Chapter 17 Taking Lyrics Literally
Nick woke up to Flynn's cries, looking over to the digital clock on his nightstand, "Like clockwork."
Nick sighed, it was five o'clock in the morning. He couldn't say that he was ecstatic about his son's sleep schedule, but at least he got to bed early.
"Got your breakfast right here, bud."
Nick pulled the bottle out of the warmer and Flynn gulped it down greedily, his eyes curiously watching Nick's ears twitch.
"Let's get that diaper changed."
Nick rhythmically changed the diaper, as he agreed to do so in the mornings. The vulpine shuffled into the kitchen to make the morning coffee, grinding the beans and spooning in the grounds, after which turning on the news. The ZNN Network was reporting about a drop in oil prices, nothing really interesting.
"Well Flynn, what's gonna be for breakfast today, waffles or cereal? As always I can count on your advice, buddy."
Nick started making the batter for the waffles, "Okay bud, what for the side, yogurt or berries? Both? Good call."
Nick enjoyed his pretend conversations with Flynn, which had a very wide range, but avoided topics that Judy would disapprove of. Nick put the batter in the iron, setting the timer in the kitchen.
"So, bud, you want to surprise mom today with breakfast in bed? Another good call, you are on a roll."
Nick pulled the foldable tray out from under the counter, putting a plate and utensils on it. The coffee machine beeped and Nick scooped the pot up, filling both mugs, and swiftly putting it back, after which the timer for the waffle went off and Nick opened the iron, scooping the waffle onto the plate.
Nick looked over his work, admiring it with Flynn over his shoulder, "Good job buddy, we aren't going to be castrated by mom today."
Nick made his way to their bedroom, chuckling at the sight of Judy sleeping with her face mashed against her pillow. He took Judy's mug of coffee and waved it slowly under her nose, slowly trying to pull her out of her dream.
"Morning fluff-butt, time to wake up, Flynn and I are already up."
Judy was still unresponsive, so Nick took two steps back, "I would like to submit my drop on request."
Judy shot up at the phrase, "Dammit Nick, what did I tell you about waking me like that?"
Nick shrugged, "All other attempts failed, that and your breakfast was starting to get cold."
Judy looked at the tray Nick set on the bed, "You made breakfast? Why?"
Nick took Flynn off of his shoulder and cradled him, "Well, Flynn thought it would be a good idea."
Judy looked at Nick, "So that's who you've been talking to."
Nick grinned, "Helps me think, you should try it, he is such a good listener."
Judy looked at Flynn, "Should daddy stop waking me up like this? He should? You are so smart."
Nick rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, I did it first, so it is my thing."
Judy ate her breakfast while Nick made his, both were mentally preparing themselves for the day, since both sets of parents would be visiting.
Nick's parents were the first to visit, Flynn cried immediately when handed to Nick's dad, "Looks like he's a good judge of character."
Nick's remark got him an elbow jab from Judy.
When Flynn was handled by Nick's mom, he was cooing and pawing at her jewelry, "How's being a grandma?"
Vivian looked at Nick, "He's so cute."
Nick didn't expect an answer, as he knew how distracted his mother would be. After many hugs and kisses from Vivian and a gruff goodbye from Alex, they were done with the first set of parents. Nick was happy to see his parents' positive reaction to his kit. At about four in the afternoon, Judy's parents arrived. Stu was surprised that she had only one kit, but seeing his size, concluded that one would have been about all she could handle. Flynn enjoyed both grandparents, and pawed at Stu's ears, melting the hearts of everyone in the room. Judy gave both of her parents a big hug when they left.
"I don't see what we were so worried about."
Judy looked at Nick, "I know, they already knew that I was pregnant, were we just over reacting?"
Nick shrugged, "Probably, but it's over now, so back to the normal schedule. Do you think you could handle him tomorrow?"
Judy nodded, "It's diapers, breastfeeding, and naps, how hard would it be?"
Nick knew his bunny could handle anything, but he simply asked to get permission.
"Good, the station will be happy to have one of their top officers back."
Judy bumped Nick and headed back to their room to lay Flynn down for his nap.
"You know, he's almost as adorable as you when he's asleep."
Nick wrapped his arms around Judy, resting his head on top of hers.
"Another point for mom."
Nick could sense Judy's smug expression.
"The score is all tied up, but I'd rather get some rest than try to beat you at parenting."
Nick plopped down onto the bed, still exhausted from the wakeup call he received that morning.
"Does the poor widdle fox need a nap?"
Judy's taunt didn't faze Nick in the slightest, "Nope, just resting my eyes."
Judy giggled, "That's what my grandpa says when he takes a nap."
Nick smirked, "Wise man."
Nick dozed off while Judy took care of the kit, resting for his return to the force. Like clockwork Nick woke up to Flynn's wails at five.
"Who needs an alarm clock when you have a kit."
Nick looked for the bottle warmer, finding it prepared by Judy with a note that read, "Have a good day at work, I packed you a lunch, and Flynn should go back to sleep until I am ready to wake up if you feed him."
Nick smiled at the note, slipping it in his pocket and returning to the task at hand, "Here's your snooze button, buddy."
Nick scooped Flynn up, heading to the kitchen to start breakfast and coffee for himself.
"So, vanilla or hazelnut today? Vanilla? Good choice."
Judy's super hearing picked up Nick's conversation, waking her up to witness the adorable interaction between the two orange loudmouths.
"So, what cereal today? Glazed flakes or cinnabun toast crunch? Cinnabun it is, you are a good co-pilot, but not as good as your mom."
Judy blushed, she didn't know Nick would be so open with anyone, but it made sense because the baby could neither talk, nor remember Nick's mushy statements.
"Hey Flynn, should we tell mama that we know she's spying on us?"
Nick glanced directly at Judy, giving a sly smile when he saw her look of absolute terror.
Judy saw no use in hiding, so she stepped out into the open, "How did you know?"
Nick put his paw on his nose, "Your perfume, its smell got stronger when the air conditioner kicked in, that and the only vent in the bedroom is by the door."
Judy inwardly cursed Nick's nose, "So, did you mean what you said?"
Nick nodded, "Wouldn't have anyone else."
Nick noticed that Flynn had fallen asleep while he was making breakfast, so he laid him down in his crib, returning to his breakfast with his bunny.
"Mind if I cut on a bit of music?"
Nick's green-eyed, begging face was too much to resist, "Fine, but don't get carried away, you have to get to work soon."
Nick celebrated silently on the way to his record player, putting on Tiny Prancer by Elton Fawn. "May I have this dance, milady?"
Nick made a showy bow and held his paw up.
"Why certainly good sir."
Judy loved when Nick did things like this, as it showed a side of him that most would never really see. Nick and Judy danced slowly with each other, enjoying every second of it.
Nick gave Judy a deep, tender kiss as the song faded out, "You sure beat the date I took to prom."
Judy looked at Nick completely surprised, "I didn't know you went to prom."
Nick let out a sigh, "She was a blonde vixen, simply using me to get back at her ex as of the day before, I thought she actually liked me, so you could imagine my surprise when I went to the bathroom, only to find the two shagging in the stall."
Judy put her paw over her mouth, "I'm so sorry."
Nick chuckled halfheartedly, "You never left me on the dancefloor to shag some douchebag, so you don't need to be sorry for anything, fluff."
Judy looked up at Nick mischievously, "Maybe we should invite them to the ball as our dates, then show them how a bunny and a fox shag in a bathroom stall."
Nick enjoyed when his little bunny thought of weird ways to get back at the people who hurt him.
"I would like to keep my job, carrots, not end up in the cell next to Renard."
Judy grinned, "I could probably have us both put in the same cell."
Nick suppressed a laugh, "I know who the dominant one is here, so no dice."
Judy giggled and kissed Nick on the cheek before heading to the bedroom. Nick was getting ready to leave for work when the record started playing, I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues by Elton Fawn.
"That's the one," Nick thought, "That's the song I will have played before I propose to Judy."
Nick walked up to the front desk of the ZPD, "Hey Clawhauser, where to today?"
Clawhauser squealed with joy, "O. M. Goodness, your kit is too cute."
Nick rubbed his neck, "Yeah, soft too."
This only made Clawhauser even more giddy.
"So, you gonna tell me where I need to go, or am I gonna have to take your donuts away?"
Clawhauser smirked at Nick's remark, jabbing a thumb towards the bullpen. Nick walked toward the door, mentally preparing his snarky comments, as Judy's labor assaults had shown him heights of pain he had never known existed, coating his balls in a layer of titanium as a bi-product. The fox walked up to his seat, overflowing with confidence, waiting for the chief.
"SHUT IT," The chief's voice stopped all shenanigans instantly, "Now for the first item on the docket."
Nick piped up, "Is it a boat sir?"
The buffalo looked up at the fox, he had seen this before, "I would be willing to accept your resignation, so you could pursue your comedy career better."
Nick was ready for this, "Aw chief, who would be around to annoy you then?"
The buffalo took his glasses off, "I see that becoming a father has robbed you of your fear of me, but this has happened before with Fangmeyer, and it did not end well."
Nick thought about how terrified Fangmeyer was of the chief, and quickly decided that he had pushed his luck far enough, sitting back in his chair quietly.
"Now, Higgins, Francine, and Wolford, Tundra Town SWAT; Fangmeyer, Delgato, and Edmunds, inmate transport escort; and Wilde, recruit detail."
Bogo's sinister smile terrified Nick, what fresh hell had he dredged out of the police academy? A rather small wolf walked into sight, she was tan and had brown eyes.
"Sir, with all due respect, do you really think this is safe after what happened last time?"
Bogo gave a halfhearted glance at Nick, "You have both your lethal and non-lethal, don't you?"
Nick nodded.
"Good, then she should be fine."
The wolf looked confused to the nature of the two officers' conversation.
"Hi officer Wilde, I am officer Sandy. I know I look small for a wolf, but that's because I'm a runt."
Nick hopped down, standing only a few inches shorter than Sandy.
"As for the conversation, rookie, I had a VERY bad experience with a new recruit about four weeks ago, hence my authorization to carry a lethal weapon."
The wolf eyed the pistol nervously, "I always use non-lethal, the lethal only comes out when the opposition draws a lethal," Nick eyed her belt, seeing only the standard issue non-lethal, "so you are in no danger."
The wolf's tension eased visibly, "What should we do first, officer Wilde?"
Nick thought, "Put on your Kevlar, we are going patrolling."
Nick revved the cruiser, "You ready for your first day in the ZPD?"
The wolf looked excitedly at Nick, "Yes, very."
Nick pulled out of the motor pool, heading for the shady part of town.
The two were quickly alerted to an armed robbery, "Ten four, on the way."
The radio crackled, "Copy that, stay safe."
Sandy started to shake nervously, "Hey, what's bugging you, rookie."
She fidgeted, "I'm clumsy when it comes to firearms."
Nick sighed, "Just follow my lead and let me do the shooting if it comes down to it."
As they pulled up to the scene, the culprit drew his pistol, pointing at the car, Nick grabbed the microphone, but the wolf opened the door to get into a firing stance, completely forgetting her training. Nick heard a crack and saw Sandy fall back into her seat, instinctually he pulled both of them below the cover of the dash, "Dispatch, shots fired, officer down, we need backup and a medic, do you copy?"
Nick heard the raspy voice of the coyote that shot at them, "Oh I copy, and I'm not leaving any witnesses."
Nick pulled his service pistol before the coyote could draw his, shooting him in the neck. "Dispatch, shots fired, suspect down, send coroner."
The voice over the radio crackled, "Ten four, medic and coroner are in route to your location, sit tight."
Nick sat up, surveying the damage, there was blood coming from her head, so he slowly lifted her helmet off. To Nick's surprise, it was simply a flesh wound, as the bullet was absorbed mostly by the helmet.
"You're gonna be okay, rookie," Nick repeated this until she woke up, Nick holding her still so she wouldn't cause any further damage to herself.
"I screwed up, didn't I?"
Nick sighed, "A little bit."
The wolf looked very disheartened, "I don't blame you if you are mad."
Nick laughed, "Mad? I thought you were dead a few minutes ago, I was terrified that I let a recruit get herself killed on my watch."
Nick caught a familiar glint in the wolf's eyes as she said, "You were worried about me?"
Nick held up a paw, "Slow down, yes I was worried, but no, it was only professional, I am a father after all."
Sandy tried to hide her embarrassment by burying her face in her paws, "Why are all the good ones taken?"
Nick laughed, "Judy is why I'm a good one."
The wolf's ears perked up, "You are married to Judy Hopps?"
Nick looked about the car, "Well, not yet, but I'm planning a really special proposal at the ball."
Sandy's ears drooped once more, "Damn, a romantic too, this is torture."
Nick sighed, he had to tell her, "Sandy, you are not the first to fall for me, that new recruit I talked about fell for me and went to extremes to try to have me, even though I was already in a relationship and had a kit on the way. She even went so far as to abduct me in a failed rape attempt."
Sandy put her paws back over face, "Oh my gosh, you still partnered with me even though that happened?"
Nick chuckled, "You, rookie, have been bumbling about all day, I'm pretty sure you would have tranquilized yourself if you tried what she did."
Sandy squirmed even more, "You're so mean."
Nick gave his signature smirk, "Nope, just honest, now if that is the coroner, I'd probably report the death of your dignity, as the officers in the bullpen will never let this go."
Nick turned to the siren, it was the medic.
"Never mind, it's the medic, come on, up you get."
Nick steadied the still dazed officer, "We got a head wound, she will probably need stitches. I need to stay here, as the coroner will need my report, and the council will need to determine whether or not my use of lethal force was necessary."
The coroner arrived minutes after the medic left, "Officer, I would like your verbal report as I prep the body for examination."
Nick stood at parade rest, "We responded to an armed robbery call. As I drove to the scene I told officer Sandy to simply follow my lead, but when we got to the scene we were fired upon by the suspect, at that time I concluded that sandy had an adrenaline surge and forgot what to do, instinctually taking a firing stance as per academy training. This is when the suspect shot once more, hitting officer Sandy in the head, knocking her unconscious. I pulled her below the dash to avoid further damage and radioed for backup and a medic, but the suspect approached our cruiser, stating that he wasn't going to leave witnesses, and it was at this point that I pulled my lethal, putting one round in the suspect's neck."
The coroner nodded, returning to his job, "You are to report to the chief, your council date will be issued to you."
Nick approached Fangmeyer, who was waiting in a cruiser, "Hey Nick, chief told me to give you a lift, since your cruiser is now evidence."
Nick hopped into the passenger seat, "I hated it."
Fangmeyer knew exactly what he was talking about, "First time, huh? You never get used to it, the movies are full of shit, it becomes more of a survival instinct."
Nick was silent for the rest of the ride to headquarters.
"Wilde, in all my years of being in the force, I have never been able to tell my officers how to deal with their emotions after they have killed for the first time, some get over it after a while, some quit from the stress, and some even commit suicide, but as per regulation, your hearing will be in three days, until then you are on paid leave. You are dismissed."
The chief was concerned about the fox, worried if he'd either grow numb to killing, or bite a bullet from the emotional burden.
"Stay safe, Wilde," Bogo said once Nick was out of earshot.
Judy ran downstairs when Nick opened the door, but instead of hugging her, he went straight to the toilet, heaving everything into the porcelain bowl.
"Oh my god Nick, what happened?"
Nick's eyes were flowing with tears, "He was going to kill me and I drew first, I can still see his face."
Judy pieced it together instantly, "It's okay Nick, you did it in self-defense, you didn't murder him."
Nick sat on the tiled floor, sobbing while Judy held him. Nick took three hours to calm down, eventually passing out on the sofa. Nick had a dream about the coyote, he had Judy captive with a gun pressed to her neck.
"Wait, don't shoot, I'll do whatever you want."
The coyote cackled, "Toss your weapon aside."
Nick did as he was told.
"Foolish," The coyote fired, blowing a hole through Judy's jugular.
"No!"
The coyote turned his gun on Nick, waiting until Judy had stopped her spasms before executing him. Nick woke up screaming and sweaty.
Judy ran into the living room, "Nick are you…"
She was interrupted by Nick kissing her, "I thought I had lost you, the coyote had you and he told me to drop my gun, but when I did he killed you and then made me watch you die before executing me."
Judy soothed Nick, petting his muzzle, "It's okay, I'm right here."
Nick slowly fell asleep in Judy's arms once more. The next two days, Nick prepared for his hearing, cleaning his uniform, proof reading his report, and preparing for the worst.
"Officer Nicholas Wilde, this hearing has convened to decide whether or not your use of lethal force was necessary or not. Are you of sound mind and body?"
Nick took a deep breath, "Yes, sir."
The elephant proceeded, "At 11:37 AM you responded to an armed robbery, is this correct?"
Again, "Yes, sir."
Continuing the elephant looked at the report, "Is it true that officer Sandy admitted to being sub-par with firearms?"
Nick quickly defended her, "No sir, she said she had slight trouble, not that she was sub-par."
The elephant acknowledged this, "Now when you pulled up to the scene, did you alert the suspect to your presence?"
Nick responded, "The suspect was aware of us, but that was due to the sirens."
The elephant scribbled on his pad, "I see, now what happened after you arrived up until the point where you took cover in the squad car?"
Nick went rigid, "The suspect pulled his gun and fired, that was when officer Sandy opened her door to get in a firing position with her non-lethal, but as she was halfway put the door, I heard a crack, and officer sandy had slumped back into her seat, after which I had pulled her beneath the dash for cover."
The elephant looked at the report, "What was going through your mind when you saw officer Sandy slumped over in her seat?"
Nick sighed, "In all honesty, sir, I saw the blood streaming down her snout, so I concluded that she was dead."
The elephant's expression turned grim, "What did you feel?"
Nick thought, "I was in shock, emotions had not yet registered, and that was when the suspect approached my door."
The elephant held up his trunk silencing Nick, "We will get to that part, now is it correct that the suspect stated that he was not going to leave any witnesses?"
Nick shuddered, "Yes sir, our patrol car's camera is broken, so it only records audio, but you will hear him clearly on the audio."
The elephant nodded, "Now, you said emotions had not yet registered when you had shot the suspect."
Nick's stomach was churning, "Yes sir, he began to draw his weapon, but I drew my service weapon before him, it just happened to be my lethal that was the closest. I was stunned when I fired, as I thought I had grabbed my non-lethal."
The elephant thought for a minute, then said, "Leave us, I must speak with your chief."
Nick left the room, and after what felt like an eternity was ushered back in.
"Officer Nicholas Wilde, this council has come to the decision that your use of lethal force was necessary in the protection of your fellow officers, and that of the citizens of Zootopia, with this you will be back to your normal duties when your chief sees fit. This hearing is now concluded."
Nick was brought to Bogo's office.
"Wilde, if I see any off behavior, you are going straight to the shrink, am I clear?"
Nick nodded.
"Good, now go prepare for your meeting with the mayor, I was only able to postpone it for so long."
Nick groaned, "I would rather have five hundred kits than see that stupid badger."
Bogo laughed, "I'm sure, but you have to do it anyways, besides a few celebrities decided to attend."
Nick was brushing the lint off of his dress blues, "Nick, stop worrying, you look amazing."
Judy had Flynn in her lap.
"I thought this was going to be like the graduation ceremonies, you know, with only a few people, not a whole amphitheater."
Judy kissed Nick, "You'll do fine, all you have to do is stand at attention and receive a medal."
Nick sighed, "Okay."
Nick felt the thousands of eyes watching him, and there were a few big celebrities; Elton Fawn, Gazelle, Lia, Bill Furray, Brad Kitt, and Leon Neeson. The mayor made a big speech, then pinned on Nick's medal, sending a thunderous applause through the crowd, suddenly they started chanting, "Speech, speech, speech."
Nick looked over to the chief, who grinned evilly and waved his hoof to the podium. As Nick took the podium, the crowd died down.
Taking a deep breath Nick said, "I have no speech, but would you like to know what went through my mind that night?"
The thunderous cheers from the crowd were a definite yes.
"As you know, in the academy, they teach us honor, courage, etcetera, but that night I saw my partner in danger, and all my training, all I was taught, went out the window, and only one word remained in my head… Protect. Protect her no matter what the cost, and when I took that bullet, all I could think about was her health, not mine that was slipping through the hole in my gut. The whole time she was trying to soothe me, I was asking her if she was okay. When we were rushing to the hospital, all I was worried about was how this would affect her. When I was heading into the operating room, ALL I could think about was, "Is she going to be okay?" In the face of mortal danger, I found that I was ready to accept my demise in order to protect. Make no mistake, I was terrified the whole time, but I ignored that fear. In my opinion, this medal has is meaningless compared to the scar I earned saving my fellow officer."
With this the stands all shot up in a standing ovation for the officer.
Nick saluted the crowd and went back to his room, but was stopped by the celebrities on the way, Leon Neeson spoke first, "You, my boy, are a genuine bad ass."
Brad Kitt was next, "Son, you are a hero, just ask and you will be in my next war movie."
Bill Furray shook Nick's hand, "Moving speech son, I would like to spend some time with you later."
Lia was excited, "Mister Wilde, I would like to say that Gazelle, Elton Fawn, and I will be performing at the ball."
Nick stood in amazement, "T-thank you, this is amazing, but why?"
Elton Fawn piped up, as no one else was around to hear, "Come on, you really think you could hide your feelings from people who write songs for a living? You are one smitten bugger, and besides, who wouldn't want to perform at the ball that the two most famous police officers are attending?"
Nick looked at the trio, "Judy is a big fan, would you mind talking to her?"
Gazelle spoke up, "Why not?"
Nick slowly opened the door, slipping in to avoid Judy spotting the massive amount of fame that was on the other side of the door.
"Hey Judy, so the speech went well, but I have some people who want to talk to you."
Judy looked a bit miffed, "I don't think now is a good time, Flynn is a bit fussy."
Nick saw his chance and playfully walked over to the door, opening it wide enough for Judy to see the trio, "Sorry guys, Flynn is a bit fussy." Gazelle squealed as she ran past Nick to see the kit in the cradle, "Oh isn't he just the most precious thing you have ever seen?"
Flynn pawed at the celebrity, causing her to giggle, playing with him even more. Nick looked over to Judy, who was dumbfounded at the sight of her favorite pop star playing with her kit.
"Guess that settles the Flynn problem. Judy, meet Elton Fawn, Lia, and, of course, Gazelle."
Judy managed a feeble wave.
"Hey Judy, Are you alright?"
Judy let out an ear piercing squeal, "Gazelle…is…in…the…room!"
Gazelle smiled warmly, "Yes, we wanted to say hello to the cutest couple ever."
Judy looked at Nick, terrified, "Hey, they simply knew, the ZPD hasn't let anything slip, and neither have our parents."
Elton spoke, "We write songs for a living, spotting feelings and bringing them out at full force is our job."
Judy conversed with Gazelle and Lia, all of which were fawning over Flynn, while Nick had led Elton Fawn into another room to talk.
"Mr. Fawn…"
Nick was cut off by a hoof, "Call me Elton, I am far from being a fawn anymore."
Nick continued, "Elton, I want to propose to her at the ball, and I decided what song I wanted to have played, but seeing as the artist is right here, do you think me and you could sing a song together to set the mood?"
The deer thought about it, "Let me guess, I Guess Why They Call It The Blues?"
Nick was amazed, "Yes, definitely."
The deer chuckled, "Still got it, sure we can do that, I'll have my personal contact info sent to you, and we will set up the proposal of the century. You got a ring?"
Nick produced the ring, and the deer admired it, "How much did this thing cost you?"
Nick shuddered, "Thirty odd thousand?"
The buck chuckled, "She'll love it, now let's get back to the women before they get suspicious."
Judy was ecstatic as she had both Gazelle's and Lia's personal contact info, "Nick, did we just make friends with our favorite celebrities?"
Nick gave a smirk, "And you thought Flynn was too fussy."
Judy blushed and punched Nick's gut, eliciting a loud yelp from the vulpine.
"Oh my god! I didn't mean it, Nick, I wasn't looking where I was hitting."
After ten minutes of heavy breathing and four pain pills, Nick was able to speak, "It's okay, just look next time please, your punching bag isn't as durable as he used to be."
The duo left the building, but found that the mini-van was surrounded by reporters, all of whom were wanting to get an answer as to why Judy was driving it.
"Looks like a few officers need a lift home," Chief Bogo's voice startled the two.
"I brought the troop transport, and yes I got the car seat out of your mini-van, now you two get out of here."
Nick was excited as Vivian Picked up Flynn to stay at her house for the next few days.
"Mom do you have bottles? Do you have diapers? You do know his schedule right?"
Vivian gave her son a stern look, "Nick, I raised you, I can handle one kit for a few days."
Nick sighed, "Okay, I love you, mom, be safe."
Nick picked up Flynn, "Give her hell, buddy."
Vivian Flicked Nick's nose and kissed his cheek.
"We're off, see you two lovebirds in a couple days."
Judy was adamant about not letting Nick see her dress, even when Nick complained about how unfair it was, since he had to wear his dress blues. Nick fretted over his dress blues, he was always paranoid when he wore them.
"There is a piece of lint somewhere on my uniform, I can SENSE it."
Judy laughed, combing Nick up and down, not finding a single piece on him, "There is one piece right here."
Nick turned around, "Where?"
Judy's lips met with his.
"Sly bunny."
Judy smiled, "Dumb, handsome fox."
Nick completed his preparations, "You're sure you don't need me to drive you?"
Judy sighed, "For the hundredth time, Fru-Fru is picking me up, and I will meet you there."
Nick held his hands up in mock surrender, "Okay, I'm taking the charger."
Judy kissed Nick once more, "Be safe."
Nick kissed back, "I will."
Nick entered the ballroom, seeing many uniforms and dresses, "Wilde, you romantic fucker you, ready for the surprise tonight?"
Nick grinned at the buck, "Ready, terrified, but ready."
Nick and Elton conversed as if they were childhood friends, shocking all who knew who the buck was. About an hour later, Nick started to hear comments about Judy standing him up, Wolford even told him, "Hey, don't worry, the stag group is over there."
Nick was about to punch him, but stopped when he saw Judy, with a silver, backless dress. Judy had used shampoo with micro-prisms, making her fur sparkle, and when she walked, she did so elegantly, leaving all that were near breathless.
"Officer Wilde, you look dashing tonight."
Nick snapped out of his stupor, "Officer Hopps, you look… Divine."
Judy blushed as Nick kept going, "That dress looks magnificent on you, and your fur, wow. Did Fru-Fru help you with this?"
Judy nodded, "Well then, I should thank her for such a stunning date."
Judy and Nick danced until Elton gave his cue, "Judy, I need to take care of something, I will be right back."
Judy kissed him, "Don't take too long."
Nick ran backstage, waiting for Elton to spot the perfect moment, and about thirty minutes later, he waved for Nick to come on stage subtly. Judy was scared that Nick might have abandoned her.
"Officers, I have a very special song for you tonight, I hope you enjoy."
Judy's ears heard the piano building up to the song, the suddenly Nick's voice.
"Don't wish it away, Don't look at it like it's forever."
Elton and Nick swapped the singular lines, leading up to the chorus, when both sang, "And I guess that's why they call it the blues, time on my hands, could be time spent with you, laughing like children, living like lovers, rolling like thunder under the covers, and I guess that's why they call it the blues."
The music faded away until only Elton was left playing the piano, and Nick was illuminated by a spotlight, "Judith Laverne Hopps, we have been through a lot together, and I don't know which was more painful, the bullet, or your death grip on my hand when you were in labor."
This elicited laughs, even from Judy.
"But, the most painful thing I could ever think of, is going on without you knowing how much I truly love you. Judy, I want to be by your side for the rest of my life, I want to be there for you and Flynn always, I want to shout to the world that you are mine, so I guess what I am desperately trying to say is," Nick kneeled in front of Judy, pulling the ring out, "Judith Laverne Hopps, will you marry me?"
Judy was overflowing with tears of joy, "Y-y-yes, you stupid, handsome dummy."
Nick slipped the ring on her paw, then scooped her up, giving her a passionate kiss.
"Top shelf, Nick, now for my final song of the night, Tiny Prancer."
Nick was ecstatic, drinking fancy wine and dancing with his wife, Gazelle had performed her set, and the band was setting up for Lia when Nick was in the bathroom. Lia started with one of her most famous songs, Chandelier.
Nick left the bathroom, nearing the songs most memorable bit, and in this moment, drunk Nick saw the Chandelier just in front of the balcony, so he ran full sprint, vaulting off of the railing when she hit the famous line, grabbing onto the massive fixture, laughing in euphoria.
Nick was the happiest fox in the world. Judy was downstairs listening to Lia's performance, when she heard the clink of the crystals above her head, "Nick, what are you doing?!"
Nick kept laughing as Lia kept singing, all until he fell off, landing on the buffet.
"Hey carrots, best night ever."
Judy laughed, pulling some pasta out of his fur and eating it, "It could get better."
Nick gulped as Judy led him out of the building and to his car. Nick stopped at a convenience store, grabbing a box of shagnums, "Best to wait a year or two before the next kits."
Nick was set on a night of fun with Judy, but all his hopes were dashed when the hefty amount of wine made a violent comeback. Judy took Nick's jacket, shirt, and tie, making sure that they wouldn't get any vomit on them.
Nick woke the next morning, feeling like a sledge hammer had its way with his brain, "You sleep good, carrots?"
Judy blushed, "I covered our bed in glitter and other things."
Nick chuckled, "I'm still bigger."
This made Judy blush even more. Nick flipped the television on, selecting the ZNN channel, "We have footage of what celebrities everywhere are calling the proposal of the century."
The footage showed Nick singing and then proposing, eliciting "Aws" and "How sweets."
The reporter chuckled, "Officer Wilde was pretty happy, so much so, that he took some lyrics too seriously."
The footage cut to him landing on the chandelier, laughing, and falling off after a minute. "Oh that looked bad, I hope he's okay."
Nick cut off the television. "I remember only about up to when I went to the bathroom, after that it is a blur and vomit."
Nick was about to say more when Chief Bogo's face appeared on Nick's buzzing phone.
"Hello?"
Bogo's voice was eerily calm, "The only reason I haven't fired you for this stunt, is that your publicity rakes in more money than you cost, that being said congrats on your engagement, you report for duty two days from now. Good bye."
Nick blinked, "well that went better than expected."