Poppy couldn't believe it, but it was finally happening. She was having her baby. The fact that she was about to bring new life into the world seemed unreal. Poppy felt nervous, but she was ready.

"I came as soon as your friend told me," King Peppy said as he came in.

"Was it Creek?" Poppy asked.

"No, it was the small one," he replied.

"Oh, you mean Smidge," Poppy said, a little disappointed. Creek promised he'd help her with her breathing exercises a couple weeks ago. But the minute she went into labor, he had Biggie carry her to the hospital and said he had "something to do first."

But what?

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Branch was sitting at his desk, writing poetry about the girl who had stolen his heart, and would soon give him a child. So far, he wrote

Like a reflection, you are both my opposite and my equal

But you could blind me with your beauty instead of the sunshine

You have filled me with your warmth

And perhaps melted my heart

Never in a million years could I think of someone else

To nurture the seedling that would grow into...

Before he could finish, Branch heard someone knocking at his door. Embarrassed about his work, he stuffed it into a drawer with some of his other poems and drawings. After successfully hiding his artwork, Branch looked through a periscope to see who was at the door.

Much to his displeasure, it was Creek. He was the last Troll Branch wanted to talk to, but if it was important, it'd probably be best if he answered.

After three quick knocks, Creek waited patiently for someone to answer. Branch almost never came out of his bunker during the middle of winter, but he didn't seem to hesitate for too long. Creek had only waited for half a minute when Branch opened the eye slot in his "GO AWAY!" mat. His icy blue eyes glared at Creek.

"What do you want?" he asked coldly.

"Well, Poppy's having her... I mean, your baby," Creek replied. "And I felt you should be there to welcome your child into the world."

"Thanks, but I don't need parenting advice," Branch​ spat. Although he wanted to be there for the birth of his daughter, he knew it could never happen.

"Branch, I know you care," Creek said calmly. "You love Poppy, don't deny it."

"Oh, please," Branch muttered.

"I love her, too, but she has stronger feelings for you than she ever will for me. And this could be your chance to be with her."

Branch was astounded. Creek admitted his feelings for Poppy, but was willing to let him have her. But he pushed the thought away as he crawled out his bunker.

"I'll go, but only for the birth of my daughter," Branch decided. "Whatever Poppy feels towards me doesn't matter. She is my friend and the mother of my child. Nothing more."

In truth, Creek couldn't have been more right.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"You're missing something in your little plan," Branch whispered to Creek as they entered the E.R. "Poppy doesn't want anyone to know the baby is mine. How can I get in without anyone finding out?"

"The receptionist isn't too bright," Creek explained. "We could trick her into letting you through."

"'We?' What 'we?'" Branch spat. But Creek just ignored him. The two approached the receptionist, a cute female Troll with peach skin and yellow hair.

"Can I help you?" she asked.

"Princess Poppy asked for me," Creek answered, "and Branch is here to visit a family member who had just given birth."

"Of course," she replied, and opened a large folder. "Could I have her name, please?"

"Poppy?" Branch asked, confused.

The receptionist giggled. "No, silly. The other new mommy."

"Oh. Uh..... That's a weird place to put a piano."

With the girl distracted, Branch peeked in the folder and picked someone. The receptionist turned back around, but hadn't a clue what Branch was doing.

"I didn't see anything, sir," she claimed. "Are you alright?"

"Sorry. I'm on a medication for my heart condition, and I guess one of the side effects is minor delusions," Branch lied. His heart was in perfect health, and he was probably more sane than the rest of the Trolls in Troll Village. "Her name is Ivy Petals."

"Upstairs, fifth door on the left, and Princess Poppy is across the hall," the receptionist instructed. Branch and Creek were about to go up when the young woman stopped them.

"Wait," she interrupted. The two stopped in their tracks. "Exactly how are you related to Mrs. Petals?"

"Uh... She's my, uh..." Branch felt like he was going to have a heart attack.

"She's his father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate," Creek finished.

"Okay, go right ahead," she finally said, and the two made their way upstairs.

"What would that make us?" Branch whispered.

"Absolutely nothing."

🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻🔺🔻

Poppy felt another contraction hit her, and it was stronger than the one five minutes ago. Her water just broke, so it was probably going to get even more painful.

Fortunately, Branch and Creek were right outside. Creek peeped inside to check on the circumstances.

"King Peppy's in there," he whispered.

"I'm just going to hide in the bathroom," Branch decided. "I may only hear it, but at least they won't see me."

"We better hurry," Creek said. With that, Creek snuck Branch in without hesitation.

Poppy and her father looked up and saw Creek standing at the door.

"Creek, thank... goodness you're here," she breathed heavily. "I did all my exercises... but I'm... kinda scared."

"It's okay, I'm here now," Creek assured her. He wasn't going to mention Branch just yet.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Unable to see what was happening, Branch listened through the door knob for anything important.

"Okay, Poppy," Dr. Plum said. "Now that you're two minutes apart, I think it's time you start pushing."

"Okay," Poppy replied weakly.

"It's happening," Branch muttered to himself. "I'm about to be a father."

Branch's thoughts were interrupted when he heard Poppy screaming in pain. His heart was pounding, what if something was wrong? He decided to take one small peek to see if Poppy was okay. Branch creaked open the door and saw... something he wish he hadn't seen. He immediately closed the door.

"That's going to haunt me in my nightmares," he mumbled. Fortunately, the image in his mind was eventually pushed away by the heartwarming sound of the first cries of a newborn baby.

His daughter.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Congratulations, Princess Poppy," Dr. Plimsy said as she held the crying baby in her arms. "You are now the mother of a beautiful little girl."

Poppy was exhausted from the delivery, relieved that it was over, and most of all, she was happy her baby had been born.

"We're going to clean her up and see if anything's wrong with her first," Plum continued. "Then you can hold her. But for now, you need to rest."

"Come on, Creek," King Peppy said. "Let's give her a moment alone."

"I'll catch up," Creek replied as the king left. He returned his gaze to Poppy. "You did splendidly."

"Thanks, Creek," Poppy said weakly. "But there's one thing I don't understand."

"What's that, love?" Creek asked.

"Why did I imagine Branch hiding in the bathroom?"

Creek made his way towards the door, a sweet smile on his face, and simply said, "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

At first, Poppy was confused. But once Creek left, she decided to speak up.

"Branch, are you really in there?" she asked. To answer her question, the door creaked open and Branch slowly emerged from the bathroom.

"Hey, Poppy," he replied quietly.

"I didn't think you'd actually be here," Poppy said, smiling. "I mean, I wanted you to be, but... I thought you wouldn't be able to."

"Wait, you wanted me here?" Branch asked.

"Of course!" Poppy replied. "She's your baby too, Branch. And you deserved to watch me give birth to her."

"Trust me, I think I saw enough," Branch assured her.

Five minutes later, Dr. Plum Plimsy returned with Poppy and Branch's baby wrapped in a yellow blanket. The new father hid himself in the bathroom once more.

"Everything looks good so far, Poppy," she said. "If you have any problems, bring her to me."

"Thank you, doctor," Poppy said as she was handed over the sleeping baby. "Could you tell everyone to wait before coming in? I need a moment alone with her."

"Of course," the doctor replied, and left the room. Poppy then looked down to see how beautiful her daughter was.

Branch came out of the bathroom to take a good look himself. Her hair was a deep shade of purple, her lavender nose was cute as a button, and she had a teal complexion with glittery freckles.

"She really is like me," he muttered. Poppy looked up to him and smiled.

"Wanna hold her?" she asked. Branch nodded and was given the baby. He looked at the child in awe as she opened one pink eye.

"Hello," he said nervously. "My- my name is Branch, and..."

"You're not doing that right," Poppy pointed out.

"What are you talking about?" Branch asked. "She seems okay."

"No the way you're holding her is fine," Poppy replied, "but you should be saying 'Hi there! I'm your daddy. Your name is gonna be Flower, and your mommy and I are going to love you and take care of you, and not let anything bad happen to you.' Now repeat what I just said."

Branch rolled his eyes and groaned.

"I can't believe I'm about to do this," he said quietly, and returned his gaze to his daughter. "Hi, I'm your daddy. Your name is gonna be Flower, and I don't know about your mommy, but..."

Branch trailed off when he noticed Flower nestling her face into his chest, placing a tiny hand on his beating heart. Branch loved his daughter immediately.

He turned to look at Poppy, who was smiling brightly, and gave Flower back to her.

"I should probably go," he said, and headed for the door.

"Thank you, Branch," she said, stopping him.

"For what?" he asked.

"For giving me Flower."

Never in a million years could I think of someone else
To nurture the seedling that would grow into our Flower

Thanks for asking me if I was okay during the hurricane, but I haven't been okay my whole damn life. It's best not to think about it.

Congrats to @FieryFate for guessing the baby's name correctly.

The image above I found on Google. I think it has something to do with Trolls Holiday. Also, I saw Anna Kendrick on a Hulu commercial while watching MasterChef once. And again watching Saturday Night Live.

Until next time.