Here is the 22nd installment. Hope you enjoy.
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WildeHopps apartment, Morning .- Two days after the recording session. (Saturday)
Jude woke, again, to natures call. Carefully extracting herself from her place as the middle spoon between Nick and his thick, snugly, luxurious tail. Checking her phone, she saw it was morning and time to start the day. They had plans with Lizz and Mike. That said, looking down at her fox, she smiled and kissed him between the ears. She could let him sleep a few more minutes. The alarm would do it's job soon enough anyway.
After taking care of business and grousing to herself about how often she had to pee now. Looking down at her belly. "Y'all killin me. I swear I've got the bladder capacity of a five year old wut been drinkin a liter o'soda." A deep chuckle came from the bed as she walked back into the bedroom. Glaring at the bed, Judy snorted. "Wut's so damn funny, fox?"
Brilliant emeralds met smoky, tired sapphires, and Nick smiled. "Just your accent slipping my lovely bunny. You do such a good job of covering it up, accept when you're drunk, or tired. I know you got up several times last night, so I know you're tired."
Sighing, Judy shook her head and crossed her arms glaring at him tiredly. "Yeah. So? Wut of it, fox?"
A bright grin taking over his muzzle as he stretched and yawned widely. "Oh, surly too." Getting up, he pulled her into a hug, ignoring her halfhearted efforts to resit being pulled into his arms. "It's just positively endearing and adorable, my dearest country bumpkin bunny. I'd have gotten up and left you to sleep, but I know we're doing the apartment hunt today."
"Ya..." Taking another deep breath, Judy tried to tap into the usually boundless energy she had. Finding just enough to clear the last of the sleep from her mind, if not her body."I'd have happily crawled right back into your embrace, but we have things to do. Plus, I am ravenous. The other problem with being pregnant. I am hungry almost always, thirsty often, and it's just so frustrating."
Turing her and holding her away from him after a quick kiss on the lips. "Well, you're still the most beautiful mammal I've ever laid eyes on." Pausing as he regarded her. "Love... Is it just me or is your belly... lower?"
Groaning. "It is. S'why I gotta pee so damned much. Damn doc can't manage to give us any better date than, a few weeks, and to call her when it happens. So carrot pickin, rotten raddish pealin, un-bloody helpful!" A growl of frustration leaving her throat, much to Nick's amusement. Standing, he kissed her between the ears, giving one a light nip, drawing a gasp from her and a hard swat to his chest. "Niiick!"
Grinning to the point of showing teeth as he brushed out his fur. It wasn't overly mussed, but still deserved some attention; specifically his tail to remove the evidence of the rabbit that had been wrapped around it, and the sleep marks from his head. "Come on. I gotta at least confirm I can still get that reaction out of you still. Our lives have changed so much, and now, some time in the next few weeks, it is going to change drastically again."
"Yes. Yes it is." Judy pulled on a pair of yoga pants, followed by a simple sun dress.
Watching her put on the sun dress, Nick purred his approval. "Gods, when did you get that? I've never seen that one and it... Wow!"
Smiling with a blush in her ears, Judy turned slowly, showing it off for him. "You like it? Mom made it for me. Gave it to me while we were there for Lizz's fittings. Which reminds me. Got a message from her. We'll need to swing by her shop soon with Lizz, or I suppose just me, though you should stop by and say hello. Lizz has more things to pick up."
Nick nodded as he pulled on a pair of dark jeans. "Oh, that's great. I will. It's not as if she's doesn't see us both for dinner at least once a month. Just, please tell me she is getting paid properly for the dress."
Judy nodded as she waited for him to put on a simple button up black shirt, green tie that set his eyes on fire with silver tie pin she'd gotten him for his birthday. Smiling as she saw it. "I see you're using the tie pin. It looks good, as does the rest of it."
Laughing. "Well, it isn't as if I have many Pawaiian shirts left, as you've taken possession of them all as house shirts."
Wiggling her eyebrows at him. "Well, I had to do something about your wardrobe, and the only way I could manage to get you to buy new clothes was a remove items from your existing collection. I'll never take away that horrific green number though. Seeing you in it is way too nostalgic for me."
Grinning. "You and me both. If we ever show up at Jumbaux and I'm not wearing it, or in uniform, he'll think something is wrong."
Laughing as she headed out of the room. "Truth! Come on ya scruffy varmit. I got a hankerin fur one ah Fin's breakfast burritos. So move that tail. I'll remind ya, we're meeting Lizz n' Mike at Therus fur breakfast before we start dis thing."
Nick followed with a laugh. "Oh my lovely bunny. I just love it when you take charge while you're still tired enough for your accent to show." Coming up behind her, he grabbed her in a hug, burying his nose into the join of her neck and shoulders. "Have I mentioned how much I love your scent?"
Shaking her head. "Quite regularly, my love. You know how much I hate my accent?"
"I know, and yet it fits you so well. There is just something extra sexy about you when you let it fly while taking charge."
"Nick. You think it's sexy when ah sneeze."
"Because it is." Releasing her and leading towards the door, Nick held the door open for her while she collected her purse and coat. Grabbing his own keys, wallet, and coat. "I'm not sure there is anything you could do that wouldn't be sexy in some way."
Shaking her head with a chuckle as they headed for the stairs. "Nick, you are so biased, it ain't even funny."
Their neighbor sticking her head out of their door, an elderly badger. "Oh, Nick. Judy. You two are up early."
Judy smiled. "Hey Mrs. Honnieberry. We're just heading out to meet some friends for breakfast and then some apartment hunting."
Frowning. "Oh? You too looking to move out?"
Judy nodded. "Yeah. With the kits coming, we need a much bigger place. We're joining forces with our friends, as they're also cops. Hoping that the joint front can keep us from getting turned away or given unfair pricing."
Nodding sadly. "AH! That makes sense. Well, best of luck to you both then. Still amazing that they're yours, but also happy for you both. You'll have to at least stop by for tea before you leave."
Nick smiles at their neighbor. "Well, we might just seek to borrow your grandson to help with the move. If so, you'll definitely be welcome to the home warming party we throw once things are all settled."
Grinning. "Well, that sounds like a plan. Be good for the boy to get out of the house."
Judy nods. "Well, we need to head out if we're going to make breakfast, and our first appointment, and I'm properly starving."
Chuckling, their neighbor nodded. "Oh, I remember those days. Don't let me hold you up then. Off with you both." Shoeing them off with a paw, then pointing a claw at Nick. "Don't be letting your lady go hungry there."
"Never! I have some granola bars in the car and she'll be nibbling one on the way. If I didn't she's consider making a snack out of me."
"Good boy! And good luck on the hunt."
They both waved as they walked away, Judy speaking. "Thank you."
Fifteen minutes later, Judy had eaten one granola bar, and was finding herself still a bit hungry as they pulled into the parking lot of Therus. Lizz and Mike pulling in just as they were walking into the building.
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Wolfeyer apartment, the same time.
Lizz stretched with a wide yawn, groaning as she recognized that she was alone on the bed. Drawing herself further into wakefulness she recognized an urgent need. Getting up and wiping the sleep from her eyes she attended to business. A scent hitting her that made her nose twitch as she finished up and exited the bedroom. Wrapping a robe around her form, she followed the familiar yet odd scent. In the kitchen, she found Mike cooking up some sausage, only to her surprise it was chicken instead of bug.
"Mike?"
Turning with a grin. "Good morning love. I decided to give you a bit of a treat before we headed out to Therus to meet up with Nick and Judy."
"Sure, but where did you get chicken sausage?"
"I've had it hidden in the back of the freezer for a while now. I was holding it for your birthday breakfast, but... Given everything else that has gone on, I felt today was as good a day as any. Today we're going to find a new place, openly as a couple. One where you don't have to hike up and down all those damned stairs. One with enough room for the cubs to grow, and for us to truly live our lives together."
A silly smile coming over her, Lizz sniffs. Reaching out and pulling Mike into a deep kiss. "You silly wolf. Anywhere with you is home, and I'll deal with twice as many stairs if it means I get to be with you."
His tail wagging. "Sure, and yet, you shouldn't have to. Have a seat, they're almost done. It's just a little something to tide us over until we get to Therus. We both know that you'll never make it without being half starved if you don't eat at least a little something."
Taking a seat at their small kitchen table that really was too small for the two of them, yet they somehow still made it work. "You're too good to me."
Pulling the sausage out of the pan as he turned off the stove and placed a plate in front of her with a fork, the pan going into the sink to be cleaned later. "I think you have that backwards. You're too good for me, love."
"Which just makes us perfect for each other."
Enjoying the sausage, Lizz sighed and looked up at Mike. "Mike. I'm really looking forward to this apartment hunt. I'm am so very happy that we are no longer hiding."
Mike smiled at Lizz and reached across to hold her paw. "But..."
"Tuesday, terrifies me. We're meeting your family for dinner."
"We've done it dozens of times before."
"Yes, but never openly as mates. That's what terrifies me. I know we have Elli and Ed in our corner, and I know both our parents say they support us."
"I understand, love. I promise you, this is no trick. Don't get me wrong." Giving her paw a strong, reassuring squeeze. "I'm nervous as hell. Yet as you said, we have what Elli and Ed have told us themselves. We're going to be fine. And if not. Well, I've got Nick on speed dial and can get us an evac quick."
Shaking her head, Lizz smiled with a sigh. "I know we're going to be fine. It's just... Mike, it has been less than a week since Nick and Judy confronted us. It has all happened so good gods be damned fast!"
"It really has, but I think things like this kinda do. We'd been hiding for so long. Once the pressure was off." Mike shrugged, then motioned like an explosion with his paws. "Kinda like a shook up soda can."
"Sure, but getting pulled in to sing on a charity album? Having dinner with Bill and Carrie, two of the richest mammals in Zootopia and beyond? Maria and her mate. I mean, good gods Mike. These are Nick and Judy's friends, and now our friends." Stopping and shaking her head. "Not only that, but Nick, Judy, and Maria... Freaking Gazelle herself, were vigilantes. I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around that. Can you imagine Ben's reaction if he learned that?"
"They are and were at that. Then there is the whole training us thing. At least now it make sense why no one can beat those two in the sparring ring. As for Ben... I think his shriek would shatter windows in Tundra Town, from his desk."
Instead of speaking, Lizz feels for the presence in her mind just as Nick and Judy had described.
L: That sounds right. The training is going to be interesting and does explain a lot. Then we have this, too.
Mike grinned and nodded.
M: That we do. This will be very useful. This also explains a lot about the success Nick and Judy have in interrogations and in the field.
L: We need to test range on it, with Nick and Judy too.
M: I agree. Now, we should be getting ready if we are going to make breakfast.
Grinning at Mike. "So long as the cubs can't listen in on our personal conversations, we'll have a very useful tool in dealing with them."
"For sure. There won't be any playing mom against dad when verification with the other is only a thought away."
Shortly there after, they were dressed and heading out. Mike holding the door for Lizz and admiring the brand new dress she was wearing. "Damn Lizz. Where did that dress come from?"
"It's one of those that Nick's mom made for me. I still need to pick up the rest. She said she'd let Judy know when everything else was ready."
They walked towards the stairs after locking up their apartment."It looks absolutely amazing on you." Just as they reached the last set, they ran into an older wolf and neighbor.
Lizz smiling, gave a wave to the wolf. "Morning Henry."
Stopping to greet his neighbors, a sudden scent hit him and he blinked, sniffing the air. "Lizz, Mike..." His eyes going wide as what he was smelling dawned on him. "Hold up. You two are not just roommates and partners on the force?"
Mike shook his head with a shy smile. "No. We're much more than that."
Frowning sharply. "I see." Turning, Henry walked away down the hallway back to wards his apartment."
Lizz looked after him confused. "Henry? Everything alright?"
Spinning, he glared at Lizz and Mike with disgust and anger on his face. "No! There is nothing alright, okay, or acceptable about it! I will kindly ask that you not greet me again. I want nothing to do with the perversion you two are participating in." His voice getting louder. "I will be reporting you to your pack leader, Mike, and both of your supervisor at the ZPD."
Another neighbor stuck their head out of their apartment, another wolf. "Henry. What the hell you yelling about you old fart?"
"Mind yours, Eustace. I was only telling the abominations to keep to themselves. I suppose you support their perversion of nature."
Eustace looked at the stricken look that had taken over Lizz's face and the enraged one on Mike's, then glared back at Henry. "What the hell are you on about." Stepping out of her apartment and approaching Lizz and Mike. "Hey cubs, what is that old codger on about..." She scents what Henry did, he eyes going wide. "Oh!"
Henry yelling from father down the hallway. "You best make right with yourselves. I will be talking to the super as well. We will not allow deviants like you to in this building. Can't believe you would flaunt it like that. disgusting." Slamming his door.
Eustace growled in the direction of his door, before turning a softer gaze on Lizz and Mike. "Oh, you kids don't listen to that old wolf. He's got a stick up his arse. Tell me, did you go to a clinic, or just pick up some random tiger so you two can have cubs?"
Mike smiled nervously. "Actually, they're mine. Perfectly healthy according to the doctor."
Her smile brightened like a beacon. "You don't say. Well, that's wonderful. You two be good to each other. There are a lot of intolerant shit heads like Henry, but there are also lots of us that will support you. Now, if that bunny and fox you work with can just get together."
Lizz and Mike share a look, Mike speaking. "Well, actually... The reason we are now open, instead of drowning in Musk Mask and hiding our relationship, is because of them. They've welcomed us and introduced us to new, supportive, friends. Helped us come out to family. It's been very liberating."
"That's good, and I'll just bet it has. Well, I'll let you two get to where you're off to. Do your best not to listen to the trash the likes of Henry spew."
Lizz smiled weakly. "Thank you Eustace. We've been hiding it for a long time, but Nick and Judy have helped us so much. He's just the first one we've actually had come after us like that since we decided to be open about the truth of our relationship. I'm used to abuse on the clock as a cop, was just a surprise."
With that, Lizz and Mike were on their way to Therus. A few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Therus, seeing Nick and Judy just entering. Mike giving a laugh. "We have good timing."
"So we do. Lets just hope this doesn't burn the good luck of our day."
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Erin smiled as Nick and Judy walked in. "Hey guys. Been a few days. Just you two? Plans for some big moot or other drama? Anything I need to section off the place for?"
Nick shook his head with a laugh. "No. No plans for a moot, a major get together, or other drama. That stuff just kinda finds us. Just going to be Mike and Lizz, who just pulled in. We're apartment hunting today. We both need better places, both for our soon to be additions, and just generally. So we figured, meet for breakfast, plan our attack, and then go."
"Fair enough. Do you know when they'll be here?"
Judy grinned. "Any second now. They were pulling in as we walked in."
"OH! Well, that's great. I gotta ask though. What in the world did you guys do to Bobby after he left with you? I only saw him briefly, and while he looked exhausted, he was flying on cloud nine."
Judy's grin took on a devilish light. "Just connected him to a few friends, who happen to be in the industry."
The gruff voice of Finnick arrived as he walked around the counter. "Dammit Rabbit! He was a damn good cook! If I hire another one, are you going to know them too and have a secret inside line to get them their dream jobs?"
"Pure coincidence, Fin. No malice intended, I promise."
Grumbling, he looks up at Nick. "Mornin, Red."
Nick gave Fin a nod. "Fin." The smirk on both their faces quickly dissolving into genuine smiles as Nick picked up Finnick and they hugged. "Hey brother. How you doing?"
"Good as can be expected. I really gotta find another cook though. I can't get out on my own until I have someone to stand in for me. You available?"
"Sadly no." Glancing back at the door bell going off and seeing Lizz and Mike enter. "Though if Carlos had his way, the ZPD would be looking for four new officers."
"He's still after y'all?"
After putting Fin down, Nick nodded. "He's never going to give up on that, and neither is Maria. Though there is new talks about restarting the comics as a full on BA, VV, cross over. I'd love it if you'd give the green to let The Fennec in on the action. It'd be a smaller part, but there would be royalties from sales."
Mike face-pawed as he heard the conversation, Lizz just shaking her head as Mike grumbled. "Oh come on. Him too‽"
Laughing, Judy nodded, following a confused Erin towards a booth, Nick and Mike slipping to the inside so their mates had easy exit. "Yes, him too. Though he never got the notoriety, he still has his signature bat."
A deep barked laugh coming from Fin as he followed them. "HA! The bat predated that persona, so I never saw a reason to get rid of it."
Nick gave a quick chuckle. "Yeah, that and you seemed to miss the idea. The point wasn't to beat them to a bloody pulp, it was to disable, corner, and then turn over to the cops."
"Nah. I always saw myself more of an anti-hero. Like the Punisher and such. Which is why I went after who and what I did. Dealers that sold to kids. Pimps that didn't treat their stable good, or who knowingly had underage in their stable. Things like that."
Lizz gasped. "I don't know you that well, but you shouldn't go around admitting to such things. It is still assault, even if well deserved."
Grinning up at Lizz, Fin laughed. "Statute of limitations. Ain't nothin I did back den that can haunt me any more. Especially as they passed the law requirin ya to be registered and such. It absolved anyone that had been a part o all that of..." Thinking for a second. "What did you call it Red? Criminal..."
"Criminal liability."
"That's right. A lot o criminals got off because o that law, but most a them were too stupid to realize the get outta jail free card they'd been given. It basically gave us all a clean slate. Nick and I put that to use. We got things set up all legal like for things like the Pawcicle hustle and such. Sure, our profits took a hit, but it was safer. The rest of them idiots tho... Quick enough, most of em were back to their thing and arrested right quick. Mammals like Nick and I more den happy to drop the ZPD a few hints. Ya cleared out the competition for us. Even if'n I don't trust y'all."
Lizz laughed. "Well alright then. I suppose, given who you say you beat up, they weren't inclined to admit to the police who they got bead down by."
"Exactly that. What drug dealer wants to admit some little fennec fox with a bat beat dem half dead. Anyway. What ya want for breakfast?"
Nick smiled. "We'll have a chicken and cheese breakfast burrito to split."
Fin nodded. "I figured. An you two?"
Lizz smiled. I'll have the same. Mike?"
"I'll try that as well. Make it easy on you."
"No problem. I got a new method for da eggs I'm gonna try on ya. A way to season em up while dey cook. You be sure to let me know if it's good or not. It if fails, I'll bring you a regular one. No extra."
Judy ginned. "Sounds good Fin. We're always happy to try your experiments. You rarely miss."
Erin delivered waters as Fin walked towards the kitchen. "So. What can I get you to drink?"
"I'll have a coffee, and berry spice tea for Judy." Nick piped up.
Judy nudged Nick with an elbow. "Sounds good. You make it seem like you know me or something, fox."
"I'm your mate and knocked you up with my kits. If I don't know you that well, then we both have issues."
Shrugging, Judy barely suppressed a smile. "Fair enough."
Mike laughed. "I'll take the coffee as well. Tea my love, or juice?"
Erin laughed with a shake of her head. "You are all so predicable. Four juices, 2 coffee's and two teas. I'll be right back."
Nick laughed, as did the others. Mike speaking up as he recovered. "Okay. So what's the plan for today? Do we have places lined up, or what?"
Nick shrugging. That's kinda a yes and no answer. We have some places lined up, but now that we're looking at going in jointly, that removes a few of them. Which is all good, as those were mostly picked out before we knew we were going to need the room. I planned it out last night, based on some additional research and lining things up to be the most efficient."
Judy shook her head. "He planned it out like a damn raid."
Mike nodded. "That's good. I think. I mean, I have been in on planning sessions where they let Nick do the majority of the planning. He really does a good job of it."
"It comes second nature to me. It's like planning a con. You have to think not just from your angle, but from the angle of the mammals on the other side of the table."
Lizz nodded and sipped her water. "Makes sense. So, what have you got?"
Nick put a folder on the table and opened it. "So, we have a smaller complex, just a block from here." Sliding a printout across the table to Lizz and Mike. "It's got two apartments available that would fit our needs. However, only barely, and both are on the 3rd floor, with no elevator. That said, based on the pictures, it's an odd split level design, so the third floor is actually more like the second. Since it is all stairs and only just barely covers what we need, plus it's close. I figure we'd hit there first. Gives us a starting block. They do have several open inter-species couples living there, which gives us a better in than other places might."
Mike nodded. "Okay, that sounds good. What's next?"
Smiling, Nick pulled out the next sheet and handed it over. "Then there is some nice apartments on the boarder between Savanna Central and Rain forest. Two sets." Handing over a second sheet. "They check off most, if not all our collective boxes, are pretty reasonable as advertised, and because they're on the border, we get a lot more for the money. A lot of mammals don't like the rain overflow. I was not however able to get a read on their inter-species tolerance. Schools, if we end up staying there very long term are decent, but of course not the best in Zootopia."
"No, for that, we'd need to lean on Maria." Judy said with a hefty bit of snark in her voice.
With a grin, Nick nodded. "If we let her, they'll be getting private tutors."
Lizz chuckled. "That I believe. She loves the both of you so much."
Judy gave Lizz a look. "Don't think she hasn't taken a shine to you two as well, after your performance at the studio."
Shaking her head, Lizz sighed. "I believe it. What's after these two, Nick?" Handing Nick back the papers. "That second one seems really nice.
"After that, we have to run out to the edge of the Meadowlands. I found a collection of town houses there. They've effectively brownstones. Two stories. Lots of room, front and back yards, variable climate because they're nestled right in the crux of the Meadowlands, Rainforest, and just close enough to get bleed over from Tundratown in the winter. So the summers are cooler with a good smattering of rain, winters get a light snow, and because of the way the winds blow, the heat from Sahara make for really nice springs and falls. Yet, because it is where it is, few mammals look there. There is a subway stop only a block away, and yet..."
Lizz grinned. "No one knows about it, because no one wants to live in a place in Zootopia that gets actual seasons."
Nick nodded excitedly."Exactly. Whereas for us, as cops, needing to traverse all the environments, it's no big deal."
"What's the price?" Mike asked.
"The guy wouldn't actually tell me over the phone. Said we have to see the place first, but that it was very competative."
Lizz smiled. "Then why not go there first?"
"He's an old contact and won't be available to show until late this afternoon. So... We bide our time."
Judy beamed as the food arrived. "Sounds good, Slick. Though I really want to see those places. What's the school like there?"
"Oddly. It's a top rated school, but I can't get much more info on it than that."
Lizz huffed. "Hmm... Seems almost too good to be true than."
"I'd agree, but I found about about it though some connections, like I said. I trust the mammal that got me the number and is going to show us the place. So I'm willing to suspend judgment."
With a group of agreeing nods and grunts, they dug into their food. After breakfast, they all gave Fin glowing reviews of the meal before piling into Lizz's car, being more than large enough to contain all of them, and heading out to the first location.
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A/N Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.
If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: and then select Scribblings Blog.
