I do not own Trolls.

Chapter Two

"Thank you for having him, Poppy, I appreciate it," Dex's mother thanked Poppy as she accepted her little boy back. Poppy beamed at her.

"It was no problem, honestly, we had fun," Poppy told her before flashing a look over at Branch who looked traumatised. He was practically rocking back and forth in a corner. She rolled her eyes at his dramatics before wishing a farewell to Dex and his mother.

They had originally enjoyed a walk around the village, however, Branch had soon begun to express his concern over having Dex in his bunker. He hated the thought of Dex harming one of his books, or drawing on his walls, but most of all he feared the idea of his bunker being left in a mess. Which left Poppy with only one option, and that was bringing the pair back to her pod. On the bright side, it meant she didn't have to worry about Dex getting caught up in one of Branch's booby traps. So, instead of being at Branch's, they spent the day here playing with Poppy's glitter and glue and all her craft supplies. Dex enjoyed it all before going home.

Poppy smiled to herself at their day with the young child before stopping dead in her tracks. Branch was sat looking traumatised on the floor, his knees pulled into his chest. He looked strange sat there in the middle of all the glitter.

"Branch, stop acting like you're sat in a war field!" Poppy warned him, feeling exasperated at his behaviour.

"It feels like a war field! Poppy, have you seen the place? There is glitter everywhere!" Branch looked sick to his stomach looking around at the mess. Poppy rolled her eyes as she sat down and began clearing everything away into her scrapbooking chest. Branch just sat there watching her.

"I wish you'd gave me more notice you know," Branch mentioned as he shook himself out of his spaced-out state and began helping Poppy tidy up. After all, he was the King of cleaning. He liked things organised and clutter free.

"Why? We were only babysitting, Branch," Poppy reminded him. Branch hummed in response.

"Poppy, you know I don't feel comfortable around children. Some time to adjust to the idea would have been nice," He admitted to her. She gave him an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry. I'll remember that for future, but, Branch, you'll have to get used to children soon," Poppy stated as she got up and made her way towards her bedroom, the scrapbook chest in her hands. Branch sat up straighter at her words, his mind running away with him. Why did he have to get used to them?

"Poppy…" He drawled out cautiously as he stood up, heading towards the room where she was. He groaned when he stood on a toy and hopped on one leg as he held his foot. He cursed at the pain coursing through him from the impact.

"What is this monstrosity?" Branch growled as he picked up the tiny little looking brick. He felt like throwing it through the window. Poppy walked by him, plucking the object from him.

"Lego. Its fun," She smiled at him as she placed the tiny brick on the shelf. Branch groaned. He did not like these weapons kids played with.

"Poppy, you said I needed to get used to children soon?" Branch probed her, trying to get a reaction from her, but her face remained completely calm and relaxed. She had a good poker face.

"Yeah, you do. I mean, one day we will have our own, won't we?" She asked. She felt nervous waiting for a response. Branch looked horrified at the thought and that worried her. It left her stomach feeling unsettled and apprehensive, her heart was aching, dreading the reply.

"Well…yeah… I guess. One day," Branch stuttered out. He felt strange at the thought of having a child. He couldn't help but try to imagine what he'd be like as a father himself, yet, the thought left him feeling upset. He feared he'd fail the child.

"Well, what if it was going to be one day soon?" Poppy tested the water, feeling nervous.

"How soon?" Branch asked slowly, eyeing Poppy up.

"Well, like, umm…" Poppy stuttered to herself, her hands playing with the hem of her dress anxiously. She could feel her heart pounding, her body almost shaking, but worst of all, she felt sick to her stomach. Before she could go any further she rushed off towards the bathroom, her hand over her mouth. Branch watched after her, feeling a little shocked. He wasn't sure what was happening, but what he did know is that Poppy was unwell and needed to rest. He cursed to himself as he approached the bathroom, knowing full well he could blame that little monster for Poppy's stomach bug. Children always carried germs.

"Poppy, are you okay?" Branch asked quietly as he looked at Poppy through the open door. She looked pale and exhausted and it made Branch worry.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Poppy tried to assure him as she washed her hands and cleaned her teeth. Branch doubted her. She didn't look okay to him.

"You need to rest. That child has probably infected you with something!" Branch exaggerated as he tried to guide Poppy to the bedroom, but she pushed passed him and made her way to the living area instead. She didn't want to rest.

"Branch, we need to talk," Poppy turned around to look at him.

"No, you need some water and to have an early night," Branch corrected her, folding his arms stubbornly. Poppy glared at him slightly, hating that he wasn't listening to her.

"No, Branch, we need to talk. Now. So, sit down!" Poppy ordered sternly. Branch, feeing shocked at the outburst, sat down without fuss. He couldn't help looking her up and down. She seemed different but he couldn't figure out why.

"Poppy, what's this about?" Branch asked cautiously. He had a feeling he knew what it was about.

"Branch, there's something I need to-"

"Is this about having Dex again? I really don't think-"

"Br-"

"I mean, I know you want children one day-"

"Bra-"

"Maybe we should wait a bit longer, we have plenty of ti-"

"Branch!" Poppy eventually managed to scream, her frustration getting the better of her. Branch leant back in shock, his eyes widening like a deer caught in the headlights. Poppy stared at him, clearly exasperated, before sighing and biting her lip. She took a deep breath.

"I'm pregnant…"

XoXoXoXoXoX

Branch wandered the village, his head full of thoughts. He didn't know what to say to Poppy. He stuttered a few times, fell over his words and then his memory went blank. Next thing he knew he was walking the village alone. He felt apprehensive at the situation. He wasn't sure how to feel or react. The news should have been happy, but instead it left him feeling full of anxiety and worry. He knew he wasn't a very fatherly figure, and he worried he'd be a terrible father. Poppy, though, she would be an amazing mother, he knew that, and the thought alone made him smile.

While he was sceptical about it all, there was one thing he was certain of, and that that it wouldn't be so bad if he had Poppy by his side to guide him…

He thought quietly to himself while looking up at the stars in the night sky. He had an idea.