“See anything yet, Willow?" Poppy asked as they waited outside her pod.

“I need my glasses," she replied, putting two glasses of water on her face. Once the water drained out, she could see better. “Hmm... It's the mail bug! Your stuff is coming!"

“Great!" Poppy said, feeling excited. The mailman dropped off a few packages and some letters, and drove off. “Make sure we have everything for the baby shower tomorrow."

“Sure thing, boss!" Willow replied, and looked through the boxes. “Decorations, check. Party favors, check. Build-your-own-piñata kit, check. Since it's for a baby shower, I'll fill it with baby shrimp."

Poppy playfully rolled her eyes and read the mail. One letter, however, made her nervous.

Dearest Poppy,

I hope you're doing well. I'm happy to let you know that I've made arrangements for you to come visit me. I really miss you, and you would never turn down this offer.

May the universe continue to bless you,

Creek ❌⭕❌⭕

“Oh, fudge," she muttered.

Willow blinked. “Is that a no on the shrimp?"

“No, Creek wants me to visit his yoga retreat."

“Just tell him it's not a good time for you to travel," Willow suggested. “I'm sure he'll understand."

I hope so, Poppy thought. Due to his departure, Creek was the only Troll who didn't know about her pregnancy. But he was her dearest friend and she was six-and-a-half months along, now. He had a right to know. But how do you write it down on paper?

“Pops, did you order a Happy Fun-Time Bouncy Crib?" Willow asked. Poppy nodded. “Well, it got backordered. Apparently, there's a shortage of bungee cords, it won't come for another seven months."

“Are you kidding me?!" Poppy shouted angrily. “I can't wait seven months!"

“For what?" a voice called out. Poppy and Willow noticed Branch picking berries off a bush.

“A Happy Fun-Time Bouncy Crib!"

Branch raised an eyebrow. “Aren't those things extremely dangerous?"

“That's why they made me sign a waiver," Willow realized.

“If you want, I can make something safer and just as fun in seven hours," Branch offered.

“Uh, no offense, Branch, but what do you know about fun?" Poppy asked.

“Really? I'm insulted, Poppy!" Branch scoffed. “You really think I don't know what fun is?"

“Well, the fact that you don't sing, dance, or hug every hour doesn't really help much," Willow pointed out.

“Alright, point taken," Branch sighed. “But I could still make something that could work if you want."

Poppy tapped her chin in thought before responding, “Will you come to the baby shower tomorrow?"

“Really, Poppy? Blackmail?" Branch scoffed.

“Okay, fine!" Poppy replied, smirking. “I'll just let the baby sleep in a dresser drawer for the first four months of her life. Maybe one of the hinges will end up breaking..."

Branch groaned. “What time do I have to be there?"

The two girls shared a fist bump.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Okay, how do I make a baby crib that is both fun and safe?" Branch asked himself as he prepared to draw blueprints in his bunker. “First, I'll have the feet attached to a curve so Poppy can rock her to sleep. Now for the tricky part: fun. What do babies think is fun? I could carve something in there that slides from one side to another, like an abacus. She might like that. Then again, it would be a choking hazard."

Branch's plans were interrupted by someone knocking at the door. He went up the elevator to see who it was.

“Hi, Mom," he greeted unenthusiastically.

“Hello, Branch," she said sweetly. “What are you up to?"

“Not much, just some construction," he answered.

“Sounds fun! Whatcha building?"

“Uh... uh..." Branch found himself stuttering. “It's kind of embarrassing."

“It's not one of those robots, is it?" Cyan asked worriedly. “You know better than that!"

“What?! No!" Branch said, disgusted. “Besides, even if I wanted to, only a perverted engineer would do that. It's something for Princess Poppy. More specifically, her baby."

Cyan glanced at the blueprints and nodded in approval. “I'm sure the princess will love it."

“Yeah, that's what I'm hoping," Branch said. “I don't know much about what kids like, though."

“Well, I'm glad you're taking an interest, for once. I hope to have a couple grandkids someday."

Not just “someday," Branch thought to himself. His conscience was nagging at him for not telling his mother the truth, but he avoided it to keep Poppy's trust. “I'm not sure if I'm cut out for fatherhood. I don't even like kids, what if I can't love my own?"

“Honey, everyone has their doubts, even Princess Poppy was scared at first. But I raised you to be caring and protective, and I know your future children will love you, and you're more than capable of loving them."

Branch gave Cyan a half smile. “Thanks, Mom."

“Well, I better get to my book club," Cyan said, and headed for the elevator. “You know, I find it odd to see Poppy carrying the baby inside her body. Very few Trolls can do that anymore."

“It's how you gave birth to me," Branch pointed out.

“Well, your father was a Birchwood. They're very old fashioned... no matter how much it hurts their wives."

🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸

Branch stood outside of Poppy's pod nervously, with the parts for the crib wrapped up in brown paper. This was his first party since the Trolls escaped Bergen Town, and he was the only guest who wouldn't have any fun. Not to mention, his grey complexion and black hair would make him stand out like a sore thumb.

“Uh, Branch?" Willow said, standing at the entrance. “How long do you plan on standing at the Poppy's doorstep?"

“Oh, sorry, Willow," he replied, and opened the door. Both Trolls stepped inside as he began sweating. “Lot of Trolls here."

“Not that many," Willow pointed out. “You should've seen the crowd at the king's birthday bash."

Poppy looked past the crowd and waved at her friends. Willow and Branch made their through with their gifts.

“You guys made it!" she cheered. “And Branch, I'm so proud of you for finally showing up to a party!"

“Well, since this one's inside, there's a small chance it won't attract any Bergens."

“Then why'd you go all Paul Revere at that girl's birthday party, wedding reception, and her husband's funeral?" Willow asked, putting her present on a table.

“Panic attacks," Branch grumbled, putting the package with the other gifts. “Where's the snack bar?"

“It's right over there," Poppy answered.

“Of course he wants to go over there," Willow whispered to the Troll princess. Branch could hear her, however, and angrily shoved a cinnamon roll in his face.

“I am the lizard queen!" a little girl shouted, jumping up on the table. Branch almost choked to death in surprise. More children ran after her, and ruined a lot of the food by the time he coughed out the cinnamon roll.

“Ooh, trample-berry pie! My favorite!" Cooper said, eating the squashed dessert. Branch just shook his head in disapproval and grabbed an unharmed chocolate cookie. Just before he could walk away, however, he heard... crying. He looked underneath the table and saw a little girl curled up into a ball, holding her knees.

“You okay, kid?" he asked. She shook her head. “What's your name?"

“Jewelie."

“That's a pretty name," Branch said. It suited her, she had a sparkly purple gem on her left shoulder. “What are you doing down here?"

Jewelie looked away sadly. “I... don't... like... parties."

Branch smiled. “Well, Jewelie, neither do I."

“Then... why... are... you... here?" she asked slowly.

“I was blackmailed," he answered. Jewelie let out a couple giggles, and Branch couldn't help but laugh with her. “If you don't mind my asking... why do you talk like that?"

“I... don't... know," Jewelie replied. “I... guess... I'm... just... not... good... at... talking."

“I don't like singing and dancing," Branch whispered. Jewelie's jaw dropped. “Yeah, that does sound weird for a Troll."

“Don't... you... feel... lonely?"

“Sometimes," he said. “But just because you're different doesn't mean you can't make friends."

Jewelie looked down in thought. “Can... you... help... me?"

“Sure, come on," Branch replied, and helped her out from under the table. He found a group of kids playing with each other and led her to them. “Just say hello."

Jewelie nodded and approached them nervously.

“Hello," she said quietly. None of them heard her.

“You have to speak up," Branch pointed out.

“Okay," Jewelie agreed. “HELLO!"

All of the party guests were shocked by the sudden outburst. Everyone stared at Jewelie as she ran to hide behind Branch, who rolled his icy blue eyes.

“I didn't say you had to shout."

“Uh... let's move on to the presents!" Poppy said, trying to change the subject. Biggie prepared to take a picture of her with the gifts. Every year on her birthday, Poppy would have her picture taken with her presents. One before she opened them and one after.

“Uh, Poppy?" Biggie said. “That big brown one kind of ruins the mood."

“You know the rules: no Troll left behind," Poppy reminded him. “That goes for their presents, too."

“Right. Sorry, Poppy."

After her picture was taken, Poppy opened all her presents until just Willow and Branch's were left. She ripped open Willow's and revealed a book about taking care of babies.

“Oh, Willow, thank you!" Poppy said. “This could really come in handy."

“Yeah, trust me, I read it plenty of times," Willow lied. Everyone looked at her. “Well, once is usually all it takes... I can't read."

As some Trolls snickered, Poppy put the book aside and ripped into the brown wrapping paper and looked at the parts for the crib Branch made. It was hand-carved mahogany, stars were painted on the ends, and the bars had flower patterns carved into it.

Branch immediately felt embarrassed. “Okay, I admit it, I don't know anything about fun. I'm the crowned prince of boredom. You were right and I was–"

“I love it," Poppy gasped. Branch's eyes widened. “I love it! Branch, this is beautiful! The baby's gonna love this! Thank you!"

As Poppy gave him a hug, Branch was unsure whether or not to hug back.

“You're welcome."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Later that evening, when everyone else had already left, Branch and Willow stayed behind to help Poppy clean up.

“Hey, Pops!" Willow said, pointing to her cheeks, now covered in glitter. “We're twinsies!"

Poppy laughed. “That's cute, Will."

“Okay, the food's been touched by a bunch of little kids, so I doubt any of it is still good," Branch figured, putting it all in a trash bag.

“Huh, I didn't think you cared," Willow muttered, noticing the red flower on her blue Hug Time bracelet going off. “Crap, if I don't go home now, my mom's gonna kill me. See ya later, Pops!"

As the large-eyed teenager left the pod, Branch let out a grumble. “Man, I hate her."

“Oh, come on, Branch," Poppy insisted. “Willow may speak her mind too much, but she means well. In a way, she reminds me of you."

“What do you mean?" he asked.

“Well, you're both sad..." she began, “you both have black hair... and some other third thing."

“Thanks for clearing that up," Branch said, his voice full of sarcasm, which Poppy ended up missing.

“You're welcome. Ooh!"

Poppy held her baby bump as she felt a strong kick from inside.

“You okay?" Branch asked, slightly worried.

“I'm fine, but your daughter's really energetic," Poppy answered. Branch looked at her belly, then averted his eyes from her completely. “If you wanna rub my baby bump, you can. But on one condition."

“What?" Branch groaned, noticing the smirk on her face.

As a response, Poppy wrapped an arm around his back and placed her other hand across his stomach pudge. She rubbed it gently, admiring how soft and squishy it was, especially when compared to the rest of his more muscular build.

Branch immediately felt uncomfortable. “Poppy, what are you–"

“Shh..." she whispered, slipping the hand on his back up to his shoulder blades. She massaged one of them, causing Branch to sigh in relief. Kneading her thumb into his pudge, Poppy focused on his face to see how content he was.

Inside, on the other hand, Branch really hated himself for letting Poppy do this. He used to have complete resistance against the princess. But one night, she'll just break into your bunker, invite you to a rainbow festival, and ignore your warnings about the Bergens. Then, during an argument, you'll find yourself pinning her to the wall, she'll look like a pink jewel that should be taken, and you will spend the rest of the night making her scream in pleasure; not making love to her, just sharing a hot, intense high.

And after that, you begin to let your guard down to her.

“Okay, Branch, it's your turn!" Poppy said, snapping him back into reality. She went over to sit on a soft chair and groaned a little. “Ooh, my feet hurt."

Branch noticed how swollen her ankles were and got down on his knees to massage them. Poppy sighed in relief at the feeling. When he was finished, he finally got to Poppy's baby bump. He just placed his hands on it, not moving either of them at first.

Suddenly, Branch felt something moving in there, and rubbed the area he felt it. The baby moved around some more and Branch felt curious. He pressed an ear against Poppy's stomach and gently tapped a short rhythm. The baby kicked twice in response.

“I think she likes you," Poppy giggled.

“For now, at least," Branch sighed. “I'll probably screw up, like I did with that one kid."

“Yeah, that was pretty funny," Poppy yawned. “I better get some rest, I'm supposed to have lunch with my dad tomorrow."

“That reminds me..." Branch said nervously as he helped her up. Poppy raised an eyebrow. “I know we agreed to keep this a secret, but... can I tell my mom about this?"

“About... what?"

“I can hide from the rest of the village, but I'm not the kind of guy who likes to hide stuff from his mother. And she'd wanna know she's gonna be a grandmother. You know what I'm saying, right?"

Poppy sighed. “This is my fault, not yours. I should tell her."

“We'll both tell her," Branch decided. “It's not that I don't trust you, but..."

“Wait, you don't trust me?" Poppy said angrily.

“What?! Of course I... No, I don't," Branch realized. “Poppy, we did this together, so we should tell her together."

Poppy took a deep breath. “Okay."

“Goodnight, Pops."

Poppy blinked. “Wait, did you just call me ‘Pops?'"

He didn't answer, he just left and cringed as he muttered to himself, “I guess I am like Willow."

As Poppy climbed into bed, she turned the key on the music box, placed it on her nightstand, and watched the lights twinkle all over her pod as the song played. She fell asleep within moments.

Sorry this took so long. I'm not sure what to do next, but I'll figure something out.

Until then, rock on. 🤘