Chapter 12
(Poppy and Branch are searching in the troll tunnels)
Branch: do you see anything?
Poppy: nothing yet
Branch: do you think she accidentally took the path that lead to certain death?
Poppy: branch! She's alive I know it!
Branch: i didn't say she was dead, it was just a possibility because they couldn't find her all these years
Poppy: so you're saying...to search for the tunnels that lead to certain death
Branch: I mean we don't have to if you don't think she's there
Poppy: (thinks for a moment) we have to explore the possibilities
Branch: are you sure? We don't know what's in there?
Poppy: do you think it actually leads to certain death?
Branch: I wanna say that cloud guy is bonkers but...I'm not sure (looks down in that tunnel)
Berry: branch! Don't go in there!
Branch: (hit his head) ow! What the? Mom? What'd you doing here? I already told you I didn't want to see you (walks away)
Poppy: branch you can't just walk away!
Branch: watch me!
Berry: branch please...
Branch: please what? Tell me please what?
Berry: hear me out
Branch: hear you out? No let me tell you something...and get ready because I'm finally letting my feelings out! 20 years ago I tried to explain to you what happened that day but you said it was my fault..MY FAULT...you made me feel like that for 20 years! I didn't sing for 20 years! I sat in my bunker alone for 20 years! I had no idea what it was like to be happy before poppy showed me because the person who showed me before is gone but I couldn't think of her because it was MY fault she was killed! (breathes heavily and a few tears leak out) I was so lonely...I needed my mom...but you weren't there...I had to grow up without any support...hating the world...I took all my anger out on those who didn't deserve it..even you poppy
Poppy: but Branch...
Branch: (cuts her off) I know you thought I was dead...but deep down even though all the things you said to me hurt...I always hoped deep down you were looking for me...wanting to be my mom again...but you didn't...I felt unwanted all those years...and it hurt (starts to cry and covers his face)
Berry: (takes all he says in and doesn't know what to say...all the things he said was true and she didn't know how to fix it) branch...I know...I wasn't the perfect mother but I tried...I didn't go looking for you because I was afraid...I was afraid I wouldn't find you and would be heartbroken like I was with your father...so I thought it was better off to assume the worst...I didn't let you sing because your father died by singing...he was singing in the mine range one day and everyone was so distracted by it, one of the miners who was trying to get a boulder out of the mine didn't notice the rope was slipping and the boulder killed your father...I was afraid if you sang something bad would happen to you...I just wanted you to be safe...but I do know what you've been through...I was grey for awhile too...but thinking of you gave me some of my color back...Branch I know I made mistakes and I'm sorry...I really am...I want to be in your life again...your all I have left and I can't lose you again...
Branch: (hearing his moms words made him less angry...he felt like a jerk she was just as much hurt as he was) I forgive you mom...I'm sorry too (holds him arms out for a hug)
Berry: (sobs tears of joy as they both hug)
(It was a long hug, both crying tears of joy, it was as if a new chapter was just beginning. Branch was overwhelmed with happiness, he finally had his mom back...he saw that his mom was turning back into her full colors and he couldn't stop smiling, and overwhelmed with the happiness and without caring if his mom was there, he grabbed poppy and kissed her passionately.)
(Author here, don't be afraid to tell me what you think! If anyone's wondering why the bergens aren't really in the story it's because the trolls and bergens are friends and their purpose is already served but don't worry they'll appear in this story soon ;) Merry Trollmas everyone!)