Natnat Notes: Chapter three hope you all enjoy.
Shout out to all the awesome peeps that review: Wildefan23, Guest, Zyi
Thanks to all the follows and favs!
Zyi: I can't answer your questions privately because you don't have a login. I am not following the movie's timeline. In this story, Judy spends only four months in Zootopia before she leaves.
She was not pregnant during her time at the police academy. She got pregnant when she was working at the ZPD.
I know English is my second language but I believe I was clear. The father of the children is John as mentioned in the previous chapter. 'Honest John' is the fox antagonist in the movie Pinnochio. In this story, he is a washed up stage actor.
You are confused because you believe I am following the movie's plot. I am not, this is an alternative universe.
One: Mayor Lionheart isn't kidnapping the savage predators like in the movie.
Two: Nick is not a hustler in this story as he was given a better life as a child. For more on that follow ConcernFox's A Father Figure. Nick is a marine and made a career in the military. Judy didn't meet Nick as she did in the movie. They met at the restaurant
In the movie it seemed like the Bunnyburrow residents knew about night howlers so why couldn't they put two and two together and inform the police? Heck! Judy should have known too yet she didn't put two and two together either. She is the daughter of farmers. In fact, no one in the movie did. (I do have a theory that Mr. Otterton knew though) It wasn't until the final act.
Nope, no plot holes here. Now from my experience with working with law enforcement (I am not a cop but was a case manager), precincts don't communicate about crimes that often. Even towns literally next to one another sometimes don't know what the heck is going on with each other. This is why it takes a while for them to connect similar crimes together if the criminal moves from place to place.
Now imagine two large cities like Zootopia and Zoo York. Zootopia is dealing with its savage predators and Zoo York with drugs. They don't have time to be looking over each other shoulders. Plus I mentioned that Chief Chloe try to tell Bogo but he wouldn't give her the time of day and this was during an annual police convention. She thought he had it handled. In this story, Judy thought he knew about it as well. There is a method to this madness.
I hope that clears things up!
Story Notes: Judy's happiness is torn away from her when she is forced to return to Zootopia.
Legend: "blah blah" –regular talking
"blah blah"- thinking
"blah blah" – phone calls/announcements/radio/television etc.
"The book of blah"- Titles from books, newspapers, articles, websites, etc.
Rating: PG-13 Strong language, violence, and suggestive themes
Disclaimer: I don't own Zootopia. All rights and merchandising for Zootopia belong to the Disney Company.
Chapter Three: Looking Back (Flashback)
"Titi Chloe!" the German Shepard went after the small Chihuahua who was stomping through the precinct. Mammals ten times her size cleared a path.
"Relax Titi Chloe," the other German Shepard pleaded keeping pace with his twin brother.
"Don't 'titi' me, Alberto! Antonio!" Chloe stopped and looked at the twins. They were in the ZYPD precinct after her disastrous meeting with Mayor Ed.
"I can't believe this!" Chloe let out in frustration.
"Look titi, maybe we can stop this transfer," Alberto brought up.
"Yeah, there has to be some loophole…they can't just transfer someone against their will," Antonio said.
"This is an order from our mayor! Our mayor! Bring Hopps to my office! That sheep is waiting," Chloe walked away.
The twins went to Judy's office she shared with her team. Alberto knocked on the door and heard a 'come in' from Sawyer. The mammals were huddled around a table in the center of their office. Looking at maps of the city, photos of suspects and crime scenes.
"Lieutenant Hopps, titi-I mean Chief Cortez requests you in her office," Alberto said.
"Ooooh, you're in trouble," Sawyer teased.
"I'm not," Judy answered back.
"She is on the warpath," Antonio cringed.
"I never like it when the boss lady is on the warpath," Ralph sighed.
"Que pasa?" Maria asked.
"It's about Lieutenant Hopps…deputy mayor Bellwether is here," Alberto said.
"Oh no," Judy groaned. Judy followed the twins outside and waved sadly at her team. "What happened? Why is the deputy mayor of Zootopia here? Is this about my transfer?" Judy asked the twins as they walked her to the office.
"The meeting was horrible!" Alberto looked down at the rabbit.
"Awful! They wouldn't listen to reason," Antonio said.
"Lieutenant, don't give in," Alberto advised.
"They may torture you, hurt you, but don't give in," Antonio said.
"Good luck lieutenant!" the twins said at once, opening the door to Chief Cortez's office. Judy saw Chloe on top of her desk, tapping her foot and deputy mayor Bellwether, giving her a broad smile.
"You asked for me chief?" Judy hesitantly asked.
"You tell her because I'm way too angry to speak," Chloe glared at the sheep.
"Pack up your things Judy! You're going to Zootopia!" Dawn clapped her hooves together.
"No! No! And No! I already told Chief Bogo that I wasn't going back," Judy exclaimed.
"Judy, the mayor personally looked at your case. He was livid at the way you were treated, and this is a second chance. Wasn't Zootopia your dream?" Bellwether said.
"Zoo York is my second chance! I am living my dream! I love it here," Judy argued.
Chloe had a triumphant smirk on her muzzle, "See, she doesn't want to go."
"Judy, I know you have many bad memories of Zootopia. Trust me, Chief Bogo was dealt with," Dawn said.
"I don't care what you do to Chief Bogo. I made my life here,"
"Judy, you can resume it in Zootopia. You will have your title as a lieutenant and the same pay…nothing will change but the location," Dawn assured.
"And my children! My friends! My team!"
"Zootopia has many great schools for your kits, you still have your friends at precinct one, and you will form new bonds with your teammates there!" Dawn smiled again.
Dawn made it sound so simple. Just pick up and leave. Not only did the ZPD leave a bad taste in her mouth, but she will also have to deal with her children's father there. They were safe in Zoo York. "I'm not transferring."
"You don't have a choice," Dawn said between smiles.
"Then what if I quit!" she threatened.
"You can't hire her if she isn't a cop," Chloe said.
"Judy, please, you can't quit with children to feed," Dawn shook her head.
"Your fire Hopps! Collect unemployment for a bit," Chloe nodded.
"I'm fired," Judy nodded.
"I'll hire you back as soon as this blows over," Chloe assured.
"You two…that isn't going to work," Dawn shook her head.
"This isn't fair…you can't take one of my cops just because of our idiotic mayor lost a bet!" Chloe yelled.
"I was a price for a bet?" Judy looked shocked.
"If you continue to refuse, we can't guarantee your family's livelihood," Dawn said.
"No…leave my family out of this," Judy said.
"You—that's low!" Chloe pointed.
"I am relaying what our mayor said…come back, or the Hopps will lose,"
Judy gritted her teeth, "I'll go."
"Splendid! You have a week to tie up all loose ends here and a month of pay leave to settle in Zootopia. See you there!" Dawn grinned and left the office.
"Why? Why is this happening to me?" Judy looked down in disappointment.
"Oh, Judy, I'm sorry," Chloe climbed down from her desk and stood in front of Judy.
"It's just not fair!"
"Go tell your team and take the rest of the day off," Chloe gave a pat on her back.
Judy walked into her office, and her team was waiting anxiously for her arrival. "I'm transferring to Zootopia."
"WHAT!" Sawyer shouted.
"QUE QUE WHAT?" Maria did so as well.
"You weren't going to," Ralph said.
"They put me in a corner…they said my family was going to lose if I didn't go," Judy tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
"No, they can't take you away from us," Sawyer growled.
"I don't have a choice…I need you guys to listen to me. I am no longer going to be your lieutenant," Judy started.
"You'll always be our lieutenant, and we won't accept anyone else," Ralph said.
"You have to. Sawyer, you are going to be the new leader…I will recommend you to take my place as lieutenant," Judy gave them a sad smile.
"Judy…I can't take your place…you are my partner," Sawyer said, he reminisced of the time the pregnant little bunny came to work with him at the cold case unit. How in his nine years in the ZYPD she was one of the few mammals he trusted. She had his back, and he had hers. They were great partners, and he thought that they would grow together.
"You'll always be my partner…no one can take your place, Sawyer," she said sadly.
"No, no LT," Maria came up to hug her.
"I'm sorry…you guys have to continue our work without me. I am going to see if I can leave Zootopia as soon as the re-election is over," Judy said.
"Judy…" Maria's tears were flowing out.
"I need to go…I have to start packing up," Judy opened the door and left. She walked out of the precinct quickly. Judy didn't want to cry, not in front of her teammates. She had to be strong. Sawyer would make a great leader, and everyone was capable. They would be fine without her, but she'll miss them all dearly.
Judy couldn't believe she was packing up her apartment in Zoo York. Just this morning, she and her team were planning a stakeout and undercover mission. Now she was placing dolls and stuff animals in boxes. She wanted to have another crying session, but she promised herself not to do that again. She was going to pick up the kits soon and was going to break the news to them. She didn't think they would understand much, but all they knew was here. This two-bedroom apartment was their whole world. They never have been out of Zoo York.
She was already looking for apartments in Zootopia…her stuff will be in storage for a while, and she will have to stay in a hotel. She had talked to her friends/siblings and explained the situation. Her friend Nichole (godmother of her kits) had offer legal services and even going public. Judy didn't want it to be taken to that extent. She will make it clear with the mayor and will act as his spokes girl till he was re-elected. He can then introduce new mammals to the police precincts.
She looked at the clock on her phone and started to get up to pick the kits up. Just as she was grabbing her purse, her parent's face came on her phone. She sighed…they must have heard the news from her sister.
"Judy…Judy are you okay hon," Bonnie's face came up. "Honey, your eyes are red…"
"I'm fine mom," Judy sighed for what felt like the umpteen time today.
"We heard you're going to Zootopia…why?" Bonnie asked.
"Circumstances change mom, don't worry about it," Judy dismissed. She didn't want to tell them the truth and worry them sick.
"And the kits?"
"I haven't told them yet. It's going to be an adjustment," Judy said.
"Look at the positives, dear, you will be much closer to us and can finally visit," Bonnie smiled.
"Mom, I don't think I will be going there until the kits are a bit older," Judy said.
"Honey Bun, you haven't come home in almost three years," Bonnie frowned.
"Mom, dad still has all that FOX AWAY stuff, and I can't expose Nichole to that," Judy explained.
"She is a baby…she won't understand what it is," Bonnie assured.
"No, mom, even though dad has gotten less extreme with the whole 'foxes are the worst' nonsense, I can't risk that. That FOX AWAY is just pepper spray but with a different sticker and the repellant is just regular bug repellant…it's so ridiculous how we fell for that stuff," Judy explained.
"I will make sure to throw it all away before the babies come," Bonnie promised.
"Mom, dad will just repurchase it…when Nichole is a little older, I will explain everything,"
"Judy…we haven't seen the kits since their birth,"
"Mom put yourself in my place. How would you feel going to a home where they have bunny repellant," Judy said.
"There's bunny repellant?" Stu popped into the frame.
"Dad, have you been listening all along?"
"No, I mean, yes…"
"Yes, dad believe it, or not some mammals believe we have an insatiable appetite for vegetable gardens," Judy rolled her eyes.
"That's not true," Stu said.
"Of course not and just like Nichole isn't going to eat someone one day. I mean, since when have you ever heard of predators eating prey?"
Stu was about to say something.
"In recent history, dad. And I am not talking about pre-historic history like thousands of years ago," Judy quickly shut him down, "You think foxes are dangerous well inversely foxes think of us as pests."
"Very well, but we are definitely going to stop by Zootopia to see you," Bonnie said.
"Okay, I gotta go, mom, dad love you bye," Judy waved.
"Bye dear," Bonnie said, she started to turn to Stu who looked offended about being called a pest.
"Live fast, die young. Bad girls do it well!" Nichole Patte sang. The artic vixen laughed uncontrollably.
"My chain hits my chest. When I'm bangin' on the dashboard!" Judy followed with the rest of the chorus. She was a little tipsy from her night, well all of them were. This was Judy's sendoff from Zoo York. The girls made it a night. The Lyft driver was feeding their mood with the music.
"You two bad girls…please, you gals are little bunny scouts through and through," Michelle Garra laughed at the rabbit and her twin sister.
"We are sooo totally bad," Nichole argued, her triangular ears down. "Like…one time I was late to class by a whole 15 minutes in undergrad….everyone stared at me it was mortifying."
"Yeah, that is totally bad," Judy nodded.
"Uuuuuy ustedes (Uh you) can't beat when I snuck out of mi casa (house) at thirteen," Maria chuckled from the front seat.
"That is bad to the bone Maria," Judy giggled. "I'm a bad girl too!"
"Judy you? You are as goody goody as my sister," Michelle laughed. "What did you do? Eat a box of bunny scout cookies by yourself?"
"I had sex!" Judy pointed.
"Bwa ha ha ha! Yeah, you have two kits," Michelle joked.
"Before marriage!" Judy finished.
"So bad Judy so bad," Nichole nodded solemnly.
"Yeah…my parents were married when they had us, and I wasn't because I was a naughty bunny!" Judy pointed her finger to Michelle's chest.
"Naughty Judy very naughty," Nichole agreed.
"You were a horny bunny!" Maria laughed from the front seat.
"And John's pullout game was sorely lack-ing," Michelle smiled.
"Poor Judy," Nichole decided to hug Judy and pet her head. "Jacques pullout game wasn't spot on either…we have identical triplets."
"No ones pull out game was on! Ustedes tienes niños (You guys have children, and) I don't because Alejandro left me!" Maria cried. "Alejandro! Porque! (Why) Yo te amo! (I love you) Was this punani (p*ssy) not good enough for you!" she rolled down the window and shouted.
"You okay there, Maria?" Michelle asked.
"Gonna text him! That jerk!" Maria took her phone.
"No!" the females shouted. Michelle snatched the deer's phone from her hoofs.
"You'll thank me in the morning," Michelle said, their poor black bear driver tried to look to the road and not comment at the madness in his car. They dropped off Judy first, and she waved goodbye to her friends. She adjusted the front of her dress and walked up the stairs. Her babysitter was sleeping on a chair, and she went to wake her up. She thanked her for watching the kits and paid the teen. She tiptoed through her empty apartment to check on the babies. They were sleeping on an air mattress together. Their former room once filled with their toys and furniture empty. Judy went to her own air mattress, not bothering to take off her clothes and fell asleep. That night was an excellent distraction to the debacle that she was going to face in Zootopia.
Judy was trying not to cry as her friends stood in front of her. She was smiling sadly at all of them.
"Calls us, okay?" Michelle said.
"Keep us on top of everything," Nichole sniffled.
"Show those jerks in Zootopia what Judy Hopps is made of," Sawyer advice.
"We'll miss you," Ralph said.
"One year, LT! Just hold on one year!" Maria emphasized.
"I love you all," Judy cried.
"No crying now, Judy," Chloe began, "No mas!"
"No mas?" Judy titled her head.
"No Mas…you are not just a bunny; you are a police officer! Don't let them relegate you to traffic crossing and meter work. You are tiny but mighty! Say it with me!"
"I am tiny but mighty," Judy repeated.
"Now find your bark!" Chloe emphasized.
"I'm a rabbit I can't bark," Judy said.
"Right…but remember no mas! You will do great, Judy!" Chloe smiled.
She pushed her stroller inside and waved to her friends out the window. She was going to miss everyone and the city that gave her a second chance at her dreams. Now Judy had to be brave for the sake of her children. She was heading to Zootopia, where 'anyone can be anything.' The slogan she believed since she was just a kit. The four-hour trip went uneventful, and the kits had fallen asleep sometime though the journey. She looked out the window to see the skyline of Zootopia. The city that held wonder and possibility all those years ago. The city that had crushed her.
"Now arriving at Zootopia…**ding dong**"
Judy heard the announcement and pushed her kits outside. No one paid her any mind to the small rabbit pushing two babies. Her children were in awe at the city and excited at all the new sights and sounds. Judy thought that at least they were happy at the change.
It didn't take her long to settle in Zootopia. She found an apartment comfortable enough for her and the children. Two bedrooms, one bath perfect for a small mammal like her. She had boxes stack in every which corner, and she was beginning the process of settling in. One thing about Zootopia, everything was more expensive than Zoo York. Looking at daycare prices, she cringed, it was like a mortgage with $500.00 a month each child. In Zoo York, the state paid part of the cost in childcare if the parent was a civil servant. She looked at her phone and decided it was time to go to her meetings. Baby bag in tow, she prepared the kits for their trip. First, stop the mayor's office and then the dreaded precinct one.
She waited outside on the lobby area, playing patty cake with the kits. A secretary called her to pass, and she entered the massive doors of the mayor's office. The windows showed a magnificent view of Zootopia.
"Lieutenant Hopps come in take a seat," Leodore Lionheart smiled.
"Good afternoon, mayor," Judy answered and sat on the chair. Her children gaped at the large lion.
"Beautiful kits Lieutenant, "Leodore commented.
"Thank you,"
"I'm sure you have some concerns to address with me,"
"Yes, how long I'm I going to have to stay here?" Judy asked.
"Eager to leave our fair city already, Lieutenant?"
"Mayor, I didn't come here because I wanted to…I am here because you forced me to," Judy frowned.
"I need you, Hopps, you are a shining example of what Zootopia is,"
"I don't want that…" Judy said she bit her lip and continued, "I want to go back to the city that welcomed me. The city that gave me a chance at fulfilling my dreams, not this one that destroyed them. So mayor how long would I have to be here to be your 'shining example?'"
"A year," he answered, he wanted to strangle Bogo and the other chiefs. They had destroyed the goals and aspirations of many mammals. And this small rabbit was the only one who dared to keep working on her dream.
"Great mayor, I will work to the best of my abilities," she said.
"I hope you would stay with us longer, Hopps," Leodore frowned.
"There is nothing here for me. Have a good day mayor," Judy pushed the stroller and walked out of sight.
The meeting hadn't gone too badly, and Judy let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Now she was going to precinct one. She was to meet Bogo and pick up her uniforms. She didn't want to step into that building again.
She pushed her children through the familiar sights that she left all those years ago.
Nicholas got excited at the museum and pointed, "Mommy rawr rawr!" The toddler's nose twitched with excitement.
"You mean the dinosaurs, sweetie?" Judy looked at a banner announcing the Jurassic exhibit. "We'll go after we're done."
Judy walked in, various mammals stared at her curiously, and others scoffed at her presence. She heard comments of 'meter maid is back' and 'she got pregnant, so that's why she left.'
"Juuuuuuudeeeeee!" Benjamin Clawhauster squealed, jumping in place.
"Ben!" Judy grinned as the large cheetah ran up to her and hugged her.
Another cheetah Kii ran to the pair to get in on the hug, "Judy! You're back!"
"The gang is all together again," Francine came and picked the three mammals up for a hug.
Francine put them down, and the mammals focused on the toddlers in the stroller.
"O.M. Goodness, they are so cute!" Benjamin gushed.
"They have your eyes, Judy," Francine smiled.
"Your son is like a copy of you! Adorable!" Kii said.
"Thank you! I'm happy to see you guys again," Judy giggled, the only three mammals that gave her the time of day Benjamin, Francine, and Kii. They had been her cheerleaders in her short stay here and wanted to see her succeed. The first mammals she told of her pregnancy and her plans of leaving. They didn't want her to go. Of course, they knew if chief Bogo knew of her pregnancy, she would have been forced to leave anyways. "I'm here to see the chief."
"Oh yes, so you were his four o clock. He's waiting for you upstairs…Judy, can we play with the babies?" Ben cracked a smile.
"Sure. I hope they won't be too much trouble," Judy nodded and waved goodbye to the group. Francine held Nichole, and Kii held Nicholas gushing over how small they were. Judy walked upstairs and finally stood in front of Chief Bogo's office. She swallowed a lump in her throat and knocked on the door. A brief 'come in' was heard, and she went in and closed the door. Judy hated this office, perhaps because the last time she was here, she was a hormonal mess. That impression never left her, especially when she turned in her resignation letter and saw the wide grin come onto Bogo's face.
"Lieutenant Hopps welcome take a seat," Adonis said. He didn't know how the mayor managed to get Judy to transfer back, but there she was. Though she tried to hide it in a façade of cold indifference, he could tell she didn't want to be there. Her ears were low, and her nose was twitching.
"Good afternoon, chief Bogo," Judy said, sitting on the giant chair facing the mammal.
"I hope your trip here went well,"
"Yes, it did,"
"First of all, I want to welcome you back,"
"Thanks,"
"I know you don't want to be here Hopps,"
"I have to make the best of it, don't I? Mayor Lionheart assured that it was only a year,"
"You're not planning to stay here permanently?" Adonis asked.
"Personally chief, I don't want to end up like Mabel," Judy said, reminiscing about the ninety-something-year-old meter maid goat. Her supervisor, who she thought was more dead than alive.
"Yes, she refuses to retire," Adonis said. The stubborn goat was a relic that didn't want to go out in peace. He gets a least two calls a month about her presumed death while on duty.
"One year of parking duty won't be so bad. I mean, I can get off early once my quota is filled! 100 tickets!" Judy optimistically said.
"I'm not having a lieutenant give parking tickets Hopps. It's a waste of resources," Adonis then added, "Plus Chief Cortez would have a fit."
"Yes, she is very protective of her subordinates," Judy gave a weak smile.
Adonis could see that Judy held the Chihuahua in high regard. Chloe was the one who saw her potential and gave her the chance to grow. He, on the other hand, had tried to get rid of her.
Adonis took out a box and opened it. It's contents were her standard-issue gear, a Glock 26 for an officer of her station in her size, a rabbit size 12 gauge shotgun, mace, baton, flashlight, paw cuffs…everything she needed. The equipment she needed three years ago and she was left without. Her new uniforms were in another box that Adonis took out. She had kept her old uniform, but it didn't fit since the birth of the children. She was surprised they supplied everything.
"Sir, I don't need this as I brought my equipment from Zoo York. Just the uniforms will do," Judy said.
"You are entitled to this gear as an officer of the ZPD, and besides, I won't have Chief Cortez holding over me that we didn't supply you with what you need," Adonis said.
"Thank you," Judy said.
"As for your assignment…I will put you in charge of a team for the savage mammal case," Adonis announced.
"No, I don't want to be involved in that case," Judy stated, surprising Adonis.
"You gave us the lead Hopps. Your experience and expertise will be essential to this case,"
"I don't want to step on any toes, sir. I don't think your team will appreciate that,"
"You are part of this precinct Hopps and under my watch,"
"Sir, please understand…just patrol duty is fine. After all, I'll be here for just a year," Judy said.
"Hopps you are part of this team…let's meet in the middle," Adonis bargain.
"The middle?"
"Just assist with the investigation,"
"Just assisting? Okay, I can do that," Judy nodded.
"Before I forget," Adonis took out her badge. She never thought she would wear it again, 'Trust Integrity Bravery.' He handed it to her, along with a set of keys.
"Keys?"
"For your patrol car,"
"I have a car?" Judy asked.
"Don't tell me you didn't have one in Zoo York City," Adonis questioned.
"No, I had one," she missed her car a Chevrolet Impala 9C1. She and her team would goof around a lot during their lunch hour in that car. Z-240, the key chain read. A couple of years ago, this would have been her dream come true. Treated like a real cop, with a car and equipment, but now it all just tasted so bitter.
"Hopps?"
"Sorry, thank you, sir," Judy said, shaking her head out of her thoughts.
"I will see you soon," Adonis opened the door, and she carried her supplies out. Judy heard the giggles of her children as she walked down.
"Awest! (Arrest)" Nichole pointed at a bear being brought in by Pennington, the elephant.
"Bad!" Nicholas clapped.
"They are hiring them younger and younger these days," the bear commented as he was led away.
"Ben! Hope they behaved," Judy smiled, putting her supplies underneath her stroller.
"Oh, yes, they are too adorable!" Ben said. "So how it go?"
"Well, I mean, I finally have a flashlight," Judy smiled. She was strapping in the children to the stroller.
"They gave you proper supplies? That's great, Judy! The chief finally recognizes you," Benjamin clapped.
"I don't know how to feel about that," Judy answered honestly.
"The chief has changed Judy since his meeting with the mayor. Like he is taking his time with things and not quick to jump the gun," Benjamin explained.
"I'm glad, at least anyone who comes after me will be given a chance," Judy smiled, "I'll see you in a couple of weeks, Ben."
It had been quite an eventful day for the kits. The poor darlings were exhausted with all the new places they visited. Nicholas was sleeping in his toddler bed, his pacifier in his mouth. Judy kissed the small rabbit on his forehead. Nichole was playing with a doll refusing to go to sleep. The kit would yawn and rub her eyes.
"Baby time to sleep," Judy commented.
"No night night mommy," Nichole complained.
"Come here, baby," Judy picked her up and sat on their rocking chair. She began to rock back and forth with the fox kit humming a lullaby. "Shh, my baby, time to close those eyes."
"No night," Nichole whined. Judy laughed and continued to rock. The kit eventually fell asleep. She gently placed her daughter in her bed and kissed her goodnight. The children's room was now fully furnished, but her room was still a mess of boxes. Too tired to deal with it and not really caring at the moment she just sidestepped the boxes and went to sleep.
Judy went over her budget on her head…daycare, rent, food, phone bill, internet, kit clothes, metro pass, savings, college savings, …etc. She was making it barely…this wasn't a problem in Zoo York. Her salary was more than enough back in Zoo York City. But the $1000.00 daycare was such an expense. Why did Zootopia charge an arm and a leg for everything?
"Mommy, mommy! Pretty!" Nichole pointed at a ballerina poster. Judy read the advertisement. It was for dance classes for children. The minimum age was two. It was perfect for the kits but the expense. The look of hope in her daughter made her pause on the finances.
"Okay, let's go see," Judy agreed. She walked with the children to the address that was mentioned on the poster. She opened the door, a little bell rang, announcing their arrival. A hippo sat behind a desk and got up to greet them.
"Hello! Welcome to Zootopia Dance Academy!" the hippo said enthusiastically. "My name is Hyacinth Hippo." The hippo had large eyelashes and wore tights with a golden tutu.
"Hello, Ms. Hippo…I am Judy Hopps, and I wanted to see about dance classes for toddlers," Judy said.
"Oh, the little ones," Hyacinth smiled, looking down at the smaller mammals. "They will be the tiniest we have. That is if you sign them up. Let me not get ahead of myself and call Isabelle," Hyacinth walked off. Hyacinth came with a female cape buffalo. She was also dressed in a simple ballet leotard with a skirt. Judy assumed that was Isabelle.
"Hello, welcome! You are here to inquire about our dance classes," Isabelle extended her hoof to Judy.
"Yes, we just arrived from Zoo York City, and my daughter seems interested," Judy smiled and took Isabelle's hoof for a shake.
"Zoo York! Wonderful! They are tiny, and they are at least two?" Isabelle questioned.
"Yes! Nichole and Nicholas say hello,"
"Hello," the children said, Nichole hid behind her mother while Nicholas gave a friendly wave.
"Hyacinth, we don't have boys in the toddler class. This will be exciting, Nicholas will play all the boy parts," Isabelle clapped.
"Ms. Hopps, do you want to sign them up? Can we discuss pricing? Do you work for the city we give a discount to city employees," Hyacinth explained.
"Yes, the ZPD," Judy answered.
"Are you an officer?" Isabelle asked.
"Yes," Judy confirmed.
"Amazing a rabbit officer," Hyacinth said.
"I know! You are Officer Hopps, correct?" Isabelle excitedly said, remembering the news of her graduation.
"Yes, I am," Judy smiled.
"We have a couple of children whose parents are officers. What precinct are you working for?" Isabelle asked.
"One," Judy answered.
"Then you must know my husband," Isabelle grinned.
"Husband?" Judy titled her head and suddenly felt her stomach drop. He face temporarily went dark. This friendly mammal, could she be Chief Bogo's wife?
"Yes, Adonis Bogo,"
"Of course he is my boss," Judy laughed nervously. She was definitely not going to sign up her kits here. If Isabelle was anything like her husband, she couldn't expose her children to speciesism at such a young age. Though Isabelle seemed friendly and even excited to have her children join, Judy couldn't shake the feeling she was subjecting her children to danger. She felt terrible for judging Isabelle so quickly, but her children came first.
"I hope he isn't too tough on you, though," Isabelle gave Judy a small smile.
"No-um-not at all," Judy managed to get out.
"So? Are we having the twins join today?" Isabelle looked at the rabbit eagerly.
"I have to think about it," Judy answered.
"Oh, all right, then Hyacinth give Officer Hopps a copy of the forms," Isabelle said, disappointed that Judy wasn't joining.
Isabelle had a suspicious feeling her husband did something to Judy Hopps. How did she go from eagerly wanting the toddlers to join to hesitating? Isabelle was no detective, but things weren't adding up.
Isabelle waited up for her husband in their bed. She was going over possible dances for the different age groups in her school. Her husband had been arriving later and later because of the savage mammals' case. She was happy at least a cure was found that brought these animals to their senses. Not bothering to look from her work, she felt her husband go to his side of the bed.
"I told you not to stay up for me, Isa," Adonis said.
"Oh, I know…" Isabelle answer and gave her husband the side-eye. Adonis didn't like that look. The look that said he has messed up big time. Did he forget an anniversary? No, he had programmed them all on the i carrot. Their daughter's birthday wasn't till next Spring, and she was away to college. What did he do?
"Isa, is there anything wrong?" Adonis asked.
"No, nothing wrong, Adonis," she smiled.
Adonis hated that smile, the smile that knew that he was going to hear it. The smile that will delegate him to sleep in another room. "Isa?"
"Officer Hopps came to my school today," Isabelle said.
Well, he was sleeping in another room tonight and in the foreseeable future. "You met the kits?"
"Yes, they were adorably tiny," Isabelle beamed, "So well dress and behaved. She looks like she is a wonderful mother."
"I see," he said carefully.
"Funny, she said she came from Zoo York City…weren't you there not too long ago?"
"I was,"
"You had a marathon work session with seizing the night howlers…right after you came back from Zoo York," Isabelle nodded more to herself. "I kinda find it funny that she resign the ZPD a couple of years ago. And if I recall correctly, you were ecstatic."
Adonis could almost hear his wife's brain ticking. He let her continue.
"Now I first thought that she resign because she was pregnant, but that wasn't the reason, was it dear?"
"No,"
"You weren't happy about her assignment to your precinct despite her graduating valedictorian. And we all know that you get the top highest scoring graduates assigned to you,"
"Isa I'm sorry,"
"Why are you apologizing? I mean, my husband couldn't have been a speciesist. My husband knows what I went through in my dancing career. He knows that I wasn't considered the 'ideal' type to dance classical ballet," Isabelle turned to Adonis, whose face had fallen.
"I was," he whispered.
"Was what love?"
"Hopps resign because of my behavior…I set her up to fail," Adonis admitted.
"Elaborate,"
"I had her assigned to parking duty and continued to humiliate her anytime she tried…tried to be anything more than a meter maid. I didn't know she went to work to Zoo York City until the mayor told me. She made lieutenant there…headed her own team,"
"She probably thinks I am just like you. No wonder she doesn't want to sign up the kits to my school," Isabelle sighed in disappointment.
"Isa,"
"She's back and again working under you. The poor girl,"
"Things are different now,"
"Adonis…she was young, inexperienced, and pregnant. You didn't give her support and instead pushed her out because she didn't fit your idea of an officer. How heartbroken that girl must have felt," Isabelle sounded angry and sad a she looked at her husband, "Now she's back and reliving all those emotions."
"I never thought of it that way,"
"No, you didn't. I'm sleeping elsewhere," Isabelle got up.
Story Notes
Bad Girls- MIA
I definitely did not get this song from GTA V lol. ╮ (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) ╭
Chloe- Beverly Hill Chihuahua 2008
Alberto & Antonio- Beverly Hill Chihuahua 2011
The twins work under Chloe and rank inspectors in the ZYPD. They hold Chloe in high regard and have witnessed her countless heroics. They call her 'titi' or auntie because of Chloe's close friendship with their father.
Hyacinth Hippo- Fantasia 1940
Isabelle's assistant and a hippo. Like Isabelle, she faced discrimination because of her size in the dancing world. Isabelle took her under her wing and supported her in her career. She is now one of the teachers in Isabelle's dance school.
Mabel- Zootopia 2016
Mabel is from a cut scene in Zootopia. In the scene, she encourages Judy by saying she could be a supervisor in 50 years. It had the opposite effect.
In this story, she was Judy's supervisor during her meter maid weeks. I am planning on having her come back.
Natnat's Notes
1. No Mas (no more) Can y'all tell I love Beverly Hill Chihuahua. Wasn't a fan of the sequels though.
2. Real MVP Isabelle Bogo for putting her husband in his place. She has a daughter with Bogo who is off to college studying medicine.
3. $1000.00 for two kids per month for daycare is 'generous' at least where I live in. Daycare is crazy-expensive.
4. I had a rather negative experience with a reviewer which I won't mention their name because it isn't worth it. Yes, Judy was blackmailed/forced to go back to Zootopia. Is it realistic? No. But this is a fiction story and frankly, I have seen stranger things happen in real life. If this bothers you so much think of a better plot point and write you're own story. Or you could suggest how I can improve it. Sorry to sound snippy but I am not in the mood.
5. Going back to the present with more Judy and Nick interaction next chapter. See yall in chapter 4!