As soon as the two entered the house, the storm started at once, with lightning and thunder, in a way Judy had never seen it before. Before noticing what the house was like for the night, she wanted to look out the window at the raindrops and the wind that beat down. She had not expected such heavy rain.
– Younever saw a storm like this before? – Nick asked as he took Judy's small suitcase.
– I've been in Zootopia for a few months now. – She continued to stare out the window. – I had seen some rain, but not like this.
– You get used to it with time. – He said. – Come on, she's looking forward to meeting you.
Judy turned to the house, after looking out the window for a few minutes and realized they had entered through the kitchen. She followed Nick into the living room where there was a table, and farther into the corner, she saw a three-seat sofa, with an armchair beside it, in front of a television. It was a simple but cozy place. Judy felt at home even though it wasn't her home. She continued to follow Nick down the hallway to the bedrooms, when she came across another fox.
– I am glad you made it before the rain, dear. – Katy had just come out of her room and hugged her son. – And you even brought a visit!
– There's a storm outside. – He smiled, a little embarrassed. - I didn't want her to be alone.
– You always had a good heart. – She put her paw on Nick's face.
– I learned with you. – He replied affectionately. Katy smiled with pride.
Nick continued into the bedroom to drop off Judy's suitcase, where she would spend the night. Judy didn't know Nick's mother and didn't even know their affectionate relationship. She wondered what had happened to him living abroad for so long. Judy felt a little uncomfortable when she heard from Nick that he didn't want to leave her alone tonight, but her heart told her otherwise, that she wanted to be with him. She didn't believe Nick could see her more than a friend, however. As soon as Nick entered the room, Katy glanced at Judy, already imagining it might be her.
– You must be Officer Hopps, right? – She smiled at Judy. – Who works with my son. – She gave her a hug too.
– You can call me Judy, ma'am. – Judy replied gently.
– I am Katy, Nick's mom. No need to call me ma'am, I'm still in my prime. – She joked. – Nick talked a lot about you.
– Serious? – Judy was a little surprised.
– Of course, you changed his life. – She walked past Judy to go to the kitchen. – We have a lot to talk about. I'll prepare dinner, you must be starving. – Katy smiled at her and headed into the kitchen.
Judy's heart felt warm at the kindness and sympathy of Nick's mother and she wondered what must have happened to make Nick stay away from home and his mother. She had some suspicions but no certainty. She followed Nick into the bedroom and as soon as she entered she noticed, among other things, an old poster of the Boy Scouts on the wall, which made her conclude that it was his bedroom. In addition, she also noticed that the bed had an auxiliary bed underneath, probably where she would sleep. Through the bedroom window it was possible to see that the storm was continuing and it looked like it would not stop anytime soon.
Judy sat up in bed and Nick, after he'd put her things in the room, lay down on the bed for a short rest, breathing a sigh of relief that he'd made it before the rain. She noticed that the bed was very soft and looked cozy. Judy hadn't even asked Nick to bring her things but he was always kind and helpful. She looked at him lying down, eyes closed, breathing calmly.
– Nick, this is a lovely place. – She said calmly, referring to the house. – What made you leave here?
Nick sighed before answering apprehensively. He knew the answer, but it wasn't a pleasant thing to remember, especially when it was only regrets.
– Wrong decisions, Carrots. - He got up but continued on the bed. – From a time when no one believed in me, not even me.
– I know how it is. – She took Nick's paw in a gesture of comfort.
– But what matters is that I got back before it was too late. – He smiled at her. – Because of you, Judy.
– Because of me? – She asked, not understanding how she had indirectly helped Nick.
– You showed that I could be a better mammal. – He looked into her violet eyes. Judy couldn't contain her emotions, moving from where she was on the bed and putting her arms around Nick, hugging him after those sweet words. She felt how warm Nick was. At that moment, Nick felt a pang in his belly, but he didn't care. He hugged her back.
– I didn't know you had such a sensitive side. – She said, wiping some tears, already letting go of the hug.
– Bunnies, so emotional. – He wiped a few tears from Judy's face, which made her blush.
They both smelled a very pleasant smell that seemed to come from the kitchen. Katy was just finishing making dinner, and the smell of the food was so delicious. Before Nick and Judy could guess what would be served, they heard Katy call from the kitchen.
– Dinner is served. – Katy called them to eat.
– We are going. – Nick replied. – My mother can cook well, you will like it.
– The smell is delicious. – Judy smiled at Nick.
Judy followed Nick through the house to the kitchen. A few minutes ago when she entered the house, she was a little nervous as it was the first time she had been with predators in the same place, but her heart told her otherwise. She trusted Nick, even after she met her mother, an adorable vixen. Judy felt at home even though she was far from her real home. She didn't think she would feel a comfort she only felt at Bunnyburrow.
When they sat down at the table, they both saw that Katy had prepared a delicious spaghetti and meatballs for herself and Nick. For Judy, she had made a vegetarian version of the same spaghetti, which made Judy wonder, "How did she know?". She looked at Nick who was sitting across from her and remembered why.
– Enjoy your food. – Katy looked at the two smiling.
– Thanks you! – Judy smiled back.
They remained silent, enjoying their meal with the noise of rain and some thunder. After a few minutes, Katy broke the silence. Nick had told her a lot, but some he didn't because he didn't know, or learned later when he helped Judy with the report.
– Judy, can I ask you something? – She was already finishing eating. – About the Night Howlers case.
– Sure, anything. – Judy replied.
– When you found out about the flowers, what made you go back to my son when you could have gone straight to the police? – Katy got up from the table to put the dishes in the sink.
– He was the only one who believed in me, when no one did. – She looked at him smiling. – I didn't have a choice.
– He always had a good heart, but he doesn't believe in himself. Katy said as she washed some of the dinner dishes.
– Thank you for being in my life, Carrots. – Nick spoke softly, taking Judy's paw. – Mom, let me help you. – He got up and picked up the remaining dishes that were still on the table, and helped her with some of the dishes.
When Nick stood up, he felt a discomfort in his belly, so he discreetly massaged the affected area and for a moment the discomfort eased. He thought, "Is it something I ate before?" Nick noticed that the annoyance had improved and thought it wouldn't be back anytime soon.
Nick was away from home for a few years and even so, his mother was open hearted to welcome him back. So, whenever she could, she helped with household chores, washing the dishes or cleaning the house. It was a way to repay her kindness.
– Judy, you can go to the couch. – Katy noticed that Judy was still in the kitchen. – We're finishing here.
– Sure. – Judy replied.
Judy got up and took a leisurely look around the house. Some lights were already on where the sofa was. She noticed a few frames near the television and saw some pictures of Nick when he was younger. "He was so cute and adorable. In fact, he still is." She thought as she looked at the photos. Then she sat down on the sofa and waited for a few minutes. Judy felt at home even though she was away. She knew Nick gave her affection and comfort, maybe that was the reason she felt this way. As she waited for the two of them, she felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. As soon as she picked up her cell phone she saw that it was her mother calling. She answered the call.
– Hi Mom! - Judy smiled.
– Hi darling! - Bonnie smiled back. – Is everything okay there?
– Yes, it is. – Judy replied. – Despite the rain.
– We saw it on the news about the storm. - She noticed that Judy was in a different place. – Are you in your apartment? It looks bigger.
– I'm at Nick's house. – Judy blushed a little. – He invited me to spend the night because of the bad weather.
– Your friend who works with you in the police department? - She asked.
– Yes, it is him. – Judy replied smiling.
– He is so kind and dear. - She smiled. - Glad you found someone like him.
– I hope to take him to meet you someday. – Judy suggested at first, afraid of the answer.
– We would love to meet him. – She answered. – You can bring him. I'm going to hang up now for you to rest.
– Alright, mom. I love you!. – Judy waved at the cell phone camera, it was a video call.
– Love you too. - She waved too. - Goodbye!
Minutes after ending the call, Judy heard a few steps toward the room she was in. Katy and Nick had finished tidying up the kitchen. Nick sat next to Judy, while Katy sat next to Nick's. Judy could feel Nick's fur brushing hers.
– Were you talking to someone? – Nick asked as he turned on the television.
– My mom called. – She answered. – I wanted to know how I was, because of the bad weather.
– Or was she afraid of her daughter spending a night with predators? – He joked.
– Of course not. – Judy replied, laughing. - They like you.
– It will be? – He asked with some doubt.
– On our next vacation, we can spend there. - She looked at Katy. – You two.
– It would be amazing. - Katy smiled. – Isn't it, Nick?
– I think so. - He looked at Judy. – Sly bunny.
Nick changed the channel until he arrived on the ZNN channel, where he was being reported about the storm, the winds and the thunder. Judy learned that night that Zootopia has been through many storms and that this one wouldn't be the last. But it still looked pretty scary for a bunny seeing it for the first time. She was startled by one of the roaring thunders and for a moment she felt a shiver of fear wash over her body, which was soon gone when she felt Nick pulling her close with his arm.
– It's just thunder. – He whispered to Judy. - I'm here. Don't worry.
That shiver slowly went away, Judy was feeling better and safer. "Is it the same Nick who makes Chief Bogo loses his temper?" She wondered, as it was in these moments of closest proximity that Judy had come to know more deeply about Nick's warm, caring side. Judy had hope, however small, that Nick actually had feelings for her, but she wasn't sure. Katy noticed that Nick pulled her close and that Judy snuggled into him. "Did he find someone? It must be in my head, but it feels like there's something between them." She thought as she watched the two of them.
The three watched television until sleep came. Nick and Judy started to nap while watching television, they were tired from work. Katy didn't want to wake them up, but she knew they should sleep in a better place because they would be working tomorrow.
– You two should go to sleep in bed. – Katy said, in a louder voice, just to wake them up. – I think it's more comfortable.
Nick opened his eyes and it took a few seconds to recognize where he was, but soon he saw that he was home, still raining with less thunder, and his mother was watching him. Nick noticed that Judy had also dozed beside him, holding his arm.
– Sure, we're leaving. – He yawned; – I'll take her to the bedroom.
– Come back here later. – Katy asked, yawning too.
Nick got up from the couch, felt a flutter in his belly as he shifted but he didn't care. He scooped Judy into his arms and carried her on her lap into the bedroom, where he placed her on the bed and covered her with the sheet. He spent a few minutes looking at her, admiring. "She is so cute." He thought as he smiled at her. Nick came out of the room and saw that his mother would come into her room, but she was at the door waiting for him. He approached her.
– Nick. – Katy placed her paw on Nick's cheek. - Your father would be so proud of you, for what you achieved.
– You think so? – Nick held her paw.
– You have a real job. – She looked him in the eye. – You have Judy…
– She's just a friend. – Nick replied with a sad look in his eyes, because he wanted more than just a friendship.
– But the way you look and worry about her is different. – Katy looked into Nick's eyes. – You wouldn't have invited her if you didn't feel something.
– I knew you'd notice. – Nick smiled sheepishly.
– I know the son I have. – She smiled back.
– I don't know if she feels the same way. – He looked at the room where she was.
– Considering what she's already said about you, maybe she feels something for you too. – Katy had noticed that Nick was a very dear mammal to Judy.
– Maybe you're right. – Nick gave her a warm hug. Those words gave him some hope that Judy actually felt something for him. – I am going to sleep now.
- Goodnight Sweetheart. – Katy entered her room.
– Goodnight. – Nick replied.
As soon as Nick entered the room, he saw that Judy was sleeping peacefully despite some thunder and rain. Before going to bed, Nick approached Judy's face and gave her good night kiss. Just seeing her sleeping beside him, even if it was in another bed, it was enough to make his heart warmed.
However, what was supposed to be a good night's sleep turned out to be a nightmare. What was just a discomfort in his belly was preventing him from sleeping and it was increasingly difficult to find a position where he didn't feel the discomfort, but only tomorrow would he know what is causing that discomfort.
Dear readers, I apologize for taking too long to post this chapter. I've been very busy for the last month so I haven't had a lot of time to write. The next chapter will be the last and it will take a while to be done because I want to be very special. I hope you like this chapter. I dedicate this story to Adele who inspired me a lot with her latest album and to all the artists who made beautiful comics that served as inspiration for this story. Also don't be afraid to tell me if you find any mistake in the text. I don't bite. I always take your considerations to fix my story.