Nick Needs a Family

Chapter 1

The vixen smiled at the young fox as he snuggled into bed. She sat next to him and stroked his ears while she recited a rhyme:

Vintery mintery cutery corn

Apple seed and apple thorn,

Wire, brier, limber lock,

Three geese in a flock;

Along came Tod,

With his long rod,

And scared them all to Migly-wod.

One flew east, one flew west,

One flew over the cuckoo's nest.

And like every night since the day he was born, his mom changed the last line and finished, "Make your way home, Nick." She leaned over and kissed him on the forehead, her beaming smile barely masking the exhausted look in her eyes.

She started to get up and Nick said, "Mama?"

The vixen paused. "What is it dear?"

"Next time, could you say it different? Until he comes back, can you say, 'Make your way home, Pa' instead?"

The vixen burst into tears.

Nick jerked awake. He blinked back tears as the memory of his mom's stricken face faded, leaving only a dull ache in his stomach. Judy lay sprawled across his chest, and he was thankful he hadn't woken her up. Nick gently slid out from under the sleeping rabbit and carefully climbed out of bed and padded into the living room.

He turned on his laptop, hoping to do something mindless to distract him from the dream. Instead, he found himself staring at the camera footage of his father's abduction at the hospital, just like he had during so many other sleepless nights over the past six years.

"Can't sleep?" Nick flicked the video closed, though he was sure Judy had seen it since she was already leaning against his back and draping her arms around his neck. "Sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on my shifty fox."

Nick chuckled. "I should put a bell on you, Carrots." It wasn't like she'd ask him about the video, but it never hurt to change the subject. "I am a little worried about seeing your family tomorrow."

"Really? It's just my sister Hazel and her husband and kits tomorrow. You met her the last time you came home with me."

Nick liked Hazel. It was almost scary how much she and Judy looked alike, though Hazel was a year older. "Yeah, but I haven't seen any of your family since we... became an item." He slowly spun in the desk chair and swept her into his lap. "And we've never had them over to our--" he coughed, trying to hide what he almost said. "I mean, I haven't spent time with them here in the city."

Judy giggled. "You have pretty much already moved in here, haven't you?"

Nick cringed inside before he continued. "I don't wanna scare your siblings, Fluff. Are... are you sure you want me here when your family comes over? I mean, I could--"

Judy interrupted him. "You don't even need to ask. Of course I want you here!"

Nick sighed with relief. They still hadn't talked about officially moving in together, and he didn't want to intrude.

***

Nick gently raised the baby rabbit over his head and slowly lowered her towards his gaping maw. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Judy's ears shooting up. Nick froze, the baby rabbit dangling inches from his teeth, the kit smiling down at him.