"That's baseball, and it's my game. Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there. You yell like crazy for your guys. It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops. Pretty girls, lots of 'em." -Humphrey Bogart
"I'm never having alcohol ever again", Ralph complained while slowly rubbing his temples. Evelin snickered quietly and caressed her brothers ears that were peeping out of the blanket, that she was also sitting on. "Did we pack some light painkillers?" he sighed.
"Not to my knowledge" Eve chuckled. "But I'm sure, Judy and Nick will have some".
"It's only just past nine, I don't want to wake them up", Ralph sighed and turned his head to the other side, smiling slightly when he saw the still deeply sleeping Clara. "And it seems they are not the only ones still asleep".
Evelin stretched her head, watching her older sister and grinned. "She would have been better making out with that cheetah instead of drinking another cocktail".
"Another one of our litter dating a predator from Zootopia? Mom and Dad will be ecstatic!" Ralph winked.
"As long as you're the good son and having a normal rabbit family with Melanie" Evelin snickered, "Speaking of a normal rabbit family, what about your second litter? Your first one is almost a year old; it's about time, isn't it?"
Ralph groaned, "You will have more than enough little bunnies to look after in about a week, won't you?"
"That's what I'm saying! A few more or less will make no difference", she giggled.
"Don't forget about Judy's kits", Ralph smiled at her. "Did you already talk with her about Sven's…"
"Shhh!" Evelin put her finger in front of her mouth. "No, I haven't, and Clara has no idea, either", she looked to her older sister and then to Ralph again with a warning look. "And as long as his negotiations are not home and dry, I will not say anything. You're currently the only one who knows about it. I don't want to raise false hope". Her ears twitched when she heard the toilet flushing. "Oh, and at least one of our hosts is already awake. I will ask for some painkillers for you", she winked at Ralph who nodded thankfully.
Evelin slipped from the bed, slowly rubbing her belly. Her little kits were quite active this morning again! She opened the door of the guestroom and walked along the hall to the bathroom. As she was waiting in front of it, she heard a quiet moaning.
She knocked on the door hesitantly, asking softly: "Is everything okay in there?" She could hear someone using the sink then some quiet footsteps – definitely Judy. "Juju?"
"Yeah…" her sister answered with a quiet and somewhat weary voice.
Evelin pushed down the handle and slowly opened the door. "Hey, sis. Everything ok… green carrot, what's the matter with you?" She made a quick leap towards her sister who was bracing both her arms on the basin and had a really pale face.
"Hey, Eve" she tried to smile. "Everything's alright, just some morning sickness". Judy slowly turned around, appearing to be somewhat weak- in the knees.
Eve put her arms around her and smiled softly. "You should sit down and have a glass of juice. Come on, I'm escorting you to the couch".
"Thank you, but I think I can go on my own…" she said but stumbled the moment she wanted to leave the bathroom.
"Hey, hey… careful, sis. That's not normal morning sickness, you cannot even stand on your own. You're sure that everything's okay?" Evelin braced her sister on her arm and looked somewhat worried. They made a few steps together out of the bathroom and headed to the living room.
"I'm just a bit tired, I didn't get a lot of sleep. They were kicking around the whole night and it's difficult to find a position that is comfortable for both my belly and my chest" Judy smiled softly, holding her belly with one paw, and her other arm supported by Evelin.
Her sister turned her head a bit and put her own paw on Judy's belly. "You're sure you're just in your third week? You look as if you are at least in the fourth" she winked.
"And I'm feel like I'm in the sixth…" Judy smiled. "But Doctor Alisson was quite sure about that. Please don't say that I have woken you up?" she looked worried at her younger sister.
Evelin waved her hand and shook her head, "No, don't worry. I've been awake for half an hour and Ralph woke up ten minutes ago. I just heard someone in the bathroom and wanted to ask if you have some painkillers for your sissy-brother", she grinned.
"Too much beer yesterday, eh?" Judy grinned a bit. "Yes, of course. We have some aspirin in our drawer over there…" she wanted to break away on her own but Evelin held her tight.
"I can get it, too. You are going to sit down right there, geddit?"
"I'm okay, Eve", Judy smiled softly, but she didn't sound too convincing. Evelin escorted her to the couch and helped her sit down. While Evelin walked to the kitchen, that is separated with a counter from the living room, Judy leaned back and sighed. "I don't get it, I'm in really good shape and you are even a few weeks ahead. Still, you seem to cope with the pregnancy far better than I am!"
"That has nothing to do with your training or fitness, sis. Also, don't forget that I was not blown up by a car bomb", her sister winked and filled a glass with some carrot juice. "And all the kicking of your kits is a good sign, they are developing quite fast and are in good health".
"I don't want to think about the fact, that this will get even worse in the next five weeks", Judy sighed and took the glass from Evelin.
"Don't worry, I heard the first litter is the hardest", Evelin winked and sat on the armrest.
"You are already thinking about more litters?" Judy seemed a bit surprised.
"Of course! You know how much I love kits, a few vexations during pregnancy will not discourage me".
"It's not only some vexations that give me a pause. Nick and I also live in a big city, not in the countryside and it's even a small miracle that I got pregnant without medical help, who knows if this will ever work again. There is very little information available about fox-rabbit-crossbreeds. Did you know, that they are really called 'funnies'? And of course we are both working in a time consuming job. Also, we are still sitting on the fence how our kits will be… I mean, will they be okay? What if they aren't healthy? Or what if they don't get along with other kits? Or what if…"
"Hey, hey, hey… Juju… you are totally overthinking everything again!" Evelin took her now panicky sister in her arms and patted her back soothingly. "Take a deep breath, sis. Everything will be alright, I'm sure. I didn't mean to hassle you about it". While Evelin hugged her sister, she felt a soft kicking from Judy's belly and grinned. "Wow, you were right. Your kits are already much more active than mine were in their third week".
Judy nodded and sighed pleased, stroking Evelin's arm. When Ralph coughed slightly, standing in the door frame, both rabbits turned their head.
"Morning, Ralph" Judy smiled softly.
"Hey, sis", he smiled, "I thought I'd better look Evelin, as she just wanted to bring me some aspirin. I could have bet that you two are already gossiping together again".
"Whoops, sorry. Totally forgot about your headache. The pills are in the drawer over there", Evelin smiled apologetically.
"It's my fault, I wasn't feeling all too well", Judy explained and wanted to get off the couch. "Wait a second, I'm getting them for you!"
"Will you be a good bunny now and just stay put, Juju!" Evelin urged her sister, who was already reeling again while trying to get up from the couch.
"I'm absolutely able to get them on my own, but thanks Ju", Ralph smiled and walked to the drawer beside the TV. "Is everything okay, did you sleep well? To be honest you are looking somewhat ill".
"I'm okay, just a bit weary. It was around four o'clock when we finally went to sleep, but it's hard to find a comfortable position for my belly and my chest concurrently", Judy answered while leaning back again.
Ralph opened the drawer, took two small pills from a small box and walked over to the counter, reaching for a carafe with water and a glass.
"Is Clara still asleep?" Judy asked.
"Yepp" Evelin nodded, "I think she wanted to give herself liquid courage, but ended with a cocktail too many. I already said to Ralph she would have been better making out with that cheetah instead of drinking that last Pina Colada", she giggled.
"Benjamin and Clara… oh, I would pay to see this!" Judy snickered quietly. "Or at least Dad's face when he hears about it".
"I rest my case", Ralph grinned after taking a big sip from his glass of water. "I already said that Mom and Dad would be ecstatic if another one of our litter goes out with a predator".
"I'm not sure if Ben really counts as a real predator. He is more like a really big and fluffy cuddly toy and totally harmless. But it would be funny nevertheless", Judy giggled. "But wasn't Clara into other females? I mean, I didn't take a closer look, but as far as I know Ben is still a male cheetah".
"Maybe her attraction to females only counts for bunnies, not for other species" Evelin suggested with a shrug and grinned.
"I just hope that she is not only playing with Ben, he is a really nice bro and doesn't deserves to be just utilized by a needy bunny in heat", Nick stood in the door frame to the living room, yawning with a grin, still a bit tired looking.
"Ah, our late sleeper is also awake. Good morning, Nicky!" Evelin had turned her head and smiled to him. "Did we wake you up?"
"Naah, I woke up when Judy went to the bathroom and wondered why she hadn't come back yet", Nick toddled to the couch and put his snout onto his bunnies head between her ears. When she wrapped her ears around his snout he hummed contentedly.
"That's also the reason I finally got off the bed", Ralph chuckled. "Evelin just wanted to get me some aspirin but then stood me up".
"Cry me a river!" Evelin snickered and Ralph poked his tongue out at her.
"I hope, you liked your little party yesterday", Nick smiled, running his paw through Judy's fur.
"I think it was a great day, wasn't it Ju?" Ralph walked to the other couch smiling.
"After I habituated being nearly nude in that dress, I had a lot of fun, too", she answered with a small grin and Evelin giggled.
"You looked gorgeous, carrots. Even more than usual", Nick gave Judy a soft kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you", she said quietly and smiled sheepishly. "Did you have some fun, too, Eve? You got rather quiet late in the evening".
"I confess that I got somewhat emotional and really started to miss Sven while watching you two", the younger rabbit smiled, putting her paw on Judy's leg.
"Why didn't he accompany you this weekend?" Nick asked curiously. "We still have the folding bed and our couch is also extendable. Maybe it's not a burrow, but we still have enough room to host a few of you bunnies for a night or two".
"That's so sweet of you", Evelin smiled. "But he had a business appointment in Podunk and stayed overnight".
"He works in his families transport service company, doesn't he?" Judy asked.
"In the Administration Department, yes. They are one of the biggest service providers for all kinds of travel and logistics".
"Well, just remember that you are all welcomed whenever you want to visit us", Nick smiled to Evelin and Ralph. "And now I'm going to prepare some breakfast, I really could use some coffee".
"I'm going to help you", Ralph hopped off the couch and followed Nick while Evelin restrained Judy again. But instead of objecting with her younger sister, the rabbit just sighed this time, closed her eyes and leaned against her shoulder. Evelin smiled and put her arm around her drained sister.
It was quarter past one when Nick and Judy accompanied Ralph and a still very sleepy Clara to the railway station. After Sven had called and told Evelin that he could pick her up on his way back, Evelin decided to skip the train ride and stay at the apartment waiting for him, still being somewhat exhausted. So after waving Judy's litter siblings goodbye, the two ZPD officers went for an amble through Savanna Central on their own.
"Are you sure we shouldn't cancel our appointment with Finnick? You are really looking somewhat peaky, carrots".
"No way, Nick!" Judy shook her head determined. "You two haven't met for ages and our meeting today at the baseball game has been scheduled for a long time. We are not going to cancel that just because I partied too hard!"
"Maybe it was a little bit late last night, but you cannot call that partying hard. I'm just worried about you, and your wellbeing always has my highest priority. Even Finnick has to wait in line for that and Evelin also stayed at home to slacken off".
"I'm okay, foxtrot. Also, we are only sitting in the stadium watching the game, not playing ourselves. Besides, Evelin's pregnancy is already due in about a week", she smiled. They crossed the street to enter the municipal park and Nick sighed; continuing to argue with Judy at this point was as promising as trying to persuade a mountain to move out of the way.
"Difficutie…" Nick muttered and cradled her a bit tighter.
"Say again?" Judy raised her eyebrows and grinned roguishly.
"Nothing, carrots".
"Dumb fox".
"I'm not dumb just because I care about you, Judy".
The rabbit nudged him with her hip and smiled. "I know that you are not dumb, Nick. Come on, you are always going along with our little jokes. There is no reason for you to worry, I promise. I'm just somewhat exhausted after the last few days and not getting enough sleep".
"Are you cold, my little wabbit rabbit?" Nick tickled his paw over her arm.
Judy sighed and shook her head, "No… it's just my chest hurting again".
The fox paused, "Why don't you take your painkillers, carrots? You cannot be too proud, are you?"
"I don't like to take all those drugs constantly while I'm pregnant", she answered while sitting down on a nearby park bench, breathing deeply.
Nick sat beside her, put his arm around her shoulders and smiled: "And I don't like to see you in such pain that you are even trembling". Nick took a small box out of his pants and gave it to Judy. She took it with a soft smile, opened it and swallowed one of the pills.
"Do you carry those everywhere with you?" she winked at him.
"Be prepared!" Nick winked back at her and lifted his right paw. Judy giggled and let her eyes wander over the other mammals walking along the side-street, snuggling up to Nick's warm and fuzzy tail and burying her nose into it. The year would end in just a few weeks and even in the weather-controlled city the wind was getting somewhat colder at this time of year.
Nick was tickling her head when Judy asked: "Do you ever think about what our kits will be like?"
The fox thought about it for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders. "It would be great if they are as beautiful as their mommy and as clever and eloquent as their daddy…", he grinned.
"Ha ha", Judy snickered quietly.
"…but as long as they are healthy, I'm happy".
"Yeah… I think that's something every couple is worried about. But if their current activity is any indicator, they are going to be some balls of energy", she grinned while stroking over her belly. Nick put his own paw very slowly and carefully onto her belly, too, and flinched a bit with a happy smirk when he felt some little kicks.
"I know you don't like it, but I have to say it… you are such a cutie, now more than ever!" he snickered and gave her an enduring kiss between the ears.
Judy smiled tenderly at him and fondled his neck. "Actually, I really like it when you call me your cutie".
"Don't lead me into temptation, you compelling, cute little bunny!"
Judy snickered, playing around with the fur on his tail again. Then she got more serious again: "I'm a bit worried, Nick. Sure, we will love them either way, but what if they will look so uncommon that they will be sidelines and social misfits? You hardly see any crossbreeds, or do you know some?"
"As I already said, I know everyone, carrots" Nick winked with his sly grin.
"Dumb fox", Judy nudged him with her elbow and smiled.
"But seriously, don't worry too much about it, Judy. There are actually more crossbreeds than you would think, but they don't look so much different than their parents, so it's rarely noticeable. It's not that some mad scientist is going to put different body parts randomly together. The genetics of one parent are dominant most of the time".
"Maybe I'm just a dumb country bunny, but do you have some examples?" Judy grinned with a curious look.
"Well, I know a few mules running a construction-business in the Meadowlands. And there is a really upscale restaurant in Lions Gate run by a female liger. Or Jane Tunney, the famous author of children's books? She is a coutah".
"Granted, but those species are all looking rather similar, it's no surprise that their mutual children are more or less unremarkable".
"You dare me, really?" Nick started to grin slyly. "Okay then, what about Salazar? He's a Zeraffe and a successful model".
"You mean the giraffe that was in that famous advertisement by Calvin Swine last year?" Judy made big eyes.
"Oh, his mother is, for sure", Nick snickered. "Did you never wonder about his uncommon fur pattern?"
"Well, I just thought it's some kind of makeup. Or maybe even tattoos. Wait, a Zeraffe you said?" Judy asked thoughtfully and Nick nodded. "Hm.. that would make his father a … wait, a zebra?!"
"Right on the button, carrots".
"Oh… ok, well..." Judy started to grin, "Could be an interesting sight. Did he use a ladder, what do you think?"
They both started to laugh, then Judy asked after a while: "What about kits with mixed predator-prey parents?"
Nick furrowed his brows but finally shook his head. "Toothless croc, you've got me there. I know a few couples, but as far as I know they have no biological children". He leaned forward and rubbed his nose tenderly over her cheek. "I have no idea what Funnies are going to look like, maybe just big rabbits with short ears", he grinned.
Judy smiled, "I'm also okay with small foxes having floppy ears…" she suddenly paused and her eyes widened.
The fox just replied her increasing grin with a confused look. "What are you thinking about, carrots?"
"Did you actually ever met Finnick's parents?" she started to giggle.
"No, why do you…", he started but it slowly dawned on him what Judy was implying. "No way!" he snorted with laughter.
"Who knows", Judy winked giggling. "I always thought that he is quite funny".
The tram to the stadium was crowded and Nick was watching his little rabbit the whole time to prevent someone bumping into her or knocking her over. Under normal circumstances, it was no problem for her to ride with the train, being pregnant almost always securing her a seat, too. But the mammals on their way to the baseball game were already partly drunk and the mood was really heating up. Baseball wasn't Judy's favorite sport and if at all she watched a game preferably from her cozy couch on television. Nick didn't really trace all the games, but liked to watch the finals. As opposed to this, Finnick was always a big fan of the Red Paws, a club from Savanna Central, and in the past he and Nick scalped tickets for the games and naturally also used them themselves.
But their get-together today wasn't really about the baseball game but more an act of friendship by Finnick. He and Nick were friends for nearly six years, a really long time considering both their lifestyles at that time. But when Nick started to visit the police academy they parted company; not as a conscious decision, but just lost contact after a while. The last time Judy saw Finnick was during their night howler case, when she asked him for help to find Nick. She talked with him on the phone two more times a few weeks later and then only again a few weeks ago when she asked him for photos of Nick for her album. But as far as she knew, he and Nick had no contact for more than half a year when her fox called him again to ask Finnick if he wanted to be his groomsman – which he denied. Getting a card from the fennec fox for their wedding and tickets for today's baseball game to meet again, was a big surprise that gave Nick one of his rare emotional moments. But Judy was of course aware of the fact that Nick was still somewhat nervous about their get-together. She didn't even need to hear his accelerated heartbeat in this crowded wagon to realize this and even though she wasn't feeling too well, she wouldn't allow Nick to use that as an excuse to defer their appointment. Finnick was one of the few mammals Nick ever called a friend, and Judy felt at least a little bit guilty that they had lost contact – ultimately it was because of her that Nick started to work for the ZPD.
When the tram arrived at the final stop and all passengers were jostling to the exit doors, Judy breathed deeply and Nick sighed relieved.
"Their loutish behavior will get even worse after the game for sure", Nick grumbled and handed Judy his paw to help her get up.
"Yeah, you're probably right. Maybe we should go back by foot instead of using the tram?"
"We will see how bad it gets. But it's quite a distance, I will not let you walk that far in your current state. Maybe we can get a Zuber".
"I bet those are completely booked", Judy smiled softly, linking her arm with Nick's and slowly following the big group of mammals heading to the stadium a few hundred meters away.
"Well, I could go savage on you so our colleagues get us arrested and give us a ride back to the precinct", Nick snickered.
"Sorry, foxtrot, but the Canal District is in the jurisdiction of precinct seventeen, and I bet Bogo would extend your office duty for an indefinite time if he has to explain to them why one of his officers went savage on an innocent, cute, little – not to mention pregnant – prey during a major sports event". Judy looked up at him with those big eyes, acting like the innocent victim.
"Sly bunny", Nick winked at her, putting on his aviator sunglasses, and Judy grinned.
"Where are we meeting Finnick, by the way?" she asked while looking around.
"We are meeting at that effigy of a lion opposite the main entrance".
"It's a statue of General Kion, smarty-fox", Judy nudged him with her hip and smirked. "You really don't know about history, do you?"
"Naah, I know other mammals who I can ask if I ever need it", Nick grinned slyly.
Judy sighed with a smile and they headed towards the big statue. "You're nervous, aren't you?"
"Why should I be…" Nick snickered but paused when he noticed Judy's sly grin and just smiled at her. "Yeah, maybe I'm just a bit uneasy. It has been a while and Fin can be quite freakish".
Judy nudged him with her elbow and winked: "Just try to imagine him as a little 'funny', and everything should be fine".
Nick started snorting, "He will string us up for this, you know that, carrots?"
"Threatening a cop is a crime, why should I risk jail time for a slacker like you?" someone asked with a deep voice, standing right behind a pillar. Nick winced for a moment, but then put on his sly grin.
"If this isn't my little baby elephant..."
The small fennec fox came around the pillar with crossed arms and cocked his head.
"Well, you've sure still got your large ears, but where is your cute little trunk?" Nick continued with an even wider grin.
"You're playing with fire! Not the best idea for a former iceman", Finnick snarled and eyed Nick slowly. "Give me a leg up, smartass: Are you still trying to hustle yourself out of that accusation for tax fraud or are you just into little ones with large ears?"
"Busted! You didn't reciprocate my feelings so I had to realign", Nick shrugged and put his sunglasses down. "Also, she doesn't threaten to bite off my face when I kiss her, you know", he turned to Judy and gave her a short kiss between the ears, resulting in the little rabbit rolling her eyes with a grin.
"You're still playing the squeaky wheel, aren't you? Did you find yourself a new 'daddy' in the meantime, little toot-toot?" Judy put a paw on her hip and grinned slyly at Finnick.
The fennec fox put down his sunglasses, too, now turning to Judy. "And you are still the little quixotic country bunny, trying to make the world a better place?"
"Maybe a little less idealistic, but still trying to change the world step-by-step. At least it worked with our red-furred friend here", she poked her elbow into Nick's side.
Finnick started to smirk, "Still the quick-witted bunny". He turned his head back to Nick: "And you two are really married? Damn, she really hustled you good, old boy!" With an amused grin he handed him his paw and Nick eagerly grabbed it.
"She's the only one beside you who ever managed to accomplish this", Nick squatted and hugged the fennec fox laughing.
Finnick patted the fox's back, then stepped back again and turned to Judy, eyeing her from head to toe. "The last time we met you were in top-condition, but meanwhile that lazyfox' poor fitness seemed to have rubbed off on you. I would have bet that you had a better taste in mate selection, bunny-cop", he winked with a grin.
"Oh, I'm keeping him on the hop, don't worry" Judy snickered and hugged the little fox. "Good to see you again, Finnick".
"On the Hopps' would be more precise!" Finnick snorted with laughter and Nick snickered.
Judy just shrugged and rubbed her belly with a grin: "Well, as it turned out we rabbits are not the only ones good at multiplication".
Finnick started to choke with laughter, then just starred at Judy wide-eyed. "You are joking, right?"
"Did you think I'm fattening her up? You know what a great chef I am", Nick winked at the baffled fennec fox.
Finnick looked doubtfully up to Nick, then back to Judy who was visibly amused by his stun.
"Yes, I'm pregnant and yes, Nick is the father", she winked.
"Bloody hell!" the little fox muttered. "I'm unsure, should I congratulate you, or should I rather express my condolences?"
"You're getting two siblings to play with, little toot-toot", Judy snickered and cuddled the bewildered fox, giving him a quick kiss on his forehead.
"You better tell this jokester that I'm still an unsafe predator with sharp claws and teeth, because I'm unsure how much longer I can withhold myself from biting her face off" Finnick snarled with a side-glance to Nick who already had tears in his eyes from laughing.
"I would pay to see you both wrestling". He wiped away some tears with his paw, still giggling just like Judy.
"More likely you would stand by and charge others to watch and accept bets as a book-maker", Finnick finally started to grin, too, and shook Nick's paw congratulating him.
"Fin, you know I love you, but your odds are rather lousy. Carrots would even kick your ass while she's in labor, I know where I speak".
"Good to know, you will be my champion if I'm ever going to organize some preyfights" he winked while hugging Judy to congratulate her, too. "Not that I would ever do such a thing!"
[A/N (zootopiaChronicl es /appendix/glossar): "Preyfighting is a blood sport between two prey fighting in a ring until one of the opponents is knocked unconscious, often inflicting significant physical trauma on each other. It's illegal in most countries but there are underground fight clubs. The history of organized preyfights goes back a few hundred years when predators were keeping prey as some sort of slaves (see also: Predsuck)"]
"Of course not" Judy smiled slyly and linked her arm with Nick's again. "Should we go in and search our seats?
"That's friggin' unbelievable! Not a single score yet against those woodland creepers! On a home match! This overpaid jerk cannot hit a ball thrown by a sloth!" Finnick stood on his seat and was swearing like a trooper.
It was already the last inning and just one strike left, all spectators banking on quite a few extra innings. Some music was playing in the stadium as the trainer of the Zootopia Red Paws requested a time out. Nick was also ranting, albeit not as excited as Finnick: The current batter of the Red Paws was after all a red fox, too. Judy was sneering – it was really funny to witness Finnick and Nick losing the plot over something trivial like a baseball game. She gently rubbed her belly; the two kits were apparently also playing, but it felt more like soccer or kick boxing. When the crowd started to bawl gleefully she looked down to the playing field, but the time out wasn't over yet. A short glance to one of the jumbo screens offered an explanation: They were entertaining the fans with the kiss-cam again and right now an older lion was fiercely kissing a white lioness. Judy grinned but was distracted again by another kick in her tummy – when she was suddenly jostled from behind, nearly falling off her seat.
"Come here, sweetie-pie!" a young vixen with a Red Paws scarf and baseball cap that was sitting right behind Judy had thrown herself at Nick, not paying attention to the little rabbit she had inadvertently pushed from her seat. The howling got louder again, but Judy didn't pay attention to it: Kiss-cam aside, but this was still her fox! With a quick and bold leap she jumped back on her seat, then on Nick's lap, pratting the vixen away right before she could kiss him. Nick hadn't yet fully realized what was going on and looked puzzled; at that very moment Judy made a dive for him and gave him a passionate and deep kiss. The fox made a quick recovery from his shock: He put his arms around the little bunny, raised her up grabbing her shoulders and bottom, leaned forward and replied her kiss equally.
Finnick – and the rest of the sold-out stadium via the jumbo screens – were watching them for at least ten seconds, jeering completely overcome with hysteria, until the unequal couple slowly parted again and two other mammals were shown on the kiss-cam.
"That was… unexpected, carrots" Nick grinned slyly at the slightly trembling bunny down in his arms.
"I just have a very deep territorial instinct, foxtrot" Judy grinned bemused with sparkling eyes.
"Okay, here we go again! Wow, what a steamy time out! Hopefully our red fox on the field is equally dedicated: Two down, nobody on, no score, bottom of the ninth! Batter Marvin Leika from the Zootopia Red Paws against pitcher John Saman from the Deerbrooke Eagles!" the stadium announcer spoke quick and excited while the players were entering their positions again.
"Cut the groping, Romeo!" Finnick shouted to Nick then started to jump excited on his seat: "GO RED PAWS!"
Judy and Nick snickered while he was putting her down again on her seat. The young vixen sitting behind Judy considered the rabbit with an envious look but finally winked at Judy with a smile and a thumbs-up. Then she jumped to her feet, joining in the howling for the Red Paws.
"Pitcher is preparing his throw and… there it is! A line shot up the middle! Look at him go, this fox can really fly! He's rounding first and really turning it on now, not letting up at all! He's gonna try for second, the ball is bobbled out in center, and… here comes the throw! And what a throw! He's gonna slide in head first! Here he comes, he's out! No, wait, safe! Safe at second base, this mammal really makes things happen out there! Batter steps up to the plate! Here's the pitch! Leika's going, and what a jump he's got, a cheetah would fade out beside this red flash! He's really trying for third! Here's the throw… and it's in the dirt! Safe at third! Colorblind chameleon, stolen base! He's taking a pretty big lead out there, almost daring him to try and pick him off! The pitcher glances over, winds up… and it's bunted! Bunted down the third base line, the suicide squeeze is on! Here he comes, squeeze play, it's gonna be close, here's the throw, here's the play at the… stripeless zebra, I think he's gonna make it!"
They sat at a corner table in a pub near the stadium and all guests were in a wanton mood, singing and whooping it out – after the red fox Leika hit a home run, the Zootopia Red Paws won the match in the nick of time.
"That was incredible! I already saw us sitting there for another fifteen innings, and then – BAM!" Finnick banged his empty glass on the table. "The red flash strikes again, hitting a homerun in the bottom of the ninth with already two downs! You!" he pointed at Judy with a wide grin. "You are going to be the new mascot of the Red Paws after your performance!"
Judy snickered and blushed embarrassed. "Pipe down, before anyone hears you! I can't think what came over me to be so unrestrained in the public, I'm going bright red with shame if anyone at the precinct or at home saw this…"
"Fiddlesticks!" Fin bellowed and called the waitress, ordering his third pitcher of beer.
"If there really is a recording, I want a copy by all means!" Nick laughed. "So much for a rabbit cannot go savage, I got totally jumped! Like, literally!" he winked at his shamefaced bunny who mumbled something opaque. Then he turned to Finnick: "But better forget that mascot idea quickly, I'm the only red fox – or mammal in general – who is going to savor this cutie!"
Judy punched against his shoulder, making Nick concurrently wince and laugh. "Dumb fox!" she stuck her tongue out at him but also grinned somewhat.
The waitress finally brought Finnick his beer and the fennec fox clinked his glass with Nick's still first and half-full beer pitcher and Judy's normal-sized glass with carrot-juice. "Whatever! We won and that calls for a drink! Cheers!"
"So Nick pushed that gazelle aside and said: 'It's all right, baby, I've had a course in first aid!' She stood up and just watched our foxy hero take that fainted sheep's pulse and prepare to administer artificial respiration and at this point the gazelle just tapped him on the shoulder and said: 'When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I'm already here'". Finnick finished his story and burst into some loud and bousy laughter, slapping Nick on his thighs; Judy quickly joined in with her bright giggling.
They had spent nearly two hours in the pub after the baseball game, having a great time together talking about the past. When they decided to leave, Nick noticed that he had left his phone at their apartment and Judy had forgotten to charge hers last night so the battery was drained. So Finnick offered to drive them home with his van, but of course he was already way too drunk. Eventually the couple could persuade the fennec fox that Judy would drive his van instead and he could stay overnight in their guestroom to sleep off in return.
"I just tried to be helpful" Nick sighed with a lopsided sneer while his little bunny was already searching for a parking space in front of their apartment complex.
"With all due respect to your intentions, foxtrot" Judy was still giggling. "But in retrospective the whole situation is just hilarious".
"Watch out, Hoppsy-Copsy!" Finnick suddenly called out in mild panic when Judy reversed into a small parking space, but she just kept rolling and stopped the van with a perfect fit.
"I learned to drive on my parent's farm when I was thirteen. Your van is just a compact car compared to our farm tractor" she winked with a grin while pulling out the ignition key.
"Nobody likes show-offs, ye know?" the fennec fox snarled but Nick just snickered.
"Try going on patrol with her all day", he laughed while opening the door and jumped onto the sidewalk.
"It couldn't be worse than tolerating you for six years". Finnick hit out on Nick's offer to help him out of the van, jumped and made a tipsy landing beside the red fox.
"Careful, or you two can sleep in the van tonight" Judy smirked slyly while walking around the car, one paw on her hip.
"I would prefer my sly bunny, but it wouldn't be the first time I'd spend the night with Fin in his van", Nick laughed and put his arm around Judy's shoulders, giving her a soft kiss between the ears.
"No way, now that I know about you having a yen for small-ones with large ears!" Finnick wagged his paw at him, then looked around. "Wow, and you're really living in this swanky neighborhood? Didn't know that the filth is making such a packet! Or are you holding out your paws?" he snarled.
Judy's ears bobbed up immediately but Nick was faster and knocked the fennec fox with the paw on his head. "Never ever assume something like this again if you don't want me to go savage on you!" He smiled slightly, but his voice sounded somewhat threatening.
Finnick was too drunk to notice it, though, and just snickered: "Just joking, redhead. After you!"
Judy rolled her eyes and sighed, twitching on Nick's shirt: "Okay, it's house number 16. Let's go, I've really got a thrill of anticipation for a hot and steamy bath and some snuggling on the couch. With Nick, not you Fin!" she winked.
"Naa, no interest bunny. Also, never tamper with the partner of a friend, it's still Bro before Ho… eh… Hopps!"
Judy narrowed her eyes with a sassy grin. "Oh, you have no idea what you're missing out, we bunnies are really enthusiastic!"
They entered the house with their keycard and Nick called the elevator. "And I would definitely prefer to share this enthusiasm with nobody", he gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and Judy smiled at him.
"Don't worry, I've no intentions of having it any other way".
"Not even with Evelin?" Nick giggled and when Judy looked embarrassed and shocked he started to laugh. "Just joking, sweetheart!"
"Who is Evelin?" Finnick slurred.
"She is my sister and best friend and no, I'm definitely not into her this way! That was just a very strange dream, and you were not supposed to talk about it!" Judy blushed and punched Nick on his arm really hard this time.
They entered the elevator and Nick pushed the button for the fifth floor, still snickering. "Don't worry, Fin is too drunk to remember it tomorrow and I'm not blaming you for your dreams, carrots. Mine are much nastier sometimes", he winked.
"Oh, sweet cheese and crackers. Let's just talk about something else, pretty please?" she looked up to him with those big and pleading eyes again that always melted Nick's heart.
When the elevator stopped, Finnick left the cabin first and grinned: "I think I want to meet this Evelin, what do you think?"
"Who are you? How do you know my wife?!" Sven came running down the hallway excitedly to the elevator. He had obviously waited in front of Nick's and Judy's apartment door for a while and was quite nervous.
"Sven? What are you doing here?" Judy left the elevator, too, with a questioning look.
"Didn't you want to pick up Evelin this afternoon?" Nick frowned a bit confused.
"She wasn't out and about with you two then?" now Sven sounded really worried. "And you don't know where she is?"
Judy smiled and put her arm soothingly around Sven's shoulders. "Don't worry, she didn't feel too well and was quite exhausted at midday today. She probably fell asleep and didn't hear the doorbell; come on, we are going to surprise her".
Sven was still worried, but Judy's explanation sounded reasonable.
"How long have you been waiting here?" Nick went ahead, fumbling for the latchkeys in his pocket.
"Three hours, more or less. I tried to call you both, but was only forwarded to your mailboxes. The same for Evelin. Because of this I thought you were maybe together in the cinema and just forgot the time…"
When Nick opened the door, Sven broke away from Judy and quickly walked into the apartment. "Whiskers?"
"Who's that rabbit now?" Finnick asked Nick while Judy hurried after Sven.
"Eve?" Judy called.
Both foxes entered the apartment last and Nick closed the door again. "That's Sven, Evelin's husband. Sorry, she is already taken, too" he winked but paused suddenly and slowly scented the air.
"Evelin?" – it was Sven's voice again, coming from the guestroom.
"Nick!" Judy yelled and sounded excited for the first time.
The red fox hurried into the living room and stopped right beside Judy who looked bewildered over the room: Two chairs were overturned as well as a flower vase and some decoration from the couch table. On one corner of the table some blood was visible.
"Still not cleaning up the house, foxxer? Thought you would be more tidy since you got married", Finnick snarled while entering the room slowly.
Judy was already kneeling in front of the couch table, examining the blood on the edge. "Maybe she fell and bumped her head against the table…"
"Maybe she was taken to the hospital, I will call them immediately!" Sven entered the room in the meantime, too, terrified, noticing the mess and the blood.
Nick on the other hand walked slowly to the kitchen counter, sniffing on some flowers. "Since when do we have scorpion grass?"
"You mean Myosotis Sylvatica? We don't have any, it's not in season right now", Judy answered and slowly stood up again. "And this is only a small stain of blood on the table, I don't think it's from a severe injury".
"It's up to you how you are calling them, but we have a vase with a single flower on our kitchen counter", Nick was picking up an envelope with his name written on it.
"That's strange, maybe Eve had picked them up", Judy walked to Nick, looking confused at the flower vase, then noticed the envelope in his paws. "What's that?"
"Don't know yet…" he showed her the envelope and could smell that Judy was getting really nervous.
"I just talked with the emergency department of the hospital, no rabbit was hospitalized today! Did you find anything new?" Sven hurried back into the living room, being even more nervous than Judy.
In the meantime, Nick had carefully opened the envelope and pulled out a small letter, reading it quietly and getting a more and more serious facial expression. When he noticed all eyes looking questioningly at him, he slowly gave the ransom note to Judy who read out loud, getting more pale with every line:
"Where have all the flowers gone
Long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone
Long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone
Young bunnies picked them everyone.
When will they ever learn?
Where has this little bunny gone
Long time passing?
Where has this little bunny gone
Long time ago?
Where has this little bunny gone
I snatched her, missed by anyone?
Then better pay for her".