AN: Apologies that this chapter is a bit late for Christmas and that this fic seems to go on long haitus periods. Hope it's not too short or too rushed for your likings...

Christmas in Bunnyburrows. A get together of the Hopps and Wilde families. This time Bonnie and Stu hosted. Poor Grandpa Carl just about had a heart attack when he saw how many foxes were in his son's burrow but Grandpa Dave was having a grand time, until his tired old body couldn't keep up.

There was fun to be had around the burrow. The Wildes indulged in various Hopps family holiday traditions. At some points, even Daniel found himself smiling and laughing.

"Daniel Wilde," Alex began playfully, "If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you're enjoying yourself."

"Stuff it Alex," the older fox replied with an equally playful tone.

Of course, then he'd catch a whiff of Jane and be right back to trying to close himself off. The best way to describe her scent is a rich blend of peppermint, roses, vanilla, and lavender. It was the most intoxicating scent he had ever encountered. The more of it he smelled, the more of it he wanted. To add to that, the urge to walk up to that white rabbit scoop her up and make out with her was getting stronger. At that, he decided that it was in his best interest to leave. That is until he passed under a doorway with mistletoe and found her in the doorway as well. Cursing his fate, he tried to keep it brief but his desires had other plans.

After a longer and more drawn out kiss than the former soldier would have wanted, he was gone without another word. For her part, Jane watched him walk out. With a feeling of light-headedness and weak in the knees.

"Go talk to him,"Judy insisted, "This could be your only chance."

As Jane headed out to find Daniel, Judy started to head back to couch. She'd felt the kit in her belly kick before but this feeling was much worse.

"J-Judy!" Nick called im panic.

"Nick, I-I think the baby's coming…!" she cried.

"Lucielle! Lucielle!" he shouted.

The room fell silent and the mink rushed to Judy's side as she was laid on one of the many couches. Lucielle rattled off a list of instructions so fast that the only man present who understood was Nick. Stu called the local doctor to make a house call but there was no answer. He'd keep trying though. Eventually, Judy's screams of pain gave way to the cries of a newborn infant. A baby tod, cradled in his father's shaking but still sturdy arms.

"Sshhh, it's ok… Daddy's here…" he cooed to the child.

He turned his attention to his tired fiancee.

"Born on Christmas Day, our little miracle huh Carrots?" he asked.

"N-not quite Christmas," she replied tiredly.

She directed his attention to the closest grandfather clock which had rung out midnight but with everything that had happened no one had noticed. Lucielle was making a note of the time, the gender of the child, and his state of health.

"Pardonne moi, name?" she asked.

Nick and Judy exchanged looks, they had agreed a while back that if it ended up being a boy he would name it.

"Luke," Nick answered, " His name is Luke Wilde."

Somehow, Nick had gotten the baby to calm down and somehow Jane had gotten Daniel to come back inside. As those two came back in, they saw the spectacle centered around the newborn.

"What's going on?" the older fox asked.

Stu tried to explain but ended up bursting into tears instead.

"Oh daddy…" Jane sighed at the same time as her mother.

"Oh Stu…" Bonnie sighed.

"Your nephew was born while you were outside talking," John explained.

"Um… Care to repeat?" Daniel asked.

"How can put this so it's clearer? Judy just gave birth. Thankfully, Lucielle already learned how to deliver," John explained slower.

Daniel and Jane made their way through the crowd of mostly rabbits to see this miracle for themselves. The look of panic still on Nick's face over Judy passing out from sheer exhaustion, while Lucielle consoled him that she was just sleeping. While the newborn infant was in his grandmother's arms. Daniel approached his mother tentatively, he felt like a kit again, trying to look at something he shouldn't have been. Lilian saw her oldest son approach and with a wide smile across her aged face, showed him the sleeping child. Which she then attempted to pass to him. Daniel didn't want to at first but eventually relented. The little tod in his arms had his father's russet fur, ears, and long bushy tail. In fact, by all accounts he looked like a regular little fox kit. Nothing of Judy could be seen in him at the moment.

"W-what's his name?" Daniel asked nervously.

"Luke," Nick answered.

"Luke huh? Born at midnight, the day after Christmas. That's a fitting name," the older tod replied.

Gradually, Daniel became more and more at ease holding his newborn nephew. Until it was Debbie's turn, at that point he was reluctant to hand off the infant but he relented to her all the same. For her turn, Deborah sat down in an easy chair a bright warm smile on her face. She felt proud, almost as proud as her little brother but nothing could possibly match the smile on his face right now.

"So when can I expect grandkits from you and Jack?" Lilian asked.

"Mother!" Debbie hissed, being careful not to wake the baby.

"I'm teasing sweetheart," the older vixen laughed.

Nick watched silently and vigilantly as his family and Judy's parents each had a chance to hold Luke. The newborn slept through it all, before being passed back to his father. His nervousness was apparent while the others held him but once he was safely back in Nick's arms, the tod could only feel relief.

"I'm so proud of you!" Lilian whispered to Nick from behind as he sat on the couch.

"Judy's the one you should be proud of, she's the one who carried this little one around and toughed it out through the labor. Lucielle too, she's the one who delivered," he replied, "Oh, that reminds me!"

At Nick's exclamation, Luke began to wake up and started crying.

"Oh no! No no no no! Luke it's ok! It's ok!" he began to panic.

Lilian walked around and sat down, then held her arms out.

"Let me, Nick. I raised you and your siblings, I know how to calm a crying infant," she consoled.

Reluctantly, Nick handed Luke back to his grandmother who began to sing softly. Luke's crying slowly began to abate to his grandmother's singing and before long he was asleep again. The fit had woken Judy from her sleep.

"Hey Carrots, how was your nap?" he asked.

"Alright," she yawned, "Where's the baby? Is he healthy?"

"Yeah, he's a healthy little tod. Mom has him right now," Nick explained, "Sit tight, ok hon? I have to go talk to Lucielle."

Lucielle was hanging around nearby, along with Alex, watching everything unfold. It didn't take Nick very long to find them.

"Sorry if I butcher this," he began. Then cleared his throat and in a very nervous tone said, "M-merci beaucoup!"

"Vous êtes les bienvenus," she giggled.

"Uh, I-I'm sorry," he replied.

"She said you're welcome," Alex translated.

"I'm-I'm very grateful for all of this!" Nick stuttered.

"Bend down, Nicholas," she instructed.

Upon doing so, she kissed his cheek.

"Ve are family, you and I, all ov zis it is unnecessary. I have done zis for you and Judith out of love for my family," she comforted, "Joyeux Noël, Nicholas!"

"Um, M-Merry Christmas, both of you," he replied.

"Merry Christmas, Nick. Now go be with your wife and son!" Alex chuckled.

With all the excitement died down and Luke being put in a nursery, after having to console Nick and Judy that he'd be fine. Stu began the traditional Hopps Family speech.

"Dearest Friends and Family," he began," As always, we have gathered from far and wide to celebrate Christmas together. Peace on Earth and goodwill towards all mammals and all that. This year has been full of ups and downs for our family. Next year will have its challenges ahead of it as well. But tonight, we celebrate the gift of family for there is no greater joy in all of creation than being with those we love. Tonight is truly a special Christmas Night though, tonight a new member of our family was born. Luke Wilde, born to an energetic daughter of the Hopps Family and a prodigal son from the Wilde Family. May their futures together as a family be bright and prosperous!"

As he wrapped up his speech, his voice began to crack and those close enough to his could see tears of joy forming in his eyes. Little by little, everyone else turned in for the night. Nick carried Judy to her old room.