Chapter 16:

His Ex

Nick and Judy were walking across the Zootopia bridge one night. They had just gone to see a movie that they had both really wanted to see for a while but it turned out to be very subpar. But hey, a bad movie gave them something interesting to talk about.

"I was with it up until the aliens attacked, after that I was done," Judy said still laughing over how bad it was.

"Whoever made this movie really needs to take a moment to sit down and reevaluate their life," Nick said. "The whole relationship thing was ridiculous. Who acts like that?"

"Tell me about it." Judy smirked as she thought of something. "You know, I've always wondered, who have you dated before me?"

Nick chuckled. "You really wanna know my relationship history?"

"I'm all ears," she said eagerly.

"Alright, fine. My last serious relationship was about 2 years ago. I had a lot of flings and what not. I was always kind of a playboy I guess. She was my only real long term relationship."

Judy let that sink in. She hadn't expected Nick to have been with a lot of people but felt like she shouldn't have been surprised. "Have you ever...slept with anyone?"

"You really wanna know the answer to that question?"

She wanted him to say no but everything about the look in his eyes said yes.

"Okay, now it's your turn. What have your past relationships been like?"

"My love life hasn't been nearly as interesting as yours."

"I'm all ears," he quoted her.

"Well, I had my first kiss at 12. I've had really one serious relationship when I was in high school but even that didn't last more than a year. And then there was Sam. I kinda liked him a while ago but he wasn't really right for me. I've never slept with anyone. I guess I've never really been popular with guys."

"I can't imagine why," Nick said. "I would have thought all the guys would want you."

Judy shrugged. "I have you, that's all that matters." She looked at the sparkling water below. "Look at the water. Isn't is beautiful with the sunset over it?"

He wrapped his arms around her waist. "Yeah, but you know what's more beautiful?"

"What?" she said unsuspectingly.

"You."

She blushed. "Nick, you're so sweet."

"I love you sweet bunny," he said right before he kissed her.

Nearly a month later she still couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that Nick loved her. Her of all people. Every time he held her, every time he kissed her, called her sweet bunny, and told her he loved her, she just couldn't believe she was this lucky. How did she ever deserve to have a man as wonderful as Nick Wilde?

"I love you too sweet fox," she said against his lips. Just as she was about to kiss him again they were interrupted.

"Nick!"

They turned around and saw a girl approaching them. She was a fox with long brown hair, striking eyes, and wore a ruffled white mini skirt.

"Esmeralda?" Nick said clearly surprised.

"Oh my god, Nick, it's been so long!" she said reaching out and giving him a hug.

"Um, yeah, right," he said tentatively giving her a hug back.

She looked Judy up and down. "Who's your friend?"

"This is my girlfriend Judy. Judy his is Emeralda...my ex girlfriend."

"Oh, okay, nice to meet you Esmeralda," Judy said surprised. The two girls eyed each other for a moment.

Nick could sense the tension. "Me and Judy should be going."

"It was nice to see you again Nick." She put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from leaving. "We should hang out sometime."

"We'll see about that." Nick turned away wanting to break the tension as fast as possible.

There was an awkward silence between them for a while. Judy eyed Nick for a moment. He was obviously distracted. She wondered if he was thinking about Esmeralda, missing her, wanting to be with her.

"What was she doing here?" Judy finally said.

Nick shrugged. "Not sure."

"How long did you two date?"

"Two years."

Judy let that sink in for a moment. 2 years was a long time. "Did you love her?"

"Yeah…" Nick looked at Judy and realized how she felt. He stopped walking and put his hands on her shoulders. "That was a long time ago Judy. Esmeralda and I broke up for a reason. It doesn't matter anymore."

*WW*

The next day Judy and Maribel had just left the nail salon and were walking through the mall. They were always busy at the City Hall and the police department. But sometimes they needed a chance to be girly and have fun.

"I'm in the mood for some smoothies," Judy said. "Where's the smoothie shop?"

"It's all the way over there," Maribel said pointing to the other side of the mall. "How's the whole relationship thing going?" she asked curiously.

Judy couldn't help but smile. "It's...amazing."

"Yay! I'm so happy for you! I knew this was going to happen eventually. Everyone did."

"Yeah, I know." Clawhauster wouldn't stop talking about how he was waiting for them to get together and they had made his dreams come true.

"Well you two are super cute together. Did you end up going to see that movie last night?"

"Oh yeah, we saw it," Judy said less enthusiastically. She still hadn't forgotten about what had happened when they saw Esmeralda. Something about it didn't sit well with her.

"What happened?" Maribel said.

"Well...I met Nick's ex girlfriend."

"No way! When did he date her?"

"It was a couple of years ago. They dated for two years!"

"Dang, that's wild. Is she pretty?"

Judy didn't want to admit it but how could she not? Esmeralda was tall and exotic looking, She was nothing compared to her. "She's gorgeous."

"Well, hey, don't let it bother you. It was a long time ago. Nick loves you."

Judy gasped at who she saw up ahead.

"What?"

"That's her!"

Maribel gasped when she saw the tall pretty girl with long silky hair blowing out behind her. "Wow she really is gorgeous!"

"Thanks," Judy grumbled.

"I didn't mean it like that! She's not as pretty as you, she's just...really pretty. Why did Nick break up with her?"

"Not helping Maribel!"

"Should we go a different way...never mind, she sees us."

Sure enough Esmeralda spotted them and walked over to them. "Julie, right?"

"Judy," Judy said.

"Mm-hmm. So how long have you been dating Nick?"

"It's none of your business," Judy said defensively.

Esmeralda snickered. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Nick was madly in love with me. It broke his poor little heart when I broke up with him."

"Why did you break up with him?" Judy said suddenly angry that this chick had broken Nick's heart.

"Personal reasons. I'd almost forgotten how hot Nick was, and sexy...not to mention he's a very good lover," she smirked at that last part knowing she was making Judy mad.

Sure enough Judy was streaming. She was angry at Esmeralda for trying to get under her skin like this...and even jealous that this girl knew what it was like to sleep with Nick and she didn't. "You just stay away from Nick!"

Esmeralda looked down the bridge of her nose at Judy. "You'll never understand what Nick and I had. You may think you mean something to him but I know him so much better than you do. You don't stand a chance. Nick will be mine." With a toss of her hair she walked off.

"What a hoe," Maribel said. "Why would Nick ever date her?"

Judy was still furious. Who did this girl think she was trying to walk into her and Nick's life like this? One thing was for sure, she would never let Esmeralda have Nick, ever.