The breakfast table would be far from peaceful this morning. By the time Nick and Judy arrived the air at the table was already thick with tension, thick enough to cut with a knife. Daniel and Deborah were both sitting at the table, avoiding speaking to each other. When Alex noticed his youngest sibling approach he just gave him an apologetic look and shrugged. Aside from them, the others at the table were Gideon, the Foxgloves, and Jane.
"You two are going to have to sort things out between yourselves sooner or later," Alex sighed, "I am not playing mediator for your sibling rivalry anymore. I was done with that when we got into High School." Alex's tone shifted from exasperation to agitation as he stated that.
In what seemed like an effort to change everyone's moods from the current tension, Jack spoke up.
"Hey, why don't we all try to get in one ride on the ferris wheel before it gets too crowded?" he suggested, trying to remain calm.
"Sure," Debbie replied. "I could use a nice sloppy make-out session with my husband," she thought.
Daniel made a vaguely disagreeing noise, but didn't manage to say anything more as his eyes were suddenly covered by a laughing vixen.
"That sounds like a marvellous idea!" giggled Vanilla, giving Daniel`s ear a light tug, "Come on, join the fun. You know you want to."
Daniel shot her a glance that was eloquent and elaborate in its message of how much he did NOT want to, but all of his efforts were in vain in the face of puppy dog pout. In the end, he made a grunting notion of assenting defeat and with a put-upon expression got up to follow Vanilla to the wheel, as she dragged him after the rest of the group. Jack bit his lip nervously as he considered the situation. Given his wife's expression, she was planning some romantic activities on the wheel and he hoped she wouldn't be too angry with him about what he was about to do. While she had been distracted trying not to argue with Daniel he had constructed a carefully concocted plan with Nilla. Now it was the time to see if he could pull off the machinations needed for the plan to work. As Nilla predicted, Judy and Nick paired up, as did Alex and Lucielle, and Gideon and Cherry. Daniel stood directly behind Jack in the line, which was the exact place Jack wanted him. Exchanging a quick glance with Vanilla over Daniel`s shoulder, he made a show of suddenly stumbling, flailed his arm out to catch to something and grabbed Dan`s sleeve. A quick pull, aided by a helpful shove from Vanilla, and Daniel suddenly found himself in the gondola with Deborah, much to their mutual surprise. Neither had a chance to disembark before the wheel carried them well past the safety railing. Jack chuckled nervously, hopping into the next gondola and helping Vanila in . He wondered if this was really a bright idea, but he was all out of better ones. Besides, Vanilla reassured him it was not that bad. In his mind, however, the worst case scenario was there'd be a dead fox at the bottom of the ferris wheel and considering Daniel was the military man he was terrified it'd be his wife.
"Too late to go back now," he sighed.
"Don't worry about that," Nilla told him, "I'm sure everything will be fine."
"I hope so. I just hope I don't end up a widower from all this," he replied.
"Don't be so dramatic, they're not gonna' kill each other. Their problems with each other may go back a ways but it's never been that bad," she reassured.
"What the hell!? Daniel, what are you doing here?" offered Deborah in the meanwhile. In all honesty, it was a fair question to ask. She expected a husband, after all, not a brother.
Dan looked back over the door, and swore quietly, seeing the safety railing ending sailing past the door. "...He tripped me," he retorted incredulously, "Your goddamn husband tricked me into taking a ride with you! ...Shit."
Despite herself, Deb chuckled. "That`s Jack for you. You never expect crazy shit from the quiet ones, eh?" she teased.
"That's normal for him?... Tricking his wife into taking a ride with some other dude?" Daniel asked.
"Not unless he thinks it's for my own good. Then he can be be a downright crafty bastard," she sighed. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably and shook her head. "And there I was all fired up. Goddamn it, Jack, a little warning next time?" she screamed over the edge of gondola.
"I don't think he heard you. Too damn windy… Eh. Listen, Deborah. We cool, alright? It`s only twenty minutes, we sit tight, get outta this thing and never mention anything to anyone ever again, aight?" he asked.
"I would. The problem is, Jack thinks we gotta talk," she grumped, "And unless we do, next place he'll lock us in might be even less comfy. So let's get this over with, alright? I`m sorry for yelling at you so much, but you gotta admit you gave me ample reasons to. Pretending you don't know I'm married was nasty, Danny. I get it that you don't approve, but damn it, you could have at least admit it happened?"
"I had no idea it happened, that's the problem. Honestly, how was I supposed to know? You never wrote anything, then wham, you've got a wolf with you at the airport and call him husband. Sounds like a prank to me, you know. It`s not like you wasn't winding me up about interspecies stuff before army. How was I supposed to know it`s for real?" he objected, "And you didn't make it easy either."
"What do you mean, you had no idea!? I sent you a letter before the wedding! Photographs and everything!" she retorted hotly.
"What letter? I got letters from mom, dad, and Alex. I even got a postcard from Nick the day he graduated from the Police Academy - but I never got any mail from you," he argued.
"...Seriously? Daniel Wilde, look me in the eye, and tell me in all honesty. Did you really, definitely, honestly got NO mail from me?" she inquired, nibbling her lip as she mulled over the situation in a new light. "Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye," he replied with an old playground swear that was their customary in cases like this.
"...Well. Shit. Of all the letters to lose, it`s got to be this one," Deborah groused, "...Alright. Fine. I guess I did overreact at the airport. Not that you acquitted yourself any better. Was it really necessary to make a production out of it?"
"I panicked. I do stupid shit when I panic. You know that," older fox offered awkwardly, "New husband plus no letter equaled just married, and how the hell does one even react to this? Besides, I was still pissed off about getting dismissed. For a moment there, I thought… Eh, I don't even know what I thought. Just, you, your marriage, dismissals, no letter - all bunched up into one wad of shit and the best idea I had about managing it was to punt it away to get some space."
"I dunno'... Alex has been saying for years that the Muzzle Incident and our family falling apart affected all of us differently. I guess I tried to pretend like it didn't affect me but deep down I get defensive when I think someone's trying to… get in my way, I guess? I thought you were just being the same old Daniel. Y'know, 'it's not natural so we shouldn't be doing it'. 'You need to break it off with him because he's not a fox'. That kinda' thing," she stated exasperatedly. At this point more frustrated with herself than angry with him.
"Yeah, no. I'd like to think I know better then to try and tell you off from doing something you've already done. Maybe there is someone more stubborn than you, but I've yet to meet them, Deb," Daniel tossed back carelessly, "Frankly, your significant other just addressed one of the most worrying problems I had with you. I, ah, find it hard to think someone capable of setting you up blatantly like that is actually any kind of whipped. That kinda stunt takes guts."
"What gave you the idea that he was whipped to begin with? He's just a calm, quiet guy a lot of the time. Yeah, he spoils me by letting me have my way a lot but I know not to take that for granted. He'll assert himself if he feels I'm being too overbearing or if there's something he's worried about," she replied much calmer now.
"You kind of outright dismissed him at the airport when he tried to stop you from making a scene. Then, at the dinner he mostly just stayed quiet or agreed with you. So, well, the answer "he`s whipped" kind of begged to be given," he replied.
"We share a lot of opinions but if he disagrees with me, he'll make that clear. I just may not always listen. Y'know how I am. When did I ever listen to you or Alex when you tried to tell me it was a bad idea? Like that time I went and punched that beaver for muzzling Nick, or was a marmot? I don't know, I just know he was really ugly," she replied sheepishly, then laughed with pride towards the end.
Daniel scratched his ear. "He was a woodchuck actually and I don't recall telling you not to that one time. Actually, I was more of an opinion that I want to have a go myself," he retorted.
"It was Alex telling us not to. Especially since the principal was right there. But I couldn't help it, that little bastard was bragging about muzzling Nick, I had to feed him a knuckle-sandwich," she recounted.
When they got off the ferris wheel, they were laughing and reminiscing about childhood and the petty arguments they used to get into over dumb things, until that is they spotted Jack.
"C'mere you! We're going back to the hotel room for a long 'discussion' about tricking your wife, you tease!" she lectured playfully.
"Help?" Jack laughed, looking in Vanilla's direction.
"Oh, but I did. It won't be so bad, just make sure you have a box ready," Nilla laughed.
With that, Debbie dragged Jack away in the direction of the hotel. Daniel in the meantime, didn't seem objected to it anymore.
"So, what about you, Danny? Now that you've had a chance to talk it over with them, do you still think they're not taking things seriously?" Nilla asked.
"Honestly, I think I'm surprised they can handle themselves so well. Then again, Nick wouldn't have lasted so long as a swindler, or a cop for that matter, if he didn't know how to handle himself. Alex would probably have failed his first case and Deb probably would be flipping bugburgers," he sighed.
"By the way, your dad opened up the water park if you're interested in seeing me in my bikini," she told him in a flirtatious tone with a coy grin
Maybe it was because he'd known Nilla his whole life but for some reason, this shapely arctic fox vixen failed to excite him, even when she actively flirted with him. Regardless of reasons, he didn't feel excited until he heard another voice.
"That sounds like a lot of fun. I wonder if I can get Judy to stop making out with Nick long enough to check it out," her older sister exclaimed.
He couldn't remember this one's name, he knew it wasn't Jacqueline. Her voice was more harshly toned, this voice sounded soft and sweet. That mystery scent was back too.
"Jane, I'm standing right here. And we're not always making out," Judy protested.
"I didn't say that," Jane replied.
"You implied it!" Judy growled out of frustration.
"You're so cute when you make that face, sis," Jane teased.
"Don't call me cute," Judy growled.
"So it's not a bunny thing?" Nick asked.
"Nope, it's a Judy thing. She hates being called cute, I don't really know why," Jane pointed out.
"That-that's adorable," Nick replied.
"Adorable like the time you were learning to walk and went straight for the trash can, head-first?" Daniel said with a smirk.
"Hey, that is private!" Nick replied in embarrassment while Judy and Jane had a laugh about it.
"I would pay to see that," Judy laughed, all the while Nick grew more embarrassed.
"Show me the money and I'll give you a copy of the home video with commentary from mom, dad, and maybe Alex," replied Daniel with a smirk
"Like hell you will!" Nick yelled, his blush visible even under his thick red fur.
"I have to embarrass you somehow, baby brother," he chuckled.
"Speaking of embarrassing, did you know Judy beat up one of the farmhands dad hired? I think his name was Carlos," Jane snickered.
"Jane!" Judy cried, covering her face with her ears.
"Hey didn't you used to-..." Jane started.
"Don't you dare, don't you fucking dare!" Judy stated threateningly.
The sound of someone clearing her throat was heard.
"Excuse me, this kind of thing is usually something the parents do with their in-laws. Typically, it's a kind of bonding thing. Y'know with the photo albums," Nilla interjected.
At the suggestion of the waterpark Jane and Judy both seemed to realize something. Recognizing the trend of her ears darting straight up from a relaxed position, Nick knew something was up.
"Hon, you ok?" he asked.
"Y-yeah, just forgot to pack a swimsuit for this little vacation," she confessed.
"Well, don't you keep a change of clothes at my place?" he asked.
"A spare uniform and some casual clothes, I don't have a bikini there," she admitted.
"Me neither, I don't have one in my hotel room," Jane confessed.
"Nick, sweetheart, nicest fox in the world," Judy flirted.
"Just tell me what you want, Carrots. There really isn't a need to butter me up to ask," he laughed.
"Can I borrow the car? I'll let you decide the kind of bikini I get," she asked.
"Normally, I'd say no but considering it's you. The answer is yes, just drive carefully ok? And get a two-piece," he replied, handing her the car keys.
"Perv," she quipped before her and Jane walked away.
"You should know better than to tempt me, Carrots," he called after her.
On the way, Jane seemed impressed by how well Judy had learned to handle herself behind the wheel.
"I'm impressed sis, when you left the farm you could barely handle being behind the wheel," she commented.
"I've always been a fast learner but it helped that Nick taught me to relax when behind the wheel, relax and stay focused," Judy replied.
Judy reached over and turned on the radio, at that it started playing "Immigrant Song".
"Leopard Zeppelin? I thought you didn't like them much," Jane pointed out.
"Acquired taste. Nick's taste in music rubbed off on me and mine rubbed off on him," Judy replied.
"So, how does a bunny wind up engaged to a fox?" Jane asked.
"Um, he proposed," she replied dryly.
"You know what I mean, smartass," Jane retorted.
"He was a scam artist when I first met him. It makes me happy, proud, and a little embarrassed to know that I'm the reason he turned himself around," she explained.
Judy gave the quickest explanation she could of the story, before lamenting that their story was the furthest thing from romantic as possible.
"I don't think so. I think it's very romantic, especially at the end of it. Going to a concert together and then it turns into your first date. Then breaking the first rule of dating by making out in the middle of the concert," Jane laughed.
Finally they pulled into the parking lot of a department store and began to shop. It didn't take long for them to find what they were looking for and Judy had to pull Jane away from the store.
"Com'n Jane, act your age. We have to get back sometime today, remember?" Judy reminded.
Hesitantly, Jane agreed and they started their way back to Wild Times. Judy hit the brakes furiously when a black sports car ran a red light.
"If I were in uniform, I'd pull that jackass over," Judy growled.
Thankfully, she saw McHorn and DelGato giving chase.
"McHorn and DelGato, I guess Beaseley and Higgins are out on leave this week," Judy muttered.
"Other officers at the ZPD, I'm guessing?" Jane replied.
"Tony DelGato is a friend of ours at the precinct, he's a tiger but he's usually really calm and an all-around nice guy. Jeffory McHorn, I wish I could say the same, he doesn't give me or Nick the time of day most of the time but I think it's because we're the smallest officers on the force," Judy recounted.
"It's interesting to hear you talk about your coworkers, Judy. I haven't seen you this excited about your work since you graduated from the Police Academy," Jane commented, "So how about the police chief? How is your relationship with him?"
"Chief Bogo is tough, but fair. He can be lax sometimes and strict others. He doesn't mind us listening to music while we're doing paperwork but while on patrol, forget it. Oddly enough, Chief Bogo even tolerates our relationship. Says we're his best officers and he doesn't want to break up our team," Judy explained.
When the girls got back, they headed to the Honeymoon Suite and found Nick, Danny, and Gideon playing Nertz with open bottles of beer at the table. The boys didn't seem to notice them, Judy snuck up as Nick stretched and Judy immediately nuzzled him lovingly. Nick was tense from surprise at first but succumbed quickly to the embrace, all the while not seeming to notice her paw going for his beer. The embrace parted when she captured the bottle.
"Thanks hon, throw that away for me will ya'?" Nick teased.
"I'm your fiancee, you dick, not your maid!" Judy teased back.
"What's the difference?" he laughed.
"I'm gonna' hurt you," she threatened, in the same teasing tone.
"Com'n honey-bunny, y'know I was just kidding. Y'know that I would never say anything to hurt or belittle you, you're my sweet Carrots," he flirted.
"I hate that I can't stay mad at you when you flirt with me," she laughed with a sigh.
"Ah ha! So I have found something that I can use against you! Now the playing field is even!" he stated triumphantly.
"Where're the Foxgloves? I would think Cherry would be here at least," Jane pointed out.
"They're in their hotel room getting ready," Daniel answered.
"S'Danny why'd Uncle John say he got all these 'ere card decks? I mean when we asked t' b'rrow a few he had more decks'n I could count," Gideon asked.
"One of dad's side projects is to buy out the old Zoolectric Engineering Incorporated building and turn it into a casino and arcade as part of the park's expansion," he answered.
"Normally, I'd say make room and deal me in but me and Jane have to change into our swimsuits," Judy replied.
"Can I watch?" Nick asked, his tail wagging feverishly.
"No," they both replied nonchalantly.
"Eh, worth a try," Nick laughed.
"You can help me get out of it and into the shower later though," Judy stated seductively to Nick.
"Woof!" Nick replied with a grin.
"I'd normally say get a room but considerin' where we are," Gideon trailed off.
"Jealous?" Nick asked.
"Li'l bit maybe, mostly wha's it called? Lingerin' feelin's," Gideon replied.
The todds resumed their game while Judy and Jane changed into their new bikinis. When they came out they saw the Foxglove sisters watching Twilight Zone on Netflix while the boys still continued their game, playfully cussing at each other once in a while. The round of cards was winding down as the narrator concluded the episode by saying, "You'll find this one under F for fanatic and J for justice."
"What was that episode?" Jane asked.
"Four O'Clock, one of Nilla's favorites," Angel answered.
"Papylia loved Twilight Zone. Our happiest memories of him are watching it with him," Nilla explained with a bittersweet smile.
"It was his last request too, he wanted to watch his favorite episode with us one more time," Cherry added.
It took everything the triplets had to keep from sobbing as they fondly remembered their papa.
"Sorry everyone," Nilla sniffled as she wiped her eyes.
"It's ok, I think we all understand. It couldn't have been easy for you and I imagine you're still struggling with the loss," Danny stated.
"What're we sittin' around for!? We've only got a week to enjoy this place to it's fullest!" Cherry called fiercely as she wiped her eyes.
With that, they enjoyed the waterpark throughout what remained of the day. That night after Nick and Judy's "shower", they had the same group over for another couple rounds of Nertz before they all called it a night.
