The next day as Judy was getting out of bed her cellphone rang, Nick's number.

"Hey Slick," she greeted.

"Dress warmly today, Carrots. I'm showing you around Tundra Town," he told her.

"Tundra Town!?" she exclaimed.

"Yup, I'll be at your place in an hour," he told her.

"An hour? What about coffee and breakfast?" she asked.

"Got breakfast with me, we'll get coffee at a place my sister suggested," he explained, "And before you ask, yes they serve preds and prey alike."

She got dressed in her best winter clothes, bundled up as best as she could. Then headed down to the bottom floor as fast as she could. She waited only a few minutes when his "new" car pulled up. A '66 Corvette in clunker condition, he had the good sense to have the top on today at least. Her vulpine boyfriend had thus far declined to share where he had bought the junk-heap, she could swear he bought it from a scrap-yard though. The pasenger side door opened and she could smell breakfast burritos.

"Hey Carrots, get in I got your breakfast," he said holding up the bag.

"No bugs or fish, right?" she asked.

"Of course not, it's an all-veggies burrito," he laughed.

"Is it gonna' bother you if I get grease on your seat?" she asked.

"Normally, yes but since it's you. Not at all," he answered.

They had this short exchange as she jumped in. In spite of how it looked, she actually did like the car. He'd only had it for a few days and it already smelled like him, plus it was better than walking or riding the bus to work. The drive was in relative silence as he declined to share his plans for the day. Once at the diner, they were seated by a grizzly bear waitress who looked to be in her late 40s. She wore a big bright smile and talked and laughed with all the customers she served.

"Hey there, you two on a date?" she greeted.

"Yup, sure are," Nick replied.

"What a cu-um sorry miss, me and my clumsy mouth. What can I getcha'?" she stated. She pulled up a pad and pencil.

"I'll have a large french vanilla cappacino, hold the whip cream and cherry. How 'bout you, Carrots?" Nick replied.

"I dunno' Nick, everything looks kind of pricey," she replied sheepishly.

"Hey, I'm treating. You let me worry about the price," he reassured.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yeah, we're on a date remember? Relax, let your loving boyfriend spoil you for once," he half-teased.

"Maybe I should come back when the miss has made her decision," the waitress offered.

"T-tall mocha-latte decaff, with extra cream," Judy replied.

"Alright, your total comes to $22.11," the waitress replied, "Come see me when you're ready to settle your tab, 'til then feel free to stay as long as ya' want."

She brought back their drinks. The couple didn't say much, just sat in silence enjoying each others' company and staring into each others' eyes. Somewhere in this time, Nick realized that more than anything else he wanted to be with Judy forever. Finally she broke the silence.

"So uh, what exactly are you planning today?" she asked.

"Ever been ice-skating?" he asked.

"Nick, there's a lot of winter activities I've never done," she admitted, "It never gets cold enough to snow in Bunnyburrows."

"Then you are in for a treat today, my darling Ms. Hopps," he replied with an almost giddy smile.

Something about that comment excited her. After paying for their coffee, he rented them both some ice skates and took her out onto the ice. Her legs shook and she was very unsteady but something about the way he held her hands and how he guided her gently across the ice made her feel safe.

"Everyone's staring, Nick," she stated flustered.

"Oh let 'em, they've probably never seen a fox and a bunny together," he retorted softly.

After a bit, he let go and she seemed to glide across the ice on her own. Until she slid right into a snow bank. He couldn't hold back a laugh. When she surfaced she looked peeved.

"Nicholas Wilde! You did that on purpose!" she accused.

"What? No, I thought you could handle yourself solo for a few minutes," he replied.

She just continued to glare.

"Ok ok, I'm sorry," he told her. He helped her out of the snow and dusted it off her. "Cold?" he asked.

"Not really no," she replied.

"Feel like continuing?" he asked.

"Not really," she stated. He helped her out of the snow and they returned the skates. "What's next, Slick?" she asked.

"Snow skiing?" he offered.

"Nah, think I wanna' get out of the cold weather," she replied.

"Whatever you want," he replied as flirtatiously as he could, "The weekend belongs to you, mademoiselle. I'm just here to make it as romantic as possible."

"Nick, you flirt!" she teased.

"Only for you, Carrots," he pointed out. As he said this part he put his arms around her.

"You sure know how to make a girl feel special," she laughed.

Neither of them had realized how much time had passed while they were ice skating and the late afternoon was giving way to evening.

"Looks like it'll have to wait 'til tomorrow," he pointed out, "Com'n, you can warm up in the car on the way home."

"The heating system in your car sucks," she replied jokingly.

"If I weren't crazy about you, I'd say you could walk home," he replied with equal jest.

As they piled back into his car, he pulled an electric blanket from what would've been the backseat, if there was a backseat and drapped it over her shoulders.

"An electric blanket, Nick? How are you gonna' get this to work?" she asked incredulously.

To her surprise he plugged it into the cigarette lighter outlet. When they arrived, as they got out, Nick started laughing.

"What's with you?" she asked.

"I just realized that Bogo screwed up," he commented.

"How so?" she inquired.

"He put us on a three day suspension four days before our week-long visit with your parents," he pointed out.

She unplugged the blanket before hopping out as well. She thought about what he had said and gave slight giggle. In retrospect, it was funny. Bogo didn't usually make screw-ups like this, she had to wonder what he was thinking. When he got her to her door she gave his tie a slight tug, letting him know she had something to tell him that was just between them. Instead, when he leaned over she kissed him something he loved infinitely more than any secret passed between them.

"You mentioned a sister?" she asked after the kiss.

"Yeah, I have a brother too," he replied.

"Can I meet them?" she asked.

"If that's what you want, tomorrow then?" he asked.

"Yeah, if we can," she replied.

"I'll give them both calls, it's not too late," he replied.

He turned to leave but she grabbed his wrist.

"Hey, stay with me tonight," she asked.

"No can do, we both know where that road leads," he replied.

"I thought you said anything I want?" she retorted.

"Com'n Carrots, y'know how I feel about that," he argued.

"Nick," she half-pleaded, "I thought you loved me."

"That's not fair, Judy. I do love you but we talked about this. Until we're both comfortable with it, then we can't," he explained, a whimper in his voice.

"When are you going to be ready?" she asked impaitiently.

"I dunno'," he sighed. He turned to leave. "Good night, Carrots," he said while he walked away.

"Good night, Nick," she replied flatly.

She flopped down on her bed and wondered silently if Nick really did love her. She dug out her cellphone and decided to give her mother a call but as her finger hovered over the name she decided not to. Instead she searched through her contacts for someone else.

"Benjamin Clawhauser, no. Fennick Reynard, no. Marian Ottorten, no. Frufru Big, no. Flash Slothers, hell no. Tony DelGato, no," she mumbled as she thought of who should could call.

This was the entire list of her friends in Zootopia. Clawhauser and DelGato were her only other two friends in the precinct besides Nick. Fennick was more of a friend of a friend, she had hung out with him a couple times but their friendship was more distant. Frufru was likely at home with her family and as much as Mr. Big liked Judy and considered her family, he didn't like Judy calling them after dark. After the Nighthowler case more than a year ago, Judy remained close friends with Marian Otterton. The older woman had given her sound life advice in the past and she considered Marian more seriously than most others on her call list. She needed council, although Flash was a great deal smarter and wiser than he let on he's still a sloth. She'd be on the phone with him all night. A name on her phone stuck out, Lillian Wilde. She didn't remember putting Lillian's number in her phone.

"Here's hoping she's not already asleep," Judy thought. The phone rang a couple times.

"Hello?" Lillian's voice sounded from the other end.

"Hello Mrs. Wilde, it's Judy," she responded trying hard not to sound depressed.

"Oh Judy, what's wrong dear? You sound upset," Lillian pointed out.

"It's just that, I dunno'. Has Nick always been deaf to subtext?" she asked.

"No, actually he's very good at reading people. Why?" the mother fox replied.

"I wanted Nick to stay the night with me. I dunno' how much more direct I can be with him but he said he's not ready," Judy explained.

"And now you have it in your little head that he doesn't truly love you," the old fox guessed.

"Yeah," she relented.

"Judy, sweetheart, listen to me. It's not that he doesn't love you. He's crazy about you, he's just scared of hurting you and he wants it to be special," Lillian explained, "I've known lots of men who don't have a romantic bone in their entire bodies but Nicky is a hopeless romantic. He doesn't just love you, he loves you with his whole heart. He won't commit to something he isn't ready for, though. Just be paitient with him, dear. You'll see, it'll all be worth it in the end."

"Yeah, I guess that's right. I really am a dumb bunny, doubting him like that. Thank you for helping me through this," Judy sighed, feeling relieved.

"Good night, dear," Lillian added before hanging up.

With that Judy laid back down and began to fall asleep. "I want you with me all the time now but I can wait. Just don't keep me waiting too long, Nick," she thought.