Epilogue One: Two Tables
A/N: This took forever to write because I had a few times where I had both writer's block and a lot of distractions. Sorry, it's so late. It's a long one too. The other Epilogues will be very short stories.
So, as you saw at the end of the final chapter, I retconned Sugar no longer having any powers. I thought it was a cute way to end it, but I thought later of the ramifications her power has if it gets out again. Nick goes over it all in the story. On the plus slide, this means a happy ending for Gideon and Julie's kids. But it's not something Nick will allow very often, so the word doesn't get out. I might have him in conflict with Judy over a sick, elderly relative. Do you let the miracle child keep your loved ones alive forever or let nature take its course? Will Sugar be immortal? Who knows?
I also retconned Stacy as a "Nanny with benefits" since Judy and Nick realistically need someone to watch their kids while they're at work and Judy being the sheriff means very late shifts.
I always have Mary have a calm demeanor, even when she's mean. So I keep her exclamation points to a minimum.
I had a GREAT idea for another Christmas story, but it's too late in the year to write it all down. I call it "The Santa Paws Paradox"
The story deals with an orphan called "Karen Koala". She was one of the orphans rescued from the lab, but no one knows what her power is including her. The scientists gave her a reality-warping potion, but they thought she was a dud as they couldn't find a way for her to activate it. So, a week before Christmas, Ben Clawhauser helped with a Toy drive charity and dressed up as Santa Paws. He meets Karen and gives her a Christmas present. She hugs him and tells him "I wish you were the real Santa Paws!".Well, that worked out too well. Clawhauser walks out of the orphanage to find find a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer along with some lynx elves (pointy ears) that tell him he's Santa Paws. Ben's husband, Higgins is just as surprised as he's dressed as Mrs. Paws. At first, he thinks it's a gag and agrees to go with them until the sleigh starts to fly and he arrives at the North Pole.
It turns out Karen's power is that any wish she makes comes true. Benjamin Clawhuaser is now the real Santa Paws. At first, he's thrilled, until his first Christmas eve where he has to deliver all the toys to every household. Millions of houses. Billions of toys. While he can no longer age, it takes five years just for him to complete the task. Five years frozen in time to make it in one night. Five years of not seeing his family, his friends, Higgins, and five years of non-stop work. Only pausing to eat cookies and milk. When he returns to the North Pole, he's shocked as Higgin's tells him it was all done in one night. On the Monday after Christmas, Nick and Judy go to see Ben. He's frazzled. On edge. Can barely remember how to do his old job. He tells them just what happened and of course, no one believes him. "Look at my beard! I can't take it off!" No one except Nick and Judy who have had their share of the supernatural.
Judy and Nick investigate and eventually find the source. The little girl who Ben met a week ago. When Karen realizes her power, she wishes her parents to come get her from the orphanage. The only problem is that her parents died, so her zombie parents come after her. Turns out her wishing abilities have limits as she can't bring the dead back into the living.
Meanwhile, Ben goes back to work at the ZPD, but when word gets out that he's the real Santa Paws, people harass him. Kids run up to ask for toys, parents are upset that they had to return the toys they originally bought for their kids and then asked why THEY didn't get a present from Santa and finally major toy companies want to sue Ben for making exact copies of toys they sell and hand them out for free, thus ruining the economy.
People find out about Karen and want to take advantage of her wishing power. Nick sees a parallel to this and how Sugar's future might be. Ben and Higgins run away with her and help hide her from the public as "police protection". Ben and Karen have a heart to heart. While some would love to have wishing powers or be Santa Paws forever, for the both of them, it's been a nightmare. She knows how to fix all this, but before she does, she hugs Ben and whispers into his ear. "I wish for you to never forget me." She then makes one last wish. "I wish I never had this power."
Time rewinds. When the people from Chemiracles' lab go and kidnap the children from the orphanage, she is magically able to hide and was never found by them. Thus she was never experimented on and never got her power. Meanwhile, a week before Christmas, Ben and Higgins wake up in bed. Higgins tells Ben he had the weirdest dream. Ben looks at the hippo. "Did you dream you were Mrs. Paws?" Higgins is floored. Ben remembers everything, but to Higgins, it was only a dream. Ben tells Higgins he has something he wants to discuss with him.
That Christmas morning, Karen is in the Clawhauser's home. Ben gives her a Christmas present to unwrap. They are adoption papers. Nick and Judy got Mary to help get Karen get adopted by Ben. Karen is crying tears of joy. "This is the best Christmas ever! But… I got nothing for you."
"Karen, sweetie. You got me the best Christmas present anyone could ever hope for. You."
The End! What do you think? Maybe I'll write it in full next year. Flesh out a few details. Anyway, onto the Epilogue!
Friday, March 22nd
It was late in the evening. A little over a week after the super-powered war that took place in Zootopia. In the kitchen of the Hopps farmhouse was a large, round table where several of the women had gathered around for a card game. "Where's the beer?" Judy asked.
"Down in the lounge, with the boys no doubt," Bonnie replied. "We got scotch in the upper cupboards."
"Okay. So what are we playing tonight?"
"Uno. Your father has the poker deck. He and some of the other men are playing Texas Hold 'em in the lounge down in the fox den."
"We're a family of 300+ and we only have one poker deck?"
"Just go with it."
"Who's coming to play?"
"Just some of the mothers who want to take a break from their children. Vivian's coming. Mary too, for the first time. Julie's on her way."
"Mary hunh? That might be interesting. She's not the most social person."
"I'm sure she's fine. Anyone else?"
"Your sister, Sarah will be hanging out too."
"Really? She's not a mother."
Bonnie smiled. "Well…"
"... No way! Who's the father?"
"Ricky."
"... How?! Ricky's a raccoon!"
"Same way Julie got pregnant. The world's changing, dear. Us mammals… We're still evolving."
"Woah. Good thing I got spayed when I did. Is she gonna be okay?"
"Ricky's not much bigger than her. The doctor says the litter looks healthy."
"Amazing! So what are we snacking on? Pretzels?"
"Well, that's not very ladylike dear! I got us a big box of donuts."
Judy laughed. "I guess it's a good thing dad likes you chubby,"
"Watch it."
Meanwhile…
Stu was getting the poker table ready in the lounge while Nick was relaxing at the bar watching Finnick and Duke play pool. Finnick set up the shot. "Alright, from this angle I'm gonna hit the six ball off the corner and across to get the five ball, have it ricochet off that, and hit the two ball into that hole right there. Watch."
Finnick lined up and angled his shot. He hit the first ball and his shots went as planned with the two ball going into the hole.
"Nice!" Duke replied. "I wish I was 'dat good at 'da game. Say. Wanna make it interestin' and put a wager on it?"
"How much?"
"Nuttin' much. Five bucks is all I can squander."
Finnick smiled. "You're on."
"Excellent! Now, lemme see if I can make 'dis shot."
Duke not only got an impossible angle off. He started doing trick shot after trick shot. Nick and Stu started watching with awe while Finnick was getting frustrated.
"Now, off 'da bank and 'da nine ball into 'da back pocket!" Duke angled his shot and it went right into the whole. 'Dat's five bucks ya owe me, sucker!"
Finnick slammed a five on the pool table. "You're lucky you're my handsome, best friend. I'll pay, but you conned me!"
Nick interrupted. "It's called a hust-"
"Aw, shut up! You and yer damn catchphrase."
"I'm actually proud of you, Pops! Being so open about your bisexuality."
"Yeah," Duke replied. " 'Dat takes a lot 'a guts. Just don't act on it again. I mean, I'm flattered 'dat my best bud 'tinks I'm hot, but I ain't lookin' ta give youse a prostate massage."
Finnick blushed. "Yeah well… I'm mostly into the ladies! I'm still more man than most of you! I just don't wanna be mocked for my sexuality."
"Why would we mock you for that?!" Nick asked. "Not when there are so many other things to mock you for."
"Shut up!"
"Like how tiny you are, that you sometimes dress like a baby, that you wear diapers instead of undies."
"I said shut up! I don't wear diapers no more! I just use the containment suit instead."
Duke was confused. "You don't need ta wear 'dat. You reduced yer powers enough."
"Yeah, but the suit absorbs everything and dissipates it. Uses it for energy which… I'll admit, it doesn't need anymore."
"Everything? You mean like…"
"Sweat, blood, urine… other things."
"So basically, you replaced one diaper for another."
"Basically. Only without the bulge or need to change."
" 'Dat's still weird, y'know?"
"Don't judge me."
It was then that some of the guests arrived. Gideon came in first but had a hard time fitting through the door. "RRR! Dagnabbit, Stu! Ah thought y'all were designin' the doors fer us big mammals!"
Stu apologized. "Sorry, Gideon! I forgot just how… big of a mammal you are."
Nick chuckled. "And you seem to be getting bigger! I hope you're not eating your inventory."
"No!... Well, just the ones whut don't sell that day. Can't let 'em go 'ta waste." Gideon turned his head to the other two guests still in the hallway, waiting to get in. "Hey, Ricky! Pig-guy! Gimmie a push, hunh fellers?"
"Umm… It's Alex, sir," the pig said in a shy manner.
"Okay, Al. Can ya give me a push?"
"S-Sure! No one's ever called me 'Al' before. I kinda like it."
Ricky the raccoon and Alex the pig pushed hard on Gideon's side until he finally popped into the room. "Okay, everyone!" Stu said. "The table's ready. Let's play. Did you bring your money?"
"Yeah," Ricky replied. "Everyone chips in 20 bucks and we play until there's one winner."
"That's right! Tonight, one of us is gonna walk away a hundred bucks richer!"
"Big deal," Finnick said. "I'm still making bank from 'Baby Fox', Nick and Gideon have their own businesses and you're making good enough money to have a farmhouse where over 300 mammals live."
"Yeah, but Bonnie takes care of the finances and I hardly get any spending money!"
Ricky sat at the table. "Well, I could definitely use the money and I'm sure Alex and Duke wouldn't mind a bit of extra cash."
"Ya got 'dat right," Duke replied. Now let's siddown, turn our cash inta' chips and let's play!"
Meanwhile…
The ladies were at the table and had their cards ready. Bonnie looked a little concerned as there was an extra bunny at the table. "It's… nice to have you here, Stacy, but why aren't you with Helga?"
Stacy sobbed. "We… We had a falling out! SOB! She says I'm too much for her! That I don't give her enough breathing room!"
Mary cocked an eyebrow Stacy's way. "Then stop sitting on her face so much."
"It's not just that! Outside of the rough sex, we don't have that much in common. It started out so great, but now… now we're getting so distant!"
She immediately grabbed onto Judy and started to cry on her shoulder. "We were supposed to get married in a month and now it might be called off! I don't want to leave here! I love this family! SOB!"
Bonnie patted her on the back. "Well, that's what happens when you get yourself engaged to someone the day you meet them. Don't worry dear. We'll find room for you."
"SNIFF! Y-You will?"
"Sure! I mean, you'll have to pay rent, but otherwise…"
"AAAAHH! SOB!!"
"I've got an idea! Judy dear, she's very fond of you. Why not take her on as a midwife?"
Judy was a bit upset at the idea. "MOOOM! Nick wouldn't like that idea at all! Plus, she's still engaged to Helga. She'd kill me!"
It was then that Vivian interrupted. "I'm sorry, what's a 'midwife' to you bunnies? To the best of my knowledge, that's usually a maid who helps out with a soon-to-be mother."
Bonnie explained "Well, it's very similar to that in bunny circles, but a bit different. Bunnies are always having kits so we tend to need someone like that around all the time. It's basically, a maid, a nanny, and a second wife."
"Woah! Hold it. 'Second wife?' "
"Not officially, Vivian. It's basically a job."
"Oh."
"But you do share the bed with the husband and wife."
"... Oh!"
"Right. Most female bunnies have bisexual tendencies, so it works out well. Those that don't still don't mind. For us bunnies, sex is as routine and normal as brushing our teeth. Why I couldn't get by in life without my midwife."
Judy and her sister were shocked "Wait a minute!" Judy said. "What 'midwife'?! This is the first I'm hearing of it!"
"Me too!" said Julie.
"We kept it secret," Bonnie explained. "It's your aunt Bean."
"... You and dad have sex with your sister?!"
"She's not my sister. That's a, well… fib we've been telling you girls for a while."
"How come you never told us?!"
"Because you kids have been calling her 'Aunt Bean' for so long, the opportunity just never came up! I didn't seem right."
"So you and her?..."
" 'Flick the Bean.' Yes. Twice a week."
Judy, Julie, and Sarah squirmed in their seats. "Eww!"
"Minus the 'F'."
"EWW!"
"Oh, please! You wouldn't think this was gross if you didn't think of her as your aunt!"
"But we do, thanks to your lies!"
"Well, this isn't about Aunt Bean or me. This is about you and Stacy."
Judy started to blush. "M-Mom! I…"
"You work long hours as does Nick. Your children could use a good Nanny. None of them are old enough to be left alone without adult supervision and Mary will be having her kits soon."
Stacy grabbed onto Judy's arm. "Oh, PLEASE Judy! I promise to be a wonderful nanny to your children! I mean, I'm a former nun from an orphanage! I'm more than qualified! If I'm being totally honest, I still have feelings for you! One of the reasons Helga is upset with me is that I called your name out in bed. Twice!"
"That's not so bad."
"Daily?"
"... That's bad. Stacy. I still think you need to work things out with Helga."
Stacy removed her grip from Judy and sat, depressed. "I… understand."
"SIGH! But… If it doesn't work out, I'll…. I'll talk to Nick and see what he thinks."
Stacy hugged Judy tight. "Oh, thank you, Judy! THANK YOU!"
She tried to kiss Judy, but Judy pushed her back. "HEY! This isn't official yet! Try to work things out with Helga first!" Judy wanted to change topics fast. "Sooo… Sarah. You and Ricky are expecting, hunh? Are you nervous?"
"How can I not be?!" Sarah asked. "I'm having Raccoon/Bunnie hybrids!"
"You're not the first," Bonnie replied.
"Really, Mom?"
"Oh, yes! I looked it up on Zoogle. A couple back East had five Buncoons last year. All healthy."
This put Sarah a bit more at ease. "Well! Maybe we'll look them up and see if we can eventually have them hook up with our kids when they grow up." She looked at her cards. "Oh great! I have to take three cards! GRRR!"
Vivian added to the conversation. "Well, my pups are doing very well for cross-breed. Mind you, a fennec fox is smaller and more compatible than others. Speaking of, how are the Fobbits doing, Julie?"
The bunny sighed. "As well as can be expected. Lucky's strong and Chance is doing okay. Valerie being the runt, well… she has her days. But she's pulling through. They're champs!" She started to sob a little."
"I-I'm sorry I brought it up. I know it must hurt given the poor health that two of them are in and how they look."
"What do you mean 'how they look'?"
"I-I meant no offense! It's just that they're a bit… disfigured is all."
"They are not disfigured! They are my babies! My beautiful angels!"
Judy, Bonnie, and Sarah looked at each other and then at Julie. "Ummm…. Julie?" Judy asked.
"Oh, what?! You think they're ugly too?!"
"It's not that, it's just… when they grow up and go to school, they are going to have a hard time adjusting due to their, well… features. I'm sure you want your children to be happy and live to their full potential. Now, my son Fixer can…"
"So you're saying that my children are hideous and you want your little, bat brat to make them magically beautiful?! Is that it?!"
"No! What I mean is…"
"My children are beautiful! How dare you.."
Mary interrupted. "Oh, please. Just shut up already."
"Excuse me?!"
Mary stood up. "While your family is trying to tiptoe around the obvious I have nothing to lose by telling you the truth. I saw your kit-pups. They are hideous and repulsive and I feel dreadfully sorry for them."
Judy was horrified. "MARY!"
"They belong more in a freak show than a playpen."
Julie got up and slapped Mary. The ferret barely flinched. "Trust me, I been slapped much harder. Julie, you are either stupid or selfish. Now, I'm sure that you, being their mother, you only see them as your perfect, little angels, but I'm here to tell you that they are deformed horribly. Your family wants what's best for your children and what's best for them is to be able to look their best so they can live a more normal and happy life. There's a sweet, miraculous little bat who can help them."
"But…"
"But nothing. You can either do what's best for them or you can let them live a life where other children will mock them and make fun of them. Many other mothers don't get the opportunity that you have right now. Is letting them look even better than they do right now so horrible?"
"Well… no. I guess… I guess I am being a bit selfish."
"I'm glad you feel that way. That said, I would not recommend a change for the runt just yet."
"What? Why?"
"Her disfigurement shows her poor health. Changing her looks will only hide them, but they will still be there and make it harder for her doctors to remedy. Like an invisible scar. I know she's been through a few surgeries. Fixer cannot heal. Only make things look more appealing."
"You're right. I guess I'll take Judy up on her offer. Thank you, Mary. But do you have to be so blunt?!"
"I wouldn't have it any other way, my dear. Gets through the bullshit."
Meanwhile…
Alex was confused. "So how is this game played again?"
Stu sighed. "It's easy! Texas Hold 'em is basically poker, only you share the same hand with everyone else outside of two cards. Everyone starts with two cards and the deck in the middle is slowly revealed. If your two cards give you the best hand, you win!"
"Oh! Okay. I've played poker before, but not this."
"Good. I'll shuffle the deck."
As they began to play, Nick made some small talk. "So, Ricky. I haven't heard much out of you since the first story."
Ricky was confused. "First story?"
Finnick explained. "Ignore him. He tends to make fourth wall jokes sometimes."
"Oh. Well, I haven't been up to much. Just seeing to Mr. Hopp's business affairs and making sure the farm is profitable. Been with Sarah for the last three months and she's been a great secretary and lover. We're hoping to marry before the kits arrive. I'm still very nervous about their health. What with us cross-breeding. How are your kids doing Gideon?"
Gideon adjusted his chair as he looked over his two cards. "Two are doin' okay. Little Valerie, well…. She's holdin' on. I just worry 'bout their future. Ah know Julie would never say it, but our kids… they're... They need work."
Nick looked over at Gideon as he took his two cards. "Why don't you have Fixer, y'know, fix them?"
"Because Ah like bein' married."
"Julie won't go for it?"
"No. She thinks they're perfect the way they is. Well, they ain't! And it's gonna be tougher on them when they end up in school and whatnot. Even if she allowed it, it don't help much with poor Valerie. She's still just a' holdin' on."
Nick was silent for a moment. "Gideon. Can I talk to you out in the hall?"
"What fer?"
"Please? It's important."
"Well…. Alright." He got up and started moving towards the door. "Don't none y'all look at our cards!"
"Don't worry," Finnick replied. "We got some WD-40 in the cabinet if you need help getting out the door."
"Oh, hush up!"
They left the room. Stu, Finnick, and the others looked at each other. "So, are we all in agreement that we're gonna look at their cards?" Stu asked.
They all nodded and peeked.
Meanwhile, Gideon was out in the hall with Nick. "So what's the big deal that Ah gotta be out here?"
"Okay, don't tell anyone, but Sugar has her powers back."
"The sugar glider?"
"No, Sugar the pet rock. Yes, the sugar glider! My daughter! She has her healing powers back. Gideon, if you can talk to your wife, you can have the best of both worlds. They'll be healthy and look great."
"Oh mah lord! This is wonderful!"
"SHH! Keep it down!"
"What? Why?"
"Well, I found out by accident days ago and I haven't told anyone until now."
"Not even Judy?"
"No. Not even her. I made a promise to Sugar. Although I doubt she understands me, so my promise is likely null and void. Still., I don't want the world to know about her powers returning."
"Why not?!"
"Why not?! Because she could be taken advantage of! She's a miraculous girl with both super-regenerative and super-healing powers. Everyone would want a piece of her. Look what they did in the lab! Constantly draining her blood. And what about the people in our family here?! What about grandpa Max? He's so old, he'll die from natural causes, but not if Sugar goes public! Then they'll want to keep him healed and alive forever and the world shouldn't work that way! I don't want to be alive forever! Also… what about her? What if she's immortal?! I just… I..."
"You really thought 'bout this a lot, didn't ya?"
"Yeah. There's not just a golden pollen either. There's a silver one too. I think it puts people to sleep. I saw just a trace of it on the clones as it dissolved, but they were fast asleep when they had just been crying seconds before. Gid, I want my baby girl to live a normal life without everyone wanting something from her. That's why we have to keep this top secret."
"O' course. Are ya gonna tell Judy?"
"Yeah. Tonight. She's gonna be ticked off. I should have told her sooner."
Meanwhile...
Vivian had a question. " 'Bean' is an odd name for a woman, isn't it?"
Bonnie explained. "It's actually Bea. Short for Beatrice. All the kids just called her 'Bean' and it stuck."
"Tell us the truth, mom!" Judy demanded. "Which of us are not yours?"
Bonnie was confused. "What are you talking about?"
"If dad has sex with you and aunt Bean, then some of us might not be from you, but from Bean!"
"I'm afraid that bean doesn't sprout. She's not fertile. You're all mine."
"... Do we all have the same father?"
Bonnie got nervous. "Sh-Shut up and let's play! Who's turn is it?"
"It's your turn, Sarah….. Sarah?"
Sarah had her face buried in her phone again. "Hunh? What?!"
"The game! It's your turn!"
"I know! Right now, I'm playing Uno."
"Yes! With us!"
"Also with my group of friends online."
"... You're playing two Unos?!"
"Yup! I have the attention span of a flea, plus this helps me practice."
Judy was curious about what Stacy was doing on her phone. "So Sarah's not the only one with her face in her phone. What are you up to, Stacy?"
"Texting Helga. And… there! I just broke up with her."
"You…. WHAT?! I told you to have a talk with her!"
"Well, it really wasn't working out and I LOVE the idea of being your midwife! I told her all about it."
"Sweet cheese and… the rest of that, I forget. I haven't discussed it with Nick yet! Helga's gonna kill me!"
"Oh, don't be silly! She's very reasonable, y'know?"
Suddenly, Judy's phone went off in her pocket. She pulled it out only to find out it was Helga. "Oh, great! H-Hey Helga! What's up?!"
"Don't… fall… asleep."
"Hoo boy. Can someone pass me the damn scotch?!"
Meanwhile…
All the guys were back at the poker table. "I fold," said Alex.
Stu couldn't believe it. "Fold?! I just put out one card each so far!"
"I don't like taking risks."
Stu looked over at Nick. "How is this guy a cop?!"
"His dad made him to toughen him up." He looked at his two cards. "Check."
"Check," Ricky followed. "So, Finnick. You're gay hunh?"
Finnick was a bit peeved. "Not gay! Bisexual. And I mostly lean towards women! Like Nick's lovely mother."
"Okay. So as a bi-guy, who in this room do you find attractive?"
Nick couldn't help but chuckle. "It's everyone's favorite game show, 'Blow or No?' Which of us meets Finnick's high standards of sexiness? I know I'm on the list."
"Wrong!" Finnick replied.
"What about that time you kissed me and tried to feel me up?"
"I was drunk and heartbroken! Besides, maybe I DID feel that way a little, but times have changed."
"How so?"
"You're my son-in-law now. You've always been like a little brother to me, but now, you're family. I can't feel anything other than family love towards you now."
"Thanks, Pops! That's sweet. Okay, so how about everyone else?"
"Seriously? Okay, you know how I feel about my man, Duke. He's the one that broke me thanks to my dang, bat grandson makin' him all sexy AF. Stu? No way. He's like a grandpa."
Stu was upset. "I'm two years older than you!"
"Shut it, Gramps! Gideon is way too fat. Now, Ricky… Hmmm… He ain't half bad. Wouldn't invite him to bed but I wouldn't kick him out either."
"What about me?" Alex asked.
"I don't smoke ham. Now, are we gonna play this game, or not?!"
"I'm in," said Duke.
"I'll see your bet…" Finnick replied. "And raise you."
"Now we got a game!" said Nick. "And I got none with these cards. Fold."
Ricky followed. "I fold."
Stu looked at his hand. "I think I got a chance. I'm in!" He put some chips in and added the last card to the main, center deck.
"I'll raise," Finnick replied.
"All in!" Stu shouted. "The hand has two kings, a ten, one queen, and a three. I got two aces! That's the highest two pairs you can get! Pay up, buddy!"
"Aww! I'm sorry. My two queens beat your two aces, old man. That makes two kings and three queens. Full house. You're out of the game."
Stu slammed his cards down. "DANGIT! I was so close!"
Meanwhile…
"Uno!" shouted Bonnie. "I win!"
Julie chuckled. "Uno in the kitchen, tres' in bed."
The girls started laughing just as "aunt" Bean came into the kitchen. Instantly, they all clapped their paws over their mouths to contain their laughter.
Their sudden silence puzzled Bean. "Hey girls! Just came to get some water and some paper towels. I umm… spilled some water in my room."
"Are you sure it wasn't dad doing the spilling?" Sarah chuckled.
"What?! No! There's nothing!... Who told you?!"
Bonnie finally confessed. "The secret's out Beanie-Baby!"
Judy laughed. "Beanie-Baby?!"
"That's what I call her in private."
"Is she still in mint condition with her little, heart tag?!" The girls started to laugh again.
Bonnie looked over at Bean. "I'm sorry. It leaked out in casual conversation."
Bean shrugged her shoulders. "I'm surprised it stayed secret this long and frankly, I'm glad it's out. It's been too long."
"KISS!" Vivian shouted.
Judy squirmed, "Eww! No!"
Mary gave her a little nudge, "Oh, come now. She is not your aunt."
"Maybe not, but she's still family to us."
"That's understandable. In that case, close your eyes."
"Slip her the tongue! Vivian shouted.
"Vivian, dear. Don't be so vile."
"Oh, don't be so stuffy, Mary! I'm just kidding around anyw-"
Bean leaned over to where Bonnie was sitting and had the chubby bunny lean her head back for a passionate kiss. Tongues were dancing between them.
Judy looked away. "That is so weird!"
Vivian cheered them on. "Whoo-hoo! That was hot!"
Mary smiled. "It was nice."
"Nice?! I've never seen such a smooch! That was passionate."
"You've never seen what Duke and I get into."
"Oh yeah? Last night, Finnick shrank down to an inch in size, got between my legs, and (CENSORED EVEN FOR AN M RATING)."
They all looked stunned except Mary. "Can I borrow Finnick?"
"No."
Judy stood up. "Okay, before I regurgitate the donuts I ate, I'm heading back to my room. Follow me, Stacy. I've got some explaining to do."
Meanwhile…
It was the final game. Everyone was out except Finnick and Alex. Finnick was getting impatient. "C'mon, man! We ain't got all night! It's gettin' late!"
"It's only 10:30," Alex argued.
"Around here, that's late. These bunnies are farmers and get up at 4 am! You've been playing it safe with checks and folds all night! Time to put up or shut up."
Alex took one more look at his cards. "Well, I dunno. He leered over. "What's the deck again?"
Finnick sighed. "One ace of spades…"
Nick and Ricky got up and started head-banging. "The only card I need is the ace of spades! The ace of spades!"
"Shut up! A King of spades, Jack spades, ten of hearts, six of clubs. Now, piss or get off the pot already!"
Alex sighed. "Fine! All in."
"HA! Sucker! I got two aces which leaves me with three aces total! What do you got?!"
"Gee, I only got a queen and a ten."
"HA! I wi-"
"Of spades. Royal flush."
"What?!"
"SUCKER! I've been playing it all meek until I got the perfect hand. All I had to do was wait it out until everyone else was out, and you were left with a false sense of security about me. I just had to play my hand at the right time."
"You big bag of bacon!"
Nick couldn't help but laugh. "That was great Alex! I can't wait to tell bug about that one! You got hustled, Pops!"
Finnick was furious. "I demand a do-over! That was a trick!"
Nick looked over at Finnick's hand. "Speaking of tricks, why is one of your two aces also an ace of spades?"
Finnick realized he was caught and quickly changed the subject. "Ummm… Congratulations, Alex on a game well played."
Nick felt a buzz on his phone. "That's Judy. She wants to talk with me in private. Good timing. You guys wanna do this next week?"
"Sure!" said Stu. "Now we know who to keep an eye on. We should invite some of my older sons too. Make a bigger game out of it."
Everyone left the room and some started to go upstairs into the main hall. As Nick approached his room, he saw Judy suspiciously slam the door quickly. "Hey, Slick!"
"Hey, Carrots! I'm glad you wanted to talk. I have some things I need to say privately too."
Gideon passed by. "Howdy-doody, Judy! Hey, Nick! Remember 'ta bring up that thing."
"Right."
Judy quickly asked. "Is this about Fixer making your pups look better?"
"Bingo!" Gideon said with a smile.
"Well, you'll be happy to know that we got Julie to agree to it. You can thank Mary for that."
"Yee-Haww! Thanks a bunch Judy! I'll be seein' y'all later. Nick, remember to tell her about the… other thing."
"Alright," Nick replied.
Judy looked up at Nick. "What other thing?"
"Promise not to get mad?"
"I'll make you deal. I have something I need you to agree to. If you promise not to be mad about that. I promise not to be mad about your secret. Deal?"
"This is like a Mexican forgiveness standoff. Neither one knows what they are forgiving or agreeing to."
"Well?" Judy said while twitching her bunny nose. It always drove Nick wild.
"Okay. But remember, you can't get mad either! We need to talk in private."
Judy turned around and put her paw on the door handle. "In that case, my secret is inside, so I better go first."
Judy led him inside. There was a sofa, a TV, the closet on one side, and the little nook for making coffee or a snack on the other along with a big bed in the middle of the room against the wall. A bed with a lump in the middle. "So, ummm… Nick? How would you feel about having a nanny to watch over the kids while we're gone at work? Not only that, but a maid to clean up our bedroom and the kid's messes?!"
"Sounds good so far."
"And umm… she can do any service you'd like! ANY… service."
"... That's Stacy in our bed, isn't it?"
Judy threw off the blanket to reveal a naked Stacy. "Ta-Daa! Wait! You're naked already?!"
"I thought it would make the deal more enticing," Stacy replied. She then stuck her butt up in the air with her cottontail pointing to the ceiling. "You like? Hunh?"
Judy pointed at her. rump. "Now, that is a nice ass that no fox can resist!"
"Thank you!"
"You're welcome. It can be all yours Nick. Two bunny butts at once."
Nick was rubbing his temple in frustration. "What is this?! That happened to Helga?"
"They had a falling out. This is why you don't agree to an engagement with someone you just met."
"Did she learn nothing from 'Floatzen'?"
"I didn't want to live in sin," Stacy argued.
"You are going to be having sex with two people out of wedlock!"
"It's a job, so it doesn't count."
"If I'm paying you for sexual services, that makes you a whore."
"I… Didn't think about that. I know! Just don't pay me!"
Judy rubbed her paws on her face. "Oh brother. Anyway, I also found out my aunt Bean was my mother's midwife all along. They're lovers, not sisters. It made me think. If my mom can make that work and still have a happy family, why not us?"
"Were you and aunt Bean close?"
"Very, She was like a second mother to me."
"So… What are you asking of me, exactly?"
"I want Stacy to be our midwife. She'll take care of the kids, clean, and sleep with us. I mean, if anyone's getting the most out of this deal, it's you!"
"What do you get out of it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean do YOU want this?"
"Of course! We really need someone like her to…"
Nick leaned into Judy's personal space. "Not someone. Not anyone. Her. Would you take anyone else but her to be our midwife?"
"Of course not! She's our Stacy!"
Nick smiled. "What do you mean by that?"
"I-I mean, ummm. She got us Greg and Penny. She lost her job due to her feelings for me. She's very lustful, but a very sweet-natured woman who's great with kids. She's become a member of my extended family."
"Do you love her?"
"I… well, I care deeply for her."
Stacy grabbed onto Judy. "Oh, Judy! I love both of you so much!"
Nick sat on the bed. "Well, I don't."
"... Nick?"
"Not yet anyway. Stacy, I don't have the same feelings for you as I do for Judy and you probably feel the same about me."
"Well… not sexually, but it doesn't mean I'm not willing to try."
"But having you with us will make Judy and my children happy. So, I'll agree to it. Besides, I already agreed to it before the job interview."
Stacy grabbed onto Nick. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She kissed him on the lips. "That was my first time kissing a man! It's not bad. I know it'd make my mother happy. She's a bit homophobic."
"But know this! This is a job, not a romance. You'll be answering to me and Judy and all decisions, ALL decisions made in your life will now be made by Judy and I. You want to be part of our family, you'll have to work your way into it. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Judy breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'm glad that issue's solved. Now, what's your big secret?"
Nick looked down and with a sad tone said. "Sugar has her powers back."
"Well, that's wonderful! How long did you know?"
"About five days."
"FIVE DAYS! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Because I promised her I'd keep it secret and...and I'm scared."
"Scared of what?"
"Of her future! The Pupsi dart didn't last long with her, but you can't use your powers anymore. Right?"
Judy tried really hard, but could only get a tiny spark to come out of her finger. "Right."
"Her regenerative abilities are off the charts! Plus, she can heal anyone back from the brink of death and make them healthier than ever! Do you know how many people will want that?! Everyone will want a piece of her! Look what they did to her in the lab! They dissected her! Drained her of her blood over and over because they knew she'd heal back to normal in no time! Oh sure, there are people who would pay millions if not billions for them to be cured by her, but many more wouldn't pay, they'd just take her! Kidnap her! We have to keep this as secret as possible!"
As Nick started to pant in fear, Judy took a hold of his paws. "Nick, calm down. Have you told anyone else?"
"Just Gideon. I figured the one-two combination of Fixer and Sugar would cure his kids of their problems. They'd have a healthy, fobbit litter. But then there's the problem of when he takes that litter back to their doctor. 'Oh look, doc! They're all suddenly healthy and beautiful! It's a miracle!' What was I thinking?!"
"You were thinking of others. You always do, because you're wonderful. Nick, whatever happens, we'll rise to meet it. We won't let anything happen to our little girl."
"It's not just her regenerative powers or her golden spores that instantly heal you. She has more powers than we even know about. I caught her putting the clones to sleep with a silver pollen. Who knows what other pollen she may have?!"
Stacy put her paws on Nick's shoulders. "I believe God has a reason that she was put on this earth. Maybe her destiny is to cure the world. Maybe it's to change it. Whatever it is, we must have faith that everything will be okay in the end. I promise you. I won't let anything bad happen to her either."
Nick smiled. "Thanks, Stacy. It's nice to have a more… spiritual point of view. Y'know Carrots, I think it's time for us to take our new hire for a test spin and see how she performs."
Judy smiled back. "I think you're right."
An hour later…
The three of them were lying in bed, naked. The sheets were jumbled and stained. They were all panting and exhausted. Nick was the first to speak up.
"That was… great!"
"Really?" Stacy asked.
"Yeah! I mean, it was wild and freaky, but thanks to my super-strength, I pushed through it and it was incredible! Stacy, Judy is my soul mate. I will never feel for another woman the way I feel for her. That said, I think this is going to work out very well."
"I'm so happy! What did you think, Judy?"
Judy could barely move. "... I can't feel my legs."
"It's like that the first few times."
"PHEW! Did… Did we just have a three-way at the end of an epilogue?"
Nick just shrugged his shoulders. "That's how you know it's a fanfic."
