Serendipity's Shadow

Rated T

Chapter 35

Nick, feeling his consciousness try to activate his body into being a functional mammal. Groaned in displeasure before stretching his arms out above his head. He let out a small yawn before the events that occurred last night replayed in his mind. His body stiffened in fear, excitement, and many, many, different emotions as well. Nick took a calm breath. He noted he no longer felt Judy on his chest. So, Nick slowly glanced over to the other side of the bed. And disappointment immediately infiltrated Nick's rapidly beating heart.

There is no way I imagined all that last night.

Nick examined his bed intensely and noted the bed's comforter. It had been shifted in a way that would suggest one had exited that side of the bed. Nick calmly leaned over grabbed the edge of the comforter and pulled it close to his nose. He had to make sure he didn't imagine everything last night. Slowly, ever so tenderly, Nick took a whiff of the comforter. Immediately a calmness settled into Nick's heart. Even in death, Nick was a firm believer that he would always know Judy's scent.

"Where did you go, Carrots?" Nick asked himself quietly.

Sitting up straight, Nick gave himself one more stretch trying to get the blood flowing. He decided that instead of making things awkward for Judy he would just get ready for the day. A quick cold shower, teeth brushing, and grabbing the simplest pantsuit he had in the closet. Nick decided to forgo the tie and jacket today just sticking to the shirt, pants, and shoes of the ensemble.

Once he felt presentable enough for Judy and his unwanted guest, Tia, he made his way out of the bedroom. Immediately the smell of blueberry pancakes flooded Nick's senses. And the soft humming of a radio played in the background. Peering around the corner Nick's heart stopped.

Judy was dancing happily in the kitchen wearing a comfy, loose-fitting, pink nightgown. She was swaying back and forth as she seamlessly flipped another pancake. The sight brought back a beautiful memory to Nick.

It was the first morning that Nick and Judy had at their would-be home. After a long night of passion, cuddles, and life talk Nick was shocked to find Judy fresh out of bed. Only to be happily surprised to see her dancing around to some songs in their unfinished kitchen. Nick wasted no time joining her in the fun sneaking up behind her. Moving as swift as a…fox. Nick quickly swept Judy into his arms making her squeal in delight. He swung her around making her laugh as she teasingly berated him for scaring her. Once Judy had felt her feet touch the ground, she made a weak attempt to escape Nick's grasp. Nick didn't allow her though quickly wrapping his arms around her waist so he could tickle her relentlessly.

"Nick!" Judy yelled between laughs. "The-HA! The food is going to burn!"

Nick paused long enough for Judy to catch her breath. It was hard for him to not claim her mouth with his. As the sound of her heavy breathing and small giggles brought back many memories of their escapades. But the gentleman in him felt like he has tortured Judy with pleasure a bit…excessively, lately. So, he was content with just holding the rabbit cop in his arms as she slowly settled into his embrace. Until she smelled the banana pancakes begin to burn.

"Shit!" Judy dashed over to the stove immediately and turned off the flame. "Well…that didn't survive." Judy giggled.

She tried to throw out the burnt food. But Nick instead grasped her wrist, again. In the background, a slow melody began to play over the radio. Without speaking a word Nick effortlessly began to guide Judy into a slow waltz around the kitchen. It was a beautiful morning for the two. One of the few they allowed themselves to enjoy.

"Nick?"

Judy's voice brought Nick back into reality. She looked at him with a plate stacked with at least twenty pancakes.

"Hungry, are we?"

Judy looked down at the plate sheepishly.

"I honestly don't know how I ended up making this many."

An awkward silence fell between the two. Nick did his best not to laugh at the embarrassed rabbit.

"Good thing pancakes can be reheated."

"…And on that note. I'm gonna go check on Tia."

Judy ignored Nick rolling his eyes before placing the plate on the counter. But before Judy could make a step towards Tia's room. The ferret walked out of the bedroom with a small smile.

"Pancakes?" She asked quietly.

"Blueberry."

A small gleam appeared in Tia's eyes at the prospective thought of enjoying an actual breakfast. Then she frowned as she watched the Shadow make himself a plate while giving her a disapproving look.

Another awkward silence fell between the three as Judy stood annoyed between the two.

"You two do know that we have to work together in order to make this work, right?"

Nick and Tia remained silent as Judy scolded them.

"Do we need to play Never Have I Ever in order to get along?"

"No."
"Not going to happen."

Judy groaned to herself rubbing her forehead in frustration. Before a familiar feeling began to bubble up in her stomach.

"I'm going to take a shower."

"You don't want breakfast?"

"Shower." Judy practically yelled in an annoyed tone.

Nick watched her speed walk to her room wide-eyed.

Oookay. Nick thought to himself. That's not like Judy.

Nick and Tia decided to give Judy her alone time as they silently made their breakfast.

Meanwhile, Judy was once again emptying the little to no contents of her stomach into the toilet. She had the sound of the shower running to muffle the horrid sounds that came with throwing up. And to also try and soothe her shocked nerves.

I'm such a fucking idiot…or the world's easiest rabbit. Judy groaned.

In a somber moment of weird peace, Judy held her stomach.

"I'm sorry. But you need to be kept hidden just a little longer."

After all, Judy wasn't sure she could guarantee Tia's day in court, Ermine's final days of freedom, or the talk between her and Nick if they knew the secret she was carrying.

All because I wanted to prove I could date someone that wasn't the Shadow.

Judy thought about the rabbit that asked her out to dinner. He seemed kind, smart and he wasn't Nick. Judy said yes, they had a few tasteless dates before that faithful night. Judy wanted to love him, and tried imaging a secure, stable life with him. But she just couldn't, and her partner eventually caught onto the fact. They broke up a month after "dating". And know, here she was hiding out with her ex, the Shadow. Trying to keep a witness safe from a horrendous predator with a high taste for death. All the while trying to hide the fact that she was pregnant.