A/N: The next chapter, yes! Apologies for releasing this after December. I really wanted to finish these remaining chapters before the month (and year) were over, but I really didn't have much free time during the last few days of December. Had family visits and then New Years so…
Regardless, I hope you enjoy and I wish you all a Happy New Year and happy start of a new decade! 2020! :D
…
Chapter 3: The Present
Bogo sat at his bed, gripping his head with remorse, "How could I let her go like that? Why was I so foolish? Why, why?!" he cried to himself.
He pressed his head against his hooves when he noticed a light suddenly appear from a slit between his bed's curtains. "What in the...?"
"Bogo...hahahaha!" he heard a loud, echoing giddy giggle call to him. He swallowed hard and hesitantly opened his bed's curtains. He peeked out and saw that his bedroom had been decorated with Christmas decorations, warm candle lights, and a large array of food spread all throughout. "Wha-Where did all of this come from?"
"Over here Bogo, hahahaha!" called the source of the giddy laughter from the corner of his bedroom. The buffalo turned to see who it was and spotted an enormous chubby cheetah with a thick mistletoe crown and a large green robe. Bogo stepped out of his bed and approached the big cheetah who was currently wolfing down a whole chocolate cake. "Hi there," he said between bites. "Cake?" he offered the buffalo a whole strawberry cake that he had in his other paw.
"Uh, no thank you," replied the buffalo, disgusted by the cheetah as he spewed crumbs all over his face while he spoke. "Who are you supposed to be?"
"Why I'm the Ghost of Christmas Present!" announced the cheetah with a chipper smile.
"Present?" Bogo looked at his surroundings, "May I ask, what does food have to do with the present time?"
"Oh," the cheetah licked his fingers, "Everything! All that you see here, is the food of generosity, which you Bogo, have denied your fellow mammal."
"Generosity? Bah! What point is there to show generosity when all mammalkind is selfish and greedy deep down?"
"Are you sure you're not talking about yourself?" asked the cheetah.
Bogo glared at him, insulted. "In any case, no mammal has ever shown me generosity."
"You've never given them reason to," scolded the cheetah. "But believe it or not, there are still some mammals out there who can find enough warmth in their hearts, even for a miser-able miser like you. No wait, is it pronounced miser-able or miserable? Mis-rable? No, no wait that's not right."
Bogo rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Spirit! Can we please carry on with whatever lesson it is you're supposed to teach me?"
"Oh, right!" the cheetah wolfed down the last chunk of cake that he had left in his paw. He lifted his paws up, "Go on, touch my robe!"
"Come again?" Bogo asked uncomfortably.
"Touch my robe. It's the only way to transport us to our destination!" he announced innocently.
Bogo sighed, hesitantly giving in, "Very well then." The buffalo placed a hoof on the chubby cheetah's stomach. The cheetah then lifted his arms and a flurry of sparkling snow circled around them, teleporting them just outside a poor, modest house - on early Christmas morning. "Where are we? And...is it daylight already?" Bogo asked, noticing the bright blue sky and sunlight bouncing off the bright white snow.
"That's right Bogo, it's Christmas morning!" confirmed the chubby cheetah.
All around him, Bogo saw mammals carrying gifts, shoveling snow and wishing one another a chipper, "Merry Christmas!"
Bogo remained stunned at everything around him, until the cheetah spoke again. "It's a beautiful morning, isn't it? Ooh and look at all the food," said the cheetah as a wealthy elephant couple walked out of a food shop, carrying a large carrot cake which could easily feed thirty rabbits. At the same food shop there was a large salmon dinner on display at one of the windows and another large carrot cake on display at the other window.
"Yes I suppose this is all nice, but what does this Christmas cheer have to do with me? What am I to learn from what I see every year outside my counting house's window?" Bogo asked confused.
"You may see all this joyful Christmas cheer outside your wealthy window, but I'll bet you've never wondered what goes on inside the windows of others less fortunate than yourself," said the chubby spirit as he turned Bogo around to face the small, poor house again.
"What is so important about what goes on in this place?" Bogo asked, annoyed.
"This is the home of your overworked, underpaid employee, Nicholas Wilde," answered the cheetah. "Come on, let's go inside." The cheetah took Bogo's arm and led him inside through the wall.
Inside, Bogo and the spirit saw Nicholas' family as they all busied themselves with some sort of Christmas activity. At one corner of the room, they saw a brown rabbit in his late fifties/early sixties sitting by a small, simple Christmas tree. This was Stu Hopps, Nicholas' father-in-law and his wife Judith's, father. He placed popcorn pieces into a needle and string on one end, while at the other end, his hybrid grandchildren placed more pieces along the other end. His mixed grandchildren were half fox and half rabbit.
There were two boys, both of which looked almost entirely like foxes and one girl, she looked almost entirely rabbit. Of the boys, there was James Nicholas Wilde, the oldest at age eight - he had gray fur and amethyst colored eyes like his mother, fox-like ears but narrower and longer in length, and he had a white line running along the bottom part of his tail, but with a black tip at the end. The other boy, Jonathan Stuart Wilde, age seven and named after both his grandfathers, looked almost identical to his older brother, with the only exceptions being that both his ears were fully black, he lacked a white line beneath his tail, and he had emerald eyes like his father. Their younger sister, and Nicholas' only daughter, had her father's full red and black fur color scheme, as well as his paw pads, but she had her mother's amethyst colored eyes. This was little four year old, Felicia Judith Wilde.
James took the finished garland and placed it along the tree, "Like this grandpa Stu?" he asked the brown rabbit.
"Yup, just be sure to keep it even as you go along there, son," Stu stood up to help him.
From the kitchen, out came Bonnie Hopps (Stu's wife and Judith's mother) and Amelia Wilde, Nicholas' mother. The two carried empty bowls to fill with the carrot stew brewing at the chimney for their Christmas morning feast. "Johnny-Stu, don't eat the popcorn dear, that's for the tree," said Amelia to her young grandson.
The little kit dropped the pawful of popcorn that he had just picked up and swallowed what he had in his mouth. "Sorry grandma Amelia."
"Stu don't you think that's enough popcorn for the tree?" asked Bonnie Hopps of her husband.
"Nonsense Bon, you can never have enough popcorn on a tree, aren't I right kits?"
"Right grandpa!" squeaked the kits in agreement.
At the corner near the door, the chubby cheetah gave a high pitched squeal, "Awwww! I've never seen hybrid kits before! They're just so adorable!"
"Yes, I suppose they are rather cute," said Bogo without much care - even though deep down he did think that they were adorable. "But what does this wholesome scene have anything to do with me?"
"You'll see," replied the cheetah, "Just keep watching."
At that moment, Judith Wilde (née Hopps) entered alongside her father-in-law, Jonathan Wilde. The rabbit and fox both carried the end of two large suits - an elephant sized one, and a cape buffalo sized one. "Mama! Grandpa Jonathan!" The kits ran over excitedly to their mother and grandfather. Judith Wilde looked identical to her mother in both fur and eye color, but Judith was much thinner and a bit of a curvier frame. Jonathan Wilde meanwhile, looked almost identical to his son, but he had blue eyes rather than green ones like his son and wife.
Judith giggled and released her end of the suits in order to crouch down and hug her happy children. "Hi kids, have you been behaving for your grandparents?"
"Yes mama!" the three chirped in unison.
"We were decorating the tree with grandpa Stu!" added little Felicia.
"Hey, Jude!" called Stu to his daughter with a wave. "How's it lookin'?" he asked regarding the tree.
"It's looking great!" she replied with a smile. She turned back down to face her children, "Where's your father and Tiny Finn?"
"They went to church," replied Amelia for the children.
"Church?" Judith asked in surprise. "That's a first," she giggled. "I'm normally the one who has to drag Nicholas go to church in the first place."
Amelia giggled, "Yes I know, but it was Tiny Finn who insisted."
"Yeah, it was Finn who asked Papa to take him," confirmed James for his grandmother.
"Imagine that," Judith replied as she released her children from her arms.
Jonathan placed the large suits on one of the dinner table's chairs. He kissed his wife on the cheek, "How's the food coming along, dear?"
"Delicious. I hope you have an appetite," she replied with a smile. "How were the sales today? Did Mr. Jumbeaux like his suit?"
"Uh...not exactly," Jonathan replied, glancing over to the elephant sized suit. Amelia's eyes widened at the sight of it.
"You didn't sell it to him? Was he not home?"
"Um...well," before Jonathan could explain, Felicia and Johnny-Stu grabbed at his paws.
"Come on grandpa Jonathan! Come help us with the tree!" squeaked Felicia as she and her brother pulled at their grandfather's paws.
"I guess I'll have to explain later," the fox chuckled and allowed the kits to pull him over to the tree.
The two does and vixen laughed at the adorable scene. Bonnie saw the small cauldron at the chimney start to bubble and boil. "Oh looks like the carrot stew is ready. Care to help us out with the rest of the food, Judith?" Bonnie asked her daughter.
"Sure," the three females disappeared into the next room.
"So that young rabbit is Wilde's wife, eh?" Bogo asked curiously.
"Yes, haven't you ever met her before?" asked the chubby spirit.
"No, I'm afraid I've never had the pleasure. She's quite beautiful. Her jovial demeanor reminds me of Gazelle's before I…" Bogo paused, hesitant to continue.
"Before you broke her heart and chose money over her, you mean?" the spirit asked bluntly.
"Yes, that," Bogo gritted between his teeth, completely embarrassed. "Wait, how did you know?"
"The Ghost of Christmas Past told me. We're really good friends!" he chirped innocently.
"Gossip amongst spirits, how fun," he muttered, annoyedly.
At that moment, Nicholas came home, carrying his young five year old son, Finn, on his shoulder. Finn Tiberius Wilde, looked almost identical to his sister as he was more rabbit than fox. Unlike his sister however, he had emerald eyes like their father and gray fur like their mother. "Merry Christmas everyone!" Nicholas called to his family.
"Papa!" called his other three children and came rushing to the door to hug him.
"Hey there kiddos!" he lowered his young son from his shoulders and set him beside his brothers and sister. But not before handing the boy a small wooden crutch to help support his ability to stand.
Bogo's eyes widened, immediately taking notice of this, "Spirit, what is wrong with that small child?"
"Much, I'm afraid," answered the spirit with sadness.
"Nicholas!" Judith chirped happily when she saw that her husband had come home.
"Hey Carrots!" he greeted her by her nickname. The two hugged and kissed. Judith then crouched down to hug her little son.
"Hi there sweetheart," she gave the boy a kiss on the cheek, "How was church?"
"It was great Mama! I made a lot of animals smile today!" he announced with a big smile.
"Really? How did you do that?" Judith inquired with a good natured giggle.
"Because they saw me smiling, even though I'm a cripple!" he stated with joy.
Judith stared at her son with awe and confusion, but then simply smiled back at him. "I'm happy you were able to make others happy, sweetheart." She gave him a kiss on his forehead, now go play. Christmas breakfast will be ready in a few minutes."
Little Felicia ran over to gently pull her brother over to play with them by the tree. Tiny Finn eagerly limped over as best he could to play.
Judith stood beside Nicholas and they took a moment to simply watch their happy children play. "He's really something, that son of ours," stated Nicholas, placing an arm around his wife's shoulders.
"He really is," Judith agreed, snuggling up beside her husband.
"You know what he told me while we were at the sermon?"
"What?" Judith inquired, curiously.
"He said he hoped other animals saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk and blind mammals see."
Both Judith and Bogo stared at Nicholas and then at the child, completely bewildered.
"So that's what he meant," Judith said with a proud smile, "Hard to believe that he's only five years old, and has such a warm and wise heart already."
"Yeah," Nicholas breathed with an equal amount of pride for their son, "Sounds like he really takes after his mother."
"He's your son too. You can't give me all the credit," Judith smirked, playfully bumping him with her hips.
Nicholas smiled, but immediately frowned right after. "Though I appreciate that Carrots, I don't think I deserve any credit," he said glumly, as he walked over to sit at one of the chairs with a sigh. "I didn't get a raise, Judith."
"What?" Judith asked, standing beside him.
"Mister Bogo said that I couldn't have a raise," he repeated.
"But why?" she asked incredulously, "You work so hard for him. You've increased profits and you've been his only employee for ten years. You've even sacrificed spending Christmas Day with us for all those years. Not to mention New Year's."
"I know, but according to my boss, Mr. Buffalo Butt, I haven't done enough to earn it. Plus, I already work more than I should for him so I can't even ask for more work hours."
"What did he just call me?" Bogo asked the chubby spirit.
"Uhh... I didn't hear anything," the cheetah answered, feigning ignorance toward the subject.
"Did he just call me 'Buffalo Butt'? Has he always called me that behind my back?" Bogo asked almost incredulously.
"Shhh," silenced the spirit, "Keep listening." Bogo grunted annoyed, but obeyed nonetheless.
Nicholas lowered his head in shame, "I'm a failure Carrots."
"What? Nicholas, look at me," Judith placed her paws at her husband's cheeks and lifted his gaze to hers, "You're not a failure. You're a wonderful husband and father. And I know you're a wonderful worker too. You do enough to provide for our family. If there's anyone who should feel ashamed of himself, it's Mr. Bogo. He's selfish, self centered, and only thinks of himself!"
Bogo flinched at each insult she sent his way.
"You do everything you can to help his business grow and yet as wealthy as he is, he can't find the funds to pay you the wage you've so rightfully earned through your hard work?" Judith continued. "Someone should really report him for exploiting his employees like that. Why if that were me, I'd look him straight in the eye and demand he pay me the proper wage, and you know I would."
Nicholas couldn't help but chuckle at how adorable she looked when she was both angry and determined. Also, it warmed his heart just to see how much she cared. "I don't doubt that in the least hun-bun. But if I do that then I'm definitely out of a job. He said something today, that as much I'd like to disagree with it, I know it's true." Judith eyed him with a confused brow. "Like I told Finn earlier today at church, if there's one thing I'm grateful to that buffalo butt for, it's that he gave me a job when no one else would."
Bogo's eyes widened in surprise at his employee's words.
"I don't know if you remember Carrots," Nicholas continued, "But I had a real hard time trying to find an honorable job before we got married. I wanted us to have a future together where you would be proud of me and where our children would be able to look up to me as a positive role model. Not the hustling low life - trying to make ends meet to avoid the workhouse me - that I was before I met you. And after so many failed attempts at a decent job, Bogo was the one to give me that job. Speciest and selfish as he is, he was impressed enough with my business savvy to give me a chance. If it weren't for him, I would never have been able to put a roof over our heads and provide what I can for us."
Judith smiled, a little more calm. Perhaps even finding a slight bit of appreciation for the buffalo. She hugged Nicholas' head, caressing his ears, "And you do an amazing job at it." She kissed him. "You don't know how proud I am of you and I don't think you have to worry about our children viewing you in a negative light." They looked over to their children who were playing nearby.
James continued helping his grandfathers with the decorations on the tiny tree, while Johnny-Stu ran around with a garland of popcorn as his giggling younger sister and brother ran/limped after it. In the midst of his giggling, Finn stopped as he started having a coughing fit. Nicholas and Judith flinched with concern as did his grandfathers and siblings.
Bogo also found himself displaying concern for the sickly kit. A fact which the spirit noticed.
Little Felicia placed a paw at his arm and Finn smiled at her as if to tell her that he was okay. Just to be on the safe side, Johnny-Stu helped his brother over to the small steps that led to the bedrooms and sat him down there. He handed the popcorn garland to him and it brought a smile on the younger kit's face. Johnathan, Stu, and James smiled and went back to decorating.
Nicholas and Judith smiled as well, but their concern for their child remained on their faces. Most notably on Nicholas' face. Nicholas frowned sadly and insecurely rested his head against Judith's chest as he gently pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her. He spoke as softly as a frightened child would to his mother. "I'm scared, Judith," he said with a tremble.
"What?" she asked, visibly shaken by his demeanor. Judith remained in his arms but pulled away enough to look at his face. She wanted to see his expression as she knew this was serious if he referred to her by name like that. His eyes shimmered a little, as if he wanted to cry but was not allowing himself to do so. She had never seen him look so vulnerable before.
"I'm scared," he looked back to their son who coughed a little again, "He's getting worse the more time passes and we still can't afford his medication or to give him a more proper nutrition. Not on my pay anyway. And if Bogo keeps refusing to give me a raise, then…" he exhaled a trembling sigh, "I don't know what we'll do. I might have to go back to hustling or even pick-pocketing to-"
"What? No," Judith immediately pressed her forehead against his to speak to him directly, "Nicholas, listen to me, you will not go back to that lifestyle. You worked so hard to get away from that dishonest life. What if you get caught committing a crime? What would we ever do if you were arrested?" Nicholas lowered his head in shame. "Besides, you're not alone. Your father and I have been working very hard to get Suitopia off the ground. With both his and my sewing skills and the right investor, I'm sure we'll be able to make a legitimate business together that sells clothes for all mammals! No matter the size or species! I'll bet we can even make a wing for dresses and children's clothing!"
Nicholas chuckled at her enthusiasm, "Your optimism never ceases to amaze me, Carrots. How did the sale go by the way? Did Mr. Jumbeaux like his suit enough to invest?"
"Uhh... not exactly," Judith said, recoiling into herself. She glanced over to the chair where her father-in-law had placed the suits. Nicholas followed her gaze and stood to approach the suits on the chair.
"Why is his suit still here? Did he decide to cancel the meeting with you and my dad because of the holiday?" Nicholas asked her, curiously.
"No, he... cancelled his order and any future affiliation with us," she said glumly.
"What? Why?" Nicholas asked in shock. "You said that he was really excited about his suit when you showed him the designs and material."
"I know. He told me that he was willing to see what I could do, though to tell the truth I think he only agreed to give me a chance because he was more entertained by the idea of a bunny making an elephant sized suit. Little did he know that I relish a challenge and that I'm more than capable of tailoring a suit like that within three days. With your father's help of course." Judith smirked confidently.
Nicholas smiled. "So what happened?" Nicholas asked, not understanding what went wrong.
Judith's confidence faded. "Well, when I met with him the first time, I made the deal alone. But when he saw me walking into his office with your father, he immediately told him to leave and to get his 'grimy, thieving' paws off his suit. He thought your father was trying to rob me, but then when I explained that he was my business partner and that he helped me make the suit, he had us both kicked out of his office."
"What?!" Nicholas yelled, startling everyone. He turned around to his father, father-in-law, and children, "Sorry, sorry everyone. Everything's alright, no need to worry." Everyone went back to what they were doing. Jonathan however seemed to know exactly what they were talking about and lowered his gaze in shame.
"You alright there, John?" Stu asked him with concern.
"Never better. Just observing the tree is all. It's looking great!"
Stu and James nodded in agreement and continued their decorating.
Nicholas held Judith's face protectively in his paws, "Did he hurt you?"
"No, not really. He had one of his servants throw us out. But that didn't bother me as much as the things he said. He actually had the nerve to say that he didn't want the suit just because he didn't want anything that a 'filthy fox' had touched. I got so mad that I went on a tirade insulting him. That's when he had us kicked out."
Nicholas cupped a paw at her cheek, smiling gently at her. Proud that she tried to defend his father's honor.
"I'm sorry Nicholas," she apologized soft spokenly. "I guess it was my fault that we ultimately lost that sale and investment opportunity."
"Hey, don't take it too hard Carrots. You said it yourself, the sale was already doomed once he saw my father. It wouldn't have been worth it to have a guy like that as a business partner."
"I know, I just wish things had gone differently," Judith sighed, glancing over to the other suit on top of the elephant sized one. She walked over to it and took it in her paws, "After all you've said about Mr. Bogo, I highly doubt that he'd ever want to invest in us too. But we made this in case if you ever see that he's in need of a good suit. Maybe he'd like to buy one or hire us to tailor some for him."
Nicholas felt the suit, "That feels really soft. Is that wool?"
"No, it's cotton," Judith smiled.
"Mr. Jumbeaux oughta consider calling himself Mr. Dumbeaux if he was really dumb enough to deny a finely tailored suit like this."
Bogo and the chubby spirit moved closer to observe the buffalo sized suit. Bogo touched it and was actually able to feel it without the bunny or fox noticing. "Mhmm, soft to the touch but firm and sturdy, fashionable, good design. Yes, this is indeed a finely made suit. Did Wilde's wife and father really stitch this themselves?"
"Yes they did!" chirped the cheetah. They're pretty talented, aren't they?"
"Yes, Wilde must feel so lucky. He has a beautiful wife who is also quite talented and ambitious," Bogo smiled, genuinely happy for Nicholas.
Judith smiled at Nicholas' compliment, but lowered her gaze almost immediately afterward, as if losing faith in her own talent. Nicholas held her and lifted her chin up to face him, "Hey, don't make me be the optimist now." Judith giggled at his attempt to humor her, "We'll get through these tough times together. Just like you said." They smiled at one another when Bonnie and Amelia walked back out of the kitchen carrying plates and a couple of dish trays.
"Breakfast everyone!" Bonnie called out to everyone. "Care to help us Judith? Nicholas?"
"Yes mother," Judith replied and took some plates from her mother. Nicholas took a couple in his paws as well.
"So glad to see you and Mr. Hopps were able to join us for this Christmas, Mrs. Hopps," Nicholas told his mother-in-law.
"Well of course," Bonnie replied with a smile, "It's Judith's turn this year after all."
"Yeah, and thank you for havin' us Nicholas," Stu added. "I'm just really sorry Bon and I couldn't chip in more with the food besides just a few vegetables and a blueberry pie. It's been a rough few months ever since we were forced to close down the farm. I don't know if it's the soot in the air or just the constant bad weather, but…" he shook his head with an apologetic sigh.
"It's okay Mr. Hopps, I understand. Guess we're all going through some tough times," Nicholas said with an understanding tone.
Stu nodded. "Bon and I are fortunate enough that our kids are all grown and able to fend for themselves even without the farm. But I only wish we could've been able to help you given that yours and Jude's little ones are still well...little," Stu said as he glanced over to Tiny Finn, who was struggling to climb onto his chair. Nicholas quickly picked up his son and helped him sit, tying a little bib around his neck. Judith meanwhile came around and took the boy's cap and cane.
The little kit, much like his siblings, lit up at the sight of the food on the table. There was a blueberry pie which Bonnie set down on the table. A tray which had two baked potatoes, two full carrots, a spoonful of peas, about five lettuce leaves, and a single tomato sliced into ten thin slices for each member of the family. Amelia carried over another tray with a cover. She lifted the top, revealing only three cooked sardines.
The adults finished serving the food and drinks and they all took their seats.
"Oh my! Look at all the wonderful things to eat!" chirped Tiny Finn, happy despite the meager meal. "We must thank Mr. Bogo," he said innocently to his parents who sat beside him.
Bogo's jaw dropped in awe. He was touched by the boy's innocent consideration.
Nicholas and Judith looked at one another. Judith sighed reluctantly as if giving Nicholas the go ahead to supporting their son's statement. Nicholas nodded to their son, "Couldn't have said it better kiddo!" Nicholas raised a glass, "To Mr. Bogo, the founder of this feast." Bonnie, Amelia, Stu, and Jonathhan all scoffed, while the children gazed at the adults in confusion.
"Nicholas sweetie," said his mother, "Maybe it would be best if we not include him in our toast."
Little Felicia tugged at her grandmother's sleeve, "Why not grandma Amelia?"
"I understand mother, but it is Christmas," Nicholas responded, "And everyone deserves consideration on this day," he placed a paw at his son's back and smiled at him. The kit smiled back at him, as if proud of his father.
Though hesitant herself, Judith stood with her glass in paw. "I know it may be difficult to toast someone like Mr. Bogo, seeing how he is a stingy, odious, and all around unfeeling mammal."
Bogo, shrunk with each word Judith said, more so after seeing the other adults nod in agreement.
"But," Judith continued, "Nicholas and Finn are right. We should remember that Mr. Bogo did give Nicholas a job. So, I'll toast to his health for Nicholas' sake and because it is Christmas and...I hope the rest of you can find it in your hearts to do the same." The other adults looked at one another and sighed, giving in. Judith lifted her cup, "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Mr. Bogo."
The other adults, and children all raised their glasses, "To Mr. Bogo."
The Wilde and Hopps families drank a sip of their respective drinks and ate. Tiny Finn was given the meaty torso of one of the sardines. He was ready to dig into it when he noticed that his father had only taken the tiny tip of the tail. Being the ever considerate boy that he was, Tiny Finn took his fish and tried to hand it to his father. Nicholas looked at him in surprise and smiled, politely denying the fish from his son. He then hugged him and they each continued eating their respective meals.
Bogo observed the innocent child and asked, "Spirit, tell me, what will happen to Tiny Finn?"
The normally chipper chubby cheetah, frowned, "If these shadows remain unchanged, I see an empty chair where Tiny Finn once sat. And a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved."
Bogo uncharacteristically felt his chest tighten with horror, "S-So does that mean...Finn will…"
Bogo turned to face the chubby cheetah when he felt a cold breeze brush past him, forcing him to shut his eyes.
When he opened his eyes he saw that he was still in the Wilde's home, but there was no one to be found - not the Wildes, not the Hopps, not the chubby spirit. There was now only darkness in the simple little home.
…
A/N: I'll bet a lot of you thought Finnick was going to be Tiny Finn, huh? Lol! Funny as that would be he's not Nick and Judy's real son...nor is he a child, so he unfortunately can't play the role. But don't worry he has an important role in this fic somewhere ;)
Oh, by the way, I know it's a bit unoriginal of me, but I personally really love Helthehatter's bunny-like hybrid kit design (ie Violet Wilde), so I kind of adopted it here as what Felicia and Finn would look like. I just really love it, it's like the canon look to me for bunny-like hybrids. And I feel that if Nick and Judy could have hybrid children, this is what the bunny looking ones would look like. As for the fox ones, I kind of just reversed it in that they look more like foxes but have some subtle bunny like features. This way we have both funnies (bunny looking ones) and boxes (fox looking ones). :D