Bowser could barely concentrate during the entirety of the tour through the Sea Side castle. His mind was churning with both old memories and new concerns for the future. Although he was still irritated with Peach from the last time they saw each other, he knew that nothing could change the fact that he would always adore her. And he hated himself for it.

"The Shell Suite has been prepared for your comfortable stay, which is up those stairs and down the hall to the left. Your luggage has already been placed there, but if you find that you need amenities the Sea Side staff is more than happy to oblige your requests." The tour guide explained as they walked through the corridors towards the banquet hall.

Bowser noticed that Peach had avoided his gaze since they entered through the castle doors. Although she had never been one to hide her emotions, Peach was carefully keeping herself guarded.

"Can we request to have a swimming pool filled with hot fudge?" Larry asked.

"No." Bowser chided before the tour guide could respond.

Peach smiled slightly but then returned to her neutral demeanor.

"Beyond that archway and to the right are the famous fourteen flights of stairs that lead to the top of the castle lighthouse." The tour guide noted.

"Only fourteen?" Roy asked in mock-seriousness.

"If you desire to climb more I can show you where all the stairs in the castle are located." The guide replied, missing the joke. "Anyway," he continued as they ambled farther down the corridor, "the banquet hall is just through these doors. It has been my pleasure showcasing our magnificent palace this evening. I hope you enjoy your stay at the Sea Side Kingdom!"

A chorus of "thank you" arose from Bowser's children as they scampered into the dining room. Once inside, Bowser delighted to see Peach's expression of utter amazement at the gorgeous ice sculptures and enchanting fountains all around them. Enormous windows lined the perimeter, allowing guests to get a breathtaking view of the ocean that crashed below them. A crystalline chandelier glittered over their heads, its strands of diamonds resembling jellyfish tentacles. Even the Koopalings stopped momentarily to take in the room.

"Princess Peach?" A high-pitched voice interrupted, shattering the moment.

Bowser turned to see a very tall and slender woman with lavender hair approaching them.

"Lila Thorton!" Peach turned to see her old friend from modeling school. "How are you?" She asked excitedly.

Bowser waited a few minutes while Peach and Lila chatted. He half expected Peach to make introductions, but she made no effort to include him in the conversation. Realizing that Peach would rather socialize with her friends than spend her time with him and his children, Bowser turned away and walked to an empty table with his kids.

"Dad, why did you tell the guard that Princess Peach was with us?" Junior asked once they were out of earshot.

"Does she have to hang out with us for the whole trip?" Roy groaned.

Bowser took a second to consider his answer.

"Princess Peach is an old friend of mine," he began. "Even though she and I have had our differences, I'm still her friend and when we see our friends in need it is our job to help them." Bowser explained. "But we probably won't be seeing much of her during our trip. She has lots of other friends here who she wants to spend time with."

"Good." Roy answered. "She's kind of annoying."

Bowser's temper flared. "I never want to hear you say that again, and if you do you will wish that you hadn't." He threatened.

The Koopalings fell eerily quiet for a few moments before the silence was interrupted by the arrival of their server.

"Good afternoon, your Majesties." The server began. "Are there any drinks besides water that I can start you off with this evening?"

"Yes," Bowser answered before his children could yell over each other. "We will have three chocolate milks, two regular milks, one root beer, one sparkling lemonade, one unsweetened iced tea and one chocolate milkshake." He finished, ordering each child's usual favorite.

The server nodded and walked briskly towards the kitchen to put in their orders.

"A chocolate milkshake isn't really a drink," Wendy criticized.

"And a sparkling lemonade isn't really that grown-up." Bowser shot back at her, knowing that Wendy wanted to seem more mature and sophisticated than her other siblings.

"Do they have grilled cheese sandwiches here?" Morton asked.

"I'm sure that the chefs can make it for you." Bowser answered.

"Can I order the caramel chocolate cake for dinner? Please?" Larry begged.

"No, you have to have a real dinner before you have dessert," Bowser told him.

"But you're having dessert before dinner!" Larry complained.

"A milkshake is a perfectly acceptable drink." Bowser assured him.

A chorus of dissent rose up from the children seated before him.

Bowser laughed and shook his head. "You drink a milkshake, so therefore it is a beverage. And if it is a beverage, it is not technically dessert."

"There are definitely some flaws in that logic," a voice interrupted from behind him.

Bowser turned to see Princess Peach standing in front of him.

"Do you have room for one more?" She asked.

His heart jumped in his chest.

"I thought you wanted to eat with your model friend." Bowser responded warily.

"She already ate." Peach explained.

His heart fell knowing that Peach was only dining with them out of convenience. But at least he would get to spend more time with her.

"Of course we have room," Bowser obliged, pulling up a nearby chair. "We've already ordered drinks but we are still waiting to order dinner."

"Perfect." Peach smiled politely and sat down at the table beside him.

"Do you think a milkshake is a beverage or a dessert?" Wendy asked her.

Peach paused for a moment to think.

"I would say that it is both. Technically one does "drink" a milkshake, but the components that make up a milkshake are undeniably dessert items." She answered seriously.

"See?" Wendy stared accusingly at Bowser.

"Fine. But that won't stop me from ordering a true dessert after dinner." Bowser joked.

Peach rolled her eyes, but smiled slightly.

The server returned carrying all the drinks on two trays. He distributed the beverages and then stopped to take the rest of their dinner orders. Finally he got to the end of the table where Bowser and Peach were sitting.

"May I please have the seafood bisque?" Peach asked.

"Of course you may, your Highness. Would you like bread with that?" The server clarified.

"Yes please."

"And for you, your Majesty?" The server turned to Bowser.

For a split second he was plagued by indecision.

"The seafood here is amazing," Peach whispered to him.

"I will have the steak and lobster duo." Bowser decided. "Thank you for your recommendation," he said, turning to Peach once the server had left.

"You are most welcome." She replied formally. Her eyes were fixed on the napkin which she adjusted in her lap.

"What part of the ball are you most looking forward to?" Bowser asked after an uncomfortably long silence.

"I am most excited to catch up with the King and Queen," Peach forced a smile. "There's so much I want to talk with them about."

"I bet." Bowser responded bitterly. He tried to ignore the pain he felt from the recollection of his previous conversation with Peach when he retrieved his children from the Mushroom Kingdom.

Peach's eyes went wide with understanding.

"Oh, um, catching up with you is very important as well!" She tried to cover up her blunder. "How lucky that now we will have plenty of time to share with each other."

"Hey Princess Peach! Watch this!" Morton interrupted, blowing bubbles in his chocolate milk.

"Although that is very impressive Morton, because this banquet hall is very fancy it is probably best to simply sip your milk." Peach gently corrected him.

"You remembered my name?" He asked.

"Of course," Peach smiled. "I know all of your names." One by one she recited each child's name perfectly.

Bowser couldn't help but grin.

"That's very impressive, Peachy." He accidentally used his old nickname for her. He looked at her concernedly, gauging her reaction.

"Thank you." She smirked, unbothered by the pet-name. "I would be ashamed to have forgotten the names of your delightful children."

Bowser's spirits soared.

"You should see them around bedtime- then they're not quite as delightful." He joked.

"Hey!" Roy, Larry and Morton complained in unison.

"That's fair." Wendy nodded, agreeing with Bowser.

Peach laughed, her voice high and clear. Automatically, Bowser's heart beat faster in his chest. He wished that he could capture the moment and save it forever. Watching Princess Peach laugh beside him surrounded by his kids was nearly too good to be true. Once again Bowser felt a familiar sweep of infatuation wash over him, and he knew that he was falling for her all over again.

A/N: I'm sorry that I haven't been able to update as frequently as in the past, but thank you for all the kind, wonderful and truly delightful comments in the meantime! They really mean a lot to me, and I am so grateful and humbled by the feedback that I receive. Also a special thank you for the follows/favorites. I am so glad that you enjoy this story! Until next time, I hope that you have a spectacular week. Much love, Guardian.