Chapter Text
It was an usual Monday morning at the ZPD. Nick had just sit at his chair when he saw Judy half-asleep at his side.
"Uhm, Carrots?" He asked, while lightly touching her shoulders.
"Ah! Oh, sorry, Slick." Judy apologized as she stretched on her chair. "I couldn't sleep last night. Our building is dealing with a bed bugs infestation."
Ever since she had gotten married to Oliver, Judy had been living at 64 Lane with their son, Paul. Even after Oliver had passed away three years ago, she remained living there with Paul. Their apartment was very large and sophisticated, the opposite of where Judy used to live when she first moved to Zootopia. An infestation like that was certainly unheard of.
"Damn, that really sucks". Commented Nick, while looking with dread at all of the paperwork he had to do that morning. "And when will this situation be solved?"
"Honestly, no one knows. It is believed we'll get rid of those bed bugs in a week, at least." Answered Judy, with a sleepy voice. "Damn, just wish I could have a decent night of sleep before having to wake up at 5:00 AM."
"Why don't you stay at my place then". Nick replied, almost inconsequentially. "Then, you and Paul will be able to get some much needed rest."
Judy looked at him with a bit of aprehension.
"Are you sure about that, Nick? Won't this bother your kids?"
"Ryan and Annie spend most of the weekdays with their mom, and they really like you and Paul. So don't worry about it"
Placing her paw on his, Judy gave Nick a look of gratitude.
"Thanks, Nick. I'm lucky to have a friend like you."
Later that day, Judy was packing hers and her child things, when Paul asked:
"Mom, do you really need to move to Uncle Nicky's home?" He pressed his plushie onto his chest while he made that question.
Judy sat on the coach, and placed her son on her lap.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. We'll not be moving there, it's just for a while, until we fix this infestation. But, don't you like Uncle Nicky, Ryan and Annie?"
Paul looked at his plushie as he answered the question:
"I mean, I do. But I don't like when Ryan tries to play with dangerous things, or when Annie acts bossy."
Rolling her eyes, Judy instantly recognized what he was talking about. Ryan was a rebel at heart, and not above putting himself in dangerous situations, like almost jumping from the roof or trying to pretend knives were swords, much to the horror of his parents. And Annie was at her "princess phase", meaning that she believed she was the center of the universe and everyone had to do as she wished.
"Look, I understand it, Paul, but I'm pretty sure you'll find ways to get along with them as we spend time at Uncle Nicky's." She leaned forward to kiss her son's forehead. "Soon, we'll be back home, okay?".
With a tender smile, Paul replied:
"Okay, mom. I promise I'll have fun while we are there."
Judy's phone ringed. It was the taxi she had called.
Taking her bags, she quickly replied: "We're coming."
Nick's building was much more modest than the one where Judy and Paul lived, but it looked like a decent place for a family to live as well. Unfortunely, that night the elevator was broken, so she and her son would need to use the stairs to come to his apartment at the 11th floor.
"Crap". Judy whispered, hoping her son had not heard her.
After almost 20 minutes, Nick heard his doorbell ringing. He quickly went to open the door, already knowing who it was.
"Hey, Carrots! You're welcome". He then noticed her exhausted look. "Are you ok?"
"Hi, Nick. I'm fine, except for the fact your elevator was broken and I had to climb the stairs." She answered in a sarcastic tone. "But outside of that, everything is okay."
As Nick helped her with her bags, he did not miss his chance to greet his godson.
"Hey, Carrots Jr. How is everything going?"
Paul looked at his plushie, with a shy face.
"Normal, Uncle Nicky".
Nick pinched Paul's cheek. "Maybe Ryan can teach you to be more outgoing."
Nick then showed the duo their respective rooms. It was actually a small office, that had been improvised as a beedroom for Judy. Meanwhile, it had been planned that Paul was going to share his room with Ryan and Annie.
"Do you mind not having a room for yourself, pal?" Nick asked.
Paul looked at the floor before answering.
"No, that's okay. I've shared my room before." Despite being an only child, Paul would often sleep on the same room with his cousins in Bunnyborrow.
Judy gave her son a hug. "No worries, sweetheart. This will be only for a while. Then, you can have a room all for yourself again."
After showing his guests the rooms, Nick was eager to show them the kitchen.
"Of course, you guys need to see where we eat!"
After Nick opened the door, Judy saw a cake in the table, with Nick's children hiding below it.
"Surprise!" They shouted, as they ran to hug Judy and Paul.
"Hope you have a lot of fun here, Aunty Judy!" Said Annie, as she hugged Judy's leg.
"I hope for the same!" Replied her brother, hugging Paul.
Teary eyed, Judy looked at Nick.
"I hope you guys have the best time here, indeed."
"Oh, Annie. I will, darling. Thank you for this wonderful surprise".
Replied Judy, holding Annie. She then moved to give Nick a hug, something which always got him flustered, no matter how much he knew Judy was a hugger.
"Thank you for being such an amazing host, Nick"
"No need to thank me, Fluff. But anyway, are we gonna eat this delicious cake or not?"
As Nick and Judy ate the cake in the kitchen, they could already hear the sounds coming from the kid's room:
"Paul, I want your plush. Give me it!"
"No, Annie! It's mine!"
Judy and Nick looked at each other with a tired face. They knew these were going to be some long days...