Hello, everyone. Time for chapter 2 of Endless Summer. First off, holy crap! Within the first day of the chapter being posted, this story already got over 50 favs and 70 follows. Now, the follower count made it to 100 in just one week. OH...M... GOODNESS! Thank you all for following so quickly. It makes me feel very happy inside. So anyway, that first chapter tho. It's been a full year since Nick and Judy seen each other. But now Nick arrives at Judy's doorstep. What will happen next? Will the two end up being together? Let's get straight to the story.
Also, thank you OceRydia for the awesome cover art. You are definitely having a spot on my top favorite Zootopia artists.
There the two of them were. Nick and Judy. Reunited. The two were still hugging by the front of the doorway. Just seeing each other again made them both really happy. Still...
"Judy?" Nick said to Judy.
"Yes?" Judy said to Nick.
"We have to let go eventually." Nick told her.
"Just a little bit longer..." Judy said still wanting to hug Nick a bit more. "... annnnnnnnnd, done." Judy and Nick finally let go of each other. "Nick, it's so good to see you again. What are you doing here?"
"What? Can't a fox go visit his closest friend? Even if she's a bunny?" Nick asked with a grin. "It's been a while, so I got on a train, took a taxi, and now I'm here."
"Right. Here you are." Judy said awkwardly smiling.
Next thing Nick did was having his paws on Judy's face and getting a good look at her. He then was checking out her teeth.
"What... are you doing?" Judy said feeling uncomfortable.
"Settling a bet. Finnick said that the next time I saw you, you might be wearing glasses or braces. I see no glasses or contacts on you and your bunny teeth are metal free." Nick told her before smiling slyly. "Looks like someone owes me 10 bucks."
"Wow. That's really something to say and do after reuniting with an old friend after a year." Judy said with a straight face.
"Haha." Nick laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "Sooooo... aren't ya gonna invite me in... or did you guys put back on the fox rule?" Nick asked joking around a bit.
"Oh. Sorry." Judy said feeling embarrassed for not letting him in already. She then moved to allow Nick to enter. "Come on it."
"Gladly." Nick said happily.
Nick then made it into the Hopps house as Judy follows and closes the door. Since Judy's sisters were still around, Judy thought it was a good time to reintroduce Nick to them. She still felt awkward about Nick coming right out of the blue.
"Girls, look. Nick's here. Nick. The same Nick that's been friends with our family for years. That Nick." Judy said awkwardly.
"Heeeeeeeey, Nick." Daisy, Wendy, and Abby said while waving at Nick.
"Daisy. Wendy. Abby. Good to see you again, ladies." Nick said with a finger gun and a wink.
"Heeheehee!" Judy's sisters giggled.
Nick looked around the house and notice that the place looked just like he remembered.
"Man, this place hasn't changed a bit, has it?" Nick said to Judy.
"We did add some new rooms so quite a few of us have our own rooms now." Judy told Nick.
"Oh. Cool!" Nick said smiling.
Nick then continued looking around the room and halls a bit. He felt weird that it was surprisingly quiet with not too many bunnies running around. As he thought that, Judy's sisters were trying to get her attention. They didn't want Nick to hear them. So they just mouthed the words.
"Nick's here! Nick's REALLY here." Daisy mouthed.
"I'm aware." Judy mouthed. "But I want to know why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Wendy mouthed.
"He's here for you." Abby, Wendy, and Daisy mouthed while pointing at Judy.
"Me?" Judy mouthed while pointing at herself.
"Duh!" Abby, Wendy, and Daisy mouthed.
It was obvious to Judy's sisters that Nick came for her. But Judy wasn't sure about that. But even so, Judy was still happy to see Nick again. Nick then turned back to Judy.
"So Carrots, are there any more new brothers and sisters I should know about?" Nick asked curiously.
"No. Just the ones you already know." Judy told him. "We made a little... 'rule' with mom and dad. If they have ANY more kids, then all of us are obligated to move out of Bunnyburrow forever and do our own things."
"That's... a bit much, don't you think?" Nick said feeling that what Judy said was a bit overboard.
"There is enough of us here, Nick. You know it. I know it. Everyone in this whole house knows it." Judy stated firmly. "Just because we're bunnies, doesn't mean there has to be so many of us."
"I... won't argue with that." Nick said as he scratches the back of his head. He knew Judy had a point. Families are big with just 3 or 4 kids. Let alone almost in the 300s.
At that moment, someone else came into the room. It was Judy's mom, Bonnie Hopps. She was wearing a sleeveless pink flannel shirt with a blue skirt that had carrots on it.
"Was someone at the door?" Bonnie asked her daughters. "I could have sworn I heard the doorb..." Bonnie stops talking when she sees Nick.
"Mrs. Hopps!" Nick said happily.
"Nick! So it's you." Bonnie said with a smile and surprised to see him.
Nick then walked over to Bonnie and gave her a hug. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Give-and-take it's only been a year." Nick said before ending the hug.
"I'll say. But by looking at you now, you must have had your growth spurt." Bonnie said.
"Yeah. I'm a little taller." Nick stated not trying to brag. "Anyway, I know it's out of the blue but may I ask if it's okay if I spend the night here?"
"Of course. You are always welcome here." Bonnie said to Nick.
"Sweet! Thanks!" Nick said happily
At the moment, another bunny showed up. He was around Judy and Nick's age. He had golden brown fur and was wearing a dark green t-shirt and blue jeans. It was Judy's brother, Greg. Greg was one of the Hopps kids that were actually pretty close to Nick, besides Judy.
"Man, there is like NOTHING going on today." Greg said as he entered the room looking bored.
"GREGGY!" Nick shouted out with a smile.
Greg turned around to see Nick and he was completely off guard that Nick was here. "Oh my gosh! NICKY!" Greg shouted out before running to Nick and giving him a hug. "Hahaha! What's up, buddy? It's been too long."
"I'll say." Nick said agreeing. The two then stopped hugging. "So, how things been for you?"
"Same old, same old. It's boring." Greg said with a straight face. "Please tell me you're spending the whole day here."
"I'm spending the whole day here." Nick said while nodding.
"Yes! Boredom averted!" Greg said as he pumped his fist. "Oh! We should let everyone else know you're here too."
"Wait, what?" Nick said looking a bit scared.
"Uhh... Greg, I don't think that's..." Judy said trying to get Greg to wait.
"HEY EVERYONE, NICK'S HERE! NICK'S COME TO VISIT!" Greg shouted out loudly.
After three seconds, everyone could feel the ground shaking. Nick started to have a very scared look on his face for what was about to happen. Then out of nowhere, hundreds of the Hopps kids started coming down by halls. All of them seem eager to see Nick. Basically, they all rushed to Nick and shouted out "NIIIIIICCCCCK!" as prepared to glomp him. It was at that moment, Nick feared for his life.
"So... this is how I die." Nick thought before being tackled down to the ground by Judy's siblings.
"Nick! It's been so long."
"We missed you."
"Did you missed us?"
"Of course he did. Isn't that why he's here?"
"Play with us, Nick."
"No, with us."
"Can you all give me some space, please?" Nick to all the bunnies on him. "Temar, don't tug on my ears. Callie, don't hug me so tight. Paisley! What is my rule about tugging at my tail?" Nick then turned to Judy. "Carrots! Help!"
"What? Everyone is just showing how much they missed you." Judy said with a sly grin.
"Not cool, Judy. NOT. COOL." Nick shouted out.
After a few minutes of hugging the fox and asking him a 100 questions, the Hopps kids finally gave Nick his space. Judy even took the time to actually help Nick back up.
"Carrots, I love your siblings and all, but I can't keep dealing with being the center of attention." Nick said as he brushes the dust off his shirt.
"Funny. I always remember you enjoying being the center of attention." Judy said with a smirk.
"Ha!" Nick laughed before putting his finger on the tip of Judy's nose. "Like it isn't the same for you."
The two laughed some more. It was good for them to have this time together. To them, it felt like forever since they laughed and talked together.
"So Nick, is there... any 'other' reason that you came here?" Judy asked.
"You know why I'm here." Nick said to Judy. "I've come for the sweet stuff."
With that response, Judy blushed a bit. "Whaaa... what?"
"I need some of that sweet and juicy goodness." Nick said with a smirk.
"Ni... Nick!" Judy said blushing more. "That's a little forward to say it like th..." Judy was thinking by 'sweet stuff' and 'juicy goodness', he was referring to her. But then thought about what Nick really meant. "You were talking about my family's blueberries, were you?"
"See, you get me so well." Nick said with a big grin. He then started making his way to the kitchen. "Gonna raid your fridge now."
"O... kay?" Judy said as Nick leaves.
While Nick went to satisfy his blueberry cravings, Judy's sisters brought her to the den room in the house to talk some more. The fact that Nick was here after they were talking about him was a pretty good sign to start talking.
"So... Nick's come back." Daisy said with a smirk. "I must say, even if it's only been a year, the year's has been good on Nick."
"Daisy!" Judy said looking flustered.
"Sorry. It's just that... I knew Nick was a boy, but I didn't know Nick was a boy." Daisy said liking how Nick has aged.
"Yeah. He's kinda hot now." Abby said honestly.
"What? Don't tell me you three are into foxes now?" Judy asked.
"Maaaaaaybe..." Daisy, Abby, and Wendy said with wide grins.
Guess Judy wasn't the only one attracted to Nick. It looked like it was the same for her sisters. Judy wasn't too fond about that.
"Grrrrrrr..." Judy growled.
"Relax. We're not planning on stealing him away from you." Abby stated. "But we will tell you this."
"If you don't choose to get with Nick now..." Daisy said.
"... someone else might steal him away before you get the chance." Wendy said.
"Mmmmmmmhhh..." Judy muttered. "Does it have to be today?"
"Yes!" Judy's sisters said firmly.
As Daisy, Abby, and Wendy were trying to convince Judy, meanwhile, Nick was in the kitchen helping himself to a basket of blueberries. Coming into the kitchen was Greg again, who had brought three of his brothers. Eric, as well as the twins, Cole and Conner. Like Greg, Eric, Cole, and Conner were all super close to Nick.
"See dudes, I told you Nick was here." Greg said to his brothers while showing them Nick was in the kitchen.
"Nicky!" Eric, Cole, and Conner shouted out.
"Hey, guys! Long time, no see." Nick said greeting them. He then bumped first with all three of them and gave them an each a quick hug.
"Figures you would be here snacking on our blueberries." Eric said with a smirk.
"Hey! I haven't had your family's blueberries in over a year. To me, that's worse than almost anything." Nick stated as he pops a few more blueberries into his mouth.
"Same old Nick." Cole and Conner said in unison.
"Looking at you guys, you haven't changed much either. Not that I can't say the same for everyone." Nick stated. "A few of your siblings I remembered as babies have grown and the ones I knew that were older than me changed too. I mean, I ran into Edgar earlier and he's TOTALLY different. I mean he still wears mostly black, but he had a more positive cheery personality."
"Yeah. A few changes happened when you were gone." Eric stated.
"That so, huh?" Nick said before eating some more blueberries. "Well... I guess that's to be expected."
"You did kinda have an effect on everyone here." Greg stated.
"I affect everyone I meet." Nick said proudly. "I mean, I don't mean to brag, buuuuuuuut I tend to make everyone a better person." Nick then threw a blueberry up in the air and caught it with his mouth.
"Pretty sure that's bragging, bro." Conner said.
"Something that hasn't change from you." Cole said with a smirk.
The boys then did some laughing. As good as it was to catch up, the Hopps boys wanted to something. What was the reason for Nick showing up here?
"So Nicky, what's the reason you're here?" Greg asked. "I assume it's 1 of 3 reasons: 1.) You came to hang out with your bros. 2.) Our family's blueberries. Or 3.) You came to ask Judy to be your girlfriend."
"Be sure to answer honestly." Eric said.
"If you must know, it's 3." Nick answered. "I thought about it for a while and I want Judy to be my girlfriend."
"Oh. That's great to hear." Eric said happy for Nick.
"So... that's the reason. Of course, it's Judy." Greg said sounding a bit disappointed. "Would have like to hear it be the first reason, but... it's fine. Yeah, it's fine..." Greg was clearly upset by Nick's answered.
"Dude, let it go." Eric said to Greg to get over it.
"Fine. At least we're the second reason you're here, right?" Greg asked.
As Greg said that, Nick's eye widen. He then looked at his blueberries, then at the boys, then back at the blueberries, then at the boys again. Clearly, he was conflicted on rather the boys were the second reason or not.
"OH COME ON!" Greg shouted out.
"It's been a LONG time since I had these blueberries. They ruined other blueberries for me." Nick stated firmly.
"Well... now I'm starting to feel hurt as well." Eric said feeling the same way Greg was.
"Me too." Cole said feeling hurt as well.
"Same here." Conner said also feeling hurt.
"Can we focus on my thing, please?" Nick asked them. "I'm ready for Carrots and me to be a couple. No matter what. Uhhh... she doesn't have a boyfriend, does she?"
"Nope!" Greg, Eric, Cole, and Conner said as they shook their heads.
"Good." Nick said relief to hear that.
"Nick, if you are going to ask sis to be your girlfriend, then you know what you have to do first." Eric said.
"The one thing all boys must do when dating a girl." Conner said.
"Getting permission from her father." Nick and the Hopps boys said together.
For most cases, before a boy could date a girl, they had to gain the respect of her father. The father could determine whether the relationship would hold or not. Nick always had a decent relationship with Judy's dad, Stu. But would he be 100% okay with Nick dating his daughter?
"Is your dad gonna be okay with that?" Nick asked.
"Who knows? Dad tends to be a traditional bunny. So he might feel weird about a fox and a bunny." Greg stated.
"But then again, dad has changed after being friends with your parents." Eric said.
"Plus you're not just some fox. You're you." Cole said.
"So you are saying I should go for it and see how he feels about the idea." Nick said. The four boys all nodded. "*sigh* Well, guess I got nothing to lose. Cept the possible love of my life."
"It's a bit early to say that, isn't it?" Eric asked.
"Where's Mr. Hopps?" Nick asked.
"In the garage. I think he's still working on the trunk." Conner said.
"Okay. Thanks." Nick said as he put down the basket on the counter.
"It was fun catching up, but I need to get to talking to your old man." Nick said starting to be on his way. "Let's talk some more later."
As Nick was about to leave, Eric looked at the basket Nick ate the blueberries from. The basket that was filled with blueberries was now empty.
"Nick! You ate ALL the blueberries in this basket?!" Eric shouted out.
"I love your family's blueberries. You know that. THIS IS WHO I AM!" Nick shouted out boldly. Then he left the kitchen.
Nick knew that he had to talk to Stu about dating Judy at one point. So he might as well do it now. After walking for a few minutes, he made it to the garage. Nick sees the Hopps Family truck, but he doesn't see Stu.
"Mr. Hopps? Mr. Hopps?" Nick shouted out.
"Who's there?" A voice came from under the truck.
"It's me, Nick. Nick Wilde." Nick answered.
"NICK?!" The voice shouted out before hearing a loud clanking sound. "OWWW!"
Hearing that, Nick quickly ran to the truck and looked under it. There, he saw Stu sliding from under it and rubbing his forehead a bit. Stu was in his attire of a flannel shirt, overalls, and a green cap with the farm's name on it.
"Ugh... that's gonna leave a big bump." Stu said as he rubbed his forehead. He then looked up at Nick. "Well, I'll be. It IS you, Nick."
"Hey, Mr. H." Nick said happily.
"Come on. Bring it in." Stu said standing up and wanting a hug.
Nick then went over to Stu and hugged him.
"Been a while, hasn't it?" Nick asked Stu.
"It has." Stu said as he breaks the hug a bit. "Let me get a good look at ya." Stu noticed how much bigger Nick's gotten from the little kid he used to know. "You're looking more and more like your father every day."
"Thanks." Nick said with a smile.
Stu then lets go of Nick's arms and goes to his toolbox to get a white rag to whip his face with.
"So, how your family?" Stu asked.
"Everyone's great." Nick answered happily.
"Your dad's business?" Stu asked.
"Blooming and booming." Nick said.
"And the twins?" Stu asked.
"Happy, healthy, and growing a little everyday." Nick answered.
"That's good to hear." Stu said with a smile. "Us on the other hand, this point of the year is always make-it-or-break-it. Not selling enough fruits or vegetables could put us in a tight spot at the end of the year."
"Oh." Nick said surprise to hear that. "Should I be concern?"
"Naw. Don't be." Stu told Nick. "We always made it through in the end. So things aren't any different."
"If you say so." Nick said looking less worried.
"Now, what brings you here, my boy?" Stu asked.
"Well, that's why I came to talk to you about." Nick said.
Nick was feeling a bit nervous talking to Stu like this. He was never nervous of Stu before, but this time was a different story. He was going to ask permission to date Judy.
"This is about you and my daughter, isn't it?" Stu asked. Nick looked surprised to hear Stu say that. "Get that crate over there." Stu said to Nick while pointing at a wooden crate. "Let's sit down and talk."
Nick got the crate and placed it on the ground. Stu got another crate and did the same. The two then sat on the crates and faced each other. Nick really started to feel the tension.
"Nick, how long have you known Judy?" Stu asked.
"Ummm... about 4 years, sir." Nick answered.
"Sounds about right." Stu said. "Now, when Bon and I first met you and your family, we... were pretty scared."
"I know. You looked like you were about to jump out of your overalls." Nick said joking around a bit.
"That was because, for the longest time, this family has lived in a certain... 'order' things." Stu said honestly. "Be a bunny and only do what other bunnies do. Settle, farm, and stay away from predators. Especially foxes."
Nick flinched when Stu mention 'foxes'.
"I used to be okay with thinking that way. But then, after meeting your family, I felt thinking that way was... how you kids would say... 'Totally messed up, man.'." Stu said. "We don't have to do what others do. We have to choose what we want to do. Just because we are bunnies, doesn't mean we have to think of foxes anything else but sneaky and untrustworthy. That's what Johnny, Frankie, and you taught us... and this family is grateful to you all for that."
"Mr. Hopps..." Nick said a bit surprised but flattered.
"Now, about you and my daughter." Stu said as he takes off his cap and starts brushing off some dirt from it. "Nick, were you aware that some boys have actually tried to ask Judy out."
"WHAT?!" Nick shouted out. He knew that Judy didn't have a boyfriend, but he knew nothing about other guys attempting to ask her out.
"Relax. Judy turned down each and every one of them." Stu replied.
"Oh thank god!" Nick said sounding VERY relieved about that.
"Pretty sure it was because she was saving herself for you." Stu said.
"Who... can say?" Nick said blushing a bit.
"Boy, you know it. I know it. Everyone knows it." Stu stated to the blushing fox. "A bunny with normal common sense wouldn't want her daughter anywhere near a fox. Let alone date one." Nick ears drooped and his head was down as he hears that. "But..." Nick's head went back up. "... anyone who still thinks that way is, how would your father put it, a big idiot."
"He does say that." Nick stated.
"Nick, I want my Jude to be happy, but I also don't want her to get hurt." Stu said.
"Sir, I would never do anything to hurt your daughter. You know that, right?" Nick asked Stu.
"Of course I do. But you should know, it won't be easy for you. Most mammals consider dating outside of your own species as taboo." Stu said. "People may see you two together and think that it's... revolting. Do you really think you can handle that? Just so you can be with my daughter."
"Absolutely." Nick answered without hesitation. "Mr. H, Carrots... uhhhh... Judy... is without a doubt, the most amazing person I've ever known. She saw the good in me right away and allowed me to stay myself. I can't say the same thing for anyone else. She's... the one I want to be with."
"And you're sure about this?" Stu asked.
"I am." Nick said nodded.
Nick had a determined and honest look on his face. Once Stu looked at that face, he knew that he had nothing to worry about.
"Well then, you have my blessing." Stu said
"Really?" Nick said surprised.
"Like I said, I want my Judy to be happy and I've never seen her happier than when she's with you." Stu said. "If you can promise that, then you can date her."
"You sure? 100%?" Nick asked wanting Stu to be really sure.
"110%." Stu said with a big smile.
"Thank you, Mr. H." Nick said bowing to Stu and feeling very grateful. Yet, He felt off on account of him getting his permission so easy. "So that's it?"
"That's it. What? Did you expect more?" Stu asked.
"Well... yeah. I practice this whole thing for like a month. I was gonna give you so many reasons why I wanted to date your daughter and I also expected you to give to the 'protective dad' speech. You know, 'If you hurt my daughter, I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life.'." Nick said imitating Stu a bit at the end.
"What? Nick, you should know that I care for you as if you were one of my own sons. I would never say that to you." Stu stated. He then said something else but in a more worried tone. "Besides, if I ever did... well... I feel that would give your parents an actual reason to... eat me."
"Whaaaaat?" Nick went. "Mr. Hopps, you know my parents won't... I mean they are super protective when it comes to me, but..." Nick didn't know how to properly put things. But he does know that he has the kind of parents that would do anything for him. "Ye... yeah. I won't argue with that thought."
Meanwhile, after Nick's talk with Stu, Judy was back in her room. She was deep in thoughts. Her ears were drooped down as she held and looked at a picture of her and Nick when they were younger. In the photo, she was in her police costume while Nick was in his scout uniform.
"Nick, you really had to come back in my life, did ya?" Judy said as she looked at the photo.
She then hears knocking on her door that causes her ears to go back up.
"Who is it?" Judy shouted out.
"There's a fox at your door." It was clearly Nick.
Nick and Judy have done this little thing before when they were 9. Judy thought it would be fun if they did a reenactment of that.
"A fox, you say?" Judy said smirking. "Oh dear. I don't know if I should open it."
"I wouldn't. He seems very mischievous." Nick said in a sly matter.
Judy put the picture frame back on the table and walked over to the door. She opened it to see Nick smirking slyly from the door.
"Hmmmmm. He doesn't seem mischievous at all." Judy stated continuing the charade.
"Looks can be deceiving." Nick said slyly as he leans down to Judy. "Careful. Bunnies don't let me get this close."
Judy then places her right paw on Nick's nose and said "Well then, it's a good thing I'm not like most bunnies." in a flirtatious matter.
The two then grinned at each other like they usually did.
"Are you gonna let me in?" Nick asked.
"Come on it." Judy said welcoming Nick into her room.
Nick happily walked into the room. As he did, he noticed the army of plushies on Judy's bed, the ZPD poster on her wall, the drawer, and the photos on top of it.
"Huh. Your room's nice. Pretty much as I expected it to look like." Nick said.
"Well, when mom and dad were able to save up some money. We were able to add more rooms to the burrow. So that's why most of us have our own rooms now." Judy stated. "I just design my room the way I wanted it to be."
"Nice." Nick said with a smile. His attention then went to the photo Judy was just looking at. "Oh. Look. You still have this old photo of us." Nick said as he picked it up.
"Of course. Those times were some of the best times of my life." Judy said honestly.
"Mine too." Nick said agreeing with Judy. "Oh. This reminds me." Nick then put the picture down on the drawer and then dug into his pocket. He pulled out a photo himself. "I thought you might want to see this."
"What's that?" Judy asked curious about the photo.
Nick handed to Judy. "A picture of Toddy and Vicky on their first birthday." Nick told her.
Judy looked at the picture. As Nick said, it was of his brother and sister, Toddy and Vicky, from their first birthday. They had birthday hats on and blueberry pie filling all over their faces. It was an adorable sight for Judy.
"Awwwwwwwwwww! So adorable!" Judy said in awe.
"I thought you might like it." Nick said smiling. "Mom said we couldn't get cake, but I assume she only said that because she wanted to have a picture like this with their faces covered in blueberry pie."
"Hee hee! Well... this proves that they are without a doubt that they're your brother and sister." Judy stated.
"As if there was doubt." Nick said proudly.
Judy then handed the picture back to Nick and he put it back into his pocket. Nick then looked at Judy's arm and noticed her bracelet. Seeing that, made him smile.
"You're are still wearing the bracelet." Nick stated while pointing at it.
"Oh. This? Of course." Judy told him. Judy then looked at Nick's arm and saw that he was still wearing his too. "You're still wearing yours too."
"Well yeah. I promised not to take it off, did I not?" Nick said to Judy with a grin. "I'm a proud fox that keeps his word."
"I'm surprised that you didn't break this one." Judy said recalling the first one she made for him was crushed.
"I protected this bracelet with my life." Nick said boldly.
"Heehee! That's a bit of an over-exaggeration." Judy stated.
"I never over-exaggeration, Carrots." Nick said firmly. He then lost some of his firmness. " By the way, do you have a cell phone?"
"Oh. Actually, I do." Judy said as she digs into her pocket and takes out a black and orange flip phone. "I just got it a few months back and..."
Nick then yoinked Judy's phone from her.
"I need this for a minute." Nick said holding Judy's phone up in the air.
"Hey! Give that ba..." Judy shouted while reaching for her phone. But her height didn't make it easy. Next thing Nick did was give Judy his cell phone. A white and green one. "Huh?"
"Put your number in my contacts. I'll put mine in yours. Then I'll give you your phone back." Nick said to Judy.
Judy was a bit confused at first, but understand what Nick wanted her to do and took his cellphone, opened it up, and put her number in Nick's contact. Nick did the same thing. After that, the two gave each other their phones back.
"There. Now we can call each other whenever we want." Nick said with a smile.
At that, there was now a bit of a silence. Both Nick and Judy felt a small bit of tension. Both of them pretty much knew what they should talk about.
"Nick, what are you really doing here?" Judy asked.
"If you have to ask, I'm pretty sure you know why." Nick replied.
"I think I do. But if you don't tell me, how will I know I'm right?" Judy asked.
Nick walked up close to Judy. Close enough to only be a few inches apart from each other. Nick looked into Judy's amethyst eyes while Judy looked into Nick's emerald eyes.
"Remember our promise? On the night of the Spring Dance?" Nick asked Judy.
The dance was one of the most important moments of Nick and Judy's life. It was not only the same night they admitted they had feelings for each other. It was also the night of their first kiss. Ask the promise...
"We said when we are a bit older and we feel that the time was right, we should try to get together. Well... we're older now and I... I think I'm ready, Judy." Nick said.
"Right... that promise..." Judy said looking down.
"Something wrong?" Nick asked looking concerned.
"No. Well... maybe one thing." Judy told him.
"Judy, I know the reason why we didn't get together before was that we were still confused about things. We were still little kids after all." Nick stated.
"I know, Nick. But Nick, you remember the other reason, right? Whether we like each other or not, we are still different species. That hasn't change." Judy stated.
"I know... and I don't care." Nick said. "I don't care that we are different species or what others think about me. I want us to be together."
"You really want that?" Judy asked with widening eyes.
"Yes. I want us to be boyfriend and girlfriend. No space in the middle." Nick said with a smile.
Nick was so forward when he said that. Judy expected him to say that to her. But not in the way he did. He was always used to calling her his girl friend with a space in the middle. But never without. You think Judy would be happy, but really... she still had a scared look on her face.
"Are you sure you really want that?" Judy asked sounding serious.
"Like I said to your dad, absolutely!" Nick said boldly. "Like I said, I don't care what others think about me."
"But I care what others think about you." Judy stated firmly getting Nick's attention a bit. "You have it hard enough. With others thinking you aren't trustworthy cause you're a fox. Like... the time you were muzzled. I can't promise things will be easy for you or me. So... I'll ask you again. Are you SURE you really want that?"
Nick was silent for a moment. Judy always had a habit of worrying about Nick, even when he told her not to. Next thing to happen was Nick leaning down to Judy and both of their noses touching. Judy started to blush madly while Nick just seems to have a calm smile.
"NICK!? What do you think you're doing?" Judy said as she frailed her arms around.
"What does it look like?" Nick asked with a smirk.
"It looks likes your nose is touching my nose. This is basically nose kissing." Judy stated still frantic.
"Is that a problem?" Nick asked still smirking.
"It... it kinda is." Judy said firmly.
"If then, then why haven't you moved yet? I'm not forcing this on you." Nick said to Judy. "You know you like this."
"Th... that's beside the point." Judy said still blushing.
"If it bothers you so much, then just move away." Nick told Judy.
Judy did turn around afterward, but she took her sweet time doing it. After that, she rubbed her nose with both of her paws. She was still pretty red-faced.
"After that, can you honestly say we should ignore our feelings?" Nick asked. "Carrots, I'm done pretending that nothing's there. I don't care if it's weird. I don't care what the rest of the world thinks. What I care about..." Nick then held both of Judy's paws. "... is you."
"Nick..." Judy said looking at Nick with a sparkle in her eyes.
"So how about we just stop thinking with our heads and start thinking with our hearts. I already told you what heart thinks. So was does yours think?" Nick asked Judy.
"My heart..." Judy paused before saying the rest. "My heart... wants to be with you, Nick."
Nick's heart swelled after hearing Judy said that.
"But..." Judy added.
Then it shrunk again.
"But what?" Nick asked.
"Nick, things aren't like when we were little kids. We can't just take trips to Zootopia and Bunnyburrow back and forward anymore. You know, right?" Judy asked him.
"I know. But I think I have a solution to that." Nick said.
"Huh?" Judy said as her ears went up.
"How about you come with me and stay at Zootopia?" Nick asked.
Hearing Nick ask her that, Judy let go of Nick's paws jumped back with a shocked look on her face.
"WHAT?! St... st... stay at Zootopia?!" Judy shouted out still shocked.
"I not talking about a long time. I mean just staying for the Summer." Nick stated. "With Summer Vacation here, it's the perfect time. Think about it. If you spend the Summer in Zootopia, we could see each other every day. Wouldn't that be perfect?"
"That does sound nice. You know I always liked our visit to the city." Judy admitted. "But Nick, can I really just go to Zootopia with you? What about my family? Are my parents really gonna be okay with this?"
"Apparently you forgot that I come with everything." Nick said with a smirk. "See, after talking with your dad, I ran into your big sister, Gwen. You know, the second oldest sibling in the family. Babysits for a living."
"I know my own family, Slick." Judy said firmly.
"Anyway, she told me this great news. She got accepted to ZSU. As in Zootopia State University." Nick stated. "She also got a lease for an apartment that just happens to be close to my neighborhood."
Judy's eyes widen from what Nick says.
"Once I asked her if she could have one extra roommate and getting the green light from both your mom and dad, you have more than enough reasons to go to Zootopia for the Summer." Nick stated. "Unless you have a very good excuse, which I really doubt, you no reason to not come with me to Zootopia."
At this point, Nick was right. Judy couldn't think of a good excuse at all. In fact, spending the whole Summer with Nick was too perfect to pass on.
"You really thought about everything, did ya? You're really trying hard for me not to say no." Judy said with a light smile.
"So is that a yes?" Nick asked with a wide smile.
"I'll only ask one more thing." Judy said with one finger up. She then walked closer to Nick and looks at him in the eyes. "Nick, are you okay with having a dumb bunny for a girlfriend?"
Nick held Judy's paws and said "Only if you're okay with having a sly fox for a boyfriend.".
With that said, Judy went in for another hug which Nick happily accepted. Cause this meant that the two of them wanted to make things work and be a couple. Finally.
"So, shall we tell everyone the good news?" Nick asked Judy.
"Nick, do you honestly believe that no one was listening in on our conversation?" Judy asked Nick with a straight-face. Judy then turned to her door. "YOU ALL CAN'T MIND YOUR BUSINESS, CAN YOU?"
"HEY! WE'RE JUST LOOKING OUT FOR YOU, JUDY?" Shouted Daisy from outside the door.
"CONGRATS, BY THE WAY!" Shouted out Abby.
"GLAD THAT YOU TWO ARE FINALLY A THING!" Shouted out Eric.
"IT'S ABOUT TIME!" Shouted out Greg.
"*sigh* Even when things are different..." Nick said with an annoyed.
"... some things stay the same." Judy said also looking annoyed.
The next day, Nick, Judy, and the whole Hopps family were at the train station. Nick and Judy had already packed everything and put it on the train to Zootopia. The same for Judy's 18-year-old sister with light brown fur, Gwendolyn or Gwen for short. She was leaving for Zootopia too. Everyone was already saying their goodbyes.
"Got everything, you two?" Bonnie asked Judy and Gwen.
"Yes, mom." Judy and Gwen said in a monotone matter.
"Be sure to call us everyday. Both of you." Stu said.
"Yes, dad." Judy and Gwen said once again in a monotone matter.
"Also, be sure to..." Bonnie said before being halted.
"Mom, Dad, we'll be fine." Gwen said to them.
"So don't worry about us." Judy said.
As Judy and Gwen talked to their parents, most of Judy's little brothers and sisters were climbing on Nick and holding him tight. Clearly, they didn't want Nick to leave let.
"Can't you stay a little longer?" One of Judy's brothers went.
"Don't go." One of Judy's sisters went.
"Just a few more days. A week, maybe?" One of Judy's other sisters went.
"No can do. I got my own brother and sister to look after too, you know." Nick told them. "Now can you all let go?"
The disappointed bunnies let go of the fox but were still sad to see him leave. Greg went over to Nick and wanted to say something to him before they left.
"You do have all our contact numbers now, right?" Greg asked.
"Just the ones I can fit in." Nick said.
"Two words. Call. Me." Greg said firmly.
"I will. Promise." Nick said a little frightened.
"Good." Greg said to Nick.
Nick then joined Judy and Gwen as they were all ready to leave. The two were giving Stu and Bonnie one final goodbye hug.
"You two, take care now." Stu said while hugging both his daughter.
"We'll be fine. Don't worry." Gwen said happily.
"Love you, mom and dad." Judy said happily.
The two parents then let go of their daughter and turned to Nick.
"Now Nicholas, promise you'll take care of our little Jude." Stu said to Nick using his first name.
"Promise." Nick said standing up straight. "But you both should already know, Judy can take care of herself pretty well."
Stu and Bonnie looked at each other and smile cause they knew Nick was right. Judy had always been strong enough to take care of herself. But it eases the both of them to know that Judy has Nick.
"Okay. The train's about to leave. Let's get our butts on it." Gwen said already by the train door.
"Right." Nick and Judy said nodding to Gwen.
"Shall we?" Nick asked Judy with his arm out.
"We shall." Judy said as she grabs on to Nick's arm with a smile.
Nick and Judy headed into the train as it was about to move. All the Hopps waved goodbye. Many of them were teary. Especially Stu. Nick, Judy, and Gwen waved goodbye from their seats until they couldn't see them anymore. After that, they just sat and wait for the train to hit its destination. Zootopia. Where Nick and Judy are planning to spend their whole summer together. This was the day Nick and Judy's Endless Summer began.
That's the end of this chapter. So, it finally happened Nick and Judy are a couple. As happy as the two are, will they be able to make things work? And what no adventures wait for them back at Zootopia. Wait until the next upcoming chapters to see what's in store. Til then, see ya.