Nick yawned and stretched the popping of joints fairly audible. "Even with this new mattress carrots bought I still wake up all stiff." He partially opened his eyes looking down at the gray bunny snuggled next to him, leaning down he kissed the top of her head. Her eyes were still closed as she smiled and snuggled more into his chest. He was enjoying watching her sleep when he suddenly heard giggling. Snapping out of his sleepy haze he suddenly remembered they were not at his condo but at her parent's house, sleeping on a couch instead of in their own bed. He looked around and found the source of the giggling as he saw several pairs of little eyes watching them.

"Judy," Nick spoke quietly to not startle her, "Judy we really shouldn't be like this your dad really will kill me if he catches you."

She stirred rubbing her cheek into his bare chest, blinking her eyes she smiled and looked at him, "They already know I'm here. Besides, I didn't sleep here all night, only the past few minutes."

"Well we have an audience right now." He motioned with his head toward the group of eyes trying to hide behind the multiple couches and chairs.

Judy followed the direction he was motioning as she called out, "All of you get going, mom should have breakfast done soon." The kits scattered as Judy sat up and stretched. She waited until all the kits had scatted before leaning back down to kiss Nick, "I wasn't lying, mom should have breakfast done soon so get up and get dressed."

She got down and walked into the kitchen leaving Nick to fully wake up and get dressed. He made his way to the kitchen and got in line again to grab some food. Walking into the adult room Judy and her parents were already eating, he paused for a second in the doorway before Judy saw him and patted the seat next to her.

"Good morning Bonnie and Stu, looking forward to the picnic today." Nick was trying his best to be sincere, he truly did want to have them like him.

"Picnic? What picnic." Judy was thoroughly confused.

Nick suddenly remembered that he hadn't talked to Judy about going on a picnic. "Well, your mom invited us on a picnic today. I figured you would be up for it, time for all of us to get to know each other better."

Nick could feel the glare coming from Judy without even having to look at her. He started to think maybe it wasn't such a good idea, "Maybe I should've asked her before saying yes."

"Fine, but I don't want to hear any complaints or snide comments." Judy was glaring at her parents feeling this was all a big setup.

"Seriously Judy," Stu finally spoke up, "we're willing to give him another chance. I… overreacted. Can you please forgive me, I can't guarantee overnight change but I can work at it slowly."

Judy softened her gaze slightly, "Ok, but if I don't like it we're leaving. Don't think of it as you giving us another chance but us giving you a second chance. So where are we going to go anyway."

"Down by the river, it runs too fast this time of year with all the snow melt to swim but it's still a nice place to hike and have a picnic." Bonnie looked at her daughter hoping to break her stare as she always loved going to the river, she just kept giving the same look.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Nick could feel the tension building between the family and tried to sever it.

"I could use a hand getting the hiking gear into the truck while the ladies get the food together once we finish breakfast." Stu could feel it as well and just wanted to eat and get out of the house. They all quieted down and ate their breakfast, not much was said besides normal table talk of handing different items to each other. Nick hoped this wasn't how the rest of the day was going to end up. He really needed to get her parents on his side.

After they were all done eating Nick and Stu went out to the barn while Judy and Bonnie stayed inside to prepare the food. Stepping into the barn Nick was amazed at the size, it looked large on the outside but inside it was even bigger. Four levels including the ground floor, which housed two trucks, four tractors and various attachments for working the fields. Several ladders and lines led to the upper levels for storing the various produce items pulled from the fields. Already several bunnies were running around storing produce and pulling tools for work.

"Looks like farm life begins early." Nick was amazed at all the rabbits moving around some only a few years old.

"Yes it does, each one of the kits is expected to help out in any way they can, from actually working the fields, helping out at the stand, or just cleaning the house. Normally I would be right there with them but today is a special day and it's not harvesting time so we're not very busy." Stu was very proud of his family and how well they worked. "Up here Nick, all the hiking and camping gear is stored upstairs." Stu led Nick up the multiple stairs to the highest floor. "Back in the corner, there are some hiking poles and bags. It's a bit of a hike to get to the river so we need to make sure we have enough food and water.

Nick found the bags and dusted them off, bringing them down to the truck as Stu loaded up the poles and water. "Have you done any hiking before Nick?"

"No, I haven't. Born and raised in Zootopia. The closest I have was walking around the rainforest district. This will be my first time going out in the true wilderness. Honestly, this is my first time out of the city." Nick scratched the back of his neck and just stared off nervously.

"Don't worry too much, it's only a few miles from where we'll park the truck to the spot we chose out for the picnic, We'll show you the ropes." Stu looked over at Nick as he opened the barn doors and stared out at the fields, "I have to give him a chance for Judy's sake." He hopped into the truck and fired it up, driving it over to the house where Bonnie and Judy were outside waiting.

After loading up the food Bonnie and Stu rode up in the cab as Nick and Judy climbed into the back for the drive to the trailhead. "Do you think he'll ever let me rid in the cab." Nick tried to joke but Judy wasn't amused though.

"I'm very close to telling him to stop and then leaving to go back to Zootopia. He said he would change but he still won't even let you ride in the truck. Besides, I don't think this whole thing is going to work, my dad is too set in his ways." Judy was trying to control her rage but it was difficult, why couldn't her parents see past him being a fox.

"I think they are trying, they are the ones who suggested this to me. You even said it yourself we're giving them another chance, so let's try and see this day through. If things don't seem like they are going to improve then yes, we'll leave tonight and go back home." Nick was trying to keep her calm.

"Alright, we'll see how it goes then. I just know I love you, I don't need anyone else's approval." She leaned her head into Nicks' chest holding him tight.

Nick held onto Judy with one paw as they bumped along the dirt road, his other paw reaching into his pocket where he was rolling a small object around his paw. "But I need their approval, at least for this…" he thought to himself.

The truck bounced along the road as slowly the vast fields gave way to tall trees and the foothills of a mountain range. After an hour of driving, they were deep in the woods as they pulled into a dirt parking lot, only a few other vehicles were there as it was a weekday.

"Looks like we should have the trail mostly to ourselves," Stu said stepping out of the truck. "Most mammals are working today so this should be nice and quiet then."

Nick handed down the bags to Stu then climbed out helping Judy down. As he pulled her from the truck bed he pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her cheek. A loud snort caused them to turn around to see Stu shaking his head as he put his bag on.

"You promised dad." Judy was pointing a finger shaking it at her father.

"I know Judes. Like I said it's going to take time." Stu tried his best to keep his voice as steady as he could as he turned to help Bonnie put on her bag. Nick helped Judy put on her pack before settling his own on his back.

The four mammals were soon ready with Bonnie and Stu leading the way setting a brisk pace. Luckily for Nick having longer legs allowed him to keep up easily enough even though he wasn't used to the uneven terrain of the forest. Judy seemed to be in her element on the hike, easily kept up and at time passing her parents to scout ahead. Nick seriously considered scrapping his beach bum plans to become a mountain mammal. The fresh air, snow capped mountains, the trees as far as the eye could see. He felt like it was… home.

"Here is the spot!" Stu suddenly exclaimed after a few hours of hiking running up to a large oak tree, its twisting branches intertwining amongst itself giving the illusion of the tree hugging itself. Bonnie and Stu set their packs down at the base of the tree then began to look up and walk around very slowly as if hypnotized.

"Why is this the spot," Nick asked setting his pack with the others.

"Here it is. Judy, Nick come here. This is why this spot is very special and we wanted to picnic here." Bonnie sounded just like a giddy school girl all over again.

As Nick and Judy came around the tree they could see the older two bunnies in a tight embrace looking up into the tree limbs. As they neared Judy could see what looked like a tear forming in Bonnie's eyes.

"We haven't been up here in years. Judy, this is where you father asked me to marry him. Just look into the tree branches, what do you see?" Bonnie was smiling from ear to ear as she kissed Stu on the cheek. Judy drew near and as she looked into the tree her eyes widened with surprise. As she moved into the spot here parents were standing the limbs lined up in such a way they formed the letters S and B with a heart twisted around them.

"Wow. That's amazing you two. What luck for the limbs to form that." Judy remarked as she turned around to see them in a deep kiss. She smiled and took Nick by the paw, "Let's leave them alone and go set up the food." They walked around to the other side of the tree leaving the two rabbits to themselves.

After a few minutes, all the food was laid out as Nick and Judy began to eat, all the hiking making them extremely hungry. Bonnie and Stu joined them shortly after the younger couple had already begun eating, Nick had propped himself against the tree as Judy lay in his lap. Stu was about to say something when Bonnie put her paw on his shoulder and shook her head, he understood and reluctantly let it go.

"So you two, how long have you been dating for?" Stu asked between bites of his fruit salad.

"A little over a year now dad. We began dating soon after we rescued those kits from the warehouse." Judy looked up at Nick remembering that night as if it happened yesterday. The dinner, how handsome Nick looked in the sunset, the confession of his feelings for her, topped off with the most peaceful sleep she had in years wrapped in his arms.

"And it took you this long to finally tell us?!" Stu was having a hard time keeping calm after learning they had been dating for so long.

Judy sat up, "Do you honestly blame us with the reception you gave us yesterday? Even on the train ride here we were not sure about telling you not knowing how you would react."

"Well just having it dropped onto us like you did wasn't the greatest way to do it either young lady." Stu was reaching a boiling point

"Young lady!? I'm twenty-six years old dad! I'm old enough to make my own choices about who I want to love. About who I want as my mate." Judy was on her feet ready to say quits to everything and just leave.

"Your mate? You're only still dating and hardly know him, what do you know about choosing a mate! What about kits? Don't you want to be a mother some day? I know we would like to have grandkids someday." Stu was on his feet shouting.

That was her breaking point. Being a mother was the second most important thing to her besides being a cop, "YES I WANT KITS! I know being with Nick the chances are slim but it's still there. Of course, you would bring in what you want as well, it's the same as when I wanted to be a cop. Holding me back, not thinking about what I want. I just want…" She stopped tears openly flowing from her eyes. Nick stood up and wrapped his paws around her. She pushed away from him, "I just need to alone right now, I'm going for a walk. Nick see if you can talk some sense into them." She ran off crying into the woods, Nick was torn between wanting to chase after her and hold her until the tears stopped and respecting her wishes to try and reason with her parents.

"Dammit Stu, didn't I tell you we have to give them a chance or were going to lose her forever!" Bonnie finally snapped at her husband. "Why can't you just keep your mouth shut and accept you cannot control her, no one can. You have to accept she's a grown rabbit who can make her own decisions."

Stu stared at the ground wishing he could take it all back. But the words were out there, no going back now. "I don't know why I can't just accept it, I only want what's best for her." Tears falling to the ground dreading what Judy would say when she finally came back, or if she would not say anything and just ride the train back to Zootopia and never come back.

"I don't know if I'm what's best for her or not," Nick walked up to Stu putting a paw on his shoulder. "But I do know that I love her completely. I could not see my life without her anymore, she saved me in more ways than I can ever thank her for. I would do anything to make sure she is happy and safe. We both want the same thing, Stu, what is best for her."

Stu looked up at Nick, stared straight into his eyes. These were not the eyes of the vicious predator Stu had always feared. They were the soft loving eyes that Judy had fallen for and Stu knew Nick meant what he was saying.

Nick reached into his pocket again, "I know it's probably not the best time for this but we may be leaving tonight now and I have to ask a question of you two. I truly love Judy with all my heart, I would rip out mine to give it to her so should wouldn't have to feel an ounce of pain or sadness. My life would never be the same without her by my side. So what I'm asking is…"

"AHHHHHH!"

All three mammals ears perked up at the scream and their paws went into immediate action at the sound of a splash after the scream. Bonnie and Stu knew these woods like the back of their paws and quickly darted through the woods in the direction of the scream, straight to the river. Reaching the edge the looking down the sheer rock and dirt wall, twenty feet down into the raging river below.

"THERE! I SEE HER." Stu pointed out to a gray shape splashing in the river getting carried downstream in a hurry.

"JUDY!" Bonnie and Stu had to cover their ears at the high pitched scream as an orange blur blew past them and leaped into the open air above the river. As he hit the icy water it stole his breath, if it wasn't for the adrenaline rushing through his body there was a good chance he would've gone into immediate shock.

He broke the surface and could hear Stu yelling directions to him, guiding him to Judy as the two rabbits ran along the cliff edge. Nick tried to get as tall as he could in the raging water but the spring melt has turned this lazy river into a raging torrent. The speed of the water and bitterly cold water sapping Nicks strength. Finally, he saw her as she went over some rapids, locking onto her he kicked as hard as his legs would allow him. Every time she went under his heart dropped, upon surfacing, he gave extra kicks in that direction doing his best to reach her. Each time she dropped she stayed under longer, each surfacing she struggled less and less with her strength wavering.

She went under between two rocks and try as best he could, he didn't see her surface on the other side, taking a deep breath he dove to the bottom. The icy blackness stung at his body making going to the bottom almost impossible. He reached it only to felt the smooth rocks of the bottom. His brain started to tell him he needed air but he resisted he had to find her. He started to become dizzy, his lungs were on fire, his paws locking up in the cold then suddenly his paws touched something soft and fuzzy. He immediately latched onto it and using all his strength pushed off the bottom and breached the surface.

He took several deep breaths and tried to clear his eyes to see what he had grabbed. Looking down he saw Judy, her body hanging limply against him. "NO! NO! NO! NOT LIKE THIS. I CANT LOSE YOU JUDY!" Nick was screaming in his head trying to keep them both above water as they crashed over rapids.

"WA… ER… LL" Nick heard a faint voice, he wasn't sure if being under so long or the cold was affecting his hearing but all he was reaching was a roaring getting louder by the second.

"W… TE… ALL" Nick looked around for the sound and finally saw Stu and Bonnie on the edge. Bonnie was jumping like crazy pointing at something and Stu was cupping his paws around his mouth trying to yell something to him. The roar growing louder drowning everything out until Nick saw what bonnie was pointing at. He suddenly realized it wasn't his hearing getting bad from being in the icy water. His eyes grew in terror as he saw the white mist coming from above the water and Stu's words finally hit him.

"WATERFALL!" The roar and white mist was the crashing of a waterfall they were both heading straight for. Nick put everything he had in kicking to get to the cliff wall, miraculously making it. However when he tried to get a grip the shale and earth gave way in his paw causing them to drift again closer to the falls.

He extended his claws to their full extend and buried them deep into the earth and cracks of the rock, this time, it held. Without pausing he began to climb knowing Judy was not breathing and dying right in his arms. The only way to save her was to get up that twenty-foot cliff face. Each step sent more dirt and rock into the water below several times he felt himself slipping and just jammed his claws in snapping several. Blood coming from his cut up body sending waves of pain but he climbed on.

He was a few feet from the top but he couldn't go any further, no matter how hard he dug the cliff face would just keep giving away. Bonnie and Stu reached down as low as they could but they were still short. Suddenly Nick felt his back paws start to slip, looking down he could see the lower section he had just climbed was becoming unstable and sliding into the water. Knowing he had but a few seconds he did the only thing he could think of.

"Take her!" He screamed as he used his remaining strength to toss Judy up to the waiting arms of her parents. The rocks beneath him gave way at the same time sending his muzzle into the rock face. He recoiled back and was tossed into the open air again. He landed flat on his back with a sickening crash into the water.

The combination of Nick throwing Judy onto the ledge and her parents slapping their paws onto her back caused the water to spew from her lungs. She got onto all fours gasping for breath, "Ni..ck, Nick, where's Nick."

She looked up at her mother who was white as a ghost with her paws to her muzzle staring at the water. She turned to see the most horrifying sight. A limp, orange ball go hurtling into the air over the falls and disappear over the edge. "NIIIIIIIICK!" Judy screamed as she passed out again.


A/N: So I said there was a huge event coming, not what everyone was expecting was it. So what did you all think of the meeting with Judy's parents and these following events? More events are still coming so stay grab on and stay on this ride, I hope your enjoying it.
Again I want to
thank everyone reading, each chapter has expanded greatly the number of readers and I am blown away by the support. Pass the word and please review.

See you all next week.