Ch. 1 - A Year Goes, A Surprise Shows

I had been searching up number lists for the Hopps family for the last ten months, I haven't found it yet, but I'm going to keep trying the best I can till I do.

I convinced Mom to let me deliver newspapers for the News Stands, and I earn Five dollars an hour. It may not seem like much, but in a year's time, I could earn close to 5,500$, maybe more considering going around the city on my small bicycle would take approximately three hours, if there isn't any interruptions.

"Hey, honey! Can you get the door, I'm busy at the moment!", Mom yelled from downstairs, her sounds of struggling with the light again being apparent.

"Yeah Mom, I got it!", I ran down stairs, careful not to slip, and make sure I look okay, before opening the door. I froze, my Emerald Green eyes meeting Purple eyes, my heart stopping for a few seconds. It's the girl I've been looking for for the past year.

"Nick!", Judy exclaims, tears running down her eyes, as she lathes onto me, like she was wishing with all her heart that I didn't go. I did the same, closing my eyes tightly, trying to stop myself from crying again. I failed, needless to say as Judy's shoulder became wet in no time.

"Judy! I've missed you so much.", my voice cracks, but nothing more is said between us as we just stay there in each other's arms, afraid things will go wrong if we do. Thankfully, it's Mom that breaks the ice.

"Nick, did you get the door- Uhm, who is this?", She said immediately, seeming to bypass us hugging entirely, as she glanced curiously at Judy.

"She's-", I began to say, but Judy interrupts, with a small smile on her face, her cheeks a slight reddish grey.

"I'm his girlfriend! Judy Hopps, nice ta meetcha!", Judy said, holding my paw in hers. I was frozen, heart stopped again. Where did this come from??! Mom stared at Judy, her mouth dropped, and I could tell she was freaking out on why her baby already has a girl. And not just any type of girl, a Bunny. She didn't seem to dislike it, though, which relieved me somewhat.

Honestly, I'm just confused. I wasn't the only one who remembers the future. Judy did, which I'm greatful for, but who else..? Did they also suffer for months on end with nightmares? One animal came to mind, Clawhouser. He was the last one I saw before running to Judy. He had lost a lot of weight by then, but he still retained that goody attitude, that came with a big appetite. I don't know if he did, but maybe..

"Nick? You there? I'm talking to you honey!", Mom said, and I only realize now that she'd been poking between my nose and eyes several times, trying to get my attention.

"Guh- Sorry Mom! I.. I kinda spaced out..", I said rubbing behind my ears, embarrassed a bit. Mom chuckled a bit, and backed into the house, showing Judy had already hopped inside. Heh, was that a Dad joke I made?

"Well, I want to hear all about how you cane to be dating a bunny, honey, I've never heard of interspecies dating being done before, or if it has happened, it didn't get very far. How'd you two cone to meet each other?", Mom asked, as I walked in to the living room, sitting by Judy on the couch.

"...Pawpsickles. I had an idea on how to make Pawpsickles!", I said, chuckling nervously, remembering my twelve year long venture into that rabbit hole of tax evasion.

"Yeah, that was it, but I had to remind him of a problem if he doesn't get a permit to do so, and remind him of all the taxes that should occur from that if he does it daily. Do you know how much money he would accumulate if he did that for twelve years, while not paying taxes? That's 325$ a day, times 365 days a year, for twelve years, thats 1,423,500$! That's worth at least five years jail time!", Judy said, elbowing me in the gut with a smug grin.

"I- I see you are good at multiplying, hehehe, I'm not good at math, but hey, if you can keep my son out of trouble, I have no problems with you dating him! My name is Sylvia Wilde, it's nice to meet you Judy. Where are your parents though? Do you live nearby?", Mom asked, and Judy grinned.

"Nope! I live in Bunnyburrow, as does my parents and all 265 siblings of mine. But, I had to come, you see, Nick and I are a team that should always stick together!", Judy exclaimed, and boy, did mom's jaw drop at the mention of the amount of siblings.

"So many Grandbabies...", Mom quietly mumbled, but both me and Judy heard it, as our faces went crimson, a lot brighter than my orange coat, which made it very apparent.

"M.... Mom, stop saying weird things, it's way too early to even be thinking about that!", I exclaimed, covering my face. Judy just slowly, bit surely smiled. Seems she likes Mom already.

"Well, I got a request, Mrs. Wilde. Can you, and Nick come and visit me and my family from time to time? I even have my family's number so we can stay in touch!", Judy said with a bigger smile, and Mom grinned back.

"Of course! How about every weekend, since I don't have a job yet? What do you think, Honey?", Mom asked, scratching between my ears.

"That sounds great! We have so much to talk about too! Oh, wait- Uhm, Judy? Can I talk to her about.... ya know what? I haven't yet, because I was unsure, but...", I began, but Judy closed my muzzle with her paw.

"Absolutely! I talked with Mom and Dad about it after the first two months, and while Mom fainted, they understood. I'm sure your Mom will too. Now, I've gotta go back home for now, But I'll see you in a few days!", Judy said, kissing my cheek, and hugging me, before she ran out, waving at us.

I turned to Mom, who held a confused expression, so I gulped, and prepared myself. To explain everything to her, to let her know I'm not the same Nick she knew, but it was difficult. How should I even begin...?

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{Author's Note- What do y'all think? Sylvia is partially an Oc, but she will be sticking around through the story from now on, Nick needs that pillar of Support in his life, as he didn't have that later on, in my head canon, since we don't ever see her after the flashbacks}