Shit… shit… shit. How am I going to get out of this one? I know the situation I'm in now is quite dangerous. If I were Mario, I would probably take advantage of the opportunity and enjoy it. Thank the lord I'm not him, though. I wouldn't even consider taking advantage of Daisy. The worst part of this is that my body locked. What that means: my nerves won't allow me to move my body at all. So basically I am a statue with a conscious.

Thankfully, Luma was there. I think when she spoke my name; he took that as a threat and flew out of the room. At first, I thought he left to give us privacy, but he came back with Mario in tow. Daisy turned around.

Me? I was in shock while trying to unlock myself so I could actually move.

I felt the tears burning down my cheeks, but I couldn't move my hands to hide them. I could blink, but that doesn't do me any good now. I (somehow) managed to sit on the side of my bed, still trying to compose myself. I could hear Daisy and Mario talking, but it was like I was in a different world. I couldn't make out anything they were saying. I tried to move. My arms were still paralyzed to my side, and I could move my legs a little. I could still blink.

That is enough for communication.

"Luigi," Mario asked as he approached me, "Are you okay?"

One blink. Fine, could be better.

"Shit." Mario mumbled under his breath. I kicked him, and when we made eye contact, I glared at him, showing my dislike in his language. "Well, you're moving a little. Can you talk yet?" I coughed. "Well, you can make sound. That's good I guess…"

"Problem?" Luma asked. I shook my head lightly. "Problem. Mama not talking."

"Check mate." Mario responded. I glared at him. "Bad pun there, I know. Didn't mean it, either."

I slowly moved my arms so my hands could reach the sides of my jaw. I gently massaged, trying to unlock it. I closed my eyes, deep in thought. What I was thinking of: I'm not too sure myself because Mario broke my train of thought by telling me to 'burn my fear away'. I sighed over dramatically, showing my dislike towards Mario and his interrupting me.

I imagined a green flame. Nothing too extreme, though. Just the warmth of a fire in the fireplace is what I imagined…only the flame was green instead of red. I also imagined myself walking into the flame, its warmth bathing my skin and soothing my muscles. After my entire body was engulfed in the flames, I imagined walking out of the flame; felling refreshed and new. I opened my eyes and saw the remains of the green light from the green flames I bathed in.

I rolled my head, rotated my shoulders, moved my fingers…everything seemed to work. I breathed in deeply and tried to open my mouth.

"I feel better." My voice was thick and sounded dry.

"You don't sound better, though." Mario responded, "Well, try to get some more rest, okay?" I nodded.

"I didn't mean to scare you." Daisy said as Mario left the room.

"I know you didn't," I responded as I held her hand, "Just at least warn me to brace myself next time, okay?" She nodded, and turned to leave, "Hey, Daisy." She turned around, "Are you alright?"

She smiled, "Yes, I will be okay." And with that, she left the room.


I didn't realize until now that it was December; Christmas Eve to be exact. Man, time really flies when you are scared out of your mind. Once I was up and making breakfast (I didn't trust Mario with the stove), it was snowing. The snow falling was quite peaceful. The silence and stillness of the house made it more magical. I just stood in front of the stove, watching the snow fall from the sky.

"You alright?" Mario asked me as he came in the back door. I nodded, still watching the snow fall from the sky. Mario stood next to me, looking out the window as well, "Winter and Christmas was always a big deal at home when we were growing up."

"Yeah, because you kept me up, thinking Santa would come." I responded, "And I still don't forgive you, by the way."

He was the one who told me Santa didn't exist.

Mario laughed lightly. "That was not the only reason, you know." A spell of silence fell between us. "Well, when you are ready, you should come outside. More beautiful out there." he turned to leave, "Snow is sticking now, snowdrifts are beginning to form." Before he left, he took a plate with breakfast on it.

I sighed and looked out the window again. "Fifteen years," I whispered to myself, "…has it really been that long?"

Once I got finished with breakfast and everyone ate, I took Mario's advice and stepped outside. I only went as far as the front porch, though. He was right; the snow was piling up fast; more breathtaking out here, too. I breathed deep the cold winter air. I felt good to be outside in the snow (well, as much as I was in it that is). I was watching Mario and Peach make snow angels when a snowball hit me in the side of the head. I turned and saw Daisy just before another one hit me square in the face. Her laughter was contagious, and I found myself chasing her around the yard, snowballs in hand. Luma was even out here, too. He was examining the snow from the sky.

"Are the clouds falling?" he asked me when Daisy and I took a break.

I shook my head. "It's snow." I responded out of breath, "Think of it as rain, only frozen and more cold." Luma nodded, flew down to one of the piles of snow only to be hit by a snowball by Peach. I picked up Luma and looked at Peach, "You missed."

She shook her head, "No I didn't." I looked down, and the snowball had bounced off Luma and landed on my shoe.

Soon, Luma was flying around the yard, cheering in joy as cautiously aimed snowballs missed him. Eventually, he grabbed a teammate, Mario's Star, and they were both dodging snowballs. It was quite comical to say the least; someone would almost hit the Star or Luma, but they would move out of the way and it would hit someone else instead. I hit Mario a couple of times; I think Daisy hit me and Mario, and Peach…dear lord she was all over the place. I think she was the only one who hit Luma, who caught the snowball and threw it back at her, hitting her with such force that she hit the ground. We were all laughing in the end.

We all went inside and enjoyed hot cocoa by the fireplace. It is one of those weird traditions that has been running between Mario and me for a long time. The living room had one Christmas tree, with decorations on it. There were four stocking hung by the fireplace (me, Mario, Peach and Daisy), filled with gifts already.

Some families have some bizarre traditions. Ours is a bit. Christmas Eve, we get to find out what is in our stockings right at midnight. The stockings are a gift exchange. At the beginning of the month, we all draw a name out of a Santa Hat (Mario gets in the Christmas Spirit early) to see who's stocking we get. Mario isn't telling me who he got, so I assume he got my name. I got Daisy.

To be honest, it wasn't extremely hard to find a gift for her, being in a relationship and all. She doesn't expect much from the stockings. We usually do a Couple's Gift. An example would be that Daisy and I would find something for Mario and Peach. We changed it a bit this year, and Peach and Daisy got something for Mario and I. The same goes the other way: Mario and I got something for the girls. It gets quite comical when Mario and Daisy have to get something for Peach and I and vice versa.

Anyways, it was midnight. Peach announced in her 'queen voice' (as she calls it) that Christmas was here. Luma squeed in joy as he stuffed his face with a marsh mellow. We all laughed. Mario stood up, and handed a stocking to me; it had my name on it.

"I knew it." I said to him as we laughed. I opened it up, and there was a hat in it. I looked at him, confused. Luma decided that he wanted to wear it, and he tried to put it on.

It looked like a flying Santa hat.

"I actually got that for Luma." Mario said as the hat hovered around the room like a little ghost, "The thing is I think he got to your gift as well."

Luma flew next to me and dropped a small box in my hand. "I keep hat?" he chipped from under the hat.

I laughed, "Yes, yes. Luma keeps hat." he squeed in joy again and continued to float around the room. I opened the box, and inside was a small pin (like ones you would wear on a shirt). The pin was of a little Luma. "Mario...is this...?"

He nodded, "Chosen ones usually receive their Star pins when it comes to them. I decided to give you yours now. I changed it a little, though. Hope you like it."'

"Thank you." I was struck speechless. Luma looked at the pin, and asked me if it was a new friend, "You can call it that." I looked at the pin again, "Friend...that's what I will name him. Luma," the hat faced me (or I think it did), "Can you grab Daisy's stocking and give it to her?"

"You are so lazy." Mario commented.

Luma flew over to Mario, hit him on the head, then flew back to the fireplace and grabbed Daisy's stocking. He had to take off the hat, though. He flew over to her, the stocking in his little hands. Daisy took the stocking from him, and he hid in his hat again, returning to the role of 'the flying Santa Hat'.

Daisy took the stocking in one hand, and wrapped her free arm around me in one of those awkward hugs. I hugged her back. She pulled out a small box.

"What is it?" she asked me.

"One way to find out," I responded, "Open it." Slowly, she opened the small box. Inside of it was a small mirror. She held it up a little, so she could see it. "Hold it upright, or it won't work." She did so, looking in the mirror with a confused look on her face. Then she saw the inscription on the top of the mirror. "Read it out loud."

"Do I have to?" she asked me. I nodded. She did her ever famous sigh of frustration and began to read, "All I want for Christmas is you." Just as I had planned, the mirror held her reflection as I slipped a necklace on her. It was a string of diamonds; complimented with a gold chain. It is nothing fancy, but I could tell from the look in her eyes that she loved it.

Man, I'm good.

"Luigi…" Mario whispered to me. He pointed above my head. I saw the floating Santa Hat hover above us. Hanging from it was a string was mistletoe. I sighed over dramatically. "Apparently Luma wanted to add to your gift." I heard him giggle from under the Hat. I looked at Daisy.

"Let's forget what happened earlier," I said cupping her face, "and try this again, shall we?"

She didn't have to answer. We kissed. Nothing too special (I think she was still upset about what happened earlier); just a little quick one. The hat flew over towards Mario and Peach.

"You're turn." Luma piped from under the hat.

Of course, this is my brother I am talking about. So what happened? He tends to carry things over the top, especially if it comes to his sweetheart. They stood up, and he dipped her, kissing her deeply. It didn't last long, though. As much as I hate him sometimes, I always admired him and Peach together. I always dreamed that, one day, I would get someone special for me so I could do some of the romantic things Mario and Peach would do.

I got that with Daisy, and nothing or no one can take that away.

The hat flew back to me and sat on my head. "You should have cut eye holes in it, Mario." I spoke. He laughed in response.

Daisy stood up, and picked Peach's stocking off of the mantle. He handed it to her. Peach looked in it, and looked back at Daisy, shock in her eyes.

"How did you…" Peach was struck speechless.

"My dad had it. He told me to give it to someone who is special to me. I think he meant Luigi, though…" Daisy said as Peach pulled out a small, blue velvet box. Inside was a gold ring with a red diamond. "I knew that one close to like that belonged to you mother, so I decided to give it to you instead. Is it the same?"

Peach put the ring on gently. "It's almost the same thing. I can't even tell. Thank you."

A couple of years ago, Peach's room got broken into. She wasn't there when it happened, so the person who broke in took jewelry; necklaces, bracelets, earrings…and her mother's prize ruby ring. She was so devastated at the loss that she probably cried for about two months.

Peach flicked her wrist, and Mario's stocking flew to her hand.

"And he said I was lazy." I whispered to Daisy.

She laughed softly.

Peach handed it to him gently and they met eyes. The romance between them burned so intensely that I could feel it in between them. Mario looked inside the stocking and stared for a bit.

"I thought the rules were that we weren't allowed to spend over 100 coins." Mario said as he pulled out a golden statue of the younger Princess Shroob.

"Who said I paid for it?" Peach asked.

We all looked at her in shock.

"Yes, you are the princess, but that doesn't mean you get a five-finger discount, my dear." Mario commented.

"Not even from them?" she asked pointing at the statue.

Silence.

"I have to say that I am a bit confused." I spoke.

Peach laughed lightly, "Well, you know Mario's odd obsession of getting one item from every adventure?" We all nodded, "I grabbed this from the castle before we fled those awful Shroobs. I wanted to keep it for myself, but I noticed that he didn't any item or photo from the Shroob Attack. So…"

"It's wonderful. Thank you." Mario said.

"Wonderful?" Daisy asked a bit disgusted, "I would rather say creepy; or even revolting."

"Well, looks like Daisy is back to her normal self." Peach commented.

Mario's Star flew into the room along with Luma. They both were carrying a small box. They flew around and around in circles before they dropped the boxes; one on my lap and the other Peach caught.

"Gifts." Luma said, "One for Mama and brother, other for girls."

Mario and I looked at each other with a concerned look. Daisy and Mario traded places. The girls went first. The package was thin, but not small. Peach opened the gift. The beat of silence that past told me that they liked the gift.

"Man, I need to go to the spa soon," Daisy said looking at us, "and now I can. Thank you."

I nodded.

"I don't need a spa." Mario and Peach looked at each other romantically.

"As Rose would say, keep it G, people." Daisy muttered. I laughed silently to myself.

Peach gestured to the box that landed on my lap, and Mario started to open it.

"Can I at least get it off my lap first?" I asked. I set it in between us and he continued to open the box. Inside was a shot from the Star Festival last year. It was a portrait of all four of us. There was also a picture of him and Peach; she in her red dress (the one she used at the Star Festival in October) and Mario in a tux. Mario picked up the pink, heart-shaped frame in awe.

"Yours is already in place." Daisy said. I looked at her, confused. "In your room."

"I'm guessing you want me to go up and get it?" I asked. Taking it as his queue, the Santa Hat flew up the stairs, "Or he can get it."

Daisy laughed nervously. I was going to ask about that, but the Hat returned, setting down a carefully wrapped gift in my hands. I opened it to reveal yet another wrapped gift. I sighed as Mario laughed beside me. I elbowed him. I turned the box so I could open it (again) when the note taped on the back caught my eye. I pulled it off slowly, as to not ruin the wrapping. I opened the note. I could tell that she took the time and thought of what to write. Her handwriting was in cursive and done in pen. The paper she wrote it on was nothing more than a piece of notebook paper, however. I almost read the note out loud. I'm glad I didn't:

Luigi,

I hope you can forgive me for my little "mess-up" earlier. I became jealous of Peach and Mario for what they had and what we didn't. That's why I was crying. I should have told you instead of advancing on you.

I'm glad you were able to forgive me, but I don't know if I can forgive myself for it. It was my fault; I should have known better. Hopefully, this gift (and you) can help me forgive myself.

-Daisy XOXO

I blinked a couple of times and read the note again, more slowly, trying to digest it all. I folded the note and placed it next to me. Luma grabbed the note and read it to himself. He flew over to Daisy, asking her to hold it for me. She took the paper and looked at me with sad eyes; not crying, just…sad. Looking at her after I read the note was like looking through someone else's eyes. I saw loneliness now, with a hint of jealously. I turned my attention to the gift, and I unwrapped it. I didn't tare through it, but I didn't go too slowly, either. I saw the back of the picture frame first. I turned it around slowly.

"Well," Mario said looking at the picture inside, "Peach got beat by a long shot." He turned his attention to her, "Very well done, Daisy."

The picture was of Daisy and me. It was close to the one Mario got of him and Peach; only this one wasn't as decked out and cheesy-love like as his was. Daisy and I were sitting on a park bench, holding hands…kissing. Don't get me wrong; the picture is wonderful. I love it to death, but the thing I found most intriguing was that the kiss was no ordinary kiss.

It was our first kiss.

"Thank you." I whispered, trying not to cry my heart out of sheer happiness and joy. "How in the world…?"

"Long story short," Daisy explained, "Someone took a picture of us and tried to publish it as a spread." My heart dropped into my gut, "But, with a little help from a…former friend…it was never published and I got the picture back. I decided to keep it and give it to you on Valentine's Day, but Christmas worked out better."


After all the gift exchanges were over, Mario and I hung up the picture from the Star Festival. Then, we went our separate ways. Mario went to do his own thing and I went to do my own thing; baking cookies for Santa. As I mentioned earlier, Mario was the one who told me (and proved to me that) Santa didn't exist. That doesn't stop me from baking gingersnaps and whatnot. Sure sure, baking is supposed to be a girl activity, but I find peace in baking. I don't do it often, so I treasure every moment that I can. It didn't take long to bake them all; I made the dough about 2 hours beforehand and let them chill in the fridge.

The cool thing about baking is that not only do I make drop-dead cookies every year, but Daisy insists on helping out each year. So, I guess it is one of those odd-couple things for us now. Mario and Peach…well, they're Mario and Peach, and do Mario and Peach things. Daisy and I; we don't do Mario and Peach things. We do Luigi and Daisy things (whatever that means). Neither one of us are ready to do any Mario and Peach things.

Well, Daisy and I just got done with the last batch and I started to clean up. Luma flew in, saw a Ginger Star (a Star equivalent to a Gingerbread Man) and picked it up. He took a bite, and flew away, going about his business.

"Mario used to do that." I said lightly.

"What?" Daisy asked nudging me, "come here, steal a cookie, then run away? What do you mean 'used to'? He still does that."

I laughed, "I meant when we were growing up. He was the sneakiest one of the two of us, and he always stole two cookies; a Ginger Star and a Sugar Shroom." Daisy looked confused, "Please, don't tell me that you don't know what a Sugar Shroom is?" Silence. "A Sugar Shroom is a Sugar cookie shaped like a 1-Up Mushroom." She nodded, relief filling her face. "He would always give me the Ginger Star."

"Is that why there were two out on the table?"

I turned and saw only crumbs on a small saucer, "You could take the plate too, you know." I raised my voice slightly.

"I didn't want to." Mario responded standing next to the entryway, "I wanted to keep the tradition alive." He tossed me the Ginger Star. I would have caught it if Luma hadn't gotten in the way. He caught it and flew away, munching on his catch of the night. "Well, I tried."

"Looks like Mario won't be the only one stealing cookies this year." Daisy said as she put the rest of the cookies in a tin box.

I put the tin of cookies in the pantry and put a lock on it. I never do this, but I had to or a certain Luma would eat all the cookies before the sun would raise on Christmas morning. Once I got the kitchen and cleaned up and the cookies put away, I headed up to my room. Daisy was already asleep. Mario and Peach…were still doing Mario and Peach things, so I let them be. All I wanted to do was collapse on my bed and sleep for the rest of the day.

But, as always, I don't get to sleep.

Usually, Luma would keep me awake by his little chatter as he stared out my window, looking at the sky. Tonight was different, though. Luma was there, yes, but he was sitting on my bed pillow and what looked like an attempt to read a book. I sat next to him and grabbed the book from his little hands. He looked up at me, irritated that I had taken the book from him. I gave it back to him, right side up. He flipped through the pages, looking at the pictures. He pointed at one of the pictures.

"Who?" Luma asked me.

I looked at who he was pointing at. "That's Santa." I answered, "He delivers presents to all the children on Christmas Eve."

He looked at me with hopeful eyes. "I meet Santa?"

I stopped. I didn't want to answer "yes" because I knew he would stay up all night for a chance to meet him. I sighed, and gave him the answer my mom gave me years ago: "Well, he won't come if you are awake. He'll just fly over the house without a second glance."

I believed myself I was so good.

Eventually, after Luma drained me of my knowledge of Santa Claus, he went to sleep in his Hat. I laid down on my bed, trying to sleep to no avail. I sat up, and fingered the book Luma was reading. From the light of the Moon, I could read the title of the book clearly: The Night Before Christmas. I felt my heart sink down to my gut as the golden letters on the black cover shimmered and shinned like a beautiful Star. Tears filled my eyes as I sat up. I took a deep breath, knowing what I was going to do. I crept out of my room as to not wake Luma (or anyone else for that matter) and went downstairs. I'm actually surprised I got down the stairs as many tears filled my eyes and fell down my face. I didn't bother to wipe them off. I slipped on my snow boots, put on my winter coat, and with the book clutched to my chest; I walked out the front door.

I was expecting Mario's voice, calling me back inside, but it didn't happen. The winter wind was cold as I shivered. The snow was falling at a good rate. I passed over the bridge in front of our house, and turned right instead of going forward. Forward meant that I was going to the city; which is where I didn't want to go. I continued to walk, and the trees began to thin out. Soon, I was at the entrance to a graveyard. I didn't notice how hard I was crying until I had gotten there. The Grave Keeper looked at me, tilted his hat, and continued doing whatever he was doing. He knew me; so I had nothing to worry about.

As I entered the graveyard, the wind had died down and the snow was falling harder than it was earlier. I went towards the back, where one, small headstone was barley seen over the tons of snow that covered it. I knelt down in front of the stone, and brushed the snow off that was accumulating on it. I closed my eyes, dreading to read the words upon the headstone. I opened my eyes, and surprised myself by not wailing (I was already balling my eyes out at this point). In small, clean font, the stone read:

Mr. Mario Mario

June 16th

Mrs. Fia Mario

December 24th

I took a deep breath, "Hi, Mom and Dad." I spoke lightly. Silence. What I wouldn't give to hear my Mom's voice again. "I wanted to keep the Christmas tradition alive, but it's hard since you are gone. I want to change one of my favorite traditions a little bit, if you don't mind."

I opened the book, and began to read out loud.

"'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,"

Tears were falling harder and I had to pause, catching my breath. I breathed deeply and continued.

"With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack."

I had to completely stop. I had gotten halfway through the story. My vision became too blurry and I couldn't stop crying. Even if I tried, I couldn't explain how much I missed my mom. I looked up from the book and felt a warm hand on my shoulder. That hand wrapped around me in one of those awkward, side hugs. I glanced over, and it was Mario. His eyes were filled with tears (not nearly as many as mine, though) and a smile on his lips. He cradled the book in between the two of us. Mario picked up where I left off.

"His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.""

Mario's voice was powerful even though he was speaking softly. He closed the book and handed it back to me "I was wondering where you went." He whispered to me, "The snow is falling so hard I almost lost your footprints."

I looked at the headstone again, "How old was I," I looked at Mario, "when Dad died?"

"Not very old." Mario responded, "About 2 maybe? I don't know. It has been too long."

"I don't remember him at all. I feel awful about that."

"Well, he would have spoiled you to death; more than Mom did. He was so happy when you were born. I remember; he cried tears of joy. In all the years I had known him, I had never seen him cry as hard as the day the nurse brought you in." Mario kissed my forehead in a brotherly gesture, "I got my baby brother."

I held the book close to my heart, "I love you." I spoke lightly to the grave, "…both of you."

Mario and I stood up, and walked away from the headstone and towards the house.


Author's Note: The Night Before Christmas belongs to Mr. Clement Clarke Moore, so Copyright to him, and used for entertainment purposes only. Also, there is an Art Feature for this chapter. If you go to my profile to the Art Feature section, You can find it there :)