Chapter 9: Thursday
Thursday
After several days of almost continuous research and intense discussion, Judy called Dr. Clawson and informed her that they had come to a decision of sorts, but they would only meet with her in person. The meeting was scheduled for 10 am that day.
As they drove to the doctor's office, Judy and Nick exchanged nervous glances "Nick, do you think Dr. Clawson will agree to our conditions?"
"I don't know Carrots, we'll just have to wait and see. I don't think that we are being the least bit unreasonable. Are you having second thoughts? There's still time to cancel the entire thing you know."
"No, absolutely not. Just wondering, if she doesn't, then what?"
"Well, I guess we'll just have to load up and drop off the grid. If we do that, w can't tell anyone where we are. Not our parents, no one, we talked about this remember?"
"Yes, I know...but...is that even possible?"
Nick pulls over into an empty lot and parks "Yes, I think it is. Do you remember when I told you that I know everybody? While that may not be exactly true, I do know everybody that is somebody. If we can get at least two, possibly three degrees of separation when we leave, it will be almost impossible for anyone to find us. I hate to think about it, but I will do whatever it takes to protect our kits. This is the one thing we that we can't tell Clawson, OK? I love you and our kits more than anything else in this world. You know that, right?" Nick said with a determined look on his muzzle.
Judy leaned against Nick's arm "Yes I know...sly fox."
Nick kissed Judy lightly between her ears "Worried bunny."
…
As the three get comfortable in Dr. Clawson's office, Nick began the conversation.
"We've done a ton of research and spent countless hours debating on what to do, and we've come to a decision.'
'We will allow one more blood draw from each kit under the following conditions. These conditions are non-negotiable.'
'First, all samples, including the ones already taken are to be labeled as anonymous donors. These samples are to be marked 'Donor # 1 and 'Donor #2'. No names, first or last, are to ever be attached to the samples in any way, shape or form.' Also, there is to be no mention of species that might narrow a search if one is conducted.
'Second, any record, either hardcopy or digital, that has reference to the kits names, first or last, gender, species or any other form of identification is to be purged. We don't care in the least how this is accomplished.'
'Finally, if either of these conditions is compromised, we will initiate lawsuits the likes of which Zootopia has never seen. Trust me when I tell you that you do NOT want this to happen. We will go after anyone and everyone who we even think may have leaked the information. We don't want to seem mean spirited about this, but we will do anything, and I mean anything to protect our kits. Do we have an understanding?"
Looking slightly aghast, Dr. Clawson slowly nodded her head. "Y-yes, I understand completely. I believe I would feel the same way and do the same thing given the circumstances. I-if you would give me a moment, I will prepare the vials."
Nick watched cautiously as Dr. Clawson left the room to get the necessary equipment. 'Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid' thought Nick, 'but this is just too important to not be cautious.'
When Dr. Clawson reentered the room, "I have the necessary equipment here" she said, "let's begin." Nick, would you mind stepping into the hallway please?"
Nick grudgingly stepped outside into the hallway. Although he didn't want to leave Judy alone, he understood the need for privacy at this time.
"Ok, all finished, Nick you can come in now. Under the conditions you have asked for, how do I contact you with the results? I understand your need for caution, but how do I notify you of any test results, good, bad or otherwise?"
As Judy looked questioningly at Nick, Nick reached into his pocket and withdrew a cheap looking cell phone "You can call me on this phone. There is one number and one number only that it can connect with, and I have that number. These phones are encrypted and are state of the art regardless of how cheap they appear. When I'm satisfied that we have all the information that we need, I'll disable the phones and they will be just so much worthless junk. Also, we will be watching all of the pertinent medical research journals at all times, and thanks to my various connections I can monitor work that is ongoing and not currently available to the general public. Thank you for your time doctor, and good day. Let's go Judy."
When they got to their car and headed home, Judy looked at Nick "Where in the world did you get those phones, and why didn't you say something to me about them?" she asked in a slightly annoyed tone.
"Well Fluff, I got in touch with one of the vets in the Roaring Thunder chapter that helped us out on that motorcycle trip to your folks. After I explained our…'situation'…in a…roundabout way, I asked if there was a secure way of getting in contact with someone that couldn't be intercepted or traced. Yesterday there was a package in the mail box and all that was in it was the two phones. No names, no address, just the phones, that's all. I have no idea where they came from, who sent them or anything else, but I'm forever grateful. If I had to bet, I'd put good money on your mister Silver as the mammal who hooked us up."
"When the kits are born, I would love to thank the vets who helped us that time. If they were responsible for the phones, I'm sure they'll get the hint, won't they?"
"I'm sure they would Carrots."
With a small smile on her muzzle, Judy suggested that they stop and get a quick bite to eat.
"Ok fluff, where do you suggest?"
"How about some ice cream, we haven't been by Jumbeaux's in a long time."
"Really? Where we first met? Getting' kinda nostalgic in your old age ain't ya'?"
"Yea, I thought it'd be fun, something new, something old, all that.' remarked Judy with a sly wink "Besides, you wouldn't deprive your soon to arrive kits of a little treat….would you? Are you….. scared, fox?"
"Not on your life silly bunny, let's go"
…
After a leisurely snack they headed home As they got close to their driveway, Nick noticed Stu's truck, Darlene's station wagon and Victoria's Fire Engine Red '64 Corvette in the driveway.
"What in the world" wondered Judy out loud looking questioningly at Nick "are they all doing here? Did you have anything to do with this?"
"I cannot tell a lie Fluff, no, no I did not" said Nick looking every bit as confused as Judy.
"Then what the hell is going on?"
"I guess we'll just have to go inside and find out. You might want to let me go first, otherwise Darlene's kits might knock you down getting to me if they came along…..."
"Uncle Nick, Uncle Nick" shouted the kits as they engulfed Nick in an avalanche of fur.
"Judy, how good to see you again" said Bonnie.
"What in the world is going on here? What are you guys doing here?"
"Well, if you must know" said Bonnie "your father was worried that you might not get the nursery finished in time (glancing at Nick who was buried under the four kits) so we decided to come and help out. You know just in case the kits came even earlier than expected. Let's go take a peek and see how well they've done…."
As they entered the nursery, Judy could smell the fresh paint and was greeted with a rolling scene of the Hopps family farm done as a mural with soft pastel colors on all four walls. Then she noticed the freshly refinished cribs, especially the names on the headboards. As he stepped closer, she noticed that there were tiny homemade comforters on each crib with each of the kits names embroidered on them.
"Dad, wherever did you get those cribs?" said Judy, her eyes misting over. "And where did these comforters come from?"
"Well" said Stu, "the last time you guys were home, Nick and I went out to one of the sheds and found Ronnie's old crib. Plus, I thought that Angela's old crib was out there somewhere as well. Since we weren't sure how big the kits would be, I thought they would come in handy being a bit larger than a regular crib.….That and the obvious, like having the names being so special and all….."
"And I handmade each comforter with pieces of Nick's kithood clothes that I couldn't bear to throw away at the time. There are also a few onesies there that Nick and Angela wore when they were first born, I wanted you to have them." said Victoria, slightly teary eyed.
"Wait…..you mean to tell me….Nicholas P. Wilde, that you knew about this all along?" said Judy as she crossed the room grabbed Nick by his tie and pulled his muzzle down so she could look him directly in his startled eyes.
"Ummmm, yes and no…?" replied Nick with a slightly worried expression. "Yes, I knew about the cribs, but no I didn't know when Stu was going to deliver them, and no I didn't know that you mom or Darlene and the kits were going to come and help with the nursery….? A-and I had NO idea mom was going to be here either…"
Judy smiled and kissed Nick gently on the nose "Well, Darlene called yesterday and said they were all coming today and to keep you tied up as long as possible, although she failed to mention the cribs….it's called a hustle sweetheart."
Nick's mouth dropped open slightly in amazement as Judy turned, "Dumb fox" winked and headed for the kitchen.
"Clever bunny" was all that Nick could say as everybody headed for the kitchen for well-deserved break.
While the ladies sipped on raspberry wine (Victoria's favorite) and began preparing a late lunch, Nick was entertaining the kits and Stu was put the finishing touches on the nursery when Darlene made a brief announcement.
"Hey guys, while I'm here I need to let you all know that Gideon and I have decided to postpone the wedding until after the kits arrive. With Judy's due date being doubt we don't want to get everything all jumbled together so….we thought we would just wait it out until after the big event. We've waited this long another month or two won't hurt."
When lunch was finished, Stu and Bonnie headed back to Bunnyburrow. Of course Stu drove, mainly because ALL of the ladies had bit more wine than they should have in order to drive. This meant that Darlene and the kits would need to spend the night (after calling Gideon and letting him know why they wouldn't be home tonight) with Darlene sleeping on the pullout sofa and the kits were on pallets on the floor in the living room. Nick drove his mom home in her 'Vette and took the bus back home, which was a quick ride since she was only lived a few miles away.
As Nick and Judy got comfortable in their usual 'pregnant snuggle' position, Nick sensed that Judy was uneasy. "What's the matter Fluff? And let's not go through the 'I'm fine' routine. We agreed a long time ago that we wouldn't shut each other out like that anymore. Not after the difficulties it caused early on."
"Nick….I'm scared…..I know considering everything, things have gone well with the kits so far, but as time goes on I keep wondering what terrible things could happen with their births, how will society accept them,…so many things are just so uncertain…"
"Judy, I know. I'm scared too. What if something does happen to the kits? What if something happens to YOU? The thought that I could lose ANY of you just scares the hell out of me. All we can do is face the future. You know we can do anything together, all we can do is pray and hope for the best. So far we have each other, and that's all that the four of us can hope for. I love you, all three of you, with all my heart, always will. Now, let's go to sleep, silly bunny."
"Yes…dad!" said Judy, giggling slightly.
And, of course, thinking about those two short words, the implications suddenly hit Nick like a ton of bricks…. "I'm actually going to be a father….good lord…." Nick got NO sleep…at all.