Chapter 43

The Celebration

The campfire crackled, providing warmth and light for Luigi, Toad, Geno and Mallow. Luigi was the only one awake. His body was exhausted but his thoughts were restless and replayed in his mind over and over. He wondered about Mario, the future, about a lot of things.

A faint glow shone outside of the campfire's reach, and Luigi stood up, uncertain of the cause.

A slender figure stepped into view and Luigi rubbed his eyes in disbelief. It couldn't be… Peach!

"Hello, Luigi," she said. "I brought some –"

Her sentence was cut off by a tight hug as Luigi wrapped his arms around her. Peach dropped the picnic basket and Star Piece, feeling her ribs being crushed.

"L-Luigi," she gasped. "Arms… pressure… suffocating…"

He released her and she inhaled, gulping in precious air. What was that all about?

"I… We thought you were dead," Luigi stuttered. "We searched for you but we found nothing. I can't believe you survived!"

The plumber pivoted and shouted excitedly. "Guys! Peach is… here! Wake up!"

One by one they stirred, groaning and wiping eyes. Toad was the first to notice her. He jumped up and rushed to the Princess, who knelt down to embrace her friend.

"P-Princess!" he sobbed, clinging to her. "I missed you so much. I –"

Toad quickly retreated and looked calmly away with his arms crossed. "I mean… I knew you were alive. I wasn't worried at all."

Peach smiled and kissed his cap. "I missed you too, Toad."

Mallow was next to hug her; Geno merely nodded. When the embracing was over, Peach thought her whole body was bruised. She sat down, surprised at their strength and she was relieved it was over.

"Oh," she said, pointing to the forgotten picnic basket. "I brought some food, and I found another Star Piece…"

"Home-made grub!" Toad cheered and snatched the basket. "You saved us all!"

Peach rolled her eyes, since when was her cooking more important than a Star Piece?

The group sat around the campfire as Toad passed plates, bowls, and utensils. He brought out a thermos bottle and glanced at Peach questioningly.

"Vegetable stew," she answered. "There's also bread, cheese, slices of meat, a jug of water, fruit salad I made and a strawberry cake I baked."

Peach rested, her back against a tree trunk, one leg stuck out while the other was bent with her left arm resting on the knee. Her arms ached from the amateur plumbing and she already had a snack while she baked. All she needed was some rest…

"Thank you, Princess Toadstool," Mallow said, followed by a similar chorus of thanks, praise and compliments of the meal and she smiled, glad they enjoyed her cooking.

After grabbing a slice of cake, Luigi dropped beside Peach. He glanced at her, puzzled by her new outfit.

"What happened while you were away?" he asked casually, tearing into the soft dessert with a fork. Peach looked away, clearly disinterested, and upset, by the question.

"I don't want to talk about it," she said deplorably, ending the topic. The plumber was taken back by her answer, but he didn't persist. He reached out and gave her ungloved hand a gentle squeeze.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I don't know what happened to you while we were separated, but it's all over now. You're back with us and we won't allow any harm to come to you again."

He chuckled and added. "My brother wouldn't allow it."

The remark seemed to cheer her up, and the corners of her mouth twitched into a weak smile.

"D-Does he… Does Mario care for me?" she inquired reluctantly.

"Of course he does, Peach," he assured, realizing that mentioning his brother lifted her mood. "His eyes light up as the sound of your voice. He waits impatiently for your next letter and he keeps a picture of you on his dresser. You're special to him, that's why he choose to be your official hero and protector."

The two fell silent and Luigi finished his cake. Peach noticed Bowser was not around, and asked Luigi were he had gone. The plumber gestured, and she walked in the direction he had indicated.

Might as well let Bowser now I'm here, she thought, her vision adjusting to the darkness outside the campfire's limits as she left the group. Besides, he might be hungry too.