Zootopia: Drabbles/OneShots

A Night Under The Mistletoe

It was Christmas Eve in Zootopia. The most beautiful holiday in the year and Judy's favorite. She loved everything about it. The fresh powder of snow in Tundra Town with snow angels and snowballs in the thousands. With a few frozen tongues frozen onto poles here and there. The sweet peppermint ice coffee in Shara Square and their beautiful Christmas lights and fireworks. Even all of the arrangements of Christmas flowers in the Rainforest District, all from hydradias to mistletoe. She loved the smell of pine in everyone's home and the scent to stuffing made her stomach growl. Yet, the one thing she loved most of all was being with families and friends around the dinner table. Except she would have to miss it this year.

She sat, alone, in her office. The only animal who took the Christmas shift. When her chief ask for volunteers, she was the first to raise her paw. She knew she had to be the only one to take it because being with family is most important in the holidays. No matter how difficult it was, she knew that most of her fellow officers had kids to get home to.

She didn't mind sitting in her dimmed office, waiting for the phone to ring. Ready to take any emergency that is thrown her way. She knew it was better her than anyone else. She would only feel guilty if a father was sitting in her place.

She flinched when she felt her personal phone vibrate on her side. She swiftly took it out and her ears went down in dread from seeing the name flash on screen.

Mom.

Taking a deep breath, she answered.

"Hey mom!" She perked with a loud voice, trying to sound as happy as possible.

"Judy! When are you coming over to eat dinner?"

"Actually...listen Mom, I-I know you wanted me there but..."

"But?-What's wrong? Is this about Nick?...I'm sure your father won't mind if you bring him along..." Judy slowly frowned and scratched the back of her neck, listening to her speak.

"I can whip something up for him! Its kinda late-"

"I know, I know it's late but something came up and...I'm working." She held her breath hearing her mother's frantic pleas.

"Oh Judy no! C-can't you come for a couple of hours? Why on earth are you working? Please, just come over Judy!"

"Aw Mom, I'm sorry but, it's just this once...but I'll see you in New Years! I promise!" She smiled only for it to melt away.

"O-oh...alright sweetheart...yes, new years. That would be wonderful, don't be a stranger dear. I love you."

"...I love you too, Mom. Okay. Bye."

Her forehead hit the desk as she cast aside her phone. She could only imagine her mom being so disappointed throughout the evening. She wouldn't even be there to open and exchange gifts. She jerked in her seat when she heard her phone vibrate again. She flipped around the phone to see the name flash on screen and groaned.

"Oh Nick-" she whispered sadly. She clutched on the phone, forcing her thumb to press down to answer him. With a cringe she put the phone up to her ear.

"Hey whiskers, ready to go to Shara Square?" He said with an excited tone. Her paw slid down her face. She and Nick planned to go see the light show. "I got the tickets just like we planned, and they're giving out free peppermint coffee!...I managed to grab four for the both of us! The polar bear giving them away won't let me go back to the stand through for taking more than two..." She winced when she responded.

"That's great Nick, but I-!"

"I even got your present!" He sanged. "Can you guess what it is?"

"No?"