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Chapter 2
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Saturday took forever to arrive, but finally the sun came up on Saturday morning. Junior jumped out of bed, raced to shower and spent ages in front of the mirror, combing his orange hair. He was so nervous that his hands shook. A date with Cherry! He didn't want to mess it up!
It wasn't until the sun lit up his room that he stopped dead in his tracks. The horror of horrors stared back through his reflection.
A zit was growing on the side of his forehead! Right in a place where his hair wouldn't cover it! He might as well have a neon sign on his head because the zit was so obvious against his green skin. What if this ruined his date?
"Oh, no...DAD!"
o
Cherry stepped out of the shower at seven o'clock sharp and went about drying her hair. She'd decided not to wear her princess garb today. Instead, she'd wear her red T-shirt under a blue denim jumper, a feminine version of her father's old plumber outfit. For a carnival, it was more comfortable and her skirt was less likely to fly up on a ride. Arranging her hair took over an hour before she decided on a simple ponytail.
Then she saw herself in better light and froze.
There was a pimple on her chin! To Cherry, it looked as huge as Bowser's volcano crater. She crashed back into her bathroom for more makeup, but nothing would cover this monster. What if this ruined her date?
"Oh, no...DAD!"
o
And so it came to pass that Junior arrived at the Mushroom Castle wearing a ridiculous orange baseball cap. Cherry waited on the steps with a little white lace fan coyly covering her mouth and chin.
Cherry asked, "What's with the hat?"
And Junior asked at the same time, "Why do you have a fan?"
Sheepishly, Junior took off his hat so Cherry could see his zit. Blinking, Cherry lowered her fan so Junior could see her zit.
"I never would have noticed," they said simultaneously.
Junior grinned, Cherry covered her mouth and they both laughed until tears ran down their faces. Neither would forget this awkward moment for as long as they lived. Junior helped Cherry climb into the Koopa Clown Car and they sped off towards the brilliant colors and spirals of the Mushroom Carnival. There, they would completely forget the time.
o
Mario went to the carnival a few hours after Cherry. He hoped to find Bowser there, but the Koopa King was nowhere to be found. Then he glanced towards the hill holding Peach's statue, which was set in the center of the carnival, and saw a spiky shell. Of course...Cherry once told him Bowser went there at noon every day.
Pushing his way gently past two red yoshis and a toadling, Mario made his way up the hill. Bowser was kneeling, clipping the grass with a pair of gardening shears. He kept at it until Peach's grave looked like a perfect rectangle. Then Mario watched Bowser wipe the dust off Peach's statue with a gentleness that belied his fierce saurian appearance. Even more startling, he had tears rolling down his snout.
"Today's the carnival. Junior and Cherry are on their first date. Junior was so nervous that he puked...I spent half the morning laughing at him. He freaked out. Good thing he's got a dad like me to set him straight, huh? I used to get that nervous before kidnapping you...heh, heh! Imagine that...me getting nervous...you'd probably laugh too."
"She-a would have." Mario said.
Bowser whipped around, wide-eyed. His eyes flashed in recognition and he immediately wiped the tears off his face. "What the-" he cleared his throat, trying to sound angry, "w-what are you doing here? I didn't invite you!"
"Scusi!" he said sarcastically, "This is-a my wife's a-grave. I can-a come any time-a I want."
At that, Bowser's expression melted a little. He seemed to remember that he wasn't the lonely widow here. And judging by his frown, he was sulking about it. Mario scratched his mustache while observing the aging Koopa King. Bowser's hair had white streaks and his eyes were a little more squinty than he remembered. It wouldn't surprise him if Bowser's eyesight wasn't as sharp as it used to be and he just refused to wear glasses.
"How come you don't come here?"
The question startled Mario. It also made him feel guilty. His head sank a little into his shoulders and he shifted uncomfortably under Bowser's accusing glare. "I guess it's-a just a little easier if-a I remember her where-a she lived. If-a I come to her-a grave-a..." a hot lump swelled in his throat, turning his voice hoarse, "all-a I can-a see is-a her death. I don't-a want to remember her-a dead. Does-a that-a make sense?"
Bowser's eyes cooled to a less menacing gaze. Suddenly, he turned away to look at Peach's statue. "That's more than I'll ever have, Mario. You saw her smile, heard her laugh, made love to her. I'll admit I went about loving her in totally the wrong way, but that does not change the fact that I did love her." He said his words without growling or snarling, just utter frankness. It was also one of the few times Bowser ever said anything that didn't include a taunt or threat. "This," he gestured to the grave, "is all I have. Dammit, Mario! I never got to say goodbye!"
Mario dared to venture close enough to sit next to Bowser's hulking form. Bowser made no motion to encourage or discourage the action. Mario stared up at Peach's golden, smiling face. He could still remember finding her at the bottom of that damned staircase, her body twisted amidst the fabric of her pink gown and gold hair...her beautiful blue eyes dilated with death. The grave always made him remember that horrible moment. How he knelt and cried over her...those bitter tears welled up again like a painful swelling in his chest. He took his glasses off and covered his face with one hand, weeping openly. "It-a was not-a your fault, Bowser..."
"What?"
"Peach...her fall-a was not-a your fault. No-a-body a-could have stopped it-a from a-happening. It-a was just-a very a-terrible accident." he sobbed, wiping his eyes, but the tears came so fast that he could not stop them. He didn't see the fresh silver trails blazing down Bowser's face. "Sometimes...there are-a days where-a I wonder if-a I a-could have stopped it-a if I'd just come around-a the corner five-a minutes sooner. Oh, my Peach...my sweet-a Peach..."
Mario felt a huge, warm hand lay itself across his back. Before he realized what had happened, he was pressed to Bowser's side. "Let it all out." Bowser said, his bass voice trembling. "We've been crying for ourselves for too long. Now, we cry for her. Let it out."
Mario curled into Bowser and sobbed, faintly able to hear Bowser crying as well. Him and what was once his worst rival, weeping together for the woman they both loved. He knew Bowser was laying a lot out to cry in front of an adversary like this. It was...an honor even...to share this vulnerable moment with him. They cried until they ran out of tears. Then they leaned against each other, clinging for strength. Finally, Mario scooted away from the Koopa, pulled an old rag from the pocket of his blue overalls and blew his nose. Bowser just turned his head and blasted a half-gallon wad of snot into the bushes six feet behind Peach's grave. A couple of yoshis jumped up and cursed at them in their native language. Mario's face went from red to green and back to red.
"What?" Bowser wiped the residue off his nostrils and sniffed. "They don't make tissues strong enough for Koopas."
"No...it's-a just..." Mario went from tears to laughter, "That-a was-a mighty far-a shot! And ya ruined their-a picnic."
"Oh." Bowser's eyebrows crossed. He glanced at the bushes and laughed as well. "I just beat my old record! Yeah! Serves you right for eating there!"
The angry yoshis picked up the food that hadn't been snot-balled and stalked down the hill. Mario glanced past them and saw Cherry and Junior on the ferris wheel. He put his glasses on for a better look. They were kissing, smiling and holding hands. Bowser followed his gaze, squinting.
"They're in love. No doubt about it." said Bowser. "Hey, pipe-head...why not let those two get married? No, wait, don't say anything until I finish."
Mario closed his mouth.
"They love each other. Junior's had feelings for Cherry since they were little...and I've been thinking. Well, it was Junior's idea too, but...if they got married, we could ally our kingdoms. Open trade routes and stuff. The Koopa army could protect the Mushroom Kingdom from invaders and the Mushroom people can share their medicine with us. We could exchange technology, improve the economy, all kinds of good stuff. I can't see any better way of making the merge than by letting our brats hook up. But they'll hook up the right way...and maybe once in awhile I'll come around and kidnap your daughter-" and Mario glared at him for that, which made Bowser guffaw. "Mario! I'm kidding! Bwahaha! Oh, your face is redder than a spanked yoshi's ass!" Laughing made Bowser's wrinkles deepen.
Mario shook his head at the giant Koopa king and chuckled. He turned again to watch Cherry lay her head against Junior's bicep. Peach used to lean on him in a similar manner...and Peach did once say she'd rather that Cherry married for love than property or money. In this case, it'd be for both.
"Cherry does-a love him. She-a tried to-a keep it-a secret, but she-a is like her a-mother, I can-a tell. Letting them a-marry young might-a mean a long reign-a, wouldn't it?"
"Yeah, it would."
There was no need to think about it any longer. Mario met Bowser's eyes. "Let's-a do it."
"Awesome!" Bowser pumped his fist in the air. "We can finalize this on the go-kart track, whaddya say?"
"You're-a on!"
o
Various dings and beeps echoed around the stuffy yellow tent. Cherry and Junior stood over the Whack-a-Mole machine, pounding away.
Cherry shouted directions, "Quick! He's coming up again! AH! Get it!" while Junior tried to hit them with the mallet. The game wasn't designed for his huge hands, so he had trouble swinging the mallet without tossing it across the tent. So, just like his father, he cheated. He started using his tail and racked up a large ticket pile.
"Gotcha!" Junior roared triumphantly. He looked at the pile of tickets. "Oh, wow, I think we should stop playing now...the locals are getting mad..."
"Sure." Cherry tore the tickets from the slot, balled them up and stuffed them into Junior's shell. "C'mon, let's go watch the go-karts!"
Junior grinned roguishly, which made Cherry's heart do a flip-flop. As they walked out of the tent, she gave him a playful poke in the arm. He poked back gently. She nudged him a little harder. He goosed her ribs with his tail. Squeaking, she shoved him sideways as hard as she could...which did not move him very far. In return, he gave her a sideways shove so hard that she fell into the kiddy ball-pit. He laughed and took off running. She freed herself from the ball-pit and chased after him, giggling.
They arrived at the go-kart track gasping, flushed and sweaty. The track was a straight-away that curved into a hair pin turn, then straightened out like a concentric letter B. Cherry pushed to the front to see who was racing. Junior used his size to shove people out of his way and leaned on the railing. He spotted the two racers taking their positions by the stoplight. One was massive with a spiked shell and the other wore a red cap. There was no mistaking them.
"Cherry!"
"I see them too!"
The stoplight began to flash. Bowser grabbed a banana peel someone left on a nearby railing and set it against one of Mario's back tires. At the green light, Bowser took off. Mario spun out on the banana peel and got a face-full of dust.
"Playing fair is for wimps!" Bowser roared as he sped by. He went so fast that his hair was blown straight back. Cherry covered her nose so the dust of his kart wouldn't make her sneeze.
Mario finally got his kart going. He depressed the gas and zipped down the track towards Bowser, shouting, "Stronzo!"
Their engines roared around the corner towards the hair pin curve. Bowser kept trying to edge Mario off the track. They were shouting at each other and...Junior couldn't believe it...laughing. Smoke rose from their tires constantly bumping together. They came around the curve, Bowser in the lead. Ten feet from the finish line, Mario bumped Bowser's back tire in a way that made him fishtail off the road and crash into the bushes.
"You pesky pipe-pissing plumber!" roared Bowser, shaking his fist.
Mario stood up with his hands on his hips, leaned back and laughed. "Someone once-a said-a 'playing-a fair is-a for-a wimps!'"
"And it's a damn good quote, too! Because I made it up."
Junior turned away from their banter and stared goggle-eyed at Cherry. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing? Are they actually joking with each other?"
"They must have talked about mom." Cherry replied. "Let's follow them!"
"I-oof!" Junior tripped over his own tail in his haste to catch up with her. "I feel like I'm in some mirror universe where everybody has a goatee."
They followed Mario and Bowser into a tent with two pads covered in arrows on the floor. In front of them was a screen full of moving arrows. Mario focused on hitting the arrows under his feet. But Bowser? Bowser began to all-out breakdance. For such a huge, beefy guy, he was extremely athletic. Drops, six-steps, freezes, the turtle, air chairs, a huge windmill and he finished up by spinning around on his shell to win the game. The five-minute routine left him gasping and sweating, but he rolled back to his feet and shook Mario's hand. Apparently, in whatever competition they had, it was over and they were even.
Junior backpedaled a little when Bowser glanced towards him. Rather than walk over, Bowser just kind of steered Mario to a corner and they resumed their conversation.
"I think we should leave them alone to do their business," Cherry said, tugging on his arm. "C'mon, let's go get some hot dogs or something. I'm hungry."
"Hot dogs!" Junior grinned. "Big, fat juicy hot dogs with so much stuff on 'em that they spill everywhere. Now, I don't mean to brag, but," he pretended to polish his claws on his chest, "I can eat six hot dogs at once if I want."
Cherry burst out laughing. "I'd like to see that!"
"You asked for it." Junior said, leading her to the hot dog vendor and pulling a sack of coins from his shell. "I'll pay for yours, too. Just one? Gotcha." he paid for their food. The hot dogs arrived on a small tray that Junior carried to a secluded picnic table under a fat apple tree. He sat down and the wooden bench creaked under his weight. "Just kick me or something if this gets too gross for you."
Snickering, she picked up her hot dog and bit into it. Relish, mustard, ketchup and even bits of onion splattered back onto her tray. She let the different tastes sting her tongue. It was hard not to laugh at how bad Junior's table manners could be. He stuffed half a hot dog all the way into his mouth, bit down and chewed like a cow. Anyone who didn't know him would think him an ill-mannered buffoon, but she knew better. She sat there, watching him put all six hot dogs away in less than ten minutes. He pumped his fists in the air when he finished.
You're so funny. Cherry thought. She picked up a napkin and gingerly wiped the ketchup off Junior's mouth. They stopped and stared into each others' eyes.
"You're so much like your dad," said Cherry, laying her tiny hand on top of his huge one. "Junior, whatever happens in the future-if your heart goes bad, please listen to the doctors."
"Cherry?"
"Just promise."
He frowned and licked his fingers. "Okay, I promise. Why are you talking like this? My dad isn't gonna die any time soon."
Cherry shook her head, wiping a black lock of hair off her forehead. "I guess I just worry...it's hard to lose someone close to you too soon."
"Aw, Cherry, I'm not goin' anywhere if I can help it, so just-"
"BOO!" Bowser jumped out from behind the tree.
"AHH!" Junior fell off the bench, rocking on his back while Bowser laughed.
"Bowser!" Cherry held her chest, startled. "You almost gave me a heart attack! Oh...sorry..." she shrank back when her statement made his eyes flare. Heart attack jokes were not funny to him at all. He cooled and waved it off.
"I need to talk to Junior for a minute." Bowser said. His eyes were brighter than Cherry had ever seen them, almost as if the weight of the world had been taken off his shoulders. He dumped a handful of coins into Cherry's hand. "Scram, this is man-to-man business. Go play some games or something." the sharp words were said with a smile, indicating he didn't mean it in a rude way.
Cherry playfully tossed her napkin at Bowser's head and slid off the bench. "Sure. Junior, come find me when you're done."
Junior nodded, giving a thumb's up. Bowser leaned over and started talking into his ear. Whatever he said, it made Junior look really happy.
o
Happiness would be an understatement for how Junior felt. Reality moved at a snail's pace as Bowser said the magic words into his ear: "I worked everything out, kid. You're gonna marry Cherry." He was so happy he cried all over his father's chest. For once, Bowser didn't shove him away and tell him to stop it. The Koopa King's expression was unusually composed. "Kid, Junior, hey, listen...look at me."
Junior straightened to look Bowser in the eye.
Bowser reached into his shell and pulled out a small black box. In it was a ring, a beautiful gold ring with several diamonds set in a tiny Koopa shell-shaped frame. The brilliant stones sparkled like rainbow stars in the sunlight. Nothing in the world was more beautiful than that rock...except for Cherry. "Propose to her with this. But do it right. Make her look you in the eye. Then get down on one knee, real slow, and don't let go of her hand. Pop the box open with your thumb and let her see the ring. That is when you ask. It's all about the set-up."
"I'm nervous...what if she freaks out?"
"She won't." he said, placing the box in Junior's hands and closing his fingers around it. "This ring means a lot to me, Junior. I had it made for Peach, for when we got married. Since that didn't happen, I want you to have it." Junior's eyes wandered down to his father's hands clasped around his own. Bowser went on in a whisper, "I'll see a dream come true through you. Now, don't ruin it by getting drunk after you propose. Don't get drunk at your bachelor party and for shit's sake don't get drunk at your wedding-when it comes. Now go get your girl."
"Dad...isn't this a little soon?"
"No. The younger you two marry, the longer you can boss people around." Bowser grinned roguishly, showing off his sharp teeth. He gave Junior a push. "Go propose! No kidnapping unless she says no!"
Junior laughed and sprinted into the crowd.
o
Humph! I'm not fat like that! Cherry thought while observing her reflection in the fun house mirrors. The mirror she stood before made her look wider than she was tall.
Suddenly, a green and orange shape that looked like a saucer with flame-colored hair sprinted up in the background. "Found you!" Junior stopped next to a mirror that made him look tall and toothpick-thin, and Cherry barely covered a giggle.
"Hi, Junior! What's with the guy talk?" she took his hand. "Oh-you're shaking. Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah...Cherry, I'm fine." Junior replied. Licking his lips, he led Cherry away from the mirrors. His palm was damp against hers. He was really nervous about something. Maybe Bowser broke the news to him that they couldn't get married. She swallowed, building herself up for the bad news when Junior stopped and turned. As gracefully as a seven foot five inch tall Koopa possibly could, he dropped to one knee and looked up at her. "Cherry?"
Air suddenly caught in her throat. The rest of the world vanished and there was only the question on the tip of Junior's tongue. She saw it in slow motion-his hand opening to reveal a black box, the ring in the box glittering in the sun and his russet eyes moving to search hers. She saw all of his love for her lying naked on his saurian face.
"Cherry..."
"Junior..." her eyes welled over.
"Will you marry me, Cherry?"
Her knees buckled and she fell to eye level with him, cupping her free hand over the ring. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Yes," she whispered against his mouth. "Yes," she kissed him deeply, "With all my heart, yes."
Junior's huge arms pulled her to his chest. Their kiss turned hot, passionate, a swirl of tongues and softness that stole their breath away. Then Junior drew back with a sheepish grin. He placed the ring on Cherry's finger. She marveled at how it sparkled against her bronze skin.
And around them, cheers erupted. Bowser came out from behind the fun house with Mario right next to him. Cherry saw Bowser give Junior a thumb's up. She suddenly realized that anyone in the area had seen Junior's very public proposal. And she could not stop giggling about it. He'd made her giddy...nobody had ever done that to her before. She saw Mario smiling at her with a twinkle in his eye.
Mom...you'd be so proud.
o
The next six months were filled with stress and wedding plans. A mile long guest list, reception details, ceremony details, places where Koopa and Mushroom cultures could mingle and the astronomical cost of the whole thing. Cherry and Junior hired and fired several wedding planners-they figured planning the wedding themselves would be easier than having some stylist tell them what to do. Their wedding cake was going to have twelve tiers. Chocolate cake shaped like Koopa shells, whipped cream frosting drizzled in more chocolate with cherries around the edges. At first, Junior and Cherry planned to have exotic food for the reception, but quickly changed their plans when they realized how impersonal it would be. They chose instead to have Cheep Cheep kabobs cooked en masse. The exotic part would be the drinks - various Mushroom and Koopa wines and punches. They also planned to provide a lot of finger-foods, like carrot sticks, meat platters and cheese. At one point, they sat down to read etiquette how-to books for both Mushroom and Koopa weddings. Both contradicted each other so much that they threw the books over their shoulders and laughed.
Mario and Bowser spent much of their time on paperwork. Creating treaties, signing mergers on their land and preparing the royal marriage license.
Bowser had another heart attack during the proceedings. A small one from all the stress, but damaging enough that he was out of commission for three weeks. He signed paperwork from his bed and threw a fit whenever Junior showed concern for his health. "We're planning your wedding, not my funeral!" he'd say.
When Bowser was well enough to walk around again, he helped Junior with his tuxedo fittings. Junior chose a pristine white tux. The only color would be his blood red boutonniere. Bowser's suit was the same, save he'd have a red cumber bun and tie. He couldn't stop looking over at Junior though...his littlest one, his baby, was going to get married. And he looked so handsome in his suit.
Just like his old man, Bowser thought, puffing his chest out.
At the same time, Cherry was having her dress fitted. She had decided to modify her mother's ballgown wedding dress to match her own personal style. For one, she had a red trim added around the hemline, red laces in the front and bits of red threaded through the edge of her veil.
Sometimes the planning got so insane that Junior and Cherry would hide from their fathers or the caterers. Closets were good for this. They'd sit in there and giggle like children while Koopas wearing chef's hats and Mushroom people carrying ribbons scrambled to look for them. At least, it was great until Bowser opened the door in search of toilet paper and caught Junior and Cherry about to consummate their wedding a little prematurely.
"Save it for your wedding night! Get your ass into the hall and help decorate!" Bowser shoved his son towards the far corridor. Junior kinda shrugged his shoulders in apology.
Cherry found Mario standing nearby, arms crossed and foot tapping. "You are-a definitely your-a mother's daughter." he said. "Let's-a go help the cooks."
They arrived in the kitchen. Mario broke off to help the poor chefs organize. Cherry's attention immediately went to Bowser, who came in and sat at a table by himself. He was never quite right after his latest heart episode. He moved slower, he tired faster and he seemed to have aged ten years in the span of weeks.
"Bowser?"
He looked up and barked, "I'm fine."
She smiled softly and laid her hand on his. "You're not needed right now. There's an empty room in the next hall over. It's got a bed. You should rest."
"Cherry..." Bowser sighed. "I-appreciate that you're worried about me. But I'm not a weakling."
Cherry took his hand. "Come on."
"Cherry!"
"Bowser!" she imitated his tone. "Just lie down for a little bit. If we need you, I'll come get you."
"Cherry," Bowser said yet again when they reached the room. He pulled her in and closed the door, leaning on it and staring her dead in the eyes.
She stopped tugging his hand. "Do you need a doctor?"
"No." he shook his head. "I'm dying, Cherry."
Reality screeched to a halt.
"Wait, what? But...what if you-before the-"
"I won't. No way in hell. I'm gonna be here to see his wedding." he looked away, clenching his teeth. "That's why I've been pushing it so fast...I know for a fact that I won't be here this time next year, which is the usual time it takes to plan such a huge deal. The doctors-they said the next big one I have will be the killer. I could drop, or I could be sick for awhile before I go. DON'T tell Junior! You can't," his tone turned pleading, "please, Cherry. You can tell him after the wedding, or maybe after I've had the big one. He'll be mad that I didn't tell him first-"
"Bowser...what..." Cherry struggled to wrap her brain around Bowser's revelation. The sorrow just didn't fit with the joy surrounding her upcoming wedding day. "W-what about your wishes? Machines, all that stuff?"
"I don't want it. My wishes are in writing and Junior knows it. That's why he freaks out every time I even look at my left arm funny. When I go, next time, I'm going to go." his forehead wrinkled and he put a hand over his eyes. "I'm sick of being hooked up to machines like a weakling. I've had a good life, my youngest is about to marry a gorgeous girl...I've done all I can and now it's time to move on, I guess. And look on the bright side-thanks to this wedding, I'll have a snazzy suit for my funeral."
The morbid joke didn't make either of them laugh. It finally occurred to Cherry that he was afraid. She'd never seen Bowser scared of anything before in her life. He was facing something that could knock him down so far that he would never get back up. Her heart swelled for him, compelling her to reach out and pull him into a hug. "Please rest then, Bowser."
The Koopa King finally relented. Scooting over, he settled down on his side. She stayed until she thought he was asleep. Just as she opened the door, he spoke, "It's not death that scares me, Cherry...I just don't want to die alone. Every time I go to sleep, I wonder if I'll wake up again. I...I've been dreaming about this door at the top of a staircase. I can't open it. What happens when it opens? What if I open it in my dream and then never wake up?" his eyes welled over.
Cherry moved back to his side and ran a hand over his hair. "Maybe my mom is on the other side, waiting for you."
He smiled at that.
"She kept those letters you used to write, you know."
"Did she?" Bowser's cheeks turned a funny shade of red. "I-didn't think they got to her."
Cherry nodded. "I think, deep down, she wanted to love you. She used to say you seemed so trapped in your ways," she picked some fuzz off his shell. "Maybe things for you didn't work out because Junior and me were meant to happen. And I wouldn't be here to marry him if my mom and dad didn't get married and have me. Anyway..." she shook her head, giggling self-consciously. "I believe in true love, and a love like that goes beyond this lifetime. If you love her as much as your letters said you do, you'll see her again."
"Thank you," Bowser closed his eyes and waved her away. "Scoot before I decide to get up and harass Junior some more."
Cherry shut the door, leaned against it and cried. And Junior, who seemed to have a radar when it came to her crying, came scampering down the hall.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh..." Cherry shook her head and wiped her eyes. It was easier to pretend she never heard Bowser's revelation. She leaned back, smiling through her tears, "Just stress. I made your dad take a nap, so keep your voice down. He's had the least sleep out of all of us over the past month."
"Tell me about it. He wants this to be as perfect as possible. Probably trying to make up for what he wanted for his own wedding to Peach. Sometimes it's damn funny." Junior said, chuckling. He tugged on his white bandanna. "At least our personal touches will be there, right?"
"Right." she started to lead him down the hall. "So the caterer actually okayed my cherry punch fountain?"
"Yup! I had to threaten to sit on the cake before he gave in." he grinned, offering his arm to escort her down the hall.
She slapped his arm before taking it, "What about the music?"
"Ludwig has something cooked up for us. Wendy is gonna sing at the reception, and that's if she doesn't whore herself around to every guy who isn't related to my dad first."
Cherry rolled her eyes. "You know the receiving line is going to be hell, right?"
"If it gets too bad, I'll just kidnap you."
"Ooh..."
