It wasn't until two days after Flower's birth Poppy was ready to be discharged from the hospital. Cyan was kind enough to help her get home, and saw this as a chance to spend time with her grandchild.

“She's beautiful, Princess Poppy," she said sweetly as Flower played with her necklace. “She looks just like Branch did when he was a baby."

“Well, she sure doesn't look like him now," Poppy pointed out as she stood up from a wheelchair. “Why is Branch grey anyway? What happened to him?"

“I don't know," Cyan admitted. “It was the Trollstice after you were born, we lost Mother to a Bergen, all those beautiful colors just... drained out of him. You should've seen him, he was so full of joy and determination."

“I'm sorry, Mrs. Birchwood," Poppy said sadly. “If only there was a way to bring them back."

“I don't know for certain, because I've never before seen a Troll with his... condition," Cyan explained. “But perhaps if he's happy enough, his colors would return."

Poppy's eyes flickered with hope. “I'll make sure he is! He'll be so happy, he'll be singing to the Moon!"

“Who would wanna sing to the Moon?" a familiar voice asked. They turned to find Branch standing at the doorway with a skeptic look on his face.

“Don't worry, hun, it's a lady thing," Cyan said, giving Flower to Poppy. “I better get back to the daycare. I hope to see this little one again soon!"

“Of course, you can visit whenever you'd like," Poppy assured her. “Thanks for bringing me home, Mrs. Birchwood."

“Princess Poppy, please call me Cyan," she insisted.

“Only if you call me Poppy."

Before Cyan left, she whispered in Branch's ear, “Say something nice about her."

“What was that about?" Poppy wondered.

“Nothing important," Branch replied before attempting to compliment her. “Uhh... that's a nice dress you're wearing."

“Uh... thank you?" Poppy replied, feeling awkward. The dress wasn't even that pretty, it was fluffy and yellow with long sleeves and pink polka dots. “Do you want to come in?"

“Yeah, okay," Branch replied, stepping inside. They both heard a tiny growl and noticed Flower beginning to fuss. “I, uh, I think she's hungry."

“Oh! Uh, okay..." Poppy said, nervously looking away from Branch, who just turned around and covered his eyes as Poppy fed the baby. “So, what's been happening with you?"

“I just started working on a weapons storage room for my bunker," Branch answered. “You know, in case of a Bergen attack. Or a basically-any-creature-that-will-feast-on-an-unsuspecting-Troll attack."

Poppy rolled her eyes playfully. Typical Branch. Flower pulled away, her belly now full, and Poppy readjusted her dress.

“You can look now," Poppy said, and Branch returned his gaze to the princess as she lovingly patted their daughter on the back. He didn't know what it was, but something about her just made him wanna wrap his arms around her and never let go. “Ew, gross!"

Branch's thoughts were interrupted by Poppy exclaiming in disgust from Flower spitting on her shoulder. She just handed the baby to him and went to wipe off the milk/saliva. Branch looked down at Flower, who smiled sweetly at him. He felt his heart flutter as she played with the leaves on his vest. It was almost as if she didn't care he was grey and grumpy. Flower loved her father nonetheless.

“Branch, I don't think I've ever seen your teeth before," Poppy said in surprise as he smiled. “They're really pretty."

“Thanks," Branch said sarcastically. “You have a nice smile, too."

“Aw, thank you!" Poppy replied, blushing a little. Flower let out a tiny yawn and pressed her ear against her father's chest, listening to his heartbeat as she fell asleep. “Looks like it's nap time."

“I better go, too," Branch said as Poppy took Flower and placed her in the crib. “You gonna be okay?"

“Don't worry, I got all my friends to help, too!" Poppy assured him as he left. Speaking of Poppy's friends, they all showed up at the door and she let them inside.

“It's good to see you, Poppy!" Cooper said cheerfully.

“We heard what happened during the delivery, are you okay?" Biggie asked.

“I'm doing a lot better now," Poppy answered. “Thank you for asking."

“We were worried you were going to... kick the bucket," DJ Suki said, hugging her. “Thank goodness you're alright!"

“Say, Poppy, is there any particular reason Branch was coming out from your pod?" Creek asked curiously, although he had a good idea what the answer was.

“Oh, he was just giving me another lecture about the Bergens," she lied. “You know how Branch is, right guys?"

“Cla-a-a-assic Branch," Guy Diamond loudly vocalized, waking up Flower which caused her to cry.

“Now, look what you did!" Smidge scolded quietly.

“It's okay, let me just calm her down," Poppy assured them, and began rocking the crib gently.

“This is the new princess?" Satin gasped.

“She's beautiful!" Chenille cooed quietly to keep her from crying louder. “She has her mommy's face!"

“She's adorable Poppy," Biggie said. “Have you picked out a name?"

“Her name is Flower," Poppy answered. “She's whatever she wants to be."

“That's a wonderful thing to live by," Creek said, looking down at the now sleeping baby. “Welcome to Troll Village, little Flower."

“Creek, she's asleep," Cooper pointed out. “She can't hear you."

Everyone held back their laughter to keep Flower from waking back up.

“Maybe it's best we leave these two alone," DJ suggested. Everyone else nodded in agreement and left after saying goodbye. Poppy returned her gaze to her sleeping little angel.

“I guess I could use a short nap, too," Poppy said, yawning a little. She just landed face-down on her bed and fell asleep instantly.

🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸

Branch was just walking through the forest collecting some supplies for his bunker when he heard someone singing. He rolled his eyes in annoyance and followed the voice to give the Troll a lecture about how the Bergens could be listening. The closer he got, the better he could hear the lyrics.

If you could see that I'm the one who understands you

Been here all along, so why can't you see

You belong with me?

Standing by here waiting at your back door

All this time, how could you not know baby

You belong with me?

You belong with–

“Willow?" Branch said, interrupting her song. She screamed and covered something up.

“Sorry, Branch, I didn't see you... As hard as that is to believe."

Branch brushed off her comment and asked “What are you doing?"

“Nothing!" she lied, rapidly looking in different directions. “I wasn't singing!"

“Uh, yeah, you were," Branch argued. “Even though you shouldn't be, all the way out here. What if a Bergen found you and followed you to the village?!"

“Don't expect me to apologize, I'm mad at you," she grumbled.

Branch raised an eyebrow. “And the reason for that is...?"

“I was supposed to be there when Poppy went into labor, and I would've been if you hadn't driven me away!"

“What does it matter?" Branch asked. “It's not like you were gonna be in the room when she gave birth."

“No, but I wanted to comfort her while she was in pain," Willow said. “She needed someone who she could feel safe with, who said calm, sweet comforting things to her. Instead, she gets you!"

Branch knew Willow couldn't predict how he acted around Poppy when she was in labor, so he just let it slide. “Willow, why is this so important to you?"

“I'M IN LOVE WITH POPPY!" she shouted, covering her mouth in surprise. Why did she just say that?

Branch was taken aback. “You're... in love... with Poppy?"

Willow nodded quietly.

“But... she's a girl." Another nod. “And you're... some kind of girl."

“I know," Willow said quietly. “I don't know why, but I've always been interested in other girls. I feel like a freak for that. I mean, I've never seen another Troll in the village who feels like that."

“Willow, liking other girls doesn't make you a freak," Branch tried to reassure her, although it was rather unique. “But... why Poppy?"

“After years of being ignored by the rest of the world, I've finally met someone who actually sees me," Willow explained. “I thought Poppy might be that special someone I needed in my life. And we were hitting it off pretty well until you showed up. I was hoping I could be the hero she needed. Instead, the guy who knocked her up during a one night stand in the first place gets to act all high and mighty and always does the right thing and probably ends up marrying her."

“You really think I've been taking advantage of her?" Branch scoffed. “You don't know what complications she went through giving birth to my daughter. Poppy nearly died because of me! I don't feel high and mighty, I'm just grateful she's okay. And I am not going to marry her."

“Yeah, you're right, you should've by now," Willow said. “Or, at least, that's what my parents did. Didn't work out for them."

“Willow, I'm there's someone out there for you, but I doubt it's gonna be Poppy," Branch said. “I think she's just the friend you need."

“But if Poppy's not my someone, who else could she be?" Willow asked sadly.

“Only you can find her," Branch answered, and left with his supply bag.

I don't know how much more of this I'll be able to write. I can only think of about two or three more chapters. In the meantime, I published chapter one of my version of Trolls World Tour with Flower and Willow (and Willow's special someone, of course).

And about Poppy's party that causes the Bergen attack, that's gonna be brought up next chapter.

Until next time. 🌈