-Knot Here, Not Now: Aftermath- by Toga

Nick had lived in the city far longer than Judy had, and so with that time came knowledge of good eats and where to grab them. He rattled off some dives and diners to Bonnie, who seemed entirely nonplussed over their encounter in Judy’s apartment a half hour ago. Stu was still giving off those ice-cold killer father vibes that even Judy felt were a bit much, so she kept herself as a buffer between him and Nick. She had never known her father to hurt anyone, but she had never seen any of her sisters bring home anything other than another bunny, nor heard of them being caught in the act, regardless of what her mother had said.

Eventually Bonnie settled on some pesca-veggie fusion restaurant, if only to appease Nick; the rabbits could have their veggies while the fox could get his protein. Better yet, it was a mere fifteen minute walk from the apartment, and the rain had passed by the time they were ready to go.

The walk itself was uneventful with little more than scattered pleasantries, forced as they were. How have you been, how’s work, things like that. There was one topic conspicuously avoided, one that Nick was made constantly aware of by the laser-focused stare he felt at all times. He had never in his life known a scary bunny; Judy could be intense, but she never was able to convey death and maiming through a simple glare, so he had to hand it to Stu for that.

They soon found themselves at a table in the corner of the restaurant, The bright lighting, open windows, and floral scents made for a cheery atmosphere that Bonnie seemed to embrace, but the other three still had the apartment incident on their minds. Stu tried to take the seat beside Judy, but Bonnie snatched him by the collar and pulled him to her side, freeing up the chair for Nick and Judy to sit together.

The waitress came to greet them and handed out four menus, then promised she’d be right back. Bonnie read through it in earnest and upon deciding, placed her menu in front of her. She waited for her husband to put his menu down. He didn’t; just kept staring over the top of it at Nick, who kept his menu up presumably to block Stu’s eyes. Judy apparently felt it as well and copied Nick.

Bonnie sighed. This would not be easy.

The waitress came again and left with their orders and menus, and an uncomfortable silence fell across the table like a choking smog. No more menus to read in order to avoid conversation or block mean glares. Just some good old fashioned family interaction.

“So,” Bonnie blurted out, shattering the silence. “Judy. How’s work?”

“You asked me that, Mom. While we were walking here.”

“So,” Bonnie repeated with the exact same composure. “Nick. How’s work?”

“It’s, uh, good,” he said sheepishly. “Good, good. Great, even. Yeah. I guess.” Judy dug her elbow into his side, smiling.

“You graduated, what, three months ago? Is it everything you thought it’d be?”

“Four months ago, actually,” he said. He took a second longer to think about the rest of his response, eyeing Judy who only smiled in return. No more of that smile she wore to hide embarrassment. No, this was her genuine one. “And so far, yeah. It’s been everything and more. Nothing quite as big as our first case.”

Nick’s found himself subconsciously wrapping his tail around Judy as she sat in her seat. It all happened beneath the table; neither parent seemed privy. She seemed to relax, something that Bonnie did notice.

“What about you guys? What do you, er, two do on that farm of yours?” He squeezed his eyes shut, mentally chastising himself. “Besides farming, I guess.”

“Yeah dad, how’s the family business going?”

Stu’s demeanor broke for no more than half a second; his previously narrow eyes shone wide and bright, then went right back to pinpoint and brooding when he remembered a certain fox was at the table. “S'goin’ fine. Nothing new.” He crossed his arms, slumping back into his seat.

Bonnie’s eyes flicked from her husband to her daughter, then to Nick. “Stu, tell her how the new crops are coming in. We planted some potatoes, Judy.”

“Oh sure, sure,” he said. “Potatoes look good. I was just diggin’ a few of'em up before we decided to take a half-hour train ride and half hour taxi ride to see my daughter bouncing–”

In the blink of an eye Bonnie whipped Stu’s hat from his head and clamped it over his mouth. “Excuse us, we have to go to the ladies’ room.” Stu’s eyes went wide as she hauled him to his feet and dragged him to the restroom despite his flailing protests.

Judy and Nick watched them disappear and sat alone with their thoughts. Again.

“I feel like this is going great,” Nick said, wrapping a paw around Judy’s shoulders and gently shaking her. “How about you? Isn’t this great? I feel great.”

“Your sarcasm is duly noted and immediately disregarded,” Judy said, shaking off his paw. She hastily pulled his tail from around her waist and into her lap, squeezing and petting it as if that would calm her frayed nerves. “I never thought this would happen in a million years. I always thought your first meeting with them would be like it was in the movies–”

“Were they rom-coms or murder mysteries? Because I feel like this could go either way.”

She ignored him. “I pictured us at a fancy place, maybe you in a suit, and my dad was definitely not wearing his overalls.” She groaned into his tail. “I have no idea how to fix this. You’re the smooth talker, you fix this.”

“Oh no, you’re a big bunny now. This one’s on you.”

“Oh sure, play the maturity card now,” she said, sticking her tongue out at him. “You stood up to Bogo for me.”

“That’s because I could relate. And your dad scares me, frankly. I’m sure he’s got pitchforks and scythes and wood chippers or whatever it is farmers have,” he said, taking on a grave and overly dramatic tone. “He could disappear me. He’s got the eyes of a killer. And a fox-sized barrel of lye somewhere, I bet.”

“Knock it off, my dad couldn’t hurt a fly.”

“I’m gonna hit you with some truth, fluff. I’m suave, handsome, got great fashion sense, business sense, common sense, street sense–”

She rolled her eyes but smiled. “Nick, please, you’re so modest.”

“The most modest fox I know. But despite all that, I’ve never gotten this far before,” he said, motioning to the space between the two of them. “Meeting the parents? I figured when the day came I’d razzle and dazzle with my usual charm but all that goes out the window when the first meet is them catching an eyeful of me inside of you.”

“Don’t remind me.”

Nick allowed himself a nervous chuckle, pulling his tail from Judy’s paws. “This is about your dad being unable to let go of his little girl. Tell him you’re not a little girl.” He nodded towards the restrooms. “Speak of the devil.”

Bonnie came first out of the restroom looking a little more reserved than before, followed by Stu, who seemed emboldened; he stood straighter and took menacing strides as he approached the table to take his seat.

“Nick, Judy, sweetie,” Bonnie seemed to whisper, her ears hanging limply from her head. “Your father and I…he…well, he brought up some things that didn’t sound outright ridiculous. And I don’t mean any offense to you, Nick, it’s not so much with you. I mean, not at all really, nothing against foxes or predators–or, not now anyway, a mean a few years ago we might’ve had some reservations about all this but–”

“Mom.”

“Sorry.”

“What your mom and me are thinkin’ is you’re young, Jude. You’ve been in the city for barely over a year, you’re already more or less livin’ with someone else–I mean he’s always around when we call you. You’re a young lady with your whole life ahead of you and bein’ on the force you’ve already got so much to worry about, we don’t want you tyin’ yourself down to any big commitments so early. You’re twenty-five, Jude. We’re worried about how city life could be changing you. You’ve gone further than any other rabbit from our family and we’re worried you’re moving too fast.”

Judy’s ears feel to half-mast as she searched for what to say. She glanced at Nick, whose smug smile did nothing for her confidence. She thought he was enjoying her consternation until he subtly mouthed the words, ‘not a little girl’. Her ears popped back up, alert and focused.

“City life hasn’t changed me at all, dad. I’m the exact same bunny I was when I left. Shoot, I’d argue I’m the same bunny I was when I was nine years old. I was never going to be a carrot farmer and I’ll still never be one.” Her voice began to rise, though she wasn’t aware of it. “You’re right, I am twenty-five. I wear a stab vest every single day, dad. A stab vest! I have to think fast and act faster; I’m facing teeth and claws from criminals every day and you’re worried I’m committing myself too early to a fox that by all counts, yours and mine, is a heck of a guy?”

Bonnie began showing hints of a smile, but Stu seemed to shrink in his seat. “Now, now, hold on a minute, Jude, it’s not really about Nick–”

“Dad, come on. I’m a cop. I read subtext like it’s the main headline. Predator or prey, he’s not a bunny and I know that makes you both nervous. Nick is my partner, at home and at work. I keep his hide out of trouble and he’s saved my tail once or twice already. I know I can depend on him wherever and whenever, on duty or off, and that should be good enough for you guys. I am twenty-five, I have my own place, a great job, and, and…I-I’ll bounce on top of him if I want!”

Only now did Judy realize much of the restaurant was silent staring in her direction, and only now did she realize how loud she had just been. Most of the other patrons quickly resumed their meals, and the waiters and waitresses went about their tables. Only Bonnie stayed as she was, beaming ear to ear and giving her daughter two thumbs up.

Stu, meanwhile, was looking more or less like a child shouted down by his own parents. He meekly adjusted his hat, sat up straight in his chair, and folded his hands together before placing them on the table.

“Okay,” He nodded.

“Okay?” said Judy.

“Okay,” Stu repeated. He gave a little smile to try and dispel the ugliness that he felt was in the air. Don’t ever let the kid see how bad it feels to know they’re not a kid anymore. Give'em a smile, let'em know it’s fine and that they’re one hundred percent right.

Judy was happy to see that smile; she replied with one of her own in earnest.

Dinner came and went, as did the conversation that flowed naturally and happily post-argument. Stu and Bonnie said, hugged, and kissed their goodbyes, though Stu could only muster a firm handshake for Nick.

On the way back to Judy’s apartment, Nick handed her a napkin. “Here you go, Carrots.”

“What’s this?” she asked.

“Flip it over,” he said. There was writing on the other side. “That’s your big girl card. Don’t lose it.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re hilarious.”

“Hey, don’t take it for granted. If I find anymore stuffed animals in the apartment I’m taking that back and you’re demoted to little girl again.”

“Then I’ll just promote little Nicholas to full-time partner.”

“What, that stuffed fox? Please. He might be handsome but he’s missing a crucial piece of equipment.”

She leaned into him as they walked. “Speaking of which,” she said in as sultry a voice as she could manage. “We have unfinished business. Soon as we get in the door, I want you naked and on the bed in ten seconds.”

“Well, well,” Nick said, preemptively loosening his tie. “Adorable little bunny is on a power trip. This should be interesting.”

“Nuh-uh,” she said, fishing the napkin he had given her from her pocket and waving it in front of his face. “You can’t say little bunny anymore.”