The beach was normally flooded with locals and tourists alike, especially around the hour that the sun started to set. This was not the case, however, as the there was barely anyone present except for a few folks that they saw strolling around, taking in the scenery near the shore and enjoying the water. Considering that it was the weekend, a time that normally drew mammals to popular spots around the area, it was a bit unusual.

Judy walked up the wooden steps that led to where the small parking lot was, clutching carefully onto a small bag that she had filled with some seashells she had found while scanning the beach. Naturally by her side was her fox companion, who followed her steps as they made their way back to the car.

"More shells?" Nick wondered.

"There's no such thing as acquiring too many seashells," Judy said.

"But we've already got those jars you collected of them at home," the fox replied.

"I was sending some of these bigger ones I found to my sisters," the lagomorph responded. "And as for some of those small ones in the jar back home that have the little holes in them, I thought I would make them each a necklace with them. They're into tropical stuff, so I thought I could do that."

"That's a nice idea," Nick said. "Making them something with materials you collected right off the beach."

"Yep," Judy replied with a smile. "And they're not those overpriced shells that those gift shops around here sell. You know, where they put the fake colors on them so they can be bright green or something."

The vulpine nodded. "I know exactly what you mean, Fluff. Used to know a lynx who sold those colored shells to tourists."

The two got back into the car and started to drive away from the beach they had just visited. As the sky slowly started to darken, the lights of the buildings around this popular spot started to come on. They went passed the restaurants, surf shops, and condominiums that lined either side as Nick drove them to their next destination.

"So where are we heading next?" Judy wondered.

His eyes still focused on the road ahead of him, he responded, "Somewhere really special," he said to her.

He knew that answer was a vague one, but it was true. Where he was driving her to was something special that he heard about several days ago, and when he read about it he knew immediately that this was where he was going to take her as a surprise…

"Well, here we are!" Nick said as he led Judy to the entrance of their destination.

Where they both stood was none other than the Canal District Pier. The front sign that welcomed visitors before they went on the walkway was lit up in flashing white lights, with red and pink hearts visible behind the twinkling strands. A small sign that was posted to its left, which hadn't been there before, informed visitors that today was the spot's annual Valentine's Day Celebration.

Struck with awe, Judy didn't know what to say as they started to walk forward, looking around the the sights of the lit-up pier. "This is…"

"Amazing?" Nick said with a grin, finishing her sentence. "The very moment I discovered this was happening tonight, I knew right away where I wanted to take my Valentine."

"So what do we do first?" she asked eagerly. "Go see what some of those booths are? Try some of the food?"

"I hear there's a stand that makes some great caramel apples," the fox informed, "but we'll get those afterwards."

"After what?" Judy was curious as to what he was talking about.

"After the best part of the event," Nick replied. "Now then, let's head over to the ferris wheel."

The pair went in the direction of the attraction. The ferris wheel illuminated that side of the pier with its lights that flashed in a rainbow of colors. It was the brightest spot out of everything around them, putting the simple light strands on either side of the pier to shame with its luminosity, and naturally it was where a majority of the visitors had gathered.

The line, thankfully, wasn't an awfully long one. Definitely not when compared to other lines they stood in before. They had prior experience with that kind of thing when they had visited the addition Zootopia's most popular amusement park a year ago. That was something that one didn't wish to stand in a second time.

Before they knew it, it was their turn to get in their passenger car. "Ladies first," Nick said to the bunny by his side.

"Why, thank you," she replied with a grin.

The gray leporine took a seat inside of the passenger car, and Nick sat right beside her shortly afterwards. Once the two started slowly coast into the sky, everything surrounding them look ten times better than it did on the ground.

They could see the water as it continued to splash against the wood that held the pier together, as well as some boats that sailing smoothly against it, their lights blinking into the night. Way out in the distance, Judy could see some of the taller buildings that they had passed up on the way here, as well as some from the succeeding district that were very faint in her vision. In complete honesty, she couldn't have asked for a better view to conclude the night with.

Judy smiled as her fox started to wrap his arm around her, and she leaned her head delicately against his shoulder. "Wow…" she said as she continued to gaze out into the night. "It's so peaceful from up here."

The tod held her closer and started to smile. "That's why ferris wheels have always been a personal favorite of mine," he replied. "When the fair came to town, I would ride it so I could gaze out at the world and reflect on things." Looking over at his bunny, he added, "You know, Fluff, there's one more thing to add to the scenery."

"What's that?" the rabbit asked.

Nick quickly took his phone out of his coat pocket and checked the time. "In a few seconds, you'll see for yourself."

Four seconds went by, and suddenly, a far stretch away from the district, bright fireworks entered the sky like fiery blooms. Judy's eyes started to glow as she watched the vivid colors ignited in the distance. She quickly drew her phone out and got a quick video from the height in which they were now looking out from, though the sights were much, much better than what the camera could capture.

"There was a firework display happening tonight elsewhere," Nick said to her, "but I thought it be much better to see them from here. What do you think?"

"It's perfect," she breathed in reply, giving her fox a soft kiss on his cheek. "Happy Valentine's Day."

"Happy Valentine's Day," the vulpine repeated. "And may all of the chocolate and sweets be up for sale the very next day."

Judy giggled as she smiled back at him. This was the perfect conclusion to a perfect Valentine's Day celebration.

Author's Note: Hey there, everyone! With it being Valentine's Day, I just had to write something sweet. I had a different story planned out to share on this day, but I decided to hold out on it for now until I get my one-hundredth chapter. :)

Anyway, hope y'all liked this little story I came up with for the holiday. As always, your thoughts, good and bad, are always appreciated.

'Til next time, everybody! :)