Being there for you

The hospital visit

Warning: Suggestive themes

When Poppy woke up, she was a little baffled to see that the spot beside her was vacant.  She grabbed her robe and messily tied it around her mid section. As she walked down the hallway, the sweet smell of muffins filled her nasal cavity. She smiled when she spotted her husband, and she walked behind him, wrapping her arms around his stomach. " Good morning Branch!" Poppy mused happily. " Good morning ,I figured you might like some muffins."Branch smiled." My man, you know me very well !" Poppy exclaimed, throwing her arms around him once more. Branch gently pushed away from her to take out the muffins from the oven. He set them on the table to cool down for a bit and he sat down, with a distinct frown on his face. Poppy immediately noticed that something was wrong and the smile on her face quickly disappeared and it was replaced with a frown," What's wrong?" Poppy asked, full of concern. 

" Nothing, don't worry about it." Branch replied dismissively. Poppy smirked to herself as a light bulb went off in her brain. If he wasn't going to talk, the only way he'd spill the beans was if she played dirty. She took  off her robe and placed it on the table. The king stopped what he was doing and looked up at her in confusion.  She walked over to him with a sly look on her face, and she sat down on his lap, facing him. Branch refused to make eye contact with his wife and he continued to eat his muffin as if she wasn't even there. She placed one hand on his jawline and leaned forward, kissing his neck. " Poppy...." Branch groaned in frustration. " You can move me anytime you want." She reminded him. Branch gave her an agitated look as she continued her assault on his senses by kissing his neck in a tantalizing manner. Poppy knew that she had won when Branch finally pushed her away to speak. " Poppy, I don't have time for this. " Branch replied irritably. " Well, unless you tell me what's wrong , I won't be going anywhere."  Poppy declared.   " Well, I'm just a little worried that someone will burn another pod down." Branch replied worriedly. Poppy raised an eyebrow, " A little? " 

" Fine, I'm really worried about this." Branch replied anxiously. Poppy frowned for a moment before speaking again, " Don't worry about it , to be honest I'm a little concerned for Ginger as well. " Poppy replied truthfully. " It's a good thing that we're going to see her today. " The king replied gratefully. Suddenly a terrible thought entered the queen's mind, " What if... what if she doesn't make it. " she replied wistfully. Branch stared at her with a somewhat widened expression, trying to take in everything that she said. " Don't think like that, I'm sure Ginger will be fine. " Branch replied reassuringly. " Even if she does make it, who will take care of her? her parents are gone now, and what if -" Branch interrupted her , " Poppy relax, I will take care of everything . " he replied hastily.  He brought her into a hug, and she relaxed in his arms. They pulled away smiling. " I think I'll go get dressed , so we can leave." Poppy replied happily. 

She went into her bedroom and slipped on her dress , along with her blue and green flower headband. Branch was already finished dressing , so they left the royal pod.     On their way to the hospital, the snackpack approached them " Hey, pops! are you still coming to that party tonight?" DJ exclaimed. " You bet! " the queen replied happily. DJ turned her attention to the king, " Are you coming tonight?" she asked suddenly. His eyes widened slightly, " Um , I'm not so sure..." he replied hesitantly. " Come on Branch, we'd love to have you there. " Biggie said pleadingly. The king looked over at Poppy for help, and she just snorted in amusement. " I'm pretty sure Poppy would love  to have you there." Chenille said teasingly. It was then that  the couple blushed fiercely at her sly remark. " Aw, they're blushing! " Satin gushed. 

" You know, we're kinda busy so we better get going. " Poppy said hastily. " Alright, you   lovebirds! " Guy Diamond called after them. Branch was glad they left before the snackpack even got a chance to embarrass him even more. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the queen squeezed his hand tighter to comfort him. He smiled up at his wife and squeezed her hand as well. It was no doubt that he was lucky to have her. Being married to Poppy was way better than being alone in his dark bunker and everybody knew it. He didn't even know that they were at the hospital , until he finally looked up. Dr Plum smiled as the King and Queen walked up to her. " I'm glad you guys came, I have something very important to talk to tell you."   Her tone was stern but gentle. " I understand. " Branch replied curtly. " Can you please follow me? " Dr Plum instructed. They both nodded and followed her to Ginger's hospital room. 

Poppy gasped when she saw the state that Ginger was in. Branch was right.

She looked like she was in unbearable pain, and cuts and bruises were all over her tiny frame. They  walked over to her hospital bed to get a better look at her. Ginger craned her neck to make eye contact with the queen. She opened her mouth to say something but all that came out was a faint wheezing sound. Poppy smiled sadly at the little girl. She was only 5 years old, and that's far too young to be dealing with any of this. Dr Plum watched this interaction quietly , knowing that it was only a matter of time before they found out the truth.  Poppy turned around to face Dr Plum and smiled," What did you want to tell us?" she asked with anticipation.

The purple troll scrunched her eyes closed for a moment to collect herself," Ginger only has 72 hours to live." 

Author's note: BOOM!

I bet you fartnuggets weren't expecting a CLIFFHANGER!!!!