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During the past few years of his life, Nick had gone through more apartments than he could remember—some worse than others. And even though Judy didn’t like his current one, even Finnick admitted it was practically a luxury compared to everything Nick had before. Not many mammals were willing to rent to a fox, and he was no exception. Losing his parents at sixteen didn’t exactly earn him any sympathy either.
For a while, he lived with Finnick, until he eventually started getting by on his own. Since then, he moved from place to place, always ending up in cheap, run-down apartments—the kind where landlords didn’t ask many questions as long as they got paid. He rarely stayed more than two or three years. The moment someone willing to pay more came along, he had to leave. But deep down, he didn’t mind all that much. Living in areas where no one knew him made it easier for his hustles to go unnoticed.
But all of that was behind him now.
The last time he moved was five years ago, into that small apartment beneath the gym. And now, once again, he was looking for a new place to live… though for completely different reasons. This time, it wasn’t about hiding or starting over—it was about finally settling down with the one who would soon be his wife. And yes, it was Judy Hopps—the same bunny who had turned his world upside down… and who was now engaged to him.
They had started dating after the Lynxey case and the… uh, incident with Gary. What began as something unexpected grew over time into something steady and sincere. Two and a half years later, Nick decided to take the next step. There was no point in waiting when it was clear they both wanted the same thing. The day Judy said “yes” became one of the happiest days of his otherwise miserable life.
When they shared the news, the reactions came quickly. Most of them were positive.
Some, like Gary and Nibbles, even claimed they had already assumed the two were married long ago.
Finnick, for his part, simply said he had always known—ever since he saw Judy apologize to Nick. According to him, it had been painfully obvious they enjoyed playing house… especially when they dragged him along as their “baby” during missions. A comment that embarrassed them more than they cared to admit.
At the precinct, congratulations were just as plentiful. Though a few raised their eyebrows, no one openly voiced any doubts. Chief Bogo, true to form, simply warned them that he didn’t want it to affect their performance. They both promised it wouldn’t.
As for Judy’s parents, their reaction was even better than expected. Nick still remembered the look of relief on Stu Hopps’ face when they announced it. To him, it was reassuring—it meant someone would be looking out for Judy. And in his opinion, there was no one better than someone who knew her and was willing to sacrifice for her, just like Nick. Mrs. Hopps, Bonnie, agreed wholeheartedly, even commenting matter-of-factly that he would always be welcome at their home if Judy ever overwhelmed him. A remark that left his fiancée completely embarrassed… though Nick couldn’t help but find it endearing.
It was good… to have a family again.
And now, not only would he have a family, but also a place he could truly call home. A place where he would share his life with Judy.
After requesting a few days off work and arranging visits to various suitable places, they began the search. They made sure to consider areas close to work, hospitals, schools, and other important services, without neglecting proximity to parks and open spaces. They didn’t limit themselves to apartments; they also explored houses and other types of residences.
On the first day, they visited three places, but none really caught their attention. However, on the second day—today—they saw four. And it was when they stepped into the last one that Nick knew it was the right one.
He knew by looking at Judy’s face.
The way her eyes lit up, as if she could already picture every detail, as if just by looking, she was already building a life there.
“You really like this place, don’t you?”
“Definitely!” she exclaimed. “It has everything we need, Nick. A nicely sized kitchen—not too big for me, not too small for you.”
“Are you sure? I think it’s a little… oversized for you.”
“Nah, a couple of stools will fix that,” she replied with a smile. “Trust me. And it’ll give me a little extra exercise!”
“If you say so…” he murmured.
It wasn’t like he cared much. He was used to living in places that were a mess, so his standards weren’t very high. If Judy was comfortable, then he was too.
“And what about the living room? Do you think it’s big enough to host guests?”
“My entire family? Probably not,” she admitted, “but it’s spacious enough to invite a few friends… or even throw a small party.”
Judy gave a little hop to the center of the empty room and began looking at the walls intently, as if she could already see everything in its place.
“Oh… I can already picture it,” she said, pointing. “The couch could go there, and your TV over here.”
She paused, scanning the space with her eyes.
“And we can hang some pictures there… It’ll be perfect, Nick.”
She turned to him then, her violet eyes shining with excitement, and for a moment, Nick thought they reflected the same sparkle as the ring he had chosen for her.
“‘Perfect’ is a big word, carrots, but I think it’ll be a good place… once we clean and paint, of course.”
Nick examined the walls carefully. They didn’t seem to have leaks, and according to the owner, access to clean water and electricity in the area was consistent. Still, he preferred to check the rest of the house before drawing any conclusions.
“Well, we still have to see the bedrooms upstairs and the two bathrooms, right?” he reminded her.
Just then, the pig accompanying them went down the stairs, motioning for them to follow. They exchanged a brief look before heading up.
The pig—Luis—explained that there were three rooms available: two main bedrooms and one guest room, along with a shared bathroom on that floor. He also mentioned that one of the rooms had a small balcony overlooking the city. He showed them the closets and added that the house had a small attic, among other details.
He kept talking, but Nick barely paid attention. His mind was elsewhere, contemplating what this place really meant.
And no, he wasn’t thinking much about the price—it wasn’t like it was coming out of his pocket, or Judy’s. Since announcing their engagement, several acquaintances had started giving them gifts, from furniture to bigger contributions. Fru Fru, in particular, had been very clear: she wanted to buy them their first home. Buy, not rent. And no matter how much they insisted it wasn’t necessary—especially Judy—she didn’t budge.
That’s why they were searching carefully, not just for a place to stay for a while, but for a home that truly mattered. A place that would be theirs, one they could call home with dignity.
And maybe… that was what made him a little uneasy.
Not the money, not even the decision itself, but what it all represented. He was about to truly settle down, in a permanent place, after years of living without putting down roots. For a long time, moving had been part of his life, almost a habit. Nothing was permanent; nothing was meant to last.
But this… was different.
He hadn’t had something like this in years. And even though compared to the house where Judy had grown up, this place was smaller, for him it was more than enough. More than he had ever hoped to have on his own.
Judy took his paw and led him toward one of the bedrooms, still talking with Luis.
But Nick barely listened.
His attention was completely on her, on his fiancée. On the bunny who, in a few months, would be his wife. The same one who had transformed his life and heart for the better. And if he was certain of anything, it was that he couldn’t imagine living any other way than by her side. She was his other half. And if he let himself be guided by something more instinctive—deeper, older—he would admit that for a long time, he had already chosen her as his mate, his partner for life.
That was a belief—perhaps a myth—widely held among foxes. He had heard more than once that males choose a single female for life, and if they lost her, something in them simply stopped working the same way. Females were different; they learned to move on. But Nick had seen enough not to dismiss the theory entirely. His own father had never been the same after his mother’s death, and Nick had always suspected that that grief was what ultimately destroyed him.
Perhaps that was why, during his years as a con artist, he avoided getting too involved. A little flirting, a couple of meaningless dates… nothing that could truly tie him down. But, like so many other things in his life, that changed with Judy. And though at first it was unsettling to realize just how much she meant to him, over time—and as their relationship grew—he stopped resisting.
Loving Judy was no longer something he feared… it was something he accepted with quiet certainty.
And seeing her now, exploring the place with such excitement, imagining every corner as part of their future, he understood that he was not alone in that. She shared the same dream he did.
He was so lost in his thoughts that, without realizing it, he had ended up on the small balcony, completely absorbed.
The cool air brushed his face when, suddenly, he felt the soft touch of his fiancée’s paws on his shoulder, bringing him back to the present.
She was smiling, but there was a faint trace of worry in her expression.
“Are you okay?” his fiancée asked.
Oh, how he loved referring to her that way.
“Yeah, I was just thinking about something. I do that sometimes, you know?” he joked, offering a small smile at his own words.
She seemed to relax, resting her little head on his arm. Nick, almost instinctively, wrapped her with his tail, pulling her a little closer to him.
“Is it about the house?” she asked softly.
“Partly, yes,” he admitted.
“Oh…”—her ears drooped slightly—“is it good or bad? I mean, you didn’t like it? Do you think there won’t be enough ventilation? You were looking at the wall… did you find leaks or think there might be pests and…?”
“No, darling, none of that,” he gently interrupted, circling her with an arm in a half-hug. “I was more… trying to process the change. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived somewhere so… proper. And, well… I guess it excites me to know that I’ll soon be sharing it with you.”
There it was. He had said it.
Ugh… it was still hard for him to be so honest, but at least those two years of therapy with Dr. Fuzzby had served some purpose.
“Aw, Nick…” Judy took his paws, little tears glistening in her eyes, as she always did when she got emotional. “I’m excited to live here with you too. Or… anywhere, really. As long as I’m with you, it’ll be my home.”
Nick blinked, letting those words take root inside him. Slowly, his expression softened; his eyebrows relaxed, and a genuine smile spread across his face. His heart beat strongly, and his tail swished from side to side, unable to hide the happiness of knowing he was loved by the one he cared for most.
"I tottaly agree with that," he replied warmly, lifting her to wrap her in a hug. "I love you so much, Judy."
"And I love you too, Nick," she responded, holding onto him naturally.
It was almost unbelievable to think that, not long ago, she hadn’t liked being carried. Now, on the other paw, she seemed to find a little refuge in it, one she didn’t want to leave. There was something profoundly tender about that change.
"Judy…" he murmured, leaning toward one of her ears.
"Yes?" she asked, moving just enough to look him in the eyes.
"Would you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?"
She let out a soft laugh and returned to the floor.
"This is the third time you’ve asked me! You know perfectly well the answer, dumb fox."
"Mmm… I’d never get tired of hearing it again. That word sounds especially good when you say it," he replied, winking at her. Judy smiled in response, crossing her arms playfully. "Come on, darling… let me hear it one more time."
"Mmm. I’m not sure… Maybe I still have doubts… let me think," she said, pretending indecision. But then she looked at her ring, and her expression lit up. "Nah, my answer is still yes."
Nick raised his fist in an exaggerated victory pose, and Judy couldn’t help but laugh even harder. Then, without giving him time to react, she took his paw and dragged him inside with her.
"Come on. Luis said he’d give us a few minutes to talk alone about our opinions. And since you weren’t paying much attention… we better go over everything again."
"As you say, boss," he replied, bringing his paw to his forehead in an exaggerated salute that made her roll her eyes.
They walked through the rooms again, and this time Nick paid attention to the details. The size of what could be their bedroom was more than adequate for both of them. The upstairs bathroom didn’t seem to need any work, and the other rooms were also in good shape—quite spacious.
And that inevitably led him to wonder… if maybe one of them would be for…
"I’m thinking the guest room would be perfect as an office," Judy said, interrupting his thoughts.
Nick could picture it immediately: space for two desks, a bookshelf full of files and books… and, of course, Judy’s conspiracy board, because he was sure she’d more than once bring work home.
“Mmm… I think you’re right. I can already picture you unraveling another conspiracy while your humble husband enjoys his favorite show on the couch.”
“Exactly,” she replied with a laugh. “Besides, it’s not like we get that many guests who would need to stay overnight. And I think the other room would be enough if we… umm…”
Nick’s heart stopped for a moment, and almost without thinking, he walked toward the other room she was talking about. He crossed the doorway cautiously, as if that simple step might confirm something he still didn’t dare to say out loud.
He stood there, silently observing the space… letting himself be carried away by the idea.
He tried to imagine it. First, a playpen. Pastel colors softening the walls and little details everywhere. Toys scattered around, storybooks stacked in a corner, tiny baby things filling the room with life. Then, over the years… maybe one or two beds. Or perhaps a bunk bed, so there would be more space for their… potential children…
Judy appeared in the doorway a few seconds later, unusually shy, as if she feared she had taken a step too far. And Nick understood. The truth was, neither of them had openly discussed this topic… about starting a family together.
In his case, it might not be possible in the traditional way. But that didn’t close any doors. There was always the possibility of adoption. And although years ago that responsibility would have made him run away, now… now it only managed to bring a smile to his face.
It wouldn’t be easy. But it would be a path he was willing to walk… as long as it was with Judy. Because, in the end, it wasn’t just about the house… but everything they could build within it. Whether it was their little corner— their “love nest”— or a home to raise their pack.
“Yeah… it would be perfect for our pups,” he said, nodding with a mix of approval and awe before looking back at her.
Judy seemed to relax and took a step closer to him.
“I thought the same. Although… that’s if we adopt. If it were natural… I don’t know if it would be enough.”
“Why?” Nick asked, slightly furrowing his brow.
“Well…” Judy placed a paw on her chin, thoughtful. “A litter can be anywhere from five to eight. Sometimes even twelve… or fourteen.”
“Fourteen?” Nick repeated, swallowing hard.
Definitely, with fourteen pups, the house would stop feeling so spacious.
And Judy had… how many siblings were there? Two hundred? Three hundred? He knew many were already adults, but still… how had her parents managed with so many kits?
His respect for them had just grown considerably.
“Yes. I was born in a litter of seven,” she added casually. “But of course, only if it were possible naturally,” she clarified immediately. “If we adopt, I think we could live comfortably with four or five. Maybe six. And if we need to turn the office into another room, we’ll do it. What do you think?”
Six still sounded like madness to him, even if they were of different ages. But… well, he supposed that came with falling in love with a rabbit.
“I say… we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he replied, trying to keep his smile from being too tense. “And maybe we could start with… two, when the time comes. You know, as first-time parents, it’d be good to adjust first.”
"Yeah… I guess you’re right," Judy admitted with a small sigh. "I know it might seem like a lot, but I’m excited. All my life I’ve focused on my career, and now that I’ve been at the ZPD for years… I feel like I’ve been missing out on another part of the world. And… I’m really looking forward to starting this new chapter with you."
"I understand."
"And, like you said, we don’t have to do everything all at once. First we adjust to married life, and then we think about the kits and…" She paused for a moment, looking at him more closely. "Oh… we don’t have to adopt so many. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed," she added, lowering her voice a bit.
Nick exhaled through his nose, scratching the back of his neck lightly.
"If I’m honest… six sounds like a small army," he admitted with a slight grimace. "But, well… if that’s what you want…"
"No," Judy interrupted firmly, though her tone remained warm. "It’s not just about what I want, Nick. Your opinion matters too. This is also your home… and we’re both going to be a family. You have a say in this."
"I definitely want our pack to grow," he finally said, with more confidence. "No matter how."
He paused, searching for the right way to explain himself.
"It’s just that… I’m not sure about having so many. Because, let’s be honest, carrots… you would be an amazing mother. You’ve cared for your siblings all your life, you know what you’re doing… but I, on the other hand…"
His expression softened a little.
"I grew up alone. And yes, I pretended to be a parent for a while… but it was never real. I’ve never had real experience. Not even as a babysitter. And I don’t know if I’d be able to care for as many as they deserve."
Judy looked at him attentively, without interrupting.
"So… if that were the case… I wouldn’t really know what to do," he finished, exhaling slowly.
"But…" she insisted softly.
Nick lifted his gaze, meeting her eyes.
"But if by some miracle it happens… and there are many… I won’t leave you alone," he affirmed firmly. "I’ll give my best to care for all of them. Just… give me a little time to wrap my head around it, okay?"
Judy smiled tenderly and nodded.
"Alright. I’m not in a rush to be a mother anyways. You know my duty comes first."
Nick let out a resigned sigh.
"Yeah… and that’s something I struggle with more often than you think."
"Oh, come on, don’t make that face, Wilde," she said with a soft laugh, taking his tie to pull him closer and giving him a brief kiss that earned another smile from him. "We’ll talk about that later, okay? For now, let’s finish looking at the house… and then we’ll have dinner. My treat."
Nick raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased.
"I like that idea…" he smiled, linking his arm with hers as they left the room together.
They toured the rest of the house unhurriedly, commenting on little details here and there, imagining furniture, colors, and more. In the end, they decided this would be the place they both wanted and agreed to meet another day with Luis and a lawyer to sign the contract. Fru Fru would handle the payment once Judy informed her that they had found a home.
They said their goodbyes and headed to the car—not the ZPD patrol car, but the one they had bought some time ago. This time, Nick took the driver’s seat, and as he placed the keys and Judy buckled up, he cast one last glance at the house.
It wasn’t perfect, nor straight out of an Ikea magazine. It needed paint, some repairs, furniture… and time. Yet even so, Nick could already picture living there with Judy.
He could see the laughter, the silly arguments that would come, her preparing breakfast for both of them and him taking care of dinner. The inevitable schedule clashes, because he was still more of a night animal. But also the good: movie nights, friends filling the living room with noise and life… and even, for a moment, he could imagine holding a little kit in his arms while Judy prepared the formula.
There were so many experiences ahead, and he couldn’t help but look forward to the day they would officially be Mr. and Mrs. Wilde.
But, in the meantime, he found comfort in a simple thought: he already had a home. And it was right beside him, looking at the house with the same longing as he did.
That image stirred something within him once more, reminding him how much he loved her… and how much she loved him too.
He couldn’t resist any longer.
"Carrots…"
She turned toward him, curious.
"Yes?"
Nick took both of her paws in his, but then seemed to reconsider and held just one. With the other, he gently stroked Judy’s cheek, looking into her eyes with an expression meant to—and succeeding in—softening her heart. His voice dropped to that whisper that always took her breath away.
"Marry me."
He pulled his paw back from her face and, with a small smile, showed her the same ring she had been wearing just seconds ago.
"How… you…?" Judy stammered, confused, trying to figure out when he had taken it off. But in the end, she stopped trying and ended up laughing.
"It’s called a hustle, sweetheart," he said, winking at her.
That only made her laugh harder.
"You’re impossible. I can’t with you," she shook her head, still smiling. "Are you going to keep doing this until we get married?"
"Maybe," he shrugged, as if he were seriously considering it. "Unless it bothers you…"
"Are you kidding? Why would it bother me?" she replied, now in a more sincere tone, softening it with a smile. "I’ve heard friends and cousins talk about their proposals… but several proposals? No, never. And it’s sweet… though I still don’t fully understand why you do it."
Nick watched her for a moment longer, as if searching for the right words.
"I think even if I explained it… you wouldn’t understand," he finally said.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Because I don’t even fully understand it myself," he added with a small smile. "It’s just… I look at you, I remember everything I have now; everything I am because of you. I remember that I love you, that you love me, and…"
He leaned a little closer, his paw returning to caress her cheek. Judy’s ears lowered softly as she leaned into his touch, looking at him with tenderness.
"And…?" she whispered.
"And… I remember there’s no place in this world I’d rather be than with you, Carrots," he continued, his voice softening. "And I suppose… I don’t know… it just feels right to ask you to be my wife because…"
Judy smiled sweetly, finishing his thought for him. "Because it’s a level of commitment that shows how you feel."
Nick nodded, smiling.
"Sly bunny."
"That’s sweet, but you don’t have to feel obligated to do it. You already said it… I love you, and so much," she sighed. "I wouldn’t want to be away from you either. Not even at work could I stand having another partner who isn’t you. Because you and I belong together."
"With all our differences too?" he asked, his voice dropping slightly, emotion glistening in his eyes.
"With all our differences," Judy affirmed without hesitation.
Nick let out a soft laugh and wiped away his own tears with the back of his paw before looking at her again.
She looked so adorable in that pink blouse and blue pants—simple, yet beautiful. They weren’t the same outfits they wore on their undercover partner missions, but it felt close… familiar. He wasn’t far off either, in his green shirt and jeans. It was as if, unconsciously, they both associated those colors with a home they once pretended to have, and now it was real.
"Alright…" he cleared his throat, recovering some of his playful tone. "I guess that means this is yours, madame…" he said, showing her the ring. "If you accept my humble proposal, of course."
"Accept…?" Judy repeated, trying to sound flirty, but her voice softened more than she intended.
She didn’t think twice. She clumsily unbuckled her belt and practically leapt into his arms.
"Of course I accept, silly."
Nick laughed, surprised but happy, returning her hug before gently taking her paw.
"In that case, with this ring, I, Nicholas Wilde, proclaim for the fourth time my fiancée," he murmured, sliding the ring back onto her finger. "And done. It’s official… again."
Judy let out a little giggle, and Nick couldn’t help but join in.
They shared a sweet kiss before settling back into their seats. Judy then indicated where she wanted to go for dinner, and Nick started the car, following her directions.
And if his tail didn’t stop wagging with excitement the entire ride… well, that was something neither of them mentioned. They barely noticed, so focused were they on each other.
Later, when Nick said goodbye after dropping her off at her apartment, he couldn’t help but sigh happily in the car. Because finally, after so many years, he had a place to call home.
Oh, how he couldn’t wait to go to work tomorrow just to be with her again.