Chapter 1 – Call from the family

It was two years after the infamous Night Howler conspiracy. Just enough time for the event to fade from Zootopia's collective memory and for the fame surrounding Officers Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde to fade. Nick and Judy were still considered exemplary police officers, but fortunately for Zootopia, there were not too many devious conspiracies to capture the media's attention. Nick and Judy kept busy with the mundane day to day crime that comes along in a big city. More petty thefts, speeding cars, and bar fights than cleverly orchestrated government take-overs. The two were partners from the day Nick graduated from the Police Academy (top of his class, as his partner would remind anyone and everyone). They were a successful duo, proudly showing that anyone could do a little blood, sweat, and tears, even a bunny or a fox could become a cop.

It was a typical Friday afternoon, Judy and Nick were filing out of the precinct with the other officers at the end of their shift. They were all heading over to their favorite cop hangout, The Precinct, for an off-duty beer or carrotini. Judy's phone buzzed, the ringtone told her that it was her parents calling. She called out to Nick to wait up for a second and grabbed her phone out of her pocket. She put on her best smile and accepted her parents muzzletime call.

"Hey Mom and Dad," Judy said. "Jude the Dude!" exclaimed her father.

Nick chuckled as he slinked over to Judy after waiving the other officers to go on ahead. Bonnie Hopps spotted Nick over Judy's shoulder and exclaimed, "Is that our Nick!"

"Hello Mrs. Hopps, Mr. Hopps!" replied Nick, giving his trade mark grin.

Nick had met Judy's parents two years prior when he and Judy were honored with a Commendation from the Zootopia City Counsel. Fortunately for Nick, the first thing Judy's parents heard about him was how he was such an exemplary citizen to have volunteered his time to assist Officer Hopps in her investigation. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of Nick's acceptance letter to the ZPD training academy. Judy's parents were a little shocked when Judy related the whole story, specifically Nick's borderline criminal past as a con-animal. Nick's praise of the Hopps Family Farm blueberries went a long way to get him back in their good graces. Most importantly, Judy told them how Nick refused to leave her to face the gang of rams alone and how his quick thinking to switch the night howler serum for blueberries not only helped bring former Mayor Bellweather to justice, but saved Judy's life. ("Just think Bonnie, Hopps blueberries save the day!")

"You've been keeping our Judy out of trouble now, right?" asked Mr. Hopps with a mock stern expression.

"Well you know 'Jude the Dude'" Mr. Hopps, "Nick drawled earning a scowl from his bunny partner, "she keeps dragging me into sticky situation and I keep dragging her back out!"

The rabbit couple laughed as Judy elbowed Nick in the stomach causing him to pull a face as the wind is temporarily knocked out of him.

"Well, Nick, did Judy give you that basket of blueberries we sent her for you?" asked Mrs. Hopps.

"She sure did, although it was only half full when I got it," Nick replied shooting Judy a scathing look.

"What! You're not the only one who likes blueberries you know!" snapped Judy.

"But those blueberries were for me!" replied Nick, looking scandalized and drawing another laugh from her parents.

"Haw, Haw! Well Nick, you be sure to come visit next time Judy comes out to Bunny Burrow you hear!" called Mr. Hopps.

"Will do! It was nice catching up with you two!" Nick gave the couple a two fingered salute as he moved away to give Judy some space to talk to her folks.

"Now Jude, we just wanted to give you a call and wish you luck at the Bunny Society Dinner tonight!" exclaimed Mrs. Hopps.

Judy glanced to the side, catching sight of Nick reclining on the steps a few feet away. He had his aviator sunglasses back on and seemed to be relaxing in the dying rays of the sun.

"Thanks, Mom, but it's really not a big deal."

"Sure it is honey! Getting selected as Bunny of the Year is a big deal!" exclaimed her father. "You've inspired so many young bunnies to follow their dreams, we're super proud of you!"

"Thanks, that means a lot to me," Judy smiled back to her parents.

"Plus all the eligible city bachelors will be there," her father winked at her.

"Wh-what?!" stammered Judy.

"Well, you know a want grandkits before we get too old, Judy!" her Mom scolded.

Judy shook her head incredulously. "You have 400 grandkits already from John, Robert, Sally, Mark, Justin, Amanda, Dave, and Wendy! And those are just the ones I've heard about!" Judy rolled her eyes, looking over at Nick, shaking her head. Nick just grinned back and shrugged his shoulders at her. When she looked back to her parents, Nick flicked his tail in agitation.

"Yes, honey, but we need some grandkits from you! Now, we don't want to put any pressure on you" replied her mom.

"Yes, no pressure," nodded her father.

"But you are coming up on 27 and you haven't even mentioned a male in all this time. We know you were so focused on achieving your dreams and all, but now that you've reached it, it's time you settled down." Her mom lectured.

Judy just continued to shake her head, exasperated at this conversation. It wasn't the first time her parents have brought up her love life, or lack-there-of, but this was the first time they were so blunt about it.

"Now I can tell I've upset you Jude, just… just think about it as all," her mom backtracked "Tonight would be a great time for you to meet some other rabbits. We just want you to be open to it. You know there will be lots of city bunnies there, you will probably have a lot in common with them."

"Yes, they all chose to live in the city, just like you!" her Dad added.

"Fine, fine. I'm going aren't I?" Judy replied. "It's not like I'm gonna be rude to anyone and it'll be nice to meet some other rabbits and all, considering I'm the only one on the force."

"That's our girl," her parents beamed at her.

"Alright, alright, I got to go get cleaned up for the dinner now. Love you both."

"Love you too, hun!" her parents waived until they froze on the screen when Judy ended the call.

Nick languidly got up from the stairs and sauntered over to Judy. "Parents, huh."

"Yeah, well, they mean well," Judy sighed putting her phone back in her pocket.

"You still have time for a drink before you scamper off to the dinner?" Nick asked.

Judy looked at her watch and sighed again, "Probably not, but I'll walk with you to bar, it's on my way home anyway."

Nick and Judy set off, Judy glanced at Nick out of corner of her eye. "Are you sure you won't come with me tonight," she asked in a slightly pleading tone.

"Nah, wouldn't want to steal your thunder." Nick grinned back.

"You're not, not coming because it'll be mostly bunnies there are you?" asked Judy a little quietly.

"Me! Not wanting to hang out with a bunch of bunnies! Are you kidding, you know I have a soft spot for you rabbits." Nick quipped as he reached out and tugged on one of her long ears.

A short distance away from the bar, Judy stopped and turned to Nick, looking at him suspiciously. "You don't think they will be scared of you do you?"

Nick took off his glasses, leaned down, and peered into Judy's eyes. "It's not like that, this is your night. The spotlight should be on all the good work you've done, not the fact your partner is a handsome fox like me."

Nick could tell that Judy didn't quite believe him. "You know I want you to come right?" she asked seriously.

Nick straightened up, nonchalantly placing his aviators back on his snout. "Well, as much as I would love to be there and growl at any young male bunny who dares approach you, I actually have some where to be, Fluff."

Judy raised her eye-brow at him in disbelief, considering Nick rarely did much without her she found this claim highly suspect. "Oh yeah, and what would that be?"

Nick brushed off some dust on his uniform and replied "Well, if you must know. I am going to a meeting of the NAAFP."

"Never heard of it."

"Well, yes, the National Association Against Fox Prejudice isn't well known in the rabbit community, I'm sure." Nick replied with his trademark grin.

"You're ridiculous." Judy laughed as they finally made their way to the entrance of the bar.

"Well, I have to keep you guessing, Carrots."

Judy waived good-bye as Nick turned to join the other off-duty cops in the bar. Nick paused in the doorway, watching Judy continue down the sidewalk. With a flick of his tail and a slight shake of the head, he turned and went inside.