12: Getting Up To Speed

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I sincerely apologize for the length of time between postings, but life seems to be getting in the way, and it seems like some of the passion for writing is not as hot as it once was. With that said, I will NOT simply quit writing it's just going to probably take a bit longer than it used to to post updates.

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I wish all of my supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year!

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After biding Nick good night, Judy peeks around the doorway towards the nurses station, hoping that there is no one in sight.

Tiptoeing to the corner of the hallway, the doe sees that the coast is clear and makes a mad dash for the stairwell, which is located just around the corner.

Entering the stairs, Judy's luck holds and she manages to get back to the ground floor, and out the front doors without anyone seeing her.

Making a beeline for her little car, she starts it up an lets it idle, with warmth filling the interior in short order.

With the drive to her motel room being uneventful, Judy parks and locks the 'Cuda and almost makes it to her room before her curiosity get the better of her.

Returning to her car, Judy unlocks it and sticks her head inside to take a quick whiff, hoping beyond hope that Nick was only messing with her about her scent.

"Ewww, how gross! How can males even tolerate that?" she thinks aloud as the pheromone laced scent assails her sense of smell, even as weak as it is on most bunnies.

Closing and locking the door (again) she quickly makes her way to her room, where she sheds her clothes on her way to the shower.

After a more than adequate time in the shower, the doe first towels off as best she can and then uses the fairly weak fur dryer, which seems to do the job well enough thanks to her reasonably short fur.

Her next task is to take her panties ("Why are they so wet?" she wonders to herself) and thoroughly rinse them in the sink, then hang them on the small clothesline that is provided by the shower.

Heading for bed, Judy ponders the days happenings as she drifts off to sleep.

Waking about the time the sun starts peeking through the gaps in the motel curtains, a still tired doe carefully lifts her covers up, hoping that her issue from the previous evening hasn't repeated itself.

Almost painfully happy that it has not, Judy heads to the bathroom and carries out her morning constitutional, taking care to do a quick spit bath anticipating at least a cursory examination by Dr. Cotton.

Finally ready, Judy exits her room and starts her little car an lets it idle for a few minutes and warm up.

Heading out, the doe makes the forty-minute trip to the small town of Aurora arriving at the doctor's office several minutes before eight am, evidentially beating the doctor since she's the only mammal in the small parking lot.

A few minutes before, an older but well-kept small to medium sized LTD pulls into the lot and a rabbit doe, roughly her mother's age climbs out of the car and heads toward the front door.

"Doctor Cotton?" asks Judy.

"Yes, and you must be Judy Hopps?"

"That's correct…" answers Judy as she exits her car and joins the elder doe at the front door of the clinic.

Entering the building and closing the door behind Judy, Dr. Cotton paws the younger doe a clipboard and tells her "Please fill this out while we talk, it'll save time later. It's the standard for, name, age etcetera. I take it you have insurance?"

"Okay … and yes, I'll e mail you a copy of my fiancé's insurance, I'm already covered on it."

"That's great. Now, a bit of background that's not covered on the form if you don't mind. So, I've heard most of the rumors going around, but I really need to know exactly what I'm dealing with here. You told me over the phone yesterday that you're pregnant because of a date rape. Do you have any idea who the alleged assailant was?"

"Sorta kinda? My fiancé is – was – a detective at Precinct 1 in Zootopia, and he has his junior partner hunting down the asshole who did this. I haven't really heard much since she left, all I have is a name and not much else, other than he is a disgraced ZIA agent."

"Alright. So anyway, I know it'll be a bit uncomfortable, but I really need to draw a few blood samples for analysis, to detect any diseases that your assailant may have knowingly or unknowingly passed on to you. I'm going to assume that you didn't know him. Then a brief exam to see how both you and the kits are doing. I'm also going to assume that all of your vaccinations are current and up to date since you've indicated that you were going to attend the police academy before becoming pregnant!"

"I … understand, and yes, all my shots are up to date. I'll get you the records as soon as I can manage to get them from the warren's infirmary. I'm pretty sure that Debra can get them for me."

"And your fiancé, are his? No offense, I'm simply trying to be a bit proactive here."

"Nick is prior military and, as I mentioned before, a respected detective in the ZPD, so I'm sure that his shots are up to date. I can talk to him when I see him in a few hours and have him have his medical records sent to you."

"That will do. Now, let's get that blood draw and exam over with …"

After taking 4 vials of blood, Dr. Cotton paws Judy a gown and tells her to get undressed and slip on the gown so that the exam can take place.

Removing her gloves, the elder bunny exits the room and tells Judy to go ahead and get dressed.

Returning to the exam room "Do you have any questions for me?" the doctor asks.

"Ummm, yeah, I think so." Judy tells her "Is it too early to be able to tell just how many kits I'm having and their genders?"

After thinking for a moment, Dr. Cotton tells the younger doe "I think I can probably tell you the number of kits, but it's way too early to identify their sex. Is there a particular reason why you're so curious so early?"

"Well … Nick told me that I'm having four and that there are two bucks and two does."

"And he would know this … how?" comes the expected question.

"Well, he's a very adept Reiki practitioner and hasn't been wrong about anything yet. In fact his master is going to be giving a seminar to myself and a couple of my sisters this afternoon, that's why I needed to have the appointment so early. Well, that and the fact that I'm going to the academy on Sunday."

"Reiki huh? Now that you mention it, I do remember that Darci has Reiki in her background, I'll have to have a talk with her sometime about it. Back to the number of kits … while it's still too early for me to be able to tell their sex, I will probably be able to let you know how many you'll be having. A new technology has been developed so that I can give you an accurate sonagram without needing to shave your stomach. You can go ahead and finish getting dressed while I go get the machine."

A few minutes later, Dr. Cotton wheels in the portable sonagram machine, plugs it in and turns it and allows it to warm up.

After having Judy move the bottom of her top up, Dr. Cotton sprays a special lube on Judy's stomach and places the paddle on her stomach and begins moving it around. Calling the younger doe's attention to the monitor, Dr. Cotton begins counting "Let's see … one … two … three … four! It seems your todd was correct, I see four fetuses."

Unable to contain a slight smirk, Judy asks "Would it be possible to have a copy of that?"

"Of course, I'll copy it to a flash drive and you can take it with you. In fact … there!" as the doe presses a button on the machine "I just sent a copy of the last frame, which shows all four kits, to the printer and you can take that with you as well. Show it to your fiancé and see what he thinks."

"I definitely will. Thank you so much for seeing me doctor Cotton."

"You are definitely most welcome Judy. Stop by and have Aanya schedule your next appointment. You told me earlier that you're going to start at the police academy on Sunday, is that correct?"

"Yes. I'm supposed to have the second weekend off since I won't be participating in the full academy regiment."

"Good to know. We can monitor yours and your kits health closely for the next month or so, or at least until we can see what your bloodwork turns up due to the unknown health status of your assailant. We should have the results in a few days and I can e-mail them to you and/or call you if we find any negative results … or even if we don't."

By all means, please notify me in either case." Suggests Judy.

"All right then, I guess we're done here." indicates the elder doe.

After pausing for a few seconds, the elder doe asks "Judy … does your fiancé know about a doe's extra breasts?"

"Ummmm, I'm not sure? I never even thought about them to be perfectly honest, thanks for mentioning them. I'll … bring the subject up when we have a few moments alone sometime today. I guess I'll need to figure out how many extra will develop before they get large enough to notice so I can get the proper maternity bras."

"Since you're having four kits you'll need at least a four cup and possibly a six cup."

"As if things aren't weird enough, springing this on Nick will be a bit uncomfortable, for both of us!" sighs Judy.

"If he's as good a mammal as you say he is, I doubt if it'll bother him very much. I'm sure it'll make things a bit … interesting in the bedroom though!" Dr. Cotton adds with a sly smile.

Seeing Judy's suddenly heated blush and slightly shocked face the elder doe quickly adds "Sooner or later you know you're going to end up in the throes of-"

"I get it doctor!" as Judy quickly cuts off the good doctor's statement.

"Anyway," continues a still smiling Dr. Cotton, "stop by the front desk and get that next appointment made, I'll see you in a couple of weeks …"

Stopping by the receptionists desk, Judy shows the pronghorn antelope her insurance card (digital image sent to her by Nick) and scheduled her next appointment for late on Friday in two weeks.

A still blushing Judy gets in her car and starts it, hoping that she isn't giving off the same amount of pheromones that she did the previous evening.

After letting the car warm up for several minutes, Judy steps out, takes several deep breaths and reenters the car, relieved to notice that while it does slightly smell of excited doe, it's barely noticeable and definitely tolerable.

Her first stop is again Gideons diner, where she immediately seeks out Sharla.

"Would you please help me cook something for breakfast for Nick?" she basically pleads.

"Of course …" giggles the ewe. "You've really got it bad, don't ya?"

"Yeah, I guess so. So …"

"So ... what?" asks Sharla.

"Suggestions?" asks Judy.

"He's your todd and he's a pred, so what does he like?"

"I … actually have no idea! It's not like we've been going on formal dates or anything, so I'm open to any suggestions you might have!" responds the slightly miffed doe.

Rolling her eyes, Sharla grabs Judy by the paw. "C'mon, we'll think of something."

Without screwing up anything this time, and under Sharla's close supervision, Judy manages to quickly cook some medium mammal sized country turkey sausage patties, country fries (potato wedges) and 4 over easy jumbo eggs. Topped off with Gideon's special brew coffee, Nick's breakfast is ready.

After making herself a breakfast wrap (again with Sharla's help) made with grilled veggies with some Jasmine tea to complete her breakfast and placing all of the items in a special insulated bag, Judy is heading out of the diner with full paws.

After Sharla opens the passenger's side door and Judy sets the two meals inside, the two best friends hug and Judy is finally headed to the hospital.

Arriving at the hospital, Judy is again met with the dilemma of needing a bit of help to get the front door open.

"Mind if I lend a helping paw?" comes a slightly familiar voice.

Turning, Judy sees someone who she previously thought might have been an unwelcome rival.

"Lola, I mean detective Bunnee?"

Yes Judy … it's Lola, please. I don't know what more it would take to convince you that I have no interest in Nick except in a professional capacity. In fact, the only reason I'm here today is to leave a remote off with Nick. I promise to explain when we get to his room."

"Fine …" returns Judy with still a bit of attitude.

Entering the lobby and advancing to the elevators, Lola presses the up button and a minute later one opens up.

With Lola pressing the button for the proper floor, the two does are both quiet during the brief ride.

Exiting the elevator and both does pass the head nurse's station, Judy notes that a certain vixen is nowhere to be seen.

As the does enter Nick's room, Judy sees that not only Debra and Darci are already there, but so is "Mom? What … are you doing here?" a bit of attitude showing.

"Judy … I … I have something that I need to tell you … and your sisters. It's important Bun-Bun."

As Judy opens her mouth to admonish her mother for calling her a kithood name that she was never all that fond of, Bonnie continues.

"I've wanted to tell you for a long time but never had the courage, but with everything that's happened lately, it's time you knew … Stuart Hopps is NOT your true father…"

"WHAT?" comes from all three of the other does in the room, including Lola.

"It's true." continues a more than slightly embarrassed Bonnie. "A few years after Stu and I were married, I had an affair with one of his distant cousins, Ronnie. Ronnie was a hare, that's why your father, I mean Stu, knew right away that your particular litter wasn't his.

"Think about it for a second … you're all slightly taller than your other siblings, have longer ears and fluffier tails. It's why none of you wanted to stay around the warren, to go out into the world and have unconventional careers."

"I guess that's why dad was so quick to throw Judy out of the warren …" comments a now angry Debra with Darci agreeing.

"Why mom?" asks a tearful Judy "Why bother to tell me now, after all these years?"

Nodding towards Lola, Bonnie tells the rest of the room "When Alice started telling it around the warren, evidentially after having a confrontation with the detective here, I figured you'd find out sooner or later after that, and I thought it would be best if you heard it from me. I have no earthly idea how Alice found out, and while I'm not proud of what I did, I never figured that Stu would go so far as to expel you from the warren."

"So … now what?" asks a still upset Judy.

"I – I needed for you to know. I'll understand if you never want to speak to me again, but-"

Bonnie was suddenly interrupted by Judy but not in a way that she'd expected.

Gathering her mother in a tight hug, Judy tells her "Even if dad, I mean Stu isn't my father, you are still my mother. I really wish you'd have told me sooner; I think I'd have understood!"

"Nick, Lola, you two have a bit of explaining to do …" comes an accusatory tone from Judy.

Taking the initiative, Nick attempts to explain "Fluff … Judy … it's true that we had out suspicions after Lola's little chat with one of your sisters, but think about it for a second … what would've been your reaction if we'd 've offered up that bit of information without a shred of proof?"

Seeing not only Judy, but her sisters suddenly mulling over that tidbit, Nick continues "While Lola has been chasing down your attacker, I've been trying to find some real proof to back up what Lola got from your sister. To be clear, I had no idea your mother would be here today."

"It's true Judy, even Deb and Darci had no idea I was coming today," adds Bonnie "I came because I figured that you'd want to spend as much time with the love of your life before you went off to the academy. I … I guess I'll leave now, so you-"

"No mom, please don't go … at least stay for a bit. We've got a … thing going on in a bit and you can leave if you want, but I'd really like for you to stay."

"A thing?" asks a slightly confused elder doe.

"A Reiki seminar," volunteers Nick. "It's energetic healing. Non-invasive stuff. You're welcome to sit in if you'd like. I'm sure Shifu won't mind."

Seeing the pleading look in Judy's eyes, Bonnie readily agrees "If you don't mind …"

"Please …!" Judy pleads softly.

Giving her daughter on last quick tight squeeze, Bonnie relents. "Okay."

Finally parting from the extended hug, a still slightly tearful Judy tells Nick "Y-you need to eat your breakfast before it gets totally cold."

Seeing the heated bag sitting on the rolling table, the todd opens the bag and pulls out the contents.

"And you did this by yourself again?" he asks.

"Yes, with Sharla's instructions of course. I – I hope you like it, I have no real idea what you like and-"

"Fluufff," Nick interrupts around a mouthful of egg yolk-soaked sausage "I'ss guud!"

"Go to your mate Judy …" whispers Bonnie.

"MOM! We … we haven't-" begins a now horrified Judy.

"I know Bun-Bunn, but you will soon enough. You two were meant for each other, and don't let anybunny tell you otherwise. The heart wants what the heart wants."

As Judy goes and climbs up on the bed to join Nick and eat her own breakfast, Darci leaves to check on her department and make sure things are lined up for later and Deb leaves to pick up her mate for later.

"You two look really great together." observes Bonnie.

"You really do." admits Lola, who has been an unnoticed spectator for most of the interactions.

"Ummm …" Judy manages to try to address the elephant in the room.

"Mrs. Hopps I take it?" asks the large doe.

"Yes, I'm Bonnie Hopps, Judy's mother. And you are …?

"Detective Lola Bunnie ZPD. I'm Nick's soon to be former partner on the force. I just stopped by to leave this …" as the doe steps forward and place a small remote on the nightstand close to Nick's bed.

"I'll be on my way, I have a mate and kits to get back to in Zootopia. Nick has most of the details of my assignment in an abbreviated report which I'll update first thing on Monday morning. Good to meet you Mrs. Hops, Judy, please take care of yourselves."

With that, the large doe exits the room, leaving Nick, Judy and Bonnie alone for the time being.

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PSA – I'm considering no longer posting anything on fanfiction at the conclusion of this story and here's why … fanfiction for some reason seems to be blocking reviews from my e-mail and view updates from my feed. I will continue to try to post the chapters for this story there but MAY NOT publish future stories on that site. All works past and future will be available on AO3 with the story names and author being the same.