The family of trolls sat at the dining room table, eating their breakfast in silence, the sorrow running through the three adults like a wave of disappointment and despair...

     The two kids however seemed extra excited as they munched happily on their food.

     "Why didn't daddy get breakfast?" Azalea suddenly asked out of the blue, stuffing another bit of pancake into her mouth.

     All the adults looked at her, not knowing what to say...

     "Um... it's ok, sweetie..." Branch said, placing a gentle hand on Azalea's shoulder. "I'm not hungry..."

     "Oh... ok!" the toddler responded, the adults wondering who she was talking to.

     "Daddy! Daddy!" Twig giggled, opening up his arms to tell his father he wanted a hug.

     With a smile, Branch walked over to hug his son, a cold chill going down Poppy's arm as he walked past, accidentally rubbing against her...

     "Brr..." she shivered, looking around for a quick moment.

     "Are you ok, Poppy?" Peppy asked, the young queen looking to her father.

     "Yeah..." she answered. "There must be a draft in here..."

     "So..." Pansy asked, changing the subject completely. "What time is the funeral tomorrow?"
"Noon..." Poppy answered with a sigh, lowering her head as she began to push her oatmeal around with her spoon. "I just... I still can't believe he needs one... I wish he was here..."

     Branch frowned at his wife's words, slowly walking over to hug her.

     He didn't really notice at first... but surprisingly... he actually was able to hug her... his arms not going through her body for the first time since he became a ghost...

     Poppy gasped, turning around in surprise as she could feel the presence of the comforting hug... but still... she didn't see Branch...

     "Well... we better get going..." Pansy finally said, placing her plate in the dishwasher to help Poppy out with the cleaning. "We still need to check in to the hotel."

     "You know you guys are more than welcome to stay here," Poppy said, taking her own dish to the sink, walking right through Branch, Azalea giggling softly, thinking it was some sort of magic trick.

     "No, no," Peppy said. "We don't want to intrude."
"You won't be... really," Poppy assured with a kind smile. "There's more than enough room."

     "Uueeka will get lonely outside," Pansy informed. "He won't fit through the small hatch..."

     "Ok..." Poppy finally agreed, hugging her parents goodbye. "I'll see you guys tomorrow..."

     "We love you, Poppy..." Peppy told his daughter with a quick kiss to her forehead.
"I love you two, mom and dad," Poppy giggled. "I'll walk you guys out..."

     Poppy walked Peppy and Pansy towards the door, carrying her two children along as Branch followed behind.

     Even though he knew they couldn't see him... he still wanted to see them off. He had always been rather fond of his father-in-law, and actually considered him a good friend...

     But as he walked, a small pain suddenly gripped his stomach, the little blue troll freezing in place as he looked down at his hands...

     Once again... he was beginning to flash in and out of existence a small voice ringing in the back of his head...

     'The gates are always open for you, Branch...'

     "No..." He shook the voice out of his head, concentrating on coming fully back to reality. "I'm not leaving them... I can't... I won't..."