Chapter 17: A Clawsmas Reunion
Judy awoke the next morning not only to sunlight shining through the nearby window in their room but to the loud purring sound next to her. She turned her head around and had her nose brush against the tip of Nick's. He was still sound asleep, his arms wrapped soundly around her. Judy giggled at the sight quietly and caressed the fur on his ears.
"Good morning," She whispered, not entirely expecting a response. Nonetheless, Nick's ears twitched and Judy stared expectantly, hoping he would wake up as well. A few seconds past and the only thing he did was adjust his head on the pillow. She rolled her eyes exasperatedly, already expecting him to sleep in.
Judy quietly got out of bed, leaving Nick to get some extra sleep, and headed outside to start breakfast. Outside of the room, the apartment looked brighter as the sunlight draped across the floors, the walls, even the curtains. It also helped that the two decorated everything with cheap Clawsmas decorations that they could find on short notice.
She caught a glance at the barely functioning clock on their microwave and much to her displeasure, it was already 7:55. Meaning that she and Nick had around an hour and five minutes to get ready in time for Victoria's party. Judy lowered her head in agony groaning, already feeling her stress levels rising.
She grabbed a tea packet from the cupboard and began boiling some water. Hopefully, some calming Jasmine tea might ease her nerves. The kettle beside Judy let out a piercing whistle, indicating that the water had finished boiling, and she could only assume the noise had been loud enough to wake up Nick.
So just like clockwork, a loud thump came from their bedroom and she snickered. Knowing fully that he most definitely fell out of bed. And even after some more shuffling sounds had passed, Nick finally emerged from their room and walked tiredly in her direction.
"If this is your way of waking me up I'm going to have to start setting my alarm before yours…" He muttered groggily.
"We both know very well that you have never set an alarm in your life and I'm not even entirely sure you know how," Judy smirked in response, pouring her tea.
"Har har." Nick laughed sarcastically, still half asleep. "Is there a reason you're making tea so early in the morning?"
"For your information Slick," She answered. "It's already 8:00 am and I'm pretty sure that if we're late for today's party your mother won't stop at threatening to shave just your tail…" His eyes immediately sprung awake at this and Judy burst in a fit of giggles.
"Relax Nick! We can get ready in 30 minutes and still have time to spare." She laughed, reassuring him.
"You may say that now but don't come freaking out to me when you're second-guessing the gift you got my mom at the last second." He chuckled knowingly. Judy rolled her eyes in response but smiled into her drink once Nick walked over to place a quick kiss on her forehead and turned around to start making some food.
She finished her tea and set it aside in the sink, grabbing one last look at the clock before heading back into their room to get ready. Judy could still hear the clacks and clangs of plates behind her once entering the bedroom. In front of her lay a disorganized scene.
The bed, still absolutely disheveled from Nick falling out of it, and her side of the room covered top to bottom with articles, books, magazines, just about everything she could get from Virginia or the internet about going through a pregnancy.
In honesty, Judy still wasn't completely sure of herself after hearing time and time again that she'd probably feel the kits moving in the next few weeks or so. But she was already deep into her 21st week and still, feeling nothing. Judy had done everything the forums or other mothers online had suggested because, at the end of the day, they were all more experienced at this than her.
It was at times like these when her mind would wander. Wander back to her family, her parents, and everything else she had planned back in Bunnyburrow. Judy was still glad that after what happened it was only her and Nick now. Not to mention his family and Fru Fru. But...if she had actually waited and if Karla didn't happen to call on that night at that exact moment. Would things be different?
Could Judy actually, maybe, possibly, have gotten through all this a tiny bit smoother if she had just waited? If she really had her mother by her side through all this? No. Right?
Judy was so lost in thought that she didn't notice her arms laying absentmindedly on her baby bump, nor the fact that Nick had walked back into the room and witnessed the scene in front of him.
"Carrots…Everything alright?" He asked, concerned. She looked up, pulling herself back into reality and into the gaze of her boyfriend. The words hung in her mind but not her mouth.
"I-I...u-um," Judy struggled to answer, her paws shaking. Nick set down the plate in his paw, which she only now noticed, and rushed beside her.
"Hey, hey, calm down. It's ok…" He cupped his paws around her own instinctively. They were shaking but eventually stopped and she finally looked him in the eye, feeling the words roll out her throat.
"Am I...are we doing this right? O-Or...just failing miserably? Judy stuttered.
"What?" Nick exclaimed.
"I don't know! I can't help but feel...inexperienced and naive to all of this. You know?" She mumbled, unsure.
"Judy, of course, I do. Were both inexperienced and naive. But that's only because of this , this amazing thing that happened to us, happened at an earlier time. I assure you that if this all even conspired one year into the future we'd still be just as freaked out." He said, moving his paws, and hers, down to where the kits supposedly were.
"Even if we were still bringing actual breathing and living mammals into the world?" Judy proclaimed, averting her eyes. Nick cupped her face and moved her eyeline back into his own.
"100%. No one gets through these types of things perfectly the first time." He answered seriously. She stared at him for a few more seconds before letting out a choked laugh.
"Your right...Pobodys Nerfect." Judy giggled. Nick smiled at this and kissed her on the tip of her nose.
"Exactly. Now come on, we have to get ready soon or my mom might just threaten to kill both of us."
"Nah probably just you. She loves me." She bragged, holding her head higher. He rolled his eyes and snickered, but promptly returned to his discarded plate of food. It was stacked to the brim with blueberries, the occasional bright red raspberry popping up as well. It looked, in her own words, like a tall, overbearing, but delicious stack of fruit. Of course, being Nick, it was one of his favorite options for food in the morning.
Judy laughed at the sight, then too, returned to what she was doing. Digging through her somewhat disorganized array of clothing in their shared compact closet, Judy eventually found what she was looking for. Reaching deep into the closet she struggled but finally pulled out a tinted burgundy dress.
It lay on the hanger still and out in the open but giving Nick a good look at it as well. He let out a low whistle and smirked behind her.
"Is that one of your sisters' dresses? Wait, you didn't actually take one of theirs now did you?" Nick pressed jokingly.
"Well, it wasn't like I was in the best state of mind to raid my sisters' closets at the time." Judy chuckled darkly and he winced.
"Too soon?"
"No it's fine. I think I'm actually in a good enough place to joke about it." She shrugged nonchalantly but returned her attention to the dress. "And getting back to this, the dress is Fru's. Well, she designed it at least, and then gave it to me as a gift since she couldn't be here today."
"Family thing?" Nick questioned, now beside her.
"I think so. I can never really figure out what she does once she leaves with Koslov." Judy murmured while checking over the dress. The trim and end of the sleeves were splattered with white miniature snowflakes, all intricately sewn by Fru Fru herself. And the last thing she checked to make sure was still in place was the black ribbon tied right above the elbow but not at the waist.
The arctic shrew kept the kits in mind and didn't want to risk something with a tight corset or anything adjusted too drastically. So in the end she surprised Judy by making the dress flow loosely past her abdomen but still tucked in somewhat right beneath her chest. In short, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever owned. Not even wearing one of her sisters' fancy dresses could compare to what Fru Fru had made.
Judy changed into it carefully in front of the mirror, not wanting to pop a seam or anything else, but the zipper was too far away for her arms to reach.
"Stupid…short…appendages…" She muttered angrily while frantically bending backward in hope of just grabbing even the tip of the zipper. Nick snickered from behind her and set down his now empty plate.
"You need any help there Carrots?" He asked, offering a paw in support.
"It's alright, I'm good," Judy replied quickly, even when she was most definitely not getting any farther with the dress. Out of the corner of the mirror, she saw the knowing look Nick was giving her and huffed.
"...Yes please…." She eventually mumbled defeatedly. He laughed, shaking his head, and moved behind her to finally zip up the dress. If Judy's stubbornness had been any stronger that day they most likely would never make it in time for the party.
She stood for a few seconds, looking over herself and the dress, but then frowned and cocked her head.
"Do you think there's something missing? Maybe a necklace or whatever" Judy questioned innocently, looking up to Nick. It looked like the color in his face had been drained completely. He blinked dumbly but eventually responded.
"Oh u-um, no! You look great, amazing even. A-And if there really is a need for a necklace you might get-FIND, find one later…" Nick chuckled awkwardly. Judy squinted her eyes at him and was about to interrogate his suspicious behavior before stopping once hearing her phone ring from its bed stand.
She quickly moved towards it, not noticing the sigh of relief Nick gave out once she turned away. It was a text from Jasmine, saying that they would be there in around 30 minutes or so. Judy sent back a smiling rabbit emoji with a paw up for good measure. But while doing so she noticed that it was already 8:25 and gasped.
"Oh god, we have to hurry!" She exclaimed before turning to Nick with wide eyes. "I still have to brush my fur, find some shoes that won't end up killing my feet, a-and -," Judy was cut off by Nick putting his paws on her shoulders to slow her down.
"Carrots, it's ok. We still have enough time for all of that so just calm down." He exclaimed. "You go to the bathroom and do all that while I get ready myself. Ok?" She pursed her lips, still feeling her thoughts cartwheel around her head, but nodded tiredly.
"Ok. But I better see you all dressed up and handsome when I get back. Your mother would hate me if I let you wear a t-shirt and slacks for her party." Judy laughed while disappearing around the door and back into the hallway. Nick laughed and smirked, even if she wasn't in the room.
"She'd hate me more!" He added, yelling.
"That's for sure!" Judy yelled back. Nick waited a few seconds before hearing the bathroom door shut and ran a paw through his fur, making it even more disheveled. That was too close, he seriously needed to calm down, otherwise, he'd give it away. Hearing Judy suggest a necklace made him think that she had seen her gift already and was playfully teasing him.
He quickly changed out of his sleepwear and moved to the bed stand, unlocking the bottom drawer. Nina, for whatever reason, found them a new one with a locked compartment, and Nick never found a use for it, until now. He pulled out a medium black box, opening it slowly. (IT'S NOT A RING, THIS AIN'T A PROPOSAL) Nick lifted the small pendant, rubbing over the wood with his claw.
It had taken two long weeks to even get the idea, then ask Honey and Finnick for help, and not mention carve the freaking thing. But, it was worth it. Because he knew the second Judy saw it she'd be nothing less than happy. At least, he hoped so.
His ears twitched suddenly, hearing the footsteps come closer through the hallway. Nick frantically threw the necklace back into the box and shoved it into his pocket, locking the drawer while doing so. Judy entered the room, her fur fully combed, and wearing a fancy pair of flats the same color as her dress. Her ears tied behind her with a black ribbon similar to those around her chest.
Nick stared breathlessly, his mouth slightly ajar.
"Do you think I should go in my red shoes or black ones - Oh! You look so handsome!" She cooed, forgetting about her question and running up to him. Judy ran her paws down the sleeves of his suit jacket and Nick smirked, seeing it as an opportunity. He grabbed one of her paws, twirling her around in an instant.
"Like you aren't ten times more beautiful. And if I had to say, the red shoes would suit you better, plus I know they don't hurt as much." She smiled tenderly in response, getting on the tips of her toes in order to kiss him on the cheek. The entire scene felt like that of a married couple. (PFFT AS IF THEY AREN'T ONES ALREADY :P)
"Then it's settled then. Now we should really get going, Victoria might not hate showing up on time, but I know she'd only be pleased by us showing up even earlier." Judy exclaimed, leading both of them out of the bedroom and back into the hallway.
"My mother, always the punctual one." Nick sighed dramatically.
"Yeah but if she heard you say that she'd most definitely cut your tail off instead of shaving it." She smirked. He shuddered behind her and Judy laughed one last time before they finally left the apartment and in the direction of the party. (DISCLAIMER! NO FOX TAILS HAVE OR WILL BE HURT THROUGHOUT THE MAKING OF THIS CHAPTER :3)
They both entered the Wilde's apartment, its entirety decorated differently from their Tamesgiving a few weeks back. Nick was currently busy setting down all the presents while Judy rushed over to say hi to Victoria and John.
"Sweetheart you look amazing! Wherever did you manage to find such a dress?!" Nick's mother squealed once seeing what she was wearing. Judy smiled bashfully and giggled.
"Thank you! But I didn't find it anywhere, Fru Fru actually designed it for me." She explained, twirling the ends of the ribbon corset in her paw.
"Oh, that shrew! So much amazing talent in such tiny little claws!" Vic chortled.
"Is everyone else here yet?" Judy questioned intrigued, excited to see the others.
"Just us for now. Your family should be coming soon though. Right?" She exclaimed.
"Jasmine's driving in with Sharla and Gideon but I think so, yeah!" Judy answered politely. There were some shuffling noises from the kitchen and she immediately recognized it as a certain fox's indication of being "deep into his work." Judy popped her head in the doorway and was hit with the smell of delicious frosted cookies.
"Hi, Cooper!" She chuckled once finally entering the room with Nick by her side. He gave a nonchalant wave to his brother before stealing one of the cookies and disappearing back into the living room.
"Oh hey, Judy! I was busy experimenting with some cinnamon and brown sugar but I think I finally perfected my signature beetle muffins. Want some?" Cooper replied somewhat frantic and caked head to toe with flour.
"Ah no I'm - Actually, yeah I'll have one. They smell delicious anyway." She shrugged and went to grab one.
"Wow, didn't take you for the type to enjoy beetle muffins." He exclaimed.
"Well, lots of weird things have been happening to me since I became pregnant with three babies. Lots of things…." Judy answered menacingly, slowly eating her muffin but immediately changing her expression to that of one filled with awe. "Oh my god, these are delicious! Did you mix strawberries with...what is that...pineapple?"
"Yep!" He bragged confidently. "I always loved trying weird food combinations and today was the perfect one to try some!"
"You were right because this is amazing !" She moaned in delight. Cooper thanked her and chuckled while watching Judy grab a second helping of the supposedly amazing beetle muffins.
"Oh, that reminds me!" He proclaimed, setting aside the tray of food on the counter beside him. She cocked her head in confusion, still munching on the pastry in hand. Cooper left the room in an instant but promptly returned with a paper and box in hand.
"What's that?" Judy asked, still slightly confused.
" This …" He explained, pausing for dramatic effect. "Is your Clawsmas gift! From me to you."
"Wait really!" She beamed, moving closer to the object in his paws.
"I have been thinking long and hard about it but I think that after Tamesgiving I finally found the perfect gift. Might even be better than Nicks if I do say so myself." He grinned mischievously. An annoying reply from Nick himself came shortly after.
"I HEARD THAT!" Judy giggled at their brotherly antics but quickly returned her attention to Cooper.
"What is it?!" She questioned excitingly, barely unable to withhold her anticipation. He waited for a few more theatrical seconds and finally revealed what was on the paper and in the box.
The box contained two adorably cute oven mitts that were splattered to the brink with tiny carrots. And the paper appeared to have the emblem of the cooking school Cooper attended with a bold anagram saying T.B.A.O.R.T.M.C. Which, in short, stood for, The Bakers Association Official Recipe of The Month Club.
"Cooper….D-Did you get me a spot in your school's official recipe of the month club?!" Judy finally said in disbelief.
"Oh, you better believe it Cottontail. The entire deal with benefits included." He smirked.
"B-But how? your school is really elite, at least Nina tells me so. A-And aren't these really expensive to get anyway?" She interrogated.
"You can go a long way with student discounts. Plus I have a friend there who owes me." Cooper bragged.
"Thank you! Aw, but this makes me feel like the gift I got you wasn't enough…." Judy said with big eyes and her ears drooping.
"Seriously? Girl, I don't care whatever your gift is, I'll love it. Even if you got me a banana out of all things I'd still cherish it." He reassured while ruffling some of the fur on the tip of her head. She sighed out of relief and smiled.
"Thanks, Cooper. Ah, I should probably go get it!" Judy exclaimed, rushing out of the room. She came back shortly after, with a white coat in hand. Cooper gasped gleefully and Judy smiled out of relief.
"I-Is that….?" He stuttered in disbelief.
"I know what it looks like but this is only a replica of your idols chef coat." She explained. "A friend of mine helped me make it almost identical to his since I know he's your hero and everything…" Cooper ran up to embrace Judy with a tight hug so instantaneously that she almost dropped the coat on the floor.
"I take it, that means you like it?" She chuckled once Cooper let her down. He laughed alongside her and nodded.
"I told you I'd love your gift no matter what. But honestly, I will love this for the rest of my life, possibly even more than my whisk." The continued goofing off until hearing the doorbell ring from outside the kitchen. Judy swerved her ears and almost immediately headed outside.
Leaving the kitchen she not only saw Nick and his parents standing at the door but also everyone back from Bunnyburrow as well. And when she means everyone, Judy only means the mammals that matter. Jasmine was at the front of the group, holding a few gifts in her arms, while Sharla and Gideon were hovering near the back, looking adorable together as always.
"Judy!" The trio exclaimed once seeing her enter the room. She ran over to them and embraced her friends all with a big hug, ecstatic to see them again after such a long time.
"You look amazing!" Jasmine and Sharla said simultaneously once seeing the dress she was wearing.
"Aw, thank you! It's so great to see all of you again. Three months is too long!" Judy beamed.
"Well, we're here now!" Sharla giggled but turned her attention to Victoria and John. "Thank you for allowing us to come, your apartment looks beautiful!"
"T-Thank you for inviting us to your c-charming apartment ma'am!" Gideon stuttered, speaking up. His accent drew out making some of the words sound a little different but Judy understood them easily having known him for a long time.
Victoria chuckled but smiled nonetheless. "Well thank you for accepting the invitation! The more the merrier!" She stepped aside to allow them to enter the apartment and Jasmine to set down the rest of the gifts. They all instantly fell into mingling with each other. Judy caught up with Sharla and Jasmine, Nick with Gideon, and even Nina decided to converse as well. Only, conversing for her meant freaking out the others with conspiracy theories. Specifically Gideon.
"Angelina Wilde stop scaring the guests!" Victoria demanded sternly. Judy cocked her head in confusion, not knowing that Nina's real name was Angelina. Although, having known the vixen for a while now, she could only assume that Nina had her own reasons to go by a nickname like Nick.
Speaking of Nick, Judy decided to go look for him, wondering where he had gone. She also thought that now would be the best time to give him his gift. Yet despite that, Judy hesitated, unsure of what she had made him would surpass whatever gift he got her. Nick was right, Judy would end up second-guessing one of her gifts today, just not the one for his mother.
She eventually found him on the balcony, deep in thought, with his ears twirling around. It was then when Judy had the best idea, to sneak up on him. The idea was to sneak up on him, there is literally no better answer than to sneak up on him. Judy walked through the doorway quietly and crept softly behind him, unsure if he could even hear or not. His ears weren't twitching so that must have been a good sign, unfortunately, Judy failed to notice his tail wagging once she stepped outside.
She was just about to tap his shoulder when he spoke up casually.
"If you're trying to sneak up on me, maybe think about the fact that you've tried this countless times before and how it never worked?" Nick proclaimed, arching his head backward in her direction. Judy stepped back scowling, but still shook her head in a fit of giggles.
"I guess I thought today might be the one?!" She laughed.
"You'll get there someday." He smirked, shrugging. Judy stood beside him, perching her paws on the railing in front of her.
The view beneath them showed the many mammals rushing back and forth across the sidewalks, hastily trying to make it back home in time for whatever they had planned themselves for the holidays. And despite it almost being 1:00, the sky looked prepared for a sunset out of all things. Reds and yellows mixed with each other, the occasional pink popping out in contrast.
"It's peaceful out here…" Judy mumbled to herself and somewhat to Nick. He nodded silently in agreement, wrapping his tail around the bottom of her leg instinctively. She leaned her head against his shoulder smiling, enjoying the moment.
Judy looked up again, marveled by the city skyline when noticing something above them. She lifted her head higher, finally noticing what it was, and snickered. Nick turned to her with a confused look on his face.
"What's so funny?" He questioned with half a grin. Judy didn't answer and merely pointed above the two. Nick followed the direction and began laughing himself as well. It was a mistletoe, the most cheesy cliche during winter. And for whatever reason, our characters found themselves beneath it. Most likely the work of Victoria or Nina or Cooper. Actually, it's possibly just one big alliance between his family.
They both eventually stopped laughing and Judy ended up staring expectantly back and forth between Nick and the mistletoe. They already acted like one of those couples. So what's the harm of falling even deeper into the stereotype. Judy internally shrugged and stepped closer to him, a mischievous smirk on her lips. He arched an eyebrow and mimicked her smirk.
"I didn't take you for a romantic Carrots?"
"Please, when I have never been a romantic?" Judy questioned, teasingly.
"True." Nick shrugged. She giggled, moving onto the tips of her shoes and placing a quick but affectionate kiss on his lips. Judy felt him smile into the kiss and she moved to steady herself, hating the large gap in height between them. Nick thankfully bent down so she wouldn't have to overexert her feet any longer.
And just as she did it, a loud bang came from behind them and they broke apart in shock. Nick and Judy turned around surprised to see Nina, pursing her lips impatiently.
"If you two lovebirds are done...We're doing toasts to "send off" the party or whatever." She sighed, rolling her eyes like that of an annoyed teenager. Which she coincidentally was. The couple turned back to look at each other and laughed, walking back inside paw in paw.
The others were standing in a circle around the tree, which was placed conveniently at a corner in the room. Sharla was paw in paw with Gideon, just like Judy and Nick. And Jasmine was surprisingly hitting it off with Nina, who was standing beside Cooper. And lastly, Victoria leaning proudly beside John like the married couple they were. The entire scene was so heartwarmingly adorable, that Judy couldn't resist a grin.
Nick's mother grabbed a champagne glass filled with sparkling water and flicked it with one of her claws, sending out an echoing ping.
"First off, I would like to toast to what an amazing year this has been, especially the last few months. And I mean that!" She emphasized, getting a chuckle out of everyone in the room. It really was around the time where someone could make a joke about Judy and Nick's mostly pleasant surprise and not fall into an awkward silence.
"And secondly," Victoria continued. "I toast to us, family, friends, everyone. Because cripes help us that the next year will only go smoother…Not that you two should have anything to worry about!" She assured, focusing on the two of them. Judy smiled and said the fact was known. But still, expecting actual living, breathing, most likely screeching, babies. That stuff isn't easy. And definitely not when everything is multiplied by three.
John followed, clearing his throat and raising a glass. "As I said during Tamesgiving, I'm happy for my family, for the company, and for whatever else may come." He gave a quick salute to no specific mammal and drank the rest of his drink, smiling when his gaze returned to Victoria. Judy grinned at the two of them but focused her attention on the next mammal in turn.
Cooper coughed awkwardly, only now realizing how many mammals in the room there were. And the fact that they were all looking at him. But, nonetheless, he sighed and continued on with his toast.
"I guess if I had anything to toast for, it would...for everyone. Especially Judy and Nick." He exclaimed, looking directly at the two. "I don't know if next year will be great since I can't naturally look into the future."
"Hah, not yet…" Nina interrupted menacingly, getting a glare from Cooper but a laugh from Jasmine. He shook his head and returned to where he left off. "Anyway, I just hope to see you guys through it. And that nothing else bad might happen along the way…" (OOOOOH IS THAT SOME SAUCY FORESHADOWING I HEAR? :3)
"Hear hear!" Sharla triumphed, sending off a wave effect in the room. Everyone cheered quietly and took a swing at their glasses. Respectively of course. Since after all, most of the mammals at the party were minors, and there wasn't even the smallest trace of alcohol in their glasses. Nina and Jasmine went through next. Her sister said how proud she was of her, even making Judy tear up a little as well. The two then obviously shared a sisterly embrace, complimenting the other through many ways than one.
Nina, on the other hand, decided to go with her toast by starting off how she most likely expected everyone to become abducted by aliens this time next year. Proceeded by ducking a slap on the head from Cooper, she then actually moved onto a surprisingly heartfelt toast. More of a surprise to Nick than Judy, she knew there was a soft spot on the vixen. Even if Nick had been partially blinded by the countless sibling fights the two had gotten into over the years.
Being a twin is hard, and Judy chuckled, wondering if their own kits would bicker like the three of them had. Or similar to her own litter as well. Who knows? They might just end up loving each other as most siblings do. (HAH LIES :( SIBLINGS WILL FIGHT YOU TO THE DEATH OVER A FRENCH FRY AND THAT'S THE TRUTH)
Anyway, after Nina finished her own speech, it was time for Judy's. And just like that, the entire moment felt eerily similar to the Tamesgiving dinner weeks ago. Except that this time, Judy and Nick knew the genders of the kits, it was just as, maybe even more so, emotional, and all she worried about nowadays was the fact the kits wouldn't move. Or they did, and Judy just couldn't feel them. It was different, but all in the same.
Judy took in a long sigh, thinking deeply about what she would toast to. "If I had to begin somewhere, I would have to acknowledge all of you. I'm just...happy. Happy that despite everything, I have mammals there to hold onto. Friends that I know won't leave my side, family members who won't turn their backs on me, and an amazing boyfriend who only continues to surprise me." She beamed, looking around the room, but ending her gaze on Nick. He smiled at her devotedly, kissing the tip of her head as she giggled in response.
"Dawww…." The rest of the girls, including Cooper but excluding Nina, cooed affectionately. Judy looked away bashfully and continued on.
"Lastly, I know that everything for us hasn't been that promising in the last few weeks…" She said with a sad smile. "But, I think despite that, things will get better. Honestly, it really isn't even a big deal that I still can't feel - GAH!"
Judy stopped mid-sentence and moved one of her paws to her lower abdomen. (I think ima leave now to allow some room for the flood works because ya'll gonna be too emotional for this :3) She brushed it off as a cough and tried to move back to her toast.
"That I can't feel them - HMM" There it was again, only this time, harder. Judy laughed breathlessly, unsure as to what was exactly happening, and tried to at least finish her toast before it became the death of her.
"As I was saying...The entire ordeal doesn't even seem - OK!" That time, whatever it was, a jab, a cramp, a flutter, SOMETHING, Judy literally felt it. Whatever was going on down there managed to move against her paw and she wondered if it was the same thing that managed to elude her in the last few weeks.
"Hey, are you ok?" Nick asked frantically, his arms already on her shoulders in fear. And it was just that, Judy didn't know if she was ok or should be screaming for help. She had never felt anything like this before. And in between the time Judy had initially started her toast and was now miraculously ruining it, she set aside her glass of water and was holding onto Nick's arm, scared.
Victoria showed up beside her as well, with a skeptical and concerned look all over her face. She examined Judy with a pensive stare, then took a sharp intake of air.
"Judy….are you…?" Vic began to say, hesitant to finish the sentence. Nick looked at his mother with wide eyes and then firmly placed his gaze back on Judy again, more than happy to finish the statement.
"A-Are the babies kicking?!" He exclaimed, hopeful.
"I...I think they are! I don't know!" Judy replied with a dumbfounded look on her face. Just then, as if her kits were reading the room around her, they all kicked simultaneously. At least, she assumed they did. Judy doubled over in surprise and slight pain.
"Alright let's give her some space to sit down. With three kits I can only assume it's gonna hurt like hell when they get bigger…" Victoria blurted out in a motherly manner, moving her towards a small armchair in the corner. The entire scene happened so suddenly that Judy didn't even have a chance to fully acknowledge that the kits were actually moving. And she felt it! It was like something out of a movie that it also managed to happen on Clawsmas day as well, just as she was giving a speech!
The group gave her enough space respectively but couldn't hide the delighted grins on their muzzles. Her sister and Sharla especially. Victoria, along with Nick, were the first ones by her side as Judy continued to internally and externally freak out over the kits actually kicking.
"This is way too much of a coincidence…" Nick laughed breathlessly, while his paws were right on top of hers, both of them gushing over the moment. Judy giggled beside him.
"Like some sort of cheesy -" She began but her words intertwined with his.
"Miracle?" The two burst out laughing, Judy still clutching on to Nick's arm. He moved to nuzzle the edge of her cheek in an affectionate way, smiling while doing so.
"Exactly." He proclaimed, still planted right by her side. Nina, who witnessed the scene along with Sharla and Jasmine, gagged.
"They're so sweet it's giving me cavities…" She grimaced. The other girls beside her laughed.
"Yeah but it's so natural for them you can't really be surprised." Jasmine shrugged, staring fondly at her sister as she and Nick were stuck in their own little bubble. Nina stuck her tongue out in annoyance but dejectedly smiled.
They were really cute.
After the party died down and everyone gave Judy's hundreds of repeated congratulations, she and Nick said goodbye to everyone. The goodbye to Sharla and Jasmine being more emotional than others.
"Call me up with updates!" Jasmine demanded once the sisters were in the hallway about to leave the others' side yet again.
"I promise don't worry." Judy chuckled. She turned her attention to Nick, who was standing aside, waiting to head back into the serenity of their own apartment.
"And you ! Stay by her side. I don't want to call home with my sister an emotional mess." Jasmine threatened. Nick gulped out of fear but quickly fell into his suave manner, untouched.
"Like I'd ever leave her side." He argued, moving to wrap a paw around her shoulder. Judy giggled, watching Jasmine roll her eyes but return her gaze.
"I'll still send back updates if you need me to. Mom and dad are….still sorta upset, but I think they wouldn't mind a Clawsmas card or two?" She suggested. Judy thought about it for a moment, suddenly feeling the need to throw water under the bridge and make amends. And after everything that happened hours prior, she felt at the top of the world. It wouldn't hurt to let them know she was still standing tall, alive, and well.
"Ok, sure." Judy rummaged around in her purse until finally pulling out one of the extra Clawsmas cards Victoria gave her. She and Nick were standing somewhat in the front, cheesy grins on their faces as everyone around them fell into a nostalgic pose. Jasmine stared at it in surprise for a few seconds before grabbing it and stuffing it into her purse as well. She gave one last hug goodbye before disappearing down the stairwell.
"That was big of you." Nick acknowledged once they headed back into their own humble abode. Judy shrugged nonchalantly and sprawled against the couch with a tired yawn.
"Can't keep sweeping it under the rug…" She mumbled, exhausted. Judy lay her head against the comfort of the couch for a few seconds before springing up instantly in realization.
"Sweet cheese and crackers I forgot!"
"Forget what?" Nick questioned from below her. He was busy helping Judy take off her flats, which was 100% sweet of him, but she didn't have time for sweet and adorable antics at the moment. Judy stood up abruptly, with the help of a confused Nick, and moved back towards the doorway. Where her gift still stood, perfectly contained in its bag.
She picked it up and turned around hesitantly.
"So I may have...gotten sidetracked at the party and forget to give you this," Judy exclaimed sheepishly, walking back towards the couch and Nick. A smug grin found its way onto his muzzle.
"Did you now?" He smirked.
"Hey I didn't see any gift from you either tonight, so hold your tongue!" She argued. Nick lifted two hands in acknowledgment, knowing full well that they both became sidetracked at the party. It isn't every day that you get to experience the first time your kits move and you can actually feel it.
Judy sat down beside him, an excited yet nervous smile on her muzzle. Still slightly second-guessing the gift, as always. Nick noticed this and pulled out the box he ever so forgot about in his pocket. She stared at it expectantly and gasped once he opened it, revealing a beautiful wooden oval-shaped necklace.
"If you're too shy about showing me my gift…" He teased, lifting up the pendant. "Then I suppose I can go first." Judy was awestruck, unsure of what to say. Because in her eyes, the locket looked absolutely beautiful.
"Nick…" She muttered, completely speechless.
"Now turn around so I can put this on you," Nick asked of her, opening its metallic latch, prepared. Judy's paw ran over her collarbone and smiled. No wonder he became so flustered that morning when she suggested wearing a necklace…
Judy turned around and pulled her ears over her shoulder, still having them tied up with the black ribbon from earlier. Shortly after, Nick sat closer behind her and moved the locket forward, being careful not to break the chain holding it considering it was much smaller in his own paws. It took a few seconds, Nick slightly struggling to make the click the two ends of the chain together but he finally managed through it with a triumphant yes.
She turned back around bashfully and looked down at the locket. It was slightly big in her paws but surprisingly perfect enough by itself. The design was simple, a wooden outer core, most definitely hand carven, taking her by surprise, with a painted field of violets across the front. Giving it a romantic vibe.
"The front was painted by Cooper, he has a better eye for those types of things," Nick said timidly.
"I love it...Nick, I love it so much! You actually made this yourself?!" She exclaimed with teary eyes. He smiled at her and nodded, then adding a quick,
"With some help, yeah. But there's a little bit more to it than that, try opening it up." Judy stared skeptically at the necklace before noticing the small metal part at its side. She carefully opened, hoping not to get some of her fur caught, inhaled sharply. Inside was a picture of her and Nick, not just any picture, but the very first one they took together.
At the start of their "relationship" Judy had been careful not to leave a paper trail in case her parents found out about it. Meaning that she could never save any of the pictures she took with Nick on her phone. So when taking the very first one, Judy realized that much to her displeasure, she couldn't keep it. But Nick happily sent it to his own contact and promised to keep it safe until the day came when Judy could actually start saving the pictures. And that day came...just not how they would have previously expected.
The photo was a miniaturized one from probably their first Saturday rendezvous. Judy had seen it countless times in their own apartment, hung on the wall in their bedroom, but seeing it in this tiny frame, within the locket. It felt different. Better. Judy was smiling wide in the photo, slightly flushed from how close the two were during the moment. If she remembered right Nick had a tight embrace on her, with a smug but caring look in his eyes. He didn't open up entirely, still acting his normal cocky self. But after a while, Judy was able to see the real side of him.
It didn't end there, on the other side of the locket, there was an engraved statement.
Always and forever, I love you.
She looked back at him, biting her lip, about to burst into tears. Judy didn't want to admit it but Nick really outdid himself. He knew she'd be in love with the gift but not so much that Judy would end up crying.
"Can I assume that means I win?" Nick said smugly, hoping to bring back her competitive spirit. It worked immediately because Judy then sprung back with a fire in her eyes, shaking her head violently.
"Nuh-uh! My gift is just as good! Maybe even better." She replied with a scoff. Nick laughed and arched an eyebrow.
"Is that so…? Judy nodded vigorously again, reaching deep into the bag in front of her. But she stopped, her paw was right on the item, about to take it out, but she stopped. Nick's gift was more amazing than anything he had done for her in the past. Including the entire buying a friggin car for his future family. No matter that, Judy was hesitant but slowly pulled out the gift.
A hand-sewn necktie laid in her paw, with a blueberry splattered fabric. Specifically, there were actual images of tiny blueberries caked all over the tie. Nick's eyes grew three times bigger when she sheepishly lifted it up. Judy didn't know if it was a good sign, or a bad one…
Suddenly, Nick broke into a smile that was half surprised and half impressed.
"You made that yourself didn't you?" He stated. "I think I'd be able to recognize your cross stitches." Judy glanced back at him shocked and nodded. Nick didn't say anything else but stared at her expectantly.
"Can I put it on? Or…?" He questioned, smirking. She embarrassingly fumbled with the tie and handed it to him. Nick took it happily and promptly tied it around his neck. Judy must have spent weeks observing it, not too much to seem weird but long enough to hopefully get an exact measurement. But she became worried that Nick would have become suspicious by the countless times she's hugged him since getting the idea.
Anyway, Nick finished tying it and stared back at her.
"How do I look?" He asked, somewhat diffident. And in honesty, Judy had never seen him wear a tie before. But now, with Nick still only 16 years old going on 17, he looked surprisingly mature. Sharp even. Especially given the fact that he was wearing a tie covered in blueberries.
"Y-You look…" The right word escaped Judy and she left the question unanswered. Nick gladly finished it for her with a smug grin.
"Suave? Admirable? All around sexy ?" He said confident, practically growling the last word into her ears. She laughed and pushed him away jokingly.
"I was going to say handsome. But, yeah, that works too." Judy shrugged, giggling. He pulled her into a loving embrace, smiling as well.
"Thank you. I love it." Nick whispered, solely to her and her alone. Judy smiled and snuggled up to him. But the competitiveness in her didn't die down, even
"Soooo…..I win?"
He laughed in disbelief. "Yeah...no. I think I won." Saying it with assurance. Judy scoffed in response.
"I literally made you a necktie with your favorite fruit! How is that not an obvious win?" She questioned.
"Because my heartfelt locket trumps also heartfelt necktie. I thought that was obvious?" Nick exclaimed bluntly. Judy glowered at him for a few seconds before bursting in a long fit of giggles.
"Maybe this year we both win?" She suggested. He contemplated it for a few seconds before shrugging.
"Alright. But next year, I'm bringing out the big guns."
"Next year we'll have three other contestants." Judy acknowledged, looking down to her stomach with a fond look. Nick followed her eye line and smiled, pulling Judy even closer.
"Then I'll just have to work three times as hard." She chuckled, laying her head on his shoulder.
"So will I."
Heyyyy Guys... (First time acknowledging all of you on this account...)
Ok first off, I'm sorry this chapter was late. I had a lot of stuff going on what with it being my last week in school. So in summary, lots and lots of tests. GAH, I wanted to burn my school down figuratively all week!
Still, I should have at least spent some time on this in hope of publishing it earlier.
Anywho, I hope you guys like my cheesy holiday chapter. Specially made just before Christmas, but later for those of you who celebrate Hannukah. It might be one of my longest chapters, but I put a lot of love into it! You can tell by how many cheesy jokes I put in there. :3
I've decided not to write a New Years' chapter because I didn't really see it fitting in, like the Halloween chapter either. But chapter 18 will consist of Nick's birthday. Since in this universe, his birthday is on January 12th. Still might be really off about that tho :p
After that I think will be a filler chapter, then obviously Judy's birthday, March 4th (NOT ACCURATE), then you all know what happens next...
THE BABIES
So given that information, I need to ask you guys for help. I've been thinking long and hard about what the kits will end up looking like but I'm still not fully sure. I've looked through many fan art pieces on Pinterest, Wattpad, deviant art, just about everywhere! And there are a lot of helpful ones, like the most popular of Violet Wilde-Hopps, or of Isabella Wilde. There are only more from there.
So I'm asking all of you, my loyal and crazy amazing fans, to comment below on what you think the kits should look like. I know some of you haven't been making many appearances lately, and I don't blame you for that, I'm taking longer breaks in between chapters so I understand. But I write solely through all of you guys. For inspiration and motivation. As cheesy as it may sound...you guys help me when I struggle through the start of a scene or missing part in a chapter.
And you all know how I love being cheesy.
I'm not even sure if anyone is actually reading this now, but if someone is, please comment below! It would mean the world to me and help a lot. And if you guys think I don't see your comments I definitely do! I just never have the time to respond to all of them with my busy schedule.
Anyway, besides all that. I wish you all a Happy late Hannukah and an early Merry Christmas. Or whatever else you may celebrate. I toast to 2021 and to the hope that it only gets better from here on out!
Stay safe! I love you all! And until the next chapter!