Married Life

Chapter 9: Thanks

     Poppy ran as far as she could into the forest. Though she had no idea where she was going, she was determined to get as far away as she could possibly get. Thankfully, with Branch often working out, he was faster than her.

     "Poppy!?" He yelled through the forest. Beginning to panic, he started to stop trolls while they were walking to ask,

     "Have you seen Poppy??" Freaked out, they'd shake their heads. The teal troll rubbed his temples and tried to think.

     "This is Poppy we're thinking about. If I were her, where would I run off to?"

     Instantly, his ears lifted and wiggled around. He could hear the familiar voice of his wife and began to run towards it. It wasn't really a song that he was hearing, more of a hum with the occasional hiccup. She was up in a tree and when he got to her, she just gave him a look. Turning her head away from her husband she spoke.

     "Branch, why did you follow me?" She wiped her cheek, trying to get the tears to stop.

     "Because you ran out of the house bawling and I care enough about you to make sure you're alright."

     "Well don't. I'm fine."

     "Yeah right." The teal troll scooted over by her side and looked at her. She avoided eye contact, not wanting him see her cry.

     "Do you wanna talk about it?"

     "Not really."

     She was clearly lying. Branch could read her like a book. The pink troll's eyes screamed that she wanted someone to talk to. Why was she bottling it up?

     "You with the sad eyes.."

     Poppy looked up at her husband as he began to sing. He really could read her like a book. This was always how he'd make her feel better, and she always loved it. She bit her lip, trying to look away. But she couldn't help but keep her eyes locked on his.

     "Don't be discouraged.."

     Branch gave her this really goofy face and she couldn't help but softly laugh as she took his hand.

     "Alright, alright. I'll talk. Jeez you really know how to get to me." Branch smirked and squeezed her hand.

     The pink troll sighed and closed her eyes.

     "My dad, he was talking to me about my mom.. And he got to a subject that kinda bothered me.." Taking a moment to pause, she opened her eyes and looked at the troll next to her.

     "And that subject was..?"

     "It doesn't matter. It just bothered me. I, didn't take it too well, and.. I made a big deal about it.. We both said some things that hurt each other and.."

     Poppy covered her face with her hands.

     "This is all my fault.." She said as Branch lifted his eyebrows. Though a little confused, he understood.

     He took his hand and rubbed her back in hypnotic motions. Trying to soothe her, he gave her a peck on the head.

     "Listen Pops, I'm sure your dad didn't mean to say whatever he said. After you left, he was just frozen. He couldn't say anything in shock. I'm sure whatever you guys were talking about, he was only doing for your best interests."

     As much as she wanted to tell him about the conversation, she was honestly afraid. The thought of introducing the conversation of a baby in their lives could freak him out. Maybe get him angry too. It was just, too soon.

     "I can see that now.. I feel like such a jerk.." Branch knew his wife was stressed. He really had never seen her this stressed at all. Lifting his hand, he placed it on her cheek and locked eyes with her.

     "Well, I think we need to give your dad some space.. I think he feels just as guilty as you do and you both need to take a break from each other."

     As much as she hated to admit it, he was right.

     "Let's.. Go to my bunker. We can sleep there for tonight. Tomorrow we can go back and you two can make up." Poppy nodded and took his hand as they both stood, getting down from the tree. Reaching the bottom, they began to walk hand in hand to his bunker.

     "Hey Branch.." He looked down at her.

     "Thanks.."