"Daddy!"
"Up! Up!"
"Daaaaaaddy!"
Nick kept his eyes closed despite the chaotic tornado of children that surrounded him. From what he could hear and feel, Violet was tugging on his ears and repeating "Daddy" over and over again, Robin was climbing over his back, Red was tugging roughly on his right foot as he continued to scream "Up!," and he was pretty sure that Alan was just sitting quietly somewhere close. Yes, despite the physical pain his children were causing him, Nick didn't dare open his eyes, mumble a word, or even move, because that meant an even worse onslaught from the children who would surely realize he was faking sleep. This charade continued for many minutes, until he heard a very quiet Alan finally speak, and what he said could have given Nick nightmares.
"Hi, Mommy."
"I'm up!" Nick hollered as he quickly pulled himself up with his arms.
The sight that met him included four wide-eyed children happy to see their father awake and a very frustrated bunny with crossed arms and a thumping foot.
"It's past nine," Judy growled as she reached for a smiling Alan, who clearly favored her.
"I know," Nick sighed with a whining voice as he slid from the bed and ran a paw over his tired face.
"Well, did you know that we are going to be late to work?"
"Yes, Carrots."
Another sigh escaped Nick's lips as he dragged his feet into the bathroom, where he quickly splashed water onto his from the running faucet.
"Did you also know that your mother is sick and can't watch the kids today?" Judy called from the bedroom.
Water dripping from his fur, Nick ran a paw over his face as a frustrated groan escaped his lips.
"You're kidding," he stated, as if stating it made it true.
"Nope," Judy replied shortly. "Also, the wedding planner called; she wants to meet with us tomorrow afternoon."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes, tomorrow."
Nick entered the bedroom once more, where Judy paced back and forth, a content Alan in her arms. Robin and Red were chasing each other around the room, while Violet sat patiently at the end of the king-size bed.
"What's the plan with the kids?" Nick asked as he pulled on one of his many green button-up Hawaiian shirts that occupied his closet space.
Judy fixed the fox with a coy look.
"I called in a favor," she smirked easily, which made Nick slightly uneasy.
Before he could question further, Judy had turned her attention to the children.
"In the car everyone! Let's go! Come on!"
Without another word, Nick quickly buttoned his shirt, grabbed the car keys, his badge, and wallet from their places on his bedside table before following his family down to the kitchen.
From the look of the kitchen, it was clear that the children had been up for some time, as the kitchen smelled of waffles, and the dishwasher was whirling with noise as it cleaned the most recent load of filthy dishes. From the kitchen counter, Judy picked up the two coffee cups she had pre-made and handed one to Nick. Nowadays, due to the couple's hectic schedule, they made all of their coffee at home. In fact, the couple hadn't visited their favorite coffee shop (or their favorite diner, for that matter) in many months.
As usual, every car ride with the Wilde-Hopps family was an absolute nightmare. It was also a fairly loud process as Nick and Judy attempted to load the kids into the car. By the end of the ordeal, even Nick, a mostly relaxed and sarcastic fox, would appear to be ruffled and a little on edge. The drive was usually worse, with every one of the four children demanding something in high pitched squeals.
Approximately fifteen minutes later, Nick pulled their SUV into the parking lot of the Zootopia Police Department. He quickly maneuvered the vehicle into the parking spot that had now belonged to him and Judy for years. As two of the ZPD's top police officers, Judy and Nick were like war veterans with many stories to tell. New officers strived to be them, as they represented the "perfect" situation, with a happy relationship, a family, and wonderful careers. To Nick and Judy, it wasn't always that simple.
"Alright, Rabbit, what do we do with the kids?" Nick questioned as he watched Judy hop from her place in the passenger's seat down onto the pavement below before she opened the back-right car door to start unbuckling Red.
Her paws expertly undoing Red's seatbelt, and then Alan's, Judy replied in a simple tone.
"Take them inside, of course," she stated matter-of-factly.
Nick rolled his eyes as he also got out of the car and began helping the kids out of the car.
Moments later, the couple walked into the lobby of the ZPD with a chaotic circus as they led the four children inside. Alan was comfortably seated on Judy's right hip as she cradled him lightly, while Violet followed closely at her feet, never straying. Red and Robin, the two more reckless children, were climbing all over Nick as the fox chuckled lightly at Judy's disapproving "mother look."
It was with great joy that the family was greeted by a familiar animated voice. Benjamin Clawhauser, an overweight, overexcited cheetah practically screamed with glee at the sight of Nick, Judy, and their children. In fact, everyone in the lobby had about the same reaction, as it was a rarity to see not only the two great cops, but the babies that their interspecies relationship had created (despite not being married first), especially since the family didn't really get out much anymore. Balancing the two boys, Nick leaned down to Judy's height.
"We aren't leaving the kids with Clawhauser, right?" he whispered from the corner of his mouth. "I mean, I love the guy, I'm just worried he'll give them enough sugar to keep them up for two years."
Judy laughed and waved at Clawhauser as she made her way over to his large reception area.
"Hey, Clawhauser. We can't really chat too much; taking the kids up to the Chief," she stated kindly.
"The Chief?" Nick blanched.
Judy ignored him. Also surprised by the fact that the Chief would be responsible for the children, Clawhauser took a moment to reply, but quickly bounced back into the conversation.
"Just make sure you come back, Judy. I've got a case file for you two."
Thanking the big cat, Judy led her family into the elevator that was just off to the side of the reception area. Once the steel doors slid shut, Nick wheeled on Judy.
"When were you planning on letting me know that the kids are spending the day with the Chief?"
"I just did, didn't I?" Judy smirked.
Nick's eyebrows furrowed as he glared at her smirk.
"They're my kids too, Carrots. I'd like to know when you plan on leaving them with our boss."
"We have yet to prove the kids are yours," Judy joked. "Relax, Nick, I've got it under control."
"Since when do you of all animals tell me to relax?"
"Since we had four kids," Judy shrugged in reply as the elevator doors slid open once more.
As the family began walking down the hall to the Chief's office, a thought occurred to Nick.
"Carrots, does the Chief know we're leaving the kids with him?"
"Well, not exactly," Judy mumbled.
Nick didn't even have time to react as the rabbit quickly opened the door to the cape buffalo's office, and then all he heard was the Chief's booming voice.
"Hopps! Wilde! You're late–what is this?"
The Chief had been sitting at his massive desk when the four small children had invaded his office. Now, the cape buffalo was on his feet, completely distraught.
"Chief, we have a little bit of a problem," Judy said calmly.
"You're damn right we do! What are your children doing here?"
"Watch your mouth around my children," Judy stated patiently.
Nick scoffed; Judy never failed to surprise him. Here they were, bothering the mammal in charge of their employment, and chastising him about language of all things. However, that didn't stop Nick from taking a moment to reflect on how much he loved that crazy little bunny.
"Just take them for the day," Judy said.
"Are you mad, Hopps? They're children in a police station!"
"I don't have any other choice today, Chief."
"Take them home!"
"With who to watch them? If you think I'm going home, you're mistaken."
"I'll go home," Nick chipped in quickly.
Judy turned and shot him a very nasty look before turning back to the Chief.
"He isn't going anywhere either," she snapped.
"You're pushing it, Hopps!" the Chief snorted violently.
"Oh, you always say I'm pushing it. Are you going to take them for the day or not?"
Slightly taken aback at Judy's everlasting boldness, the Chief stood in silence for a few moments.
"Fine," he sighed. "But only for today!"
"Thank you, Chief," Judy grinned as she grabbed Nick by the paw and started leading him to the door. "We'll pick them up at the end of the day."
Out in the hall, Judy laughed.
"I can't believe that just worked!"
"Carrots, that was by far the greatest thing I have ever seen," Nick chuckled.
Behind them, they heard what sounded like a vase smash inside the Chief's office. The two froze and exchanged worried glances.
"I'm sure they're fine…?" Nick attempted to reassure Judy.
"Hopps!"
The Chief's voice echoed all throughout the ZPD, shaking the very walls. Both Judy and Nick flinched before looking at each other again.
"They're fine," Judy stated before quickly walking into the elevator, Nick following hurriedly behind her. Both immediately pressed the panel to close the elevator doors. With the doors shut and the elevator gliding back down to the lobby, the fox and bunny took a moment to laugh.
"We are so fired," Judy giggled.
"Yes, but we can get this case in really quick if we run," Nick smirked. "You up for it?"
"Of course, I'm up for it," Judy smiled. "Someone has to make the world a better place."