𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐞 {𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞} [𝐎𝐂 𝐗 𝐎𝐂]

♡Chapter 177♡

{Poppy's outfit}

Poppy was currently in her bedroom, her belly heavy and round beneath a stretched sweatshirt, sat on the floor amid half-packed cardboard boxes. She folded a soft flannel carefully, her fingers trembling as nerves churned inside her.

The door eased open and Michelle peeked in, her eyes immediately catching the sight of boxes scattered around.

"Hey, Poppy." Michelle said with a curious tilt of her head.

"Hey." Poppy replied softly, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Without hesitation, Michelle crouched beside a box and pulled out Poppy's old Walkman, the plastic scratched but well cared for. The familiar cassette clicking inside made Poppy's heart skip.

"You're packing this?" Michelle asked, holding it up like a trophy.

Poppy blinked, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just wanna put some things away...make room, you know?" She lied right through her teeth. Poppy was really packing her things to take to her moms house, she just hadn't found a way to tell her cousins, her brothers, or Joey yet, as they were the only ones who didn't know.

Michelle reached further into the box and lifted a small cluster of gleaming medals—worn ribbons and tarnished medals from Poppy's cheerleading days. "You still have these." Michelle said softly. "You always kept them out."

Poppy's breath hitched as she looked away. "Yeah, well...figured they'd be safer packed up for a while."

Michelle's fingers brushed a small trophy sitting at the bottom of the box, its base scratched and sticker peeling. "This one's from Regionals, right? You were so proud of this."

"Still am." Poppy murmured, biting her lip. "Just thought it'd be good to tidy up."

Michelle's gaze sharpened, her voice gentle but firm. "Poppy, why are you putting all your favourite stuff in boxes? Are you moving?"

Poppy's heart pounded, her cheeks flushing bright. She swallowed hard, fumbling for words. "No...no moving. Just, uh, making space. For the baby."

Michelle studied her, eyes searching for a crack in the story. "Promise me if you're moving you'll tell me?" She said softly.

Poppy's breath caught, then she nodded, voice barely above a whisper. "Promise."

Michelle smiled, satisfied for now, and stood up. "If you need help with those boxes, just say."

Poppy gave a shaky laugh, hand resting protectively on her belly.

Her secret stayed buried—for now. But she knew she had to tell Michelle and the others soon.

<~~~~~~~~>

The family were currently all in the kitchen, seated at the table as they ate their food together as a family.