Ch. 30: You Know You Love Me

It was a few weeks later when Judy suggested they go for a walk. They had been released from the hospital three days after the big visit and had been on sick leave, Nick's leg having taken a serious bite from the asylum episode.

They spent most of that time cuddling, Judy slipping out when Nick was asleep to fetch snacks and other such items. The fox always pouted when he woke up without her in his arms but then she'd kiss him and he'd forget what they were arguing about.

But now they were out for a walk of fresh air, Nick's arm over Judy's shoulder as he still nursed his leg. Judy led them to the old bridge where their friendship had turned into something more solid than either would've guessed. And while she walked her heart was about ready to burst out of her ribcage from the nerves she was trying to keep back.

"You okay?" Nick asked, apparently noticing how her fur was sticking up.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's just take a break."

Nick leaned against the bridge, his elbows resting on the stone. "It's a nice day out."

"It's a beautiful day out," Judy replied, looking up at the cloudless blue sky before turning to Nick. "But hey, I bought something yesterday, I want you to see."

She pulled out a brand new carrot pen. Nick smirked, accepting it when she offered it to him.

"Do me a favor?" she asked. "Press the button."

Nick did so and Judy's voice crackled out of the minuscule speaker: "Dumb fox."

He smirked sardonically at her, but Judy said, "Keep listening."

"I know things have been rough with us. Arguments are bound to happen, and it's okay as long as you apologize. So let me repeat myself and say I am so sorry, not for just what's happened these last few days but for everything else. From back when we first met with the press conference, to all the times I scolded you for playing with your phone on duty. You're going to forgive me; I know you will, that's one of the best things about you. And trust me that's a long list. That night in the hospital when you broke in and we hugged each other, both so happy to be alive I started making that list. And while doing so I reminded myself of what you are: You're brave, honest, loyal, and trustworthy. But you're also funny and smart and so sweet and just…you're so much more, Nick Wilde."

Nick was expressionless as he listened to the recording.

"And you're going to become even more that what you already are," Judy's voice continued. "I really, really want to be there to see that. In exchange I'll trust you with something very important: my heart… That being said I have only one question:"

The recording stopped and Nick's brow knit in confusion. But then he felt Judy grab his paws in both of hers and when he looked down at her she was on one knee.

She stared up at him with wide violet eyes that shimmered with emotion; she took a deep breath and spoke: "Nicholas Piberius Wilde. Will you marry me?"

Nick's jaw dropped, his eyes looked ready to fall out of his head; he didn't answer.

After a few seconds of the awkward silence Judy tried to speak, "N-Nick?"

The fox pulled his paw out of her grip and shook them both frantically, "Give-give me a moment." He took a few steps away and bent down, placing his paws on his knees. "I think I might pass out. Phew!"

Judy jumped to her feet and hurried to him with concern, "Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine, fine," he looked at her, tears were filling his eyes. "Why do you ask?"

"You're crying!" she panicked, her eyes widening.

"No, I'm not," he frantically rubbed at his face. "You're crying, dumb bunny!"

Judy's ears drooped and she took a step back. This had been a possibility she knew, but it didn't make it hurt any less. "Nick if you…if you don't want to marry me then just say so."

Nick turned to her and waved his paw madly, "Ididn'tsaythat! I did not say that! You're just not realizing how big a deal this is."

Her brow knit, "Yes, I am." Facing Bellwether, Ironclaw, and Ronno had been less scary then getting down on one knee and asking Nick to marry her. Not that she'd ever tell him that.

"Then why aren't you freaking out!?" he demanded, looking up at the sky as if the answer was there. "I'm a fox! And I'm older than you too!"

"I don't care about that, Nick," Judy insisted. "I figured you didn't either."

Nick shook his head frenetically, "I don't! I don't!" He fell onto his knees to be at eye level with her, "I love you, Judy Hopps! I love every single thing about you! I don't regret anything that's ever happened to us, the good, and the bad, it all brought us closer. I just…" he took a shuddering breath before continuing. "I just don't want you to wake up and realize you've wasted your life with me."

Judy scowled, "Nick, I love you." She once again held his head between her paws, which was apparently the only way to get him to listen to her. "And the only thing I could regret is not being with you for the rest of your life. The only thing wasted is time without you." She felt tears pooling in her eyes and her scowl was long gone, replaced by the adoring smile she reserved just for him: "I want to be at your wedding. I want to see you become a father. I want to see you as a grumpy old fox on a porch…but more than that I always want to be right by your side.

"I want to be your wife, Nick. I want to be the mother of your kits. I want to be your wrinkled old porch mate. Marrying you would be the best decision of my life."
Her paws dropped to her sides and she shrugged helplessly, looking away, "But even if you say no I still plan to hang out with you every single day for the rest of my life. So I mean you might as well say-"

"Yes."

Judy whirled around to stare at Nick who looked just as surprised by the word that came out of his mouth.

"What'd you say?" she breathed her lips hurting as her smile widened.

Nick's own smile appeared-the affectionate, dorky one he always reserved just for her.

"Judith Lavern Hopps, I will marry you," he told her, eyes glistening. "I will marry the carrots out of you."
She broke into a mirthful laughter, joyful tears sliding down her cheeks and she was sure her heart was about to burst in the best way possible. "What does that even mean?"

"Who cares?" he laughed along with her, reaching his arms out and picking her up. "I'm marrying the best bunny in the whole world!"
He spun her around, their laughter rising in volume before Nick lost his balance and they stumbled to the ground, arms still wrapped around each other.

Their eyes met, emerald and violet, and they could hardly comprehend what the other saw in them but they didn't plan on complaining.

Instead Judy kissed him, Nick tightened his hold on her, and they laughed against each other lips, the tears still streaming.

It hadn't been a graceful, elegant proposal in the slightest. But it had still been perfect because of one, simple, wonderful word.

"Say it again," Judy breathed against his mouth, wanting to; needing to hear it again so she was sure it wasn't a dream.

"Yes," Nick whispered and nuzzled into her neck, his own voice choking up with emotion. "Yes."

…None of you…have any idea…how long this chapter has been in my head waiting to come out. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY