Chapter 19

It had been another week since creek's sentencing, branch was fully healed from the brawl he and creek had. The whole village had been bustling over the wedding preparations since then. Since it's the first wedding in troll village in a few years, everyone was excited, but more so because it was poppy and branch's wedding. The pack had been busy with poppy for the wedding plans. The twins had been working several days making blueprints for poppy's wedding dress and branch's tuxedo. Poppy wanted something beautiful but also elegant, and branch asked the twins to simply have him look like a gentleman. An easy enough task. DJ and guy diamond were working hard on their music lineup for the reception, practicing together for songs they were going to sing and music they were going to preform. If anyone knew music, it was them. Poppy was proud to see her friends all happy to help her with  the wedding. She had amazing friends, and loved them all dearly. 

Coming out to the square, branch greeted some of the village trolls as they gave their morning hello's and good morning's. Occasionally visiting members of the pack to see how their day is going, and to check on their progresses. Asking if they wanted any help with anything. Biggie and smidge were happy to have help from branch, getting his input on what he would like in his wedding as well as what poppy would like. Satin and chenille wouldn't let branch anywhere near their fashion pod, refusing to let him see their plans on her dress. DJ and guy diamond had a blast with branch as they tested out some of the music lists they had set up, setting up all of the village favorites. Branch could admit, he actually liked spending time with people now. He was still adjusting from years of seclusion, but in the long run, he was slowly beginning to really enjoy company and being with others. Finally, he visited cooper, who was in charge with making a menu for food with poppy. His listing of foods was mostly sweets, coopers weakness. It was no surprise to branch, he was known to every troll in the village for his sweet tooth. But branch helped cooper with the menu to be more than just a sugar overload. Various fruits, meats, cheeses and cracker platters were added to the lists. Cooper asked branch what his favorite kind of cake was. Which was red velvet, but poppy's was strawberry. Cooper gave it some thought, then and idea popped into his head, heading off to find some paper and pencils to make a blueprint. Branch asked if he wanted help, cooper respectfully declining the offer. Branch said his goodbye's and thanked cooper for his help, leaving to head back to the square.

Meanwhile, DJ and guy diamond decided to take a break for the day, to make sure their voices don't get raspy and raw from over use. After parting their ways, DJ decided to visit her best friend. Heading to the square, she asked the village trolls if they had seen poppy most hadn't for the day, but she finally caught a break when one troll saw her head to the palace. DJ Hurried to the palace, wanting to see her bestie the day before her wedding, wondering how she was handling the anticipation. She entered the palace, full of busy trolls all working together setting up the sitting areas and the alter for the vows. King peppy helping with the preparations and leading information on their placements. DJ Saw peppy, hurrying over to him carefully, so not to push over or disturb any of the other trolls setting up. "King peppy! King peppy! Sir, have you seen poppy"? she asked kindly. Peppy turned to her, smiling to  see her chipper attitude. "Yes my dear, I believe I've seen her head upstairs a while ago, go on ahead, I'll be down here helping set up". He replied. Nodding her head, she hustled upstairs, eager to see poppy and how she is handling getting married in a day. 

DJ reached the top of the stairs, looking into the rooms as she passed by them, hoping to see poppy in one of them. She heard some groaning in the distance, confused as to where it was coming from. The sound was coming from further down hall, she passed the apothecary, coming up to a corner. The sound of retching could be heard very closely, DJ was puzzled, where were these sounds coming from and who was making them. Following the sound, she traveled past the corridor, coming up to a bathroom. Peeking inside, she sees poppy, huddled over the toilet bowl, groaning and  retching one last time finally. DJ was astonished to poppy like this, but also worried. "Poppy? What's wrong? Are you sick"? She asked her friend as she helps her from the ground. "I...I don't know what's wrong with me. I should be perfectly fine, the venom has been out of my system for about four weeks, I don't understand why, and I'm nauseous all the time now....what is wrong with me"? She asked in a shaky tone. DJ was puzzled herself, she didn't know what to think. "Well, do you think you may have caught something? Did eat anything strange these last few days"? DJ asked curiously. "Well, I don't think I got sick from anything. No one in the village has been sick for a while now thanks to all the herbs that dad and branch have". She finished with a perplexed look on her face. "Well, what did you eat today"? DJ asked. "Um...Well, I was craving some mushroom jerky, then I got a cupcake and wrapped in in bacon, then I had a pickle and some gummy bears". DJ stood with her jaw open. Astounded that all these things were eaten in one meal, let alone in those combinations. Then another idea came into mind, one that made her very curious indeed. "poppy.....have you and branch........done anything, lately"? She asked awkwardly. Poppy's eyes widened. She couldn't look DJ directly in the eye, avoiding her eyes completely. "U-ummm.....w-well....uh......". She stammered over her words for several moments, face going redder than a strawberry. "Oh. My. GOD!!! Poppy, you guys actually-"! She squealed. 

Poppy blushed harder, she couldn't help but smile just at the thought. "We.....we actually....did several times....". She replied sheepishly. DJ looked startled at first, but was soon hooting and hollering with a smile on her face. " Oh hoho! You couldn't wait until your wedding night huh?My goodness! Well, I'm pretty sure I know what's wrong then". Poppy looked to her friend, in a way, she knew. "You, my dear......might be pregnant"!! DJ shrieked happily. Poppy stood in a daze. Pregnant? With branch's child? She tenderly raised her hand to her stomach. Feeling a wide smile spread across her lips, her face began to swell with warmth. If she truly was pregnant, she would be the happiest troll on the planet. "I'm...going to be a mother? Oh my goodness, I'M GOING TO BE A MOTHER"! She thought to herself happily. "So, that I understand, you've been having nausea in the mornings and times during the day, and you've been having very....strange craving for foods? Then it's true. You really are pregnant. Oh I'm so excited to be the first person to know! I"M GONNA BE AN AUNTY"!!! DJ exclaimed in happiness. Jumping up and down, clapping her hands excitedly. Poppy joined her friend in the happiness overflowing through them. "I'M GOING TO BE A MOM"! She shrieked. Soon after however, she flustered for a moment, she didn't want anyone else to know just yet, but she needed help on how and when to do the big reveal. 

"Wait, wait, wait DJ. Please, I'm begging you, DON"T tell anyone. Oh goodness....What am I going to tell branch? HOW am I going to tell branch? Should I tell him before, or after the wedding"?! She asked frantically. DJ took held her friends' arms gently, trying to get her to calm down. "Whoa, hey, poppy, it'll be ok. First thing's first, we need to come up with a plan, and secondly, you're getting married tomorrow, don't stress yourself out. I'll help you through it all ok? Don't worry, You'll do fine". She cooed to her friend with reassuring hug. Poppy, felt a tad bit better, but she still didn't know the time or the place to tell her future husband the news. Suddenly, poppy heard a familiar voice calling her name down the hallway. It was branch.

"Poppy? Poppyyyy? Where are you"? He hollered. DJ smiled softly to poppy, reassuring her one more time before she takes her leave. "Whenever you choose to tell him, I'm sure he will be the happiest troll ever, now hurry out the the garden, I'll bring him to you". DJ said as she lay a gentle hand on her shoulder, leaning out of the bathroom into the hallway to flag down branch. Poppy left behind her, scurrying to the garden. "Hey branch"! DJ hollered down the hallway towards branch. He looked down the corridor to see DJ walking towards him, smiling from ear to ear. "Oh, hey DJ, What's up? Have you seen poppy? I've been looking for her". He asked. Smiling widely, she replied. "Yeah, pop is in the garden. I just went to see her before the wedding tomorrow. You nervous"? She asked cheekily. Branch thought to himself for a moment. It was a big deal, but he didn't feel afraid in the slightest. He was happy to marry the girl he loved more than anything in this world. "Honestly, no. I just can't can't wait. I'm sure that poppy is excited too". DJ smiled to herself, trying her best not to seem too giddy. "Oh I'm sure she is too. In more ways than one......". She whispered to herself. "What's that, D"? Branch asked. "Oh nothing, I'm just saying I'm sure she's excited too. But anyway, I've kept you long enough, you go ahead and see pops. I'll catch you guys tomorrow. It's gonna be a big day"! She exclaimed happily as she nudges his arm on the way past him.

He wondered what all that was about, but, it was DJ. So that was enough of an explanation. Shrugging his shoulders, he headed to the garden to see poppy. Coming in to the garden, he sees her sitting the the center of the reading spot he made for her in the pond. Enjoying the sound of the fountain and the wind through the leaves of the trees. The sun shining down on her, she looked almost as if she were glowing. He smiled to himself as he casually walked over to her. "Hey pop! I've been looking for you. So you've been here huh? I saw DJ as I came in. She said you guys were hanging out for a while. How are you feeling"? He asked her. She looked to him, seeing his handsome face made her feel happy inside. But knowing she was pregnant with his child made her feel more love than anything. She was soon to be married and now she found out she was pregnant? Nothing could have made her happier. "Of course, why wouldn't I be"? She snickered as she skipped from the sitting center of the pond, hugging him tightly. "well, I noticed you've been rather quiet the last few days. Are you just nervous for the wedding? Do you not feel well"? He asked with a concerned tone in his voice. Poppy wanted to reassure him to make sure nothing had been wrong. "well, I have been feeling a little.....off lately. But it'll soon pass. We have a big day tomorrow....I cant believe this is actually happening...". She murmurs as a tear rolls down her cheek. Branch felt a slight stab of worry hit him in the heart. Was she alright? Was she not ready? "Poppy....if you don't want to do this....". He trailed off. Poppy spun her head quickly, facing him. "Oh no, branch it's not that. Not that at all. I'm more than happy about tomorrow. Ecstatic even. It's just, I never thought all of this would happen, to ME one day.....The best things in life comes to those that never actually look. It just, happens....And honestly, I couldn't be happier". She said gracefully, holding her hand to her belly again. Branch stepped forward to her, smiling softly as well. Taking her hands into his own, he looks into her eyes, he noticed her color had been more vibrant and flush than ever. It seemed as if she really was glowing.

 Taking his fingers to her chin, he leaned in close to her lips. "I love you so much poppy. I don't know what I would do without you". He finishes as he kisses her lips softly. She felt her heart practically explode with love. She wrapped her arms around his neck, as he wrapped his around her waist. Hugging tightly, they share their kiss for several moments before parting. She couldn't keep it secret any longer, she had to tell him. She felt it wouldn't be right if she waited to tell him the news. Looking into his eyes, she gulped hard, hoping that the news she was about to give would be happy news, for him at least. "Uh......branch.....I...Need to tell you something". She said nervously. "Yeah, what is it pop"? Taking her hand to gently caress his face, she smiled weakly, taking courage. In  a few short but heavy breaths, she finally found it. "I.....I'm pregnant". She said softly with a nervous twang. Branch's eyes shot wide open. At first he was frozen from shock, but soon after, he wore the largest smile poppy had ever seen. "R-really? REALLY?! I....I'm g-gonna be-"! He stammered. Poppy nodded happily with teary eyes, holding her belly. "A father. Yes....". He immediately started jumping up and down happily. Hollering happily in the air as he ran in circles around the garden spouting excited shouts to the world. "Yes! YES! I'm gonna be a daddy! I"M GONNA BE A DAAADDYYY"! Poppy's heart was overfilled with joy, the man she loved was overjoyed about the news of their baby.  She smiled wide, enjoying the show of happiness branch was giving. He looked over to her, still smiling from ear to ear, rushing over to her quickly, he scooped her up bridal style, spinning her around in a few circles while laughing gleefully. She laughed playfully, burying her face into the curve of his neck. He stopped spinning her, looking deeply into her eyes wearing a soft smile with tears in his eyes, gently letting her down. He looks down on her, leaning in for passionate and deep kiss. He knelt down to her stomach, rubbing it gently with his hands. Softly burying his face onto her belly, his voice begins to get shaky. "D-don't you worry little one. You can bet I'll be the best daddy in the world. I promise". He finished as he kissed her stomach, letting out a few light whimpers. "I'm....I'm a dad....I'm a dad.....". As tears stream down his face from joy. 

Poppy stroked his head, giving him comfort and reassurance. "I'm only a few weeks branch, our time in the apothecary is most likely what hit the bulls eye. So, we have at least seven months to prepare. But, let's keep this a secret until later ok? It should be a surprise. How about at the reception? Would that be ok"? She asked genuinely. Branch stood, taking his soon to be wife's hand into his own then bringing it to his lips, then kissing it. "That would be a good idea, we could tell the whole village then! Oh I have SO much work to do now! I've already got a few ideas for it! That kid is going to have EVERYTHING it needs! Are we the only ones that know"!? He asked excitedly. "No, DJ is the only other that knows. In fact, she's the one who helped me today with the conclusion. I've been moody, always had morning sickness and nausea and I've been craving very strange foods. There's no doubt about it. I'm pregnant". She huffed happily. The two trolls stood in silence for only a few moments before branch reached out to her face, stroking her cheek.... Pressing their foreheads together. Soon, poppy spoke up. "Ok branch, we can't dally too long. We still have much to do. It IS our big day tomorrow after all. We'd better get going and get the rest of the day started, either wise we'll never get anything done". Branch paused, then smiled to his fiance. "Alright, but from now on you're not doing ANY heavy work, ok? Let me do the heavy lifting, alright"? Smirking for a moment, she nodded. Agreeing with his request. 

 Nodding his head in agreement, he held his arm out for his fiance, waiting for her response. She gladly took it. Walking back into the palace, the two expecting trolls promise to keep their little one a secret until the next night. Joining the others downstairs, poppy and branch help them with more of the preparations for the day, gleaming smiles printed on their faces for the entire duration. Anticipation eating away at them like a hungry child to a fresh strawberry. To them, tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

End Of chapter 19