"The little troll walked through the forest, unaware of the dangers that lurked all around her..." Branch read from his daughter's favorite book as Azalea listened intently, laying in her little bed, overjoyed to finally have her nightly story time back. "Little did the young trolling know... but there was a Growl Beast lurking in the shadows, licking it's lips in anticipation for it's next meal..."

"But..." Azalea continued with a smile, knowing the story by heart. "The little troll's father had taught her all about safety."

"Yes," Branch chuckled, nodding his head in agreement. "And she was able to outsmart the predator, quickly making her way back home where she was able to live happily ever after with her family."

     "And then the littlest troll finally discovered that being safe... was the most fun thing of all..." Azalea giggled, Branch closing the book to put back on the shelf.
"The end..." he finished, placing a gentle kiss on his daughter's cheek.

—————

     Poppy yawned, exhausted from doing all the cleaning around the bunker. Usually her and Branch would do all their chores together, but...

     She sighed at the thought, wiping her tears away... She missed him... she missed him so much...

     Walking towards her daughter's room after having already gotten her son to bed, she suddenly heard a soft voice coming from just a few feet away... a voice she recognized immediately...

     "I love you, daddy..." she heard her daughter say as she slowly opened up the little girl's bedroom door, looking into the room to see Azalea was already tucked into bed. "He, he... that tickles," the trolling laughed, Poppy raising an eyebrow in slight confusion.

     "Azalea?"

—————

     Branch and Azalea both turned around at the sound of Poppy's voice, seeing the young queen standing in the doorway.

     "Hi mommy!" Azalea greeted.
"Who were you talking to just now, sweetie?" Poppy asked, walking over to her daughter, accidentally stepping right through Branch in the process.

     Azalea giggled at the 'magic trick' before finally answering the question.

     "Daddy," she replied joyfully, Branch's ears drooping slightly as he looked sadly up at his loving wife, knowing she had no idea he was even there...

     Poppy sighed, sitting down on the little bed so she could hug her daughter tightly.

     "Honey... your dad... he... he isn't here anymore," she explained softly, knowing it needed to be said. "Remember?"

     "What are you talking about, Mommy?" Azalea questioned, genuinely confused by her mother's statement. "He's standing right there..." She pointed to Branch who lowered his head in despair.

     "She... she can't see me, sweetie..." he informed softly.
"She can't?" Azalea questioned, Poppy looking at her in confusion. "Why not?"

     "Who are you talking to?" Poppy asked.
"Daddy," Azalea replied in a matter of fact way. "He says you can't see him... can you not hear him either?"

     Poppy looked over to where her daughter said Branch was standing, carefully looking into the empty space.

     "I'm here, Poppy..." Branch whispered, looking sadly at the queen of pop. "I'm right here..."

     Slowly, he reached forwards, gently stroking his wife's cheek, Poppy gasping as she reached up to touch her face in shock, feeling his hand right there...

     "Branch..." she whispered in disbelief, her eyes wide.

     The blue pop troll smiled slightly, looking her right in the eyes.

     "I would never leave you, Poppy..." he whispered. "I love you..."

     "Daddy says he loves you..." Azalea yawned, her eyes slowly fluttering shut, suddenly feeling rather tired.

     Tears forming in her eyes, Poppy stared right in Branch's direction, still completely unable to see him.

     "I love you too, Branch..." she finally whispered as Branch hugged her tight even though he knew she couldn't hug back. "I love you so much..."