A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the little hiatus from writing. Your boy was busy preparing to perform in CARNEGIE HALL in New York City. It was a truly amazing experience. I was on stage with many famous Broadway actors and actresses. Anyways, I'm back home in sunny California now and ready to start writing again. Sorry for making you wait, but hopefully you'll enjoy this new chapter.
"A memory? What do you mean?" Branch asked befuddled.
"Branch, all of that really happened. I was there. I held your head as you cried. We confessed our love to each other all those years ago. But when the colors drained out of your body you forgot everything from that day. But when the color stayed in your eyes, I just knew I'd always have a chance. I knew I could never give up." Poppy explained.
"But what about your myst-" Branch started to say as realization welled up in his eyes," I WAS TEAL. I HAD BLUE HAIR. Poppy, please tell me I'm not crazy in believing that it's me?" He asked hopefully.
She just nodded and smiled. That beautiful smile. She started giggling madly as Branch lifted her with his muscular, but also tender arms. He dipped her down and stared into those gorgeous eyes. He kissed her passionately. He played with her magenta hair. When they finally finished the kiss Branch just stared into her eyes and held her in his arms with her arms draped abound his neck. Suddenly her hands were off him and covered her mouth as she gasped.
"B-Branch!" she screamed excitedly as she pointed up and down his body.
He just looked down at his hands. His teal blue hands. She just hugged him tight and kissed his cheeks and played with his long blue hair.
"Baby, you know I love you, and I've loved spending this time with you, but I have to go. I'm sorry. I promised the Snack Pack I'd meet with them for coffee today. But, its time you had this back." She said as she reached into her hair, and pulled out two plastic rings. Children's rings.
"What are these?" Branch asked, as his memories were flooding his mind and he had yet to process them.
"Haha, you're cute." She said looking at his dazed eyes. She knew regaining all those memories would take some time to sink in. "These are our most prized possessions, you'll remember that soon enough. They are our bond since we were children. Every princess and prince gets one at a young age. My father gave them to me, and told me to give it to the man I love once I met him. He told me that they would glow and my name and the name of my true love would be engraved magically on the rings when I found whoever that was. Yours had my name and mine had yours. He also told me it connects the two trolls telepathically. We will be able to communicate without needing to speak. We can also feel each others' feelings. We will know if the other is asleep, sad, happy, worried, mad, in danger or anything like that. I gave it to you that day at the funeral. You woke up the next day confused as to why you were wearing it. When you found the engraving you came to give it back to me. I knew it wasn't your fault that you forgot, but once you left I bawled my eyes out. I told my dad everything that happened and he comforted me."
She searched the rings to distinguish which one had her name on it. Once she had it, she handed it to him and kissed him on the cheek as she walked towards the elevator.
"Bye Branchie." She said as she waved goodbye.
"Bye Popps." He replied while he rubbed his cheek where she had kissed him lovingly. Before she disappeared from sight, he made sure she could see him putting on the ring, and she did the same. With their bond rekindled, the rings began to magically, and just a tad bit painfully, attach permanently to the young lovers. Just as nothing could separate the true lovers, nothing could separate the rings from their wearers.
Tired from the memories drowning his head, Branch went to sleep, to rest his mind. He found his arms reaching for the pink princess he loved so much, but alas she was not there. A little disappointing, but mostly just happy to be dating his love, he fell asleep soundly. This night, even without Poppy next to him, Branch dreamed. He dreamed happy dreams. No nightmares. He didn't have to watch his grandma be taken away again. He didn't relive the pain he had been constantly reminded of every night for the last two decades. He was at peace. It was now he decided he would do something he hadn't done in a very long time.
Before going to meet with her friends, Poppy had to tell her father where she had been the last night. She knew once she showed him the ring he would be understanding and even supportive. He had always pushed her to find her true love, and once she did, he was happy, even though he was a bit peeved everything had been so difficult for her, with Branch being grey and all.
She knocked on the door, and Peppy ran to throw the door open. He saw his little girl and just picked her up.
"Poppy, where have you been?" He asked in a tone more concerned than angry.
She simply lifted her ringed hand as a response.
He beamed at her, so happy for his little girl. "Does this mean you did it?"
"Yep Dad. The village grump is teal again, and I've got my love back." She said, so so happy.
"So I guess I should start planning the wedding, huh?" He said jokingly.
"Dad!" She giggled. "Not quite yet. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know I'm okay, actually I'm way better than okay. I'm going to get some coffee with my friends while Branch sleeps." She said sensing through the ring that her love was asleep. A smile crept on her face as she felt how at peace he was in this moment. After her dad hugged her goodbye, she skipped off joyously to the coffee spot to meet her friends.
"Hey guys." Poppy said, a bit nervous to tell her friends about her and Branch. She knew none of them particularly liked him.
"Hey Poppy." They all said simultaneously.
"Where did you go yesterday?" Creek asked getting too close for Poppy's comfort.
"Someone spilled coffee on me yesterday and ran off without saying anything." She said as Creek tensed up.
"Oooh sorry Poppy. I think that might've been me." Creek said hanging his head in shame.
"Well then I have to thank you." She said.
"Huh?" the whole Snack Pack asked, none more confused then Creek. "Why?"
"Cause in doing so you helped me finally get my true love." She said happy.
All the girls oooed and awwwwed happily, as the guys chuckled at the girls romanticism. Well most of the guys. Creek just kicked the ground angrily. Damnit. I was gonna make my move yesterday. I got there early and everything, but in my nervousness I hit her and ran off. Why am I so stupid? He thought to himself.
"So who is it?" Creek asked with a hint of anger in his voice which he tried to conceal.
"Okay, I'll tell you all, but first I have to say something. Once I tell you who it is, you are going to want to talk me out of it, so before I say anything I am saying this: You can't talk me out of it. I'm not saying if you try I will be man or anything like that. I am saying that no matter what you do or say I will always be with my one true love. Just let me finish telling you everything before you interrupt or have questions or say anything, understand?" She said in a queenly stern voice.
They had never heard Poppy talk like this and immediately agreed.
"Good. Okay, now I'll tell you. It's Branch." She said rubbing her arm nervously. "I know what you're all thinking, but trust me, he's not the person you think he is. He loves me as much as I love him, and I will tell you that is one heck of a lot. He loves me so much and is so happy to be with me. His colors came back. I know you don't see it, but he is sweet, kind, funny, loving, caring, protective, strong, smart, and handsome. I know you think its weird and it may take some getting used to that I feel this way about him, but as my friends I am asking you to try. Please, for me?" She said as tears formed in her eyes.
They all went to hug her accept for Creek who just started to walk off.
"Where are you going?" She asked.
"This is too much. How can you love him? He's always mean to you. I need to get some air." he said as he stormed off.
"What's his deal?" Poppy asked the rest of the Snack Pack.
"You seriously haven't noticed?" DJ asked.
"Creek's had a crush on you since like forever." Guy Diamond said as he wrapped his arms around DJ and kissed her cheek.
"You're gonna love being in a relationship girl." DJ said, playfully nudging her boyfriend off.
Guy just smiled and said "Yeah, its the best."
"Thanks guys for being supportive. Well, I can feel Branch starting to wake up so I'm gonna go surprise him." She said.
"What do you mean" Chenille started.
"You can feel him?" Satin finished her sister's question.
"I'll explain it later." Poppy yelled as she ran off.
A/N: Well there you have it. Branch and Poppy's love continues to grow and the rings cement their bond. I'm planning on adding a song to the next chapter. I am currently looking at a few, but if you have any suggestions put it in the comments or PM me and I'll be happy to try and make it work in the next, or some later chapter. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you next time. Love ya!
