Here is the 54th installment. Hope you enjoy.

Going to put the note here. Posting frequency is probably going to slow down due to the fact that I need sleep and School is now back in session. That means I have to wake up early to make sure my sophomore gets to school on time. I need sleep, so my writing and editing time is significantly restricted.

Here is the obligatory, on with the show.

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

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Therus - Lunch

Mike and Nick walked up to the door of Theurs just as the girls pulled in, along with two other cars. Lizz, Judy, Vivian, and Sasha Thresh got out of Lizz's car. Maria and Jarvis got out of another, and three black wolves out of the third. Nick walked up to Judy and dropped to his knees, pulling her to him and whispering to her as they both began to sob.

Mike walked up to the wolves. "So, whose detail are you?"

"We are part of your detail, the visible part for when you are not on shift. The Alpha's have decided that an open presence when you are off the clock is beneficial, given everything, and as an acknowledgment of their recognition of the legitimacy of your position as Designate and Lizz as your mate and wife. Congratulations by the way, sir. It was a beautiful wedding."

Mike smiled. "I see, okay then. I assume the fourth member is already inside."

The wolf nodded. "They are. We will do introductions. Uh… What is wrong with your first?"

Nick looked back and saw Judy and Nick holding each other and crying. "His adopted sister just committed suicide, right in front of him. If anything, he is doing better than I would be in the same spot."

The wolf shook his head. "He watched her do it?"

"Took pills and used the water bottle he had just handed to her. We don't' know what it was she took, but she was dead before the paramedics got there, and they were only a hundred yards away, because it happened in the precinct itself."

"Oh… That's rough."

Mike nodded. "No kidding. Let's get inside."

The various mammals headed inside, Judy leaning on Nick who held her close. They were seated shortly and burritos were ordered.

Fin bought out the food with Clara's help, but was stopped by Nick. "Buddy. I have to tell you something."

Looking up at the red rimmed eyes of Nick, and the fact that Judy was clinging to him. Fin's ears pinned back. "Gotta be Jen. Is she okay?"

Nick shook his head. "No. She was participating in the training recordings for marginalized mammals I told you about. She agreed and wanted to tell her story… Because, as she put it, it was the last time she would get a chance."

Fin took a step back into Clara. "Oh no."

"Don't know what she took, but she didn't last long. She wasn't in any pain though." Taking a deep breath and letting it out. "She's gone. She was just… She signed over her rights to the kits last week to Daryl so Angie could adopt them. She never got a chance to mark them, but at least she got to have them."

Fin wiped away tears of his own. "Yeah. Thanks for telling me, bro. It was…" Looking down, his ears folded flat. "It was inevitable."

Judy sniffed. "I wish it wasn't, but I get it now that I understand foxes."

Vivian held Judy while Nick and Fin shared a very rare hug, silent tears running down her cheeks as she held Judy. "There was no way out from the pain for Jen. Angie's a good vixen, Jen knew she'd take good care of her kits, so there was nothing else holding her here but pain."

Nick nodded. "Right." Lifting his glass. "May her next life be one filled with happiness and joy and wash away the stain this life placed on her soul."

Judy lifted her glass. "May her next life be full of friends who support her, and family who loves her."

Fin raised his glass. "May Karma bless her and Serendipity watch over her."

The rest of the mammals at the table lifted their glasses in salute, and then drank with the foxes. Mike watched as with that, the tears dried up, even for Judy. "Okay, that was different."

Nick chuckled, still a bit horsley. "Yeah. Fox tradition. We rarely get the chance to have a funeral, as you have heard, or to mourn at all really. So we have had to come up with different traditions. There will be toasts like that throughout the city by anyone who knew her, and any foxes, even if they didn't know her, will add their own bit the way Judy did. Now, I need to call Daryl."

Nick got up, giving Judy a kiss when she grabbed his arm. "I'll be fine, but he needs to hear it from me." Judy nodded, letting him go. Pulling out his phone as he stepped outside, Nick pulled up the needed contact. The line answered on the third ring. "Hey, Nick. What can I do for you, fox?"

Nigh sighed. "I understand you and Angie have officially adopted the twins."

A smile in his voice, Daryl replied. "Yes. I know how much it hurt Jen. I hope she can manage as Auntie Jen.

"I suppose she might have tried that, but you know she was never going to be able to handle that."

A sad sigh came over the line. "I know. We really wanted to involve her, somehow. We thought that maybe… Nick, why are you calling?"

"Daryl…"

Tears could be heard in Daryl's voice. "Fuck... When? How?"

"About an hour or so ago. She told her full story to a bunch of cops for a training video, asked me for some water and then took something on stage. She went fast, and without pain. If you can believe her, she was in pleasure when she went."

"Have you toasted her?"

"I'm at Therus. Just told Fin, and my mom and mate are here. So yes, we toasted her. It was a good toast. Fin asked Karma and Serendipity to look after her."

"Good. Good. Okay. I need to tell Angie. She's going to be broken up. She really wished she could have been real friends with Jen."

"I know. The instincts just were too much to bear, and I think that is what did Jen in. She knows that her kits will be taken care of and loved, so there was nothing left."

"Nothing left but the pain. Alright, Nick. Thank you for calling me."

"It's no problem, you deserved to hear it from someone close. Take care of the twins. I just hope they understand her decision when they get old enough. Plus, with Judy and I having our own soon. If you need kit care, or want to set up a playdate, let me know. The new complex we have moved into has a lot of inter couples with kits and help each other keep track of them. I'm sure I could hook you guys up if you need it."

"Angie and I will make sure they do. And thank you Nick, for all the help you and Judy both gave Jen. You helped her get as far as she did. May your brush stay clean."

"May your brush stay clean."

With that, they ended the call and Nick walked back inside. Judy perked up with a weak smile. "How did he take it?"

"As well as can be expected. He still had feelings for her, but his instincts blocked him, and he's imprinted on Angie. They'll raise the kits as their own, they are his after all, and when they understand things about how their instincts work when it comes to a mate, they'll be told. She loved them and her last thought was clearly about them."

Judy nodded and pulled Nick to her. "She's not in pain any more Nick. We both knew it was going to happen at some point. Let us enjoy our meals and celebrate her. She's free now."

Nick smiled as Fin chuckled. "You've been around Red too long, rabbit. It's good that you know fox culture like you do though. Help you keep him in line."

Clara leaned down to Judy. "I probably need some pointers then."

Judy grinned evilly at Fin. "Well, I'm happy to, and I'll invite a few friends of mine. Joan and Henretta."

Fin gasped and glared. "You wouldn't dare!"

Clara grinned wickedly as well. "Oh, with that reaction, it's a date. Call me and we will set it up."

Nick chuckled. "You're in trouble now, Fin."

Judy and Clara were whispering, Clara laughing at the end. "Really? Oh, I have to try that." Stepping over to Fin, she grinned down at him. "Hey baby."

Looking up at Clara, Fin frowned. "What did Bunny cop tell you?"

Leaning down, Clara breathed gently into his ear causing Fin to shiver visibly. "Nothing." Snagging the tip of one of his ears in her teeth and gnawing gently for a moment. "Nothing at all."

Fin stood there completely frozen for several moments. His eyes suddenly going wide and growling as only he can. "Woman! You are going to pay for that!"

Giggling and running off to the office. "That's kinda what I am hoping for." She called back over her shoulder.

Fin glared at Judy. "You're lucky your siblings are as good as you suggested. They're both going to have to manage the kitchen for a while." With that, Fin made a rush for the back office as quickly as he could, yelling into the kitchen as he did. "You two have the kitchen. Keep the place running and I'll pay you double time for today." Fin did not wait for a response.

One of Judy's siblings, Terrance, exited the kitchen. "Hey sis, how you doing? I guess we got hired. The burrito's good? Fin had us make them, but watched us to make sure we did it right. What was that about us managing the kitchen?"

Judy nodded. "They're great, Terry. Congrats on the job. As for holding things down, yeah. It would seem that Fin and Clara may be indisposed for a bit."

Waving as he re-entered the kitchen. "That doesn't surprise me at all. And they say rabbits are bad… Those two... Anyway, thanks for the recommendation, sis."

Conversation continued from there, some discussion about Fox culture and how it evolved due to the distrust from other mammals. How rabbit culture oddly paralleled it, at least the Hopps against the Wilde's, Nick and Judy Laughing because they knew why now.

It turned out that Nick and Judy were both assigned one of the Nightwolf guards, which got laughs from Judy, Nick, Maria, Jarvis, MIke, and Lizz, much to the black wolves confusion.

Nick looked across the table to the four midnight black wolves. "Okay, so which of you are assigned to Lizz and which are assigned to Mike?"

The largest wolf smiled. "There is only one of us assigned to each of you, First. Both you and your mate have been assigned a detail. There is the public front, being one of us, and then several others you should never actually see."

Nick nodded, with a chuckle. "I know how it works, but why would you be assigned to Judy and I?"

Mike laughed. "Oh, that's priceless! Nick, Judy. That means mom and dad have accepted you and gotten enough of the council to accept their decision that you have officially been recognized as our selected firsts. It means that we'll have some actual challenges, probably physical ones, but your plan that got us married has done exactly what you hoped it would."

Judy shrugged. "Well, with them around, they will be even more likely to underestimate us. The view that we are tokens, and have not earned our position is still widespread."

Lizz nodded with a laugh. "Yes, I look forward to the first physical challenge that you accept on face and conditions."

The large black wolf looked between the mammal across the table. "Uhm… Mrs. WildeHopps. I am Jason Nightwolf, second in line of the Nightwolf pack and assigned to you. Are you suggesting that you would not have me stand in for you if given an actual combat challenge?"

With that, they all laughed again, except the black wolves. Once calmed down, Judy shook her head. "No, Jason. I would, depending on the conditions of the challenge, likely accept it on face. I would then wipe the floor with the wolf that thinks they can take on this rabbit."

The next wolf, to Jason's right, spoke. "I am Garret Nightwolf, and I am assigned to you, Mr. WildeHopps. Would you do the same and accept a challenge yourself, instead of having me stand in as champion." The confusion and concern clear in his voice and on his muzzle.

Nick nodded with a smile. "I would, for many reasons, and it is in no way a reflection on either of your abilities, but we must make the statement that we can and will be able to stand with Mike and Lizz. We will actually be training them." Glancing to Maria. "I suppose we might teach the Nightwolves as well."

Maria nodded. "It makes sense. I'll be opening the dojo in a building right across the street from your complex. Just be careful how much and what you teach them. While honorable overall, the Nightwolves are very much similar to what the Cheth and Helketta were before they became what they were at the end."

Nick nodded. "Very good point, Maria."

Jason spoke. "I do not understand. I know you are trained as officers, but surely you realize that those that will stand against you and the Designate will not be untrained. They will be specifically chosen champions, literally trained for the purpose of challenging."

Lizz pulled up a video on her phone and handed it over. "It isn't that they are worried about them sending trained wolves against them, it's more about not hurting said wolves too badly."

Jason watched the video twice, blinked, and handed the phone to Gerret to view. "I… I recognized those wolves. They were both special forces, and you handled them both with a very terrifying level of ease."

Nick smirked. "We did. That was Bogo trying to punish Judy and I. He was trying to force the point that we didn't belong on the force as small mammals. As you saw, we are trained well above most mammals. That said, we welcome you as our guard. Lord knows the other night's events at Greetha's probably drove your parents to move the timeline along a bit, Mike."

Mike nodded. "Probably exactly why. With them on tap and around, you and Judy will be less required to use your own skills and thus keep your true capabilities hidden longer."

Judy looked over at the wolves. "Besides. Nick and I, and now Lizz and Mike, are open to the public. We've avoided it so far just because of the move and such, plus Therus and Greetha's generally being safe spaces. That said, having you around will help dissuade or deal with those that would seek to hassle or attack us."

Nick smiled and nodded as he glanced at Judy. "Mom, I think we are going to need to make a trip to your shop tomorrow to get our new friends some new clothes. Where are you guys living?"

Jason shrugged. "We haven't figured that out yet. We were only selected and given the assignment this morning."

Mike smiled. "I'll bet Jacob still has an open apartment or two. Once we move into the townhouse, they can move in where we are currently. They'll be close, but also have their own space."

Nick nodded. "Good plan, Mike. Given that Ed and Elli just adopted and are now expecting. I suggest that the corner upstairs would be ideal for them. Even add a trap door to our place and a secret door to yours, should it be needed. Also provides a secondary escape route into a secure location for all of us."

Lizz smiled. "That sounds like something we should dig deeper into, but I like it." Looking over to the four black wolves. "So, I figure you were selected due to not having an issue with interspecies couples. As well, you are mates, so that works out too. The two bedroom Ed and Elli current occupy will work nicely for you with some minor modifications. It actually has dual masters and a half bath for guests."

Jason chuckled, glancing at the others. "Well, I see why you have been so readily accepted. I like this plan so far."

Judy smiled. "Then we should head back to the complex, talk to Jacob, Ed and Elli, and then head to the mall to get you measured up."

Vivian laughed. "Does this complex have any small, one bedrooms?"

Judy shrugged. "I don't know, but I don't know why we can't ask. Probably something Jacob has trouble filling."

Nick clapped his paws. "Well, it sounds like we have a plan. After we get all that straightened out, we can head to the studio. Meet you there, Maria?"

Vivian laughed. "I pity anyone that stands against you lot, and even more so now. Let's do this."

After some more discussion on the needs of the Nightwolves, the group paid and headed out. Jarvis and Maria headed to the studio to get things ready, as the rest headed back to the complex.

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New Friends and New Apartments

Parking in their designated spots, Mike directed the car with the Nightwolf guards to one of their spare assigned spots. They then met up on the ground level, the pregnant mammals taking the elevator while everyone else took the stairs. From there, Mike made a quick trip up to Ed and Elli's apartment.

Mike knocked on the door with Elli answering. "Hey Mike. What can I do for you?"

Mike smiled. "Hi Elli. Mom and Dad have moved things along a little bit, I think because of what happened at Greetha's. Anyway, Lizz and I, as well as Nick and Judy, now have Nightwolf guards."

"Oh wow! That means they have at least half the council already accepting of you guys. That's great!"

"It is, but we need to get them a place to stay that is not inside our apartments. We were therefore talking and well, you guys have the apartment that will be perfect for that purpose. It is directly above Nick and Judy, and right next to where Lizz and I will end up in the townhouse. Plus, with you guys adopting Nick and Jack, as well as expecting."

"You figured that we would be wanting to move soon, and you would be right. It is actually on my to-do for this coming week, but I don't see why I can't do it now. Give me a minute and I'll meet you guys at the office. I need to finish dinner to the point that I can walk away from it."

Mike nodded with a smile. "Sounds, and smells, good, sis. We will see you there."

A few moments later Lizz knocked on the door to the office. Jacob opened and looked out. "Hey everyone. I do hope nothing is wrong."

Nick smiled up at Jacob. "Not at all, in fact we brought more potential residents. I'm sure we told you, but as a reminder, Mike is the Wolford pack Designate, and Lizz is his mate and wife. They have designated Judy and I as their Firsts, and the Alphas and the council recognize us to the point that we now are assigned guards. Those guards need a place to live, which we figured would be the apartment above ours, with some modifications. Mind if we come in and discuss? I am not sure, but I think my mom is also considering a one or two bedroom."

Vivian chuckled. "One bedroom would be enough, but two would probably be better so I have a work space too."

Nick shook his head. "Mom, you have a store with all the work space you could possibly need. If you need more room, Judy and I will help you get a store front nearby. If you get a two bedroom, it would be so you can set up a nursery to look after the kits, and don't even pretend that wouldn't be why."

Vivian crossed her arms and huffed in Nick's direction. "Whatever, Nicholas."

Jacob laughed. "Sure, come in." Once everyone was settled in a chair or standing comfortably. "Okay, I assume you know that the apartment above you, Nick, is already occupied. However, I am anticipating their need to move given yesterday's announcement and their recent adoption. All they will have to do is come in, and I already have a four bedroom ready for them. It's even next door to their current place.

Now, the question comes to what kind of modifications you would want to make to their current place. It is actually reconfigurable as a three bedroom, but I believe Ed uses the third or bonus room as an office."

Nick chuckled. "They." Indicating the Nightwolves. "Would add an access door into the townhouse and down into our apartment. It would not be readily visible, but accessible from both sides. These are modifications that they would pay for, and I am sure a reasonable deposit could be determined to cover the cost of undoing them after we all leave."

"When would that be?"

Mike smiled. "Not until my parents decide they're done being the Alpha's and step down, which they have indicated they are in no hurry to do."

Jacob nodded. "So, let me get this straight. Not only will I have four ZPD officers staying here, but as two of them are the Wolford Designate and his mate; I will also have their Nightwolf guards? And all I have to do is allow you to cut hidden accesses needed as part of their jobs as bodyguards." Laughing, Jacob shook his head. "I knew you four were going to bring good things to my complex, but I had no idea. I mean, I have a meeting with the Alpha's next week to discuss the property I have been trying to buy and gotten nothing but a brick wall until the day after you signed the lease. Now all of a sudden they want to talk about it?"

Nick glanced at Judy who nodded and then turned back to Jacob. "Here's a question for you, Jacob. Would you be willing to sell our apartment, the one Lizz and Mike are currently in, and at least one of your one-bedroom apartments as a condo? This place is primed for that. Same with the townhouse and the apartment above us?"

Jacob laughed. "I've already got all the approvals and such, I still want to keep this building rental for the most part. It is why I wanted that piece of land next to this one. I'd build condos there. Same or better amenities, and a lot of the families here would happily buy a place there, freeing up a spot here for new families that haven't reached that stage yet."

Nick nodded. "I see. So it is something you would consider, but perhaps not now."

Shaking his head, Jacob sighed. "Actually, I might do it now. It would solve the little secret door problem. I figure, if there was maybe a buy-back clause where I get first right of refusal when you go to sell, I could see my way to doing that."

Nick grinned. "And when you have the new building built, maybe we can have some early buy-in option too?" Jacob grinned and nodded. "Great. I'll have our lawyer draw something up for you to review then."

"Okay, sounds like a plan." Turning his attention to Vivian. "Now, as for this lovely creature. I have both a one and two bedroom available that I would love to show you."

Elli entered the office. "Hey, Jacob. Got a second."

Jacob laughed with a grin. "Let me guess, you are hoping I have a four bedroom available."

Elli nodded. "I guess they already spilled the beans on that?"

"Some, but I was actually anticipating it. The apartment next to yours is a four bedroom." Fishing the keys out of his drawer. "I was actually going to talk to you about it today. Why don't you take the keys, have a look and let me know. I'm going to show the vision of loveliness that is Miss Vivian, a one and two bedroom I have available."

Vivian giggled. "Jacob. You are such a flatterer."

N: Is he…

J: He is, and she seems to be enjoying it.

Nick Groaned.

N: After all these years. I suppose him not being a fox doesn't trip off her instincts the way a fox would.

J: Seems so. Now behave. It could be nothing at all.

Nick pointed to his nose and tapped it.

N: I can smell it, she freaking LIKES him!

J: Oh wow! I can smell what you are. Weird! So is that what that is? There is so much!

N: You get used to it and how to parse it out. Well, I guess mom is moving in here, so that's good from a kit care standpoint. We also might be buying our apartment, and a few others, as condos.

J: Yep, I'm on board with that. It's a good way to spend our money, and it'll be bought by the trust, we will only have to claim the monthly value of the rent, minus utilities and such, since we were renting it before we bought it.

N: Yep. Nice way around the rules. My bunny, the rules lawyer.

J: You know it.

Jacob led Vivian out of the office to show her the apartments, leaving the rest of them in the office. Jason watched Nick and Judy for a second, then turned to Mike. "Sir. Are they… Did they just hold a conversation?"

Mike shrugged. "Probably. You'll find Lizz and I can do that too."

A dopy grin coming over his face Jason pulled his mate, Garret to his side. "You hear that love? They can do it too."

Nick looked up at the wolves, then to Judy.

N: Do you feel them?

J: Not sure, there is something. If they can, they are still really low yet. Lizz?

L: Oh, Hey Judy. What's up?

J: Can you feel the wolves, Jason and Garret?

L: There is something there, but it isn't very strong. Mike?

M: Yeah, I can feel them, but it's indistinct.

J: Nick?

N: I say we wait, get to know them first, then see if it gets stronger. It could just be because we just met them. You have read the same lore that I have. We should be able to add anyone we want, when we want, or at least soon. That said…

J: Right. We don't really know them yet. Agreed, let's let the relationship build a bit. Still, if we can, it will be a really good tool.

N: Agreed. Lizz, Mike?"

M: I'm of the same opinion.

L: Same.

Nick smiled up at Jason. "That's great, Jason. Nothing weird around this group for sure."

Jason smiled with a wag of his tail. "It is just nice to know others that can do that. It was a shock the first time Garret and I shared."

Mike nodded in agreement. "It was, but it can really speed up some things."

They stood around for a few minutes until Jacob and Vivian returned, laughing and Vivian giving him a playful shove. Nick frowned at that with a sigh. He wasn't going to fault his mother for wanting some companionship. But… Who wants to see their parent flirting?

Vivian leaned next to Judy with a smile. "So, I will be moving into the two bedroom apartment. It is perfect for a small work space for doing designs and such, and has room for when I need to look after the kits too."

Jacob sat behind his desk, a smile afixed to his muzzle. "I'll have the contract ready for you next week Vivian. Then as I offered, I have a panel van we can use to get you moved in."

Vivian chuckled. "That really isn't necessary, Jacob, but I'm happy for the help."

Nick shook his head with a grumble. "Mom, could you at least wait until I leave to hit on my landlord?"

Elli returned at that moment. "Jacob, that apartment is perfect! When can we move?"

Jacob chuckled and reached back to pull open his filing drawer. Pulling out the file for Elli and Ed, he put it down on his desk and pulled out a transfer agreement. "Right now if you want. Sign this and it's yours. Ed will need to sign too, but as long as he does so by the end of next week, all will be fine."

"What about our codes, parking, and all that?"

"I'll just transfer them over to the new apartment."

Elli grinned. "I'll make sure Ed comes by and signs first thing in the morning. He's working some sort of huge, high importance bank audit." Elli signed the papers while Jacob pulled up his computer and did the quick transfer of the codes.

Once finished, he pulled the agreement over, checked it and signed it. "Okay, you're all transferred. Your codes and keys will still work on the old apartment until the end of the month." Looking up at the Nightwolves. "I'll have the rental agreement and everything ready for you Monday."

Jason, clearly the group leader at that point, nodded. "That will work for us. What about the modification?"

"I'll have that worked into the contract as a line item of the deposit. I will need detailed drawings for the modifications you will be making so I can approve them."

Jason nodded. "Of course. I'll have those for you Monday when we come in to sign. It may not be one of us, but a Nightwolf representative will be here. You will know them by the word, Galifractus."

"So if they don't know that word, I assume they'll speak it to me, then they are not an actual rep and I should play along and then let you know?"

Jason nodded again with a smile. "Exactly right."

Jacob made a note of the word and slipped it into Ed and Elli's folder. "Perfect. We also have HD cameras covering all public areas recording to a secure server, and with angles to defeat the typical methods of dodging cameras, such as a hoodie and looking down."

Grinning, Jason nodded. "That's excellent. We will want to tap into those feeds as well. I'll have the needed legal documents drawn up for that and to add cameras at our cost that you'll get to keep, if needed."

Nick chuckled with some sarcasm. "Well, Jacob. You have a move, a shift, and new residents all piled on, along with the attention of my mother. You're batting a thousand."

Vivian smacked Nick on the back of the head. "Nicky, behave."

Turning to his mom, Nick smirked. "Mom, I'm trained as part of the K9 unit, and there are five wolves in this room. We can all smell your interest. Just don't scare him off."

Jacob chuckled nervously. "Uh… So, if I asked you to dinner, you would be a maybe?"

Vivian rolled her eyes. "At least you have more sense then my mate had, and don't worry, he's been gone a long time. So, that would be a yes. I am feeling asian of some kind, so pick me up at eight. You need to know where my place is to help me move anyway."

Jacob brightened up with a giant grin. "Eight it is."

Jason turned to Elli. "Lady Elli, if you wish. We will help you move right now, since it is only from one apartment to the next."

Mike chimed in. "I'm with that."

Elli gave an almost silent screech of joy. "You would really do that? Mike?"

Mike nodded. "I'm sure even Nick will help."

"Hey! I did not volunteer for this!" Giving Elli a wink, Nick smiled. "But I'll be happy to help as well. We'll have you moved in an hour to two. Let's get this over with, since we still have a recording session to do as well tonight, and we'll want to get a light diner before then."

With that, they exited the office and headed for Ed and Elli's apartment. Elli called Ed to let him know that they were moving, to which he laughed and said he would try and get off in time to get the contract signed that night.

They had Ed and Elli moved within an hour and a half, leaving them four hours until they needed to be at the studio. The Nightwolves moved some simple things into what would soon be their apartment with Jacob's agreement, Elli giving them a temp code to get in and out until things were finalized. They were moving the pup's dresser into the new apartment when they got home from school.

Jake and Nick were walking down the hallway towards the apartment they now lived in when they saw two large, all black wolves, carrying their dresser. Jake spoke up loudly. "HEY! What are you doing with our stuff?"

The wolves stopped, and the larger of the two, Jason looked behind him. "Oh, hey pups! We're helping move you, along with your mom and dad, into your new apartment."

Jake and Nick were quite confused by this and it was clear in their faces, Jake continuing to speak for them both. "What do you mean, move? I know I heard mom and dad talking about it, but they haven't talked to Jacob yet."

Jason smiled. "We all talked to them earlier today. We're taking over your old apartment, while you, your mom and dad, and brother, are all moving into a larger apartment so there is room." Looking into the new apartment. "Lady Elli, there are a pair of pups out here."

Elli came out of the new apartment with a grin on her muzzle. "Hey boys. As I'm sure Jason was explaining. We are just moving one apartment over. Your codes and everything remain the same, this just gives us more room, and means that you boys can have your own rooms if you want."

Nick jumped in, tail wagging happily. "Really! Our own rooms? For real, mom?"

Elli grinned at being called mom and wiped a tear. "Yes, really. Why don't you two go pick them out. There are three for you to pick from, but you'll still have to share a bathroom. Come on." Motioning for them to follow her. "You'll still share right now because we need to buy furniture and stuff, but you can make your choice now."

Nick leapt in the air then ran after Elli, Jake hot on his tail. "Awesome! And Auntie Lizz and Uncle Mike are just downstairs too."

By the time they got to their current, but not for long, shared room, both boys were in tears. Elli wrapping them in a worried hug. "Boys? What's the matter?"

Jake spoke from within the hug. "Nothings wrong, mom. We're just… We're happy. See our tails."

Elli looked and saw both boys' tails going 100 mph and smiled. "Oh, boys. It's okay. It's just a lot, isn't it?"

Neither spoke, but she could feel their nod. "Well, come on. Let's look around and make that decision and then this weekend we'll go shopping. How's that sound?"

Both boys pulled out of the hug, wiping their eyes with a few wet sniffs. Jake speaking. "That sounds great, mom."

At that point Jason and Levi walked in carrying the dresser and were quickly put to work reorganizing things by Jake and Nick. Jake and Nick came to the decision that Jake would keep the current room and Nick would get the other room, splitting the current furniture so they could each get something new.

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A/N

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. You can check out my original work and link to my Blog, Scribblings, where a lot of it lives by hopping over to dcballard . com ( Direct: ascensionnovel . / scribblings (remove the spaces) because the forwarding is misbehaving.)

If you enjoy this, and you are not also reading my original Log Entries series over on my Blog. Why aren't you? (takes a Nick-esk pose of hurt) Also. I am now posting them on AO3, so you have even less excuse. It's free, ORIGINAL fiction. "An original story told through the log entries of the pilot and captain of an experimental star ship."

You should really be checking out my bestest bud, Bear678, and his story What Foxes May Come.

So keep those reviews and comments coming. 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.