Tamiri's Notes: Anything about the marines and the military are research. I got great insight by SapperJoe85 and Captain Fuckew McHugerage however, I don't know how to re-write this, so if anyone wants to take a stab at it, you're more than welcome ti.
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Story Notes: Amongst a war-torn country, Nick stands by his decision to return home. Once in the safety of the city, he meets someone that catches his interest.
Jack is an original character of TheConcernedFox fanfiction, A Father Figure who graciously allowed his use.
Legend: "blah blah" –regular talking
"blah blah"- thinking
"blah blah" – phone calls/announcements/radio/television etc.
"The book of blah"- Titles from books, newspapers, articles, websites, etc.
Rating: PG-13 Strong language, violence, and suggestive themes
Disclaimer: I don't own Zootopia. All rights and merchandising for Zootopia belong to the Disney Company.
Chapter Two: The Red String of Fate II
"Hello daddy," the fox kit waved from the computer screen.
"How are you doing sport?" Nick smiled at his son. The kit adjusted his glasses and gave his father a toothy smile.
"Good…grandma took me to the park today," the boy said.
"Did you have fun with grandma?" Nick's eyes filled with pride at his son.
"Yup! But then grandma sat down she said her back hurt," the boy pouted.
"You know grandma is getting up there in age, and you need to take care of her," Nick commented.
"Yeah, we took a break and went for ice-cream, it was yummy!"
"Wow sounds like you had fun, kiddo," Nick commented, giving his son a gentle smile.
"But I want to have fun with daddy too. When are you coming home?" the boy asked.
"Soon, Jon, very soon," Nick assured.
"You always say that, and you don't come home," Jon frowned.
"You know daddy has a job to do," Nick said.
"I know…but I wanna be with daddy," Jon whined.
"I'm sorry, Jon, we'll be together soon, okay," Nick assured and watched his son sniffle and nod. His mother came on the line and told the kit to get ready for the day.
"When is it this time," the vixen sighed.
"Mom, things are looking up, and we'll be wrapping up here soon. I say about a week or so," the tod answered, and watched his mother shake her head.
"You know we love Jon," she said.
"Yes, and I appreciate you raising him,"
"He needs his father Nick," she frowned.
"I know…I've been tied up," Nick explained.
"You've been tied up for the past two years! You missed so much of his life! His first words, his first steps, the first day of school…when are you coming?"
Nick felt heavy with guilt. His mother was right, "I am coming, mom. I already submitted the paperwork to be on the reserves."
"I don't mean to be so harsh it's just he loves you so much, and your father and I are not replacements for you,"
"Yeah," he answered.
"Be safe Nick," his mother said.
"Bye mom," Nick disconnected. He walked to the barracks. Many of the soldiers were already in their beds. The nights became cold in the deserts of Macadamia and he made sure to cover himself from the cold temperatures.
He was the worst type of coward he thought. He hadn't held his son since the kit was six months old. He had just given his son to his parents and ran away. The pain of seeing him resemble his mother with each passing day was too much. His beautiful Myra whom he loved to the moon and back. She was taken away from them too soon.
He was going back to Zootopia the city he hadn't step foot on in five years. He wondered if things had changed from when he left. He had turned his life around from his rebellious years and he was thankful his father sent him to that military school when he was sixteen. He wasn't grateful at the time, hating to wake up early for training, going to school for eight hours and having little to no recreation time. His drill sergeant shut his smart mouth quickly on the first day. He made himself a respectable mammal now and he could hold his head high. However, he felt a vast emptiness in his heart. The emptiness his wife had left when she died.
Life at the combat outpost was tough but he eventually had gotten used to it. Though he had not gotten a full night's rest in years. His mind was always on alert in case of attacks. He wondered if going back home would finally give him the rest his body needed and if he could find a place there.
Nick closed his eyes. In a few hours, he had to be up for guard duty.
*Four days later*
This was it. Nick was dressed in full combat gear going through the quiet city streets of Macadamia with the platoon he commanded. They were on the most important mission they'd ever been on since they arrived in this country, and if they succeeded this war would be over. The mission was to rescue Princess Lotta Lamour held in the capital palace, two years of this war Nick had been fighting culminated to this. Most of the capital was under the alliance control however, the traitor, Chancellor Trample, was yet to be captured. He was holding out at the palace with the last of his guard. Now was a crucial time, animals tend to get desperate when trapped.
The goal was simple, infiltrate the palace, eliminate all present insurgents, capture or kill Chancellor Trample, and rescue they princess and her child. Nick and his platoon were quietly moving up on the palace now using the cover of darkness, his platoon split into its four squads. One squad was going to hit the south of the palace, one the west, one the east, and Nicks personal squad was going through the front gate. Nick's group has just gotten in position just outside the gate, hitting his mic he said
"This is WildeChild One in ready position. All squads how copy?"
"WildeChild One, this is WildeChild Two we are in position at the south wall, no hostile contact. Awaiting your go."
"WildeChild One this is WildeChild Three, in position at the west wall, took out a roaming patrol. Awaiting your mark."
"This is WildeChild three, good to go to the east wall. Captain Wilde we await your orders over."
Nick surveyed the front gate curious as to why there were no guards. Hitting his mic again he said "hold till my go. Moving on the gate now no visible hostiles, we will try
a quiet breach. Once we make entry scale the walls work your way in and eliminate all hostiles. Try and maintain stealth do not go loud unless detected. Remember the servant staff was trapped here too so check your shots and secure all civilians you find. Go quiet now and await my go."
Nick heard each squad leader hit their mic button twice as acknowledgment before standing from his position behind a parked car. His squad rose with him as they began to push down the street towards the gate but they halted when a guard suddenly appeared from a guard office just in front of the gate. The guard was a goat wielding an AK47 and it began surveying its surroundings.
Nick and his squad took cover behind some pillars of an overhang and Nick thanked his lucky stars that it was a prey insurgent. Being nighttime at this distance and with this cover, the insurgent would never see them. Looking at the insurgent through the scope of his M16 Nick simply said, "take them."
One of the soldiers on Nicks left rose from their crouch and fired two rounds with their suppressed M4. Nick watched through his scope as the rounds impacted, slamming into the goat's chest and head and dropping it to the pavement dead. Changing the channel and hitting his mic again Nick asked a simple question. "Overwatch?"
"Rats nest is still asleep WildeChild One. No movement."
"Roger." Changing the channel back Nick hit his mic and said, "clear the garbage."
At that two members of his team appeared out of the shadows and cleared the goat's corpse away, moving it out of sight. "Okay move up to the gate. Stay low."
Nick rose with his squad and silently and moved up to the gate. Once they reached it Nick looked to his first lieutenant and said, "Can we silent breach Tramp?"
Tramp inspected the gate before pointing to the guard post, "Twenty bucks there's a button in there that opens it.
"Nick rolled his eyes and looked to a wolf saying, "Corporal go see."
The wolf soldier nodded once before rising and moving into the guardhouse. After a few moments, the gate began to swing open and over the radio, the wolf solider said "open sesame."
After the corporal regrouped with them Nicks squad rose and made entry into the palace, keying his mic Nick said, "WildeChild One has made entry into the palace, all squads scale your walls and move in. If you find the princess or Trample call in, try and take Trample alive if you can. You know the rest." Nick heard the clicks of acknowledgment from all three squads and then said to his squad, "Let's go, free to fire on all hostiles as you see them. Check your shots, make sure the insurgents are dead before move on. Any civilians keep them quiet, gag them and tie their hands we can't risk them exposing us or being insurgents in disguise. Move."
Nicks squad began moving forward towards the palace doors, passing tents, vehicles, and stacks of crates as they went. After they got about 20 meters in they started seeing a few patrolling hostiles, luckily they were all prey and there were no lights in this area. Nicks squad dispatched them with suppressed shots as they moved forward, dropping six in rapid succession Nick himself killing two.
Nick's squad made it to the front doors just as an insurgent opened them, two companions, right behind them. The insurgents froze momentarily seeing a squadron of soldiers right in front of them, and they died with that shock as Nick and his squad quickly dispatched them with several shots each. Three squad members quickly moved up and grabbed the corpses and dumped them into the bushes. Keying his mic Nick whispered, "This is WildeChild One, making entry into the palace now."
Nick heard four clicks from each squad leader meaning they were making entry as well. Satisfied Nick gave paw signals for his squad to tighten on him and they moved into the palace. Nicks squad cleared room by room on the first floor dropping insurgents as they saw them and securing at least a dozen servants. Nick was actually surprised they were so far undetected.
As they swept into the kitchen they came across a large group of insurgents feasting at a table. Nick gave paw signals to his squad signaling that they all picked two targets, once they were ready Nick gave the signal by dropping his two with headshots, his squad following suit. They dropped all the insurgents before sweeping into the cooking area quickly overtaking servants before they could cry out.
Nick, as he tied a lambs hooves, whispered "I'm sorry but this is a precaution. We can't have you alerting the insurgents present. We are here to rescue the
princess and free you all. Sit tight and quiet, once the palace is completely secured we will release you once we confirm you are indeed servants."
Rising Nick keyed his mic. "All squads this is WildeChild one. All of rooms of the first floor are secured. No sign of Trample or the princess. Copy?"
"This is WildeChild two, same here. 22 insurgents down, 18 servants secured. Awaiting your next mark."
"This is WildeChild Three. All rooms secured, no go on VIM and no PT. 12 Insurgents down, 8 servants secured."
"WildeChild Four. Fully secured. No sign of the primary target or the princess. Do have confirmed kill on top bomb maker for the insurgents and his shop secured. Found plans for potential attacks, secured intel. 27 insurgents down, 4 servants secured."
Nick was very happy with WildeChild Four's report, they were looking for that bomb maker for months. "Solid copy. All squads regroup at the primary staircase."
It took five minutes for all of the squads to gather at the primary staircase but now that they were all here Nick said. "Okay, there are four more floors to clear. Squads take your perspective floors, two get two and so on. My squad will take top floor okay? Same process. Move."
WildeChild Two took point as everyone ascended the stairs each squad breaking off as they reached their floors. Nick's squad once they reached the top floor began the process of clearing it. As they moved further on the floor sweep and clearing they dropped another two dozen insurgents and secured a dozen more servants.
Finally, as they reached the final rooms of the top floor Nick heard the screams of an infant and the shouting of a male and a female. Keying his mic Nick quickly and quietly said, "This is WildeChild One. Possible locale on VIM and PT, breaching now."
Looking to his breacher Nick gave the paw signal to the rhino under his command to knock down the door. The rest of Nick's squad stacked up on the door and the rhino slammed his horn through the door and ripped it off its hinges. Nick and his squad swept into the room Nick training his M16 on the group he saw. A male rabbit held a screaming baby vixen while another female held a toddler boy rabbit pleading with him. He held a gun to the infant's head and screamed at the vixen.
"How did they make it this far?" the rabbit yelled as he whirled to face Nick and his squad. The buck was an older rabbit, with dark brown fur and patches of grey. It was definitely Trample. He was much older than the vixen Nick quickly identified as Princess Lotta. Her pink veil was covering most of her head and the dress she wore torn.
"Team hold fire. Don't risk the child. Trample, put down the weapon and gently set the child down." Nick commanded, his M16 trained on the rabbit.
"Lotta did you lead them here? Did you!?" Trample screamed, ignoring Nick's command and Nick watched as Lotta nodded.
"Trample put down your weapon you are surrounded," Nick commanded again, the site of his scope training on Trample's head.
"I loved you Lotta, from the moment you were born I knew that someday we would rule together," Trample smiled maniacally.
"I can't love you the way you want Trample," Lotta said, she hugged her son.
"Then I'm sorry my love," Trample aimed the gun at Lotta, "I just can't bear the thought of you being with someone else."
Nick didn't wait, the second the buck pointed the gun at Lotta nick squeezed the trigger putting a bullet through Tample's skull. The rabbit started to collapse to the ground with child in paw. Nick dropped his M16 and caught Trample's corpse and the infant. Lotta ran toward them and took the still crying infant out of Trample's dead arms. Covered in blood mother and daughter hugged and cried. As Nick watched the mother and daughter Nick sighed, the war was over but there was still much to me done.
Macadamia still had ways to go in recovery. The country must rebuild its infrastructure, government and homes. It would take years to recover the gem the country was known for before Trample's coup.
The rabbit king named Amok held his daughter for the first time in two years. He cried and lamented his daughter's suffering. Apologizing for having to go through marriage she didn't want to be a part of. He met his grandchildren and with pain in his eyes welcomed the children. To him, they were the heirs of his kingdom a young prince and princess despite who their progenitor was.
The mission was quick and Nick was grateful for that. Nothing was worse than a prolonged battle. On his final days he was patrolling the streets of Macadamia careful of any remaining loyalist to Trample. He saw that the citizens were already trying to pick up the pieces of their lives before the war. Walls were being re-built, rubble was being cleared out via wagons, and streets were being cleaned.
"Captain Wilde reporting, no signs of insurgents over," Nick radioed.
"Captain, all clear south end over," the first lieutenant answered.
Children were playing on the streets. They took wooden sticks and a plastic bottle top for a game of makeshift baseball. Nick cracked a smile, being reminded of his own son at home. A little opossum child ran right towards him not looking where she was doing.
"S-S-Sorry mister soldier sir," she hesitated her claws playing with her shawl.
"It's alright, be careful okay?" Nick said and pulled out of his pants pocket a small caramel candy. The girl gave him a wide smile her tiny fangs poking out.
"Thank you!"
"Sir, I believe you have open some flood gates," one of his soldiers said in an amuse tone. Several children had expectant faces at the captain.
"I'll see if I have enough," Nick gave the child more candy and saw her go off to share with the others. They were about to move on as the children excitedly chatted.
"Mister soldier!" the same opossum girl came up with more urgency, "The others said that they saw someone hurt."
"Which direction?" Nick asked.
The little opossum pointed and Nick directed his men to tread carefully. Not knowing if it was a trap they slowly made their way to a building in ruins. There they saw a male yak, part of the royal army judging by his uniform. The yak laid lazily staring at the distance. He certainly didn't look like he was in distressed. He held his left arm or what was left of it. The mammals quickly ran to his aid and Nick asked what had happened.
"Insurgents ambushed me down the east side of the city sir," the yak explained.
"I need several teams to head to the east and scope out for possible enemy hostiles over," Nick radioed in. "How are you feeling?"
"Hmm," the yak looked at his managed appendage, "Just a scratch."
"A scratch? Your arm is off,"
"No it isn't," he argued. His team looked at the soldier in bewilderment.
"Then what's that," Nick pointed at his arm.
"I had worst,"
"Get this mammal to the medical bay," Nick ordered and saw his two of his team help the yak up. The heat must make the Macadamian citizens go crazy.
It was a long grueling day again, sniffing out insurgents and going over strategies with his team. The night was cold again, and he sighed, looking at the twinkling stars above him. He was sitting ways of looking at the distance when he felt a presence behind him.
He quickly got up and bowed at the vixen, "Your highness."
"At ease, Captain," Princess Lotta said. Lotta hadn't thanked the leader of her rescue team yet. She saw that she was young and handsome tod.
"Princess, is there anything I can assist you with?" Nick asked.
The vixen smiled, "I would like to thank you, Captain. You saved my life as well as my children's."
"There is no need for thanks Princess it is my duty," Nick said, Lotta looked a little hurt.
"Yes, but it doesn't take from the fact that you have risk your life for my people, and myself," Lotta gave him a sad smile.
"You are welcome your highness,"
"Captain, I have heard you will depart sometime next week," Lotta said, the princess played with her golden bracelets on her wrist.
"Yes, they will be another team to take our place," Nick informed.
"Is there a way I can convince you to stay?" Lotta asked, surprising the tod.
"To stay? I don't understand,"
"I am recruiting mammals to restore my kingdom. Captain Wilde, you are extraordinary and would like to offer a position to you," Lotta explained.
"I am sorry, but I cannot accept this offer. I have family back home,"
"Oh, how thoughtless of me…of course," Lotta put her paws to her mouth.
"It's quite alright, Princess," Nick smiled.
"You must miss your family. I know I did miss my father dearly during my years of captivity," Lotta looked at the tod's green eyes.
"I am eager to see how much my son has grown," Nick admitted.
"You're wife will be happy to see you as well,"
"I am a widower," Nick answered.
"Oh my, I am sorry," Lotta said.
"Don't worry, princess…I am sure you will find plenty of mammals who will help restore your country,"
"Thank you, Captain Wilde, may you have a safe journey," Lotta said.
"Sir, I believe Princess Lotta likes you," his first lieutenant said, a mix breed dog known as Tramp. They were on the ship on the way to Zootopia harbor. They wouldn't arrive for another couple of days. They were in their room, a claustrophobic place with two beds and low ceilings.
"No way, Lieutenant Tramp, she is a princess," Nick dismissed.
"I don't know she seemed pretty into you, sir," Tramp grinned.
"I am not suited for the life of royalty," Nick said, he admitted Princess Lotta was beautiful, but she didn't ignite that spark in him that his wife had.
"Unfortunate, I bet you would've made a great prince," Tramp pointed out.
"I rather not get embroiled in politics lieutenant…just going to go home and spend time with my son,"
"He is a good boy and hopefully would follow in your footsteps one day," Tramp grinned.
"Not if my mother has anything to say about it. She wants him to pursue a more scholarly route," Nick shrugged.
"Oh? And you are okay with this?"
"Yeah, whatever he wants to do, I am fine. Are you hoping your son Scamp follows you to the military?" Nick asked.
"Scamp…" Tramp scratched his head, "Pup is trouble with a capital T. His mother is having a tough time reining him in."
"He sure lives up to his namesake," Nick smirked.
"Tell me about it…Danielle says she wants to join the marines, though," Tramp said.
"Does she know that females don't see active combat?" Nick asked Tramp's daughters looked dainty like their mother. He wouldn't guess that one of them wanted to be a marine.
"I don't have the heart to tell her," Tramp chuckled.
"Perhaps by the time she joins, the rules would have changed," Nick provided.
"Let's see…sir if I may can I ask a personal question,"
"Sure thing,"
"Have you considered re-marrying?" Tramp asked, his captain looked lonely and almost lost when not in combat. Tramp knew he had lost his wife and wondered why he never moved on afterward.
"I haven't found anyone that made me feel the way Myra did, and I'm not in the mood for the dating scene…too old," Nick waved his paw.
"Old? You captain?" Tramp laughed.
"Laugh it up, lieutenant," Nick gave the dog a smile back. His journey back to Zootopia was uneventful. He trained on the ship and counted the days back to the city. It wasn't long till they landed at the docks. Nick took a deep breath of the sea air and looked above the seagulls flying above. He could already see the silhouette of mammals eagerly awaiting their arrival. He was in his full uniform, his cap firmly in place, metals decorating his chest and mameluke sword on his side. Despite his trepidation returning to Zootopia, he felt excited to see Jon again. No more Skype calls or letters, he will see his son in person. After the pomp and circumstance that was required when docking Nick walked with a duffle bag in hand. He observed his first lieutenant Tramp hugging his cocker spaniel wife Lady. The pups jumped excitedly around him, wanting to be picked up by their father.
And there they stood, Jon, Vivian, and Jack. His mother wore a knee-length circle skirt and pink blouse. The pearls she had gotten from her husband adorned her neck. Her jade eyes looked at her son with pride. His father also wore a full uniform. From what his mother communicated, he would be back from the base in Periton the same day he would. His father…not biologically, Jack was his stepfather, and though he looked like a 'hard-ass', he was a gentle soul. He was a tall red fox that intimidated even the largest mammals. However, the tod had raised him to what he was today and was more of a father than his biological one. By Vivian was Jon, wearing a Junior Ranger Scout uniform and wagging his tail.
"Daddy!" Jon's green eyes widened with excitement and ran to his father. Nick bent down and opened his arms. "Daddy! Daddy!" Jon shouted as he hugged his father.
"Hey, sport, how's it going?" Nick asked, carrying the kit.
"Oh, Nicholas, look at you!" Vivian said.
"Hey, mom, dad," Nick grinned.
"Glad to see you, home, son," Jack said.
"I am so happy you made it safely," Vivian tried to stop the tears. The family took Vivian's car, a mid-size Toyota RAV 4. Vivian had insisted on a 'sensible car' for the safety of Jon. His father drove, enjoying the company of his family, finally together after all these years.
Nick sat in the back seat with his son and watched as he showed Nick the new badges on his sash.
"It's really fun at the scout's daddy," Jon smiled.
Nick tried not to show his uncertainty at his son, joining the organization that had shunned him. He remembered being around his age when he took an interest in the scouts. He admired the boys in the Junior Ranger Scouts, and all he wanted was to be part of the pack.
"The scouts have changed greatly since your time," Vivian said, answering her son's unanswered questions. "His scoutmaster is a tiger."
"Scoutmaster Bradford! He is really nice!" Jon said.
"He is so patient with the children," Vivian said.
"I told grandma I wanted to join, and now I'm a guppy scout," Jon said proudly.
"Good on you sport," Nick beamed.
Jon voiced that he was hungry, and Jack parked the car a little way off a restaurant. Nick was happy that it was passed lunch hour, and the rush had just past. They were already bringing attention to themselves to the restaurant staff, and the poor hostess had a hard time meeting them in the eye.
"Wel-welcome to Lobo Eatery ho- how many in your party?" the elk doe asked.
"Four," Jack answered.
"Can we eat outside grandpa?" Jon asked, pointing at the outdoor area.
"It's a beautiful day, and I don't see why not," Jack gave a small smile to Jon. The hostess led them to the outdoors area.
No one was present except a young rabbit doe with a double stroller by her side. Nick's breath was taken away when seeing her. She was beautiful. She was talking to a child latched onto her with a blanket draped over them. Her violet eyes looked at the unseen babe with tenderness, and she briefly looked up and met his eyes. She quickly looked away. He could tell that she was uncomfortable by their presence. A toddler buck tried to get his mother's attention to see the newcomers. He was sucking on a pacifier and playing on a tablet. She swiftly shook her head, perhaps to scold the kit for pointing at strangers. They took the table next to her. Nick's eyes bore into her form, small grey doe wearing a floral sundress.
Jack glanced at his son and then the rabbit. Nick couldn't be any more obvious that he was certainly interested in the little rabbit.
Vivian broke the silence and smiled at the young doe, "Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon," she answered, adjusting the child.
"I hope we are not disturbing you," Vivian said.
"No, not at all," she shook her head.
"These your little ones?" Vivian questioned.
"Yes…we just arrived, and…we were a little hungrier than we thought," she said, her ears were low to her shoulders.
"No need to be bashful dear, breastfeeding your kits is natural," Vivian assured.
Nick's ear twitched, and his father smirked at the reaction, "Shows you are an attentive mother," Jack said.
"Thank you, I try to be…" the rabbit said.
"How rude we haven't introduced ourselves…I am Vivian Wilde," Vivian provided.
"Major General Jackson Wilde," Jack said.
"Captain Nicholas Wilde and my son Jon Wilde," Nick finally spoke.
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Judith Hopps…" she said softly. Judy wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out. Here she was practically naked in front of a general and his captain son. Someone take a hoe, dig a hole, and put her in there because she was going to die of embarrassment. The fox family didn't seem to mind, but she certainly did. And the younger tod was staring at her so intently. Was there something on her face? He was good looking, athletic, and had the same striking green eyes, the rest of the family shared. She also admitted that he looked great with that uniform on.
"My children Nicholas Hopps and Nichole Hopps." Judy introduced.
Judy didn't even register that the younger male fox shared her children's names until Vivian pointed it out, "Nick, they have your name."
"Indeed," Nick mumbled. She was breastfeeding her baby! Good god, why did that make his heart skip a couple of beats?
Jack was having a field day seeing his son squirm in front of the rabbit. He was crushing on her badly. "Small world, isn't it dear," Jack said.
"Yes, it is," Vivian watched as the blanket squirmed and Judy making sure she was modestly covered when a little vixen pop out. The child stared at the strangers and went to cuddle her mother's chest.
The family was surprised as they expected another rabbit kit, but instead, the vixen came up.
"Would you like to say hello, Nichole?" Judy whispered, and the child shook her head.
"Oh my, aren't you adorable?" Vivian gleamed.
"That was unexpected," Nick thought, he hadn't seen many rabbits mate with foxes in the states. Zootopia had progressed since he left. He could smell the mark on the rabbit, which meant she was mated, but with no ring in sight. Many scenarios flew through his head. Perhaps she was engaged or married and didn't like to wear a ring. He was terribly disappointed she was taken.
Jon was now sharing a chair with the male kit. They were looking at the tablet together,
"The kitty gets the milkshake, and the bunny gets the pancake." Nick heard his son say.
His mother was cooing over the vixen that smiled from her mother's lap. The toddler eventually brought her arms out to be carried by Vivian. Permitted by Judy, Nick watched his mother and father play with the child. Nichole decided that his father's cap was an appropriate plaything and reached to pull it off him.
"No, Nichole, that's not a toy," Judy said.
"Interested in the cap little one," Jack took off his cap and placed it on the child's head. Of course, it fell over her eyes, and the family laughed, "I hope to see you join the military one day, Nichole."
"She's a girl Jack," Vivian said.
"I don't see why she couldn't join," Jack smirked at his scolding wife.
"Judy, could you see her joining?" Vivian asked.
"If she is determined enough, I don't see why not," Judy said.
"You are very open-minded," Vivian pointed out.
"I'll like to support them with any career choice…my parents weren't so enthusiastic about me going to the police academy," Judy explained.
"You're a police officer?" Nick asked. This little bunny was full of surprises.
"Yes, I just transferred from Zoo York," Judy smiled.
"You're that Judy Hopps…you were the first rabbit officer in the ZPD. I saw you on the news a couple of years ago," Vivian said.
Now Nick wasn't following anything. If she was the first rabbit officer in the ZPD, why was she in Zoo York? Nick wanted to continue unraveling the enigma that was Judy Hopps. The more they spoke, the more curious he got.
"I am that Judy Hopps…"
"That is quite an accomplishment," Jack commented, "Your husband must feel bless to have you by his side."
"Thanks, dad! Way to ask if she was single or not," Nick thought, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw his father's mischievous smile.
"I'm not married," Judy said, looking at the foxes' curiosity she quickly added, "I separated from the kits' father before they were born."
"He missed out," Jack winked at Judy, causing her ears to heat up with embarrassment.
Nick tightened his fists. How could a tod leave a pregnant mate behind and not to mention mark her? A piece of scum who took advantage of a young girl's naivety to get his way with her. 'Knot them and leave them,' his fellow soldiers would say to undesirable females. However, Judy was more than desirable she awaken something in Nick that had been dead for years. It was love at first sight for him something he would scoff at until this moment.
They had ordered their food and enjoyed their time together. Jon had grown fond of small Nick. Vivian suggested a play date for the kits and exchange contact information with Judy. All this time, Nick couldn't take his eyes off her, and nothing would make him happier than to have her in his arms.
John Worthington Foulfellow was a fox without a care in the world. Well now, he had several concerns, with his rent coming up and several other bills he had yet to pay. His resources of 'borrowing' money were not panning out. His last resort was his ex-girlfriend Hopps, but she very delicately told him to choke on a carrot. He had been trying to contact her, but she simply ignored his calls and messages. He burned that bridge when he signed off his parental rights to the kits. But he would love to have the enthusiastic rabbit in his bed again. Her moans and gasps of pleasure brought fond memories. Speaking of fond memories, there she was. She had changed since he last saw her. She looked more mature, and her feminine features more defined. It was time to bring on the charm and bring Judy back to his arms. If everything worked out, he could have a place to live, eat, and an ATM all at once.
"Judith," John smirked and watched Judy stand upright.
If looks could kill, he would be dead twenty times over. "John?" her voice said.
"My dear, you look lovely," he took her paw and kissed it. John was dressed in a cheap green three-piece suit. He looked every bit like a sleazy car dealer.
Judy took her paw away and wiped herself on her dress with disgust, "I'm busy at the moment, John."
"Dear, you have grown to be more beautiful. And Johnny Jr. and Rebecca have grown as well," John commented.
Judy's eye twitched, who in the world was Rebecca? "It's Nicholas and Nichole," Judy corrected.
"Sure, sweet cakes…I need a favor from you," John got straight to the point.
"Like I said before, I am busy," Judy said more slowly this time.
She didn't notice the two other foxes glaring daggers at him, but John sense their anger. The elder tod looked about his age mid-forties, but from his scent, his mate was the vixen next to him. No competition there but the younger one was a problem. No mark on him, but his interest in Judy was apparent. He was young, handsome, fit, and with an honorable career. The perfect mate for Judy, but he wasn't going to allow that. Not when she was finally back to Zootopia.
"How rude of me, I am John Worthington Foulfellow, the Third lady and gentle mammals," John made a bit of a show and bowed. That younger fox was not having it with his antics, and his vision locked on John's brown eyes. John turned to Judy and said, "I need a bit of a loan…rents due love." He grinned, and Judy's nose twitch and her front teeth biting her lip.
"I don't have cash with me," Judy said, hoping that John would just go away.
"Nonsense," John reached and picked up her purse, rummaging through it he found her wallet. $200.00 cash wasn't enough, but it would do until he found the remaining $300.00.
"John!" Judy snatched her purse back, "Give it back. I need that for groceries!"
"Your parents are farmers, aren't they? They can surely send you a little something," John grinned.
Nick was about to get up and give this jerk a piece of his mind. He was stealing food from his own kit's plate and leaving Judy to fend for herself. Jack took a paw and held his son down. He shook his head, not to interfere. The last thing he wanted was for Nick to get in trouble because of some con-artist.
"John, please…" Judy pleaded. She didn't want to make a scene not in public, in front of her children, and the nice mammals she was having lunch with. She was humiliated beyond belief
"No can do my love…I will see you another time," He pocketed the cash, "Hi-diddle-dee-dee an actor's life for me. A high silk hat and a silver cane. A watch of gold with a diamond chain," he sang, walking away.
Judy just watched as he walked away. She could go after him but not with the children with her. By the time she packed and got the kits ready, he would be long gone. She didn't know where he lived, and even if she did, the cash would've been spent. Tears were threatening to come out. She wanted to cry, and her lower lip was trembling. How mortifying and disgusting. That was the male she had two kits with, and he didn't have the decency to acknowledge his own children's needs.
"Come, Judy, to the restroom. I need to powder my nose," Vivian got up and took the doe by the paw.
"Do you know that tod, Nichole?" Jack asked the child on his lap.
"That daddy," Nichole answered.
"Some father," Nick growled, feeling defeated by the whole situation.
"Poor girl…" Jack pointed out.
"He just left her with no money! How can he be so selfish," Nick's gritted his teeth.
"Daddy hungry…him tummy hurts. He need money," Little Nick spoke up.
"A daddy is supposed to get his own money not get it from a mommy," Jon explained.
"Daddy took money," Nichole pointed at the direction John left.
"Now, don't worry, everything will be alright," Jack assured Nichole.
"You'll think she'll accept cash from me," Nick thought out loud.
"Nope, she is much too responsible for that," Jack answered. "These are her children, thus are her responsibility."
"I know, but…what if she is in a bind?" Nick asked.
"You will only be hurting her by offering money Nick,"
"This is frustrating…who the heck is this John anyways?" Nick questioned.
Taking out his smartphone Jack looked up the tod's name, and immediately, an article dating earlier in the year popped up in the Zoogle search results. "This is interesting…"
Widower John Worthington Foulfellow III Loses Fortune
Former stage actor John Worthington Foulfellow made headlines fifteen years ago by marrying Mildred Lovelace socialite and millionaire vixen. What made the couple so strange was the forty-year age gap. Foulfellow, at the time thirty years old, swore his eternal devotion to the seventy-year-old widow Lovelace. After thirteen years, the relationship ended with the death of Lovelace due to complications in her health. Inheriting ten million dollars from his departed wife, Foulfellow just filed for bankruptcy. Sources say….
"Ten million dollars! What did he do with all that money?" Nick asked.
"Don't know bad investments? Certainly was enough money for him to live comfortably for the rest of his life," Jack pointed out.
"So he loses all his money, and what is Judy plan B? Did he purposely mark her just in case things went south?" Nick asked.
"He was in a relationship with her once maybe he thinks he can have another go,"
"I wonder if Judy knew he was married," Nick thought.
"I don't think so…that girl doesn't seem the type to be a homewrecker,"
"So he had an affair while his wife was at the end of her life," Nick frowned.
"He's probably has been having affairs from the beginning of his marriage. Think about it, what can a thirty-year-old do with a seventy-year-old?"
"Ugh…"
"Exactly…he had the money he could've wooed any young female,"
"Yes, he is such a 'charming' fellow…by the way, since when does mom powder her nose?" Nick let out a laugh.
"Got to talk to your mom about coming up with better excuses," Jack laughed back.
"It's alright, you can cry now," Vivian said to the smaller mammal. The doe looked up at her, and the floodgates were broken. Tears ran down her face, and she felt the vixen hold her into a hug. "There, there…" she patted her head.
"I'm sorry this is so unbecoming," Judy looked up, trying to compose herself.
"Don't fret, dear. What that male did was horrible," Vivian said, Judy reminded her of the days she was alone with Nick before meeting her husband.
"I'm sorry, I must have ruined your day out,"
"No not at all…it must be so difficult to raise the kits by yourself,"
"They are my world…I just wished I never met their father," Judy sighed.
"It's quite alright…we all make mistakes,"
"John was my biggest mistake," Judy looked down.
"I made the same mistake when I was younger dear,"
"You did?"
"You saw Jack out there…he is not the father of my son. I was young, in love, and I thought everything would work out. But then he left as soon as I got pregnant,"
"Your son turned out great,"
"And your little ones will too. They have you as their mother," Vivian encouraged.
"Thank you, Mrs. Wilde," Judy smiled.
"No, no, call me Vivian…all better now," Vivian smiled back. The females went back outside. The families eventually left the restaurant and parted ways.
"You had fun, Jon?" Vivian asked her grandson, this time in the back seat with him.
"Yes, little Nick and I played on his tablet," Jon answered.
"You like little, Nick?" Vivian asked.
"Yup, it's like having a baby brother!"
Nick choked and started to cough.
"Wonderful! Are you excited to see him again this weekend?" Vivian asked.
"Yes! I'm gonna teach him lots about the junior ranger scouts,"
"Don't forget to play with baby Nichole," Vivian reminded.
"What's all this about a baby brother?" Nick asked.
"He's been at this since he joined the scouts. They had a family day, and a lot of his packmates have siblings," Vivian explained.
"You better get to it, son," Jack winked at Nick.
"What?" Nick gulped.
"You don't expect us to have a child?" Vivian said.
"The will is there, but the functions are not," Jack laughed.
"Don't worry, daddy little Nick can be my baby brother," Jon commented.
Nick started to cough again, "Kiddo little Nick has a mommy and a sister. I don't think Ms. Hopps will give away her baby like that."
"Ms. Hopps can live in our house!" Jon found the solution.
Jack and Vivian laughed, and Nick's ears stood erect.
"Ms. Hopps wouldn't move in with us so simply," Nick tried to explain.
"Why not? We have two extra rooms! My playroom can be little Nick's room and the guest room Nichole's," Jon explained his fingers doing the math.
"Where would Ms. Hopps sleep?" Vivian played along.
"With daddy!" Jon answered.
Jack burst out laughing, he was lucky they were in a red light. Nick glared at Jack, who was trying to wipe a tear off his eye.
"Hey sport, only mommies and daddies can sleep in the same room," Nick explained.
"But daddy is a daddy, and Ms. Hopps is a mommy," Jon said, not following the logic.
"I mean mommies and daddies that are married. Ms. Hopps and I are not married," Nick provided.
"What's married?" Jon asked.
"When two mammals love each other very much, they decide to stay together forever," Vivian explained.
"Ohhh…then, daddy can marry Ms. Hopps," Jon said proudly.
"Kiddo, it doesn't work that way," Nick tried to explain. His mother was holding a fit of giggles.
"I think daddy is much better than the other daddy. He was mean and took the babies' money," Jon frowned.
"Not all daddies are good like yours, Jon," Vivian said.
"I know…daddy should be the babies' daddy, so then they can have a good daddy like me!" Jon smiled.
"Adult relationships are a little complicated, Jon," Nick said he wasn't mentally ready to have this conversation with a five-year-old.
Story Notes:
Macadamia- Tale Spin 1990
Nick has been fighting alongside the royal army for two years. The country is currently at the end of a civil war.
Princess Lotta Lamour- Tale Spin 1990
She is a beautiful vixen and next queen of the kingdom of Macadamia. She was captured by Chancellor Trample and forced to marry him. During her marriage, she had two children. She remained active during her years in captivity and would give her people hope through weekly writings she would sneak out of the palace. Her articles also contained codes that revealed the movements and strategies of the insurgents.
King Amok- Tale Spin 1990
The rabbit King of Macadamia and the father of Lotta. He is kind, generous, and a bit of a pushover. He trusted Chancellor Trample and considered him his right hand "mammal." He loves his daughter dearly and would do anything to save her. King Amok asked the international community for help in recovering his country. He and his daughter will rule and bring their country back to prosperity.
Chancellor Trample- Tale Spin 1990
Originally a buzzard in the original cartoon his species was changed to that of a rabbit. Greedy and backstabbing he eyed the crown for years. He embezzled the money from the country and stirred discontent among Macadamia's subjects. Eventually, he led a coup against the king. For two years he ruled with an iron 'paw' until eventually defeated by the royal army and the alliance with Animalia. He loved Lotta due to her resemblance to her mother who he loved but couldn't be with. His favorite child was his youngest daughter because she looked like her grandmother as well.
Myra Foxworthy- Tale Spin 1990
Myra was Nick's wife and mother of Jon. She was abandoned in an orphanage in her country of Aridia when she was a newborn. At the age of one, an older childless fox couple adopted her. The couple was from the USA and brought her to the Midwest. The husband and wife shared a love of history and pass it down to their daughter. Myra's goal was to become an archaeologist and be a curator at a museum. Her parents died in quick succession during her undergrad. She and Nick met during their senior year of university. They married after their graduation and had Jon at the age of 30, unfortunately, Myra died during childbirth.
Tramp Brown-Lady and the Tramp 1955
Tramp is Nick's lieutenant and has accompanied him in many missions. He is a close confidant of Nicks. He is married to Lady and has four children, Scamp, Annette, Collette, and Danielle. Tramp was an orphan who fell in love with a high-class dog, Lady, when he was in high school. Lady's fathers Jock and Trusty didn't approve of the relationship wanting something more for their pampered daughter. Tramp decided to join the military after graduating high school to be able to provide for Lady and gain the approval of Lady's fathers.
Last name was taken from the humans Jim Dear and Darling from the movie.
John Worthington Foulfellow a.k.a Honest John- Pinocchio 1940
Yes, I went there. Honest John is the father of Judy's kits. However he wasn't my first choice, it was Br'er Fox and the second choice was Foxy Loxy (no not from 2005 Chicken Little). I think John matched what I was looking for. According to the Disney wiki, he is: deceptive, sly, greedy, conniving, persistent, shameless, foolish, pompous, fearful, patient, soft-spoken, charming and theatrical. He is perfect. Can't reveal too much…about how he met Judy and how he managed a relationship with her. That is spoiler territory. I may write his cat friend Gideon later on in the story.
Tamiri's Notes:
1. I don't know anything about war, military, guns or anything of the sort. My expertise is in medicine, child development, and psychology. So please don't attack me. I don't know how it works in the military and if you all have the insight I would appreciate it and would love to hear it. I'm not averse to changing things. And I have research and its fascinating how the army has its own culture it's pretty awesome.
2. Reveal more about Nick in this chapter than about Judy in chapter one. But my fox needs some love. Like y'all read Nick is a captain in the marines. He officially joined the US Marines at the age of 18 and in this story, he is 35 years old. I was on the fence which branch of the military he would join. I wanted to go with the air force but I saw several fics touching that and I am a rebel I do what I want, the Marines it was, nothing to do with how awesome the uniform is.
3. Nick's conversation with the yak is based on one of my favorite comedies. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I love the scene with the black knight cracks me up every time. Sorry, I can't take anything seriously. (。^_・)ノ
4. Judy's age in this story is 27 while Honest John is 45 years old. Yes there is an 18 year difference. Hello FBI…yes I would like to report a crime.
5. TPR or termination of parental rights is not that easy to come by. The state usually does this if the parent isn't fit to take care of the children. You can't just voluntarily give up your rights cause you don't wanna pay child support. Even so with good enough lawyers anything is possible eh?
6. Honest John marrying a vixen much older than him was based on this case I watch in Discovery ID. In the case this guy married this lady 40 years his senior and then after like 20 something years together he killed her. Jon didn't kill his wife and she died naturally. John is not a gold digger he is a 'goal' digger…eh? Eh? I'll see myself out.
7. Let's talk about the issue of breastfeeding. I know many of you, especially my fellow Americans think those kids are too old to breastfeed…well y'all, recommended breastfeeding is up to 6 months…but the benefits go beyond that. The World Health Organization recommends up to two years. The average age of weaning is four years old and the max is seven. So no they are not too old…they are 2 years old in this fic. I believe Judy would be the type to look this information up and research the pros and cons.
9. Other Easter Eggs here and there…I hope you all can find it!
