11: Issues
~0~
To begin with, let me apologize for the extremely long wait between chapters. Creativity has been eluding me for some reason and I needed to go back and reread a few of my favorite authors stories to get a bit of a creative boost. Please enjoy this longer chapter as my way of an apology.
~0~
While Lola is off trying to find and deal with Jack, Judy is dealing with her own issues, especially one that she had never anticipated having to deal with.
~0~
Heading down from the Nick's room, Judy's suddenly glad that she's had the opportunity to make up with one of her chief tormenters from her kithood, namely one of her sisters, Darci.
Entering the rehab room and seeing no one, Judy looks around and notices that Darci is taking a break in the staff break room.
"Hey Darci ..." Judy shyly greets her sibling.
"Hey Judes …" answers the brown doe. "What can I do for ya?" she asks in a curious tone.
"I – I need a huge favor. I need to find a good obstetrician. Since she's on staff at several hospitals Deb can't recommend one so I thought that I'd see if you had any suggestions."
"JUDY! … You really hadn't looked for one before now? Why on earth not?"
"I know, I know. Look … things have been more than a bit hectic since I found out that I'm expecting, and with dealing with the accident and Nick it kept slipping my mind until earlier today when both Deb and Nick made a point of 'reminding' me (using finger quotes). Please tell me that you might know of someone … you know that I can't use the warren's help since dad banished me and Deb can't!"
"I don't have anyone scheduled for a few minutes yet, so let's sit down and we'll see if I can come up with someone …"
…
After having no appreciable luck for several minutes, Darci has to stop looking for a while to attend to a couple of her rehab patients, and mentions to them that she will be offering Reiki treatments in the near future (explaining in layman's terms the procedure), which seems to garner a bit of interest.
"Okay, back at it!" comments Darci as she returns to the break area and her sister to renew the hunt for an acceptable ob/gyn for Judy.
"Nope … nope … nope …" rejecting doctor after doctor for some reason or another.
"Most are your typical bunny doctors," offers Darci, "but most are gonna reject you out of paw (out of hand) either because you're a Hopps, or because dad has spread the word that you're dating a fox or both. You know how speciest most folks around here can be!"
"Yeah … I understand, but it doesn't mean I have to like it …" mumbles the now disheartened doe.
"Wait! I think I know just the one for you, hold on a sec …"
Dialing a number, Darci puts her phone on speaker just as the mammal on the other end picks up.
"Hello, Doctor Cotton's office, nurse Brown speaking, how may I help you today?"
"Aanya, this is Darci Hopps, would Doctor Cotton have a couple of minutes free by any chance?"
"Oh, hello Darci … doctor is with a patient right now, but she should be finished in a few minutes. Can I have her call you back when she's finished?"
"That would be great, thanks Aanya." and closes the connection.
Looking at Judy, Darci explains – "Doctor Cotton is a multiple species ob/gyn, and by that I mean that she has patients that are not only bunnies, but other prey mammals and some preds as well!"
"And you don't think that she'll care that I'm dating a fox?"
"I doubt if she'll give a tinker's damn, no!"
Seeing the 'look' that Judy's giving her, Darci asks "What?"
"Where did you ever learn language like that? Certainly not in the warren!"
Giving her sister a crooked grin "Did you really think that you're the only Hopps to date outside our species?"
"Darci, who-" begins Judy just as the phone rings.
Leaving the grin in place, Darci answers the call and puts it on speaker so Judy can hear "This is Darci Hopps!"
"Yes Darci, this is Doctor Robin Cotton returning your call from earlier. How may I help you?"
"Ah, Doctor Cotton. Umm, one of my sisters is in need of a good ob/gyn, and I was wondering if you were accepting any new patients!"
"I take it you would be referring to Judith?"
"Yes. Would that be a problem, given everything that's been gossiped around town?"
"No, of course not! In fact, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to visit with your sister, especially considering the unique relationship that she is rumored to be in at the moment."
"That's great! Umm, Judy's right here, if you have a spare minute or two perhaps you can work a visit in soon?"
"Certainly. Judith, are you there?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"I think the first thing I need to ask is if it's true that you're pregnant, do you know how far along you are?"
"Roughly three to five weeks."
"And you're not certain who the father is, is this true?"
"… Yes, I was the victim of a date rape."
"I see. So as to not have this conversation being out in the public, I would like to have you stop by my office, can you do that?"
"Yes ma'am, I have transportation, thanks to my boyfriend ... I mean my fiancé."
"What date and time would be convenient for you?"
"Hopefully early tomorrow if possible. I have a seminar of sorts that I need to attend around twelve or one pm tomorrow, and I'm scheduled to start at the ZPA on Sunday."
"Just a second please," (muted conversation in the background) "can you be here tomorrow morning around seven thirty or eight? My schedule for tomorrow is full, but I would like to see you before my clinic opens at nine if you don't mind."
"That's perfect! Of course I can be there, please let me know the address and I'll be there, I promise!"
"The address is 2157 Park Lane in Aurora."
"Thanks ever so much Doctor Cotton, I'll see you tomorrow morning." and hangs up.
…
Turning and seeing her sister grinning, Judy asks "What?"
"Nothin'."
"And just who are you seeing? After telling me that I'm not the only one dating outside our species, you can't just not tell me!"
"Fine … Travis Weaselton. Please don't say anything, please. Just like Gid got his life straightened out after juvie, so did Travis. He works full-time at Cooter's garage on the edge of town as a mechanic. He's working hard to stay straight and he's really nice once you get to know him. I really need for mom and dad to not find out, at least not just yet!"
Taking her sister into a gentle hug, Judy tells her "Don't worry sis, your secret's safe with me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I still need to pick up a few things that I have to have when I show up at the Academy on Sunday. Well, it doesn't actually start until Monday morning, but we have to report in on Sunday before seven pm."
"I understand. Now, go and get whatever you need so you can get back and see your fox before visiting hours are over."
…
Heading out to find her new (new to her anyway) ride, Judy heads toward the 'D' section of the hospital's parking lot.
Quickly spotting the correct section, the doe almost misses the little classic sitting right next to the pole.
With only the black tires with raised white letters standing out on the white pearl paint and S/S mags that almost perfectly blended in with the light dusting of snow that had fallen recently, Judy simply stops and stares in disbelief.
Carefully approaching the car, Judy has to take out her phone and make a call.
"What's up buttercup?" comes Nicks more than slightly amused voice.
"… Umm, Nick, are you SURE that you want me to drive this car? I mean it's beautiful!"
"Of course I'm sure. It fits you, both figuratively and literally."
"I wish you'd have said something about the color … it was kinda difficult to see with this snow on the ground and all. And just who the hell is Buttercup?" comes the slightly amused reply.
"Well, firstly, I had no idea that it had snowed, bedbound for the past few days, remember? And secondly I just thought that it would rhyme and maybe amuse you. You still seem a little uptight, mentally speaking."
*SIGH* "Yeah, well, I guess you probably wouldn't know it snowed, all things considered, and I guess maybe I am a bit worried with so much going on and all, sorry."
"You'll be fine Fluff."
"Ummm … Just so you know, I have an appointment with an ob/gyn tomorrow morning around seven thirty or eight, so I might be a bit late visiting, especially with Shifu visiting is that okay?"
"Great, one less thing for both of us to worry about. Now, go get whatever you need for your brief stint at the Academy, and could you bring me some more coffee please? I normally survive on the stuff and my caffeine count seems to be a bit low right now. The little bit that I can manage to get from the staff here is really kinda nasty, even worse than what we managed to get in the Teams. That stuff was strong enough to show up on a blood test!"
"I think I can manage that. Anything else while I'm out and about?"
"I'd really like some real food … you have no idea how bland this hospital food is! I'm sure it's nutritious, but-"
"Say no more, I'll pick you up something on my way back for visiting hours."
"That'd be great. Get going and be safe!"
"I can do that. See you in a bit … love you Nick … I really do you know!"
"Love you too …" and closes the connection.
…
Taking her time to get used to the ins and outs of the 'Cuda with it being totally different and more powerful than anything she driven to date, Judy heads out to hopefully taking care of obtaining her last few remaining items needed for the short trip to the ZPA, and get some actual food for Nick.
After making her rounds through the local stores to acquire the few things she needed for her brief stint at the Academy and stashing them in here motel room, Judy sets off to get a bite for herself and some coffee and take out for Nick.
Knowing just the right place to get some tasty food for both herself and her favorite predator, Judy makes her way to Gideon's Real Good Restaurant.
As the doe enters the quaint shop, the proprietor, a portly red fox, looks up to find that his newest customer is nonother than "Judy Hopps! Bless me, I ain't seed you in a while."
"Hey Gid! Yeah, I know it's been a hot minute, but things have been a bit … hectic lately."
"I heerd rumors 'bout yuh, but I din't b'leve 'em."
"Well, most if not all of 'em, are probably true. If you've got a spare minute or two, we can talk. I need to ask you a few questions anyway.
"'Kay, no prob'em. We kin sit over here …" as the todd indicates a booth towards tha back of the eatery.
After getting Judy a cup of Jasmine tea and a veggie wrap, the two get down to business.
"Okay …" begins the doe after drawing a calming breath "to begin with, yes, I'm actually pregnant, no, I really don't know who the father is, but Nick's soon to be former partner is working on finding him and dealing with him. Yes, I've been banned from the warren because I stood up for the fox who's been more or less my savior through all of this.
"Nick Wilde is a red fox, more or less like you and a detective in the ZPD. He's been through a lot, even more than you, and has made a very good life for himself."
"Anythin' you c'n share?"
Pondering the questions for a few moment and deciding that a few generalities can probably be shared. "Well, he was abused by a pack of prey kits when he was around nine, ended up in a couple of terrible foster homes run by even more terrible prey mammals, and lived on the streets for several years before going into the military. He spent most of his adult life in the military before taking a medical retirement and joined the ZPD, finally making senior detective.
"After his parents died, Nick was just out walking and I hit him with one of dad's trucks … I thought I'd killed him Gid!" confesses the doe, tears threatening to fall.
"An' thet's when yer pa put ya otta the warren?"
"Well, yeah, kinda? I had the nerve to stand up for Nick and that's when dad cut me off. He put all of my few possessions out in the yard, cancelled my phone, my debit cards that were connected to the warren's accounts, and basically put me in the street. Gid, I had NO earthly idea what I was gonna do! Pregnant, no job, no money, no car, nothing. Nick could've had me charged with several felonies but didn't. For whatever reason, he had mercy on me and we just kinda … I don't know ... clicked?"
"Well, dang … so, whut kin Ah do fer ya Judes?"
"Gid, you know I was never into dating or stuff like that when we were in school, so I was kinda wondering … ummm, I've been doing some searching on the 'net and reading some 'For Dummies' books (using finger quotes), but I get the idea that I'm missing some things.
"I kinda understand most of the … intimate stuff," as the doe threatens to burst into flames from blushing so bad "but a lot of what I'd consider the little things aren't mentioned."
"Lak whut?" asks a confuse Gideon.
"Well, bunny bucks will give a doe tasty flowers as a token of affection when dating, stuff like that, but I have absolutely NO idea what a todd or vixen would do."
"Whull …"
"Gid, Nick asked me to bring him some real food since he's been eating hospital food since the accident and I have no idea what to get him, what can you get for me that he'd like?"
"Jude, yer serious 'bout this todd, right?"
"Yes Gid, I am, why do you ask?"
"Whut yew need ta do then is ta cook him sumpin' yersef'."
"Gid, I never learned to cook, I spent all of my spare time training so I could get into the ZPD. But since I'm pregnant (voice shaking a little) that dream has become more of a nightmare. Nick has voluntarily transferred to the Tri-Burrow Sherrif's department so he can be with me and the kits. He did that for me Gid, who else would do that? I need to show him that I'm just as committed to this budding relationship as he is!"
"Jude, hold on a sec …" as the todd stands and heads towards the kitchen.
Returning a few minutes later with one of her oldest kithood friends Sharla, a black wooled ewe, Gideon explains "Judy, Sharla's gonna hep ya cook sumpin' fer yer todd. Yer gonna do the cookin' but she'll be standin' rite thur tellin' ya whut to do an' how ta do it. You good wit thet?"
"You – you'd do that for me?"
"A'course Judy." affirms the ewe. "We were best friends in school, and I learned the hard way how to get to my todd's heart, and I'm happy to help you with yours."
…
With Sharla standing right behind her keeping a close eye on everything she was cooking and knowing that time was short, Judy managed to cook a few pred friendly items in a very short amount of time.
As she was loading the medium-sized pred to-go container into a bag, Gideon paws her a blueberry tart to add to the hastily prepared meal.
"Ah-Ah know ya din't cook it, but Ah figgered it'd hep finish the meal!"
Giving her former tormenter (Gideon) and her best friend (Sharla) each a heart-felt thank you bright smile while grabbing the to-go bag and a medium mammal sized container of coffee and placing both containers on a makeshift tray to avoid spills, Judy finally exits the café with Sharla helping carry Nick's food, and heads towards the hospital and a waiting Nick.
With the food and coffee resting on the passenger side floor in a special tray that prevents tipping, Judy cautiously makes her way back to the hospital.
Luckily finding a parking spot close to the main entrance, Judy struggles with the tray and gets a rude surprise when a rabbit family exits the main entrance but refuses to hold the door for her with the doe mumbling "…hat pred loving Hopps doe…" to her mate just loud enough for Judy to hear as they pass by her.
Dejected but determined, Judy had just set the tray down to open the door when "May I lend a helping paw?"
Turning and looking to find the mammal behind the slightly familiar voice, Judy is surprised to see a smiling nurse Redd.
With a slight nod, Judy picks up the tray of food and allows the vixen to open and hold the door for her.
Calling the elevator and holding that door for the doe, Trixie tells her "Look Mrs. Wilde" (which of course takes Judy again by surprise) "I know we got of to a really bad start, but I'd like to thank you and your sisters for opening my eyes to my specism and helping me to get past it. I … I'm actually dating a lynx now thanks to you three."
"But - we're not-"
"I know that not only are you not actually married, let alone had the opportunity to even date or even … you know … but you and detective Wilde seem to have a better connection than most of the truly married couples I know.
After the elevator doors open, Trixie precedes Judy to Nick's room and pushes the door open for her., revealing not only Nick, but Debra as well
Taking the tray with the food and coffee from Judy and placing it on the rolling table and moves it in front of Nick so he may partake, the vixen simply wishes the two does a good day and exits the room.
Staring at her sister, Judy has to ask "I know it's late and you should have gone home already … why are you still here?"
"To be honest" comes the reply "we removed Nick's catheter earlier, and I needed to let you know. While hospital staff will need to help him walk to and from the bathroom for the next day or two, you may need to help him if there is no staff available. Since you're so much shorter than him, a lot of his weight will be on you and you need to be ready for the challenge. Plus-" a slightly smirking Deb has to add "you need to remember that he's not wearing anything under that gown!"
"Oh!" was all that a now embarrassed Judy could think of to say at that particular revelation.
"Are you going to be up to that task? I need an honest answer here …" asks a now serious Debra.
"I – I guess I'll have to be …"
"You're sure? Look, while I'm confident that you physically manage Nick's weight, your exposure to male genitalia has been limited to our brothers when we were small kits and your … unwanted-"
"I said I can handle it Deb!" comes the more than slightly irritated reply, her small fists balled at her side "Besides, at some point in the future, I'm gonna do more than see Nick's … you know … so I guess that now's as good a time to start as any …"
"All right then. I needed you to understand and be sure. I'm going home now and get things ready for tomorrow, so I'll see you then."
Giving her sister a quick hug, Debra leaves and quietly closes the door behind her.
…
As she turns towards her todd, Judy sees a slight smile cross his lips.
"What?" she asks. Still a little perturbed at Deb, a trace of attitude is still in her voice.
"C'mere Fluff …" gently prods Nick, patting the bed.
A bit reluctantly, Judy hops (no pun intended) up on the chair that has remained close to the bed for just that purpose, and climbs up on the bed where Nick pulls her close.
"You know that Deb's just looking out for you, right?"
"Yeah, I know … but I'm a grown doe …"
"One who has had limited contact with males in a physical sense from what I gather. I don't need to make you uncomfortable doing anything like even helping me to the bathroom until you're mentally ready for it. That would be a really bad start to our budding relationship."
After giving Nick a long thoughtful look, Judy tells him "I'll be uncomfortable forever if I don't start dealing with it now. I understand that both of you are looking out for me, but if we're gonna be together, sooner or later one thing's gonna lead to another and just seeing your …"
"Package?" offers Nick.
Letting out a soft huff and rolling her eyes, Judy finishes her own sentence "Penis? Cock? … whatever …" seeing Nick's slightly shocked expression she gamely continues "is something that I'm going to have to get used to. And having sex, when that finally happens, is going to be a lot more involved."
"As long as you're sure …"
"Only one way to find out … do you need to use the bathroom?"
"Not right now, but I promise to tell you when I do, okay?"
"Okay... Now, eat your food before it gets really cold."
"Yes ma'am."
…
After a few bites "Thith ith 'eally gud!" mumbles the todd around a mouthful of chicken.
"I – I actually cooked it myself. I … I had close kithood friend looking over my shoulder telling me what to do and how to do it … do you really like it?"
"It's practically perfect. The fried chicken is done, but could use a few more spices but I'm just nitpicking. The mashed potatoes are great and so is the gravy. The asparagus is tender and the garlic butter seasoning is something that I've never had before but is top notch."
"The tart is something that Gideon threw in at the last minute, so I didn't make that. I hope it's okay."
Taking a quick bite, Nick is more than pleasantly surprised.
"The – the blueberries come from my family's farm. Gideon buys all of his fruit and vegetables from them." she tells him.
"Gideon … is this the same Gideon that you had issues with as a kit?"
"Yes. He and I made up years ago, I have no idea why dad is so dead set against predators."
"And this friend that helped you cook this delightful meal is …" leaving the sentence unfinished as a prompt.
"Her name is Sharla. She's a black wooled ewe and she's his mate."
"Interesting …" says Nick, a very thoughtful look on his face.
"So … you actually cooked this yourself. You understand what it means, right?"
"Y-yes I do. it demonstrates to you my level of commitment to you in our relationship …" comes the (more or less) confident reply.
"Then I guess that you'll understand why I did this …" as he presses the call button for the nurse.
Several seconds later, nurse Redd enters the room with a huge bouquet of flowers – red roses (which of course shows his love) peonies, sunflowers and tulips (which symbolize happiness, prosperity and romance).
"NICK … they … they're beautiful and they look delicious!" which, to Nick's credit, doesn't surprise him in the least.
"I was kinda vague on rabbit dating formalities, so I asked Deb and Darci for some advice."
Pulling a petal from first a red rose and then a white tulip, Judy totally enjoys the delicate taste of the flowers.
"Nick, this is so much above and beyond what normal dating customs encompass, I have no idea what to say!"
"Nothing really needs to be said Fluff. We've both said how we feel with our actions."
Pushing the rolling table away a bit, Nick opens his arms for a hug, to which Judy happily complies.
…
After several minutes, Nick slowly breaks the hug and looks his doe in the eyes "Four …"
"Four?"
"Four." As a smile moves across his lips, which then turns into a full grin.
"Four? Four what, I don't understand!"
"You're having four kits."
"Four … how do you know that … let me guess … Reiki!"
"Correct. And from what I can tell, there are two bucks and two does."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Your ob/gyn can confirm tomorrow."
Then he has to break the news "Fluff … NOW I really kinda need to use the bathroom …"
"O-okay. How are we gonna do this? I mean-"
"Hop down and I'll push back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I guess I'll just need to lean on you the best I can, so you'll need to be ready to support whatever weight I have to place on your shoulders. I promise to do the best I can on my own, okay?"
"All right, let's do this!" she responds in kind.
As Nick pushes the covers back and swings his legs toward the edge of the bed, the gown shifts a bit and Judy catches a quick (inadvertent) glance at his foxhood.
Hearing the inadvertent gasp, Nick apologizes "Sorry fluff, I-"
"It-it's okay, I know you didn't do it on purpose. Ummm … lean over a bit please?" is a request that Nick wasn't expecting.
As he got to Judy's height, she reached up as if to give him a hug, but unexpectedly grasping the string holding the gown tied at the top and pulled on it, causing the knot to come untied, and the gown to fall to the floor.
"Judy?" comes the stunned question.
"I … I needed to, I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself."
Moving in so he's literally nose to nose with his doe, a softly smiling Nick tells her "It's ok, I think I understand. Now, if you don't mind, I really need to pee…"
"Su-sure thing. Here. lean on me …"
…
Standing and leaning as little of his weight on the much smaller doe, Nick (as well as Judy) is keenly aware how close his genitals are to the fiercely blushing doe, who is trying not to look, and yet failing miserably.
After using the toilet, Nick has Judy move him over to the sink so he can wash his paws, then it's a trek back to the bed where the todd takes a seat.
"There are probably clean gowns in the stand over there, if you don't mind." Nick tells his doe.
Retrieving a clean gown, Judy moves to Nick's side on the bed.
While Nick puts the gown on, Judy moves to his back to tie the strings and once again she utters a gasp, this time in absolute shock.
"My gods Nick …" was all the tiny doe could choke out.
"Judy … breathe …"
"I-I-I …" she stammers upon seeing the extent of his injuries.
Reaching around an pulling the doe into a tight embrace the todd tells her "Judy, it's okay. It's alright. Those are all in the past…"
"But … surely the must hurt, you must be in pain …"
"Truthfully there is some pain, but I've learned to live with it."
"But there must be some medications that you could take-"
Placing a gentle finger on her lips, Nick explains "Yes, there are some meds I could take. Powerful meds, narcotics and highly addictive. That's exactly why I chose to live with the pain instead of bein a slave to the drugs. The only meds I've taken since I got here was one set right after my surgery, and none since. I've explained it all to Deb, and I must say she was none too pleased with me, but she understands my reasoning."
Staring into Nick's eyes for several long moments, Judy finally breaks away and moves again to his back.
Reaching out, the doe gently touches one of several large patches that are nothing but scar tissue, totally devoid of fur.
"I can feel that Fluff, and I have to admit, it almost tickles." The todd tells her.
"Really?" she asks, astounded that he can feel anything other than the pain that he mentioned earlier.
"Yeah, it really feels good. Go on, do it some more … please."
As the doe gently moves her paws over the various deeply scared sections of Nick's back, she can feel his muscles slowly relax, which indicates to her that it must actually feel good and he wasn't just trying to be kind to her feelings.
"You seem to have a natural talent Fluff. Shifu will be impressed."
"Do you really think so?"
"I'm positive. Speaking of, I think you might need to head back to your hotel room and get ready for tomorrow, it seems like you've got a lot on your plate. A meeting with your obstetrician, then a session with Shifu."
"As much as I hate to leave, I guess you're right."
Moving back in front of her todd, Judy gathers him into a tight hug and leaves him with a kiss that promises much more in the future.
"Good night Nick," she says as she turns to hop off the bed "thanks for … understanding, and thanks for the umm, show? I'll see you in the morning as soon as I get done with my doctors appointment. Love you, dumb fox!" as she blows him a kiss.
"Love you too, horny bunny …"
"NICK!"
"What? You know you give off different pheromones when you're turned on, right?"
The stunned look on her face tells the doe everything she needs to know.
"And I've gotta go right past Redd …"
"Take a quick look and if she's doing her rounds, her station will be empty, then you can make a run for the stairs."
Seeing the questioning look he's getting he explains "Just in case you might need to share the elevator with someone … especially a predator …" as he taps his nose.
"Stupid predator sense of smell!" she half-heartedly grumbles as she closes the door behind her and makes for the stairwell
~0~
