As the long awaited day arrived, everything began to feel like a dream. The guests were talking amongst themselves while they waited for the ceremony to begin. There was hardly a quiet mammal in the venue. Everyone was eager to witness the first wedding involving a bunny and a fox. It was a historic event no doubt.
Hearing the processional music start made everyone cease their conversations. They stood up from their seats and turned around to face the entrance, watching as the doors slowly opened to reveal the beautiful bride in her white dress. Standing next to her was her father, linking his arm with hers to lead the way.
Nick, who was already at the altar waiting for her, was in complete awe upon seeing the vision of perfection in front of him. Somehow she looked even more beautiful than he could've imagined. Her long laced dress resembled the brightness of snow and the veil that dragged behind her, just barely touching the floor was attached to a shimmering silver tiara on top of her head. If there were wings on her back he would've been convinced she was an angel.
Judy couldn't help but smile, not only because of the way he stared at her, but because she had the chance to get a good look at him as well. Three years ago she would've never thought she'd ever see him standing in front of their friends and family, waiting to be called her husband. But he had grown a lot since then. He was more mature, he was wiser, he was kinder, and he was committed to sharing his life with the woman who loved him more than anything.
Once Judy and Stu approached the altar, he took another look at her and gave her a small kiss on her cheek, finally ready to give her away to her groom. He didn't even try to hold back his tears, it wouldn't have worked anyway.
Stu sniffed and grabbed his daughter's paw, slowly giving it to Nick. "This is my little girl, so you take good care of her."
Nick smiled, giving him an assuring nod. "I will."
Stu exchanged a glance with each of them before making his way back to his reserved spot next to his wife. Judy handed her bouquet to her sister, the maid of honor, as she stepped forward to be aligned with her fiancé.
"Please be seated." The reverend said to the guests, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Judith Laverne Hopps and Nicholas Piberius Wilde. In the presence of their family and friends, they will pronounce their love through this ceremony and begin a lifelong journey together."
Not a single guest was without a smile as the reverend went on, "There is nothing greater in this world than finding the ones with whom we feel safe, secure, and most ourselves. We search to find the one most accepting of our flaws, we search to find the one most encouraging of our dreams. But most of all, we search to find the one who loves us so unconditionally we simply can't do anything but believe it. Judy, Nick, you are lucky to be best friends who love each other, and that is the greatest kind of love there is. Through all the hardships you've faced, and through whatever shall come your way in the future, you always have someone to count on."
As he continued, Judy and Nick shared a couple glances. They were both still astonished that this was happening, that after almost a year of waiting and planning the special day, they were actually about to be married.
"And now the bride and groom will exchange vows." He said, which concluded the invocation. "Judy, we'll hear from you first."
Judy nodded as she and Nick turned so that they were facing each other. Her sister passed her the ring as she began, "Nick, when I moved to Zootopia, the last thing I expected was to meet my soulmate. And honestly, had someone told me it'd be the fox I met at the ice cream café, I would not have believed them. But here I am three years later, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. If I could go through it all again, I wouldn't change a thing, because it's gotten us where we are right now, and something tells me it was supposed to happen. It was fate that day I met you, and ever since then I've fallen for you more and more."
She gently grabbed his left paw, sliding the ring onto his finger, "I love you with all that I am, and promise to be with you forever."
A couple sniffles were heard from the front row, which presumably came from Stu, who was a crying mess from the beginning of the ceremony. Judy chose to ignore it, though. Her sole focus was her fiancé.
"And now the groom's vows." The reverend said.
Nick held the other ring in his grasp, taking a second to gather his words. "Judy, for most of my life, I never imagined that I'd ever get married. The thought of falling in love was something I scoffed at. But then you came along and turned my whole world upside down. You believed in me when no one else did, you made me into something I never thought I could be, and you still continue to surprise me. Every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but clearly I must've done something right, because you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
He took her paw, placing the ring on her finger, "I love you, and I'll spend the rest of my life reminding you so that you never forget how important you are to me."
There was hardly a pair of dry eyes watching them as they exchanged vows. Especially Judy's parents, who were sharing tissues and tears.
"Do you, Judith, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love and to cherish, through joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?"
Judy smiled with watery eyes, "I do."
"And do you, Nicholas, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to honor and protect, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, through good times and bad, from this day forward until death do you part?"
Nick nodded, taking both of her paws in his. "I do."
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." The reverend said with a grin, "You may kiss the bride."
He barely finished his proclamation before the two pulled each other in for a deep, passionate kiss, which earned a uproar of cheers from their family and friends. At last, the moment they'd been longing for was here. They were finally married, in a city that used to be against their love.
They soon pulled apart and joined paws, making their way down the aisle as everyone around them applauded in wonder. Tears were still remaining from the vows. The words, the sincerity, the look in Judy and Nick's eyes; it was clear their love was genuine, and everybody could tell it was going to last a lifetime.
—
The after ceremony lasted the rest of the day, in which everyone was served dinner and cake, and participated in a party-like celebration where they drank and danced until their feet fell off. There were a few tear-jerking speeches from family, mixed in with some roasting by Judy's siblings. Overall, it was a wonderful reception. It was everything Judy and Nick ever wanted from their wedding, and it was definitely worth the wait.
Once the sun started to set, it was time for the bride and groom to leave for the honeymoon. Everyone gathered outside the doors to prepare for the send off, having everything set up, including the car that was decorated on the back. After having signed the legal documents to make the marriage official, Judy and Nick walked out side by side to be greeted by various goodbyes, as well as tossing of rice and lavender.
They walked through the path together, waving at everyone they passed with wide grins across their faces. Judy tossed her bouquet in the air to let somebody catch it, which caused some commotion in the crowd behind her. But she paid no mind, it was someone else's problem now.
Nick opened the door for his bride and helped her into the back of the car, then let himself in on the other side. The guests all crowded around the car to say one last farewell and a repeated congratulations, then eventually disbanded to let them drive away.
The driver of the car gave the newlyweds their privacy as the snuggled together in the backseat, enjoying the complete bliss of honeymoon fever. No other thoughts crossed their minds throughout the day, and especially not now. All they were focused on was each other, and the life they were starting together.
Judy's ears perked up when she suddenly remembered she had a surprise for her husband. "Oh, I almost forgot." She held up her finger, then reached down below the seat in front of her to pick up a small rectangular box. Earlier she had stashed it there so she would have the opportunity to give it to him in private. "This is for you."
Nick took the box from her, curious as to what she could've gotten him, and why. "Carrots, you didn't have to get me anything." He shook his head, undoing the little bow that held the lid on the box.
"Trust me, you'll want to see this." She said, biting her lip in anticipation.
Nick gave her a skeptical look, but nevertheless trusted that whatever it was, he was going to enjoy. He removed the bow and opened the lid, and was immediately taken aback by what was inside.
Slowly, he picked up the stick, glancing at his wife a couple times to see if she was messing with him. But why would she pull a prank like this on their wedding day? And then again, it wasn't like her to joke about this at all. He chuckled, noticing the particular symbol on the stick which had a great significance.
"A-are you serious?" He asked, barely processing what he was seeing. "You're pregnant..?"
Judy nodded in response, smiling timidly. "Yes." She said, rubbing her paw. "I found out the other day."
Nick smiled in awe, setting the stick down as he turned to her. He cupped her face and pressed their lips together, easing some of her previous nerves. "I can't believe it, you're actually pregnant!" He laughed, taking a moment to look at her. "We're actually gonna be parents!"
"I know, it's crazy!" She giggled, pressing her nose against his. "I'm so glad you're happy about this, I was kinda worried you were gonna freak out."
"Freak out?" He scoffed, "Come on, Carrots, you know me better than that."
Judy gave him a look, then rolled her eyes and laid her head down on his shoulder. He smiled and rested his head on top of hers, holding her paws in his lap. "Just when I thought this day couldn't get any better." He murmured, gazing out the window, seeing the sky slowly turn darker with the stars appearing.
"I love you, Judy." He said, a little out-of-the-blue. But he made a promise to remind her everyday, and he intended to stay true to his word.
She smiled softly and closed her eyes, squeezing his paws. "I love you, too, Nick."
To think that two years ago this all seemed like an unreachable dream. Two years ago they were forced to hide their love and affection when around other mammals, and for a while they feared anyone knowing the truth. But the city was growing, and so was its policies. Mammals were becoming more accepting and less violent about their opinions. Unfortunately not everyone was going to be happy about the changes, but that didn't matter. What mattered was the ones who were changing.
Somehow through the hatred and discrimination, Judy and Nick never fell out of love. If anything, their love only grew stronger in the darker times. For whatever challenges they would continue to face, they would always have each other between the odds of it all.
The End
A/N: I can't believe I actually finished this. Like, wow. This never happens. I can't believe I spent six months writing it too. I think that's the longest it's taken me to actually finish something lol.
Well anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the happy ending! (Did you really think I'd keep them broken up? xP) Thank you to everyone who stuck around, and thanks for supporting me throughout the rollercoaster that was writing this story. It's a bittersweet feeling that it's over, but don't be too sad bc now I can work on my new Zootopia fanfics! Be sure to check those out when I get to posting them ;3
That's all for now. Thanks again for all the love and support, it means a lot to me! Have a good day my lovelies! 3