Chapter 3 - Family

The giant clock marked 11:53. Still seven minutes until the train arrived.

Nick had seen Mark pace up and down for the last fifteen minutes. Normally, he would tell him a joke about calling the petroleum companies to come since a new excavation was in progress, but he was too tired at the moment. And he was not the only one: Mark was visibly exhausted, contrary of what his pacing told everyone, and even Judy was also silent trying to relax.

And the culprit was that call three days ago when Mark's family announced that they were coming to Zootopia. Not for a visit, but to stay.

...

Flashback

...

• What do you mean they are selling the house and on their way here? They are coming to live here too?- Asked Nick, only half focused on driving.

The macaque sighed in exasperation.- That's it. We all planned to come here to Zootopia, but do it all together seemed too risky. What if things didn't go well and found ourselves in trouble? So, I came first to "test the waters", so to speak. I would see how things were in this city, look for a good house for the four of us and, after... Two months or so, they would come too. But my sister, for some reason I don't know, decided unilaterally to just sell the house and move here without so much as a short call inside the train on their way here!- He let out all the air he had left inside in a frustrated groan while pulling the hair of his head with his hands. Judy saw also great worry in his eyes and, for the way he was looking through the window, it was not for the same reason he was frustrated about.- I didn't have enough time to find a house or to talk to Chief Bogo about giving them work at the station! What am I going to do?

• Mark, calm down. We can help you find a house. Once they are settled, the rest will be easier to deal with.- The bunny tried to help his friend relax offering their support, but he quickly responded negatively.

• Absolutely not. I can't expect you to waste YOUR hard earned free days on solving MY problems. We've only known each other for a week, it is too soon to impose you on that. I will manage somehow.

"Full name calling in three... Two... One..."- Thought Nick with a half smile on his face. And, of course, he was right.

• Mark Rhesus!- Started Judy, looking at the monkey with a determined glare that accepted no opposition, provoking in him the imperious need to run, despite being inside a car.- We are going to help you, because you are our partner, our friend and because you need it. Shut up and accept it.

• Yes, ma'am.- Was the only reply he could give her. Mark had seen Judy mad before, normally it was because Nick had done or said something he shouldn't have, but it was the first time he was on the receiving end of her glare.

The bunny sat correctly and began thinking how to proceed, but with so little time there were not many options.

• I guess there is a change of plans. We could start searching at my place using the internet, today's newspapers...

• Instead of calling for take-out food, I could directly go for it. On the way there and back I can check around for any apartment on sale or for rent.- Offered the fox. Judy nodded in agreement, but then she looked at him with a mix of amusement and suspicion.

• You are trying to avoid helping with the excuse of going for food, are you?

Nick gasped and opened his eyes in surprise and placed a paw on his chest, just over his heart in a wounded fashion.- How can you think of me that way, Carrots? My only intention was to help our friend here and you immediately think of betrayal?

She punched him on the arm and both chuckled. Mark didn't say anything, but he felt very grateful for their friendship.

That afternoon and night the progress made was small: that late they couldn't make any phone calls for appointments or check if an apartment was available. They had to settle with making lists of the places they would go the next day and in which order to make the most of the time they had. They were up until well past midnight planning before calling it a night and going to sleep.

After waking early and a cup of coffee each, bought by the macaque, they started visiting real estate's agencies and making phone calls. The first houses they visited were nice, but not big enough for four mammals. Some others were too expensive, even counting with a hypothetical salary of Mark's siblings. That day, they ended as they had begun... more or less. The three mammals were not in a good because of walking and driving all day long without having accomplished a single thing.

Luckily for them, at midday of the second day they received a call from one of the agencies with one offer that matched their needs. They met with the agent, a middle-aged raccoon, to check the apartment, which was located a little farther from the police station than Nick's or Judy's, but that was still manageable.

It was a second-floor apartment with a small balcony, furnished with only the basics: a bed in each room with a nightstand, a fridge and a cookstove at the kitchen and a small table and three chairs in the living room. It was clearly intended to be enough for new mammals living there to have the minimum until more furniture was acquired.

The interior seemed to be in good condition, with five rooms plus kitchen and two bathrooms. Two of the four bedrooms were big enough for a big bed, a desk, a few shelves and had a wall wardrobe. Also, they had a window looking outside of the building through which light got in.

The other two rooms had a smaller window looking to a small backyard, and one of those rooms was almost half the size of the others to allow space for the fully equipped kitchen on the other side of the wall.

After checking the rooms and asking for the price, Mark decided to keep that one. Judy had some concerns.

• Are you sure? It is still a bit expensive and the rooms maybe aren't big enough for your family. We could look for other places.

• It is not as expensive as the other ones, we can manage it. My mother will have no problem with this apartment because her bedroom will be that one.- Said pointing to the one closest to the kitchen and living room with the window facing the street.- So she will be comfortable. And if my brother or sister have any complaint about it, after making us, especially you and Nick, go through this ordeal, they can kiss my pink round...

She raised her paws, accepting his arguments, and said nothing more.

Negotiating and taking care of all the papers was not easy either. Many forms needed at least two weeks to be checked and registered before somebody could move in. It was at this moment were the red fox shined: using his hustler charisma, the silver tongue developed through years of experience and the fact that all three of them were police officers, he managed to get the agent to allow them to move in the next day, though he would need to contact the electric and gas companies to offer their services as soon as possible, and he could not promise anything there.

Once Mark had the keys in his hand and the agent left to start working on all those papers, the monkey let his body finally relax.- Guys... I owe you my life. Thank you both for your help.

• Don't mention it, partner.- Replied the bunny smiling, yet it was visible in her face that she was tired after two days of searching.- I'm glad we could help.

• Actually, he could mention it. It wasn't easy finding this place after all.- Interjected Nick. He meant it as a joke, of course: he was just as tired as his friends, but after so much tension they needed a good laugh.

Judy didn't seem to get it, however.

• Nick, how can you say that? He is our friend, we did this because that is what friends do!

Before the fox could reply that with a witty remark that he expected to make them at least smile and relax, Mark placed his hands on each of Nick's shoulders and looked at him in the eyes.- Nicholas Wilde, thank you very much for what you have done for me. Ask me whatever you want and you will have it.

Nick's surprise was genuine. Not only because he didn't expect that, but because he saw not even a drop of sarcasm or joke on Mark's face. He was actually and deeply grateful and meant his offering.

• Well, eh... I don't know. A box of blueberries a week for a month?- Said the fox, not meaning to actually ask for anything or even for Mark to accept. Or to surprise him yet again.

• You can count on two boxes a week for three months. I insist!- Added when Nick was about to protest, leaving him with the muzzle open, and turned to Judy. She, understanding that he was taking his gratefulness too far, tried to stop him.

• I don't want anything, thanks. I meant it when I said I've done it gladly because you are our friend.

• At least let me treat you to dinner sometime! Doesn't have to be today, just when things have calmed down and you feel like it.

She sighed, too tired to keep arguing.- Ok, ok, I accept that. One dinner.

The three mammals left the building and intended to just go to Judy's place and rest until the next day to pick up Mark's family, but Nick, to the monkey and bunny's surprise, objected and said they still had time to go to at least the electric company to ask for service for the new apartment.

• If they are going to live there starting tomorrow, they will need light and a functioning kitchen AT LEAST.- Argued the fox with a smile.

Once again, the ex-hustler was invaluable in convincing the company to help them out. Giving them the number of the real estate agent was also a good idea, which ended with them walking out of the company's building with the service contract and the promise that at 10 am tomorrow would be able to turn their lights on.

After eating in the first place they could find, since they were too tired to even consider look for any specific place, Judy and Nick left Mark at his place, so he could get his things ready to move to the new place and tell the landlord. The other two mammals spent the rest of the afternoon and night just relaxing after so much stress accumulated.

...

End of flashback

...

Even with so many hours of resting and sleeping, Nick and Judy still felt the stress of the past two days on their bodies. Mark had to be even worse since he still had to get his things together the night before, and this morning when they had driven to pick him up, he had already left his things at the new house. They simply could not understand how was he pacing up and down instead of sitting on the bench with them while they waited.

Finally, the three mammals heard the train arriving and approached the edge of the platform. Mark had received a message from his sister telling him that they were at the front part of the train, so the macaque and the others were waiting were the forward section of the train should stop. Judy and Nick, being that a family reunion, stayed a couple of steps behind to allow some privacy.

The train finally ceased moving and the doors opened, passengers stepping out of it and going their business. But the only passengers the monkey was interested in, especially one of them, were disembarking in front of him.

Helped by his brother and sister, his mother set foot on the platform and smiled at the sight of her youngest son, who had the same radiant expression.

• Hi, mom.

• My little one!- Called the adult female before hugging him tightly.- Oh, you don't know how much I missed you, Mark.

• I've been away only two weeks mom.

• For a mother, even two minutes is an eternity without her kids.- She replied with so much motherly love that the fox and the bunny had to smile. Mark's mother was about half her son's size, about a head shorter and quite thin, but she didn't look fragile at all; her hair, brown as her son's, had only a few silver hairs, and her eyes were deep blue like the ocean.

Some noise behind her took their attention as the other two macaques stepped out of the train as well with the luggage on their hands. The brother was taller than Mark, about one head, but he was also wider. His whole body seemed part of a gym's publicity pamphlet: his muscles were very toned and could be discerned even though his clothes. His fur was a darker brown than his brother's and also thicker, but on his head was short and spiked.

The sister was diametrically opposed to him: she was short, about seven or eight centimeters shorter than her mother and with a similar body. Her fur was dark gray, very similar to Judy's, and had long black hair in a ponytail. A pair of glasses covered her chocolate-brown eyes.

• Nice to see you, bro.- Greeted Mark's brother with a fist held in front of him, with the younger macaque responded smacking his own in a bro fist.- Sorry for the short notice. In my defense, I didn't have anything to do with the decision of coming so fast.

• Yeah, sure, pile all the blame on me!- Mark's sister, Shana, if they remembered correctly, wore an upset look that matched the sarcasm and irritation on her voice.- It's nice to be appreciated for all the effort.

• Nathan, Shana, that is enough.- Scolded their mother without raising her voice at all. Both siblings stopped arguing immediately. Mark sighed, this was not going to be easy.

• Mom, I want to present you my friends and partners at work.- Said bringing her attention to the two mammals, who stepped closed to greet the female.- She is Judy Hopps and he is Nick Wilde. Guys, this is Suzie, my mother.

• It is a pleasure to know you, Mrs. Rhesus.- Greeted Nick offering his paw to her. She took it with a warm smile, which turned a little menacing in a second. Just enough to be taken seriously.

• My dear Nick, I suggest you don't call me that again if you want to keep that gorgeous tail of yours. Call me Suzie and talk to me as a friend, not as an old woman.

The fox swallowed and nodded in agreement. Then, it was Judy's turn.- Nice to finally meet you, Suzie. Welcome to Zootopia.

• That's what I'm talking about! What a fine young girl, don't you dare let her escape, Mark!

Judy's cheeks blushed upon hearing that but managed to laugh as if all was a joke.

• Mom, stop teasing her. And you say you don't want to be spoken to like an old woman but are talking like one.- Accused Mark, receiving as a reply a playful pinch on his arm. All of them laughed.

• Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, I need to apologize.- Started Suzie to everyone's surprise.- I am aware that our sudden coming here has cost you quite a few troubles to help my son and us. I am sorry for that, and I thank you for helping him.

• I agree.- Said Nathan, joining the conversation.- Thank you for helping my brother. I'm sure we would have figured something out, but it's nice to know my little brother has his back covered.- He messed Mark's hair with one hand, which the younger macaque swatted away with a laugh.

Shana came closer to the bunny and fox and offered her hand with a smile.- Thank you for taking care of my little brother, and for helping us.

Both mammals were out of words. One thing was Mark being grateful, but the whole family was too much to bear.

• It was nothing, Really!- Replied Judy frantically.- We had free days, so it wasn't such a problem.

• For me, it was.- Argued Suzie.- It means a lot to us, so you are invited to have lunch with us, and I am not accepting a no for an answer.- And with that, Mark's mother and his siblings started walking away in the direction of the exit.

Judy and Nick were frozen in placed, totally aback of what had just happened.

• Wow, your mother is very unique.- Said the fox while they also started walking, right behind the others.

• Yes, she is.- Replied the monkey back with a laugh before a very brief and subtle shadow of sadness appeared in his eyes, which only Judy, who was looking at him at that moment, managed to see.- And you should be prepared for lunch. She didn't mean that we are going to a restaurant, she is going to cook. And believe me, she knows how to.

• Mark!- Called his mother from ahead.- We need to get a taxi, right? Did you bring any car or with only one taxi will suffice?

He glanced to Nick, who was the owner of the car they came in, so he could answer instead.

• I think one taxi will be enough, but it must have a big trunk for your luggage. Mine is kinda small.

After a few minutes of searching, they found a big enough taxi to get them to their new house. Since his family didn't know the address, Mark went with them leaving Nick and Judy to follow on the fox's car.

• You look worried, Fluff. What's up?- Asked Nick after a minute. The bunny didn't answer for a moment, not sure what to say.

• Have you noticed anything odd about Mark?

• What do you mean? Something like he is hiding a secret from us? Yeah, I noticed that.

Judy looked at him, completely baffled. How did he notice something like that when she had just caught a glimpse of it? Then again, he was used to deciphering other's faces back when he was a con artist.

• I figured that he will tell us if and when he feels ready for it.- Continued the fox.- Doesn't seem something dangerous so far, and he is entitled to some privacy.

• I guess.

A while later, they arrived at the front door of the building. Mark paid the taxi at the same time his mother wrote a list with all she needed to make lunch and gave it to Shana. Luckily for them, there were several stores around where they could acquire whatever it was necessary. So, Mark gave her one pair of the keys so she could come inside and told her which apartment was before she left. Then, the rest of the group entered the building.

The five mammals climbed the stairs, even Suzie who rejected the idea of using the elevator. Once inside, the older macaque raised her hands to the mouth, unable to say anything. His son, however, understood: she loved the place.

While they all left all the luggage on the floor, she went to check the kitchen and the rooms. At some point, they heard her voice from inside one of them.

• Oh, like my room! It's so cozy!

• I knew you would like it, mom.- Said Mark going after her.- It has a nice... Where are you?- Asked when he entered the room he had expected her to be in and didn't find her.

• Right here.

He turned and there she was, in the room of the left side. She was inspecting the smaller room of the four, looking through the window that was barely enough to fit her head.

• This is not your room, mom, is that other one.- Explained Mark pointing at the bigger one.- This will be mine.

• Nonsense! This one is fine for me. And you need the space more than I do! I will only sleep here, and you need a place to relax or work in the privacy of your room.

• But...

• Mark, stop arguing with your own mother in her bedroom.- Said her firmly to end the discussion but with a smile trying to show itself.- It is not an appropriate behavior for gentlemammals.

Soft laughing could be heard from the living room and Mark admitted defeat. He hunched down a bit to hug his mother.- I missed you, mom.

• Oh, me too, little one.- replied her caressing his cheeks.- Now, your sister must be about to come back, so, let's see what we have in the kitchen that we can use. I added a pot to the list just in case, but you never know what has been left by the previous owners.

Both macaques exited Suzie's room and went through the living room to the kitchen. On the way, Mark saw his brother and his friends looking at him with an amused smile. That and the laughing from before clearly indicated they heard the conversation. He stuck his tongue out and followed his mother into the kitchen.

• He really loves your mother.- Stated Judy to Nathan.

• That he does.- Replied the macaque with a warm smile.- We all do, but he has always been the closest to her. Helping her with chores when he finished his other duties, spending time with her... I guess Shana and I are to blame a little for that.

• How so?- Asked Nick.

• Well, I am five years older than Mark and Shana is six. That age gap kept us separated from him. By the time he was old enough to play with us and understand rules of game and such, we were thirteen and fourteen respectively and on our "rebellious" phases. Mom would not let an eight-year-old alone in the streets of Animolia, I wanted to play alone in my room, Shana was out with her friends and very unpleasant when at home.... So he was continually at home and mother had to take care of him.

• You guys do not get along?

• We do, it just that... Those were a few years I am not proud of. I was conscious that I had a brother but didn't care too much for him. I had other things on my mind and a little brother was nothing more than a nuisance back then. It wasn't until maybe three years later that I began socializing with him and bonded.

• What about your sister?- Asked Judy. She knew perfectly how Nathan had felt, having many brothers that went through the same phase.

• She is also nice... most of the time.- He seemed worried that his sister might hear him even if she wasn't even in the room.- I don't know if Mark has told you anything, but Shana has a very short temper.

• Like Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hide, I remember him describing her personality.- Said Nick with a smirk.

• Very accurate.- Agreed Nathan with a shy laugh.- She is the strong type, sharp as a knife, responsible, independent and doesn't like others depending on her. But when she turns...

• Stay away like your life depends on it.

He nodded vigorously. Then, got closer to them in a confident manner.- Fair warning, don't EVER say anything about her height. Females macaques are biologically smaller than the males, but she is the shortest anyone has ever seen. She is very self-conscious about it and doesn't like it at all. You say any joke about height, even if it's not directed at her, and you can say hi to Mrs. Hide.

Judy looked intently at Nick with a playful smile.- I think that is a very good advice for you, Slick.

• I'll have you know, Carrots, that even if my fur is the same color as fire, I never play with fire itself. I know where my limits are.

• Sure you do.- Said her before a giggle came out of her mouth.

• You have been partners for long, right?- Asked Nathan at the sight of the two playfully bantering each other.- I've seen that before.

• Around two years. Until your brother joined us, that is.- Said Judy.

• You are a cop too?- Questioned the fox.

• SWAT Team, like Mark.- Said puffing his chest with pride.- I intend to join the team here if your boss allows me.

• Well, I suppose you will have to stay temporary as a cop like Mark, but I don't think Chief Buffalo Butt will have a problem with that.

• Fair warning, don't EVER call our chief like that.- Advised the bunny to the macaque in return.- Chief Bogo does not like that. We are still wondering how is that he allows Nick to do so.

• I'll keep that in mind.- Responded Nathan.

• What about your sister? Please, don't tell me the whole family is a member of SWAT, that would be very weird.

The monkey let out a very loud laugh that attracted the attention of the two macaques in the kitchen.

• What is it?- Asked Mark.

• They are asking me if Shana is also a member of SWAT.

Both monkeys then laughed as hard as their lungs allowed them. Their mother swatted Mark with a rug she had found to make him stop, but she was containing a smile too. Judy and Nick didn't understand a thing.

• She did try to join the team after I did, but our father, our team leader, would not allow it.- Explained Nathan.- He went so far as to tell our chief not to let her join no matter what.

• Why?- Asked Judy, completely shocked to discover that the entirety of Mark's family seemed to be part of the police force in one way or the other, even though the focus was the SWAT team.

• That is what our chief asked too. My father's answer, and I am quoting him here: "Because she will either scare every criminal on the city away or create chaos here. One way or another, I am going to end losing my job."

Now the smaller mammals joined in the laughter, not ten seconds before the door opened and Shana came inside with several bags in her arms. Nathan immediately stopped his laughter by biting his lower lip.

• Mom! I brought all you asked for.

• Bring it here to the kitchen, sweetie. I'll start making launch soon.

She did as asked and joined her brother and mother in the room, Suzie taking out everything out of the bags to check if something was missing or needed.

• To answer your question, my sister works in forensics.- Continued Nathan in a lower tone.- After the SWAT fiasco, she studied very hard for a couple of years and applied for the job when she graduated. Not a single sample of DNA or hair went missing ever again.- Finished with a giggle that Judy and Nick shared.

• Mark, would you mind showing me my room so I can leave my thing there?- They heard Shana ask from the kitchen. Her brother nodded and led her through the hall, out of sight.

• Do you think there will be a job for her at the ZPD?- Asked Nathan.

• Again, that depends on Chief Bogo. As far as I know, there is no need for more personnel down there, but we can try. He was contacted by and old friend to get Mark in If I remember correctly.- She turned her head to look at Nick for confirmation and he nodded.- Maybe the same will be for you.

• Nathan, would you do me a favor?- Interrupted Suzie from the kitchen door.- Please tell Nathan we must contact the moving company so they bring our things here, not to the other place he was in.

• Oh, right! I'm going.

• I'll go!- Offered Judy jumping down the chair.- You rest there, you must be tired from the travel.

The macaque smiled with appreciation and sat again, letting the bunny walk through the hall, following the sound of voices until she found the door to the room they were in. She was about to knock when she paid attention to the tone of the conversation. They were arguing.

• ...had no other choice, Mark. And it is not that bad, you managed very well. And in case you hadn't we would have been ok in a hotel for a few days.

Judy was about to go back to the living room, hearing private conversations was something she was taught not to do, and with good reason. But her curiosity took the best of her and glued her left ear to the door.

• So, all this worry and stress I had these past three days have been in vain? And my friends? Let me remind you that they helped a lot, I wouldn't have found and acquired this place if it weren't for them.

• Oh, please, do not try to guilt me with that. I am grateful to them, as much as you are.

• Highly doubt it.- He replied with anger in his voice.

• Will you stop acting like a kid? We are here, you did an incredible job and your friends deserve eternal paradise. Is that what you want to hear?

• Concerning my friends, that is still not enough, but is a good place to start.

Shana groaned in frustration.- Ok, fine. I am sorry. I have put you in a very difficult situation, I apologize for that.

• That is better.- Conceded him.

• Thank you.

• Still, I am sure it wasn't THAT bad. You got to spend time with Officer Bunny.

The alluded bunny blushed, knowing that Shana was referring to her.

• Shana, will you stop with that? She is my partner, my friend, just as Nick is.

• You won't fool me with that one, you know. The first days here, when we talked through the phone, you said her name maaaaaaany times more than Nick's.

• Because she is nice and we talk a lot. Nick is also a nice guy, but he is the quiet type.

• Oh, she is only "nice"? I've heard more sweet things about her from you when we still were in Animolia.

Now it was his time to groan.- Will you please stop?

• Just admit it, Mark! You like her, it is not a bad thing.

• No, but you are twisting it. Yes, I do like her. I enjoy the time we spend together at work or when I go to her place or to Nick's.

• Then tell her! Who knows, maybe you will end up with her!

• I barely know her for two weeks, Shana. IF that is going to happen at all, it will be when we both know each other better.

• You are impossible, Mark! That is so antiquated.

• Maybe, but that is the way I do things. And, in any way, that still doesn't explain WHY you came so soon. We agreed that I would look for a place and you would come two or three months later. What is the so important reason, that you couldn't even tell me on the phone, why you decided to change the plan so quickly?

A few moments of silence reigned in the room. With her excellent hearing, she heard someone sitting on the bed.

• We had a scare last week. She couldn't breathe, she felt pain... We took her to the hospital and Dr. Maine gave her extra medication. After she recovered, he ordered a new panel of tests. They weren't good.

• What do you mean?

• You remember what the doctor told us? About her having two more years left? She is worse.

Another body sat on the bed. It felt heavier, so Judy guessed it was Mark.

• How worse?- His voice felt different, forced. Like he had something stuck in his throat.

• Even if the doctors here treat her as good as Dr. Maine told us they would, she only has two months left. Maybe three.

• WHAT?- Judy heard him stand up, but in the state she was in she wouldn't have cared if they were walking in her direction.- How is that possible? How can she go from two years to two months?

• It has spread. It happens, this illness can suddenly grow a lot in a short period of time. She wasn't responding to the last treatments. We were told to expect something like this.

Again, he sat on the bed, this time crying came through the door. The bunny, however, was not there to hear it.