Thank you for the nice reviews, everyone! I'd like to give a special shout out to Pherenike 2 for leaving multiple positive reviews! You're a rockstar! I try to update as much as possible, like every few days or so. This is a bit of a short chapter, I wanted to devote an entire section to Judy's relationship with her parents. Don't worry, there will be a lot of romance between Nick and Judy very soon!
Judy and Nick arrived at the 1st Precinct drenched in sweat. Nick excused himself, saying he had a bunch of work to attend to. Judy waved at him as he bounded up the stairs to his office, shivering once she walked into her own air conditioned room. Her work area wasn't too much to rave about, it was the size of a janitor's closet, but it was certainly enough for her. Putting her stuff done, and settling into her office chair she opened MuzzleTime on her phone. She realized her parents had called two more times during her trip to Sahara Square, and she knew she couldn't put off calling them any longer.
"JUDY HOPPS. Why in the world didn't you answer our phone calls? We were just about to walk out the door and take the next train ride into the city. Now, your mother and I know you're a big thing over there, a big city cop, or whatever they call it, but that's no excuse for ignoring your family. Now, how are ya pumpkin? Doing fine? What's the scoop?" It was hard to believe, but Stu, her father, was actually one of the saner out of the Hopps family.
"Dad! I'm doing great! I'm working a new case, I think you may have heard of it, it's been all over the news …Is mom there, by any chance?" Judy's mom came into view, snuggling up next to Stu on the couch in the family room.
"Judy! We've been worried sick about ya, Hun. When can you come down and visit us? Your sister just gave birth a couple weeks ago. She and Bill came up to visit us. Those little babies are just darling!" Judy's mom became very stern with her suddenly. "When are you going to give us some grand babies, huh Jude? You are thirty-two years old, JUDE. You can't wait much longer, Hun. Your biological clock is ticking!"
Judy rolled her eyes at her mom. Groaning, she said the same thing she always said when her parents mentioned babies or settling down, "Mom! You know I'm a cop, right? If I have kids now I won't be able to go back to work, you know that. Raising a litter takes a lot of time." Judy watched as the expression on her mom's face fell, and felt a twinge of guilt. Quickly wanting to make it up to her, she decided to tell them that Nick had asked her out on a date. Stumbling over her words, she managed to get the following sentence out.
"But…I did find a guy. At least, I think. I mean, I'm going out on a date this weekend."
"WHAT? JUDY, THAT'S SUCH GREAT NEWS!" Her parents both spoke at the same time, asking for details like, who was this incredibly lucky bunny their daughter was going out on a date with, and if they could meet him any time soon.
"Well, you don't actually have to meet him because you already have." Her parents both looked at each other confused, "What do you mean, Judy?" Stu asked.
Judy gulped, not knowing how her parents might react, she just said it. "It's Nick, Dad."
A few moments of silence passed before anyone spoke. Finally, Judy's mom, Bonnie, broke the silence.
"Well, I mean, that's great! You have to excuse your father and me, it's just a shock to us, Judy that's what it really is. This is definitely going to take some warming up to. We know that interspecies relationships are more a thing nowadays, but you know me and your father, we're pretty traditional." She paused, before adding "But, honestly Honey. We're happy for you." She even let out a little squeal of pure glee.
Judy nodded. "I know, Mom. Dad, you okay?"
Stu, looking a bit distraught, came to his senses a bit. He cleared his throat and wiped what appeared to be a tear from his eye. "Oh, Jude. I'm just worried about the backlash you're going to receive from other animals. Even though interspecies marriage is legal now, a lot of people still have such backward attitudes. You know what happened to your cousin Fran a couple years ago…" His voice trailed off, breaking as he tried to keep it together.
"Oh my God, Dad it is way too soon to be thinking about marriage. And it's awful what happened to Fran, but that was in Bunnyburrow. I'm in Zootopia now, people are much more accepting here nowadays. Nick only asked me out on a date, guys. It might not even lead to anything honestly." Judy hoped that her downplaying would put her parents more at ease, but even she couldn't buy the crap she was spewing.
Her parents gave her a skeptical look. "Really, Judy? Don't even pretend like you don't know this is going somewhere. Honestly, I'm offended you think your father and I are that dumb."
"Really, Bonnie? I'm actually more upset Nick has taken this long to ask. You know, Jude, I'm not even sure I want you dating this guy. It seems like he doesn't have a pair of-"
"What your father means to say, is he's happy you and Nick are finally making it work. Look at you blush! Wow, I don't think I've ever seen my daughter blush. Look at her, Stu."
"OKAAY, MOM. I have to go back to work now."
"See what you did, Bonnie? You embarrassed her, that's probably why she never calls us back."
"Ugh, Stu. I DID NOT. Judy, tell your father I didn't embarrass you."
And the conversation continued like that as one of Zooptopia's most decorated law enforcement officer put aside her work to enjoy her parents' playful back and forth, even it was just for a moment.