Chapter 69: Yes!

When Nick and Judy returned home it was already dark. The journey of more than a few hundred kilometres had meant that they had returned after 9.00 p.m., so they were both feeling tired. They had dedicated the whole day to meeting the doe's family, but it looked like everything had gone according to plan! There was no tragedy as everyone had subconsciously expected, Judy's parents were convinced by the fox, thus giving a free hand to their daughter with their continued relationship. Judy was not yet aware of Nick's conversation with Stu, but his thoughtfulness in the car let her know that something must have happened while the two of them went for a walk so that her father could talk about their work. She didn't want to press him in the car so she decided to ask about the reason for his musings when the two of them were in their flat. She didn't want to pester him during the drive.

When they arrived at their flat they both took a short shower to refresh themselves. It had been a long day after all, as they left home at 7.00 a.m. In order to arrive at a reasonable time so as not to have to go straight back to Zootopia, they wanted to stay longer with Nick's future in-laws.

They were so tired that they didn't even make themselves tea or coffee. All they needed was sleep to give them that energy. After all, who wouldn't want a good night's sleep? The next day's work was waiting for them. After a quick bath, they both changed into their pyjamas and went straight to their bed.

Lying in bed together and with the light off, Judy kept staring at the fox, who was gazing at the snow-white ceiling with his eyes, he was all the time thoughtful about something.

"Nick, has something happened to make you so...thoughtful all the time?" Judy asked thoughtfully. The fox shook his head quickly as he returned to the ground and looked into the turquoise, gentle eyes of the doe.

"What, me, no...nothing like that..." The fox replied uncertainly. He broke the eye contract and looked up again at the ceiling and the chandelier that hung from it. He knew, however, that Judy would not be satisfied with this answer, and he felt strongly encouraged by Stu's words. Judy's father's opinion had stuck firmly in the fox's mind, so firmly that he couldn't stop thinking about it! What if he's right? If it's just a fling that won't last forever? If it's going to fall apart because of him? In his mind he had been thinking about a more serious relationship for a long time, but he feared that Judy might not want it and it would all end in failure. It wasn't as simple as it might seem. Fox wanted to propose, but the knowledge that the doe might not agree and he might be left alone terrified him. Nick couldn't handle it and sighed heavily turning his back on Judy.

"Ehh...when the two of us went to explore your farm, your father said something that stuck hard in my mind..."

"Ah! I knew he was going to say something stupid!" Judy chuckled bitterly.

"Maybe it wasn't so stupid...he said that if I don't really love you and don't want a serious relationship I shouldn't be with you...my feelings might not be sincere because I'm a fox...of course I love you, but if you don't trust me..." Nick sighed heavily.

"Oh Nick..." Judy sighed with concern. She moved closer to him and hugged him as tightly as she could. They looked at each other, the fox smiling slightly as he saw the concerned expression on her face. He quickly realised that his fears were an illusion created by Stu's words.

"Of course I believe you! How could you think I didn't? I warned you that my dad is stereotypical and not to be listened to!" Judy said.

"I know honey, but it...it hurt...I love you, I want to show it all the time, but when I hear words like that..." Nick replied. He wanted to add something but the doe silenced him with a kiss, which worked because when they hung up the fox didn't say anything about it again. It was hard for him to say anything about it. He was too scared.

"I love you, and I believe you love me too. I could even marry you," replied Judy cuddling into his chest. Nick when he heard this smiled and repeated it in his mind: "I could even marry you".

The next day started quite early for Judy and Nick, who had to get up at 6.00 a.m. to be on time for police duty. Despite solving the mystery of the disappearances in the Fox Quarter, their leave could not last forever and they had to return to day duty. It was a much slower and, above all, calmer job than searching for more evidence in the disappearances. There was no stress here, the usual patrol was almost, a day off compared to what they had experienced at the beginning of the year.

A rather negative surprise for Judy was that when their alarm clock sounded for good, she noticed that Nick wasn't next to her! Usually she was the first one to wake up, so she was surprised by this.

"Did Nick get up first?" Thought the perplexed doe. She called his name a few times, but no one answered her. She put on her slippers and a dressing gown over her body and walked out of the bedroom into the living room. She was even more surprised when she saw that the fox was not in the flat! Instead, she noticed a note on the table, which caught the attention of the doe, who took a small leaf and read aloud its contents:

"I had to leave early, I'll see you soon 3".

"Oh, he probably went to the police station early..." She thought with relief. He must surely have gone there for something, she didn't know for what purpose, but it seemed to her the most logical solution. Being convinced of this, she made herself breakfast and ate it herself for a very long time as Nick gazed out at the city, which was already beaming with the glow of neon lights blinding her eyes a little. Even so, it was a truly fascinating sight, the view showing how powerful and monstrous the city was.

After breakfast, Judy brushed her teeth and started to get dressed to catch the bus to Zootopia. They were due to report at 9.00 a.m. in the room where they usually got their assignments, and it was already 7.45 a.m., she had her bus in 15 minutes.

After 10 minutes, Judy was ready to leave for the bus and thus to start another week of work. She opened the door of the flat and left, locking it. At this hour their neighbours were usually still asleep or already at work so she was not surprised to find the lobby empty. She entered the lift going down to the ground floor to go to the bus stop.

Beside her were two others waiting for the vehicle, which was getting late by the minute. Doe glanced nervously at her smartphone, which indicated 8.10 a.m. She didn't like to be late, she was punctual or at least tried to be so if given the opportunity. She also hated it when someone was late. She hadn't ridden the buses much since she was with fox, and she didn't want to ride in the city centre herself because the crowd of vehicles frightened her...on patrol she wasn't afraid of riding, but when she thought about a simple ride in the city something blocked her...

Finally, after a 15-minute delay, the bus showed up and Judy was the first to get on the bus, hoping that it wouldn't be too late and they would be able to get through the traffic that was probably already in the city.

Fortunately, the doe traffic wasn't that bad yet and she was at the police station by 7.50 a.m., giving her time to change into her service uniform. She proudly crossed the doors of the police station, where several other officers were already waiting for Chief Bogo, who greeted Judy who was heading towards Clawhauser to find out more about Nick.

"Hi Judy! Ready for another week of patrol?" Asked the cheetah. As he did every day, he sat at his computer filling out paperwork while sipping coffee and eating a donut.

"Hi Claw! Of course you are! Listen, I'm wondering if Nick has arrived yet..."

"He's not with you? He usually arrives with you," asked a perplexed Claw, even before Judy had time to finish her question. Claw chuckled. She had hoped that her thoughts and the contents on the card would mean that he would be waiting for her at the police station and it turns out that Nick wasn't there! She stood in front of the cheetah's desk embarrassed and ashamed not knowing for a moment what to say.

"Well he didn't. He texted me to say I'd see him later and that he had to leave early. He's not answering his phone, so I figured he'd wait here," the doe explained.

"Well...at the police station he didn't come, maybe something else fell out on the way. Don't worry, maybe he went to his mum's or dad's, after all, you know the story..."

"I know, you don't need to remind me of that. Thanks for the information, I'll go now..." Replied the doe with disappointment. Saying nothing in her reverie she went to the female changing room to change into her police outfit to be ready for duty. The cheetah's words had some validity, perhaps she would go to her mother or Mark to see how she was doing. She didn't want to drive senselessly around town looking for him, she was sure that when he was free he would call her and explain everything. That was her hope...

After leaving the changing room in her dressed uniform, the doe made her way to the meeting room where she took her seat at the front...without Nick. She felt a little lonely despite the fact that she was respected and liked by everyone in the precinct and company was hardly lacking. Still, she missed Fox, the person with whom she shared her private as well as her professional life.

Moments later, Commander Bogo came into the room, holding in his paws, as always, the assignment folders he had placed on his desk. He immediately looked around at those gathered and saw that someone was missing. He directed his gaze to the front benches and saw that Judy was sitting to his surprise alone.

"Hopps, where's Nick? Is he trying to make a joke again?" Bogo asked.

"I don't know Commander, no one has seen him," replied Judy. The commandant stared at her for a moment, then took to tasking the officers.

He read out pair after pair, each leaving taking their briefcase getting ready for duty, Judy couldn't wait until she could get out of here and be alone with her thoughts. She was a little irritated by Nick's absence, worried about him without knowing why. Something told her something could go wrong, but she couldn't imagine it. Fox didn't seem bothered by anything other than her father's words.

When the last couple left only Judy remained. The commandant set her folder aside, which surprised the doe.

"Hopps, due to the fact that you are the only one without a pair you have to deal with the parking meters today" Communicated Bogo seriously. He was prepared for Judy's anger, he knew she hated doing it, so he was not surprised by her reaction.

"What!" Shouted Judy indignantly.

"Commandant, please just don't do that! You know how I hate that!" Asked Judy pleadingly, but Bogo was unbending.

"The only one you don't have a pair Judy, and we need 1 person to do it. I'm sorry, you have to do it today," replied Bogo seriously.

"But, after all! Oh good..." Judy agreed. She was awed by what she had to do today. Parkometers! She hated it! A nightmare! But what could she do about it? She couldn't back down, she had to obey his order! Angrily she left the room closing the door loudly, casting a contemptuous glance at the commandant

"So again, just so you're calm. You've been thinking about declaring for her since the new year, you want to do it, but you come to me to reassure you that it's the right choice?" Finnick asked when Nick had finished his statement. Instead of going to work, Nick went to meet his friend who usually advised him on such matters, he felt confident with him when it came to love topics and practically always came to him for advice. Instead of going to their favourite cafe, they went to the park so Judy wouldn't know where to look for her boyfriend. Nick guessed that the doe would be worried about him, and worried a lot, but it was a subject that had to be discussed immediately. Finally, he wanted to propose, for real this time!

"Yes, I know it's a bit silly...but I had to ask you about it. I want to be with her for real, but her father said that because I'm a fox she won't be happy with me and that's what I'm really afraid of! I don't want to hurt her," Nick explained. The two of them sat on a bench looking at spring nature, which was slowly waking up to life. Young, new leaves were appearing on the trees, the old, yellow and rotten ones were already disappearing from the ground, through the recent snow melt.

"Her father is really ... stereotypical. Anyway, are you surprised? He's a rabbit of the old days! When there was a division between bad and good! What did she say to that? In terms of Judy?" Finnick asked.

"She said she loved me and that I shouldn't worry. She even said yesterday that she was ready to marry me!" Replied Nick excitedly. Finnick didn't answer anything. He pondered something in his head, as if musing until he finally straightened up looking at Nick's eyes.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go buy a ring and do it! There's no point in looking for a problem by force, and don't worry about Judy's father, after all you're marrying Judy not him." replied Finnick. Nick laughed. A little at his irony and a little at the confirmation of his thoughts that this was the right choice. He was now free of bad thoughts. He was now sure that it was worth at least trying! Only one subject bothered him.

"I have one issue," began Nick again.

"Hm?"

"What do you think about it? In the sense of a couple like me and Judy? "

"Uh...no doubt, they're quite an original couple, but that's nothing new these days. The important thing is that it's you guys who are happy," Finnick replied. Nick was hoping for a slightly different answer, but he wasn't disappointed, he just hoped he'd put it into words a bit.

"And by the way...what about Caroline? Holding up?" Finnick asked curiously.

"She's currently sitting in prison, in the same prison as my dad. I don't want to talk to her to be honest...this talk of her changing is already boring... I don't believe her," replied Nick.

"I'm not surprised...ever since we met her she's been so...deceitful" added Finnick.

"That too, but you understand...the first time I believed her because I thought it was true. Besides, how could I not believe her - she was a commander!"

"You're right, it's a shame it was just an illusion, foxes like her will be perceived badly all the time," Finnick added.

"Well...and by the way, what are you going to do all this time? You're probably not going to come to work since you're already a good two hours late."

"Of course not! I'm going to go buy a ring, and I'm going to wait until Judy gets home. We'll go to the park where I asked if she was going to be my girlfriend and I'll propose to her there!" Announced Nick solemnly.

"Wow...I see you've got it all planned out," he admitted admiringly, to which Nick nodded with a shake of his head.

"After all, I've been thinking about it for a few months! I was already planning to do it, but I lacked the courage..."

"Then now you've got it! Today is your day Nick, you just have to make the most of it" replied Finnick. Nick didn't want to waste any more time, he got up from the bench, looked around the park for a bit, then turned to his friend.

"I'll be on my way, I still have to buy a ring after all," replied Nick. Finnick sluggishly got up from the bench and gave Nick a friendly hug.

"Good luck Nick, you can do it" he said patting him on the back. They parted and Nick headed for the car.

While in the jewellery shop Nick looked very carefully around the rings he was looking at. He wanted the one to land on Judy's finger to look only of its kind, to be unique, everyone who would see it would say: "Wow, it's beautiful!" And that the doe herself would be delighted with it. Nothing else mattered, not even the price, although when he saw prices reaching several thousand dollars it caught him dizzy. Although he loved Judy very much and words could not express his feelings for her he could not imagine spending so much money on a ring, he could not afford it. Every ring was beautiful to the fox, unique, but he couldn't find that one particular one that delighted him. To be honest, each one looked similar to the other, only that the shine was different. This was a little disappointing for him, as he had hoped to come across a unique specimen. However, Nick didn't give up, he continued to look for a unique piece until he found his coveted item, a silver ring with a crystal in the middle was on display in a special separate glass case locked away so that no one could touch it.

"It's beautiful," Nick said quietly with delight. The gem's reflections were so crystalline and pure that it seemed like the purest crystal ever made!

"Hello sir, can I help you?" The expeditor asked as he approached the fox. Nick turned and spotted a jaguar, dressed in a navy blue suit.

"Yes, I would like to buy this ring, how much is it worth?" The fox asked.

"$500 please," replied the jaguar. The price knocked Nick a little off his feet, for whom it was quite a large sum for such an item, but on the other hand it was probably one of the cheaper pieces looking at the prices of previous models.

"I'll take it." Answered Nick firmly. He said it confidently, even though his heart ached at the price. Jaguar opened the display case and gloved the ring. They both approached the cash register where the jaguar charged the price and put the item in an elegant leather box. Fox took out his card and reluctantly put it to the reader and watched half a thousand dollars disappear from his account.

"Thank you for your purchase, see you later," said the jaguar as Nick tucked the card away. Fox tucked the box away and left the shop saying quietly: "So that we don't see each other again".

A few hours later

Around 4.00 p.m., Nick decided to return to the flat to go for a walk with Judy. He was ready for her anger and upset, he expected it from her, moreover, he was not surprised. He hadn't answered his phone from her all day! Such a great conspiracy to make her feel so special that day. It was already getting dark outside, the sun was setting so Nick had to hurry if he actually wanted to propose that day before it got completely dark and there was no climate.

When he stopped in the car park he immediately went to the flat they lived in and headed up to the floor where their flat was. He didn't even take out his keys because he guessed that the doe was already in the flat.

He gently knocked on the door - nothing answered him. He laughed quietly, he knew she was there and he knew she would play unavailable. He opened the door and, as he expected, noticed a doe sitting at the table. Her gaze, fierce and aggressive, drifted into his face, which was smiling as if nothing bad had happened.

"Hi honey, how's work?" Nick asked calmly.

"How was work? Where have you been all day! I was worried ! You didn't even answer the phone from me, you know how stressed I was! And on top of that Bogo made me watch the parking meters today...you know how I don't like that !" She heaped masses of blame on Nick, who listened patiently to this as if it was nothing. He could see that such flippancy improved the mood somewhat for Judy, who was relieved when she said this. Finally, she sighed heavily and reviewed how many times she had called the boy out.

"Uh...where have you been?" She asked the doe quietly at the end.

"Why don't we go out for a walk in the park eh? It's not dark yet, I'll tell you all about it" suggested the fox. Judy looked out of the window, the sun was half over the horizon, the last blood rays were falling to the ground, but she was keen to find out what was going on with the fox.

"Alright, we can go...but you have to tell me everything!" Judy accused. She rose from her seat, put on her white coat and white boots and walked out of the flat in front of Nick.

As they walked in the park Judy was still a little overcome with emotion, she didn't speak to Nick, she didn't even look at him, which didn't surprise Nick who was stressing about the moment. What if she said no? It was still going through his mind, but it was too late to back out of it. He had to do it. This was the moment. He decided to be the first to speak to break this awkward moment of silence.

"I had to leave early because I had to meet someone" began Nick. Despite trying to calm his voice, it was shaking gently the whole time. His heart was pounding faster and faster as the time approached to propose!

"With whom?" The doe asked.

"With a man, I had to buy something...I spent the rest of the day having some thoughts that consumed me" replied Nick. Judy snorted with laughter, as if she didn't believe what he said. He spent the whole day on some thoughts?

"Wait...you were gone all day because you had to think about something? That sounds...like insanity! And what did you have to buy that you had to leave so early?" Judy asked, her voice letting him know that he had accidentally upset the doe again, which was not the point. He didn't know what else to say, he felt they had already passed the point where he was supposed to ask the doe to marry him, but the stress was pressing on him more and more, so much so that he thought his head was starting to spin! He took a deep breath to calm himself and proceeded with the last part of the plan. He took a leather box out of his pocket and tucked it in his paws so that Judy wouldn't notice it.

"I actually bought one thing to ask you about," began Nick uncertainly.

"Hm?"

Nick slid out in front of Judy and stopped in front of her, with a slight smile he knelt down in front of her and opened his paws presenting the leather box in front of the doe. She already knew what he wanted to ask. She smiled nervously looking once at Nick and then at the box, which Nick opened a moment later. And she noticed a ring with a diamond set in the middle.

"Judy Hopps, will you be my wife?" Nick asked. He didn't have to wait long for an emotional response from the doe, who hugged him so tightly she nearly knocked him over!

"God, Nick... of course you will! I'll become your wife, yes!" Replied a happy Judy.