Chapter 39

Mario's Past

"So, let me get this straight," said Pauline, sipping her coffee, her slender legs crossed under the kitchen table. The girls had retired to Pauline's apartment, which was stationed above the "Mario Bros. Plumbing" shop. "You're the Princess of a place called the Mushroom Kingdom from another dimension, right?"

"Correct."

"Hm," the brunette mumbled, her nimble fingers tapping the mug as she soaked in Peach's story. "You don't look like a mushroom."

"My mother was human," Peach offered, "and it's perfectly find if you don't believe me. I'm still struggling with the concept that I'm in the Real World. I thought this world was merely a myth."

Until Mario and Luigi appeared, she added silently to herself.

Peach managed to hide the shock that she was talking to Mario's former fiancé, but inside her stomach had restless butterflies, and she had a hard time grasping this new information. Beside her idle hand was a small cup of mint tea – Pauline wasn't an avid tea drinker, but she found some tea bags in a forgotten container and happily boiled the water for her new guest.

The apartment was small and very cluttered. Pauline apologized about the mess when she removed clothes that were draped over the chairs.

Pauline licked her lips, but appeared thoughtful, and tasted her hot drink again. "No, I believe you. It explains your attire and your fascination with Brooklyn's traffic lights. How did you get here, exactly?"

"That, I'm not sure myself," acknowledged Peach, over the rip of her cup. "There was an explosion on a flying ship and I was caught in it. I thought I was done for, but I somehow ended up here."

Peach didn't realize how hungry she was until she sipped her tea. She quickly gulped it – temporarily forgetting all the proper manners she was taught – and set it on the table.

"You must be starving," Pauline remarked, chuckling. "Oh – here, I'll take the cup. I can make something – anything you want – but nothing fancy. I'm not sure what you have in the Mushroom Kingdom."

Peach smiled weakly. "I- it's up to you. I haven't eaten in so long, anything you make will be delicious."

While Pauline washed her hands, Peach took the time to study her surroundings. Papers, stained coffee mugs, old laundry and utensils covered the tables and furniture in the living room. The kitchen and the living room had no walls or doors to distinguish them, save for the meeting of white tile and beige carpet. A narrow hallway branched off – which probably let to the bathroom and bedrooms.

To her left was a crude dresser littered with pictures and dishes. One of the pictures was a framed photograph protected by dusty glass.

In the picture – which was probably taken when the apartment was new and clean – was a younger version of Pauline sitting in a tanned chair, with thick arms wrapped around her collarbone. A man, with unruly curly brown hair, leaned behind the chair and hugged Pauline close. He had a bulbous nose, a sleek black mustache, and deep blue eyes. The couple was smiling.

Lying next to it was another picture of Mario and Pauline; this time engaged in a passionate kiss, their eyes closed. A beautiful gold band with a single diamond was on Pauline's ring finger and her slender hand rested on Mario's cheek.

Peach turned away, her heart began to ache, and her lip quivered. Mario never mentioned his past to her; he often avoided the topic of his personal life and focused on describing the Real World. She couldn't help but pity Pauline, and Mario too. The one she loved was taken away from her, and she had no idea where, or why, he vanished.

Did Mario still think of her? That thought was almost too difficult to comprehend. Peach felt crushed, and for some odd reason, betrayed, even though this relationship happened before she and Mario met. How often does Mario lay awake in bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking of Pauline? Does he… still love her?

A tinge of jealously tainted Peach's thoughts, and she waved it away. What else did Mario avoid telling her?

"Mom?" a little voice whimpered, and Peach looked up.

Standing near the hallway entrance was a short boy in baggy blue pajamas. He had thick wavy chestnut hair, adorable aquamarine eyes, and a small nose. He moaned and Pauline abandoned her chores and walked to him. She knelt down and felt his forehead while the boy glanced at Peach in puzzlement.

"Mario, what are you doing up?" she scowled gently. "You still have a fever. Get back to bed, darling. I'll come in with your medicine soon, okay?"

The boy nodded, although unhappy with the order. His mother kissed his head and ushered him to bed.

Peach gasped, noting the similarities.

Pauline was a mother!

Mario had a… SON?

She slumped back, forgetting her hunger, her hands gripping her knees to support herself. She was devastated, almost to the point of weeping. She wondered if she and Mario would ever have a similar relationship that he and Pauline had shared. Would Mario allow that to happen between them? Would Mario allow her arms to wrap around him?

Pauline noticed, but mistook the shock for hunger and set a healthy fruit salad in front of the Princess, followed by some chicken sandwiches and a glass of apple juice.

"He's… a lovely boy," Peach managed to choke out, her trembling hand picking up the plastic fork.

"He is," Pauline agreed. "I wish Mario was here to see him. He would've been overjoyed… He – the day Mario disappeared was the day I discovered I was pregnant. I was planning to tell him when he came home from work… but he never did."

Pauline wiped her moist eyes, suppressing a sob. "He would've been a good father… I'm so sorry, Peach. Forgive me. It's just that I feel he's alive out there… somewhere, but unable to come home. At least I told him I loved him before he left."

Peach focused on her meal – and savoured each bite despite the urge to devour the food quickly. Her hunger slowly vanished, and her brain functioned better, thinking of a way to return to the Mushroom Kingdom. Right now, she needed to get back. She could dwell on Mario and Pauline later.

Luigi and the others must be worried about me… I just hope they're all right.