A/N: This chapter took some time due to me re-writing major sections of it a couple times. I also almost uploaded it in two pieces, but you guys would have HATED that, trust me. This chapter is also riddled with references to other works, so if you catch some of them let me know!
Thank you SO MUCH for almost *1400* views and nearly *50* followers after only two chapters. I am BLOWN away by you guys. I really hope you enjoy this chapter, I put a lot into it. It's a little more mature in that I do include a couple references to alcohol, but I always like to keep my stuff as clean as possible. Please drop me some reviews and follow because I have so much more planned! Thanks again! Enjoy!
Weddings are beautiful things. They are the ultimate moment for two lovers to finalize their love before the whole world. They are a beautiful ceremony and tradition dating back thousands of years for a simple purpose: a celebration of love. Judy Hopps just couldn't wait for the day she and her parents never thought would come. After all, Judy's entire life had been devoted to reaching her dream of becoming an officer. Love had always taken a side seat to her passion and purpose. When it had found her, it had taken her by complete surprise. Things moved quickly, but that's what everyone said happens when you find true love.
Judy's parents had sought out a highly recommended wedding planner from the city to help out with the special day. Franck Lepori, an incredibly successful hare, was the best at what he did. Having heard of the wonderful things Judy had done for the city, he was delighted to be a part of the bunny heroine's special day. He was a bit eccentric, Judy's father noted, but seemed to know his stuff. He set to work with Judy immediately.
"Judy Hopps, dahling!" the eccentric hare exclaimed in his odd way of speaking as he walked up, giving a hug to Judy and her mother as her father stood back. "We are gone to plan ze most bootiful wedding for you! A boonny such as you only deserve ze best!" Franck slapped multiple catalogs before her and her parents, showcasing different designs for flowers, dresses, arches, centerpieces, and of course, cakes. Bringing out his planner, his eyes widened as he looked at the proposed date. "Uh oh, HELLO! Ze wedding eez in three months, that doont give us very much time. But...zat doont bother me much 'cause we can do eet and eet will be spectacular! You have ze list of guests?"
Stu looked on, very confused. "Excuse me...what did you just say?"
Bonnie looked to Judy and nodded, "Yes, we have a full list of the guest we'd like to have present for the ceremony."
Franck slammed his planner shut and threw his hands up in the air. "Fabulous! Okay so here eez what I suggoost, I suggoost zat we select a cake first, 'cause very ofteen a cake determine what kind wedding you end up having." Sliding a cake catalog towards the family, Stu Hopps nearly choking when he saw the price tags on the cakes.
Judy simply giggled at the whole ordeal. This was all new to her, there was so much to plan out before the big day.
It took time, but over the next couple months all the plans were set.
The flowers were settled. Beautiful violet and blue lilacs and roses, Judy's favorites both for their aesthetic and flavor. These would be the colors for the wedding as well, accentuating the bridal party's outfits.
A perfect location had been found. The Thumpers, close family friends of the Hopps, had a beautiful orchard on their property that Judy had grown up near. The scent of fresh apples and other fruits wafted through the air, and there was a gorgeous pavilion in the center. It was used for picnics, festivals, and of course the occasional wedding. It would serve as the perfect backdrop for a perfect spring wedding.
Judy and her mother had found the most amazing dress. A soft white satin, laced with chiffon and strapless, showing her back and shoulders. The train flowed back, and would need to be carried by two train bearers. She chose not to wear a veil, but did want a beautiful bouquet to hold while her father walked her down the aisle. Stu Hopps couldn't believe Judy was getting married, caught off guard when the ceremony was planned for only a few short months after the proposal. However, he looked forward to walking her down the aisle to give her away.
Judy's closest sisters, Jessica and Joanna, would be her bridesmaids, with her mother serving as her Matron of Honor. Bonnie had bawled her eyes out at the engagement announcement, but cried again when asked to serve as the honor attendant in the bridal party. Judy reassured her that she could think of no one better to be next to her on the big day.
From the catering to the music, the table pieces to the photography, everything had been planned out in perfect detail. Judy constantly brought new ideas, colors, fabrics, and more to show to Nick in preparation. The long process was beginning to wear thin on him as each day she'd bring something new into the station to show him and the other officers. Nick knew the ceremony would be wonderful, perfect for Judy.
The only thing Nick couldn't stand about the whole ordeal was the groom. After all, he and Jack Savage never did get along that well.
From the moment that hare showed up, it had been an onslaught of emotions for Nick. Jack came in to work at the station as a ZBI liaison and took quickly to sweeping Judy off her feet with a suave exterior that even made Nick's fur crawl. Nick wasn't surprised; Judy never stood a chance against Jack's charm. He came with accolades, titles, records he had set and then broken himself, authority, power, and looks. He swooped in and struck while the iron was hot. Nick couldn't stand the smug looks he'd get, the coy smiles and the way Jack would parade Judy around as some kind of trophy. But Judy was happy.
And if Judy was happy...Nick was happy.
The wedding rehearsal had gone off without a hitch. The entire event was choreographed to a T, with each member of the bridal party and ceremony knowing exactly when to be where. Nick was honestly surprised when Jack asked him to be a groomsman, though no doubt it was at least in part to Judy's request. After all, she couldn't imagine a wedding without her best friend present.
Nick stood, two spots behind where Jack was, as the mock ceremony finished up. A local bunny priest was to perform the ceremony. Nick was the only non-lapin present, and felt awkward as he stood out like a very sore fox. As the priest closed the event, the families gathered together. Nick noticed that Jack's side of the family was very slim, which was unusual for their species. Jack had no siblings, few cousins, and an aging mother. It was actually Judy's brother, Jayce, that had been asked to be Jack's Best Man. Jack must not have had friends able to join the ceremony on such short notice, Nick figured.
It was decided it was time for the rehearsal dinner, which had been graciously catered by the Hopps family. Fresh fruits and vegetables, breads and sweets were laid out on tables as far as the eye could see. It was still early in the evening that Friday, and the wedding was not until 2 in the afternoon the following day, so the rehearsal dinner was set to be quite the party.
Nick was overwhelmed by the amount of bunnies all around him. The actual wedding would host several non-bunnies, such as several friends and co-workers from the city as well as many other mammals that were associated with the families in one way or another. But for tonight...Nick still stuck out. And unfortunately, not all the bunnies from the burrows had become as accepting of foxes. Many odd stares and even a few glares rubbed his fur the wrong way, but he ignored it all and put on a face for Judy. She meandered around the guests, laughing and smiling. Her ears never drooped. She was so happy, bouncing from family member to family member in a beautiful violet sundress that matched her sparkling eyes.
Nick couldn't look at her anymore. He turned away, grabbing a glass of champagne and wandering off away from the pavilion. He found a small bridge overlooking a brook that flowed through the orchard. As the sun began to finally fade, Nick stood alone, facing away from the ceremony. He was never much for parties, especially not since he left his previous life behind to become a cop. Social soirees were only good for getting information and meeting marks without drawing attention. When it came to actually having fun, parties were draining on Nick.
Nick looked off at the moon as it made it's entrance into the evening sky. It was a nice, cool night and the scent of apples rode the wind as it blew over the bridge. It helped clear Nick's mind a little. After all the excitement, he was finally alone with his thoughts.
But in this thoughts, he was never alone. A certain bubbly bunny was always running through his mind, and tonight was no different. Nick looked out over the brook as he finished his glass of champagne, and just for a moment his mask, created by years of hardships and loneliness, began to wane. Slowly, ever so slowly, he let it be pulled aside, with a single tear appearing in each eye as the only evidence a bystander would notice. His heart softened as he replayed the last two years of his life, pondering for the thousandth time the two questions that plagued him.
One: what did he do to deserve to meet Judy, the amazing bunny that saved him and changed his life?
And two: how did he managed to screw it up?
He had spent the last two years with Judy as his best friend. She gave him meaning, purpose, a new start on life. He would never admit it, but he owed her. He owed her his very life. And that was what he was intent on giving her. He poured himself into the academy, working fiercely to get himself in top shape mentally and physically so he could have the honor of working with Judy. As partners, he put everything he had into the job he now loved alongside the partner he had always…
"There you are, mate."
The voice shattered his thoughts. As per his instincts, his mask came back, hard as ever. He turned a steely gaze towards the voice, which belonged to the hare at the center of his contentions.
"What's up, Jack?"
Jack waltzed up the bridge, glass in hand, as he moved towards Nick. His face was plastered with a curious look that Nick was having trouble placing. It looked a mix between smugness, faux pleasantry, and genuine concern. He stood next to Nick, looking out over the same brook.
"The bucks and myself of the groom's party are going to head out in a little bit. My last night as a bachelor shouldn't be taken lightly, after all."
"Isn't that interesting." Nick said as he continued looking out over the water.
"You know," Jack said, sipping at his champagne, "It's tradition for the groom to have a final night of masculine freedom before giving himself to a single female for the rest of his life."
"And I suppose I'm invited?" Nick asked. He knew Jack was only inviting him to be polite and keep up appearances. He also knew that he had no interest in any amount of heavy drinking or other nonsense the younger rabbits had in mind.
"Of course you are. It'll be fun. You do know how to have fun, right mate? You've been quite the stiff tonight."
"Yeah well, I got a lot on my mind." Nick turned his attention away from Jack. He was the last mammal Nick wanted to see that night.
"I can imagine."
"I don't think you can, Jack."
Jack turned to look at him, dropping all of the pretense. "What is your problem, Nick?"
Nick stared out blankly at the approaching night sky. "I don't have a problem."
Jack's foot began thumping on the bridge, the sound carrying much farther than it should have. "You've been putting on a face all day, but I can see through that. You've had a chip on your shoulder ever since the day started."
"Drop it, Savage. I don't wanna talk about it." Nick began to walk away, fists beginning to clench.
"Perhaps if I got Judy to ask you?" Nick stopped in his tracks and cut his eyes to the hare. "Ah, that got your attention. You'd hate for the little sheila to know you've been sulking all day, now wouldn't you?"
Nick quickly looked around, grateful that they were alone and far enough from the party. On impulse, he reached out his paw and pulled Jack closer by the front of his shirt.
"You listen here, Jack-off." Jack's eyes widened. "You and I both know why we're here today: because my best friend decided to marry an idiot. I don't like you, and you don't like me. But you…" Nick let go, backing up and returning to the side of the bridge, sighing heavily. "You make Judy happy."
Jack stepped back, brushing his clothes off where Nick had grabbed him. A smug grin returned to his face. "I knew it. You love her, don't you?"
Nick simply turned away from Jack, praying the section of bridge he stood on would just give way and collapse.
Jack pressed on. "I hardly can believe it. A fox, an ex-conmammal no less, in love with a bunny cop?" He saw Nick's ears lower. "It's nearly laughable. You never stood a chance, mate."
Nick did everything in his power to keep the growl growing inside of him from coming out. The last thing he needed was some pretentious hare telling him what he already knew.
"I have to hand it to you, fox. She thinks highly of you. She speaks of you all the time. But you should have known better than to think that a mug like you could ever hope to have such a wonderful prize."
Nick turned and cocked his eyebrow at Jack. "Judy isn't a prize, Jack. She's not a goal. Not another record you can break."
"Judy is my ultimate goal in life, fox. There has never been a more perfect doe in the world. Only a lagomorph of my caliber would be able to tame her, make her mine." Jack's arrogant grin was grating on Nick's last nerve.
"Look here, hare." He growled as he pressed forward, leaning over Jack. "Judy isn't yours. She doesn't belong to anyone. You should consider yourself lucky she even gives a furball like you the time of day!"
"She gives me much more than that, mate."
Jack's smug face was just begging to be punched. Nick pulled his fist back out of reflex before forcing himself to stop. "You are testing my patience, Savage. I don't know what Judy sees in you."
"You don't have to understand it, fox. You just have to accept it. Judy loves me. I and her."
Nick turned back to the bridge, his head hanging down. "Judy does love you, Jack."
Jack was taken aback by the sincerity in Nick's voice. He wasn't sure how to respond to the sudden change in demeanor. Nick slowly turned his head back to him. "She loves you. I don't know why but I know she does."
Nick looked up at the sky, seeing the moon reaching up above the treeline. He knew what he needed to ask of Jack, and it hurt him to his core. But it needed to be said.
"Jack...please take care of Judy."
Jack's eyes widened in surprise. Nick had gone from insulting him to pleading with him.
"Um...excuse me?"
"Take care of her Jack. Judy is...she's so special to me. I may not be the one to make her happy...I may not be the one to protect her, comfort her in her times of deepest need. But I need to know that you'll do that. You and I may not get along, but we can agree on something at least. Judy is the most amazing mammal on the planet, and she deserves only the best."
Jack's ears lowered. Perhaps he had been a little too hard on Nick.
"I'll...I'll do my best."
Nick turned back to him. "You better. If you love her...if you love her as much as I do...you better not hurt her. Promise me, Jack."
Jack's eyes lowered, matching his ears. "I told you, I'll do my best."
"Promise me!"
Nick's strong words shook Jack. "I promise."
Turning back to the bridge for the final time, Nick stared out at the water. "I think I'll pass on the bachelor party tonight, Jack."
Jack nodded, understanding Nick for once. He turned to his side, leaving the bridge. Pausing at the base, he turned back to Nick to say something, but decided against it. Jack walked back to the party.
Once Jack was out of sight, Nick let out a huge sigh as his cracked mask began peeling away again. Letting out a small sniff, more tears began vying for position in his eyes. Nick wasn't good with emotions, normally hiding himself from them and them from others. But the strange mixture of happiness for Judy and sorrow for himself was blinding to his senses. He didn't notice until the footsteps were right behind him that he was no longer alone.
"Jack, I thought you had a party…" turning, he saw that the bunny approaching him wasn't Jack. "J-Judy?!"
Judy stood close to him on the bridge, her eyes full of tears. "Why, Nick?"
Nick steeled his expression again, but he knew it was probably too late. "Why what, Carrots?"
"Don't Carrots me, Nick. Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"I don't know wh-"
"Why didn't you ever tell me you loved me?" Her words shot like a spear into his heart. Her eyes were red with tears and her ears down. Nick mentally kicked himself.
"I..." His mind raced, trying to come up with something to make the situation better. Somewhere in his vast expanse of vocabulary had to be something his silver tongue could produce.
"Nicholas Wilde don't you dare try to weasel out of this. I heard everything."
"Judy...It's...it's not that easy…"
"I waited for you, Nick." her words were choked on an oncoming sob. "I waited for over a year for you to tell me. I...I gave you every chance I could! But you were always silent. You never said it, even after I did."
Nick's ears fell down as far as they could go as he slouched his shoulders. All he could managed was a whisper. "I...was scared."
"Scared of what, Nick? We were together every day! Everyone assumed we were together! I thought...I th-thought we made a perfect team…" she began to cry. She wiped her tears with her paws as she looked back up at him. "I waited for you to say it, because I didn't want to force it out of you. What were you so afraid of?"
"I didn't want to lose you."
The answer confused Judy. She walked up to Nick, looking up at him. "Lose me? Nick, you're my best friend. Why would you have thought that?"
Nick tried to back up and turn away, but Judy would have none of that. She stepped around him, pushing him back against the side of the bridge.
"Why, Nick?"
"Because I was scared I would screw it up like I do everything else!" the sudden harshness of his words made Judy back up a little. "Because you're the most amazing thing to ever happen to me, Judy. I didn't want to risk messing that up, our friendship, our partnership...I never wanted to lose you."
"So you pushed me away?"
"I kept you at the distance where I knew I couldn't mess up. I wanted you always at arm's reach. God, Judy, do you know me at all? I'm a walking disaster waiting to happen! I didn't want to risk destroying what we had!"
"You are NOT a disaster! You're the kindest, sweetest fox I've ever met. You're the bravest, most giving, most loyal friend I've ever had! But you...you made me feel like I wasn't good enough for you!"
"Judy, no…"
"Don't you try to coddle me now, Nick!" she said as she pushed him back against the side of the bridge again. "I waited so long...but to me you had made it very clear it wasn't going to happen. And when Jack...when Jack came into my life…you just let it happen. I thought you just didn't want me..."
"I'm sorry, Judy."
"No! You don't get to be sorry!" she glared up into his eyes as she reeled back and punched him on the shoulder. "I loved you, Nick. I loved you more than I knew was even possible. I was ready to give up...when Jack came into my life. You seemed content with where we were, so I let Jack take that spot in my heart. It was nice to have someone be so open with how they felt about me!" Judy reeled back and slugged Nick as hard she could on his shoulder again, hurting her paw slightly. Wincing, she reeled back again for another swing.
Out of instinct, Nick reached up and caught her paw the third time. He pulled her towards himself as he leaned down, staring at her eye to eye. Maybe it was the champagne, maybe it was the stress of the day, maybe it was her lavender perfume, or maybe even the beautiful sparkle of her eyes that was still there despite the tears. Later on he'd blame that last one.
Nick pulled her into a kiss, crashing his lips onto hers. Without a moment's hesitation, he released Judy's paw and moved his arms around her. He felt her paws reach up and take hold of the fur on his cheek and neck as she kissed him back. Overwhelming emotions exploded in Nick, racing at a million miles per hour as his lips tried to communicate what was happening with his mind and heart. It felt so right, so pure, so good...until it ended.
As abruptly as the kiss began, Judy ended it. She pulled back, paws falling to Nick's chest as she looked up into his eyes.
"I'm sorry Judy...I love you. I always have, and I always will."
A shocked pain lit up Nick's face as Judy slapped him. She pushed back, pulling away from Nick. Nick let her go, reeling from the slap.
"Then you should have told me." She let out a sniffle, wiping her eyes again and then folding her arms. "Because now...now it's too late, Nick."
"Judy...I…"
"No, Nick. It's too late. I'm marrying Jack tomorrow." She turned away from him, wiping more tears away.
"Judy..."
"What do you want from me, Nick?"
Nick reached his paw out to her shoulder. "I just want you to be happy."
She looked up at him again, staring into his eyes. "What…?"
"Judy...all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy. Even if that means you marry Jack tomorrow. Is he...is he really who you want?"
Judy's sniffles finally began to calm. "Yes. Yes he is."
"Then if you're happy...I'm happy." Nick pulled everything he could from inside him to put a smile on for her.
The sounds of approaching footsteps caused the two to jump back from each other.
"Ah, zere is ze bride!" A light brown hare approached them. His outfit was bright pink and orange, accentuating his rather odd gait as he approached. "Disapparing from ze party like zat! And off wiz ze groomsmon? Naughty naughty foxy loxy!" said the hare, shaking his finger with a smile.
Judy giggled. "Franck, it's..it's not like that."
"Oh my goodness I was joost jocking wiz you, dahling." Franck laughed as he threw his paws up. "But my sweet boonny bride, we have so much to discoos before tomorrow's festivities!"
Nick stared at the hare, completely unsure of what was just said. "Carrots, did he just speak...any language I might know?"
Judy laughed, pushing on Nick's shoulder. "Of course he did, you dumb fox."
Franck eyed the two of them, hiding a sly grin. "Com com, Judy dahling! Weddings doont joost plan zemselves!" He snatched her hand as he began leading her down from the bridge. Judy looked back at Nick, slightly concerned.
Nick smiled. "It's alright, Carrots. I'm heading back to the hotel anyway. I'll see you tomorrow."
Judy smiled back before heading back towards the party with the freakishly excited wedding planner.
After arriving back at his hotel room, Nick undid his tie and threw it on the bed, reaching down into the mini fridge to see what, if any, drinks were available. He knew the little bottles of wine would put an extra charge on his check-out bill, but at this point he didn't care. He opened one, feeling it burn his throat as he downed it far too quickly before flopping on the bed. Anything to get the taste of Judy's kiss out of his mouth. He stared at the ceiling, replaying the events of the night through his mind.
Knowing he was finally alone, his mask completely vanished for the first time in...he didn't know how long. With his mask gone, his eyes filled with tears, sobs breaking his breaths as he pulled his pillow to cover his face. Nick finally understood the extent of his folly. He was so afraid of failing he had messed up. He was so worried about messing up that he failed. He feared loneliness so much he rendered himself alone. Judy was so perfect...and now she would spend her life with Jack. All because Nick couldn't bring himself to say what she had apparently known all along.
He rolled to his side, wiping the copious tears from his eyes as the wine began to take affect. His mind was flooded with what ifs, all hopeful pieces of nonsense in the face of his bitter reality. He'd give his fur for a chance to go back and start over again, but destiny had already afforded him a redo which he promptly wasted. His heart burned more and more as the waves of shame and regret overcame him.
The only thing Nick knew for certain anymore was that Jack Savage was the luckiest mammal alive.
The wine and exhaustion eventually mixed, shoving worry and anxiety out of Nick's mind long enough for him to fall asleep.
Judy and her sisters had made it back their parent's house and attempted to ready themselves for bed. Judy was never one to be a night owl, and had sternly denied any attempt by her sisters to pull her out to some silly bachelorette's party. She wanted to be rested and ready for the big day tomorrow.
Jessica had already gone off to bed with her husband, leaving Judy and Joanna alone. The two had talked nonstop about the wedding plans, the craziness of Franck, and how much their father was going to turn into a blubbering baby at the wedding. He did at every one of his daughter's weddings.
"It was odd seeing Nick there today, being the only fox and all." Joanna said.
Judy laughed. "Yeah, a few more will be at the wedding tomorrow. Gideon Grey is helping cater the reception, and I'm sure Nick's mom will be there. She calls me her bunny daughter, after all. She's a super sweet vixen. She always said I was a good influence for Nick"
"Sounds like she wanted a little bunny in the family, eh?" Joanna giggled.
Judy blushed, her ears turning pink. "Uh...I don't think…"
"Oh wow, I was just kidding Judy! You're blushing so hard!"
Judy pulled her ears down over her face trying to hide her blush.
Joanna laughed and pulled Judy's paws away. "Oh my gosh did something happen between you and Nick?"
"NO!" she screamed as she turned her face away, now red as a beet. "I mean...not that I didn't...at one point…"
"Oooh scandalous, Officer Hopps! I'm sure office romances are frowned upon."
Judy lightly pushed her sister. "Can we talk about something different, please?"
"Ha ha, oookay sis. But it's good to know Nick has a thing for bunnies. After all he is pretty gorgeous."
"JOANNA!"
"What? I'm single still, I'm the last of our litter without a mate. A doe's gotta have options, right?"
"I...I don't know if that's a good idea." Judy pulled away from her sister, remembering the events from the party earlier.
Joanna leaned back, looking lazily at the ceiling. "I wonder what it's like kissing a fox…"
Judy's mind wandered back to the kiss Nick and she shared earlier. She had let herself go for a moment, indulging in the kiss before she realized what was going on. Nick had caught her off guard, that's what she told herself. Still...it was…
"Amazing…"
Judy snapped back to attention, realizing she had spoken out loud and Joanna was staring at her with her mouth wide open.
"Judy! When!?" Joanna giggled and pressed forward, ready for all the juicy details.
Judy pulled her ears down again. She peeked out from her ears and said sheepishly "Well...about two hours ago?"
"YOU KISSED NI-"
Judy lept forward, covering her sister's mouth with her paws. "Shh! Oh my gosh you loudmouth, someone might hear you!"
Joanna nodded as Judy's paws came off her mouth. She lowered her voice just above a whisper. "You kissed Nick tonight? Judy...you're getting married tomorrow!"
"I know...I know…" she pulled her ears again, blushing so much she thought she might faint. "I noticed he and Jack had disappeared from the dinner. I followed them to that bridge overlooking the brook in the orchard, and I heard them talking. Nick was telling Jack how much he had always loved me and telling him he better take good care of me."
"Oh, that's so sweet…" Joanna put her paws over her mouth. "What happened then?"
"Well...I heard what Nick said and Jack walked back to the party. It...it got to me a lot. I...I had feelings for Nick for a while…" Judy looked down at her paws. "I talked to him on the bridge, asking him why he never told me. He said he was just scared he'd mess up or friendship. I got mad, punched him on the shoulder, and he grabbed my paw and pulled me into a kiss. It was..."
"Amazing? Yeah, you already said that."
"It was completely uncalled for. I slapped him for it."
"Judy...did you tell Jack?"
Judy looked at her sister with a look of concern. "No, and I don't need to. It doesn't change anything, I love Jack. I'm marrying Jack tomorrow!"
"Wow Judy, I never knew your love life was so complex."
"It's not complex! It's simple! I love Jack!"
Joanna thought for a moment. "So you're saying that sweet fox is available?"
Judy groaned. "You're terrible. Let's get to bed. The single most important day of my life is tomorrow, and Franck will be irate if I'm not just as fabulous as he is."
The big day was finally here. As if Franck's realm of influence also included the sky, the weather was perfect. It was a gorgeous spring day, with a mild breeze blowing through the trees of the orchard. Judy, her sisters, and her mother had all arrived at the Thumper's orchard for the final preparations. Franck had been there all night and all morning, ensuring that every last detail of the venue was to his satisfaction. The result was amazing.
"Welcome to your wedding, Judy." said Franck as the does arrived.
The pavilion had rows upon rows of seats prepared for the guests, ranging from smaller chairs in the middle towards the aisle to much larger seats around the edges for larger mammals who would be attending. Centered in the pavilion was an arch built of flowers. It looked completely organic, as if it had sprouted out of the ground and grown into a perfectly beautiful arch simply for the occasion. It was layered with the beautiful vibrant flowers selected for the day. A row of equally beautiful arrangements marked the path and outlined where the bridal party would stand. The position of the set-up was just-so to catch the sunlight perfectly, letting light through so that whomever stood in position would positively glow in the sun.
"Oh...it's so beautiful…" Judy's eyes teared up at the sight. She knew this would be forever burned into her memory as the most amazing day ever.
"You're going, Nick."
Nick stood, mostly dressed, staring into the mirror of his hotel bathroom. He had been debating for nearly an hour as he dressed and undressed, cursed and scolded himself, and contemplated taking another small bottle of wine out of the fridge.
"You're a full grown fox. You can handle a wedding."
The fox in the mirror didn't seem convinced. "You love her, don't you want to see her at her happiest? On the day she...marries some know-it-all hare?"
A large sigh escaped his muzzle. This shouldn't be as hard as he was making it out to be. He knew if he didn't show up, it would cause Judy to be unhappy. He was going, and that was final.
He finished dressing, pulling his violet tie into a crisp knot and ensuring his outfit was as immaculate as he could. He brushed his fur, sprayed some cologne, and gave himself a final half-hearted finger point in the mirror as he exited. He looked at the time: 11:02. The ceremony was three hours away, and he needed to be there in two hours to get ready. It was time to find Jack, Jayce, and Joshua. So many "J" names...Nick figured that just meant Jack fit in all the more.
He meandered down the hall towards Jack's room. Upon reaching the door, his nose picked up a scent that caused him to reel back. The room smelled unmistakably like alcohol.
Nick knocked on the door, hoping Jack was ready to go. He really just wanted to get this over with. When no response came, he knocked louder. A faint rustle came from the other side.
"Jack? Come on bud, you got a pretty important date in a few hours."
More rustling, followed by some groans. A small knot started growing in the pit of Nick's stomach. He reached for the handle of the door, shaking it. "Come on, Jack-o. Time to go."
A sound of a thud and scrambling came from the other side. Nick thought he may have heard some choice words. Suddenly, the door opened, revealing a shirtless and very groggy Jack Savage.
"Jack? Are you...oh god you're hungover!"
The hare raised a paw as his eyes closed. "Please, mate, my head feels like I just had a rhino stampede over it."
Nick pressed on the door, moving past Jack and into the room. "No, no, no, Jack! You've got two hours to get your head on straight before Judy rips it off! Come on, we gotta get you dress-oh my god!"
Upon entering the room, Nick saw two bunnies laid out as well. Jayce was laying face down on the floor, still holding a bottle. Joshua was sitting up in the corner, his ears flopped over his face.
"Jack, what happened last night?" Nick demanded, pulling his ears in frustration.
"Crikey, Nick...keep ya voice down mate…" the hare chided, holding his paw to his head still. "I think I remember most of it…"
Nick scanned the room, clothes were littered on the floor along with empty bottles. Finally getting used to the scent of alcohol, he began noticing other smells. One, two, three male lagomorphs...and two…
Nick turned an angry glare to the hare. "Jack...why do I smell two female bunnies in here?"
Jack's muzzle pulled into a sheepish grin. "Uh...the housekeeping sheilas?"
"Oh my god, you had strippers in here, didn't you? I can smell their cheap perfume, Jack."
"Oi, mate...don't...let's not get carried away. Nothing inappropriate happened here last night."
"Carried away? Jack...you're getting married today, to my best friend, but whoopsies, you're hungover. And last night, double whoopsies, you got that way with your bride-to-be's brothers and two strippers. And whoopsies number threesies, you have less than two hours to get yourself together, get her brothers together, and get to the wedding before Judy goes full-on Chief Bogo on you!"
"Nick, I'll be fine, mate. I've run ops more hungover than this."
"Good to know my tax dollars are well spent, Jack-off. So glad I started paying those."
Jessica, Joanna, and Bonnie were all dressed and ready to go. Each wore a lovely lavender dress chosen by Franck and his team. But the show-stopper was Judy. Her beautiful white dress glistened in the light of the sun. Bonnie began to tear up seeing Judy.
Jessica and Joanna headed out to try to find the boys, since it was getting close to 1:00. They would all need to be prepared to start welcoming guests soon. Bonnie stayed in the small makeshift changing room that had been built to the side of the pavilion.
"Judith, you look absolutely stunning."
Judy blushed and fought a round of her own tears. "Thanks, mom."
"I never thought I'd live to see this day, bun bun." A soft smile overtook her face. "You had us worried for a while."
Judy laughed. "Why did everyone seem think I would end up an old spinster?"
"Well, you were always so consumed with your goals. You just had to be an officer, and no one thought you could. You proved them wrong. Then you poured yourself into your job. You didn't have time for any romance, it seemed. Then you got your partner, and honestly for a while we were all placing bets on when you'd tell us you and Nick would be getting married."
Judy's ears fell. "Yeah...that seems to be another common misconception."
"Oh I don't mean nothing by it, bun bun. You just had never been so close to any male, regardless of species. Nick and you just seemed to fit so well together."
Judy was glad she was currently turned away from her mother's view. Her face was flushed, and it would have been even more noticeable against the white of her dress. She took a minute to compose herself before facing her mother again.
"Mom...you would have been okay with your daughter marrying a fox?"
"Well, it certainly would have been a little...unorthodox. But we love Nick after all. He's so good with the kits." Both does smiled softly. "But what am I going on about? You're not marrying Nick! Jack's a wonderful hare! We were just surprised is all. He came outta no where from the ZBI to work with your station and then...boom! You two became an item just like that! Must've been fate!"
A small knot began welling up in Judy's stomach. Judy looked down at her gorgeous handmade dress; it was still shimmering in the sunlight. The weather was crisp and warm, perfect. Her family was excited. The venue was beautiful. Her storybook wedding was finally here. And something was horribly off.
A small knock came at the side of the changing area. "Hellooo! Are all ze boonnies dressed and presentable?"
"Franck!" cried Judy. He was a welcome distraction. "Yes, we're all dressed, come in!"
Franck entered the room, wearing an outrageously brilliant white suit. "Awww Judy dahling! Your dress eez so bootiful! So fabulous! What wild hare genius make zat for you?" Franck was beaming with excitement. He turned to Bonnie. "And you, momma, you look simply spectacular as well. Ze groomsmon party has arrived. You leave Judy to moi, go see ze guests!"
Bonnie nodded with a big grin. "Okay!" She turned to Judy, nodding again. "Okay, bun bun, it's almost time! So excited!"
Her mother left as Franck walked over to her, looking over her dress.
"Judy, you look so bootiful in zat dress!"
"Thank you, Franck…" her eyes and ears were down as far as they could go. Franck immediately noticed.
"Uh oh...Franck knows zat look. Dahling eez you getting ze cold boonny feets?"
Judy looked back up, waving her paws madly. "No no no! No cold feet here, I swear!"
"Judy…" Franck moved to her, placing his paws her her shoulders. "This crazy hare has been in ze business loong enough to know when something eez wrong wiz a bride-to-be."
Judy's eyes began tearing up. "Is it that obvious?"
"What's wrong pretty boonny, you tell Franck, yes?"
"I...I don't know, Franck. Just nervous, I guess. This has all been a very fast process." She reached up to wipe light tears from her eyes. "I only met Jack seven months ago. This all just...happened so fast."
"I see. Wedding nerves usually boonch up right before hand. Eez a big decision, dahling. My job eez to make sure ze beeg day goes perfect, but beyond ze wedding, eet's all on you and ze looky groom. But love...she eez mysterious. Friendship. Loyalty. Partnership. Desire. No one can tell you how to do eet right. You joost gotta feel eet."
Judy let his words sink in. Her eyes were welling up with tears again, and she wrapped her arms around Franck. "Thank you...thank you so much."
The guests had all arrived. The pavilion was full of friends and family, all excited for what was to come. The priest stood under the arch, next to Jack. He had somehow managed to pull himself into a presentable form from earlier, years of practice paying off. His head still throbbed slightly, but he'd manage. This was his crowning moment, after all.
Music began playing softly as heads began turning. Towards the back of the pavilion, hidden by a row of linen columns, the bridal party prepared for their entrances. Joshua and Jessica would enter first, linking arms as they took to walking down the aisle to take their place. Next was Joanna and Nick.
Nick had kept himself from looking at Judy other than small bursts of pleasant smiles. Before they began their walk, Joanna turned back to see Judy and her father, who was already tearing up. Joanna caught Judy's eye, then motioned her head to Nick. She giggled and gave a very telling wink as she took his arm and pulled him down the aisle.
That wink hit Judy far harder than she would admit. A small, tickling feeling began gnawing at the back of her head.
A few moments later, it was time for Bonnie and Jayce to go. Bonnie had been scolding Jayce and Joshua for being so visibly hungover, but relented now that the ceremony had begun. She figured she could deal with them later. For now, she gave Judy a soft smile and then turned to take her son's arm as they walked down the aisle to take the final spot before the bride's entrance. Judy and her father were next.
"Aww...cripes the waterworks sure are bad today, Jude." There was the blubbering she expected. "I just never thought I'd see the day."
"Dad...it'll be okay. It's almost done now." Judy said. The gnawing was getting worse. Before she could think any further, the music changed to signal her entrance. She and her father walked around the linen wall and she was overwhelmed by the number of people present. Every eye was on her. She quickly scanned the crowd, noticing so many faces of loved ones there to see her.
Clawhauser was one of the more noticeable ones, holding his cheeks as he squealed. Past him, She could see Chief Bogo standing with one of the few genuine smiles she'd seen on his snout. Near them was the Ottertons, who had graciously provided flowers for the wedding. Looking to the other side, she saw Gideon Grey. Near him was Vivian, Nick's mother, who looked on at Judy with a soft smile.
She turned her gaze forward, seeing Jack waiting for her at the altar. As she reached the front with her father, she could have sworn the priest said something, but she didn't hear it. Her heart was beating in her ears and the gnawing was growing. Her father motioned her forward, and she took her place in front of Jack. She looked at him, his handsome smile she'd come to know and love over the past several months suddenly seeming foreign. Inside her stomach, a knot was forming like she had never known before.
"Wedding nerves usually boonch up right before hand. Eez a big decision, dahling."
She and Jack both turned to the priest as he began the ceremony in earnest.
"We are gathered here today…"
Judy's mind wandered during his words. She felt her paw in Jack's as he squeezed lightly. She looked over at him, seeing his eyes. He gave a reassuring smile as he looked back to the priest.
The smile didn't work to calm Judy's nerves though. Her mind raced, so fast she nearly felt her head spinning. She couldn't figure out what was going on with her.
"Do you have the rings?" the priest said, finally snapping Judy's attention back. Jayce reached out and handed a ring to Jack. The two turned to each other.
It was all happening so fast, Judy barely had time to process it. Before she knew it, a ring was on her finger and Jack was preparing to speak. The beating of her heart was nearly deafening, and she was almost sure the people in the front row could hear it by now. Her eyes wandered for just a moment, catching a glimpse of orange fur standing behind Jack. She saw Nick, looking directly at her with the most genuine smile he'd ever had.
"What do you want from me, Nick?"
"I just want you to be happy."
Her attention was pulled back into the present by Jack's paw on hers. She looked down, seeing the ring, then back up at him.
"I, Jack, take thee Judith, to be my wife."
The priest turned to Bonnie, who held another ring. She handed the ring to Judy, smiling. Judy looked to her mother, the gnawing in her mind continuing.
"...honestly for a while we were all placing bets on when you'd tell us you and Nick would be getting married."
Judy turned back to Jack. She reached out, taking his paw and placing the ring on his finger.
The knot in her stomach was a full blown boulder now. The gnawing in her mind was as ferocious as a savage panther.
"But love...she eez mysterious. Friendship. Loyalty. Partnership. Desire. No one can tell you how to do eet right. You joost gotta feel eet."
"I, Judith…"
Judy never was any good at romance, after all.
"...take thee, Nick-"
As the words escaped her mouth, she realized it too late. Her paws immediately shot to her mouth as the entire ceremony fell silent. She looked at Jack, who's smile turned to confusion.
"Wh...what, love?"
Behind him, Nick's face was blank, unreadable to anyone. Judy's words had hit him like a rusted train full of explosives. He couldn't even begin to process what had just transpired.
Bonnie's mouth hung agape, along with the majority of those present. Stu's mouth hung wide open as well, the occurrence even halting his blubbering finally.
Every eye was on Judy again.
"J-Jack! I take thee, Jack!" she let out an obviously fake laugh as she forced herself to smile.
Jack didn't seem amused. He eyed her as his face changed from confusion to concern.
"Judy...you...said Nick."
Judy's ears dropped as she looked down at the ring on her finger. It suddenly all made sense to her. The gnawing in her mind wasn't leaving her alone, drawing her attention to the very confused fox standing behind Jack.
"I'm...I'm so sorry Jack." Slowly, she pulled the ring back off her finger, and handed it back to him. "I can't do this."
Jack's ears dropped as he took the ring, looking at it in his paw. He looked back up at her, now seeming annoyed. "Are you...are you serious? You and I were made for each other, Judy!"
"Sorry, Jack. Guess I've always been kind of a mold-breaker."
Huffing in anger, Jack gripped the ring in his paw. "You'll never find another mammal like me, Judith Hopps. I can't believe you've gone and embarrassed me like this in front of everyone, you lop-eared droob!"
Judy's eyes bulged at the comment. Jack's sudden anger surprised her; she'd never seen this side of him before. His sweet suave exterior had shattered. Before she could even react, though, an older bunny in a lavender dress came to her side.
"You will NOT speak to my daughter that way, you pompous hare!" Bonnie shouted.
Jack looked back at her, indignant. "And you're one to talk, ya old chook, you should be trying to talk some sense into this one here!"
"Now you listen here, Savage," Stu Hopps had stood up to defend his wife and daughter, "you better calm yourself down or-"
"Or what bunny bumpkin? You'll throw some carrots at me?" He reached out and pulled Judy by the paw harshly, causing her to cry out. "Judy is mine. I'll not lose her to some uncultured, vile, smart-aleck vulpine!"
"You forgot handsome."
No sooner than Jack turned to see the owner of the voice, a flash of orange fur came into view as Nick punched him square in the face, launching him backwards towards the crowd to a mix of gasps and applause. Nick caught his balance and shook his paw out.
"Whoo! I have literally wanted to do that for months." He noticed Judy staring at him now, eyes wide. "Oh...sorry Carrots. Didn't mean to break your groom."
She walked over to him and looked up into his eyes. For a moment, a smile pulled across his muzzle.
Whack!
Nick's head jerked to the side as her paw slapped him right across the face.
"That's for ruining my wedding, Nick."
He reached his paw up, rubbing the spot she slapped. "Sorry, Carrots, I promise it won't happen again."
"It better not." she said as she reached up and grabbed his tie. "And this...is for protecting me." She pulled him down into an equally surprising kiss, yielding several cheers from the guests.
Stu Hopps was about to protest before Bonnie stopped him with a paw.
Judy and Nick's kiss ended as Nick nearly fell over. "I love you, Nick."
"And I love you, Judy. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you."
"I always knew...and I always loved you too. I'm just as much at fault."
"You know, Fluff, this is officially the craziest wedding I've ever been to."
Judy giggled. "Good, because it's now yours."
"Uh...what!?"
Judy turned back to the older bunny priest. "Father Burrows, is it too late to continue the ceremony with a...minor substitution?"
The priest looked to the fox, then back to Judy. "Well...I suppose not."
"Great!" Judy replied. She looked back to a very confused Nick. "Oh, right! Formalities." She cleared her throat. "Nicholas Wilde, will you marry me?"
Nick paused for a moment, thinking. "Why Judy, I never thought you'd ask."
She gave him a half-lidded smirk. "Well, you weren't going to."
"Touche, Carrots. But I don't know...you're sure you want to marry me, just like that? I mean I am just an uncultured, vile, smart-aleck vulpine."
"Nick?"
"Yes?"
"Shut up and get in position."
"Well if this is how you are now I'm not so sure about it."
She looked at him scornfully. "Nicholas Piberius Wilde, what did I just say about not ruining my wedding again?"
Nick laughed as a smile came over his face. "Yes, ma'am."
In the back of the crowd, Franck Lepori stood near the cake he had worked so hard to make. On top of the cake stood a small plastic bunny bride next to a hare groom. Smiling, he deftly removed the groom, replacing it with a fox.
"Aaah love...she eez mysterious." He laughed to himself as he gave a sly grin. "But eet never hurts to be prepared."