NatnatNotes: Sorry for the wait lack of inspiration and school. Enjoy.

Shout out to the peeps who have reviewed: Michaela Rose Cameron, Nina Arevalo, Cimar of Turalis WildeHopps, CameraSkunk, Vince Fangway, Wildefan23, IDK dark stories, GhostWolf88, and Undernet-Broker.

Brutus Deagon: Responsible for editing this chapter and for the ideas. Thanks!

Concern Fox: Graciously allowed to use his character, bounce ideas back and forth and writing many parts of this chapter.

Check out their stories those two guys are the best!

Story Notes: Judy and Nick makeup and more trouble is coming Judy's way.

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 Eight: Trouble

Why? Why is he always slipping out of all the problems he causes? Judy was furious as she left the courtroom. The judge, a sympathetic old male sided with John and his group of lawyers. Their assault charges downgraded and kidnapping dismissed.

"Let bygones be bygones Ms. Hopps. Open the avenue to have your children bond with their father," Judy remembered the judge's words. That was never going to happen. He may have bought the theatrics John showcased but not Judy. How could she just let everything go? He denied paternity, gladly signed over his rights and never once looked back while he spent his fortune. Judy couldn't have cared less what he did with his money but it hurt that he didn't care for the kits. He didn't know that the twins were premature, that Nichole wasn't born breathing and that the babies spent a month in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Cheese and crackers he can't even remember the children's names. It was more than one occasion that his lawyers corrected him. It was embarrassing and yet he managed to slip out of his crimes.

Donna ran to John and hugged him. She congratulated the lawyers on a job well done. No more TRO on John. His lackey friend Gideon; however was stuck with major charges of assault with a deadly weapon. The poor fool wouldn't be free for two years. Judy wasn't going to linger long and started to walk away.

"Judith!" she heard John say her name.

"Ms. Hopps!" That was Donna.

Nope, she was going to keep walking. She wasn't in the mood to hear those two. She felt a paw hold her arm back and turn her around. John really needed to stop touching her.

"I need to talk to you," John commanded.

"I don't," Judy answered.

"Ms. Hopps we need to talk about handling Annabelle's transition to our care," Donna explained.

This nonsense again! "Not going to happen," Judy said.

"Annabelle is my daughter too. I have every right to have her," John growled. Judy was beginning to grate his nerves.

"Your daughter? And what about Junior? Isn't he your son as well? You can't pick and choose John," Judy pulled her arm away frowning.

"He is a rabbit and you know very well I can't care for a buck. If you had been the least bit useful Johnny Junior would have been a fox as well," John argued.

How stupid could this fox be? She didn't get to choose the species of her children; it was a convoluted mess of genes that neither of them had control over. And it was her fault Junior was a rabbit?

"Ms. Hopps, let's just take the easy road and have Annabelle be in our care. We are not as heartless as to never allow you to see her," Donna smiled and went to hold paws with John.

"First of all their names are Nichole and Nicholas Junior-"

"You had that vulgar soldier be in my kit's lives," John chastised.

"Nicholas is ten times the fox you'll ever be,"

"You are quite the roaming young lady aren't you? John lost his fortune and you hopped away to the next fox with deep pockets," Donna commented.

So now she was a gold digger? "Perhaps you should look at the male next to you closer, Ms. Pines." Judy was done. She turned around and walked out of the building. If those two think they are going to take her baby away they have another thing coming. She gazed at her phone and hesitated to tell her parents what happened. She decided against calling them. She needed to cool her head and be prepared for whatever John and Donna threw at her.

"Ms. Hopps?" Judy heard.

If it was Donna she was going to tell her to shove it. She turned around and saw a cape buffalo wearing a wide brim hat and dress. The chief's wife, Isabelle caught up to her. "Hello Ms. Hopps!"

"Hello, Mrs. Bogo," Judy tried to smile.

"Are you alright?" the larger mammal asked.

"I am fine," Judy tried to ignore the piercing look John gave her as he walked out of the court building.

Isabelle knew what was going on. Her husband had told her of Judy's ex's behavior. She wouldn't pry though, it wasn't her place. She could provide some comfort and distraction. "How are the children?"

"Fine thank you."

"I'm glad, have you thought of signing them up yet? We would love to have them," she asked.

Judy wanted to say she decided against the whole thing, but again Isabelle wasn't her husband. And the chief had become more open and accepting of her presence in the precinct. "No not yet," Judy admitted.

"How about you try a trial class and see how the children like it?" she suggested.

Judy nodded, thinking that an activity outside of daycare would bring her and her children a much needed reprieve from John and his antics, "Yes."

Exchanging details and times Judy and Isabelle parted ways. She felt slightly better at the prospect of her children dancing and looked forward to seeing them have fun. Judy smiled a bit and continued to walk towards the bus stop for an early pick up of her children. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't see a young female Ethiopian wolf bumping into her.

Looking up from the ground Judy watched as the young girl fidgeted in panic, "Oh no! Are you okay? I am so clumsy! Oh oh oh Alex does say my head is in the clouds!"

"I'm okay," Judy said, taking the paw that was extended towards her. The girl's eyes reminded her of Nick and his family's. Yet the sea green eyes were red with tears and her red fur around her eyes was damped.

"Are you okay?" Judy questioned the larger mammal.

"Yeah…I mean no! I don't know!" She started and tried to wipe the tears from her eyes.

Judy felt sorry for the girl and something must have had her really upset. Her tears have turned into sobs. "Hey hey don't cry," Judy said.

"I'm sorry…I am such a klutz,"

"What's wrong, miss?" Judy questioned placing her right paw on the girl's arm.

"It's my boyfriend…" she hiccupped.

Relationship problems? Boy could she relate, "Don't mean to sound intrusive but did you have an argument?"

"Yeah he is angry at me…I am such a terrible girlfriend," she whined.

"Maybe we should go somewhere more private? If you want to talk about it?" Judy asked and both girls sat on an empty bench in front of a bus stop.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't be bothering you with this," she sniffled.

"Sometimes we need a sympathetic ear," Judy smiled gently.

"Thank you, it's just today my boyfriend is supposed to meet my parents but I haven't told my family about him," the wolf looked down at her paws.

"I am sure you are scared but I believe things will turn out fine," Judy assured her. She thought back to her pregnancy and how she didn't tell her parents until her second trimester. She could relate with the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked.

"Well I assume your parents love and support you," Judy tilted her head and looked at the larger mammal.

"Yes they do," the girl admitted.

"And I am sure they will welcome your boyfriend with open arms," Judy beamed.

Both females turned to see a young male running up to them. He was a painted wolf with exotic colored fur Judy rarely saw. He had large round ears and was a good 6ft in height.

"Kit Kat why'd you run off?" his voice asked.

"Because you were so angry," the girl answered.

"Sorry I got so angry at you. It was just... I thought your parents already knew about us,"

"I'm sorry I was just so scared. I should've told you earlier," she said and got up to face him. Judy smiled as she saw the couple embrace and she took it as her cue to leave when a bus stopped in front of her. She was happy they made up and hoped that all was going to go well with the young girl's family.

"Where did she go?" the girl said looking for Judy.

"Where did who go?" the boy asked.

"I was talking to a bunny but I didn't get her name," she pondered out loud.

"That's a shame, let's get you home Kate,"

"Thanks Alex…there is no time like the present right," Kate held his paw.

Kate breathed deeply as she reached her home. She should be happy it was her last summer of med school and she was on her way to graduating next year. She was going to be a doctor finally and for a couple of months she could recoup and get ready for what's ahead. She couldn't ask for a better more supportive boyfriend than Alex and she felt terrible about hiding him from her family. She sat in his truck and breathed deeply.

"I am sure it won't be that bad Kate," Alex grinned.

"Listen," Kate looked at her boyfriend. Her nostril flared, her pointed ears went close to her head, "My mother, Vivian, is the sweetest vixen you'll ever meet. But she can be a firecracker and won't tolerate any nonsense. She will probably adopt you as her second son or something. Then there is my brother, Nicholas, he is a sarcastic jerk and he won't like you just for the mere fact that you're my boyfriend."

"Okay?"

"He'll eventually get over it though. Then there is his son and my little nephew Jon. He is five years old and the cutest, fluffiest, sugary cinnamon roll of a kit," Kate gushed.

"Are we talking about a child or a dessert?" Alex joked. "I bet I won't have any problems with your nephew?"

"Nope, the one I worried about is my father. He will kill you,"

"Kate you're exaggerating. And plus I can hold my own if he tries to rough me up," Alex grinned.

"You're not listening! He is a general! A general in the marines! He can kill a mammal a hundred different ways and make it look like an accident. I need to approach this calmly and slowly introduce you. Get him to warm up to the idea that his baby girl is an adult and can make her own decisions," Kate said more to herself. Breathing one last breath she concluded, "It's now or never!"

She took her keys out and opened the door, "I'm home!"

"Kate honey!" Vivian got up from her spot on the sofa. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming home?" She hugged her daughter.

"Aunt Kate! Aunt Kate you're back!" Jon shouted.

"Ha ha sorry about that," Kate said nervously. She never said anything because she spent two weeks fretting over the whole thing.

Jack came from his office at the commotion and frowned noticing the young painted wolf bringing in a couple of suitcases.

"Kitkat, who the hell is he?" Jack asked he almost hoped it was the Zuber driver helping her bring in her things.

"Yeah…hm…mom, dad this is my-my- boyfriend Alexander Lyaconian," she blurted out nervously.

The young man stepped forward and extended a paw to the couple, which Vivian took and gave the boy a welcoming smile, "Hello Alexander it's a pleasure to meet you."

"You can call me Alex ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you as well,"

Alex went to shake Jack's paw but was promptly ignored, "He's your WHAT?!"

"My boyfriend?" Kate squeaked out.

"Oh and how long has this been going on?" Jack felt a hot rush of anger run through him.

"A little over a year dad," Kate answered.

"You've been dating a guy for OVER a YEAR and haven't told me? Why!?" Jack stepped up towards his daughter.

"Because you have chased off every guy I ever brought home!" Kate shouted back. It was maddening that he treated her like this. He never gave Nick this much trouble when he was dating in fact he encouraged him but when it came to her that was all out the window. "I didn't want the same thing to happen with Alex because I love him!"

"Sir if I may," Alex started.

"You be quiet. I'll get to you in a moment," Jack commanded.

Alex stepped back and immediately kept his mouth shut.

"Kitkat you hid a male from me for over a year and weren't planning to tell me until when? You got married?"

"Ideally yes dad. Look I love you to death but you're way overprotective of me! No guy was ever good enough! You'll be perfectly content with me being all alone and staying your little girl but I'm just not!" Kate felt tears coming from her eyes again.

"Kitkat, I just want the best for you that's all. Those boys you brought home didn't care for you and were looking at you as a means to an end. I've seen it many times before," Jack held his daughter's shoulders trying to make her see reason.

"Okay but don't you think I could figure that out for myself!? Do you not think me capable of making choices!?" Kate pushed Jack away.

"You know that's not true," Jack said.

"You know what dad I don't have the energy for this right now," Kate ran up the stairs and they heard a slam from the door.

"Kate honey," Vivian walked up the stairs.

"So…you call her Kitkat too huh?" Alex tried to awkwardly lighten the mood.

"Shut up, before I fold you up like a pretzel and leave you by the door. I suspect you had something to do with all this, my little girl hiding things from me. Get out of my sight!" Jack growled and left to his study.

Alex stood there feeling relieved that his girlfriend's father left and understanding why Kate postponed his meeting with her family. He looked down to his girlfriend's nephew who was looking up at him, "Hi I'm Jon!"

"Hey Jon I'm Alex, your aunt has told me a lot about you," Alex bent down to the child's level.

"Wanna play?" he pointed to various magnetic building tiles on the table.

Jack was seething and almost didn't acknowledge when his wife knocked on the door of his office and let herself in. She sat down across from him and started, "I settled Alex in the guest room. He'll be staying for a couple of days."

"Who does that pup think he is thinking he can stay in my home?"

"Our home," Vivian corrected.

Jack glared at Vivian but she didn't back down.

"Kate wanted to have him stay with her. The poor boy was willing to pay to stay in a hotel so we finally comprise and left him in the guest room," Vivian explained.

"He dared want to stay with my daughter?"

"Kate, our daughter, wanted to stay with him. Alex has been nothing but courteous this whole time and you are acting like jerk,"

"Kate doesn't know better!"

"I trust our daughter knows what's good for her," Vivian said.

"She is a child!"

"She is twenty four years old and an adult! What did you think she was doing with Alex all this time? Playing patty cake?"

"I don't want to think of her laying with that kid," Jack grumbled.

"You're a hypocrite, you know that! When Nick was dating you never kicked up this much of a fuss!"

"That's different,"

"What's different?"

"Nick can hold his own," Jack dismissed.

"You are quite amazing Jackson Wilde! Here we have a boy our daughter's age-"

"He could be an asshole for all we know!" Jack interrupted.

"Alex has been nothing but respectful and loving to Kate and you want to throw that away? We are not going to live forever and she needs someone to be with her,"

"Nick can care for her,"

"For goodness sake! Just stop I am not going to watch you throw our daughter's future because of your backwards attitude," Vivian said.

"Me backward? I'm saving her from ending up hurt and repeating the same mistake you did!"

"I don't regret having Nick," Vivian said coldly, visually shaking. Her tail flicked in annoyance.

"Your mistake was marrying me, Vivian," Jack admitted.

Vivian's shoulders dropped and her anger cooled, "You? What do you mean? You are a perfect husband, the best father...at times," Vivian said.

"You married a broken fox who drowned himself in alcohol to forget the hell that was his life. You put me back together…I don't want Kate to pick some mammal like me up. Just to have them fall apart in her paws, leave her or worse. It would destroy her! I've already had to see my son's heart be destroyed and look how long it took him to come around. What if she ends up with a bastard like Foulfellow or your ex. Every boy I saw a tragedy waiting to happen so I intervened,"

Vivian went behind the desk and hugged Jack, "You're underestimating the females around you Jack,"

"How so?"

"Let's see, you trained Kate yourself and if anything happens she would just wipe herself up and keep on trucking. Judy and I raised our children alone before picking you sorry foxes up. And though less than desirable males hurt us…we found strength to keep moving."

"Judy and Nick aren't together yet," Jack commented, holding his wife.

"I have no doubt that you'll have another little girl who will have you wrapped around her finger,"

Jack thought of Nichole, the shy little girl who stole his cap the first day they met, "A baby girl to be the overbearing grandfather to."

"So? Are we going to give Alex a chance?" Vivian asked.

"I don't like it…but I will,"

"That's the spirit!"

"One step out of line and I'll beat the stuffing out of that pup," Jack warned.

Nick walked up the path to his parent's home a bit exhausted after having to deal with the damage in one of his apartments. He needed to remind himself never to give unscrupulous people an inch or else they'll take the mile. He unlocked the door to see his son playing with his younger sister and some guy.

"Hi Daddy!" Jon ran up to his father to hug him.

"Hey Jon! How was your day?"

"Aunt Kate came back and I played with her boyfriend Alex," Jon mentioned.

"Who?"

"Alex her boyfriend!" Jon repeated.

Kate's paw went to her face.

"Hey Jon, I'm going to talk with grandma and grandpa. I'll be back," Nick's eyes hardened towards Alex who's large ears were low and glanced at his girlfriend awkwardly.

"Okay! Grandma and Grandpa are in the office," Jon informed.

Nick knocked on his father's office and was told to come in. He could see his father concentrating on the computer and his mother sitting across from him irritated at her husband.

"Who the hell is that?" Nick asked.

"That's what I said," Jack mumbled.

"Your sister's boyfriend," Vivian answered.

"I don't like it," Nick said. He wanted nothing but happiness for his sister but she was naïve, friendly and a bit spacey. She was an easy target to be taken advantage of and no way in hell was he letting his younger sister get hurt.

"Again that's what I said," Jack said, now clicking and looking annoyed at the computer screen.

"It doesn't matter if you like it. Your sister loves him and you need to get it into your head," Vivian answered.

"He's perfect! There is nothing on this kid!" Jack groaned.

"Check again dad no mammal is without some deep dark secret," Nick commented and went to stand behind his father to look at the screen.

"Alex Lyaconian, veteran, served one tour as a combat medic with distinction. Purple heart and earned a Silver star. Was recommended for the Medal of Honor. Transferred to the Reserves and now serves as a firefighter EMT, service with distinction. No criminal record and yep not even a speeding ticket," Jack said.

"Perhaps Judy's parents should do a background check on you?" Vivian pointed out stopping the father son duo in their tracks.

"It's different," Nick said.

They may not be biologically related but it sometimes infuriated Vivian that they could have the same mannerisms, "Really dear how?"

"It just is,"

"If I were Judy's mother I would like to know who this new fox hanging around my daughter is," Vivian said.

"Nick here is great for Judy," Jack said.

"Hmm…lets see, Judy was taken advantage of by a fox years her senior. And what are you love? You are a fox, years her senior…see the pattern here," Vivian pointed at Nick.

Nick never thought of Judy's parents or her family. He was hyper focused on her and the kits. She did mention once that her family is rather large.

"Foulfellow is a living piece of garage that walks and unfortunately talks. He was married and manipulated Judy when she was vulnerable. They should trust Judy to not make the same mistake and besides, our son is nothing like that waste of oxygen and her parents would quickly see that," Jack said.

Vivian rolled her eyes, "Do you hear yourself?"

"Frankly I would encourage them to do a background check on Nick, it shows they care about who their daughter ends up with. Once they see he's a spectacular mammal who would treat their daughter like a princess, well that should solve any issues," Jack answered.

"Um, I'm right here guys. Judy and I are nowhere close to having that type of relationship," Nick said.

"Yet," Vivian and Jack answered.

"I wish you would display that type of confidence with Kate," Vivian told her husband.

"You know my reasons Vivian. My Kitkat is at the stage in her life that Judy was when she met Foulfellow and…you know how that went," Jack sighed.

"Judy is just three years older than Kate and you don't want her dating. However you're okay with Nick dating Judy?"

"When you put it that way it makes sense," Nick said.

"I thought you were on my side?" Jack said.

Kate sat around the kitchen island glaring at her father. Poor Alex had been grilled by Jack and Nick. He had passed whatever test they had in mind. It was so bad that Alex said he rather be in the frontlines than deal with those two. Her father had tried to appease her but she wanted him to squirm for what he did. A couple of days of ignoring him should do the trick.

"Grandma, are they coming soon?" Jon asked Vivian who was cooking up a midday lunch.

"They should be here any minute," Vivian answered.

Kate hadn't been paying much attention with what was going on this particular weekend. Her nephew had been enthusiastic about some little friends coming over. She shrugged it off and continued to pout.

"Kit Kat is over now," Alex said.

"It isn't over yet. They think they can get away with this," Kate mumbled.

The doorbell rang and she followed her mother's form open the door. A stroller containing two kits pushed by a rabbit emerged. Kate squinted and gasped.

"She's the bunny I spoke to," Kate whispered.

"Small world. She seems nice," Alex commented.

"Grandma!" the twins exclaimed. Vivian helped the children get out of the stroller.

Kate took a closer look at the children, was that a baby fox and were they calling her mother grandma?

"Alex!" Kate whispered.

"What?"

"They're my niece and nephew,"

"That's a rather large conclusion to make Kate," Alex pointed.

"There not my father's kits that's for sure! Nick, how could he do this! Why wasn't I told? They kept me in the dark!"

"Woah woah Kate hold on. Something this important wouldn't be kept from you," Alex concluded. "Besides, Jon mentioned his friends coming over."

"Friends," Kate said in air quotes, "To slowly introduce him to the idea they're his siblings!"

"You're going off the deep end again," Alex said. He watched his girlfriend join the rest of the family.

"Kate, this is Judy…Judy my sister Kate," Nick said, and watched the recognition in both the females faces.

"Hello Kate I apologize for my sudden departure," Judy beamed.

"It's alright, thanks so much for your help yesterday," Kate said.

"You're welcome," Judy answered. So the girl she spoke to was Nick's sister. The Wilde's were so welcoming and open to her that she was surprised they would give their daughter grief over a boyfriend.

"You met before?" Nick asked.

"Yes! Oh these are your babies? They are so cute," Kate pointed out.

"Thank you! Darlings say hello," Judy encouraged.

"Hello! I am Nicholas Junior! That my sister Nichole," Junior said.

Kate's suspicions were confirmed, "When were you going to tell me you had more children?" Kate accused her brother.

Judy felt the hot flush of embarrassment and stammered out, "No no they're not-,"

"Kate it isn't like that," Nick tried to explain.

"Isn't like what? You bust my chops over having a boyfriend but here you go having one night stands with rabbits and having children out of wedlock!"

"Katherine Wilde! The children!" Vivian scolded and shooed the children out of the room.

"Is this a bad time…we could leave?" Judy said.

"No no dear it's a misunderstanding," Vivian assured.

"What's going on?" Jack walked into the chaos his daughter was causing.

"Nick had more kits and no one told me!" Kate turned to her father.

"Look KitKat while I admit it actually kinda looks like that it's not. Those are not Nick's kits, their father is...well nothing nice. Though I won't go spreading information unless Judy is okay with you knowing it," Jack said.

"Kate…could you give me some credit here. I wouldn't just go around sleeping with mammals when I lost Myra," Nick groaned. "I couldn't possibly do something like that to Judy."

"Um…Nick isn't my children's father," Judy began, not that she didn't wish the children were Nick's. "Their biological father and I don't get along."

"That was the understatement of the century," Nick thought.

"Really? Then why do they have your name?" Kate asked.

"Just a coincidence," Nick explained, ' pretty convenient' coincidence but he didn't mind one bit.

"Nick and I didn't meet until fairly recently," Judy explained.

"Oh…so those aren't your kits," Kate tilted her head towards her brother.

"No," Nick answered.

"It just really looks like it though,"

"Yes, it does," Judy admitted.

"But wait why did your Nicholas introduce himself as a junior? Are you two dating?" Kate asked.

"No no!" Nick and Judy answered flustered.

"Add a yet to the end of that," Jack whispered to Kate.

"So is the father's name Nick too?" Kate questioned.

"No his name is John," Judy answered.

"John the low life no good bastard," Nick thought.

"Oh…so why?"

"Nick joked that since their names are the same he should be a Junior…and it stuck. Little Nicholas is very proud of the name," Jack explained.

"But wait why did they call mom grandma?"

"I'm guessing they were copying Jon. Mom didn't bother to correct them so of course it stuck too," Nick explained.

"Oh? I'm sorry," Kate cringed.

"It's quite alright," Judy smiled. Judy felt her heart beating quickly. She admitted to herself recently that she had a tiny crush on Nick. Okay, not tiny and she held out on hope he felt the same way.

Judy watched from the kitchen as Junior and Jon chased the spotted dog around the living room. Alex was the dragon and they were the knights task to save the kingdom. It was awfully cute, "He is wonderful with the children." Judy commented.

"Yeah he is," Kate sighed.

Judy smiled at the young girl's wishful looks.

"Mommy! Milk! Want milk!" Judy heard Nichole complain.

"In a minute honey. Judy rummaged through the diaper bag and took out a premade pink rabbit decorated sippy cup.

"No! Mommy milk!" Nichole complained.

"No mommy milk dear how about we cuddle while you drink from your cup," Judy compromised. The toddler nodded reluctantly and held the handles while she sat on Judy's lap.

"No longer breastfeeding?" Vivian asked.

"Yes, their pediatrician recommended I wean them off. Junior is adjusting fine however Nichole is having problems," Judy explained.

"You don't have to wean them off if you don't want Judy…when they are ready they'll let you know," Vivian commented.

"I guess. I just don't want to stunt their growth by babying them too much,"

"I think you're doing a great job Judy! It's obvious that your children are well taken care of," Kate commended.

"Thank you Kate. I would do anything for them," Judy said.

"Oh you're also weaning Junior off the pacifier?" Vivian asked, noticing that the child didn't have the pacifier clipped on.

"Yes, he is handling it better than I thought," Judy explained.

"Kate gave us an awful time with her pacifier," Vivian laughed.

"Mom!" Katherine whined.

Judy gazed at Katherine and Vivian. She was curious as to why she was the only wolf in a family of foxes. She knew Nick wasn't Jack's biological son and they hadn't given her any indication that Katherine was adopted.

"Kate is definitely my biological daughter," Vivian said, noticing Judy's confused look.

"I'm a hybrid. My dad, Jack, is half wolf. His father was a wolf and married his fox mother. When he and mom had me, I just happened to take on the full look of a wolf," Kate continued.

"You could imagine my surprise that instead of a kit I gave birth to a pup," Vivian giggled.

"Oh my I didn't mean to imply anything," Judy said, flustered.

"Don't worry I used to get looks all the time when going out with her," Vivian laughed.

"I do get looks from time to time as well," Judy admitted looking down at the daughter. She did get some odd looks from time to time and some folks have even approached her thinking she was babysitting. Fortunately those moments were few but she was still scared. She feared that her daughter would be treated differently because of her species and didn't want her to go through what she went through. She hoped that when her daughter did become an adult the world would be more accepting.

Alex had asked to speak to Jack privately once everyone had left. Jack had led them to his study and so far has not said a word or made a single move . He sat there nervously waiting for Jack's reaction. Judy and the kits had left right after dinner time with his girlfriend's brother. He could definitely tell that Nick was head over heels in love with Judy. He wondered why he hadn't asked her out.

Anyways he couldn't be thinking of that. "Look Mr. Wilde, I know you don't like me. Don't approve of me dating your daughter. Don't think I'm good for her or good enough for her. But you're wrong, and besides that I've decided that what you think of me doesn't matter. What does matter is what Kat and I feel for one another. I love your daughter more than anything on this Earth, and she loves me. I'm not some broken thing and I NEVER would even begin to THINK of hurting her in any way at all. There is no other mammal on this planet for me but her. So I plan to ask her to be my mate, to mark her as my own and let her do the same to me. Not only that." Alex pulled out the ring and showed it to Jack.

"I plan on asking her to marry me. We have been dating for a year and half, living together for six months. I've had this ring since the six month mark of dating. I knew that early that I was going to make her my wife. The only mammal at risk of getting their heart broken here is me but that's the risk I'm willing to take. I told you before that I don't care for your opinion on me and I still don't. But, tradition dictates I ask for your blessing. If you don't give it though, I will still ask her to marry me anyway...So Mr. Wilde, what say you?"

Alex was expecting anger, maybe even being folded up like a pretzel and left at the door...but what he wasn't expecting was laughter. Jack started to laugh. At first Alex was offended that Jack was laughing at his speech that he gave but it was quickly washed away when Jack said through laughs "Perhaps I was wrong about you." Alex leaned back in surprise as Jack suddenly stopped laughing and stood suddenly grabbing the ring out of his paw. Alex stood quickly afraid Jack was going to throw it out the open window but instead Jack brought it close and inspected the ring.

"Hmm good quality diamond...and unique emeralds shaded to match her eyes...you pick the setting and gems?"

Alex floundered a bit. "Uh um yes, no. I picked the gem size and the emeralds but the jeweler did the setting."

"Hmm. Well you have good taste."

"Uh, thank you," Alex was confused as to what was happening in this moment.

Jack handed the ring back over to Alex and said "Now don't lose that and pick the right time."

Now Alex was even more confused, "Was that his blessing?"

"In case you were wondering. Yes. That was my blessing...look I'll admit I may have reacted a bit harshly when I first met you. But the reason was is I've seen how males act, seen things that I never wanted my daughter to have to endure. I don't know what Kat has told you about me and my wife but Nick is not my biological son. A worthless bastard impregnated her and then ran, and the bunny you met earlier is dealing with the same. I've learnt not to trust males motives by the experiences of the females around me. I also did not want my daughter to marry someone like...the old me,"

"Well I have been watching you since you first arrived, did some research, and ran your background. Since then I've been on the fence on whether I approve of you or not. Well after your little speech...I do approve. You proved that you love my daughter more than anything and that you will put her before everything, rise her up instead of tear her down, be there for her at every turn, and treat her with the utmost respect. That's all I could ask for. So yes Alexander you have my blessing."

Alex's eyes widened in shock. And he gave a smile of relief, "Thanks sir, I promise to make Kat the happiest mammal in the world."

"I am confident you will," Jack replied.

Judy sighed and put her paws on her face. The eighth night he has done this and already she was served with eviction notice from her landlord. He would come and bang on her front door. She would tell him to quit it and a shouting match would start. She was aggravated about the whole situation. Of course she would be evicted; they were waking up the whole apartment complex.

"Go away John!" Judy shouted through the door and the banging stopped.

"Judith we need to talk!" John shouted.

"About what! I'm already getting kicked out of this place because of you!" Judy yelled back.

"Then where are you going to live? Give me Annabelle and I'll rent you a place! Look, you could see her everyday if you want!"

"I am not going to live off your girlfriend John! And you will never have Nichole!" Judy had enough and opened the door. She saw the larger fox bearing over her with his height, his eyes burning with rage. His tale flicked in annoyance at the smaller mammal. "Get out of my life already!"

"Judith, I need the child! I want to marry Donna and without that kid that isn't going to happen,"

"That 'kid' is my daughter. One of the two children you gladly sign away your rights to! You just want to be a leech off another lonely female and my daughter won't be your ticket to the easy life," Judy sneered.

"Damn it Judith I wanted to avoid this! We'll see you in court for this!"

"On what grounds is any court going to give you my child?"

"I am what's best! I'm a fox and you're a rabbit. No way in hell can you raise her! Besides I'll have the money to provide her with the best of anything. What can your measly cop salary provide?" John mocked.

"My measly cop salary has fed, clothed and housed two children!" Judy defended. "Just leave John! Take me to court or whatever! You'll never see my children again!" Judy closed the door and heard John's footsteps leave the hallway. Judy checked on the kits who were still sleeping soundly. She had made sure that they didn't catch a glance of John. They were slowly recovering from their run in with him and she didn't want the progress they made to go back. Judy laid on her bed and checked her email. Another rejection email from another apartment complex. She was officially blacklisted in from most apartments in Zootopia. She did receive one reply, a sketchy looking apartment just before the edge of Happytown. She didn't want to go there but she was finding herself cornered.

"This is just temporary," Judy sighed long ears down and her head leaning on the wooden frame. If anything she would have to send the children away from Zootopia which meant separating them for her and each other. Junior would do well in Bunnyburrow but Nichole would be with rabbits who were skittish of most would have to ask her friends in Zoo York to keep her. Her heart ache. She had never been separated from them. She could ask for help from the Wildes but she quickly dismissed the thought. She couldn't take advantage of them like that. She was sure if she asked they would move land and sea to find her a safe place for her and the kits.

"Then I'd really be a gold digger," Judy thought. No, she wouldn't fall for that jab Donna threw at her. She never took advantage of anyone for the sake of her children and she wasn't going to start now. If she took the right precautions she was sure she could live peacefully. And for added bonus John won't know where she would live. She smiled at the thought.

Story Notes:

No Notes

NatNat Notes:

Hope you all are safe! See you next time! :-)