I do not own Trolls.

Chapter Four

Poppy stood there gobsmacked, her entire body was in shock. She stared at Branch down on his knee, she admired the beautiful glimmer of the ring in his hand, she even admired the love pouring from his gaze. She could feel her heart swelling, the love she felt for him had never felt as alive as it had today. It felt like this vibrant tingle that engulfed her body. It brought tears to her eyes as she smiled at him.

"Yes!" She almost screeched as she lunged at him, falling and fitting perfectly into his secure, strong arms. Her friends cheered loudly from around the scene. She placed a kiss on his lips before pulling back and allowing him to place the ring on her finger. She looked it over, the ring feeling weird on her skin. The ring looked unique, not one she had ever seen before. It was made of entwined threaded branches that reached up and displayed a beautiful flower that held a gorgeous clear jewel. The diamond style ornament was slightly cloudy but only added to the antique feeling of the ring. Poppy loved it.

Branch smiled softly as he ran his finger over Poppy's hand gently.

"It was my Grandma's," He admitted quietly, the pain from his heart flashing through his eyes. Poppy offered him a comforting turn of her lips before holding him tightly in a hug.

"It's beautiful, Branch, I love it," She whispered to him before pulling away, a grin plastered on Branch's face. He had spent so many years being alone and being so closed off to the world and these emotions. He was a recluse. Yet Poppy had changed the entire way he sees the universe. She was his universe. It was that simple and this baby could only be the cherry on top.

"I love you," Branch murmured to her quietly, gently kissing her again. By this time their friends had left, allowing them some time together. However, the two Trolls were in their own little bubble and everything else just didn't seem to matter.

"And I love this little one too…" Branch placed his hand softly on Poppy's belly. The thought that his own child was in there both excited and petrified him.

"I do have one more thing to show you," Branch said, pulling a rolled-up piece of paper out of his hair.

"What is it?" Poppy asked as she began unrolling it.

"It was an idea… for the baby…" Branch admitted rather shyly. It was just a design he had drawn up. He wanted to build a crib for the baby with his own hands. He had spent the afternoon drawing it up, figuring out the measurements and what wood he would need and things like that. He felt proud of the design.

"It's beautiful," Poppy was almost lost for words at the image. It was a gorgeous crib with flowers incorporated to it and vines as well. It was one she could rock their child to sleep in. It was a crib she could only have dreamed of.

"Not as beautiful as you though," Branch lifted her chin up and kissed her lips softly, "I love you and this little Troll growing inside," Branch smiled, placing his hand on her stomach, still mesmerised at the idea there was a baby in there.

"A whole Troll just growing… it's…crazy…" Poppy laughed slightly. Branch agreed before taking her hand in his and taking a deep breath.

This was his future.

XoXoXoXoXoX

The next couple of weeks passed by quickly, and soon the honeymoon period after the engagement began to fade. Poppy was stressed about everything. She found herself with constant headaches, feeling exhausted and she detested the morning sickness. The same sickness that lasted all day and not just the morning. She couldn't remember the last time she enjoyed a rainbow milkshake and kept it down. She sighed while rubbing her hands over her drained and tired eyes. While Poppy was excited to be a mother, she was anxious as well. How could she rule her people as queen, be a mother, plan a wedding and then all the other duties on top of that?

"Poppy…" She heard her father's voice almost tutting at her. She gave him a weak smile as he pressed a small kiss to her forehead.

"How is my Poppy today?"

"Tired. Overworked. Sick. There's just…so much…" She practically whispered the last bit as she laid her head in her hands.

"Maybe you should relax more, Poppy. You are having a child, that is tiring enough," Her father reminded her. She almost grunted at him.

"I know that, dad, but what about the Trolls? I'm their Queen! I can't just abandon them. I'm not even that far along really…" Poppy looked down at what looked like a small bump forming. She was only two months along, but for a Troll a pregnancy only lasts for 6 months so she was a third of the way there.

"Maybe you could allow Branch to take over your royal duties?" Poppy almost laughed at the idea. Branch in charge of the Trolls? It was a crazy idea! He'd either baby proof and booby trap the whole Village or have a breakdown trying to cope with people's concerns and the day to day duties of a Royal. He'd end up more stressed than herself.

"Just remember, my child, that Branch will rule beside you soon once you are wed. Maybe it isn't such a bad idea to just show him the way at least," Her father suggested before making himself scarce. Poppy considered the idea for a moment. Could Branch really manage as a King?

Almost as if on que she heard a gentle knock at her door before Branch entered, that charming smile on his face. She felt her heart soar seeing him, an uncontrollable grin forming on her face.

"Hey," She greeted him, getting up and giving him a gentle kiss as he enveloped her in a hug.

"Hey, what you up to?" He asked casually, sliding around Poppy to view her desk and the paperwork strewn along the top. He slowly moved them, glancing through odd ones.

"Just trying to sort stuff out. Planning a wedding is difficult, then there's getting the baby stuff sorted and not to mention the kingdom…" She let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm sure I could deal with some of this stuff," Branch nodded, wanting to help Poppy however he could. He hated seeing her so run down. It seemed unfair that there was so much pressure on her and he wanted desperately to ease the situation for her.

"Well, my father kindly pointed out you are to be King one day. Reckon you could give some of those kinds of duties a whirl?" Branch felt himself tensing at the word. King. How could he ever be a King? Not too long ago he avoided the Trolls, he hated their cheerfulness and their songs and dancing and… well, everything! Even now he struggled to integrate with them. He tried hard though because he wanted to for Poppy's sake, but now that the reality of his future was setting in he found himself… scared.

"I…um… yeah…" He stuttered out, taking a deep breath afterwards to try steady his nerves.

"Branch, you don't hav-" Poppy started before suddenly stopping and running off to the bathroom. The noises after were not pleasant, but it was enough to make Branch man up. He moved to the bathroom, grabbing a glass of water from the side before entering cautiously to see Poppy knelt on the floor. She looked pale and worn. It was all clearly taking its toll on Poppy.

"Maybe you should rest today," Branch more than just suggested while helping Poppy up and back into the room where he helped her into bed. She hummed a response, her eyes already closing in anticipation. Branch tucked her under the covers before placing a kiss on her cheek. She smiled.

"I guess a little sleep wouldn't hurt. There is our engagement party tonight," Poppy yawned before rolling over in bed. Before Branch could even say anything, Poppy was asleep. He laughed quietly to himself before moving back to the desk. He picked up the paperwork and with determination motivating him he made his way out the door.