26 Marry Me?

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This is going to be a fairly long chapter compared to the rest, but it's going to deal with a several different subjects.
On another note, I had one reviewer express some concern about Nicholas and Ty Lee becoming so close. To begin with, there is nothing going to happen between them (romantically) in this story. At this point is simply a young todd's instinct for protecting a fellow fox, especially a very shy vixen, kicking in – Judy taught her son well. Secondly, even though it might come off as a bit weird and possibly immoral to some, the two of them getting together later in life is certainly NOT illegal, even though it would probably be looked down upon as they get older by anyone who decides to meddle.

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During the short ride from Deerbrook to home, Nick notes that Judy is unusually quiet with a variety of emotions crossing her muzzle – anger, sorrow … fear? - but decides to put off asking about it until they arrive home and the kits are sent out to play.

With the kits outside and the adults having the house to themselves, Nick has to ask:

"Fluff … Judy … what's on your mind, and please don't say nothing …. We've always been able to talk about our concerns."

Letting out a long sigh, Judy takes a few moments to properly form her reply.

"Marry me Nick …."

Seeing the unmasked confusion on her todd's muzzle, Judy gently places a finger on his lips to stop the question he's sure to ask.

"Let me explain, please." she almost begs.

Kissing the proffered digit, Nick simply smiles and nods.

Taking a deep breath, Judy begins: "After the disaster of talking to sheriff Justice, it occurred to me that most of the kits have no idea that we're actually married, that maybe they consider you to be just another 'customer' … does that make any sense to you?" she asks hopefully.

"Of course it does, but let me ask you this … is it just for the kits, or is it for your peace of mind as well?"

"Umm … both … maybe? Would that really be so bad?"

"Of course not!" answers the todd honestly, a gentle smile on his lipsas he transfers her paw to the side of his muzzle. "I'm almost surprised that you hadn't asked sooner. And to answer your question, of course I'll marry you again. There's nothing wrong with reaffirming our vows, mammals do it all the time."

"Even to the point of claiming me again?" asks the doe hopefully.

"You'd really want to go through that again?" asks Nick, somewhat stunned.

"As long as you don't mind claiming me as your own again, yes I would."

"While there's really no need for it since I would never leave you … I love you more than life itself. But if it would make you feel better, especially with so much that's happened to you for so long, I'd happily claim you as my life mate again anytime you ask.

"So …" he continues "any thoughts on how to go about this reaffirmation?"

"A few … Kinda …Yeah."

"Okay, let's hear 'em."

"Well, to begin with I thought that … maybe … we could have James be your best mammal-" begins Judy.

"With Ty Lee being your maid of honor?"

"I actually thought about Jasmine first, but yeah, Ty Lee would work. I'm sure that it'd make her feel more like one of the family." admits the doe thoughtfully.

"And the rest of the kits can be the rest of our entourage?"

"Sure, but I think maybe Cotton could be my flower doe? It'd give her something to do besides just stand around so maybe she wouldn't be so antsy during the ceremony, and it would help even the number of the kits out."

"Okay, that's all settled. Where and when?"

"I'm sure that mom and dad would let us have it at the farm again, and as far as a date, anytime would work for me."

Taking his doe's head in his two large paws, Nick gently touches his forehead to Judy's and says softly "I know how much this means to you sweetheart and I know why. That's why I would never question your reasons. I love you. I always have and I always will."

Kissing Judy's forehead, Nick continues "Short wedding and short vows, then what? A short overnight honeymoon for the claiming, just to keep things at least a bit traditional?"

"One night away from the kits shouldn't be too bad. I'm sure that both mom and dad and the kits would survive that. So, sure, why not!" admits the now slightly blushing doe.

"Go ahead and call your folks and set up a date, I'll go talk to the kits."

…

As Nick walks out of the back door to chat with their kits, Judy sits at the kitchen table with a fresh glass of water from the fridge and MuzzleTime's her folks.

"Hello? Judy? Is everything all right dear?" asks Bonnie.

"Mom, why do you automatically assume that something's wrong every time I call?" asks the younger doe.

"I'm sorry Bun-Bun, but considering all that's happened to you, I can't help but be concerned."

"It's okay mom, and everything's fine. Listen, I know that this going to be kinda weird, but … I asked Nick to marry me, and before you ask, yes again."

"I don't understand!" admits a mildly confused Bonnie.

"With all that I'd gone through and the conversation that I had with Sheriff Justice, plus the fact that the kits might be put on the spot when they start school when asked whether or not their parents are actually married, I sort of thought that it couldn't hurt to redo our vows."

"I guess you're right, it certainly can't hurt."

"Nick and I were wondering if you'd mind having the ceremony out at the farm like last time. We thought that it would be mainly just family this time with a few of our former co-workers from the ZPD thrown in, and our kits being our entire entourage."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea! Did you have a certain date in mind?"

"Not really, anytime would work for us. Nick is supposed to start at the sheriff's office around the first of next month, so any time before then will work."

"Nick actually managed to get a position with Justice? How did that happen?"

"Do you remember how I managed to basically blackmail Nick into helping me with the Missing Mammals case using my carrot recorder pen?" asks Judy "Same thing only with a dumb bunny this time. Plus, Buford is going to retire after Nick goes through his background check and probationary period."

"Well, good riddance if you ask me… Anyway, how about next Saturday around noon for a wedding date? It'll give us about a week and a half to sort the details out, as few as they'll be."

"Sounds good to me, but I want to run the date past Nick first just to be sure."

"Of course Bun-Bun." grins Bonnie.

"Mom, really with that old nickname again?" asks Judy as she rolls her eyes.

"Humor an old doe, won't you? Talk to Nick about the date and get back with me so we can get everything ready. You know Judith, I never envisioned marrying you off once, let alone twice as dedicated as you were to getting to be a cop."

"I know mom, I know … and to the same mammal as well."

"Call when you get things sorted out. Love you…"

"Love you too, say hey to dad for me."

…

Hearing Nick enter the kitchen, Judy smiles but is curious.

"Well, what did the kits think?"

"They're all for it, especially Cotton. Ty Lee's still a bit timid, but I guess that's to be expected, although she did seem to be excited to be your maid of honor."

"Great! Mom thought that next Saturday around noon would work for a date if it's okay with you. I'll need to get back with her so we can get the few details worked out before paw. Dresses and at least a suit for you, flowers, food and the like…"

"Sounds like a plan!" affirms Nick. "In the meantime, how about a little trip back to Zootopia?"

…

"I guess, but why? I thought you had arranged for dad and some of my siblings to pick up the rest of our stuff from the apartment."

"Yeah, that's all arranged, but I thought that it'd be nice to paw in our resignations in furson and at least tell Buffalo Butt, Ben and the rest of the gang at the precinct goodbye."

"My gods!" moans Judy as she smacks herself on the forehead. "How in the world could I forget something like that?"

"Relax Fluff, it's not that big of a deal."

"But …"

"It's not – a big - deal! Now, let me call Bogo and set something up. If you call, Ben will answer the phone and we'll never be able to surprise anyone."

[Huffs] "Fine … I guess, but at least put it on speaker … please." requests the slightly put-off doe.

"I can do that!" Nick replies with a smile.

[Nick dials the main ZPD number]

Bzzzz … Bzzzz ….

"ZPD, this is Officer Clawhauser, how may I direct your call?" comes from the phones speaker.

"Hey Ben-" begins Nick.

"NICK! Where on earth have you been? You haven't been around for-"

"It's been … I've been on a … special assignment with the task force. Look, I really need to speak with the Chief, is he busy? It's kinda important!"

"Ummm, I don't think so? Let me buzz him quick …. Ok, let me patch you through. You really need to stop by sometime and catch me up on how the search is going. Everyone is so closed mouthed about it and all."

"I promise to come by and brief you fursonally before long." answers a smiling Nick, with Judy barely able to suppress a giggle.

"Okay, thanks Nick. Here, let me just-"

"Wilde?" suddenly comes the chief's voice from the phone.

"Yeah chief, it's us. Hold on a sec and I'll put you on MuzzleTime… there."

As Bogo looks upon his two prize officers, he gets a dreaded feeling but hopes for the best …

"Well" he states "You're certainly looking a lot better than the last time I saw you Hopps."

Knowing that Bogo usually calls her by her maiden name to keep the two of them straight, Judy lets what would normally be considered a perceived slight pass "I'll take that as a complement, thanks chief. It's truly amazing what a little freedom and a lot of love from my mate can accomplish in such a short time."

"And the kits?"

"Much better as well, thanks for asking. Nick has legally adopted my other five kits with no reservations, and they seem to have accepted him as their only true father…"

"Ahhh, I see. Umm-" as the buffalo tries to negotiate a rather touchy subject.

"Yes, even Jack's kits." admits Judy.

"Bit of a sticky situation there."

"Uncomfortable to say the least, but it's all in the past and Jack should never become a problem in the future."

"I get the impression that this isn't strictly a social call to simply catch me up on your condition and that of your kits. Out with it Hopps."

"To the point as always chief. All right then … Nick and I have decided to take positions with the Tri-Burrow sheriff's office, Nick as soon as the first of the month and myself in a few years after all seven of the kits are in school."

"Well, I hate to lose good officers, but-wait, seven kits?"

"Yeah, Nick and I adopted a young hybrid fox vixen that no one else even saw fit to consider." admits Judy sadly.

"Sounds about like the two of you … And you felt the need to call in order to resign?"

"Actually" interjects Nick "we'd planned on pawing our resignations to you in furson before the first of the month, but we figured that maybe we could at least say hey to the rest of the precinct at the same time… oh, and by the way, we're getting married next Saturday, and you and the rest of the precinct are invited."

"…. But I thought-"begins a confused Bogo.

"And you'd be right." adds Judy "After all I've been through, I thought that none of the kits actually know that Nick and I are and have been married, so to make things a bit less awkward for them I asked him to marry me again, to renew our vows, not only for my piece of mind but for the kits as well."

After taking a moment to consider the doe's words, Bogo concedes to the logic "I'll see how many of the officers I can let off to make the ceremony."

"If it's not too much to ask" begins Nick "would it possible to set up a short bit in the bullpen before shift? It'd save time rather than having to run around and talk to everyone individually!"

"What did you have in mind?"

"Maybe tell everyone that there's a mandatory meeting where there'll be an announcement involving Judy … maybe have Winters, Wolford and DaVide act like they're going to make the announcement, and let Judy, the kits and I slide in at the last second?"

"That's just sneaky and underpawed … just your style Wilde. And it's completely believable. With such a light case load at the moment, tomorrow would be the best time if you think you can swing it." adds the buffalo, actually meaning the statement as a complement.

Looking at Judy who simply nods after a few seconds of thought, Nick confirms "Looks like it's a go, we'll see you around eight tomorrow morning."

After terminating the connection, Bogo thinks out loud to himself as the buffaloagain reaches for the phone to make a call, mischievous grin fully in place"You're not the only one who can be a bit underhooved…"

…

"So," begins Nick "I guess it's a quick trip to Zootopia today…"

"I'll start getting the kits ready while you make reservations." adds Judy heading for the back door.

"Maybe Winters still has our old rooms available…?" wonders Nick.

"Well, give her a call and find out…"

[BRING] … [BRING] … [BRI-]

"Hello? Nick? Is something wrong?" asks a concerned agent Winters.

"No, quite the opposite actually." admits the todd.

"Then, why the call?"

"Well, Judy, the kits and I were planning on visiting the city tomorrow to turn in our ZPD resignations and tell our former co-workers goodbye, and we were wondering if there was a possibility that our rooms were still available."

"So, you've made up your minds to both resign and join …."

"The Tri-Burrows Sheriff's Office, yes, exactly. I'll be starting the first of next month while Judy's planning on waiting until all of the kits are going to school full time."

"That's great. I'm sure the kits will be much happier and more well adjusted in a rural environment than the hustle and bustle of the city. And yes, your old rooms are still open. The Agency actually has them rented through the end of next month, just in case…"

"I – that is we understand perfectly how things can go south in a hurry. Thanks, we'll try to visit before we leave the city."

"I'll look forward to seeing you, Judy and the kits again. Bye." admits the vixen in parting.

And the connection is broken.

…

"That went better than I expected!" admits Nick.

"Right." agrees the doe "Now, let's get the kits ready to make the trip so we can get there at a decent time. Why don't you put some snacks and water in the truck while I get the kits ready for the trip. The most they should need is a change or two of clothes and of course Cotton 'll need her plushy."

"You mean rightafter they get cleaned up, right?"

"Nick, no…"

"Judy, yes. You know perfectly well that if you leave kits alone for any period of time, they're gonna make a mess. Al found the water hose and turned it on and now the kits are taking turns spraying each other. And yes, there's now a very nice mud hole in the back yard about ten feet from the swing set."

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Judy can almost picture five bunny kits and two fox kits covered in mud from head to toe traipsing across her kitchen floor, creating an even bigger mess.

"And you just let them? Really Nick?" asks the slightly exasperated doe.

"They were already muddy by the time I got out there, so I figured I might as well let them get it out of their system. Maybe they'll be a bit worn out for the trip?"

[SIGH] "Well I guess there is that… I have an idea…" a wicked looking smile beginning to grace the doe's muzzle.

"You've got that grin that I was never comfortable with before … what are you planning?"

"Well, I know that the bunny kits won't mind, but I'm pretty sure that James and Ty Lee are gonna be a bit uncomfortable, but I think I can make allowances for that!"

"Which is what … exactly?" asks a now slightly nervous Nick.

"Follow me!" Judy tells Nick as she grabs his tie andforcefully leads him out of the back door.

"Okay kits, line up and strip!" instructs Judy using her 'tough cop/angry mother' voice. "James and Ty Lee, down to your underwear and the rest of you get down to your fur. Chop, chop!"

"Mom?" asks a slightly confused Janae.

"We're all going to be leaving for Zootopia for an overnight stay in a little bit so your dad and I can say goodbye to our former co-workers tomorrow. And if you think for one second that you lot are going to traipse through my clean kitchen and up the stairs to your own bathrooms as nasty as you are, you've got another think coming.

"Nick, take the hose from Cotton and everyone form a line, starting with Cotton and by age up to James and Ty Lee. Then you kits can shake off the excess water and take your fuzzy butts upstairs, shower off properly and get dressed. We're going to leave as soon as everyone's ready."

With a pile of sopping wet, muddy clothes growing by the porch swing on the deck, Judy quickly begins to rinse off seven grumbling naked and near-naked kits.

"Just so we're clear" Judy adds in a much gentler voice as she finishes rinsing Cotton off "you kits are NOT in trouble. You were just out here having fun and I understand, my siblings and I did the same thing at your age. I simply don't want you messing up my clean kitchen and creating more mess in the house than need be. Help each other shower and dry off, I'll be up as soon as I finish hosing you all down.I'll help Ty Lee and the rest of you girls while your dad helps the guys."

Following the kits upstairs, Judy and Nick help get the kits clean and dry, especially concentrating on James and Ty Lee with their fuller coats and long fluffy tails.

Just over an hour later, seven kits and two adults are headed towards the big city.

After ten minutes, Judy glances towards the two rear seats and giggles, then lets Nick in on the seemingly private joke.

"Looks like you were right." The doe admits.

"About … what?"

"We've got seven sleeping beauties in the back. I have no idea whether it'll last the entire trip, but at least for now it'll be peaceful."

"You can lie down and take a short nap if you want Fluff, I'm good with driving, at least for now. If I get tired I'll let you know."

"You're sure?"

Kissing his bunny between her long ears, Nick reassures her "Of course. Now, get some rest."

…

Finally waking when she hears traffic sounds, Judy stretches and gives her husband a slightly heated look.

"You drove all the way? Really?"

"You were tired and I wasn't. It was only a bit over three hours so it's not a big deal Fluff."

"Maybe, but still-"

"To be fair, I'll let you drive back tomorrow after we visit the ZPD if you want to, okay?"

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, Judy is slightly mollified "Fine … but I'm holding you to it!"

"With that settled, maybe you can wake the kits, we'll be at the Palm in a few minutes. We can offload the kits and all of our stuff and get a bite to eat before turning in."

…

Thirty minutes later, the entire Wilde fluffle is back in their vehicle, heading for something to eat.

"The Icehouse dad?" asksa hopeful Calvin.

"I thought that we'd try something a little different tonight." answers the todd, with a bit of mischievous smile playing across his muzzle.

"Nick?" questions the doe.

"I thought we'd give a couple of old friends a bit of business and set their minds at ease."

After a moment's thought, Judy has the answer "Mel and Alice?"

"Ding, ding, ding" smugly answers Nick, ringing an imaginary bell "give the bunny a carrot! OWWW!" as the todd takes a hard punch to the shoulder.

"Damn it Nick you KNOW how I hate that…"

"Ah, ah, ah, Fluff, language…" mildly chides Nick.

Gazing at her husband with narrowed eyes, Judy has to ask "Is there a special reason why you seem to be pushing my buttons today?"

Giving his doe a sly wink and quickly glancing at the back seat noticing the slightly concerned looks that the two of them are getting, Nick narrows his eyes as well and slowly leans towards his wife, as if he's stalking her.

Not exactly sure what the todd has on his mind, Judy just as slowly inches back in her seat until her back comes in contact with the passenger side door.

Suddenly darting forward, Nick opens his maw and … blows a prolonged raspberry onto Judy's exposed neck, causing not only her to start laughing, but the kits as well.

"Hahahahahahahaha … Nick – stop - please…."the doe gasps as she'sfinally able to catch her breath.

"Do you yield to your loving mate and promise to leave your funky little attitude on the ground when we get to Mel's?"

"Yes, yes, please, no more. You sly fox, you did all of this on purpose just to loosen me up didn't you … didn't you?" she asks as laughter tears slowly leak from her eyes.

"My dear bunny, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!" Nick responds, smirk fully in place, all the while keeping an eye on the kits reactions.

"Yeah, right! Anyway, let's get moving. I can almost taste Mel's cheesy potato casserole already."

"Are you kits ready for some amazing food?" asks Nick.

With numerous affirmative nods and several 'Yes daddies', Nick starts the engine, places the Expedition in gear and sets off down the street, a much more relaxed mate pressed against his side.

…

A short time later, Nick and Judy are the subject of numerous dubious glances from seven hungry kits as their vehicle parks in front of a very old-timey looking café.

"Dad?" asks Nicholas "are you sure this a good place to eat? It looks kinda …"

"Old and outdated?" asks the older todd.

"Yeah…?"

"It'll be fine, I promise." adds Judy to the conversation as she climbs out and heads to the back to start helping unbuckle the younger and smaller kits from their car seats.

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