A/N \\\ I am diligently working to get these chapters posted to DA, despite its issues with text, and to establish an AO3 account. I do hope that FF gets their issues fixed, but to help with what has been going on, I will be added to where I post there for you, my readers.

Now, on with the show: Here is the 15th installment. Hope you enjoy.

Remember to share the love. Review and Fav. It is the life blood of every writer to know you are enjoying their work. I also want to thank everyone who has Fav'd, followed, and reviewed this little project. I know that isn't much, but to me, it's huge. Even as a writer of original fiction, that you enjoy this means a lot to me as an author.

I do not own and claim no rights to Zootopia or its characters. They belong to Disney.

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Lizz and Judy headed to the bathroom just as Lizz's brother pulled up. Entering the restaurant he looked around with a frown as Erin walked up to welcome him. "Hello sir. Welcome to Therus. Just you?"

"No, I'm meeting my sister here."

"Ah! You must be Larry. Lizz said you would be getting here just before lunch. I'll show you to their table."

"Their table?"

"Yeah, Lizz and Judy have been here since this morning." Turning, Erin leads the way.

"Huh... Okay."

Sitting a the table, Larry looks around. "This is a nice place. But, isn't Judy a rabbit? This looks and smells like a predator restaurant. As well as the Pred-only food sign outside."

Erin smiled with a shake of her head. "She is a rabbit, and she knows the cooks. That's where I'll leave it."

"Oookay..." Larry looked around, wondering what was going on. He could smell his sister, a rabbit, and two scents he couldn't quite make out, which in a pred restaurant, confused him.

Judy finished first and returned to their table. Seeing a new tiger that looked a lot like Lizz sitting there she smiled, guessing that this must be Lizz's brother. Walking around and climbing the stairs of her chair, she sat down and waived Erin over for more tea. "Hello. You must be Larry. Nice to meet you in person." Holding out a paw.

Looking at the very pregnant gray rabbit, Larry couldn't help but noticed the scent he couldn't quite identify before was fox, and it was coming from her. He shook her paw briefly as he figured out the other scent coming from where his sister had been sitting seemed canine. Scratching the back of his neck, he wondered again how canines handled it. He had a better sense of smell then most felines he knew, and it just confused things for him most of the time. "Uhm... Hello. You're Judy Hopps?"

Grinning up at him, Judy nodded. "That I am. So you really think that SpiderWolf #1 is worth that much?"

Larry shook his head with a chuckle. "If truly mint, then yes. Easily."

"Oh, it is very much mint."

Larry blinked at the confidence rabbit. "Seriously? Wow! I'd love to see that. Though I'd be afraid to touch it."

"Maybe some day. So, Larry. You're Lizz's brother? You two look almost identical."

"We're I guess you would call litter mates. She's a few minutes older than I am."

Judy smiled warmly up at Larry. "Oh, that's cool. I have four litter mates. Amongst us, I'm second oldest. Probably the weirdest group of rabbits you'll come across too. Not one of us has done truly stereotypical rabbit things."

Smiling at Judy, Larry looked around again. "Considering I'm seeing a rabbit that is perfectly happy sitting in a pred-only restaurant, I don't doubt it."

Judy gave him a sly smile as she saw Lizz approaching. "Yeah, well... I know the cooks, and I work with a lot of predators, such as your sister. It was get over it, or be forever uncomfortable."

Lizz laughed from behind Larry, making him jump. "Oh, come off it Judy. I wonder if you were ever uncomfortable with predators." Giving Larry a hug from behind before sitting down in a free chair. Larry had taken hers, so now she was sitting to the side of Judy, with Larry sitting opposite. "Hi Larry. How are you."

Larry returned the hug and then froze, his eyes going wide. After staring at his sister who was snickering at his shocked look for several seconds, he physically jerked back in surprise and his voice cracked a few times. "Lizz... I... Wha..." /gulp/ "LIZZ! YOU"RE PREGNANT‽ WHAT‽ HOW‽ No! Not how... who?"

Both Judy and Lizz laugh heartily. "Oh gods... Judy, I'm so glad I just peed, or I would be. hahahahah!"

Judy slapping the table. "The same. Oh, gods I wish I had video of that."

"Me too."

Larry looked between the two pregnant females with a perplexed and irritated look, ears back and to the side, tail tip flipping randomly. "Lizz. This is what this is about? You got knocked up. Okay, so what? Don't care if you don't know the guy and it was a drunk fling or something. That isn't a reason to drop off the face of the planet from your family."

Lizz sobered up, as did Judy, though the rabbit still snickered a few times. "Look, Larry. Yes, the fact that I got pregnant is part of the reason, but by whom as well."

"That's right. You implied that you found a mate. Even better. So your mate got you pregnant. That's great. I'm happy for you, but utterly confused. I told mom a late lunch so I could try and figure out what was going on." Leaning forward and putting his paw on Lizz's. "Sis. Talk to me. What's going on? Why did you drop out on us, and just because you're pregnant isn't a good excuse."

"Well, that is the reason, and it is because of who my mate is, and that he, through some miracle, was able even to get me pregnant. We've been together for five years, mates for four. We've been hiding our relationship for five years, until Judy and her mate discovered it and held a small intervention two days ago." Pausing and looking to Judy a moment then returning her attention to Larry. "Gods. It has only been two days! They, Nick and Judy, and the friends that they have connected us with, are helping us come out. We came out to Bogo yesterday morning, and then I spent the day with Judy and some of her friends, people I think I can call friends now, shopping, talking, and being very girly. It was actually a lot of fun to be able to drop my guard around mammals that I wasn't worried might judge me."

Larry deadpanned. "You... Shopping, doing girly things. Pregnant by a mate we don't know about and who you have been with for years. Why would they judge you? Okay, jokes over, because it isn't funny. Lizz, be serious with me here."

Closing her eyes and sighing in resignation and realizing that she was just going to have to be direct about it, Lizz looked up at Larry. Holding her paw up and showing him her emerald green painted and manicured claws. "I am being quite serious, Larry. Judy is here as moral support as her and her mate are the ones that helped us, my mate and I, come out. They helped formulate the plan to come out to Bogo, and showed us that we are not alone."

Larry shook his head. "Okay, so you work with your mate, which I suppose is why you needed to come out to your boss. Cool. So what? What's his name? Why the secrecy? I don't understand. Help me out here sis. I'm just a dumb nerd, so spell it out for me."

"It's Mike. My mate is Mike."

Larry furrowed his brow thinking. "Mike?" Lizz and Judy just watched him as his brow scrunched up and he turned his head. "Isn't your partner's name, Mike? He's a nice guy. I like him even. But... He's a wolf?" Seeing Lizz's slight nod, his eyes went wide again in shock. "Your mate is Mike... Your partner on the force... Who you had to come out to Bogo about, because he's your partner... But he's a wolf. I like Mike, but... He's a wolf. Your mate is a wolf? Then how..." Pointing at Lizz with both paws.

"Well. When a male and a female like each other..."

Larry gave Lizz a dark glare while Judy laughed. "Lizz..."

"What do you want me to tell you? One in a million chance. We have the same number of chromosomes, we got lucky, and got lucky. No different than her." Pointing at Judy.

Putting her paws up, Judy laughs. "I'm just here for moral support, remember, don't bring me into this."

Looking between his sister and the rabbit the reason Judy was there hit him like a ton of bricks and he fell back in his chair. "The fox I smell... You're both in inter-species relationships, and have been knocked up by your respective mates. Only you, dear sister, have been hiding it from your family because you figured we'd freak out. Well, yeah! I'm freaking out."

Lizz shifted towards Judy, who put a paw on hers, as Lizz's eyes starting to glisten. "Larry?"

Larry shook his head violently and stood up, taking a step away from the table. "All this time. You've been together for years. You didn't tell us. He's been to our house during that time. Shared meals with us. Well, I guess I can get why. But now that you don't have a choice, it's all coming out. I thought better of you than this Sis."

Lizz moved her chair to be next to Judy. "Larry. I'm sorry. We were just so scared. We didn't know there was a support network for couples like us. We were scared of what others would think. How they would react. How our families would react." Giving a quiet sniff, she looked down at Judy who was looking up at her with concern. Speaking quietly to Judy. "This isn't quite how I expected him to react. If he's not... Then the rest of my family..."

Judy patted Lizz's paw reassuringly. "We can leave if you want. You don't have to... We can hide in the back. Fin will make sure no one bothers us until Mike can get here to pick you up."

Larry spun around angrily. "What did you expect then Lizz? This is rather big news. How did you expect me to react, exactly. You and Mike have had dinner with the whole family dozens of times." As he looked back on the table, he saw the tears in Lizz's eyes only just held back. He saw how she had moved over towards Judy, and realizing what it sounded like he was saying. Larry lept over to Lizz and wrapped her in a hug. He could smell the fear and tears. "No! No no no no no! Lizz. No. I didn't mean it like that. I've got no problems with it. I'm just shocked that it has been so long and you didn't trust me at least." Tears in his own eyes as he felt her flinch and stiffen. "Oh gods. Lizz. No. I didn't mean it like that. I swear to you I didn't. Only freaking out about how long it has been, not the who."

Lizz held her breath before melting into the hug, wiping at her tears and wrapping her arms around her brother. "You're sure?"

Holding her to himself, Larry looked at Judy and flinched at the angry glare she was giving him."I am very sure. I was just surprised. If Mike makes you happy, then that's what matters. That's always been what matters. Now, explain to me why I am suddenly afraid of a rabbit?"

Sniffing and wiping a few more tears away, with a weak laugh at his question. "Mike does. He really does. I love him, Larry. As for the rabbit. That would be because that rabbit can knock out a rhino in one hit if you give her the chance, and you're picking up on that. Sorry I overreacted. It just sounded like..."

Continuing to hold her, Larry squeezed a little tighter. "No. You didn't overreact. The way that sounded, given what you just revealed, could easily be taken that way. I would have in your position. I understand your fear too. I'm sorry. I'm the one that should be apologizing. That was exactly the reaction you were afraid of, wasn't it." Lizz nodding against his chest. "Oh gods. Okay. I'm with you. I'm on your side, I swear. You're my sister, I love you, and nothing will change that."

"Okay. I'm glad you came early then. If the whole family had been going on like that, I'd have freaked out."

Judy patted Lizz's arm. "That's why I'm here Lizz. I'm here to say that we should leave, and to make sure they let you, if needed."

Larry chuckles. "I'd ask how a rabbit is going to do that, but I've seen you in action on the news."

Judy blushed. "I really wish they would find something else to report on."

Releasing Lizz, Larry sits back down, but kept holding her paw. "Okay. Lets eat, I'm hungry, and I don't want to be dealing with food when mom gets here and has her own freak out. I need to be on your other shoulder in support."

Lizz sighed and looked to Judy who smiled up at her. "Thanks Larry, that sounds good. Now, please don't freak out again when she orders." Waving Erin over.

Erin walks up. "Hey, everything okay over here?"

Lizz nodded. "Yes, we're good. We'd like to order, and I think Larry and I." Indicating her brother. "Will have the same spicy burrito I know she's going to order."

Erin looked to Judy. "Judy?"

Laughing, Judy looks up at Erin. "Yeah. Spicy shrimp and chicken, with extra cheese. Regular for them."

Erin smiled as she wrote the order down. "Sure. More tea?"

"Please."

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Larry watched in wrapped fascination as Judy ate while Lizz laughed at him. His shock written all over his face as the rabbit clearly enjoyed the chicken and shrimp in the burrito. Though it wasn't helped by the fact that Judy deliberately pulled one of the shrimp out and made a very blatant point of munching it. "Get over it Larry. That's hardly the strangest thing about that rabbit."

"Sure, if you say so. I'm watching a rabbit, eat a burrito stuffed with Shrimp and Chicken. Nothing abnormal about that at all."

Judy grinned as she swallowed another bite. "Not according to my doctor. I need the extra protein for the kits, as they are half fox."

Shaking his head, Larry laughed and took a bite of his own burrito. "Mmm. This is pretty good. A rabbit mated to a fox. Yeah, that's not weird either. Next you'll tell me you were The Bunny Avenger." Taking another bite. "This is very good. Gonna have to come here more often."

Judy was glad she didn't have any food or a drink in her mouth as she would of choked. Giving Lizz a nervous glance, she slipped on a mask and smiled. "Yeah. That would be crazy." Noticing Nick, Mike, and Joan pulling up outside Judy relaxed. "This restaurant is a safe place for mixed species couples. Helps that the food is excellent and reasonably priced. Lizz, our other halves are here."

Larry nodded. "Makes even more sense as to why you would want to meet here."

Looking up, Lizz smiled as she saw Mike walk in and head over to her, freezing upon seeing the back of Larry's head. He approached as she motioned him forward, Nick pulling a chair over next to Judy.

Nick smiled up at Larry before giving Judy a kiss on the side of her muzzle. "Hey Fluff, who's your new friend?"

Pushing the half a burrito over to him. "This is Larry, Lizz's brother from the same litter. Not sure if tigers have litters, but she's older then him by five minutes."

Putting out a paw, Nick smiles. "Nick Wilde. Pleasure to meet you."

Shaking the paw, Larry looks the two of them over then looks to Lizz and see's Mike standing next to her with his ears back and looking at him with a worried expression, tail down and still. Larry smiles and shakes his head. "You're fine Mike. I'm over the freak out."

Mike visibly relaxed and leans against Lizz. "Oh thank the gods." Pulling Lizz in to a kiss. "Missed you love. Did you know that those two have Mint and Near mint comics worth a literal Mint?"

"I kinda got that feeling after I called Larry about the SpiderWolf that belongs to Judy." Seeing Joan walk up shaking her head. "Hi Joan."

Joan looked up and smiled. "Hi Lizz. Good to see you." Turning to Nick and Judy. "I'll have your insurance estimate done by next week. Although I guess it is actually for the formation of that trust you mentioned. It was a lot more than I expected. The auction should be ready to go live by the end of next week as well. Just gotta get some buzz going. Judy, if you can do a post from your sales account once I get you the details, that'll really pump up the interest. I'll just need the account or accounts to have the money deposited into after the sale." Shaking her head as Judy and Nick give her a thumbs up and smile. Looking to Larry. "Hi. Joan Relics."

Putting out a paw, Larry smiles. "Larry Fangmeyer. I'm Lizz's brother."

"You're the one that I heard on the phone yesterday?"

"That's me."

Handing him a note-pad. "What's your valuation of these. Just off the top of your head?"

Taking the pad, Larry skims and it and whistles. "Wow. This is a collectors wet dream. Taking your notes at face value, this is tens of millions here, just in the comics. The figurines and collectibles just take it up a notch."

"That it does. You need a job? I need a manager for a new location. What do you do?"

"I'm an office cube jockey, but between jobs. Last place I worked for folded as the majority of the board was part of and financing anti-inter-species hate groups. When that came out, the lawsuits started flying, me and others walked out. I didn't know about Lizz and Mike at the time, but I just couldn't support that, even just by working for those that did. You get the idea. I did data entry, etc... Enough of us walked out that there was no way it could survive. Learned a few of my co-workers were in inter relationships."

"So, you know your way around a spreadsheet?"

"Oh yes. That was my life. Build them, interconnect them, pivot tables, printable auto-fill forms based on other data, even in other sheets."

Pulling out a card and handing it to him. "Give me a call on Monday, we'll talk." Turning to the table. "Lizz, good to see you again. Nick, Judy. Have a lovely day. I hate you both, but all the love." Turning to Larry as both Nick and Judy start chuckling and sharing a kiss. "It is real. I've seen it with my own eyes. SpiderWolf #1, mint in bag, and it is first printing. It is actually first run of first printing because it has the notched corner on page 5. I don't know how, but it is one of the first hundred off the press. Anyway, see you Monday." Joan walked away mumbling to herself about unicorns and needing to play the lottery.

Larry watched her go then looked back at the grinning fox. "You own it?"

Nick shook his head. "Nope. That honor goes to my beautiful Fluff here." Kissing Judy on the top of the head, then biting into the half a burrito she had left him. "Thank you Fluff. Just right. You always know just what I need."

"Comes with being your mate. Now what was this about an auction?"

Sighing, Nick set the burrito down. "We had an issue at Second National. Delgato showed up, he called in Rootel."

Judy frowned. "Oh no."

"Yeah. I think they overheard Mike, Joan, and I talking about the contents of that cache. Tried to claim we were behind on payments, and as per usual, refused to listen that I was a cop and any attempts to reach for my badge was met with threats of being tazed. In reality, given what else was in that one, it's a good thing they called the ZPD. So... we are selling my StarFox figurine and the Empowered comics from that cache. Going to start the foundation in hopes that we can help out those that get screwed over."

Judy frowned and looked down. "Yeah. Learned that lesson the hard way."

Nick gave Judy a comforting hug and kiss to the side of her muzzle. "Hey, look at it this way, Fluff. Also learned today that Hornworth is defiantly on our side, and Erik is going to make a big donation. So the foundation will have a really good start. It's going to be able to help a lot of mammals that would otherwise get screwed over."

"As will Bill, I'm sure."

"Without a doubt, and Maria too I'm sure. Hell, she'll probably pimp it at her next concert."

The group chatted for a few minutes and then moved to a larger table just in time for another car to pull in, three tigers getting out of it. Lizz taking a deep breath and clutching Mike's paw tightly under the table as he gripped her back. Giving her a quick peck on the cheek as the tigers were out of sight in the entrance for a few moments.

Watching them enter the restaurant and approach, Lizz felt her heart racing, calmed only because Mike was with her. "They're here. Oh gods, Mike. I don't know if I can do this."

Rubbing her paw with his free one, the other clasped in hers, Mike nudged closer to her. "I'm here Lizz. Nick and Judy are here. Larry is here and supports you. It is going to be okay. They may be a bit shocked, but just like Larry, it'll be more about you being happy than anything. Just give them a chance."

"Okay." Looking up at the older tigress that was approaching the table, Lizz tried to smile, succeeding in a very nervous smile. "Hi mom. Earl. Allen."

The tigress looked at Lizz, her eyes flicking to Mike next to her then back, closing her eyes and pinching her brow. She noticed Larry sitting on the other side of the table, her brow furrowing upon noticing Nick and Judy. Letting out a long breath, she pulled out a chair and sat down, pointing to Earl and Allen to the other chairs on that side of the table. "Lizz, I see now why you wanted to meet with us." Looking over to Mike. "Mike, thank you for being so supportive of my daughter. You're a good mammal." Turning to Nick and Judy, and cocking her head. "Huh... You two really do spend every moment together."

Judy smiled up at her. "Well, as my mate and husband, that is expected."

Frowning, she looked closer. "Then how are you pregnant?"

Nick shrugged. "According to the doctor, there were a lot of factors, and some blind luck, but he assures us the kits are healthy. He's a specialist in inter-species hybrids."

"Huh... Congratulations. Why are you here?"

Judy smiles. "Moral support for our friends."

Nick continuing. "Being there for mammals who thought they were alone in the world."

"Okay. From what I know of you two, you're good mammals, despite your statements at the press conference." Putting up a paw to stop Judy's obvious start of an apology. "Don't. You have more than made up for it with all you have done for the city since then. Both of you." Turning finally back to Lizz. "Okay. Do you know who he is, or was it a one night stand?"

"I know who he is. Mom..." Stopping as her mother lifted a paw.

"Just answer the questions Lizz. Does he want to be part of their lives?"

"He does. Mom, he's..." Stopped again by a look from her mother.

"Lizz. Please."

"No, mom. Listen for just a second and all your question will be answered at once."

Sighing as only a mother can. "Okay Lizz. I'm listening."

Taking a deep breath, glancing to Nick and Judy who returned warm, encouraging smiles, to Larry doing the same, then holding Mikes gaze for several moments. "Thank you mom. We have been together for five years, mates for four of that, but we have been hiding our relationship for fear of how it would be seen by our families, by society, and just generally felt alone. Nick and Judy have helped us come out and shown us that we are not in fact alone, but have a lot of support that we can tap into. Such as them being here to help support us as we come out to you now."

Lizz looked to Mike again, then back to her mother, continuing. "Mike and I mates. Through some pure, simple luck, Mike is also the father of my cubs. So, when you ask if he wants to be in their lives, there was never a question about that. I love him, and he loves me. We came out to Bogo yesterday, and he won't be separating us, so long as we can keep it professional on the clock, as we have proven able for the last five years, and just like Nick and Judy do. We meet with Mike's brother and sister in law tonight and then we'll arrange the meeting with Mikes' parents."

Lizz's mother scowled, causing Lizz to flinch into Mike who wraped his arms around her. Glaring at them both for several seconds before breaking into a grin. "Well... It is about gods be damned time you two admitted it! I figured it out three years ago. What did you think would happen, dear? Did you think I would reject you? That I would not support you? He makes you happier than I have seen you since your dad died. I would never deny you that, sweet-pea. Now you are telling me that he's going to give me the grand-cubs I never thought I was going to get? Lizz, honey. You've got nothing to be scared of and know that I support you both and will wreck anyone who stands against you."

Lizz visibly relaxed, tearing up. "Oh mom." Then noticing that she has her phone out and to her ear. "Mom?"

Putting up a paw, she speaks into the phone. "I'm at a restaurant called Therus, do you know it? ... Good, I'm there with the kids. ... They're supposed to meet with a brother and mate tonight. ... Okay. ... No kidding. ... Right. That close. ... Perfect." Hanging up she grins at the two of them with the knowing smirk of a mother who just caught their kit with their hand in the cookie jar. "Well, this should be interesting."

Two minutes of nervous silence later, another car pulled into the parking lot and Mike gasped and gripped Lizz's paw tighter. "It's my mom!" Looking to Lizz's mother. "You have her number? Why do you have her number‽" His voice rising with a hint of panic.

An older wolf couple enter and approach the table, three younger wolves hanging back at the bar. Lizz's mother looking at her other two son's. "Earl, Allen, please give your seats over to our new guests." The two tigers who looked at their sister and brother-in-law with amused smiles got up and moved to an adjacent table. The older wolves taking the freed up seats.

The she-wolf looks at the two of them and shakes her head. Looking to Nick and Judy she raises and eyebrow with a sniff and a smirk, then turns her attention back to Lizz and Mike. "So. Michael... Do you have something to tell me? Though, before you do. Lizz, please flick both ears for me, he's too far away." Mike stifles a yelp "Thank you dear. Done perfectly. Michael?"

Folding his ears back and dipping his muzzle, Mike takes a deep breath. "Mother. Father. Lizz and I are mates. She carries my cubs. We will be seeking to marry and perform a traditional mating ceremony in the coming weeks after the cubs are born. We have not done it previously due to fear of how our friends and family may react, and on my part due to what happened with Ed and Elli."

The she-wolf sighed sadly, and looked down herself. "What happened to your brother and his mate was unfortunate and an embarrassment to the entire pack. In today's day and age, had this not happened." Indicating Lizz's condition. "Then a surrogate would simply be selected to ensure the continuation of the line, and you would raise the resulting pups. We might still do that, if needed to satisfy certain ignorant hold outs within the pack. However, at no point should you have ever feared how it would effect your father and I, or the pack, and I am so deeply sorry for what happened."

Mike looked up surprised. "Mother?"

Giving him a warm smile. "We, Lizz's mother and I, have known for years. She came to me when she suspected and we looked into it, confirmed it, but realized that you would need to come to us in your own time. I tried to let you know by inviting you both to dinner so many times, but you never got the message."

"I did, but I dared not believe it. I would have left the pack for her."

"I know. Can we be open now, or is this just revealing that you are about to be a father?"

"No. We are fully open, thanks to Nick and Judy. We revealed it to Bogo yesterday, and as long as we keep it professional like they do, we get to stay partners."

Turning to Nick and Judy the She-wolf smiles. "So. We have you two to thank that we will know our grand-cubs and that our children are open about their relationship finally?"

Nick and Judy nod, Nick speaking up. "I suppose, yes, ma'am. We just saw our friends suffering under a self imposed exile that they didn't need to be. Judy and I hustled them into meeting us here for dinner, figuring that revealing our own relationship to them would help them open up to us and maybe help them." Turning to Lizz and Mike. "We really didn't expect things to happen quite this fast."

Judy huffed, but smiled with a wry smile. "I'm happy for you guys, if a little jealous. Nick mother loves me, always has, but my family isn't as supportive. Which is why we wanted to be here for you, in case you ended up with something more like me than Nick."

Lizz reached over to Judy. "Thank you. The support and new friends you have introduced us to have given us the courage we needed."

Mike's mother looked over to Lizz's. "We seem to have failed our cubs somehow."

Shaking her head, Lizz's mother sighed. "I agree." Turning to Nick and Judy. "What? Saving the city wasn't enough for you two? You have to go and save your friends from themselves too? I guess all we can say is, thank you."

Judy blushes and leans into Nick. "We never wanted fame. Well, Nick did at one point, but that's a whole different story. I didn't become a cop to save the city or any of that. Just to make the world a better place. Once we knew that Lizz and Mike were together, the stress they were both under became obvious. Just like I expect that the revelation about Nick and I made some things suddenly clear."

Lizz laughed. "Yeah, I'd seen the worn, flattened fur where your rings go, but never recognized it for what it was. The whole, openly moving in together so you didn't have to worry about scent-masking was just brilliant."

Nick shrugged. "We were already talking about doing that. My old place was a hole in the wall."

"Almost literally." Judy looked up at the others. "It was a basement, exposed pipes, mold, leaks everywhere."

"It's what I could get at the time."

"I know. Which is why we have our new place."

"Yeah, no more shoe-box for you." Looking up from Judy to the others. "Seriously, It was a bed, a small window, a table/desk, a mini-fridge with a microwave on top, and a wardrobe. A weasel would have found it cramped."

Looking up at Nick, Judy smiles up at him warmly. "Well, now we have a wolf sized bed."

Looking down into Judy's eyes, Amethyst meeting Emerald. "That we do." Leaning down to kiss her. The kiss quickly deepens, interrupted by a cough. The break the kiss and look embarrassed.

Lizz's mom laughed. "Wow. They are adorable aren't they."

Mike's mom smiles and stands up. "Well, that's what I needed to know. Mike, Lizz. I expect to see you for family dinner, next Tuesday. Madeline, will you be coming?"

Lizz's mom smiles as she stand up. "Most definitely, Victoria."

Ed and Elli walk around the corner of the entrance and freeze, haivng decided to show up early for a late lunch before meeting with Mike and Lizz. The group all turning to look at them. Elli squeaks and presses herself against Ed, while he groans.

Victoria steps over to her other son. "So. When were you going to tell me that I was going to be a grandmother, since the son in question was too scared to tell me?"

Lowering his muzzle, ears folded to the side. "We found out yesterday. Elli actually went out on a shopping and pampering expedition with Lizz and Judy yesterday. Mike sent me a text yesterday just as he was finishing his shift. Elli and I were meeting them here today to try and help them understand that what happened to us won't happen to them."

Her finger cocked and ready to flick, pauses. "So, you have known for a day, and were going to try and help them come home?"

Ed nodded his head against his chest, looking up at his mother. "That is correct."

Victoria turn's to Elli. "Is this true?"

"It is. We hoped to help them understand that things are not like they were when Ed and I went though what we did. I also taught her about the flick, and intend to mentor her in the world of being mated to a wolf as a non-wolf."

Putting her hand down, Victoria smiles. "Very good. Well, part of your job I think is already done. I will leave you to it then." Turning to Lizz. "Do make sure you make it to family dinner. That is a responsibility I put on you Elizabeth. Elli will, I'm sure, help you understand that." Facing Elli and Ed again. "As that is the task I set for you, officially."

Elli nods with a small bow. "Thank you mother. I will not disappoint."

Pulling Elli into a hug. "I know you won't." Giving Ed's ear a more gentle flick. "You still should have called me and told me what you were up to. I could have helped, but at least you had the sense to involve your mate."

With that, Victoria and her mate left with the other three wolves in tow, Madeline and all three of Lizz's brothers leaving as well. Leaving just Lizz, Mike, Ed, Elli, Nick, and Judy. They look at each other for several very long moments before all bursting out with laughter.

Nick, still trying to catch his breath, looks over Lizz and Mike. "Well. I think you two are in a good spot. Mike, I will see you tomorrow at the precinct. Lizz, tomorrow night when you pick us up to head to the studio."

Judy laughed. "That's right. Nick, we're picking up an extra tomorrow. I kinda promised to help Bobby bypass the initial auditions."

"Well, if he is as good as you've suggested, then Maria will love him."

"Oh, she already does. I sent her a link to one of his original songs he posted on EweTube. He did all the instruments and the arrangement. She is freaking out. Wanted me to drag him there right now. Said that she's got several songs she's written but couldn't find the music for, either as herself or under NightHowler, and one of his pieces is a perfect fit for one of them."

"Well, if he nails the direct audition tomorrow, he's in."

Bobby walking about of the kitchen looked over. "Did I hear my name used in vain?"

Nick barked a laugh. "Damn, Judy. He is exactly as you described him."

Walking over, Bobby stops, seeing a fox with his arm wrapped around Judy. Blinking a few times as he takes in the scene of three inter-species couples. "Well..." Shaking himself and putting on his server smile. "Can I get you folks anything?"

Grinning, Judy giggles at Bobby's reaction. "I think we need to move to a smaller table, for just Nick and I for dinner and leave Lizz, Elli, and the brothers to their own devices." Turning to the other two couples. "I think you guys have plenty to talk about and don't need us getting in the way. Lizz, Mike, if you do need us, we'll still be here."

Lizz smiled and gave Mike a peck on the cheek. "I think we are good, but thank you for staying. It means a lot that you were here and are staying. Things have really moved fast, but I think it was just meant to happen. Maybe you guys should try giving your parents a call, Judy."

Judy looked down sadly, Nick pulling her close and speaking. "We've tried. I've tried, Judy has so many times. There are a few of her sisters, two or three brothers, some cousins, and her mom. Yet, most of the family, and her father are still very much against us just dating. Only a few of her sisters know that we're mated and married, and none of them actually know that she is pregnant. Her mom only thinks we're dating still." Looking down at Judy. "Unless you've told them?"

Judy shook her head. "We've talked about it, and I've asked them about their experiences, but they just don't map. They're all with other rabbits. They're supportive, but laugh when I suggest that it would even be possible. Only Jessica."

"So it'll be as we talked about. I'll end up calling, probably get Stu, get cussed and hung up on. Then I'll call one of the others, I think Cotton will be the best bet to get the phone to Bonny."

Hugging Nick to her and placing her head on his shoulder. "Probably my love. I keep trying, I do." Looking up to Lizz and Mike with a harsh but loving look. "You two are extremely lucky, and I am so very happy for you that your families are supportive and accepting. Never take that for granted."

Nick kissed Judy between her ears. "They'll come around someday love. They will. They love you."

"And if they don't? Well..." Looking down at her belly then up at Nick. "I have a family right here with you, and we will bring them up to be better than that. I just hope that having grand-kits will bring my dad around."

Bobby shook his head. "I told you years ago Judy. Your dad is a good rabbit, but he is slow to change. How long did it take him to even acknowledge that you were friends with Sharla? He never acknowledged me, and I was never allowed over to your house. When you came over to mine, you had to tell them you were going to Sharla's."

"Oh gods. The first time he found out I lied about where I was. Oh, that was not a good week for me."

Nick turned to Judy. "Wait! You... My dearest Fluff... Lied about where you were to your parents so you could hang out with people they didn't approve of?"

Judy's ears dropping in embarrassment. "Yes..."

Nick grinned. "Oh, my lovely bunny. Lying about where you were going to be to your parents. I'm sure you talked back too when you were getting in trouble for it. Oh, the great paragon of honesty and integrity. Karma forbid! Next you'll be blackmailing innocent foxes into helping you with cases."

Punching Nick in the shoulder. "Nick. So help me. I will shave your ears. You're tail is safe, since I like him more than you."

Laughing, Nick rubs the spot. It really didn't hurt, hadn't in a long time as he'd been conditioned to Judy's unnatural strength. Still, rubbing it and feigning injury were required interaction on his part. "I knew it! Betrayal at the most basic level." Turning to look back at his slowly wagging tail. "You! You traitor." Pointing a finger at his tail. "You and I are going to have to have a talk."

Judy laughed. "He's always threatening his tail."

Laughing, the two groups move to new tables. Nick and Judy by themselves, Ed, Mike, Elli, and Lizz at their own table. Bobby taking their orders and returning to the kitchen as Erin gets them all fresh drinks.

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A/N \\\ Is there more to come? Yes... Yes there is. I'm editing away on this and my original works. Muse is even giving me some time to not just edit, but work on some original WIPs, finally! That's going to slow down updates here, but there is still plenty coming.

Keep the reviews and comments coming, it's making Muse happy, which lets me work on this and other things. And also remember, if you see issues, misspellings, etc... Let me know in PM, I'm under no illusion of being perfect and want to fix those things I miss.

If you are truly enjoying this, you can check out my original work by popping over to my blog, Scribblings. You can link to it here: dcballard dot com and then select Scribblings Blog.