Judy stepped into the doorway of the nursery and found Nick holding a single rabbit kit. And then it hit Judy like a thunderbolt. Not just any kit. Her kit. Nick smiled and hummed to himself while he fed the bunny. Seeing Nick feed her child made Judy's heart ache in a way she'd never felt before. She stood quietly in the doorway and watched as Nick finished the feeding before carefully putting the baby bunny down in the crib next to three other sleepy siblings.

Nick cleared his throat and four pairs of small rabbit ears swiveled in his direction. He held up a book and Judy stepped closer to listen and peer down at the bunnies as Nick began to read. "Once, there was a little bunny who wanted to run away." Nick paused, and the room was quiet. The silence stretched on uncomfortably until Judy glanced over to find that Nick was gone.

Judy jerked awake and could tell immediately she'd overslept. She flew out of bed in a panic before she remembered Chief Bogo had told her and Nick to take the day off because of the raid on the mole's shop the previous night. Judy wondered where Nick was, until she stumbled into the kitchen and found his note on the counter next to her phone:

I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but I can see I'm a big part of the problem right now. I saw that you have new voicemail from Dr. Avery and someone labeled as a reproductive endocrinologist, so I assume you're in the process of making a huge decision. I need you to make the choice that's right for you, Judy. Whatever is going on, it's tearing your family apart, and I don't want to add to your stress right now. Just realize that I'll support whatever decision you make, but it has to be the one that's right for you, without interference from me.

There's been a break in my dad's case. I'm pretty sure Chief Buffalo Butt is going to send me to the Northlund precinct to chase down leads. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused your family at the Farm, so me getting out of town right now is probably a good idea for everyone anyway. Please be careful while I'm gone. I'll pick up a new phone as soon as possible, and I'll call you so we can talk things out.

Nick

Judy quietly said, "You dumb fox." She knew he needed space now and then, but Judy was still irritated that Nick had run off without at least saying goodbye. She was confused by the letter until Judy saw the huge number of messages that had filled up her phone the previous night. "Sweet cheese and crackers, what the hell is going on?"

She started to scan through the messages and paused. "First things first." Judy dialed the precinct, and when Clawhauser answered she said, "Hey Benji, this is Judy. Can I talk to Nick?"

"Oooh, no can do, Judy. He caught the first train to Northlund this morning."

"Thanks, Clawhauser." They exchanged goodbyes and Judy hung up the phone. She sighed and tried not to think about how much she missed Nick already.

Judy contemplated trying to talk the Chief into letting her catch up with Nick, though now that she thought about it perhaps this was one of those times she should just give Nick some space. Besides, if she was going to talk to Chief Bogo, she really needed to discuss maternity leave with him. It was another tough conversation she probably couldn't put off any longer.

Judy noticed the urgent text from Hazel, but the call went straight to voicemail when Judy called her back. She checked her own voicemail, and sure enough, there was a message from her sister:

"Judy, Zeke didn't pay the rent on the eggs this month. They've already been moved, in preparation to thaw-" Hazel choked up and started to weep for several seconds before she continued. "Luckily I found out before… look, if this is too sudden, I won't blame you… please call me back as soon as you can. We'll need to schedule this right away. And… I can come with you, if you still want to go through with it."

Judy was nervous and excited to get this process going, and not just because it would ease the tension between Hazel and Zeke. She re-read Nick's note. Just realize that I'll support whatever decision you make. Judy knew she and Nick would work things out. She texted Hazel: Call me so we can schedule it. And I do want you to come with me.

Now Judy knew she couldn't put off talking to Chief Bogo, so she checked her phone for a message from Nick one last time before she called Clawhauser again.

As Judy followed the small white rabbit doctor back to the waiting room, she reveled at how straightforward and quick the procedure had been. The doctor smiled at Judy and handed her a pamphlet. "Make sure you get at least twenty-four hours of bedrest and follow these instructions. If you have any questions, call the office. We'll see you again in six days for the ultrasound."

Though Judy knew this certainly made things more complicated, she told herself again that things would work out, and she hoped that Nick would call her soon. Judy shivered as the realization fully set in. She was one step closer to being a mom.

As she followed Hazel outside to the parking lot, Judy turned on her phone and checked the messages, but there was still nothing from Nick. They quietly climbed into Hazel's car and drove for a few minutes before Judy said, "Nick and I have so much to do to get ready."

Hazel nodded. "Don't buy anything yet. Everyone at the Farm has so many extra clothes and things already." She glanced at Judy worriedly. "Sure you don't want any company tonight?"

Judy shook her head. "I just want to go rest and wait for Nick to call." She paused for a few moments and added, "How are things with Zeke?"

Hazel shrugged. "Zeke gets super apologetic and clingy when he feels guilty about something he's done, so he's driving me crazy. We're scheduled to see the counselor tomorrow."

Judy nodded and looked out the passenger window. "Nick is the exact opposite. He shuts down and runs away." She turned to look at Hazel. "Let me know how it goes."

"I will. Everything ok between you and Nick?"

Judy hesitated and looked down at her paws. "I know he's stressed out by everything. He had to leave town for a case, and I'm worried that he hasn't called, but he's probably busy chasing down leads." She sighed and looked out the window again. "I'll call the Northlund precinct first thing tomorrow if I don't hear from him tonight."

They rode in silence after Judy pulled out her phone and scrolled through the messages until she sighed. "I need to call mom and dad back."

Hazel shook her head. "Don't worry about them, or the rest of the family. They're all in a tizzy about the Farm, and you've got other things to worry about right now." She smiled at her sister. "I'll tell everyone to stop bugging you for awhile."

Judy returned her smile. "Thanks. I don't want to tie up the phone in case Nick tries to call."

They pulled into the parking lot of Judy's apartment building. As Judy opened the door and hopped out of the car, Hazel said, "Let me know if you need anything. I mean it, Judy. I'm here for you."

Judy nodded. "I know."

Before Judy could close the passenger door, Hazel added, "Judy… I don't know how to thank you-"

Judy climbed back into the car and hugged Hazel. "It's ok. I really do want this, more than I ever thought I would."

After Judy waved goodbye to Hazel and stumbled into her apartment, she flopped down onto the couch and closed her eyes. Judy was exhausted, even more than yesterday, which wasn't surprising since she knew her body was in overdrive right now.

Judy thought about the dream that morning, and she realized now more than ever that the idea of Nick holding her children moved her in a primal way that nothing had before. Judy pushed aside her feelings of self doubt and concentrated on what Nick had written in the letter as she gently placed her paw on her stomach and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

The next morning Judy checked her phone. There were still no new messages, so she called the Northlund precinct and asked to speak to Nick.

The mammal on the other end of the line said, "I'm glad you called, Officer Hopps. Chief Bogo told us yesterday that Officer Wilde was coming here on the train from Zootopia, but we haven't seen him yet. Can you tell me when we can expect him to arrive?"