Just wanna let you know the next few chapters are gonna be a little sad so brace yourselves. We'll have plenty of funny stuff later in the story but for now we have to get through a bit of the sad.


Branch always woke up in a pool of sweat, something he wasn't too happy about, but Poppy, on the other hand was totally fine with it. She was currently sleeping soundly with her arms wrapped tightly around his belly. "Poppy," he whispered, shaking her slightly, but she didn't budge. "Poppy," he said a little louder and shook a little harder.

"Noooo," she groaned, eyes still still tight shut and the lids started to twitch. She was having a dream. Branch rolled his eyes, trying to wiggle out of her grip but froze when she mumbled, "Don't let go Mommy. Hug time isn't over. Please…"

He stayed where he was. Poppy smiled, hugging him even tighter. "I wish, I wish with all my heart I got to know you…" Even though it just a dream, it felt like so much more. Her face held so much emotion, and Branch felt a tug on his heart that forced him to stay frozen in place. He only moved his head and pressed his cheek onto the pillow, hoping to doze off again. When that didn't work it left him no choice but to lay there until Poppy awoke. He felt her nose nuzzle into his grey yet smooth skin.

"No!" she exclaimed suddenly. "Don't go!" Branch hadn't moved a muscle, yet she still screamed in protest. "Don't go! DON'T GO!" the more she screamed the bloody words the louder she got.

"Poppy!" he shook her, knowing it was a good time as any to wake her up. She didn't know she was only dreaming. She spoke in the dream as if she was having a real conversation. "Poppy, wake up!" he shook her, and her eyes flew open.

Her lip quivered slightly until she bursted out crying, throwing her arms around him. He had no idea how to react, yet he knew exactly how to: all he had to do was hug her back, but for some reason he just couldn't. He felt the tears run down his shoulder, but he still remained motionless.

It wasn't long after that before Peppy came rushing into the room. "Poppy?" Poppy didn't answer. She clenched her teeth tightly and let more tears fall as she clutched onto Branch. "It was terrible," she whispered, pulling slightly away from him and arching her back.

"Awww," Peppy picked her up and cradled her. "It's okay baby, shh, Daddy's here."

She buried her head into his shoulder, still sobbing loudly. Her breaths were hitched and her words were something that no one could understand. They were muffled against Peppy's shoulder and the only thing the king could do was rub his back up and down in comfort. He embraced her, just hugging her until she eventually calmed down. She looked up to see Branch for a split second, his blue eyes fixed on her and he cocked his head slightly to the right. He looked like a confused puppy. He had that kind of baby face. It was almost enough to make her smile at his antics but she was still a little shaken up.

"Now tell me princess, what was your dream?" He gently set her down on the bed next to Branch. He wanted to do something, but he couldn't bring himself to do anything. She squeezed his hand before he could do anything. His ears went hot.

"Well…" she started. "I-It's hard to explain. It was about Mommy. I finally got to see her, and just in that moment it was hug time. I went up to hug her, and I hugged her tightly. And then...and then she was gone." She shrugged.

Peppy frowned. "I miss her too sunshine," he sigh, cuffing her tear-stained cheek.

It was the moment that Branch realized they were a broken family. His heart broke for them both. They had something that he craved the most: love. The love of a father is one of the most precious gifts any child could receive. It was something Branch didn't have from his father, and it pained him to see Peppy and Poppy so close. That might of been the reason why he didn't know how to talk to Peppy. He wanted to change, he did. Being grey didn't just make him feel bad on the outside, but in the inside as well. The only way he could change was let people in. But the thing of it was, he didn't want to. He didn't want to let anyone in because he didn't want them to tell everyone their secrets, he didn't want anyone to get hurt because of him.


After breakfast- which was blueberry pancakes- it was time for another dose of medicine for Poppy. She took it a little more willingly now. She was still a little droopy and her fever was up to 103. She got back into bed. "You ought to get some rest, too, Branch," said Peppy after he closed Poppy's bedroom door. "I'm sure you are still very tired."

"Um, I guess so," he said. He slept like a baby last night except for the part when Poppy had woken him in the middle of the night. That being said, he wasn't very tired, nor was he sick.

"I'm going to say good morning to everyone," Peppy told him. "If you two need anything I'll be in the village, understand?"

Branch nodded to prove he understood and he crawled into bed. Peppy closed the door, leaving him trapped in his own mind. He stared at the ceiling, trying to make pictures out of it. When he closed his heavy lids, only then he realized he was still exhausted.

He only probably was only sleeping for a half an hour. When he rose, his hair was a hot mess. He ran a few fingers through it and made his way off of the big bed. He then sat on the foot of the bed, sprawling out his legs and shaking his feet back and forth, unsure what to do. Suddenly felt something poking at his fingertips. He frowned, pulling whatever it was out from under the bed. A scrapbook, he realized, not too surprised. He took a breath as he opened it. The first picture was of Peppy and a yellow troll with pink hair, pink eyes, and glitter freckles. In the picture, Peppy eyes were closed as he kissed the yellow trolls head. In the next page was just of them holding hands, and on the next page was Peppy carrying the yellow troll bridal style. They were dressed fancy, so he guessed that must have been their wedding. The page after that was the yellow troll holding baby Poppy, looking down at her lovingly. Branch stayed on that page for a moment until moving onto the next one, which was little Poppy taking a bubble bath looking up at the camera curiously. Branch smiled in amusement. In a way it was payback for her walking in on him last night.

He had just turned the page when the door slowly opened, revealing Poppy. She looked confused at first as her hand lingered on the doorknob, but she changed to a neutral expression as she walked over to him. She sat down next to him, not saying a word, and changed the page, which was only of the yellow troll who was looking at the window and smiled. She had Poppy's smile.

"That's my Mommy," said Poppy, quietly, making Branch jump slightly. "Her name was Sky. She for taken away from me when I was two months."

Branch remained silent, gazing off into the unknown.

"What…" she knew this question would be risky so she took a breath and braced herself. "What happened to yours?"

He snapped out of his trance and stared at her. She was waiting so patiently.

Then he took a breath.

"She was sick," he explained quietly. "After she died, my dad left. I was only a month old. He just...gave me away."

Poppy frowned. "Branch, I'm so sorry. I had no-" she was interrupted when her hug time bracelet went off. Without any words, she hugged him tightly.

He awkwardly hugged back, knowing that he needed this, and he wasn't going to let his pride get in the way of that. He clung onto her tightly, yet gently, burying his head in her shoulders, letting a tear shed

"You're a real softy you know that?" Poppy whispered affectionately.

Branch didn't reply, and in a way he didn't have to. Because little did they know someone was listening to the whole conversation, and had heard both of them crystal clear.


Another short chapter! Yay! What do you think? Who do you think was listening in? (I know it's a little obvious but it's suspenseful work with me!)

Shout out time!

FennecFoxDragon: That was adorable! And I love how you stick to the belief that Branch liked Poppy way before she liked him, and how he would get super flustered despite his cool appearance... anywho, this was amazing! Loved it!

Awww thank you so much FennecFoxDragon! I'm glad you like it and yes, I believe that strongly ;D

sanasings: Little Poppy is absolutely adorable!

I knoooow right?! Fetus Poppy at the beginning and just Poppy in general stole my heart!

Ashleyebb: So excited for the next chapter Love this book! Your way to express words is magnificent!

Thank youuuu! And here I thought the way I express words is terrible heh ;) Love your user btw! My name is Ashley too!

Harmonious Wolf: Love love love this chapter! Great job with everyone's reactions to everything, Branch in particular.

Haha thanks! I thought Branch's reactions were priceless in the movie too XD that's why I wanted to make sure his personality was spot-on for this story. Also thank you for reviewing on my new story! You are the only one who has so far :(

CJ Ambrose: Aw, this chapter was so cute and great! And the part where Poppy sleeps next to Branch reminded me of Theodore from "Alvin and the Chipmunks"

Omg sameee! I was gonna give it a disclaimer but I guess I just forgot lol but thank you for bringing it up! That scene was so cute! Those movies were my childhood hehe. Thanks :D

That's all the shoutouts for today. If you want one review it up!