Chapter 19

Convergence

For the leadup to Judy's delivery, the Meadowland gang continued to perform their assigned duties – or lack thereof, after Bonnie and Stu left with the promise to return closer to the predicted delivery date. As the days went by, Gabby and the other doctors encouraged Judy to sleep in the hospital bed more as her pregnancy progressed, if only to get her more comfortable in the room. They also encouraged Nick to sleep there too, though he had to make sure to change out of his SWAT uniform and wash after one particularly exhausting day.

However, the tod was powerless against the growing pit in his stomach as the earliest prediction drew closer – the 7th of July. Finnick, Judy and Mary did their best to keep his mind off it when he was off patrol, but he knew that he had very little control over what would happen when the day came. In an odd, twisted way, it reminded him of being on school holidays when he was a kid, and dreading the day when he would return.

The situation in Zootopia gradually stabilised, as the mayor had not resigned despite the city-wide protests. The hamster maintained that even if the citizens hated his guts for these specific issues, resigning now would put the city's prosperity and general operation at risk. As it was, there were constant negotiations going on between the city's medical board and the Council, with most of the public backing the medical board to end the Council's influence over pred-prey pregnancy control.

Bonnie and Stu returned the weekend of the 7th, and along with general housekeeping and spending time with Judy and Nick, Gabby analysed their blood and found that Bonnie had a matching blood type. The facility already had some rabbit blood in storage, along with some that Madge and Claire had requisitioned, but Bonnie's blood would be the most valuable in the inevitable transfusion from the dialysis machine. The older lapine thus donated some blood in the meantime.

Judy also ran through lessons with Bonnie in tow about the expected stages of labour, and how to react to each stage. This proved easy enough for her, as many of the core concepts proved similar to response training in the police academy. The doctors also focused on securing whatever other supplies they needed, with Finnick and Claire continuing to go out and retrieve them. With the public aware of the Council's former grip on medical dealings, it was easier to get the supplies now.

Thankfully, Quilda kept true to her word. Going by the continued ZNN reports, the press had little idea of what was going on in the asylum apart from their overall goal. As such, the press remained unaware of the time frame they were aiming for, but that didn't stop some medical pundits from speculating, and some were closer to the mark than Judy and Nick were comfortable with. However, there were just as many whose speculations were wide off the mark, and without solid evidence, the pair felt that Zootopia's general audience were still in the dark for the most part.

With the fateful day drawing closer, Nick's growing anxiety began to affect his sleep again. He was reluctant to take any drugs the doctors were willing to supply; relying on paracetamol on occasion. Despite Alex and the wolves' continued presence, he found his mind wandering more and more while on duty despite his attempts to focus. The wolves knew there wasn't much they could do for him, aside from reducing his hours so he could spend more time with the Hopps. The 7th came and went, which was expected – leading them to prepare for the 14th as the next ideal day for the birth.

Then, on the 14th, Nick had the day off and had attempted to get some rest in their room as the minutes ticked by. By this point, he wished the birth would begin – or he would go insane.

While drifting in and out of consciousness, Finnick – as if in answer to his prayers, shoved the door open with a helpless look in his eyes. All traces of Nick's fatigue vanished.

'… It's starting.'

July 14th, Saturday, 4:33 pm

Pulling on a jacket, but still in his pyjamas, Nick raced down to the medical room. Bonnie, Stu and Mary were sitting outside on a bench, nervous but otherwise subdued. They raised their heads as the two foxes approached.

'How is she?' Nick asked breathlessly, as he glanced between the three of them.

Bonnie and Mary shrugged helplessly at each other. 'We're waiting for one of the doctors to come out,' Bonnie said. 'I don't know if you heard, Nick, but Judy has been showing signs of early labour since this morning.'

'… Now they've apparently gotten intense enough that Gabby's got her staying in the bed,' Mary continued. 'We're just waiting for confirmation.'

Nick stood up straight and tried to discern anything he could through the mostly-opaque glass, making out a few shapes moving around Judy's bed. Then the shortest moved toward the door, and Madge emerged with a frown.

'Well?' Finnick barked impatiently after a brief pause.

'… We have confirmed that Judy is entering the active labour stage,' the honey badger explained. 'We've been monitoring her for half an hour, and from our scans, it seems the fox is going to be born first.'

'So what's that mean?' Stu asked with curled up paws.

'That's the one that's of higher concern,' Madge continued. 'If she can get through that, there's a good chance the rabbit will have less or no complications.'

'So… what now?' Finnick asked.

Madge's frown deepened as she glanced at Nick. 'Mr. Wilde, we're at the stage where your presence might ease Judy through the process. However, having too many mammals in the room is ill-advised. Are you willing to come in – alone?'

The others all gazed at Nick, the rabbits worried; the foxes expectant. Nick took a deep breath and nodded, which Madge returned.

'I'm sure Gabby will give you more information. Judy's doing alright, but she is rather uncomfortable at the moment.'

Mary gave Nick a few pats on the back as he followed the honey badger into the room. He mentally braced himself as he walked in, but the scene was nothing too unfamiliar. All doctors were in the room, with Gabby in her usual spot next to the computer, while Claire was making sure Judy was comfortable and keeping the equipment connected. Judy raised her head to look at Nick with a pained smile, in a white nightgown, her lower body covered up for the moment.

'Hiya, slick… I guess we're heading to the finish line, huh?'

Nick did his best to return her smile.

'Well, it's a hell of a race then, Carrots.'

At the sound of his voice, Gabby raised her head and gave Nick a calculating look. She waved him over to the other corner of the room, away from Judy, and spoke in a low voice.

'So far so good – but we both know how dangerous these births have been in the past. Wilde, if we can have you through the whole procedure, it should help Judy's state of mind immensely. However, that will be for nothing if you cannot hold it together. After all, with Judy not having given birth before, this could be a lengthy process. And admittedly, asking you to stay at her side without losing your composure is a big ask.'

Nick frowned. 'What do you need me to do?'

'Sit by her side and keep her company. But…' For a moment, her gaze softened as she glanced back at the bed-ridden rabbit. 'You just might have the most difficult job in the room. Can you do it?'

Nick's muzzle tightened with resolve as he looked up at her.

'I will do whatever it takes.'

Gabby nodded, also steeling herself. '… Very well. If Judy asks for anything like food or water, get Claire or Madge to fetch it for you. Until we say otherwise; do not leave her side.' She frowned for a moment towards the door. 'In fact, I'd take a toilet break before we start.'

'…Alright.'

No quips left to give, Nick left after letting Judy know he would be right back. As he returned, he asked the others if they could prepare some light food or drinks for Judy in case she asked for them.

The tod pulled up a stool next to the bed, gripping Judy's paw in his. He gradually prompted Judy to talk when she showed signs of pain. They talked about all sorts of things, from their first cases, to some older movies they remembered for being so-bad-its-good, to the latest season finale of ZSF. Meanwhile, the doctors began to connect Judy up to the transfusion machine and other birth-assisting devices. Nick, however, blocked most of that out, focusing on his wife in front of him. He forced himself to smile as earnestly as he could despite Judy's muffled gasps at her escalating pains.

Banner's right… this is the hardest thing I've ever done. It's not even the birthing stage yet...

A couple of hours later, Judy was in no condition to talk back. Her grip on his paw had tightened, and her eyes were clenched shut. She was given a mouthguard to help with gritting her teeth.

Nick and the doctors kept their voices calm and even. The machine was on, and an electrocardiogram showed her heartbeat as elevated. Several bags of rabbit blood were connected and ready.

'Judy,' Gabby said calmly, now actively staying at the end of the bed. 'If you feel the urge to push, raise your left arm. I will tell you if it is safe to do so. If it is not, I need you to hold back. Remember our breath lessons.'

Judy nodded despite the pain.

Over the next hour, Judy's arm went up and down frequently. Nick kept his gaze on her, holding back his own tears under the rabbit's muffled cries. Then, towards the end, Claire spoke up.

'The first kit is emerging!'

Gabby nodded, focusing her gaze on Judy once more.

'You are nearly done with the first one, Judy. Give it your all – you are doing very well.'

Judy opened her eyes for a moment.

'I'm here, Carrots.'

The rabbit looked him in the eye with grim determination, before shutting them tightly and pushing. Nick kept his focus on her –if he glimpsed the messy detail going on at the end of the bed, he might lose his nerve. He was now gripping Judy's paw with both of his, frequently closing his eyes and bowing his head as if in prayer.

After several minutes of Judy's pained exertions, her body sagged for a moment. Nick heard Gabby gasp, followed by faint kit cries.

Nick's throat caught, and he had the sudden urge to check on the kit, but Judy wasn't out of the woods yet. When she managed to open her eyes, he managed an earnest, encouraging smile. Meanwhile, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Madge doing her best to comfort the kit, wrapped in towels.

'You've finished the first lap, Carrots. Just finish the second and you're home free.'

By the way Judy's ears were perked up, he knew she could hear the kit's cries. Her fingers curled into his paw with a renewed strength… and the contractions began again.

Several minutes later, Judy gave one final push – her grip so strong that Nick couldn't feel his fingers anymore. However, Nick maintained his grip – one kit was already born, and Judy was still fighting. Seeing her working so hard still inspired him, just as she'd done since they first started working together.

Judy sagged once more, and another kit's cries could be heard – this time slightly louder. Gabby rushed over, eyeing Judy's mouthguard, and with a nod from Judy, she gently removed it.

'… You did well.'

The gazelle and fox stayed by Judy's side until her heartbeat lowered to a steady rhythm, while Claire and Madge cleaned the kits up as well as the area at the end of the bed. Nick caught a glimpse of it, and he had to force himself to look. There was a lot of blood – Judy's blood – but maybe, just maybe, it was all worth it.

Judy's breathing calmed and she leaned her head back. Nick reached up and cupped the back of her head for her, and she gave a faint smile, and he slowly let go of her paw.

'Nick?'

Claire's gentle voice prompted him to turn around, and his jaw dropped slightly as he saw the two tiny kits wrapped in white towels, both quieted down and resting.

He wordlessly reached out, and Madge stepped forward with the fox kit. The tiny vixen's fur was thin, but a glossy silver colour. As the tod took the small vixen in his arms, Sylvia yawned and her eyes peeled open to peer up at him with violet irises, mirroring Judy's.

'Hey there. So… I guess I'm your dad. I'm sorry I didn't dress up properly for the occasion.'

The kit tipped her head quizzically for a moment. She obviously didn't understand everything he said, but he could tell there was a spark of intelligence behind that look. Sylvia yawned and closed her eyes again.

Madge edged forward to take her back. 'I'll get ready to feed her when she wakes up.'

Nick nodded thankfully as Madge took Sylvia back. Claire then approached and knelt down on one knee, showing Nick the rabbit kit. Toby's fur immediately reminded him of Stu's, though a bit more on the orange side. On the way down, though, Claire's motion woke the little buck up, and he immediately started crying even as Nick took him.

'Hey, hey… Shh, it's gonna be alright…'

At his reassuring voice, the buck's brown eyes opened to stare up at his fox father. He immediately smiled and held up his paw as if to try and grab the fox's whiskers, but they were just out of reach.

Nick looked down at his son dejectedly. 'It hasn't even been a few minutes and my son is already laughing at me.'

He stopped as he heard Judy shift in the bed. 'Nick…?'

The tod and Madge stepped forward to present the two kits, and she had a gentle smile plastered on her face as she looked at them. Toby started crying again, which woke Sylvia up, and she started crying too. However, at that moment, the sound was one of the most wonderful sounds that Nick or Judy had ever heard.

'They're beautiful…'

Nick grimaced. He felt the same way, but newborns would always look like that to their mother.

Judy raised a paw, but found she was too weak to even reach out and touch them.

'Can you…?'

Claire nodded. 'We've got enough milk to keep them fed. If you need to, go ahead and rest, Judy.'

The rabbit shook her head slowly.

'Not yet… Nick?'

The doctors backed away as the tod approached his wife, handing Sylvia over. Still smiling, she made a grabbing motion with her right paw. Slightly confused, he knelt and drew his head closer. Judy slowly grabbed his cheek fur as it brushed against her arm, and she pushed her head forward. He did the same, and they shared a slow kiss.

Nick couldn't help but grin with embarrassment as they broke it, but Judy was still smiling.

'… You did it.'

'Yes… we did. You beautiful, beautiful fox.'

The tod felt his facial fur heat up. '… Sheesh. Laying it on real thick there, Carrots.'

'I just gave birth – cut me some slack.'

'… You definitely earned that one.'

Judy managed a light chuckle, but her eyes began to close as her head sank into the pillow. Alarm shot through Nick's chest as he stood up.

'Judy?!'

'Relax, Wilde…' Gabby said, still standing in front of the computer screen. 'She lost a lot of blood, despite our transfusions… it's no wonder she's exhausted. But…' Her voice lowered as she bowed her head. 'It's done… it's finally done…'

The gazelle stood back from the desk, and collapsed to her knees.

'Gabby?!' Claire exclaimed, but the gazelle raised her paw, keeping the zebra in place.

'I'm… fine. I just… need a moment…'

Gabby took some deep breaths while still on the floor. Madge was the first to move, taking Sylvia over to a dressing table for more cleaning and introducing the still-crying vixen to a milk bottle. Claire followed after studying Gabby for a couple more seconds.

Nick stayed by Judy's side, listening to her quiet breathing as if to reassure himself that she was still alive. He kept his paw on hers, but refrained from touching her face or ears in case it would disturb her rest.

After a few minutes, with Sylvia and Toby fed and resting again, Madge quietly opened the door, and with a fervent shushing motion, allowed the others inside.

Nick heard them distantly fawning over the two kits, and Finnick grumbling, but it was as if the world around him was tuned out. Almost nothing seemed to exist in those moments except for him and Judy.

He was broken out of his momentary reverie with Mary gently touching his arm. He took a moment to look around the room, and just about everyone except for Gabby was facing him and smiling warmly.

'Congratulations, son.'

Finnick was folding his arms and watching Judy, somewhat reverently.

'Hell of a thing your bunny pulled.'

'… You guys…'

The tod's muzzle trembled, and without thinking, he stood up and dashed into the back room, shutting the door behind him. He pressed his back against the closed door, and as the tears began to flow, his body sank to the floor. As he closed his eyes, vivid images of his new family flashed before his eyes, along with their parents and friends' smiles.

They… got to me… and I couldn't be happier for it…

He buried his face in his paws, and allowed the tears to flow.

They're alive… They're alive…