The bunny and fox duo were sitting down in the Hopps chow hall on New Year's Eve morning among Judy's littermates; they were dressed in their matching carrot themed pajamas. The old wooden table they are at long, stretching the length of the hall, along with several others parallel to it.
These tables have been in the Hopps family for generations, originally carved from fallen trees, along with the benches that accompany them. The set of wooden furniture is decorated with knicks, scuffs, carvings, and drawings.
Luckly, at some point in the history of tables and benches, an ancestor had the smart idea to pad them with cushions. Though the cushions the bunnies, plus one fox, are sitting on are not original, instead Stu had reupholstered them decades ago and now he's considering hiring John to sew new fabric for the benches.
The tables had also been lacquered since the last time Nick and Judy had visited. The patriarch's reasoning being that the tables are family heirlooms that ought to be preserved! So many family members have come together here to feast. The hard shellac coating made for easier cleanup and better sanitation as well.
Nick was the size of two bunnies at the table, so to make room Judy sat in his lap as they ate. Their shared plate was mostly fruits with a couple biscuits spread with honey-butter. In addition, were scrambled eggs and a couple slices of turkey bacon for the fox.
Even though they each had their own set of flatware, Nick enjoyed using his to feed his mate the various bites of berries and cantaloupe from the plate. Occasionally when she was distracted, he would try to slip her a bite of eggs. Though on one occasion she relented and accepted the bite. Nick reveled in his victory. Her littermate, used to their shenanigans, didn't bat any eyes. Though a few extended relatives sitting nearby did give them some strange looks.
Nick holds a grape up to Judy's mouth. She accepts it by bighting on to the juicy green orb. It's half sticking out of her mouth when a red-furred fox paw reaches over Nick to tap Judy's shoulder, getting both Nick and Judy's attention. They look over their collective shoulders to find Nick's father.
Looking at Judy with a kind smile, "I'd like to borrow your husband for a little bit."
Judy sucks the grape into her mouth, spending a moment to chew and swallow it down, "sure!" she says in a cheery voice. "Just have return him before noon if you don't want to occur late fees. And remember, 'be kind, rewind!'"
"You have my membership card on file," John laughs "Don't worry, I won't keep him too long. I'm sure there's a wait list."
Judy shuffles off Nick's lap so he can follow his father out of the dining room. Right before he exits, he looks back at Judy. Her back is to him, but he can tell she's devouring the rest of his eggs. This puts a humored grin on his face before he finally vacates the room.
Nick follows his father down the maze of corridors, occasionally ducking below archways and portals designed for rabbits. He follows him through his parents' guest room, into the private study behind.
The younger tod's only been back here once, maybe twice before. It's very secluded from the rest of the burrow and eerily quiet. Quiet enough to hear is own heartbeat if he held his breath… or the tinnitus in his ears. Which is quite an accomplishment considering the day-to-day sounds of a burrow filled with bunnies of all ages.
The walls were lined with bookshelves, except for the back middle wall which had a single window with a bench underneath it. Nick thought they were well within the interior of the warren, but not this room it seems.
In the center of the room sat four chairs and a coffee table all facing inward. The chairs were upholstered with scarlet fabric. Underneath the set lay a matching area rug. And any exposed wood anywhere in the room had a dark walnut stain.
On the opposite side of the room was a wet bar with various spirits as well as a coffee pot that was on and appeared to have a fresh brew waiting. Stu was currently there fixing a cup of coffee. But not for himself. Instead, he turns around to greet Nick.
"Hey, it's the Nickster! How yah doin' son?"
"Peachy."
"Good, good," Stu says before pushing the cup towards Nick. "Just how you like it. Come, sit down for a moment."
Nick smiles and gladly takes the cup and follows Stu to an empty chair. He sits down and takes a sip of his piping hot beverage. Then he looks around the room some more. Last time he was in here was when he asked Judy's parents for their blessing before the fox proposed to his bunny.
Yep, it's quiet here. He thinks to himself. Really cozy… Relaxing.
Nick notices that the study doesn't have much else. No computers or desks. No extra plug sockets to plug a phone into. One would have to go back into one of the attached bedrooms to do so. Not even a stereo or speakers or any kind of sound system at all. Just comfy chairs and the smell of old books.
"Quiet, ain't it?" Stu interrupts Nick's thoughts as he rejoins the fox, now with his own cup of Joe. "Allows us to have a little peace and quiet away from the young'uns. And it allows Bon to catch up on reading her mystery novels."
John re-emerges into the study from his and Mary's room. Nick did not even notice his absence until now. Though he sees his father carrying in a clear bag containing a three-piece suit.
"I've been busy with something the past few months," John says. "It's why I've been skipping lunch with you and the gals."
He holds the suit out in front of him to show Nick. It's also the first time Stu's seen it beyond the photos John has shown him. A tight-fitting suit with purple pinstripes.
Nick gets up from where he's sitting to inspect and admire his father's handywork.
"I figured you could use a nice suit for tonight. What do yah think?"
"I think it's great, dad." Nick responds, looking the suit up and down. "I'll definitely be wearing it tonight. Though I might be a little over dressed for this country shindig."
Stu steps up behind the younger fox and gives him a pat on the back. "You won't have anything to fret about, son. Most of the family will be dessin' up a little nicer for tonight. Think of it more like a country ball. And all the other new couples will be looking as spiffy as you."
John then walks back into his guest room, "Before I return you to Judy, I just need to see how it fits on you."
He lays it out on the bed as Nick follows him in, "I'll leave you to it." The older fox says as he walks out into the study just as quickly as he walked in.
Bonnie lent John her sewing room in case any alterations to the suit were needed. However, one could always bet on him having the correct measurements for his kin. He even has Judy and her parents' sizes down. Albeit he was still working on the rest of his extended family.
Nick opened the door and walked back into the study to show off his wears. Safe to say, Bonnie's sewing room was not needed this time around.
Nick changed back into his more casual clothes and rejoined Judy. There wasn't much to do the rest of the morning except for mingling with her siblings and the many little ones running around. Several of her young nieces and nephews dragged the fox off to build a snowman with the remaining snow from the previous day's snowfall.
As the morning drew into the afternoon, the once empty barn started to fill with a crowd of long eared kin, and then some. Live music was performed by a rotating group of volunteers. They played music leaning more into bluegrass, country, and folk with a slower tempo. Not so much music to dance to, or anything loud. Instead, they played to fill the air with ambience as the bunnies, foxes, and other guests mingled.
A traditional dinner will not be served this afternoon either. Instead, to not disrupt this last night of festivities, food was set up 'potluck' style under the big white tent in the yard around three in the afternoon. Dozens and dozens of Crockpots and methanol warmed tin-foil pans were set out with plenty of food for guests to snack on.
Eventually, this year's newly minted mates disappeared into the warren to get dressed for the ceremony. Judy followed Nick until he reached his parents' room before she split off on her own. Nick retrieved the bag containing his suit before making his way to the grooms' changing room.
The afternoon prior they had the wedding rehearsal. They all met in the main living room where Bonnie and Stu went over everything that they would expect to happen. Then Judy and the group of does followed Bonnie down one corridor while Stu led Nick and the group of bucks down another.
He led them into the changing room. To Nick's amusement, it looked a lot like a high school football team's locker room. There Stu explained that in keeping with the tradition of the brides and grooms not seeing each other in their outfits, all the bucks would get changed in here before proceeding out to the barn.
Bonnie had a similar lecture in the brides' changing room. They would wait until the bucks all made their way to the backstage of the barn before they left the changing room to stage outside the barn entrance.
With the aid of his father, Nick got dressed in the suit he made for him. The younger tod looked himself over in the mirror as he made seemingly useless adjustments to his bowtie, collar, and cuffs.
"You look great, son," said John. He gives his boy a pat on the shoulder. "You'll do just fine. Don't sweat it."
When they were ready, Uncle Terry marshalled them out of the changing room and through the back door of the burrow.
Nick can feel the electricity in the air as they walk in a group towards the barn. The live music, muffled, can be heard as they approach. Excited chatter too. The sky was orange as the sun would be setting shortly. They do not go into the main entrance. Instead, Terry guides them around the side of the barn to a door on an offshoot directly behind where the stage is.
Nick can feel butterflies in his stomach as he stands there backstage. He notices that the bucks in his group are particularly quiet. He assumes they are feeling much the same way he is; just waiting for their que to mosey out onto the stage. The fox cannot quite put a finger on why he feels this way. He should not.
He's already been married to Judy for the better part of a year. So, he should have gotten all this nervousness out of his system when they went to the courthouse all that time ago. He guesses it is because he's about to have all the eyes of her family on him.
Wait, they are not just her family, Nick reminds himself. They're all his family too. Their family. All are coming to celebrate their marriage.
The band finishes the song they were playing and when they did not lead into another one, did the fox know they were about to go on.
He hears tapping on a microphone followed by Stu's voice, "Thank you all for coming out to yet another great Christmas season. A record amount of eggnog and spiced rum has been consumed this past week. And we've only had to call Sherrif Bronco once this year. That might be a new personal best for our clan."
That elicits a laugh from the crowd.
"Of course, we're not just here to celebrate Christmas and the new year. But for all our newlyweds that got hitched this year and all the new family members they've brought with them. So, I'd like to formally welcome all of you to the family." Stu looks out across the sea of bunnies, but locks eyes especially with Mary and John, smiling as he does so.
"Now without further ado, the bucks of the year!" Stu gestures to the side of the stage as he walks to the opposite side.
The group of bucks, plus one fox, walk out onto the stage in a line. Then Stu starts introducing them, one by one, starting with his new sons-in-law. He quickly summarizes the qualities he likes in each.
"…And now for Nick. No, he's not a bunny, but there's no other mammal in this world I want to stand next to Judy in life. I'm grateful y'all have accepted him with open arms. And I'm sure he does to," he gives nick a playful nudge. "I've never seen a mammal so loyal and in love with his mate. And I can count on him to keep my little girl safe out there in the big city while in the line of duty."
Stu then moves on to introduce his own sons before it is time to bring in their does. "And now it's time for the brides. Ladies?"
The band behind the grooms starts playing the bridal chorus. The arrangement of string instruments makes for a unique version of the song that is different to the organ the fox is used to hearing the song played with.
The big barn door at the back slides open as the brides make their entrance. Nick instantly locks eyes with Judy as she walks in the middle of the group. She is in a simple yet elegant white gown not dissimilar to the does surrounding her. The sea of bunnies part to allow for them to make their way to the stage and take their places next to their mates.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Stu gestures to the couples. "This year's newlyweds."
He then raises a glass into the air. "A toast. This is a new chapter in all your lives. Wherever this life takes you, may your relationships live long and happy and may you have large, wonderful families."
A loud cheer and applause fill the room. Stu then turns back to the couples on stage. "Okay boys, Kiss her!"
Nick and Judy's eyes meet before leaning into the kiss, following the lead of the others on stage as the cheers continue to roar. Eventually the crowd settles down and Stu makes one more announcement before getting off stage.
"This year, these festivities are about to come to an end and many of you will be on your way home tomorrow. But remember, while the party might be over, our family will live on. The circle will be unbroken. For now, the night's still young and there's plenty of dancing and fireworks to be had. But if I don't get around to any of you before you leave, then I wish you all a good night and drive home safely."
All the bunnies, plus one fox, start filing off the stage and the relief band takes over. They disperse into the crowd as the music starts playing again. A drummer leads with a train beat. Then, an assortment of guitars, bass guitars, and a mandolin join in. Lastly, the sounds of pedal steel and hissing fiddles complete the mid-tempo beat.
Nick and Judy stand off to the side of the barn. Nick sips on a glass of homemade wine he's pretty sure Uncle Terry's made. Uncle Terry seems to be a jack-of-all-trade, he thinks. The two look on at the crowd in the center of the large room.
Everyone starts to pair off into couples and start to rhythmically step in beat with the music.
Fast, fast, slow, slow.
Fast, fast, slow, slow.
The sea of bunnies morph into a cyclone and they all dance in a circle in the center of the barn. The couples on the outside are taking longer strides while staying in rhythm, allowing them to travel faster in circles than the couple in the middle. However, the inner couples manage to turn more cycles with their shorter trips.
"May I have this dance?" Nick grabs Judy's paw and starts to lead her towards the rotating mass of long grey ears. "You know, before your dad, my dad, and half your brothers spend the rest of the night trying to get a dance with you."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Slick." Judy smirks, but let's Nick guide her. She rests her left paw on his shoulder while he puts his right paw around her waist. Their other paws intertwine as they start two-stepping on beat.