Cyan was worried. She hadn't heard from Branch for over a month. So, she did what any concerned mother would do: show up to his house uninvited. And brought a Troll infant she was babysitting with her.

“Oh, Branch?" she called as she made her way inside his bunker. “You doing okay, sweetheart?"

Branch groaned as he heard his mother's voice. “How many times have I told you to knock?"

“I got worried, that's what mothers do when their sons hide away from them," she pointed out.

“Well, you can calm down," Branch assured her. “I wasn't hiding from you."

Cyan raised an eyebrow. “Then why have you been in here for the past... forty-one days?"

Branch sighed. “I just needed some time alone."

“I don't think it's good for you," she said. “Ever since we lost your grandmother, you've been distancing yourself from your fellow Trolls, including me. You don't know what you're missing. Wouldn't you like to have friends, hobbies, maybe a special lady?"

Branch couldn't help but blush, given his situation. And Cyan noticed immediately.

“Branch, did you actually find someone?!" she gasped loudly.

“Uh... more or less," he admitted. “It's just that our... relationship has taken an unexpected turn, and I'm not sure what to do about it."

“Well, you could talk to her, I'm sure the two of you will find a solution," Cyan suggested, gently bouncing the baby up and down.

I can't believe I'm about to do this, Branch thought to himself before asking, “Mom, is it okay if I hold him?"

“Don't see why not," she replied, and handed the baby over to her son. “His name is Keith."

“Hi, Keith," Branch greeted nervously. The child looked up at him with a creepy expression, making Branch nervous. “What's wrong with him?"

“He's just different, like you," Cyan answered. Branch just glared at her. “Okay, forget I said that."

Branch rolled his eyes and looked at Keith, who let his head fall as he began to sleep. Branch gently held it back up as the infant snored loudly.

“You know, this is the longest I've seen you with a child without panicking," Cyan said. “I'm sure with some practice, you could eventually be a good parent."

Branch wasn't sure how to respond. He only knew he was going to be a father, but he didn't think he'd be a good one.

But there was something he could do.

“Hey, Mom, just out of curiosity, what's been going on with the princess lately?"

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

It's your birthday you don't have to do nothin'

The time has come and it's finally here

Have a candle light dinner or just settle down, my dear

Whatever you like, girl, it's all up to you

We can celebrate, darling, 'cause it's your birthday

Poppy giggled at the Troll standing above her bed. “Good morning, Will."

“Morning, Pops!" Willow greeted, presenting a chocolate cupcake baked in an ice cream cone and topped with pink icing. “How does it feel to be... whatever comes after nineteen?"

“Not too different yet, but since this is my last birthday before I become a mom, things are definitely gonna change," Poppy answered, tasting the treat. “This needs something..."

“So, you got any plans for today?" Willow asked as Poppy covered her cupcake with sour pickle relish. “As long as they don't involve you in the village around 4:00 to 5:00, I am totally cool with it. Otherwise, I'll take you somewhere else we can have plenty of fun."

“Actually, Willow, I'm supposed to find out if the baby is a boy or girl this afternoon," Poppy informed her eccentric friend. “What, were you and the others trying to throw me a surprise party?"

“Oh, please! That would be way too predictable!" Willow scoffed. When Poppy wasn't looking, however, she peaked out the window and whispered to Smidge, “Ixnay the onfetti-cay!"

“Oh, my gah," Smidge groaned, and left. Willow turned back to Poppy.

“Anyhoo, which one are you hoping for?"

“I don't think it really matters," Poppy answered, finishing up her cupcake and the jar of relish. “I just want the baby to be okay."

For the rest of the morning, the two friends stayed in Poppy's pod and ate waffles as Willow played one of her favorite movies, Reservoir Trolls. Of course, Poppy had ketchup and sour cream on hers.

“You like it when Mama eats weird foods, don't ya?" Poppy cooed to her belly as she felt the baby move. Willow looked down feeling melancholic. Her own mother was never like that to her or her brothers and sisters.

I guess we can't all be loved, she thought sadly.

Suddenly, they heard someone knocking at the door. Willow got up to get it and found a grey Troll with a permanent scowl on his face standing in front of her. Willow raised an eyebrow in suspicion, she'd never seen a Troll like him before.

“Can I help you?" she asked warily.

“I have a birthday present for the princess," he replied. Poppy's eyes widened as she heard the familiar voice.

“Got an appointment?"

“To give a present?" Branch said, flabbergasted. “Why would I have to..."

“Hi, Branch!" Poppy interrupted, pushing Willow out of the way. She had an extra fluffy bathrobe on to hide her growing baby bump.

“Wait, this is Branch?" Willow asked. “When you said ‘disgruntled survivalist,' I expected more abs, less flab."

Branch raised an eyebrow and looked at his stomach.

“Well, thanks for coming, Branch!" Poppy said, and attempted to push him away from her home. “Hope to see you again sometime! Four months from now, maybe longer!"

Branch rolled his eyes as she pushed him with her hair. “Poppy, I know about the baby."

“What baby?" Poppy said, trying to sound innocent.

“I heard you talking to Bambi Eyes," he explained. Willow blinked in surprise. “Why didn't you tell me?"

Poppy sighed. “I didn't want you to freak out. I mean, I freaked out the moment I found out. I'm gonna give birth out of wedlock, I couldn't find anyone to take the baby in, and if everyone finds out you're the father, they won't look at me the same way again. What if they don't want me to be their queen anymore?"

“But Poppy, your dad and friends haven't said anything like that," Willow pointed out. “And if anyone does, I'll deck 'em."

“Never mind her," Branch said, pushing the teen Troll away. “You should've told me when you found out. And you're right, I probably would've freaked out. I mean, when I found out, I was in my bunker for a month, and... Ugh. Look... I have trouble imagining you as our queen one day, but I doubt having a baby with someone like me is gonna make everyone else think less of you."

Poppy looked away sadly. “I was scared of becoming a mom. I still am."

“That's understandable, but I think you'd be a wonderful mother and if you want, I can help you," Branch reassured her. “I have something for you."

Poppy turned around and noticed Branch holding up a bag. She reached inside and found...

“A music box?"

“It's a... family heirloom," Branch admitted, blushing. “It's pretty old, but I thought our child would like listening to the tune."

Poppy turned the key and heard the golden box play a soft melody as light shone through the star-shaped holes. Poppy tried holding back her tears, but found them falling down her cheeks nonetheless.

“It's beautiful," she cried. “Thank you, Branch."

They grey Troll looked away nervously.

“Psst! Pops!" Willow whispered. “Ask him to go with you!"

“Go with her to what?" Branch asked.

“You don't have to," Poppy answered, “but if you want to, you can come with me to find out the baby's gender this afternoon."

“Um, okay," Branch decided, although he had a feeling it would make things awkward.

🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸

“Who did you bring with you this time?" was the doctor's first question. Poppy's face turned red in embarrassment.

“He's uh... he's my health guru," Poppy lied.

“Guru? What am I, a hippie?" Branch scoffed. The doctor shook her head and began performing the ultrasound.

“Okay, there's the baby's face, there's the nose, you can finally see eyebrows," the doctor examined. “The baby looks perfectly healthy."

“I just can't believe there's a little someone in here," Poppy said, looking down at her stomach.

“Yeah, I've seen some Trolls have babies through their hair," the doctor explained. “But it makes things easier for me. Have you decided to find out the sex of the baby?"

“Yeah, I'm ready," Poppy answered.

“By all means," Branch added. With that, the doctor looked closer to the screen until she found something.

“Congratulations, Princess Poppy, you're having a girl."

Poppy couldn't believe it. She was having a daughter! She looked up at Branch, who was staring at the screen in awe. There was a light in his eyes that Poppy didn't think existed.

“Branch, you doing okay?" Poppy wondered. But he didn't answer, he was just too focused on his unborn baby girl.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

“Quick, everyone take their places!" Willow announced as the Trolls hid in various parts of the village. She had Branch, much to his protests about throwing big parties, lure Poppy away from Troll Village while the rest of the Trolls prepared the biggest surprise of her life.

“I'm glad you came with me for the gender reveal, but I don't think that visit to Sun Springs was necessary," Poppy said as they made their way back to the village.

“Well... I just thought it'd be nice for us to go on a walk together... like you do, as two Trolls... who are having a baby together."

“He's blowing it," Willow muttered to herself.

“Well, this is as far as I'll go," Branch declared. “You know me, avoiding other Trolls."

Poppy chuckled. “Yeah. But before you head back to your secret bunker, I just want you to know there's no pressure about the baby. You can be as involved as you want."

“Yeah, I know," Branch replied, but left in shock at the fact that he was going to have a daughter. “Great, now I'm gonna worry about who takes her out at night, and where."

Poppy rolled her eyes playfully and made her way through the village when...

“SURPRISE!"

Poppy gasped at the sight. There were colorful decorations, yummy treats, presents and glitter everywhere!

“Happy birthday, Poppy!" Willow cheered, slipping and falling on her back with her legs straight up in the air. “Ouch."

“Will, I can't believe you did all of this!" Poppy cried happily.

“Of course I did, you're my best friend," Willow pointed out. “Also, I was kinda hoping that..."

Before she could finish her sentence, however, the entire Snack Pack surrounded Poppy and Willow found herself on the outside. The teen Troll just left her gift on the table and left feeling a little down.

“So, did you find out what the baby is?" Biggie asked eagerly.

“Yeah, I'm having a girl!" Poppy answered. Everyone cheered at the news.

“Satin, we have so many tiny dresses to sew!" Chenille said ecstatically.

“I could teach her self-defense!" Smidge offered.

“And I could be her grandpa!" King Peppy added.

“Aww, you guys are too sweet!" Poppy said, blushing, and noticed Willow was gone. “Excuse me for a minute."

Poppy searched for Willow and found her by a stream.

“Willow, what happened?" she asked. “You walked out on a party you threw."

“Sorry, force of habit," Willow apologized. “When your dad is the village drunk and you have thirteen brothers and sisters, you're either ignored or insulted. So, the only thing you can do is just walk away. But I guess I overreacted."

“Don't be so hard on yourself," Poppy reassured her. “In fact, I think you deserve a little recognition."

“But Poppy, you're the princess," Willow pointed out. “I'm just an unsuccessful filmmaker."

“Well, maybe I can help you," Poppy suggested, and took her back to the party. Everyone was just talking to each other. Some engaged in small talk, the Snack Pack talked about the baby, and Cooper was just hoping to get some cake.

“Attention, everyone!" Poppy announced. “First off, I wanna thank you guys for all the support and love and “happy birthdays." It means everything to me. But as much as I appreciate the gifts you've given me... I don't think they'll be able to top the two I got a few months ago. One of them was when I found out about my soon-to-be baby girl. I was terrified, at first, but I eventually realized that I didn't have to be alone. And the other gift I got that day is right here. Willow here was the first Troll to find out, and all she did was try to help me. I took her kindness for granted, at first, but I don't think I could ask for a better friend."

“Poppy," Willow said, blushing, “I just did what any Troll would do."

“Well, what any Troll would do means everything to me," Poppy replied. “What I really want for this birthday is for everyone to help someone in need, and to let someone help you when they offer it. Like Willow did for me."

“Let's hear it for Willow!" DJ Suki shouted, and began playing the music.

Willow had never felt so loved in her life. She smiled at Poppy as they went to take over the dancefloor together.

For those of you who don't remember, Willow was in love with Poppy until near the end of my other book, In The Stardust, when Poppy was forced to break Willow's heart in order to save her and the rest of the Trolls.

But don't worry, they find love elsewhere. I can't tell you about Willow yet, but I think we all know who Poppy ends up with...

And I'd like to thank xbroppyx for the beautiful cover she made. I like that it doesn't focus too much on Poppy being pregnant while you still get the idea that she's obviously hiding something.

Until next time. 🌈