Prompt from The Wildehopps Protection Agency (WHPA): I kinda wanna see Nick and Judy, but they died together as husband and wife, and they are now lovers in Heaven.
….
"I think…" Judy mumbled, eyelids growing heavy, "… I think it's…" She was breathless, like she'd run a marathon.
She hadn't gone running in years, not since her retirement.
"…It's nearly time." She finally finished, sounding so very tired. Over the last few months, she had grown weaker and weaker, Nick not doing much better as he watched his wife deteriorate.
She knew she was dying…. Everyone knew she was dying, and she was fed up of trying to hold on.
"N-Nicky?" She whispered, eyes already closing.
"I'm here." Nick whispered, voice just as weak as he leaned over to kiss his wife on the head, "Stay with me, okay? Stay with me Carrots."
"Hmmm… I love you."
"I love you too." Nick sighed, trying to fight the tears that were already starting to fall, softly stroking his wife's cheeks, before entwining his hand with hers and lying next to her.
Her breathing got more laboured, the sound of the heart monitor beside her bed starting to change as the end approached.
"I-I don't think I-I can do this anymore." Judy whispered, pulling Nick closer, "I-I'm sorry… I-I love you."
The heart monitor startled him, as Judy's hand went limp, dropping down like someone had just cut all the strings that kept her going.
Nick made a sound of protest, not ready to let his wife go yet.
But it was too late… she was already gone.
Sighing, knowing that there was nothing anyone could do now, Nick lay next to her and closed his eyes, pulling her close for one last hug, as the darkness crept in.
….
"What kept you?"
"Nothing could keep me from you."