Darkness

Chapter 16

I DO NOT OWN THE ARTWORK!

Nick found himself standing at an altar, surrounded by friends, and his mother. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. A preacher stood next to him. At the other end of the altar, double doors opened and out walked Judy on her father's arm. She wore a white dress that made her look like an Angel.

Soft music played as they made their way down the aisle. Nick looked down to find he was dressed in a dashing black tux, with a green Hawaiian tie wrapped around his neck.  His eyes wandered back to Judy. Her white dress hugged her small frame. The lacey veil trailed behind her, all the white making her lavender eyes shine.

They stopped in front of Nick.

"Who gives this woman?" The preacher, a lynx, asked.

With tears in his eyes, Stu, said, "Her mother and I do." He took Judy's paw, and placed in in Nick's. "Take care of her, or you'll regret it."

Finding his voice, Nick answered. "Yes, sir."

"You look handsome, Sweetheart." Judy blushed.

He gulped, "You look beautiful, Carrots." Nick blushed. "But, we're getting married? Since when?"

Judy took both his paws in hers. "Ever since you died for me." She kissed his paws. Her lips felt so warm, so real, but so light.

Died? He thought, horrified, I'm dead?!

""If I'm dead, then where? H-how? Who? What?" He babbled on feeling faint.

"Shh!" She whisphered softly. "Nick, it's ok. You're in Heaven. Everything is perfect. You're safe here." She caressed his muzzle with her paw.

"Heaven? I made it to Heaven?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yes, silly." She laughed.

"So, I'm dead "dead"?" He asked.

"Yes." She said solemnly.

"So that means all of us are dead? But how?" He asked, looking around, spotting Chief Bogo and Mr. Big among his groomsmen.

Judy put her paw against his lips. "Nick, it doesn't matter, we're together now. Here, everything we are denied on Earth, comes to life. Bunnies can marry foxes. It doesn't matter that you're a fox, because only love exists here."

Only love exists here? He pondered. After a life of strife and struggle, he could finally have all he desired.

"Ok, Judy." He smiled.

The preacher cut in. "Do you Nicholas Piberius Wilde, take Judith Laverne Hopps, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Looking into the sparkling eyes of his gorgeous bride, he smiled. "I do."

"Do you, Judith Laverne Hopps, take Nicholas Piberius Wilde, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Judy smiled, "I do."

"You may now kiss the bride." The preacher  announced.

Eager, Nick pulled her into him and kissed her intensely. He felt absolutely loved, but the kiss felt impersonal to him.

Meanwhile, back in Zootopia.

A zebra pressed a stethoscope to Nick's crushed chest. The wall fell just hard enough to break a few rib bones and puncture his lungs. A small piece of his skull fractured, pressing against his brain. Bum bum..........bum..........bum..........bum.................bum.............................bum.................. The zebra located his quickly dying pulse.