A/N: The little *** separates the story to the guys in the gallery.
"Alright." He nodded. "Just like you Luigi, he owned this mansion."
***
The feeble old Neville sat in a plush rocking chair in a young girl's bedroom.
"…and they lived happily ever after." He finished, closing the book. The dark haired child stared at him with crystal like eyes. Her hands were cupping her cheeks.
"Wow! Do you think that'll happen to me?" she questioned. He chuckled.
"Wait until your older, Missy," He slowly started to rise. His arms lightly trembled. 'I'm getting too old,' he thought. The little girl looked slightly panicked.
"Grandpa, where are you going?"
"It's almost you're bed time and you know how your mommy gets when you stay up too late." He shuffled his slipper-covered feet to her bed.
"Awww." She flipped onto her backside.
"Good night princess," he gently kissed her on the head and tucked her in. She pulled out a plush bear she named Andy.
"Good night Grandpa," and she closed her eyes. He smiled and snuffled the candles out as he left the room. He started to the stairs and headed to the study. He encountered his daughter and son-in-law in the living room. The warm fire made the shadows dance.
"Good evening Father. Is Missy asleep yet?" she asked.
"I just tucked her in," he replied. The old man sat on a couch to rest.
"Are you sure you don't need us to help you get around?" The father of Missy asked. The elder nodded.
"Are you going to the study again?"
"Of course. I have to find some more stories for Missy." The couple smiled. They knew he was very caring and loved Missy so dearly. His reason was for her to have the best childhood. So far, it's working.
"Well, the night is young, so I'll just catch up on my reading." He rose once again, but started leaning back. Like the gentleman he was, his child's husband held him steady.
"Thank you, Charles," he smiled to show he was honest. The grandfather started walking to the study.
"Good night Charles. Good night Bertha."
"Good night Father, see you in the morning." She watched one of her parents scoot his feet to the book room.
Once he was there, he gently took a seat at the rocking chair. He re-opened his book and flipped the pages.
"Cinderella…Rapunzal…Snow White…" he mumbled off the stories he had read to his granddaughter. The back and forth motion of his seat relaxed him for a bit. He stretched and yawned. I'll find more stories for her tomorrow.' He noted to himself. He shut his eyes and let slumber take over. Unknowingly, death came along with it. Missy, who snuck downstairs, watched Neville with a giggling face. She always remembered he snored. She turned to her stuffed toy and whispered,
"Shh…Grandpa's sleeping."
***
Luigi held a still face. Silence swam about the room. Mario looked downed.
"That's…that's terrible. What happened after that?" Luigi asked.
"They found out after they caught Missy out of bed. Of course, they were saddened. The portrait was painted in his honor." E.Gadd also looked grief filled. "Missy painted it." Mario mouthed a "How sad." Luigi went up and looked at the painting. In fact, Missy's initials were scribbled at the corner. A side-note was carved in the frame.
"To my grandfather. The man who opened my mind to what cannot be done by God, but by man." Luigi read aloud.
"She was a famous writer and painter. She managed to keep the house in the best condition." Then, the ghost specialist tried to change the subject.
"Who would you like about now?" he timidly asked. Mario's younger sibling snapped out of the trance.
"Um….the clockwork solders?"
A/N: Erk. It's short again.