Branch was still muttering unfinished sentences to himself as he made his way up the tunnel, ready to scold his daughter. He tried to calm himself but he just couldn't. The thought of his daughter falling off the edge of the humongous troll tree made him shudder with fear.

Once he finally reached to the top all he saw was teenagers everywhere. One was talking about how she couldn't get her hair right, and the other was complaining about how his parents never let him have his freedom. Oy, thought Branch. Teenagers. He hurled himself up from the hole of the tunnel where he'd been watching the kids and scanned the area for Blossom.

His jaw dropped when he spotted his daughter up on the tallest branch on the troll tree. "I'm on top of the world!" cheered Blossom, lifting her hands up as all of the teenage trolls cheered with her.

"Cause I'm on top of the world, 'ey!" she sang from the top of her lungs as the other teenagers joined in.

"I'm on top of the world, 'ey
Waiting on this for a while now
Paying my dues to the dirt
I've been waiting to smile, 'ey
Been holding it in for a while, 'ey
Take it with me if I can
Been dreaming of this since a child
I'm on top of the world!"

Branch tried pushed his way through the other trolls to get close enough to where Blossom was but it was useless. They were so wrapped up in singing and dancing that they weren't even aware their king was there. She Branch tried to call her instead through the mob of teenagers. "BLOSSOM!" he yelled, outraged.

She looked down at her father and smiled. "Oh, hi Dad!" she called, waving. "Everyone!" she quieted the crowd. "Everyone say hi to the troll that saved us all almost twenty-five years ago tomorrow, my home slice, my chumbo, my home dog…" Branch folded his arms impatiently, unamused with his daughter's ridiculous antics while the others around him giggled. "...The troll himself, my dad, let's hear it for King Branch! MAKE SOME NOISE!" exclaimed the light blue troll.

Rounds of yells, screams, and hallows broke out as the crowd picked him up and carried him to the front. He protested, even though it was what he wanted. He now stood in the very front of the crowd.

"Get down from there, now!" he ordered, putting his finger down on this one.

She put her ear to her hand and strained her ears. "What? I don't think I heard you."

He knew what she was doing, and he didn't like it one bit. "Blossom! Now! Don't make me come up there…" he was about to come up there himself until Blossom jumped down, causing Branch's jaw to open again and he hitched for breath.

"Geronimo!" she shouted excitedly. Branch reached out his hands vigorously to catch her but the crowd had beat him to it. Just like they did moments ago to him, they carried Blossom. She laughed as she made her her way down the crowded, their hair tickling her back and their hands gripping her arms and legs.

Branch was still trying to make his way towards her but she seemed to be so far now. There were so many teenagers in the troll tree that he had lost count, and he just about had it with them. They had been throwing a party at the top of the troll tree to no one else's knowledge but their own.

"King Branch!" shouted one of the teens who happened to be one of Blossom's friends. "Hey! What are you doing in this neck of the troll tree?"

"Daisy- thank goodness! Do you think you can talk some sense into Blossom?! I want her home this instant!"

Daisy, however, just laughed. "Sense? Blossom? I don't think those words go together very well," said the cream-colored troll.

"But-"

"With all do respect, she's just being a troll. This is what we do! You of all trolls should know this! After all, this is a party, have some fun!"


Meanwhile Poppy was having a problem of her own: trying to get Peggy to bed. Her bedtime was suppose to be an hour after sunset, but it was always a hassle getting that big ball of energy to sleep. Her energy was nowhere near thinning, and it felt as though Poppy could feel her eyes getting dark circles around the edges.

On top of that she was a bit worried that Branch wasn't back yet. It had been awhile since he left to go get their oldest. She also knew that Peggy wasn't gonna go to sleep without a goodnight kiss from both her parents.

While Poppy worked with Peggy, Barry was in the kitchen eating some blueberries. "Hey mom, is this considered cannibalism?" joked Barry. "You know, cause my name is Barry? I'm even blue- like a delicious blueberry!" he popped another one in his mouth.

This got a laugh from Peggy and an eye roll from Poppy, who thought she was making some progress when Peggy had quieted down a little bit.

She ran to the kitchen. "I want one!"

Barry smiled, handing one to her and she took it with great pleasure.

Poppy put her hands on her hips and glared at them."C'mon, both of you! Peggy, you just brush your teeth!"

"She wanted one mom," said Barry.

"That doesn't mean you give it to her," Poppy said, approaching the table plopping a blueberry in her mouth.

"No fair, how come you get one?" Peggy asked while Barry frowned with his furrowed those eyebrows of his- a look Branch gave her a lot.

"Because I'm the Queen," Poppy smiled, rubbing noses with Peggy and ruffling Barry's hair. She wasn't one to stay mad at her children for long, there was no possible way she could. She loved them too much. Branch could stay mad at them for quite a while before he reached his breaking point. When it came to him and Poppy, all she would do was give him a certain look. After a series of "honey, please not that look" and Poppy continuing to give him the look he reached his breaking point- usually resulting in a hugging sequence.

Just at that moment the door bursted open, revealing a grumpy Branch and an equally grumpy Blossom. Without a word, she stomped into her room and slammed the door shut and screamed into her pillow. Branch wanted to do the same but he didn't want to make a big scene in front of his younger kids or upset Poppy in any way.

"I'll...I'll go talk to her," said the pink Queen, squeezing his arm for a moment before disappearing into the hallway.

Branch sighed and flashed Barry and Peggy a weak smile and scooped up Peggy, who was looking a little scared as is.

"Don't worry little one, everything is fine," he assured her. "Come now, you should be in bed." He carried her away, leaving Barry by himself. He didn't mind it, really, though he preferred being with others. He was stuck in the middle again. So he silently finished his blueberries and snuck out the window and onto the roof.


Poppy took a breath before hesitantly knocking on her daughter's door. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to talk to her. Maybe she just needed till morning to cool down.

"Leave me alone," groaned the teenage troll, assuming it was Branch.

"Blossom, open up!" she demanded.

There was a silence before she opened the door when she realized it was her mother. "You missed the party," she said softly, sniffing.

"Can I come in?" Poppy asked quietly.

Blossom nodded and Poppy made her way in. "Honey you really have to do something about this room." Her thoughts were the same as Branch's about her room, and how they thought a secret tornado hit just her room and her room only. Poppy hesitated before adding, "And that hair."

"What's wrong with it?" demanded Blossom defensively, running a few fingers through it.

"Nothing, a princess should always have her hair nice and-"

Blossom cut her off. "Enough about the princess stuff for once!" she fell on her bed. "I don't want to be the daughter of the King and Queen!"

Poppy's heart broke a little bit when it seemed that Blossom was saying she didn't want them as her parents.

"Wrong word choice," she said quickly when she saw her mother's hurt expression. She softened, sitting up and crossing her legs. "I feel so different. When I try to fit in Dad just has to suck the fun out of it! Trolls are suppose to sing and dance and enjoy themselves, right? When I try to do it I end up getting yelled at. I don't get it. just...I just wish I could be normal." She put her head down and stared sadly at the ground.

"Sweetheart, no one in this world is normal," said Poppy softly, getting her to face her. She gave her a soft smile and took a look lock of hair and brushing it behind her ear. "I'm not, you know I'm only going to get crazier."

Blossom smiled.

"Don't take what your father says to heart. Remember, he just doesn't want any of you hurt."

"He doesn't have to be so paranoid," she murmured.

"That's just the way he is. Some things never change. You'd be surprised- there was a point where he was even more paranoid than he is now."

Blossom refused to believe that one. "No."

"Oh yes."

"Barry doesn't describe it too much in his version, nor does Peggy. When he lived in his bunker- his pride and joy- it was full of all kinds of mouse traps, bergen survival books, you name it. I remember when you were really little he'd set up the mouse traps in our front yard because although everyone adored you, he was still scared to death of someone taking you away from us. He still is. You have to remember that everything he does is out of pure love and protection. He doesn't mean to hurt you- he really doesn't. I know he has- and that a he did tonight. You two have to work that out. In the meantime, just remember how much he loves you. And he wants you to have fun, but sometimes it's just hard for him to see you having fun without thinking of the bad."

Blossom took in her words. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense. Although she had came to realization that he did everything out of love she still wished her father wasn't so protective. She nodded. "Okay. Okay."

"You should get some sleep," Poppy said. "You've had a long day, and tomorrow is a bigger one."

Blossom embraced her. "Goodnight Mom."

Poppy smiled. "Goodnight my princess," she said, kissing her forehead, getting onto her feet and turning out the light.

She closed the door, feeling a little better to know her daughter wasn't angry anymore. Now her and Branch just needed some closure.

She walked into Peggy's room to see Branch softly singing to her.

"Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in and turn on your favorite night light."

Poppy smiled, leaning against the doorframe, just watching him lullaby their youngest to sleep. She loved his voice.

"To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have honey
If you could stay like that…"
That's when Poppy joined in, singing with him. "Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No one will desert you
Just try to never grow up
Never grow up."

By the end Poppy and Branch were holding each other, watching Peggy sleep. "Where's Barry?" asked Poppy, softly.

"Probably up on the roof…" Branch mumbled, closing his eyes, feeling sleepy in her arms.

"Don't fall asleep just yet," Poppy said affectionately. "We gotta go get Barry before he freezes out there."

Branch nodded as they exited Peggy's room and crawled out the window that lead to the roof where Barry sat. He was staring at the stars in awe.

"Bedtime mister," said Poppy.

Barry nodded sleepily. "Sounds like a good call." He made his way towards his mother, who picked him up.

"You're getting heavy," Poppy said, then stared back at Branch, who took Barry's place on the roof.

"You coming Branch?" she asked.

"Give me a moment, please."

"Everything okay?"

"Don't worry Poppy." He stood up and took both of her hands, giving her a small smile while Barry got in the middle of them and hugged Branch.

"Goodnight dad!"

"Goodnight Barry," said Branch, watching him go back down into the house.

"Don't stay up too late, okay?" Poppy asked.

Branch nodded.

She kissed his cheek. He waited till she was gone until he let himself frown. He sat down and stared at the beautiful stars. Billions and billions of them.

Like Barry, he had the habit of going up here at night, just to think.

He thought about a lot of things, but what dawned on him most was how much he screwed up tonight. He knew he shouldn't have been so hard on Blossom, but he let his over protectiveness take over the fact that she was for once going out of her comfort zone. She sang and danced like no one was watching. He was proud- he really was- but when he saw her on the very top branch, he still saw that blue fuzzball that stared up at him when they first met.

Now Branch did a lot of thinking and staring at the stars before he went inside. When he passed Blossom's room he cracked it opened, and she was dead asleep. He hated going to bed without closure between them, but he couldn't just wake her up. A princess needed her rest, especially being what tomorrow was.

As Branch made it to his bedroom he still felt guilty. But every worry he had faded away when he saw his beautiful wife snuggled up in the covers. She was smiling, which made Branch smile.

He approached her, fondly running a hand through her hair and getting a whiff of cotton candy. Then he ran a finger down her glitter-freckled cheeks and kissed her forehead.

He crawled into bed, still grinning ear-to-ear, wondering for the thousandth time how he ever got so lucky.


Dawww, now wasn't that sweet? ^.^

Short authors note because I want sleep XD

Goodnightn (or good morning) and please tell me what you think! :)