvous later and try to cover up the fact that you're looking for our Clawsmas presents." He chortled but instantly placed his eyes on the road again while making a swift turn in the direction of Judy's actual rendezvous.

"You sneaky fox…" She muttered defeatedly under her breath. "And who exactly is this our you've mentioned?"

"Why my father, Cooper, and I of course! Do you think we didn't notice the countless times all three of you huddled together in the kitchen once we visited my folks? Carrots, please, I thought you were better than keeping secrets from me." Nick pouted.

"Well, I did manage to keep all this a secret from you!" Judy huffed, referencing her pregnancy, the kit's genders, Dawns blackmailing. Who truly knows anymore?

"True." He answered. "But, we both know very well that it is impossible to keep a secret from your one and only." She blushed over the ridiculous nickname Nick gave himself once Judy accidentally said it to him on their "technically" one year anniversary. But can you blame her? Nick really was "her one and only" and it was darn time back then that she realized it.

The two eventually neared the agreed meeting place between the girls but Judy felt the itching irritation to get in the last word.

"Even so Slick, you still don't know what I'm planning on getting you this year." She bragged confidently, starting to reach for the door's handle and make the perfect exit. But it still hadn't been enough to break through Nick's precise knowledge and ability to read her open like a book.

"I don't need to know what you're getting me this year, I just need to go over what you got me in the previous ones. You're the type to fall into patterns Carrots, not to mention that we're only a walking distance from the same branded store that sells my favorite pair of aviator sunglasses that you know I love." He inferred slyly. Judy dropped her paw off the handle and turned to face for the final time.

"First off," She began, leaning over to face him in the eye. "Your suggestion that I fall into patterns is absurd. And secondly, if you're still my one and only then you'd know well enough that my present will trump yours come Clasmas day." Judy had been close enough now that their noses were almost touching and close enough for Nick to initiate a kiss that shut her up even if she didn't have anything else to see.

"We'll see Fluff. We'll see…" He smirked once moving away and allowed Judy to blink at him dumbly for a few more seconds. She rolled her eyes and moved out of her seat, wincing slightly when letting her feet hit the ground. Behind her, Nick called out one last time, grabbing a small smile from the bunny herself.

"You know you love me, darling!"

Judy walked slowly once leaving the car and Nick behind. She took her time enjoying the sights around her while trying her hardest not to overexert herself. Victoria and Fru Fru had ended deciding on the meeting place earlier in the week, being the only two in the group with enough gift experience. Victoria with her motherly charm, and Fru knowing absolutely every store in the vicinity. The shrew had already completed her Clawsmas shopping over the weekend at Little Rodentia and happily agreed to help out Judy with hers.

When she finally reached the specified spot Judy was only able to see the two mammals instead of three. Nina was talking animatedly to Fru Fru, who was sitting gracefully on top of Kolosovs paw. The two were lost in their own little bubble and Judy felt slightly sad to force its departure. But, nonetheless, they beamed upon her arrival.

"Judy! Over here!" Fru squealed with bright eyes. She hurried her pace and gave Nina a quick hug while lending Fru her paw to squeeze.

"Hey, guys." Judy smiled but turned her attention to Nina. "Where's Victoria?"

"My mom decided to start shopping early. Saying something like, It's unfair to the boys if we end up seeing their gifts early or bad luck for us as well. She's superstitious like that." Nina shrugged, explaining.

"I get that. My mom always made sure we never found out about our own gifts when we were kids." Judy giggled, feeling slightly weird about mentioning her mom but then realizing, it didn't really bother her as much anymore. The feeling disappeared quickly once she redirected her focus back to what really mattered. Spending the day with her friends.

"So is it just me and Nina that need to buy gifts today?" Judy asked, going through her purse for a wallet.

"Actually I already ordered mine over the weekend. Thought it'd be safer to have them shipped in instead of buying them now and having to deal with Cooper's nosiness." She laughed in response.

"But don't worry Judy!" Fru exclaimed reassuringly. "We'll help you find Nick the sweetest gift!"

"I hope so," She sighed in response. "He always gets competitive over the holidays but his gifts are so meaningful that I can't help but swoon." Fru gushed over this but Nina had a fire in her eyes that screamed determination.

"My baby brother always thinks he's so careful and thoughtful with his Clawsmas gifts but this year I will make him cry when the time comes." She muttered darkly. The two giggled at the vixen's sisterly threats and moved farther into the district in search of Nick's perfect gift. Judy only hoped she'd be able to find the right one.

~Meanwhile, in another part of the district~

Nick parked his car a while after dropping Judy off. What she didn't know at the moment, was that he was also planning a little rendezvous of his own. (Boom! Just did a P.O.V change and sorta freaking out XD. Never written from Nick's view so I hope you guys like it at least :p) He planned on meeting up with Cooper and a friend of his to figure out what exactly to get her this year for the holidays.

Honestly, he was ecstatic when Judy wanted to actually become more serious those few months back. And she only continued to surprise him from there in unexpected yet amazing ways. Finding out about their kits' genders on Tamesgiving was the best feeling in the world, and it only made things even better to share that feeling with Judy as well.

So that was why he needed to find something this year that showed that. Something that showed how much he loved her, how glad he was that she was in his life. Judy was capable of erasing the past, of making everything seem a little brighter. And Nick only wanted her to know that.

He knew what to get his family, Nina specifically since the two had been tied at the hip since the moment they were born. But what eluded him was figuring out the perfect gift for Judy. She was amazing, just plain amazing. So finding a gift for this perfect girlfriend had to have been the hardest thing he's ever had to do. Besides even telling his parents about Judy in the first place all the while ago.

Nick initially thought about getting something related to violets, since they reminded him so much of her and they were also Judy's favorite flower. But just getting flowers as a gift seemed more like something for an anniversary gift or even on a birthday. He wanted this one to be...meaningful. Something also just showed how he really felt. He eventually figured it out even before Tamesgiving. Seeing something similar to what he was going for in some window while driving to work one day.

"Hey baby bro!" Cooper was in his line of vision before he even had the chance to finish his thought. Nick scowled playfully, feeling slightly irritated that his brother still treated him as the "baby" of the family in more ways than one. The older fox ruffled the fur on top of his head in that annoying brotherly way once he walked up to him.

The two embraced in one of those manly hugs you see on T.V. The one where they had hugged only with one arm but still gave a hard slap on the back like egoistic football players after finishing a game.

"Are you ready to get your lady love some cheesy romantic gift?" Cooper snickered, teasing him theatrically.

"Har har," Nick said, rolling his eyes in response. "At least I have the courage to admit I love her. Not like you and your helpless pining over some "crazy hot" girl in your morning class."

"Shut up, I have a plan! I'm just….still working through it and stuff…" He mumbled embarrassingly.

"Sure, as long as this "plan" starts at point A, weirdly stalking her, and ends at point B, delusion." Nick laughed, smirking.

"Well, it isn't like dad passed on his handsome charms to me through genetics like you and Nina!" Cooper whined.

"Dude just relax and be yourself! Seriously. You're smart, you can cook, you have most of dad's looks while still being as sensitive as mom." He stated while Cooper rolled his eyes jokingly. "Just invite her to dinner or something. Better yet, invite her over for the holidays, you can't go wrong with something as friendly as that."

Cooper let out a long sigh at this, most likely deep in thought, and Nick, almost through some brotherly instinct, threw an arm around his shoulder comfortingly in hopes of cheering him up. Which was easy since the two were similar in height and Cooper was just a natural optimist.

Nick led the way towards the other member of their group and had a worried feeling that he might not be happy to see them. He and Cooper eventually turned a corner downtown and closed up to an alleyway of sorts. They stopped in front of a large rustic van and waited. Nick stepped forward, knocking twice at the doors in the back, and then proceeded to pull himself and Cooper out of the way as one of them violently swung open.

Out came a livid fennec fox, angrily holding a baseball bat that was several sizes larger than him in its entirety.

"WHAT THE FU-" He stopped screaming once Nick waved a paw in front of him, indicating it was only the two. This, however, didn't make the mystery fox feel better about the situation.

"What the hell Nick! You can't just-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I can't just knock on your door without any heads up. Believe me Finnick, I've heard it before." Nick interrupted.

"If you've heard it before then why haven't you learned?" Finnick screamed. Cooper came from behind his brother and recognized the fox as his childhood friend and old classmate in high school.

"Oh hey Finnick...Long time no see." He grinned nervously.

"Sup," Finnick answered, still wielding the bat and looking as if he was still planning on swinging it straight through his brother's skull.

"I need to see a guy about a necklace. You know anybody?" Nick explained calmly. The fox rolled his eyes and scoffed.

"Of course I do. I know everybody, same as you. So why in the world are you bothering me when I have finals tomorrow? I know you left two years ago and mysteriously show up a few months ago out of the blue but you can't blame me for what happened with your crazy ex and then randomly come asking for my help."

Cooper looked to his left in concern once Finnick mentioned Simone. But if Nick was bothered by this he didn't show and simply continued with the conversation.

"I know everyone but this specific mammal wouldn't be all that pleased to see me and Cooper. So I need a friendly face." Nick asked.

"Does this face look friendly to you?!" Finnick glared, making one of the most unhappy faces you'd probably ever see.

"Relax, I was being figurative." He mused, smirking. "I need someone trustworthy. Plus, you owe me, man. Remember the pawpsicles?" Finnick grumbled, reminiscing over one of their old con's when times were tougher than usual but didn't respond.

"What do you say?" Nick questioned, with a slight hope in his eyes. The small fox in front of him rolled his eyes but reluctantly dropped the bat.

"Fine, I'll do it. ONLY, because I trust you, Nick. And you better not randomly leave for two years this time!" He demanded. Nick laughed, half smiling at his friend.

"I knew I could count on you man."

By the next week, when Judy finally reached her 19th week in the pregnancy, nearing her 20th, the couple returned to Dr. Firefoxs with more worries than from the previous week.

"I still haven't felt any movements," Judy exclaimed, her nose twitching worriedly. Nick stood beside her, with a paw rubbing her back for comfort. The two became more and more concerned with each passing day when Judy was still unable to feel the kits move. But no matter how scared she got, or how doubtful she became with herself, Nick and Virginia were there to reassure her that everything was completely fine.

"Sweetheart it's completely normal if you still haven't felt them physically. As I said last week, most mothers at this point don't either. We can only truly raise concern if this trend continues into the last few weeks of your second trimester." She repeated once the ultrasound finished.

As usual, everything on the screen looked normal and promising, but on the inside, Judy felt as if something bad could happen at any second. Nick noticed this while trying and doing everything he could to make her feel more at ease. He even went out of his way and used his own money and bought enough baby preparation books to last his reading for the entire year.

"If it makes you both feel any better since Judy is in her fifth month of the pregnancy she only has four more left?" Virginia smiled awkwardly, hoping to ease some of the tension in the room. But it did help.

"That's...good news. Right?" Judy mused, turning to Nick.

"Absolutely." He beamed, placing a kiss on her forehead as she leaned her head against his chest tiredly.

"Have you guys decided on any names yet?" Virginia pressed innocently while adjusting her clipboard and turning off the nearby screen.

"Well, we've only managed to get through half of our agreed original 50 names." Nick sighed, still rubbing Judy's back.

"But we still can't decide because Nick keeps suggesting too many adorable names that I can't pick one!" She whined in response, melting into Nick's embrace frustratedly.

"Aww," Virginia cooed. "I bet you'll both be amazing parents even facing a lot of trouble with the name picking. The couple smiled at the doctor, then each other, of course.

"Although I do have to let you two know that I won't be able to see Judy next week." Dr. Firefox exclaimed sadly, regaining the attention of the two.

"What, why?" Nick questioned, confused.

"With the holidays coming the hospital will be more preoccupied. And my schedule is already cramped enough as is with everything at the moment. However! I can meet you both on the 20th. It'll be my last day in the city before I leave for Clawsmas." She suggested. Judy did the math in her head and by the time it was the 20th she'd be on her 21st week. Meaning that they'd be able to get a 3D ultrasound scan of the kits.

She could wait until then. Judy turned to look at Nick and he nodded his head in agreement. They would come back on the 20th.

Judy and Nick wished a good weekend to Dr. Firefox and the other well-known employees upon their departure from the hospital and eventually headed towards public transport. They recently decided it would be better to focus their gas money on more important things as opposed to taking care of the car all the time. All the extra money could be helpful in the future once the kits are born anyway.

Nick even suggested selling the car, thinking that the purpose of it might become tiresome further along. But Judy instantly protested, saying that it was technically one of their first impulsive money decisions together, even if Nick had bought it by himself initially. She loved the reminder it gave her, the reminder that Nick was in this, no matter what.

They entered the cramped train car but thankfully a pair of gossiping zebras caught sight of the exhausted look in Judy's eyes and moved out of their seats, quickly offering them up. They seemed in their early thirties, definitely not older than forty, however.

"Thank you." She exclaimed, sitting down next to Nick and stretching her back.

"It's not a problem darling! How far along are you?" One of them asked excitingly.

"Oh! Um, I'm only at 19 weeks right now, going on 20. But I'm expecting three of them so I might look farther along." Judy chuckled awkwardly, not having any experience with talking about her pregnancy with mammals who weren't her own friends or Nick's family.

"Wow, only 19!" The other one proclaimed alongside her friend. "You look so fit I'd assume you were still in your first trimester.

"Sam there are hundreds of mammals who could be fit and still show enough to tell that they're pregnant!" One of them argued.

"Yeah, but I'm just saying! She looks so young and pretty I wouldn't be surprised if she was a gymnast!" The other retaliated.

"She actually took five years of track and field to get that body," Nick added, getting a jab in the side from and a flushed Judy.

"Thank you! And you are?"

"Oh I'm the boyfriend. Wait, no. Actually, the father." He answered bluntly, throwing an arm around her shoulder to prove his point. If that really did even prove a point. Besides that, the two women quickly and quite obviously ignored them for the rest of the ride. Quietly whispering to themselves right across from them.

Nick merely glowered and continued to hold onto Judy, but she only felt disgusted. Disgusted that some mammals could change their opinion on her in an instant just because of a statement they can't even pass on as the truth. It could've been a joke, they both could have laughed awkwardly and said, "Good one!" But, nooo. Instead, they decided to be judgmental and not say anything at all. At least, not to her and Nick's faces.

What's worse was the fact that Judy could hear their entire conversation, no matter how quiet they spoke. She lowered her ears against her back in hopes of blocking any stray words loud enough to be heard. But the scene still stung. Seeing mammals still react shocked when even hearing the suggestion that a fox and a bunny could be together.

They sat agitatedly for the rest of the ride as more and more passengers sent subjective looks their way. Most likely overhearing their conversation with the two zebras.

Thankfully, they reached their stop, and Nick helped Judy sit up quick enough so the two could get out of there before anyone else decided to make their opinion clear. They ran outside public transport before saying their goodbyes.

"So you'll be with Cooper for the rest of the day right?" Judy asked, feeling slightly better not to be in that train car anymore.

"Yep. You'll be with Fru and Nina?" He questioned.

"Mhm! We have our weekly coffee thing at Snarlbucks. But I'll be home by 4:30, ok?" She mused, hoping he wouldn't be able to tell that in reality, she was still with Nina and Fru, just not at Snarlbucks. Last week proved to be unsuccessful and she hadn't had the chance to search for a good enough gift with all the classes she was taking. The GED was set for after her due date and she somehow had to fit in enough study time to make up for the one year of high school she was taking off. Junior year was stressful enough having to face a teenage pregnancy, but what made it harder was all the itty bitty problems alongside.

Anyway, besides all the problems and hardship, Judy had control over one thing. And that thing was getting Nick the perfect gift. Unfortunately, she was facing some trouble with that as well.

The more time Judy spent looking for a gift instead of actually finding one, then the more time Nick had to get the upper hand on her. Plus, with each passing day, more and more items were getting taken by other mammals who waited until the last minute.

"I'll be home a tiny bit later, only 5:15 at the most. Ok?" Nick explained.

"Ok. I can cook up a Dandelion Salad with some goat cheese if you feel like it?" She suggested with a slight grimace in her voice that he was able to see right through it.

"You don't really want to eat that do you? He asked, smirking. That was when Judy gave in and groaned loudly.

"Ugh, oh my god no! I want to listen to all my cravings instead but I can't!" She whined.

"Wait why not? Dr. Firefox said it's good from time to time to listen to them." Nick exclaimed, concerned.

"I know! But, I can't help but feel hesitant because my cravings go for the weirdest things!" Judy protested.

"How weird…?" He asked, unsure.

"Yesterday...My mouth literally watered at the sight of a grasshopper pizza Nick. A….grass….hopper….pizza…" She whispered, feeling the shiver go up her spine at the memory.

"Carrots. That's completely normal!" Nick laughed.

"No it isn't! I've never had cravings for bugs in my entire life!" Judy argued, raising her voice a little before dropping it in an instant in case anyone heard her.

"It is if you're going to give birth to kits with fox genes." He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah…" She acknowledged. Nick chuckled at her dazed state and gave her one quick hug.

"I'll bring you a slice from the pizzeria tonight if you still feel like it. Ok?" He asked. Judy waited a few seconds before answering, still realizing the fact that she, Judy Hopps, a bunny, was asking for a slice of grasshopper pizza.

"Ok….With extra cheese?" She said into his shirt, hopeful.

"With extra cheese," Nick repeated, laughing. He bent down and Judy felt as if he was about to kiss her on the head as a goodbye but then she felt him hesitate. Her heart quickened when looking up to see him deep in thought. Was he second-guessing doing something in public from what happened in the train car? Judy's mind went over the hundred of terrible possibilities if that was true but was quickly broken out of her trance when, instead, Nick bent down to kiss her on lips.

She flinched slightly, surprised, but momentarily melted in the kiss. Grateful, that for once, Judy and her own crazy subconscious were wrong. They stayed like that for a few more seconds before, unwillingly by her, Nick broke the kiss. It was then when Judy actually realized something, that wasn't even their first kiss in public. Their first one had been around 4 or 5 months ago, back in that stupid debate in front of the entire school. Could you blame her really, however? For finally wanting to have the secret out in the open?

Even if it hadn't been their first act of PDA, Judy loved the gesture nonetheless. Because this time, Nick was the one who initiated the kiss. She'd have to get back at him for surprising her like that though. One day.

"I'll see you later Carrots." He said, wishing Judy one last goodbye before leaving the station. She watched him leave, ignoring the butterflies growing in her stomach. Judy depicted that it would be best if she started to leave as well, otherwise her "hang" with Fru Fru and Nina might be turned up again as unsuccessful.

She left the station in the opposite direction of Nick. Feeling a slight skip in her step on the way.

Nick met up with Cooper and Finnick in front of the abandoned warehouse down by the docks. He felt a little guilty for telling Judy that the only thing he was doing was hanging out with his brother. But, Nick knew that come Clawsmas day, Judy would, hopefully, forgive him for going to so many rendezvous. They were, after all, meant for the purposes of making her the perfect gift.

Finnick was wearing a large pair of aviator sunglasses that took up most of his face. Cooper, on the other hand, was wearing a bright blue sweater and light grey slacks, looking like somebody you'd assume to be a master pastry chef. At least, that's what all the magazines he reads and forces Nick to read as well, tell him.

"Took you long enough." Finnick sneered when he finally walked up to them.

"I was busy, now I'm here. Don't get your pacifier in a twist man." Nick shrugged, getting in one last tease about their old con. Before Finnick had the chance to make a threat or any form of a comeback Nick was already knocking on the metallic door.

It was a specific knock. One with four quarter-note beats and ending with an eighth note beat. Nick and the mammal the group was meeting with made that knock together themselves so that way no one else would recognize it. Something about his friend being really paranoid and stuff.

They waited a few seconds in silence until Cooper agitatedly raised his voice in confusion.

"So is there a reason that was - OH MY GOD!" His sentence was interrupted by screaming, from himself or….no just him. Nick and the others were met with a short badger, whose face was shielded by one of those blowtorch masks that cover up everything. In their hand was a working , and I mean fully alive and functional chainsaw. Which was the entire reason why Cooper stopped talking and instead ran immediately behind Nick, using him as a shield for whatever this badger was planning to do to them.

"Hey Honey," Nick said cooly, speaking over Cooper's frantic cries for help. "You ready for us?" The badger, or better yet, chainsaw-wielding maniac, eventually turned off the machine in her paws. Making Cooper let out a long sigh. They all waited as Honey took off the mask covering their face. It was clearer to the group now, that, without the mask on, Honey was a girl. Not that boys can't also be named Honey.

She wore a bright smile on her face, eyes gleaming with excitement, and despite all the chaos with the chainsaw ending Cooper still felt his heart pace quicken. Nick could hear the change given how loud it was but ignored it and redirected his attention to Honey.

"I chopped all the wood this morning! This time I only got 25 splinters!" She beamed, shoving her paws in Nick's face.

"Great job Honey, 5 less than the last time." He smirked

"Wait, we're here to work with wood?!" Finnick interrogated, confused.

"Yep," Nick answered bluntly. "We are all here to chop, sand, glaze, and carve wood."

"WHAT?!" Finnick and Cooper exclaimed simultaneously.

"Relax, jeez. I only asked you two here today so I'd have alibis, Judy doesn't need to find out what I'm getting her just yet." He laughed, already walking inside. The two reluctantly followed.

"So….You're saying that we don't have to be here today?" Finnick asked while avoiding all the sharp machinery Honey had lying around.

"Well, you don't have to. But what's the fun in leaving me and Honey all to our lonesome." Nick whined, bending down to face his sorter face with a solemn look. Finnick groaned, knowing it might be somewhat fun hanging around this crazy, yet interesting, Honey. He just didn't want to admit that to Nick.

He muttered something under his breath, not fully coherent.

"What was that?" Nick asked, knowing full well that he already heard it clear enough the first time.

"I'll stay! Jeez…Only if we at least get to play some tunes to pass the time." He demanded.

"Deal." The two shook paws and Nick moved over to the table fully stocked with wood. And out of the corner of his eye, he could see Cooper and Honey bonding over their similar tastes in music.

"No way! You listen to Panic at the Zoo!" Cooper exclaimed once recognizing one of their CD's in Honey's stack.

"Duh! Who wouldn't? They're awesome!" She said, grinning in response. He smiled, happy that everyone was getting along. Nick reached over to grab a discarded mask from the floor, dusting it off and adjusting it on the rim of his forehead. He finally grabbed Honey's chainsaw before turning around one last time to acknowledge them before turning it on.

"Honey!" Nick yelled out, even if the chainsaw wasn't even on. She turned around enthusiastically, already jumping up and down.

"WHAT!" Honey yelled in response, with even more volume.

"Hit up that Zootroplis Idiot by Green Day!" He screamed. The group then broke into an immediate agreement as Honey scoured through her many many CD's. She eventually found it stashed in the very back and returned to the group, placing the CD in a nearby boombox and turning it on.

The song started instantly and Nick tapped his foot to the beat. He lowered the mask, starting the chainsaw but still being able to hear the music given how loud Honey was playing it. Nick focused back onto the wood, still slightly swaying his tail to the music, and got to work.

After Judy left the station she met up with Fru and Nina at the nearby Snarlbucks, already feeling instantly tired by the time she got there. She sat down beside them, happily accepting the tea they ordered for her before time, and fell into her seat.

"Are your legs hurting you?" Fru squeaked, concerned.

"Just a little, I'll be fine once I sit down for a little bit," Judy reassured, rubbing her neck slightly only now feeling the ache in it as well. She decided to pass the time with the two by telling them about the scene that happened on public transport.

Judy described everything from the moment she and Nick entered the train car, meeting the two zebras, and from the moment they both left.

"I can't believe there are still mammals who continue to act like this!" Nina exclaimed irritated after she finished going through the event.

"How disgraceful. If that had happened to me I would have asked my father to take care of them and go on about my day." Fru scoffed, her expression quickly changing and Judy knowing what she'd try suggesting next,

"I don't need to ice anyone Fru! Really, it was fine, I wasn't that bothered anyway. Mammals are allowed to have their own opinion and I can't force them to change it even if I think it's wrong." Judy stated.

"Aw, you're such a saint!" Fru gushed.

"Yeah, too much of one! You gotta get out of your shell from time to time. Speak your mind, let the crazy out. Y'know?" Nina asserted, standing out of her seat in order to do a power pose and show determination. Fru clapped happily in agreement but Judy pushed from the topic.

"OK….We'd better hit the store before all the good stuff is gone!" She exclaimed, grabbing her tea and standing up. Nina grumbled but begrudgingly followed, letting Fru sit on her shoulder and ignored Kolsolv's protective huff. The three, or four of them, left the Snarlbucks in the direction of Mousey's.

The store had become so popular through Little Rodentia that the owners thought it would boost ratings if they expanded into the city. And they were right. Almost every time Judy had to shop to replace some torn boots or look for a new shirt she'd head over to Mousey's with Nina and Fru. They both had better knowledge of the place anyway.

They searched through some of the first-floor stores, not really finding anything at all promising. Nina suggested some stores that Nick liked himself, in hopes of Judy seeing something that would just "click." But, unfortunately, she couldn't find the perfect one. It was a long hour of searching, going back in hopes of seeing something different, and then searching all over again

"Ugh, we're just going in circles again and again and again!" Judy groaned in defeat.

"We can't give up! I'm sure there's probably just one store around here somewhere that we just missed accidentally!" Fru exclaimed, trying to ease the group. It was a long shot, but who knows? She might be right. Nina suggested looking through the second floor again since they've only looked through it once.

They looked, and looked, and looked until everything seemed to be the same thing like one big annoying circle. By the time they were "finished" with whatever last chance they thought they'd have Judy was exhausted. She sat down on a random seat that, for whatever reason, was placed in the middle of the walkway. Nina and Fru sat alongside her as well.

"Don't sweat it, Judy. I'm sure you'll figure out what to get him. You guys are practically on the same wavelength that, chances are, you both just might get the other the same gift!" Nina proclaimed. Despite how tired she was feeling, Judy let out a small chuckle in agreement.

"Probably…" She sighed, leaning her head back. It was then when something in the far right of the walkway caught her eye. It was just some random store, selling what looked like skateboards or whatever, but what caught her eye wasn't the store itself, but what reflected off its display window.

Judy got out of her seat in an instant, thinking that maybe, just maybe, there could be a slight chance after all. Nina and Fru followed after her in pursuit, confused as to why their friend left so suddenly. She walked up to the store and focused on its reflection. The window was reflecting the store behind them, causing Judy to switch her perspective just as fast.

The others followed her line of vision and gasped in delight.

"Oh my god, that'd be perfect for Nick!" Fru blurted happily.

"So perfect! And for a second there I thought we'd be stuck in this Mousey's for eternity. Like some sort of crazy loop." Nina laughed in relief. Everyone laughed alongside her, even Kolsolv for whatever impossible reason. Judy walked excitingly over in the direction of the store that might just be able to save her in this present war after all.

The idea was perfect, she was just surprised it took her so long to find it.

Over the next two weeks, Judy and Nick worked incredibly hard. Nick revisiting the warehouse time after time, getting even closer to the finished product. While Judy on the other hand, stayed peacefully at home, enjoying her break off from the university due to the holidays, and sewed meticulously trying to finish her gift as well.

Judy with fabric, and Nick with wood. Yet neither one of them could figure out what the other was doing. Thankfully, that was the other's plan all along. To make the best gift and get the best reaction. It was just the competitive couple thing these two managed to find themselves into.

The only thing that didn't seem to go over smoothly through the two weeks, was Judy and the kits. She went through her 20th and 21st weeks feeling even more scared than when her first few even started. Honestly, it feels like it was only yesterday that Judy was on her 5th week and going to meet Dr. Firefox and Nick's family for the first time. Back then, she didn't have to fuss over the fact that she couldn't even feel her kits yet. Only because she barely even had kits, to begin with!

But now, the only thing that clouded her mind besides the gift, was the kits. Judy still couldn't feel a flutter, or tingle, or anything! She spent most of her time by herself or over at the Wilde's and could only think about why nothing was happening. Judy tried airing her grievances to Victoria and thankfully, something similar happened to her when Nick and Nina were born

She also tried helping her take her mind off of it by helping her plan a potential baby shower. Even if it was technically, months and months away. Something else that Victoria suggested Judy should do to help raise her spirits was to take a halfway bump picture for Fangbook.

Judy was hesitant, thinking that if she posted it her family might see it, even if she changed her account to private. Blocking them just felt petty, but Judy could only imagine their faces if they saw the picture. Disappointed that she hadn't gotten rid of them, or even in the smallest chance, relief that she was still alive.

Judy decided against it, thinking it would be better to keep the photo to herself, and then maybe share it with the mammals close in her life. Anyway, even after the chaotic weeks had gone by. Judy and Nick hurried themselves to Mercy Sahara, barely squeezing in an appointment with Dr. Firefox. It was a quick one, and Judy almost didn't hear everything since Virginia was talking at lightning speed, hoping to get through them and onto her other last-minute appointments.

"There still isn't anything happening with the Kits. But, um, I think there might be quickening or fluttering that I might just mistake for something else." Judy shrugged, trying to be optimistic.

"I assure you there is a high chance that would be the truth. Most mothers mistake some feelings for gas or just their digestive system." Virginia explained. "Also! Here are your 3D pictures, all three of the kits by themselves, and if you want the extra ones you'll have to ask from the front desk because unfortunately, I have to look through my other patients."

"Oh that's fine, we got through everything today so that's great!" Judy smiled, feeling slightly better.

"I hope you two enjoy the holidays!" She exclaimed, after leaving the room and the two to themselves. It was only then that they both realized they forgot to give her their gift out of thanks.

"We can leave it at the front desk. She'll definitely see it when she comes back." Nick suggested once the two were heading downstairs into the lobby.

"Sounds perfect!" Judy beamed. She dropped off the gift at the receptionist, giving specific instructions that it was meant for Dr. Firefox's eyes only. They both decided to get her a hand-knitted scarf since she always complained about not having one for the colder season when visiting her family. The timing might be off if she had already left, but if the front desk managed to get through to her beforehand the gift would be perfect.

Judy and Nick left the hospital paw in paw, and for whatever reason, she expected to be hit with the cold winter air expected for the season, but it was the perfect warm temperature it always was. Nick noticed her longing look and reassured her that over their time together they'd visit Tundratown. It was just another sweet gesture that he always managed to make for her.

His eyes seemed slightly tired when saying this and Judy became worried that he was stretching himself too thin with all the running around and what with the company needing more help as well.

"You've been all over the place in the last few weeks." She exclaimed, looking over his overworked state.

"Nah I'm used to it." He said, trying to shrug it off.

"Nick I'm serious! I don't want you overexerting yourself just for my sake!" Judy cried. "I know that whatever you have planned for Clawsmas will be just as good as every year before, maybe even better."

"Maybe?" Nick smirked, arching an eyebrow and most obviously fishing for compliments. Judy rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Definitely. But I'll probably beat you this year, my gift surpasses every other one out there." She bragged.

"Well if you say that I'll probably have to work twice as hard." He sighed, placing a paw to his head dramatically. Which only made Judy's eyes bulge in regret. Her nose started twitching like it always did when she was nervous but Nick spoke up again and stopped it.

"Just joking Carrots. I'll take a break from time to time, don't worry." Nick laughed, placing a claw on her nose to stop it from twitching. She sighed and moved closer to his side.

"You think we're ready for another holiday with your parents?" Judy asked, leaning against him.

"I'm not entirely sure," He began. "But, I think we can make this one even better, and I know for a fact that everything happening with the kits will be past news soon. There is nothing wrong with or with them, you're both amazing." She giggled and snuggled up beneath his arm as they continued walking side by side towards public transport.

The looks other mammals might send their way, or anything else that might happen with the kits won't stop them. Not when Judy has Nick and Nick has Judy. This Clawsmas might just be their best yet.

And that's a guarantee.