After their argument Fili tried not to be too protective of his family anymore. He still had a bad conscience though. He knew that hobbits forgave easily but he also knew that, even though she didn't admit it, Poppy was still a bit scared that the dwarves might take her children away from her. She was their mother and wanted to take care of and raise her little ones.
When he, Dis or Dwalin held Lili or Vili she always looked a bit sad and stayed close to make sure that her children were fine. Fili worried that his outburst had made Poppy think that she was a terrible mother. He felt terrible and wanted to apologise. But he didn't know how.

One morning Fili watched Poppy and Dis dressing the children. They didn't know that he was there though.

His mother put tiny braids in Dwalis' short light brown hair and asked "Why don't you put braids in Vili's and Lili's hair? I'm sure it would look wonderful."

Poppy looked down and stroked Vili's golden curls. "I don't think so. I'm not good in braiding. Maybe Fili could do that. I'm sure it would look wonderful. But I don't even know if we have beads."

Dis smiled. "I forgot that hobbits usually don't braid their hair. But you braided Fili's hair at the wedding, didn't you?"

"Yes, but we practiced that for weeks and in the end it still looked messy." Poppy answered and continued in a very low voice "I will never be a good mother for my children. There are so many things that I can't do."

Dis let her comb fall down and wrapped her arm around her daughter-in-law's shoulder. "You are a wonderful mother, my dear! You shouldn't even think like that. Your children will grow up here in Hobbiton among hobbits. They don't need braids and other dwarvish things. They are happy and love you and that's all that matters!"

A tear rolled down Poppy's cheek. "But Fili. He-"

Dis put her index finger against Poppy's lips. "He loves you! He didn't mean the things he said. He only worried about your safety."

Poppy shook her head. "He wouldn't have said that if it had never crossed his mind. Sometimes I worry that he thinks that the children would have a better life with a mother like you. What if he'd leave me and take the twins with him? I can't imagine to live without them anymore."

Fili gasped. He hasn't meant to eavesdrop but now he was glad to know how scared Poppy was. He wanted to go to her and tell her how much he loved her. But that would most likely make the situation even worse. He was sure that his mother would be able to soothe Poppy's mind and decided to visit Bilbo. He finally had an idea how to apologise to Poppy and wanted to know what the hobbit thought about it.

Three days later Fili found Poppy, Lili, Vili, Dis and Dwalis in the nursery. He had told his mother about his idea and so she took her daughter and left when Fili entered the room.

The young dwarf kneeled down next to his wife and kissed her nose and lips. Then he put a kiss on the top of his children's heads. They laughed and tucked at his braids.

Poppy smiled and stroked her belly.

Fili looked at her. "Are you feeling well?"

"Yes, but the baby has been quite busy today. Do you want to feel it?" She asked and smiled.

Fili's eyes lit up and he sat down closer to her and put his hand on her belly. He looked at her and cupped her cheek with his other hand. "I love you, my flower and I will never leave you! I hope you know that."

Poppy's eyes widened. "Did your mother tell you about our conversation a few days ago? I know that you love me, Fili. I guess the baby is making an emotional mess of me at the moment. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry! I've been an idiot recently." Fili caressed her cheek with his thumb. "And no, Amad didn't tell me. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I heard you talking. It tore my heart apart to hear you like that, my love. I will stay with you for the rest of your life. You and the children are the most important persons in my life. And you are the best mother any child could ask for."

In that moment Vili and Lili babbled something. Fili laughed. "Looks like they agree with me."

Poppy smiled and stroked over her children's heads. "Your mother suggested that we could braid their hair." She said suddenly.

"Aye, I heard that, too. Would you like to do that? Umm, well, I made something for them but we don't have to use it if you don't want to." Fili said and pulled a box out of the pocket of his trousers.

Poppy opened the box but didn't say anything. Fili frowned and already regretted his decision to craft beads for the twins.

But then Poppy started to smile brightly. The box contained some small beads made of silver and Mithril with tiny rubies in them. "These beads are beautiful, Fili. They look like mine."

Fili nodded. "Aye, when the children wear them everyone can see that you are their mother and that you belong together. Do you like them?"

"I love them Fili! This is such a wonderful idea." Poppy said and threw her arms around Fili's neck. "Would you braid their hair? You know that I can't do that."

"Of course you can do that! But I will help you." Fili suggested.

Fili put the children in his lap and then he and Poppy braided the beads into their hair. They needed a while but in the end they it looked lovely. They sat together and watched the twins play with their stuffed animals.

Fili held Poppy in his arms. "I can't bear the thought of you being sad. Please, tell me the truth. Are you still afraid that I might take the children away from you?" He asked nervously.

Poppy smiled at her husband and kissed him passionately. "No Fili, everything is fine now. I should have never thought something like that. We've both behaved quite stupidly. I'm very happy now. Let's never argue again, please."

They kissed and enjoyed some peaceful moments until they heard Lili giggle. They looked towards their children and saw Vili on his hands and knees. He tried to crawl towards his parents. Poppy called his name and looked at her son proudly. Dwalis, Vili and Lili had tried to move pretty much during the last few days and now the little boy was the first who managed to crawl.

He needed some time but in the end he reached Poppy who scooped him up in her arms and kissed his cheek. Vili grabbed her wedding braid and smiled "Mama!"

Hello everyone! Thanks again for the follows, favourites and reviews.

For the last few chapters I noticed that the number of reviews and readers has dropped. This made my quite sad and I wonder if something might be wrong with the plot of my story or the way I write. So please tell me what you think.