20 There's No Place Like Home
XxX
Please be sure to read the author's not at the end of the chapter.
XxX
As Sarah continues to tell her siblings about the last week and a half's adventures, Lawrence (Larry) Hopps looks on and listens in on his sister's and niece's visits. He particularly takes notice of Judy's fox, and how sincere he seems to be when addressing her kits graves. 'He's either a very good liar (he is a fox after all) or actually means what he says … this one may need watching…'. he thinks to himself.
Knowing that he's late getting back to the farm and the chores that it creates, Larry climbs into the old truck that has been in the family for generations and cranks it up.
Throwing the truck into gear, Larry heads down the narrow path that is the typical cemetery road and makes a quick left paw turn onto the highway without looking and never sees the oncoming pickup that T-bones the old truck hard in the passenger side door.
Hearing the sound of the crash but having no idea who might be involved, Nick, Judy and Sarah immediately climb into the Nomad and head towards the cemetery entrance.
As they approach the accident scene, Judy immediately recognizes the truck as belonging to her family farm.
"It's one of our old trucks" she comments in horror…
Just as Judy and Nick hurriedly exit the truck with firm instructions for Sarah to stay in the car, the pickup bursts into flames.
"Nick" shouts Judy "I think it's Larry …"
…
"Stay back" was all Nick says as he sprints towards the burning vehicle.
Wrenching the driver's side door open, Nick sees an unconscious Larry sitting still being held in the truck by his lap belt.
Using a sharp claw, Nick easily cuts the cheap nylon belt, grabs the unconscious buck and heads towards safety, making it a total of just over ten feet before the truck explodes.
Thrown another fifteen feet, Nick never hears the screams of his wife and daughter, never feels himself hit the ground and doesn't immediately feel the pain associated with the explosion.
…
Finally waking up after the collision, it's difficult for Larry to move, and his nose is filled with the heavy scent of fox!
"Get offa me pelt!" was all he could say, pushing the unconscious form of Nick so he could get up.
Suddenly grabbed by Judy, the buck was given an earful "I otta beat you ta death here and now" she yelled into his face "Nick just saved your worthless ass and you call him a pelt? He shoulda left your stupid ass in the truck ta die!"
"Dad saved your life and all you can do is cuss at him?" asks a thoroughly pissed-off Sarah. I ain't never seen anyone so stupid in my short life. Git away from my dad before I kick your ass myself!"
"Wait … what …" as what happened suddenly catches up with the thoroughly confused buck.
"You pulled out onta the road in front of me and I hit ya" remarks the owner of the pickup that hit Larry. "If it hadn't been for that fox, you'd a been burnt to a crisp. I called the cops and the EMT's, they should be here in a few minutes…"
"I caused all this?" asks a now shocked Larry, surveying the two now totally burnt up vehicles.
"And I hope ya go ta jail fer it" says Sarah "hurtin' my dad an' then callin' him names."
"Why are you calling that fox your dad anyways? You're a bunny and he's a fox, it ain't possible… is it?"
"It don't matter if he's a fox, he's treated me an mom better than any damned bunny, or anyone else fer that matter, so yea, I call him dad. And he's fixin' ta adopt me, so there!"
"…"
The sounds of approaching sirens cut off all further conversation.
As the EMTs arrive shortly before the sheriff, they turn their attention to Nick first, discovering that the still unconscious fox was breathing normally and not in a life-threatening condition.
Arriving less than a minute after the EMTs an older black and white patrol car pulls into view.
As the occupants climb out of the car, Judy notices that the severely overweight buck that was the Tri-Burrow sheriff when she was kit, was still sheriff.
"Sheriff Justice?" asks a shocked Judy.
"… Judy Hopps? Been a long time. Last time I seen you you'd just been canned from ZPD. What you doin' now?"
"Still workin' at the Woolworth's in Deerbrook. That's most likely change in the next few weeks though"
"Really? Why?"
"Got married and movin' ta Aurora with my daughter and new husband."
"Who's the unlucky buck this time?"
"First of all, who I marry ain't none of your business. But if it was, and since it pertains to this shitstorm that my that my dumbass brother just caused, it's this poor fox that's bein' treated by the EMTs."
"Well, don't that just figure-"
"I wouldn't go any farther with that if I were you" warns Judy. "Speciest remarks can get even you in a lot of trouble these days."
"Besides" interrupts the owner of the other vehicle "that fox ended up saving Larry Hopps' life."
"It's true sheriff" adds Larry "I'd been kinda hard on Judy and that fox-"
"His name's Nick, Larry"
"Ok, Nick. Judy's kinda been on the family's shit list ever since mom and dad disowned her for getting' fired by the ZPD for abusing a suspect and being divorced a second time. You know that don't set well with a lot of bunny folk. But anyways, after seeing him spend time with Judy and her … kits at the cemetery, then saving my life after the accident, I think she's finally got a mate that she's happy with. You know what an asshat Gerald Fluffson is anyways."
"That's right" says the sheriff "come ta think of it I've got-"
"Don't ya think ya might need ta stop right there sheriff? Ya don't want ta put out restricted information to the public … right?"
"You're right Judy, thanks."
Noticing the hare EMT approach, the sheriff welcomes the interruption "How's the patient Johnny?"
"Slightly disoriented I think, probably from the mild concussion, but he keeps asking for a Fluff and a Punkin'. Wants to be sure they're ok."
"That would be us" says a slightly amused Judy, who is at the same time very concerned "It's his nicknames that he uses alla the time."
"Is he gonna be ok?" asks a seriously concerned Sarah, beating Judy to ask the question. "Is my dad gonna be ok?"
Seeing the confused look on the hares' face, sheriff Justice simply says "Don't ask … just … how is the fox?"
"Well as I just said, he's got a minor concussion and some scorched fur on his tail and the back of his head and ears. Luckily his clothing saved him from some really nasty burns, but he's gonna be really uncomfortable sitting for a week or two.'
'I'd suggest that he ride the bus to the Tri-Burrow Medical Center, just to be certain."
"But he'll be ok … right?" asks a tearful Sarah.
Noting the concern on the young doe's face, the EMT answers truthfully "Yea, he'll be ok, he'll just hurt for a good while."
"Would it be ok for Sarah ta ride in the ambulance?" asks Judy "I would, but she can't drive yet, so …"
Looking at the two does, the hare realizes that arguing would not be in his best interest, so he relents "Sure, I don't see a problem with it. He really needs someone familiar to be with him anyway."
As Judy heads for the Nomad, the sheriff stops her for a second "Look Judy, I wanna apologize for earlier. You know you've never been the so-called normal doe, so I guess it kinda figures that you'd end up with someone less … conventional."
"Thanks for that, I guess. And for the record-"
"For the record, since the mammals that got you fired from the ZPD are behind bars, you'll most likely be exonerated of the brutality charges. I don't suppose that-"
"I'd be interested in bein' a cop again? Nope, not a chance. You're privy ta the court documents and know that Nick and I are fixin' ta adopt two more kits, with one only bein' four years old. Nick bought the berry plot that used ta be part of my parents' farm and we're plannin' on workin' it. I don't and won't have the time or inclination ta be a cop anymore, I've moved on from that. Thanks anyway."
"Well, it didn't hurt to ask. See you in court on Monday then?"
"Count on it sheriff. And thanks for the apology, it means a lot right now."
"No problem." Turning to his son "C'mon Junior, let's get this over with…"
"Comin' daddy!" as he trips and falls flat on his face…
Sending Judy a sorrowful look "See what I deal with on a daily basis? I swear, when we get home, I'm gonna hit his momma in the mouth… pow, all the way to the moon!"
"Bye sheriff… tell Alice hey fer me."
…
Following the ambulance the fifteen miles to the Tri-Burrow Medical Center, Judy was sure that somehow, Larry would get a lift back to the family burrow, either from the sheriff or one of her many siblings.
After parking and heading into the ER admissions desk, Judy as relieved(?) to see that one of her sisters was working the desk.
"Hey Jude, long time no see."
"Yea, I know …"
"It's ok, I ain't gonna bust your chops. I for one understand why ya got divorced from Gerald, and I don't blame you one bit."
"Debra-"
"Look Judy … I also know, thanks to the media and some personal digging, that you were wrongly kicked out of the ZPD. And as for your choice of husbands" holding up a paw to stop the comment that she knew was coming "I think you've got a good one this time so just chill ok?"
"Is Nick ok? I mean-"
"He's still a bit … wonky, what with the meds and the concussion, but he should be alright. It'll be a rough go sitting for a few days, until his fur grows back out. Where'd you ever meet him anyway?"
As she fills out the admission and the insurance forms, Judy gives her sister the brief rundown of the past two weeks adventure.
"So let me get this straight… you broke down on the way to bike week and Nick stopped, knowing full well who you were?"
"Yup. We both confessed how lost we were without each other and all was forgiven. My only worry at the time was Sarah, and I guess you c'n see how well that went!"
"Yea, the ER staff had to chase her out of the treatment room, she didn't want to leave her 'dad' as she put it! She's really attached to that fox, isn't she?"
"And for good reason. He's treated us both better than either Jack or Gerald did combined, and he loves Sarah like she was his own fur and blood. And you should've seen him earlier when we stopped and saw my … other … kits. He cried more than Sarah and I combined."
"No brothers?"
"Nope, just a gay sister, sorry. I know that you were into preds when we were young …"
"Yea, dated and bedded a few, but never found mister right…"
"Umm … maybe …"
"…?"
Nick owned … owns, whatever … is part owner of a custom bike shop back in Aweston. Most of his employees are vets an' most of them are either pred/prey couples or pred/prey oriented. Maybe, if ya ask nicely, we could hook ya up with someone?"
"Hold that thought, here comes Sarah…"
"Mom! They won't let me see dad..."
"It's ok baby, I'm sure your dad wouldn't want ya ta see his backside."
"Ewww! I guess it's ok then." And then she takes a cautious look at Debra.
"Sarah, this is my younger sister Debra. Be nice and say hello, she's on our side."
Peeking out from behind Judy Sarah says "Hello, nice ta meet cha."
"She's every bit a Hopps and every bit your kit!"
"I ain't no Hopps" interrupts Sarah forcefully "My name is Sarah Wilde!"
Seeing Debra cast a questioning glance her way, Judy elaborates "Nick's plannin' ta adopt her. The hearin' is gonna be in Deerbrook family court on Monday mornin'. Yer welcome ta come if ya want, just please don't say nuthin. I'd explain, but fer now, just let it be, ok?"
"I usually have Monday's off, so count on me for moral support." Glancing at Sarah "And it's been nice to meet you Sarah."
"… Thank you, ma'am …"
…
A few minutes later a still woozy fox exits the treatment are of the ER.
Holding out his arms for balance, Nick speaks "Hey Fluff … an-and Punkin … how about a-a hug. I think I could use one 'bout now!"
As Judy and Sarah step in to give Nick his hug, Judy can't help but giggle.
"W-what's so funny Fluff?"
"God Nick, your tail!"
"Yea, they had ta trim it. Sucks. Can I play with yours 'til it grows back?"
"NICK!"
"… Whut?"
"I ... umm, not around Sarah, dummy!
"Hell no, never 'round her. 'S private … married mammal stuff…"
"I meant don't say that around her. Good lord Nick, really?"
Hearing her sister giggling "Really Debra? You too?"
"Can't help it sis. The meds are really messing with him, aren't they?"
Stepping from just behind the treatment area, a doctor hands Debra several papers.
"These are mister Wilde's prescriptions and instructions, please give them to Mrs. Wilde."
"You c'n just give 'em to me yourself Harold." says Judy.
"Judy Hopps?"
"Sorry, but it's Judy Wilde now."
"Wilde ... as in the Nick Wilde that I just treated?"
"The same. Ya got a problem with that?"
"Not especially. I always figured you'd end up married to a pred, no offense."
"Hard not ta be offended lately. Mind explainin'?"
"You were always the different one in school. Never had time for dating, always studying to be a cop and all. You never did even glance at any of us bucks, so it just kind of figures."
"I guess I'll just let it slide fer now, I need ta load up my slightly used up husband and daughter and head home."
Glancing at Debra "Give me a call later, we'll talk."
"Will do sis, be safe going home. I get off around six, so I'll call around seven."
"Or ya can stop by, we just moved to Aurora. Gimme yer number I'll text ya the address. … I've gotta pick up sumthin' fer supper anyway."
Writing her phone number on a slip of paper and pawing it to Judy "Here you go, I'll see you soon."
…
With a giggling Sarah's help, Judy finally gets a still loopy Nick into the Nomad and heads into Bunnyburrow for some quick grocery shopping.
"Please stay in the car and watch yer dad for a bit. I know there ain't nuthin' in the house ta eat and Renelda is comin over for supper."
"It's ok mom, I understand. Umm, do you think that ya kin actually cook sumthin that dad 'll like?"
"What?"
"Ok. Let me rephrase that … I know ya kin cook, but I don't think I've ever seen ya cook anythin' fer a predator…"
"Point taken. I'll get veggies and stuff that we kin all eat, and your dad kin help me cook when he gets his mind right, that's ta say after the drugs and concussion have worn off, 'k?"
"I guess. Yea, that'll work."
…
Returning with several large shopping bags of veggies and spices, along with several cases of bottled water (no telling what the water is like after having the house sitting for a while and the work that's taken place) Judy loads the food into the car and heads home.
By the time the Judy pulls into the driveway, Nick is fairly cognizant, and helps Judy unload the car and put away the groceries while Sarah investigates the inside of her new home.
Knowing that the basement is off limits, (besides the fact that there's a security system that keeps her out anyway) Sarah scopes out the downstairs first.
Big front porch and plenty of space outside for her and her new sibs to run and play, check. Large kitchen with brand new modern appliances, check. Closet for coats, caps, gloves and boots (for winter days, no climate-controlled weather like in Zootopia) check. Large den with 55-inch tv and gaming consoles, and two desks for laptop computer use, check. Full bathroom with shower and fur dryer, check. Glassed in room similar to Nick's former home in Aweston with hot tub, lap pool and sauna, check.
Heading upstairs, the young doe finds pretty much what she expects: three bedrooms, again much like Nicks place in Aweston except the layout is reversed. The other exception is that while the master bedroom has a full bathroom as expected, there are actually two full bathrooms, not one and a half to complement the two fair sized but smaller bedrooms with one slightly larger than the other.
"Mom, dad!"
"Yea?" answer both Nick and Judy at the same time.
"Does it matter which bedroom I pick?"
"As long as it's not ours, no it doesn't" answers Nick.
"You need ta take the bigger one of the two" says Judy "after all, you'll be sharin' the room with Rose."
"So not fair, I wanted my own room…"
"Would ya rather have Rose and Aja sleepin' in the same room?" asks Judy.
"… No? I guess not…"
"And there you have it" snarks Nick "ya don't even have yer new sibs home yet and already yer givin' 'em a hard time."
"Daaaaaaad!"
What?"
"C'mon, ya c'n help me fix supper" suggests Judy to Sarah. "We don' want our first guest ta wait do we?"
"I guess not…"
While you two do that, I'll bring in the stuff otta the car."
…
With the few things (clothes and such) unloaded out of the back of the Nomad, and some time left before Judy's sister is scheduled to show up, Nick decides to unload the small fork lift out of the trailer and begin offloading some of the shop equipment that's stored in the truck. Knowing how Judy feels about the guns, he decides to talk to her later about a way to do so discreetly.
After unloading the bulk of the heavy machines (an English wheel, a small metal sheer, a small brake, which is a device used to bend metal sheets, a couple of different welders and cutters) and placing them at random places in his new shop, Nick decides to call it quits for the day, since it's almost seven.
With the trailer parked beside the shop and the nearly empty truck and the fork lift parked safely inside the locked shop, a very sweaty Nick (I know, foxes don't actually sweat-get over it) heads for the house to get a quick shower before their first guest arrives.
Hearing the fast approaching pawsteps of Sarah, Nick braces himself for an impact that never comes.
'What…' he thinks 'the hell?'
Pulling up just short, Sarah stands before him paws on hips, wrinkling her nose "Dad, you stink!"
"Excuse me? … There are two bathrooms upstairs, not counting mine and your mom's, right?" he asks with an evil grin.
"Yea ... Why?"
Suddenly Nick darts forward and grabs his daughter into a tight hug, getting her almost as wet and smelly as he is in the process.
"Oh … eww, eww, eww… dad, c'mon really?"
"NICK! What's happenin out there?"
"Mom! Dad got me all stinky an' sweaty….!"
"What?" stepping into the entryway from the kitchen, Judy sees a smirking husband and struggling daughter. "What the hell?"
"Dad stinks, an' now he's got me all sweaty an' stinky too …"
'CLICK'
"MOM! Did you just-"
"Take your picture? Yup, sure did."
"How could you do that ta me … like this?"
"Well, there's this app on my phone…"
"I know that mom, but I meant-"
"I know what ya meant honey, but I've gotta have sumthin' ta embarrass ya with when ya get older don't I?"
"It'll be good ta chase off boyfriends too." adds Nick. "That way I don't gotta shoot 'em!" winking at Judy to let her know he's kidding.
"Shoot who?" asks Debra, who has arrived while the shenanigans have been going on.
Releasing Sarah, smirk still firmly in place, Nick extends a paw "I think I vaguely remember, but we've met, right?"
Still in her nurses scrubs, Debra has no qualms about taking Nick's proffered paw.
"Glad to see that you've recovered. No aftereffects? Headaches, double vision, that sort of thing?"
"Slight headache, but vision's fine, thanks."
"No problem. So, you and Judes huh?"
"Yea … umm, if it's ok, can we talk later? I really need to get a shower and a fresh change of clothes."
"No problem, I can get caught up with Judy. Go ahead …"
"Comin' Punkin?" Nick asks a still slightly upset Sarah as he heads upstairs.
…
Roughly fifteen minutes, a freshly showered Nick hits the bottom of the steps, and is treated to "… and you should feel the knot ... my god its-"
"While I'm sure I should be flattered, you might wanna chill with the X rated stuff, Sarah's about finished with the fur dryer."
"Nick!" says Judy, as she and Debra are a bit startled by his sudden appearance.
"However, now might be the perfect time ta let Debra in on our little plan fer Gerald."
"What …?"
"Like maybe she could be the leak that 'd get Gerald ta show up in famly court on Monday?"
"…That's … actually not a bad idea!"
"…? I don't get it!"
"Oh, here it is … in order to get Gerald to show up at family court for the adoption hearing on Monday mornin' we need to make sure that he knows about it. Yea, I know it'll be in the Deerbrook paper, but Gerald might not get the paper, or he may skim over that part. We need him ta show up 'cause sheriff Justice has arrest warrants out for him for tryin' ta rape Sarah."
"He did what?"
"That's right!" interrupts Sarah "When I came inta my first heat, he tried ta rape me."
"Why that-"
"Chill sis, we've got it all planned out. We figure that when Gerald gets wind of the adoption, he's gonna want ta show up ta stop it. The sheriff steps in and arrests him on several counts and he'll spend time in prison as someone's girlfriend."
"That's right." says Nick "Even hardened criminals hate a kit molester. He'll get what he's got comin', pun intended."
"And you want me to be the leak?"
"Not directly ta Gerald. You know some of the same rabbits that he does, so maybe you accidentally mention ta one of his friends about the adoption hearing-"
"And this friend tells Gerald and boom, he's there and shortly goes to jail. I love it and I'll do it."
"Great, thanks sis. Ok, enough of this stuff, supper's ready, let's eat."
…
After a lengthy supper, mainly due to the expanded version of the last two weeks adventures, everyone retires to the gazebo as the sun is just setting.
"Another beautiful sunset" murmurs a content Nick.
"And you'll be seeing a hell of a lot more of 'em if I have anything ta say about it" softly purrs Judy.
Seeing Debra's questioning look, Judy explains briefly "Nick was in the military. After Ronald was killed when we were young, I know some of the pain Nick feels, and the joy that another sunset brings ta him."
"Do you still have Ronald's ID tag?"
"Yea, but it's at the house in Deerbrook in my jewelry box. After losing Nick that time, I couldn't stand the thought of losing first Ronald and then Nick. It just reminded me of losing a second important someone in my life so I stopped wearing it."
"I see you've got a nice replacement for it though." says Debra, indicating Judy's 'broken heart' necklace.
Fingering the piece tenderly "Yea, we weren't even really goin' together yet when he gave me this."
"An' dad gave me this!" interrupts Sarah, proudly showing off her heart shaped pendant.
Taking along look at Nick, all Debra can say is "Ya done good sis, ya really got a good one this time…"
"I know, an' I fully intend ta hold on fer dear life this time, make no mistake."
…
With the sun fully set, the four mammals head back into the house, and Judy and Sarah give Debra the full tour (minus the safe room).
"So, what are ya gonna do with your house in Deerbrook?" asks Debra.
"I don' know yer fer sure. Rent it sell it … I just ain't sure. Why?"
"Well, my little place has been feeling cramped lately, so I was wondering-"
"It's yours." interrupts Judy.
"What?" asks her flabbergasted sister.
"It's yours, free and clear. If you really want it that is."
"But … you can't just give it to me. I'll be happy to pay you-"
"Nothin'. You'll pay me nothin' for it. I got it free and clear from Gerald in the divorce, and thanks to Nick being so damned overgenerous, I have no need ta sell it if I don't wanna. So I'm givin' it to you."
"Jude, you don't have to do that."
"Yea, I know. But I want to, and you're the perfect mammal for it. It's a bit bigger than what you'll probably need, but what the hell. If ya ever find that right guy, ya may need the extra room after all."
Gathering her sister in a tight hug "I don't think I can ever thank you enough sis. You and your wonderful family. I accept, and I'll be sure to make sure word get to Gerald about the adoption hearing."
After hugging Sarah and Nick (and whispering her thanks to Nick as well) Debra departs, having to work the next day.
"We'll take care of the dishes, you get ready fer bed" says Judy to Sarah.
"But mom!"
"We've got a big day ahead of us tomorra Punkin" says Nick. "We need ta go to yer place in Deerbrook early and get yer stuff so Gerald don't show up while we're loadin' it."
"… G'night…!"
…
As Judy begins to undress for bed, the first night in her new home, she notices that Nick hasn't. "Nick?"
"Unless you have a problem with it, I think that maybe now would be a good time for me to take the guns down to the safe room. Sarah 'll be either in bed or 'sleep, so we won't hafta expose her ta alla that. I'm gonna eventually set it up so the guns are stored and locked up separately so we can all use it as a saferoom if needed, just not tonite. It should only take about a half-hour or son, then I'll be back and ready for my bunny…"
"Just be sure ya take another shower…."
"Not a problem…" says Nick as he receives a meaningful kiss from his doe "Not a problem at all."
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SPECIAL NOTE: I will try to update this coming Wednesday - on Thursday morning I will undergo a cancer treatment that will keep me pretty messed up for at least 2-4 weeks, so I won't be able to do much in the way of writing or posting chapters.
Many thanks to all who bother to read my stories, and special thanks to those who post reviews. I am not quitting the stories; it'll just be a long minute before I'm able to post anything again…