WingedKatt here. Nick will be playing Something Wild by Lyndsey Stirling later in the chapter. He'll also be listening to the music videos Shaylee made. So here's the list if you want to listen to them, too. She Can by Alabama, It Must Be Love by Alan Jackson, We Found Love by Boyce Avenue, Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, She's Everything by Brad Paisley, God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton, Somebody by Bryan Adams, No One Else On Earth by Wynonna, Alone by Heart, and My Escape by Ravenscode.
Judy woke slowly. She wasn't quite ready to wake up as she was having some warm, fuzzy dreams about Nick. Although most of the dreams had faded to just impressions and flashes of what was happening, she did recall the dream she woke up from. She and Nick were enjoying a night ride on JD and Toot-toot. The moon was bright and full and when they stopped to look at the stars, Nick leaned over and stole a kiss from her.
Blushing slightly at the heated memory, Judy brought a paw up and lightly touched her lips. What would it feel like to kiss Nick? As she had no experience with kissing, she couldn't even begin to imagine what kissing her fox would feel like. What would his tongue feel like pressed against her own? Or his teeth when she brushed up against them with her tongue? How would his tongue feel in her mouth?
Running her tongue over her own teeth, Judy tried to imagine it, but as her dreams lacked any type of sensory perception, she couldn't even begin to guess. With a heavy sigh, she released her pillow and rolled over onto her back. Resting her arm above her head, she stared at the ceiling, even as her ears blushed a bright red as she realized where her thoughts were headed. With a groan, she glanced over at her clock and saw that it wasn't quite five yet. She might even be up before her parents.
Well, she was awake now, so there was no point in staying in bed. Rolling out of bed, Judy figured a hot shower would be a good start to the day. After gathering her stuff (and being surprised she'd fallen asleep in her clothes last night), she made her way down the hall to the girls' bath and shower room. For once, she was the only one in there and the peace and quiet was heavenly.
Stepping into the hot water, Judy took a minute to enjoy the hot spray and then she grabbed her shampoo and lathered herself up. It was a relatively new shampoo she started using a couple of months ago, and, considering the recent revelation she had about her feelings for Nick—she now knew why she bought it. Well, she already knew part of the reason—the shampoo was violet scented, which of course reminded her of Nick. His strong fox musk was a bit off-putting when she first met him, but when she sat or stood right next to him, she always caught the scent of violets. It was a strange smell coming from a fox but comforting at the same time.
So, when she found this shampoo advertising a new violet scent, she bought it without a second thought. It was a little bit more expensive than her normal brand, but she didn't care. The familiar scent of violets which reminded her of Nick was well worth the little extra money. At the time, she didn't question herself too much on the reason why she wanted the reminder of Nick's scent other than he was her friend and she missed him. But now that she knew she had fallen for the slick todd, her wanting his scent on her made more sense. Especially since she couldn't think of any other friend she would want to smell like. Just Nick.
As the thick, violet scented suds washed the last of the sleep from her mind and body, Judy became even more aware of the naughty little thoughts about Nick—especially now that she smelled like him. Or at least, she smelled like a part of him. And at this point, she wouldn't mind smelling his heady fox musk, either. And if Nick were to, say, rub his scent all over her, she wouldn't complain in the least. With thoughts of Nick filling her head again (they never really left), she once again considered her ride yesterday and how her new friend had teased her about him.
The thoughts Patty-Mae had given her yesterday (the ones that were making her blush), along with the fear that Nick might never see her as anything more than a friend (that would devastate her), were still chasing themselves around in her head. This meant she needed a better distraction than a hot, quiet shower—a hot, quiet shower that smelled deceptively like Nick.
Taking a deep breath, Judy stepped from the shower and quickly dried off and dressed, then returned to her room for her hat and riding gloves. Looking around and not seeing anything else she needed, Judy headed upstairs for some breakfast, not once thinking about her phone hiding under her pillow on the bed. Out of sight, out of mind.
Making herself a fruit salad for breakfast and a large glass of almond milk, Judy sat down at the breakfast bar to eat. She was just finishing up when her mom came into the kitchen.
"Oh," Bonnie said in surprise. "Good morning, Bun-bun. I wasn't expecting to see you up so early."
Judy shrugged, then swallowed her mouthful to answer, "Um, yeah. I fell asleep early last night, so I woke up early." With a flick of her ear, she added, "I didn't see any reason to stay in bed once I was awake, so here I am." With a weak smile (she hoped her mom wasn't going to bring up anymore bucks she thought Judy should be dating), she took a long sip of her almond milk.
Bonnie hummed happily to see her daughter up and about without the depression that had been hanging around her like a dark cloud. Now if she could just meet a nice buck and actually give him a chance, maybe she could expect grandkits from Judy by Christmas. That would be a nice Christmas present. . . Well, at least a wedding by Christmas. If Judy could just find a nice buck to marry, someone like her father, a lot of Bonnie's worries for her headstrong daughter would be put to rest.
Stu was such a stabilizing force in her life that Bonnie couldn't imagine living without him. He was her rock and safe haven to weather the storms of life and Bonnie desperately prayed for her little bun-bun to find someone she could confide in, someone to give her strength when things got tough, just as Bonnie had found this strength in Stu. And then, finding someone to share the joys of motherhood with was Bonnie's greatest joy and triumph. Was it too much to hope her own daughter could finally discover the same joy and triumph, too?
Bustling about the kitchen, Bonnie stole furtive glances at her daughter as she began pulling out bowls and pans to start breakfast, but Bonnie wasn't quite sure what to say. It was so rare of them to find a moment alone, and with Judy's recent depression, she didn't want to break the relatively happy mood her daughter was currently in. Finally, she asked, "Are you going to be working with your birds this morning?"
Bonnie had been surprised to hear Judy had bought two birds but figured if she was using the birds in Search and Rescue, having two mounts made good sense. She might need a separate mount to carry an injured hiker back on.
"Um, yeah," Judy said around a mouthful of food. "I'm planning on working with them in the round pen to get a feel for them, then I want to ride them along the fence line to see how they handle in open country." Bonnie nodded to her and Judy focused back on her breakfast.
Catching her mom alone in the kitchen left Judy feeling a bit awkward. The silence stretched out and she just wanted to hurry and finish before her mom started in on her non-existent love-life. As much as she loved her mom, she hated all the blind dates her mom was constantly trying to set her up on (most of the bucks were nice enough, but they were either dull or self-absorbed and left little in the way of conversation or excitement). And now that she knew she loved Nick (who interested and excited her on so many didn't levels), there was no way she could go on another pointless blind date, not even to please her mom or ease some of her worries.
No, the next time she went on a date (even if it took her twenty years or more) it was going to be with Nick and then she'll finally get to experience all the joy and happiness she had seen her sisters gushing about when they were dating or getting married. If it was with Nick, then Judy could actually picture herself as a bride. But would Nick even want her for a bride?
She immediately retreated from this dismal thought as it was likely to plunge her back into depression—a place she did not want to go. With a slight shake of her head, she pushed the negative thought back down. She had to keep telling herself that sooner or later, she would win Nick over. She just needed to find him and apologize first.
Bonnie hummed a simple little tune as she prepared for the day, all the while she kept glancing over at her daughter. It was very reassuring to see Judy's appetite had returned. She and Stu had worried that Judy had become anorexic or something with as little as she'd been eating lately. It wasn't healthy and she and Stu had discussed possibly taking her in to see a doctor or a therapist or something. But now, it looked like the worst of Judy's depression had passed and she now had a new goal to work towards. She even had a couple of birds to keep her busy and get her mind off the past. They were also a physical reminder of her new goal, so her mental state should continue to improve.
As Judy finished her fruit salad and glass of almond milk, she carried them to the sink and quickly rinsed and washed the bowl, glass, and spoon, then set them in the dish drainer to dry. Turning to kiss her mom on the cheek, she said, "I'll see you later, Mom. Love you."
Bonnie opened her arms and gave Judy a tight hug. Oh, she had missed her happy, little girl. "Bye, honey," she replied. "I love you so much, never forget that."
Judy nuzzled her mom's cheek, then stepped back from the hug. With a wave, she then turned and headed out the back door, intent on getting her day started.
"Be safe!" Bonnie hollered as Judy ran outside, even as a smile spread across her face. Judy had been such an active, go-getter bunny that seeing her all mopey and depressed these last several weeks was starting to make her depressed. But now that was all behind them, and her little bun-bun was finally starting to act more like her peppy, enthusiastic self.
As the backdoor shut behind Judy, Bonnie's sister-in-law, Bethany, entered the kitchen from the main part of the house, along with today's breakfast crew. Turning to greet Bethany (a light-brown rabbit with a white muzzle, and dark brown ears, paws, and stripe down her back), Bonnie stepped forward and gave her a morning hug, then turned to her children and adult nieces and nephews who lived in the burrow. With a happy hum, Bonnie, with Bethany's help, began directing everyone on their jobs so they could get breakfast ready and set out for those working in the field today or heading to the rodeo grounds to help finish setting up.
Outside, Judy made a beeline for the bird barn. Slipping inside before the sun was even up, she grabbed a halter and lead rope, then went to get Toot-toot. Seeing as she bought Toot-toot for herself, Judy decided to start with her.
Starting in the round pen and working towards the open pasture would give the two of them a chance to get used to each other. Judy understood that if the bird knew and trusted her as its rider, then it was more willing to work and not fight for control. She had to deal with more than one bird in the past who wanted to take control of the reins and ignore the wishes of its rider, usually due to poor management of its previous owner or riders.
...
While Judy was working with Toot-toot, her brothers Daryl (a solid, dark-chocolate colored buck), Roger (a medium brown rabbit with black ears, muzzle, and tail), and Billy (a light and dark-brown brindled rabbit) slipped out of the house and hopped in Daryl's extended cab diesel-engine truck. The truck was a dark tan and had been modified with a four-inch lift and large mud tires. It also had a spotlight bar across the roof with the two outer lights able to swivel around to give pinpoint spotlighting. Daryl had also added a glass pack which made the engine even louder than it already was.
Heading towards town just as the sun peeked over the horizon, the bucks talked about how cowardly the fox must be (he was a filthy pelt, after all, and everyone knew pelts always ran away, even if it meant leaving their friends behind), and bragged about how the fox would be gone by sundown.
Arriving in town, they parked the loud truck several streets down from Gideon's bakery, then hopped out and walked up the street to see what they could see. The bakery was locked up tight, so they couldn't go in and check it out. Looking around the back of the bakery, they only saw Gideon's delivery van. Billy was put out that the fox didn't have a car they could take joyriding. Roger pointed out that if the fox did have a car, it would probably be a rusted old clunker and not worth their time. Billy agreed, but still thought it would be a great way to mess with the fox.
Seeing as there wasn't anything they could do until Gideon opened the bakery, the trio returned to the front of the shop and crossed the street. Moving down to a café that had outside tables, they took a seat. While they waited for the town to come alive, they continued discussing different pranks they could play on the worthless pelt. They would start with some of the more 'harmless' ones, but if the fox didn't take the hint, they'd move on to more drastic pranks, such as putting laxatives in his food and waiting nearby with a camera rolling. If they could be sure which toilet the fox would be running to, putting superglue on the seat would also be a fun prank to play on the stupid pelt.
...
As Shaylee got up, she headed to Judy's room to see if she was awake yet. Seeing her sister's empty room, Shaylee sprinted down the long hallway, turned left and hopped up the stairs for breakfast while hoping to find Judy in the dining room. Looking over the long, crowded tables (there were 10 tables that could sit 24 bunnies each, plus several round tables along the walls that could hold eight bunnies each in a more private setting) Shaylee desperately looked for her older sister. Not seeing Judy among the many rabbits sitting around chatting and eating, Shaylee planned on heading to the barn once she finished her own breakfast.
Quickly grabbing a large bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal (and yes, it had large chunks of real apples in it), she sat down at one of the round tables that hadn't yet filled up and began scarfing down her food like she hadn't eaten in days. The quicker she finished eating, the quicker she could find her sister and tell her Nick was in town. Then they could head over to Gideon's together and surprise Nick with an early morning visit. Her plans were derailed, though, when her mother showed up at her table.
"Oh, there you are, Shaylee. Today you're on rodeo duty, so hurry up and eat. Since you have a vehicle, you'll be driving a few of your siblings and cousins over with you."
Shaylee's jaw dropped, even as the oatmeal and a large slice of apple on her spoon slipped off and landed back in her bowl with a soft plop. As her ears drooped, she exclaimed, "I can't go to the rodeo today! I have things to do in town."
With a wave of her paw, Bonnie said, "There's nothing you need to do this morning that you can't do this afternoon." As Shaylee opened her mouth to argue, Bonnie cut her off. Pointing a finger at her, she said, "Now, come on, Shaylee. We all have to do our part. There's still a lot to do at the rodeo grounds and we need everyone's help. You haven't taken a shift yet this week, so today is your day."
"But Mom!" Shaylee whined.
"Don't 'But, Mom' me," Bonnie said while putting her paws on her hips. "Now, hurry up and eat. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be done, and the sooner you can go to town."
With a huff, Shaylee mumbled, "Yes, mom."
Bonnie raised an eyebrow but didn't push the issue. Turning around, she made her way around the dining room, assigning more kits to rodeo duty that had somehow escaped a shift this week.
Shaylee ate a few more bites of her breakfast but had lost her appetite. Not bothering to finish, she put her bowl on one of the dish carts for dirty dishes, then made her way outside. Glancing at her jeep, she saw her cream-colored sister, Brandi, her brothers, Ben (a dark gray buck with black ears and paws) and Aaron (a brown buck with a white muzzle and belly) already seated. Sitting in the jeep with them were her cousins, Melanie (a white doe with black spots) and Marty (a black and white brindled buck).
As she turned and headed toward the barns, Melanie hollered at her, "Hey, Shaylee, we need to get going."
Shaylee waved, saying, "I just need to talk to Judy really quick, and then we'll leave." Not waiting for a response, she sprinted to the bird barn where Judy had put her birds up the night before. She found JD easily enough, but Toot-toot and her sister were nowhere to be found. "Fudge brownies, Judy, where are you?" Shaylee muttered under her breath as she sprinted outside to the corrals. Nothing. Their family birds had already been let out to pasture, but Judy and Toot-toot were gone.
With a huff of irritation at her missing sister, Shaylee pulled out her phone and called Judy. It rang several times, then went to voicemail. Scowling now, Shaylee said, "Hey, Judy, it's Shaylee. I need to talk to you, but Mom is sending me out to help set up the rodeo." Taking a deep breath, she added, "Nick's in town looking for you. He tried calling last night, so if you see any unknown numbers in your missed calls, it's Nick. He's staying with Gideon, but Mandy wants to drive him out of town seeing as you fell for a fox and not a bunny. Anyways, call one of us. We'll talk then."
Hanging up, Shaylee then called Nick as she headed back through the barn towards her Jeep. It rang several times before a groggy fox answered.
"Allo?" Nick muttered, still half asleep. His brain kicked in a second later, telling him it might be Judy calling. Gripping the phone tighter, he pushed himself up on the bed as he spoke louder, "Judy!? Is that you?"
"Sorry, Nick," Shaylee said with a sigh. "Judy's out birdback riding and isn't answering her phone. Since you're asking, I take it she hasn't called you yet?"
Nick sighed heavily as he ran a paw down his face. With a flick of his ear, he muttered, "No, I haven't heard from her yet."
Shaylee shook her head. "She must not have checked her phone yet this morning." Walking back through the barn door, she added, "If she's riding, she might not check her phone till she's done, which could be lunchtime."
Nick sighed again as he scratched his bare chest (he slept in shorts, otherwise he got too hot at night). He was really looking forward to seeing Judy again. "Well, I guess I'll help Gideon out this morning with his pie deliveries again. If I haven't heard from her by the time we're done, then I'll head over to the rodeo grounds and offer to help. It might earn me some brownie points with your parents, and if I'm hanging around your dad then your specist siblings can't do anything to me."
Shaylee grinned. "That's an excellent idea! My mom is sending me out to help with the rodeo, too, so I'll see you there. I can even introduce you to my dad if you want. My mom will come by after lunch, and I can introduce you to her, then."
Nick's ears perked up and his tail began wagging. "Thanks, Shaylee. Having you introduce me to your parents puts some of my worries to rest."
"No problem," Shaylee replied with a smile. "Anyways, I'm about to drive down there, so I better let you go, but I'll see you in a few hours."
"Okay. Thanks for the heads up. Bye." After Shaylee said goodbye, Nick sat on the bed staring at his phone. This is not how he saw his morning going. Although he was curious about what Judy was like when she rode, and totally looking forward to her teaching him to ride—she had to call him first!
Dropping his phone in his lap, Nick rubbed his face with both paws. Glancing at the clock he saw that it was just past six in the morning. With a groan, he fell back on the bed. It was way too early to be up! How did rabbits do it every day!?
Nick wanted to fall back asleep, but after ten minutes of lying there, he was still wide awake. As tired as he felt, his mind kept thinking about Judy. When would she check her phone? How soon would he be able to see her? What would happen between them? Nick couldn't forget Judy's admission of liking him—really liking him. Did it really matter that she was a rabbit and he was a fox? Judy obviously didn't see a problem with it so why should he?
But he had given up on finding love long ago, so it was hard to imagine himself in a relationship after so long. But this was with Judy and she wasn't your average, run of the mill female. She was completely dedicated and totally amazing in her own right.
Taking a deep breath, Nick reached for his phone and turned it back on (It had shut itself off after two minutes of inactivity). Pulling up the video of Judy, he watched it again. Hearing her admission of wanting to be with him pulled at his heartstrings, and then listening to her talk about her fears and the reason for her fearful reaction towards him stung his heart and brought his guilt back to the forefront of his mind.
Once again feeling bad for how he treated Judy, Nick sat up and turned on the bedside lamp, then grabbed his guitar. Thinking of all the fear Judy had felt during their otter chase, and the fear and loneliness she'd felt after their fight, he decided to record another song for her. Setting up his phone to video, he pushed record and said, "Hi Fluff, it's me again. Not too much to say this morning. I got woken up early and can't get back to sleep so I thought I'd play another song for you." Strumming the guitar, he grinned at the camera and said, "So here it goes. This song is called, Something Wild by Lyndsey Stirling."
Breathing deeply, Nick glanced down at the guitar as he played the intro, then glanced back at the phone as he began singing. "You had your maps drawn, you had other plans to hang your hopes on. Every road they led you down felt so wrong…so you found another way." Strumming the guitar as he stared at the phone, Nick continued singing. "You've got a big heart, the way you see the world, it got you this far. You might have some bruises and a few scars, but you know you're going to be okay… And even though you're scared, you're stronger than you know." Nodding his head and flicking his tail to the beat of the music, Nick sang, "If you're lost out where the lights are blinding, caught and all the stars are hiding, that's when something wild calls you home…home. If you face the fear that keeps you frozen, chase the sky into the ocean, that's when something wild calls you home…home."
Nick's foot was tapping to the beat of the music as his tail thumped lightly against the bedpost as it swayed with the music, then he started singing the next line. "Sometimes the past can make the ground beneath you feel like quicksand. You don't have to worry—reach for my hand. Yeah, I know you're going to be okay. You're gonna be okay." Nodding at the camera to silently convey that he knew Judy would be okay, he finished the verse. "Even if you're scared, you're stronger than you know. If you're lost out where the lights are blinding, caught and all the stars are hiding, that's when something wild calls you home…home."
Nick's head, tail, and foot continued moving to the beat of the music as he finished playing and singing the song. As the last chords hung in the air, he stared into the phone and said, "I know life hasn't been easy for you lately, Judy, and I'm sorry for making your life harder than it needed to be by disappearing." Pausing to collect his thoughts, he then said, "But this something Wilde," and he tapped his bare, fluffy chest, "is calling you home." With a shrug, he continued, saying, "You're all I have left, Fluff. I haven't seen any of my family since I was a teen." With an ear flick, he added, "I don't know if they're dead or alive, so when it comes to home and family, you're the closest thing I have." Taking a deep breath, he finished, saying, "So come home, please. I miss you."
Stopping the recording, Nick held his phone for a minute, then set his guitar down and got comfortable on the bed. Pulling up his videos again, Nick started watching the music videos Shaylee had made and given to him yesterday.
As the first song started playing, She Can by Alabama, Nick's ears flicked back as it described Judy pretty well. 'She can light a fire under me, give me all the courage that I need. She can see the side that I just can't see… She can… She can make me smile when I want to cry, find a way to change my state of mind. She can always reach through my disguise. She can… When my world gets crazy and I just can't cope, she throws her arms around me and gives me hope. When I got the desire, but I got no plans, I need someone to understand… Oh, and only she can… She can take the chill out of winter's night, take away the wrong from what's not right. She can make the darkest hour look bright, she can…'
As Nick continued listening to the song, it described Judy better and better. She saw past his mask and made him want to do better and made him feel like he actually could be better. Life seemed brighter and—dare he say—happier with her around. Rubbing a paw down his face, Nick knew he was a fool for letting her go. Even though he wasn't sure it was love he was feeling for Judy, he was still a fool for walking away. Outside of Finnick, she was the only one that understood him, and she did a much better job at making things look and feel better than the crotchety little fennec ever could. Shaylee really had picked a good song that described what Judy was to him, even if he hadn't realized it before listening to the song.
The next song, It Must Be Love by Alan Jackson, didn't have as much meaning as the first song, but one line really stood out to him. 'Something is wrong all right, I think of you all night, can't sleep till morning light, it must be love. Seeing you in my dreams holding you close to me, oh what else can it be? It must be love…' He was definitely thinking of Judy all the time. Even in his sleep she still haunted his thoughts. He couldn't say much about his dreams before meeting Judy, but ever since he left her at the press conference, she had been the dream he'd been dreaming, even if those dreams weren't very pleasant. But the dreams he had the last two nights were much happier ones, even if he couldn't remember what they were about other than Judy was in them and he awoke with a smile on his muzzle.
The third song Shaylee had picked for him was We Found Love by Boyce Avenue, and it made him pause. 'Yellow diamonds in the light and we're standing side by side. As your shadow crosses mine, what it takes to come alive…It's the way I'm feeling, I just can't deny. But I got to let it go. We found love in a hopeless place…'
If this was love he was feeling for Judy, and she was obviously feeling it for him, then they certainly found love in a hopeless place. She was a rabbit, he was a fox, who found love (maybe—a strong maybe) while nearly dying repeatedly as they chased down a missing, savage otter. And with all the savage attacks still going on in Zootopia, and the protests and riots taking place, it was definitely a hopeless place—especially if the city were to find out that a fox and rabbit were romantically involved. So, it was a good thing they weren't in the city anymore, more so if this was love he was feeling for Judy. But it had been so long since he'd experienced any form of love that he had a hard time recognizing it.
The fourth song, Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, also gave him pause. '…And she said, Where'd you want to go, how much you want to risk? I'm not looking for somebody with some superhuman gifts, some superhero, some fairly tale bliss, just something I can turn to, somebody I can kiss. I want something just like this…Oh, I want something just like this… '
Listening to the song, Nick had to ask himself: What did he want from his relationship with Judy? And what did she want from him? He certainly wasn't some Superfox flying around in a red cape and saving people, nor did he jump around defeating bad guys in a black cape like Batwolf—but what did he want? And what was he willing to risk to get it? He definitely wanted someone he could turn to, but did he really want to kiss Judy? Would it be so bad if he did? What would kissing a bunny feel like? What would she taste like? That was the million-dollar question, right there.
The fifth song, She's Everything by Brad Paisley, was similar to the first and described Judy pretty well. '… She looks great in cheap sunglasses, she looks great in anything. … She's a soft place to land and a good feeling knowing. She's a warm conversation that I wouldn't miss for nothing. She's a fighter when she's mad and she's a lover when she's loving. And she's everything I ever wanted and everything I need. … She's the answer to my prayer and she's the song I'm playing. … She's the voice I love to hear and someday when I'm ninety, she's that wooden rocking chair I want rocking right beside me. Everyday that passes I only love her more. Yeah, she's the one that I'd lay my own life down for. And she's everything I wanted and everything I need. She's everything to me…'
The song was good, and if he spent more time with Judy, Nick felt sure he'd probably feel the song fit her even better. But was Judy everything he wanted? He wouldn't know for sure until he met her and could spend more time with her. But regardless, he definitely needed her in his life, and she was literally the song he was playing and singing (or had been a few minutes prior). And he did want to hear her voice, and the thought of being with her when they were both ninety did appeal to him. He had already risked his life to save her and stuck with her when every other rational mammal would have turned tail and run screaming in terror from the danger she kept dragging him into. But was she everything to him?
Dropping his head against the pillow, Nick rubbed the heel of his palm against his forehead then pulled on his ear. He couldn't deny how much he wanted to see her, and he'd already determined to do anything if it meant he could stay with her. The fact she was joining Search and Rescue really appealed to him. Through the years, there had been news coverage of several large searches for missing hikers and campers. The earliest ones he remembered watching when he was younger didn't have any foxes on the teams. They were mostly prey mammals, rabbits, sheep, and deer making up the majority of the mammals, with a handful of wolves hired to make use of their superior noses. But in more recent years, he had seen the teams diversify with quite a few foxes, coyotes, badgers, bobcats, and lynxes joining the mostly prey dominated agency.
Besides the greater acceptance that was now found among Search and Rescue that he found highly appealing, Judy had bought a bird for him to ride, which meant he could join her. This was the icing on the cake. Taking a deep breath while looking at his claws, Nick flexed his fingers, then curled them into a fist and let it drop onto his fluffy chest. Was this feeling he had for Judy really love? He still couldn't be sure, but the more songs he listened to the more he thought it might be.
The sixth song started playing, God Gave Me You by Blake Shelton, and the thought that he might be in love with Judy became even stronger. 'I've been a walking heartache. I've made a mess of me. The person that I've been lately ain't who I want to be. But you stay right beside me and watch as the storm blow through. And I need you. Because God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt. And for when I think I've lost my way, there are no words left to say, it's true: God gave me you. …'
Nick's life was a mess, and had been for decades, and he certainly wasn't the mammal he wanted to be when he was a kit and his family was still a family. Was that why Judy came into his life when she did? The heavens finally took pity on him and sent him someone who could balance out all the bad in his life? Nick didn't know, but he wanted to find out.
The seventh song was Somebody by Bryan Adams. 'I been looking for someone between the fire and the flames. We're all looking for something to ease the pain. Now who can you turn to when it's all black and white? When the winners are losers? You see it every night. I need somebody—somebody like you…'
Nick didn't think he had been looking for somebody, but maybe he had been subconsciously. When he was younger, Nick knew he needed somebody (his family) and that he couldn't do it alone. And even after he left home, he still kept contact with his brother and felt that if things got too bad out on the street, he always had a home and a family to return to—so when he learned his mother packed up and disappeared without so much as a goodbye or a forwarding address, Nick felt abandoned. Even though he wasn't home, he still sent money home to take care of his little brother. So being cut off from his family like he was, could he call it anything but abandonment?
His own mother had abandoned him, which was the same as saying she didn't love him and he wasn't worth her time and attention. It had taken years to come to terms with it, and he would be lying if he said he eventually got over it. Furthermore, it set his course of not trusting mammals. He started wearing a mask after the Junior Ranger Scouts incident, but when his mom abandoned him, he started building walls around his heart that became so thick that he forgot he even had a heart. At least he'd forgotten about it until a certain bunny crashed into his life and flipped him upside down and turned his way of thinking on its head. So, yes, he needed somebody, somebody like Judy.
The eighth song had a female vocalist, No One Else On Earth by Wynonna, and Nick figured this song had to do with how Judy felt about him. 'I've been a rock and I got my fences. I never let them down. When it comes to love, I keep my senses. I don't get kicked around. I shivered once, you broke into my soul. The damage is done, now I'm out of control. How did you get to me? No one else on earth could ever hurt me, break my heart the way you do. No one else on earth was ever worth it. No one can love me like, no one can love me like you. You can make me want you any time you want to. You're burning me alive. … Cause when the night falls, you make me forget. Your love is killing me and it ain't over yet. How did you get to me? …'
The fact Judy and him both had fences and kept their distance when it came to love gave him something else they had in common. He felt guilty again when the song talked about him hurting her and breaking her heart. And when the song stated that he was the only one who could—Nick had to question whether he was really worth it like the song suggested. But then when the song talked about making Judy want him anytime he wanted, he felt the inside of his ears turn a bit red. And then as the song talked about the night falling and making her forget everything but being with him—Nick felt his abdominal muscles tensing in a way that shocked him.
It didn't help that Shaylee had picked several pictures of Judy in a swimsuit for this song, along with several pictures of her running in black spandex shorts and a purple tank top. Looking over her lithe, athletic body Nick felt his body slowly starting to respond to the suggestions the song was making. With a groan, his tail curled up between his legs. The response was weak as the song wasn't explicit in its suggestions and Judy wasn't wearing skimpy clothes, but the fact he even had a reaction told him that he was, indeed, physically attracted to Judy—a rabbit!
Nick didn't think that it would take much time spent with her, especially as he already knew she liked and wanted him, for his reaction to become much stronger. He was sure her scent alone would drive him crazy. Her interest in him, and the scent she was sure to release, would be all that it took for his body to respond in kind.
The next song Shaylee picked that was from Judy's point of view didn't help his situation. It was Alone by Heart. The opening lines brought up his guilt—again—by pointing out his absence in Judy's life. The start of the chorus really grabbed his attention as it was something he and Judy both had in come. 'Till now I always got by on my own. I never really cared until I met you. And then as the song talked about getting him alone, and touching his lips and holding him tight, Nick groaned again. He might have to take a cold shower after all.
The pictures that accompanied this song were candid pictures of Judy alone and unaware her sister was taking the picture. One showed Judy reading outside under a tree, and a picture of her in her room studying. There was even one of her sleeping on the couch with a bunch of little bunnies sleeping with and on her. It was really sweet and made him think that Judy would make a good mother. Even though he doubted they would be able to have kits together, the option of adoption was always there.
Breathing deeply, Nick paused the video on the picture of Judy sleeping on the couch with all the little kits cuddling up with her. Lightly brushing his fingers across the picture, he wondered what it would be like if those were their kits. And for the first time in his life, Nick was actually picturing himself having a family—a family with Judy. As he finished listening to the song, with the song repeatedly asking how Judy could get him alone, there were several more pictures of Judy with kits. She was playing on the floor with the little ones and their toys, of her reading to them, or chasing them around outside in what looked like a game of tag. They were heartwarming pictures that tugged on his heartstrings.
Then My Escape by Ravenscode started playing. 'Would you help me to find a new way? Would you have gotten me through all this again? Don't let me slip away. I need you here till the very end. So stay here with me. There's so much love in your smile when I look at your face. And I'm here to stay. Your my first and my last love and you're my escape. So tell me you'll be right here with me. Hearing your voice in like hearing an angel sing. Through the good and bad and all in between, you're the one I want and the one I need. And I know…You taught me to live each day, to live each day like it's my last. I won't make you turn away, so come with me and never look back. After all that we've been through, you are still by my side and I am grateful you're there…And I, I love you. You're my best friend and I want you to know I care…'
If the pictures of Judy playing with the kits tugged on his heartstrings, then this song was a straight shot through the heart for it brought up all the memories and feelings he had when he and Judy were working together to find her missing otter. How many times had she saved him? How many times did they escape death, mutilation, and imprisonment? He escaped alive because of that energetic ball of fluff who had his back. She trusted him, believed in him, and showed him how to live each day like it was his last. They had been through so much and yet she stayed by his side. She had even asked him to be her police partner. Who does that for a fox? Who puts that much trust and faith in a fox? No one that's who. But she did. She was the best friend a fox could ask for.
And she still wanted to be with him. Even after he stupidly walked out on her, she was still thinking of him, dreaming of him, and had even bought an emu for him in the hope she might one day be able to enjoy a nice birdback ride with him. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Nick muttered, "I'm such a dumb fox. Could I possibly be a bigger idiot than to have let Carrots slip through my fingers?" With a snort at his own stupidity, he added, "She won't turn her back on me, but I was stupid enough to turn my back on her." With a shake of his head as he considered his monumental blunder, Nick then opened his eyes and watched the pictures of Judy flicking across the screen.
These pictures were mostly ones where Judy was dressed up to attend what looked like weddings. She had enough siblings and cousins Nick had no doubt she had attended hundreds of weddings in her life. And although none of the dresses were very fancy, she looked beautiful in them. Not cute—beautiful. And it made him wonder what Judy would look like as a bride? What would she look like as his bride?
With a groan, he dropped his phone onto his white, furry chest and draped his arm across his eyes. As if thinking of having kits with her was bad enough, now he was thinking of getting dressed up and attending his own wedding. Him! He was actually thinking of marriage—of marriage to a rabbit! Nick rubbed his forehead against his arm as he shook his head. Moving his arm, he picked up his phone again and looked at the pictures of Judy attending various weddings as the song finished. For once in his life, he wasn't scoffing at the idea of marriage. In fact, he was actually looking forward to it.
As the song finished, Nick opened up his text messages and sent a text to Shaylee:
Hey Shaylee, if your intention in making all these music videos of Judy was to get me to realize my feelings for her, then you succeeded. I'm now picturing Judy dressed in white as my bride and a couple of kits running about our feet. You have ruined me, rabbit. I hope you're happy.
With a chuckle, Nick sent the text then went back to the videos and decided to watch them all over again. This time he paid more attention to the photos since he already knew what the songs were about. And yes, when he came to the two songs from Judy's point of view, they definitely got a reaction from him as he pictured himself kissing Judy and getting her alone in the dark. It was definitely time for a cold shower so he could calm down a bit.
After his shower, Nick joined Gideon down in the bakery to help him get ready for the day. He was humming some of the songs Shaylee had sent him while he was working, which had Gideon looking at him strangely, but Nick didn't care. He was looking forward to seeing Judy more than ever with several important questions running through his mind. The questions, 'What would kissing her feel or taste like?' and 'Would Judy even want to marry him?' being at the forefront. He knew she wanted to be with him, but was marriage in her plans? Did her feelings extend to being his mate? Red foxes mated for life, so it was a burning question in his mind.
WingedKatt here. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next time, we'll see how Shaylee reacts to Nick's text, and she'll also rope in some more help to keep Nick safe. We'll also see what Daryl and his ilk are up to.
Chapter 17: Happy, will post in 2 weeks. Take care. If you have any thoughts or questions, I'd love to hear them.