Chapter 2: "Good Morning!"

A/N: This chapter is a starting point for all the sub-plots going on in this story. As you can tell, the chapter deals with everyone waking up and getting on with their day. Sorry Judy and Clawhauser fans, while they do have some scenes in this story, they won't be the main focal point. The main characters this time around are Bogo, Lionheart, Nick Wilde, the Wolfords, Duke Weaselton, Suzie, Spots and the kids. They'll be plenty of comedy along with some heartfelt drama. At last one character's life will be completely changed by the end of it. I hope you enjoy the ride.

I had this chapter ready late Christmas, but for the life of me, it wouldn't upload until now. Did anyone else have that problem?

6:00 a.m. November 2nd

Juanita Weaselton was sleeping soundly in bed. She had taken comfort in knowing that not only had she found a wonderful man to wed, but that she and her son would be able to stay in the country since Duke was a legal citizen.

She loved Duke. Maybe a little too much. She had a strong sexual appetite and often wanted mor from Duke than he could deliver. But still, the stringy, homely weasel was the most wonderful mammal she knew. The only time he drove her nuts, was when he was excited or happy, like this morning.

"Good mornin' sunshine!" The bright and chipper weasel shouted. "Today's 'da big day! I got some coffee brewin' ta perk ya up and 'den we gotta pick up Paco from 'dem possums so's he can help me out! Aaah 'dere aint nothin' like havin' a stepson fer free child labor! Wait, has he started school yet?"

"Que?" A groggy Juanita asked.

"Sorry dear, I forget 'dat ya don't speak English. Lemme look 'dat up." Duke had a zoogle translator on his phone, but he really wanted to learn Spanish so he could not only communicate with his wife, but it would be good for business. "Lemme see here...school...school...AH! Here it is! Escuela! Paco va a la escuala?"

"No." Juanita replied. She then looked at her phone. "Que...install?...import?"

"Enlist?"

"Si! Yo referia...Yes! January. znlist in January!"

"Alright 'den! H-Hey! Look at us! Talkin' English and Spanish together! Now come on!"

"Open those curtains!"

"Duke."

"Open those drapes!"

"Duke no!"

"We gotta get goin'..."

"...before it's too late!"

"Aye-Yi! Yi!"

"Now let's get some sunshine..."

"...into this room!"

"Wake up my little, yawning bride!"

"It's time ta help your groom!"

"And when we.."

"DUUUUKE!"

"What's wrong babe?"

"No musical."

" 'No musical?'...Oh that's right. This is a new story and it don't have musical numbers like 'da last one."

"Si."

"RATS! I had some good lyrics goin' and everything!"

Meanwhile, at Nick and Judy's new apartment...

"Good morning!" Judy said with a light tone waking Nick up. The bunny had already showered and was walking around the bedroom naked as she was collecting her clothes.

"Sorry if it takes me awhile to get up Fluff, I'm currently enjoying the view."

"Sly fox. You got plenty of this view last night."

"Yeah, but this show never gets old."

She threw her boxers in his face. "Would you get up already?!"

"Fine, but you know Carrots, you're the only one who needs to get up this early.:

This cause a moment of sadness to run through Judy that caused his ears to droop. "Oh yeah. You're no longer on the force."

"Sorry for that sad reminder Fluff. Well...the kids usually get up this early anyway."

Like clockwork, Michael knocks on the door. "Mommy! Are you up yet?"

"I'll get dressed soon dear!"

Nick yawns. "He's always the first one up."

"You forget that we grew up on a farm. We used to get up at four."

"YEEESH! I've rarely been awake at 4 a.m. and I'm nocturnal!"

Judy got out of the room and was practically knocked down by Michael who gave her a hug. "Good morning mommy!"

"Good morning dear. Are the others up?"

Judy got her response as Petey came out to hug her. "Good morning mommy!"

"Morning Petey! You hungry?"

"Yeah!" The two bunny boys say together.

Judy walked into the kitchen and noticed the picture on the fridge. "Why is there a picture of a hawk all drawn on and pooping his pants?"

The two boys giggled and finally Michael explained. "Spots had us do that last night. Petey and Cotton drew on some other hawks too and then I crumpled up the pictures threw them in the trash! I'm not afraid of hawks anymore! I didn't have any more nightmares!"

Judy hugged her son. "That's wonderful honey! You have a great big sister."

"She's not THAT big!" Michael replied.

"YAAAWWWWN! Are you talking about me?" said Spots who was walking out of her bedroom. Cotton came running past behind her. Both in their pajamas.

Judy came over and gave the hyena a hug. "Thank you sooo much for last night! Michael told me what you did."

"Oh yeah?"

"He said he didn't have any nightmares and slept well."

Spots was trying the sleep off of her face. "Speaking of sleeping well, why the hell does everyone have to get up so dang early?!"

"It's early?"Michael asked.

"Not for you and me honey." Judy replied. "We're farm folk. Spots, can you make breakfast? I have to finish getting my uniform on."

"Sure." The hyena yawned.

"By the way, no babysitter for you anymore. Mrs. Otterton can visit if she'd like, but you've earned your status as their babysitter."

"Cool! Thanks mom!"

As Judy went back into her room, Nick came out in his boxers with his Hawaiian shirt and tie loosely on. "Morning kids! What're your plans for today?"

Petey spoke up first. "Daddy, I love you but your attire disgusts me."

"Deal with it." Nick said with a smirk.

"Me and Mike are gonna... #$%!...gonna watch the Star Boars trilogy for the first time!"

Nick got excited. "Aww man! I'd love to watch that with you! You guys have never seen it before?"

Michael shrugged his shoulders. "Up until yesterday, I've never seen anything."

"Well you'll have your big sister to watch it with. Spots, if it gets busy downstairs can you just bring the kids with you and help me out?"

"Alright." Spots replied.

Moments later Spots had breakfast ready for the kids and Judy came out in her full uniform. "Okay, I'm ready to go. How do I look?"

"You look like a superhero!" Petey said.

Judy giggled "Thanks Petey. Okay, I've gotta get going before I'm late."

She walked over and kissed all the children on the forehead along with kissing her fiance on the lips. She stopped last at Michael. "Now Michael honey, mommy will be home after dark. Probably around 5:30. I promise, I'll be fine and officer Clawhauser has my back so don't worry. Okay?"

Michael never looked up at her while eating. "Okay mommy! I'll be good."

Judy was taken back. For the first time, there was no crying. No pleads not to leave. He just accepted it and didn't even look back at her. "Oh!...Well okay then! Great! Spots will be here for you and I'm sure you're all gonna have a fun time! See you tonight!" she said as she headed towards the door.

"Goodbye mommy!" Michael said.

"Bye mommy!" Cotton and Petey said together.

"Later Carrots!" Nick replied.

"See ya mom!" Spots said last.

Judy shut the door behind her. A little sad that Michael was missing her less, but she knew that was for the best. She didn't want the child to worry every day.

Meanwhile at the breakfast table everyone was silent as they were munching away. Everyone but Michael who was sniffling and whimpering a little. The bunny was acting like a big boy in front of his mother, but he'd missed her already.

Nick saw what was happening. "Y'know, your mother doesn't work too far away. You can see her head all the way to work. Wanna see?"

Michael was excited. "Really? Sure!"

Nick picked up the one-eyed bunny and a pair of binoculars and leaned him out the window a little. The air was cold but Michael didn't care. "Look down on the street. She should be coming out of the building any...there she is!"

"There's mommy!" Michael said excitedly.

"Right! And she's going to the bus stop next...there she is on the bench."

Minutes later, Judy walked onto the bus. "There she goes! Now, see that building waaaay in the distance? The one with the blue dome and what kind of looks like a crown?"

"I don't know what blue or a crown looks like. Is it that building with the spikey things?"

"Yes! That's the Zootopia police department where she works. Not that far hunh?"

"No."

"Well that's where she goes every day. And sometimes, she might even drive by here while patrolling the city. We won't be able to see her bus much longer. Are you ready to go back?"

"Yeah. Daddy. My cereal's getting soggy."

Nick chuckled "Alright then champ. Let's go."

Knowing his mother wasn't too far away put Michael more at ease. The rest of breakfast went without issue.

Meanwhile, at the Clawhauser's home...

"Wake up Suzie!" Terry yelled from outside the giraffe's room.

Suzie yawned and stretched. "YAAAAWN! Just five more minutes mom."

Terry finally walked into the room. You've had several 'five more minutes'. It's getting close to seven!"

Suzie then popped out of bed. "EEEP! I'll be late for school!"

"That's right, so get out of your Walrusmart-shopping clothes, get into the shower and get dressed! I'll get your breakfast."

"Walrusmart-shopping clothes?!"

"Your pajamas."

"Oh right." Suzie then looked down at her mother you was still wearing the clothes she slept in. "Mom, why are you wearing a T-Shirt and those shorts Gazelle's dancing tigers wear?"

Terry was embarrassed to admit that she forgot what she was wearing. "Oh! Heh-Heh! Tyler gave me these. Your father likes me to wear them sometimes."

"Why?"

"Well...your father likes the tiger dancers and sometimes I pretend to be one for a little bit, so I dance for him."

"Oooooh."

"Among...other things. AHEM! Look, stop questioning and start getting ready!"

"Okay, okay! Where is daddy anyway?"

"He's already left for work. The bathroom's all yours. I gotta try to convince Sarah to let me help her get dressed. She's so independent!"

Later on, Suzie was at the breakfast able with her little sister and mother, munching away at a large bowl of cereal.

"I can't wait to go to school today!" Suzie remarked. "I'm gonna rub it in everyone's face that Gazelle is going to be my aunt!"

"Don't be like that." Terry replied. "Besides, I'm sure a lot of them won't believe you."

"Some of my friends would. Not Stacy Velvet though. She's the most popular girl in school. Also the meanest. OOOH! And I can't wait to meet Junior tonight! He could be my new boyfriend!"

Suzie spoke of a shy elephant that James was going to introduce her to. Being so much taller than any of her friends and family, Suzie felt very lonely at times even when she was surrounded by people she loved. However, Terry was very protective and worried the boy may reject her. "Don't get your hopes up TOO much." I don't want you to feel hurt if he turns you down."

"He won't mom! You gotta stay positive!"

Sarah changed the conversation. "What are we gonna do today mommy?"

"Well, it's mainly gonna be you and me today sweetie. Duke Weaselton is gonna be over to start construction on your new room and I have to let him in before we leave anywhere, Later on, the doctor's gonna check my stitches and maybe I can walk around again without worrying about pulling them. If we have time, I'm gonna help Nick Wilde with his 'Pred's for Peace' charity thing."

Suzie was concerned. "Wait...you're gonna leave the house with those weasels and ferrets going in and out?"

"I'm going to give them instructions first." Terry replied. "I have to dear. There's too much to do. Besides, I trust him. He really wants to do a good job on the house and stealing from me would only damage his reputation."

Suzie just shrugged her shoulders. "If you say so. Well, I gotta hurry up or I'll be late."

Suzie got up and put her bowl into the sink. She then kissed both her baby sister and her mother goodbye. "See you later. I love you both! Bye!"

"Bye!" Terry replied. As Suzie left, Terry picked up her cell phone and called her twin brother. "...Hey Tyler? Can I ask a favor from you and Gazelle?...Does she have free time around 11:30?"

Meanwhile, At the Wolford's...

"Can you help me straighten my tie?" Auburn asked.

"Sure thing babe!" Tim replied as he straightened his wife's tie. She was suiting up and getting ready for her work as a lawyer. "I know today's yer last day until maternity leave, but do yer absolute best. Dat's my boss yer representin' today!"

"Oh please!" She replied. "I'm one of the best lawyers in Zootopia. Bogo won't have any problem seeing his son in the future."

Tim then turned his attention to James. "Alright Jimmy! Time ta help me pack up some stuff in yer house so we can start movin' in. Our rent's due soon and I don't wanna pay for an extra month."

James was scared to death to go home. Following his mother's death on Friday, the weekend had been a great distraction for the young cougar to save him from grieving over the dear mother he had lost. He dreaded going home and seeing all the painful reminders that while he returned home, his mother did not. His mother would never return home again and just the thought of being in that place without her brought a huge amount of sorrow to his heart.

"W-We don't need to do that today!" James said nervously. "We got plenty of time. After all, ummm..Mr Wilde could use help with his 'Preds for Peace' thing."

"We'll do that later! James, ya can't keep pushing this away. I know it's tough ta go home knowin' yer mother is gone but..."

"It doesn't need to be today!" James said in a panic. "I just...Spots! I'll need Spots to help and she's busy watching her siblings today. She can help us tomorrow! Or Wednesday! Thursday might be nice."

Auburn came up from behind and put her paws on James' shoulders. "Jim...I know how tough this can be for you, but I'll be all done around two or so and can be there for emotional support."

James then had a great idea to stall the move. "Support? Say, has dad ever given you support at work?"

Tim got a bit offended. "Whaddya mean? I support everything she does?"

"That's not what I mean. I mean that...those courts have a section of seats for people who want to just watch a courtroom in action. You and me can watch Burnie do her lawyer thing and cheer her on!"

Tim was confused. "What?"

However, Auburn was ecstatic. "I would LOVE that! Tim has never seen me work a case before."

"Well I wuz always workin' 'da beat!"

"Well not today. It would mean so much to me if you could be there. Also...think of how your Chief would feel if one of his officers took time to be there for him!"

Auburn and James got into a begging stance together. "Pleeeeease?!"

Tim could not help but give up. "Alright! Alright! Ya got out of movin' fer one more day. Tomorrow though, ya got me, Burnie and maybe yer girlfriend..."

James corrected him "Kinda-sorta girlfriend...for now."

"Whatever. Tomorrow 'dere's no turnin' back. Ya got me?"

"Yeah dad."

Auburn was giddy that her family would be watching her perform. "I'm so excited! Now go get dressed! You two both look like slobs."

"HEY!" Tim and James shouted together.

Meanwhile, at Francine Pennington's apartment 7:15am...

Bill Bogo was sound asleep. Doing the interrogation had drained him and he was enjoying getting a good night's rest on Francine's bed. However, he was suddenly jolted out of bed when he heard the Marine corps bugle playing loudly.

Bogo leaped out of bed. "AAAHH! I'm up drill Sargent! I'm up!" He immediately started making up the bed when he remembered he hadn't been in the military for years. He looked over to see that it was Francine playing the military bugle music with her trunk. "Blast it Francine!"

The elephant couldn't help but laugh. "Sorry dear! My dad was in the military and I always played the same trick on him."

Bogo chuckled as he grabbed a pillow. "Why you little..."

He threw the pillow into her face and she laughed as she grabbed another off the bed and threw it back. A short pillow fight broke out followed by some caressing and kissing.

"Sorry I had to jolt you out of bed." Francine replied. "But you have a big court case to get ready for and unfortunately, they are calling me to the stand as well. Wanna have a quick shower with me?"

"Indeed I do." Bogo replied. "Just remind me not to stand under you again or I get no water at all."

Francine giggled. "Alright. But let's hurry. Bogo?"

"Yes dear?"

"I hate to tell you this, but I need you to find our own place for a bit. I don't mind a little one or two night stand, but we JUST started dating and you've been sleeping here for three nights."

"You invited me to."

"I know. I know. But we've only been dating a very short time and I really shouldn't be living with someone I just started a relationship with. My mom's already starting to harrass me about that. She thinks that between you and McHorn, that I'm some kind of elephant tramp."

"I understand. I'll look for a place after work today."

"I hope everything goes well. It wouldn't be fair for you to never see your son again."

"Not 'never again'. He's 16. Once he turns 18, he can make the choice of who he wants to live with. I just fear my wife has poisoned his ear to me. She ALWAYS talks crap about me in front of him."

She kissed him on the cheek with her trunk. "Well he doesn't know the REAL you."

Bogo sighed. "This job doesn't give me any time with him at all. Once this whole 'Big Cheese/Purge' chaos passes, I need to spend more time with him. IF everything goes well today."

"It WILL." Francine assured the buffalo. "I can feel it."