Clay watched as Viva squealed and ran out of hiding, running up to, who he now knows is, his brothers.
He watched as Spruce panicked and he walked out of hiding, walking up to his immediate older brother.
"Hey, bro!" Clay said.
Spruce smiled, "Clay!"
They both turned their attention to Viva who was now holding a sobbing Branch and Poppy.
John Dory walked over to them and the four of them watched in concern. (Tiny Diamond makes four-)
They silently watched and listened for a few minutes, trying to figure out what was going on.
Branch could only sob as he clung to Viva, desperate for her affection.
"Sorry! 'M so sorry, didn't mean to! I didn't!" He cried, trying to speak.
Viva smiled sympathetically and she rubbed his back, "Hey, hey...none of that, okay?"
Poppy hugged her and Branch tight, "It's been terrible!" She cried, then she whispered to Viva, "Dad's been lying to Branch, giving him false hope, I'm glad you're alive of course, but I hated it..."
Viva cradled them both, but as she listened to Poppy she became confused, "Hey, Branch?"
Branch looked up at her, silent tears rolling down his face.
She smiled and pointed at Clay, "Guess who else is here?"
Branch looked over and his eyes widened.
He let go of her and ran over to Clay, tackling him in a hug.
Viva smiled at the sight before looking back to Poppy, "You need to explain everything to me. We'll leave them be.."
Clay gulped as he held Branch.
Viva had been furious when she learned what he'd done to him.
But now she left him with his brothers? And a random baby..?
He sighed and allowed Branch to cling to him, not wanting his baby brother randomly decide that he didn't want him.
Of course Clay wanted his baby brother! Why wouldn't he want him?
But ever since Viva screamed at him, he's done research and now he knows that if he makes the slightest wrong move then Branch will most likely believe that Clay hates him.
And Clay really does not want that to happen.
Besides, he likes Branch clinging to him.
It reminds him of when Branch was a little baby!
He would cling to him and beg him to play, to make silly faces, or do a silly dance.
Now, Clay may be serious now, but he would do anything Branch wanted, as long as it made him happy.