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Author's Note:

Spring Break is over for me, unfortunately. So I'm going back to my usual updating schedule - once a week between Thursdays and Sundays.

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Enjoy the chapter :)

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story idea and any OCs.

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Chapter 16:
A Special Gift

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"Hmm…uhm hm…hmm…

By early the next morning, Luigi had set out to inform the king about Wendy. After hearing what happened to his daughter, Bowser called in a doctor to have her check out. At this moment, he, Luigi, and Kamek were all standing outside the door, watching the doctor as he work.

The doctor was an old koopa around his fifties, dressed in a white lab coat, a head mirror, and thick black glasses. He spend about twenty minutes examining Wendy and her symptoms, trying to determine her illness. Once he was done, he started putting his tools back in his medical bag.

"Well, everything seems fine here," he concluded, "Just need a few day's rest is all."

Once he was done packing, he headed towards the door to inform the king of his findings. Luigi shot up when the doctor appeared in front of them, anxious to hear what the doctor has to say. Bowser stepped forward to address the doctor.

"Well doc, what's the news?" He said. "Is she gonna be okay?"

The doctor adjusted his glasses. "Well, your Highness, I cannot determine what has caused the princess to become ill so suddenly but I can say that it isn't life-threatening and she will recover within a manner of a few days."

Luigi sighed; relieve to hear the good news. Bowser and Kamek were please as well.

"Although," The doctor continues. "I do advise you have someone to keep an eye on her, just in case her condition happens to worsen."

"I'll do it." Luigi volunteered.

Bowser turned to him in shock, not expecting him to take up the task himself. Kamek, however, was please.

"Very well then," The doctor said. He opened his bag and took out some medicine. "Give her this if she starts to experience any pain."

Luigi nodded and took the medicine from the doctor. He then re-enter the room to check how Wendy was doing.

"Now then, I must return to my station."

"Thank you Doctor Koopa, we'll call for you if we need anything else." said Kamek.

The doctor nodded and left the area. Once he was gone, Kamek turned back to the king.

"Okay," said Bowser. "Now that all the excitement is over, we can get back to training."

Kamek frowned. "I hate to damper your spirits, your Koopaness, but don't you think that now would be a good time for a day off?"

"A day off?" Bowser questioned. "Why would we take a day off?"

"Well," he explained. "It's just that... you two have been training for months as is, almost non-stop. Not to mention, the plumber has been up all night taking care of Wendy and I suspect his performance today will be less than pleasing."

Bowser grunted in annoyance, finding some truth in Kamek's works. The plumber did look exhausted and had heavy bags under his eyes. Not only that, his performance in training has been lacking again lately.

"Fine!" Bowser turned back inside the room. "Hey plumber,"

Luigi looked up from what he was going. "Yes?"

"You have the day off," Bowser said. "We'll get back to your training tomorrow so you better get some sleep."

"Really?" Luigi said, both out of surprise and relief. "I mean, thank you, your Majesty."

Bowser grunt and left through the hall. Since there was no training today, he had to find things to do. Kamek walked over and stood in front of the doorframe.

"I'll sent someone to serve you both breakfast,"

Luigi nodded. "Thank you Master Kamek,"

The magikoopa nodded and close the door behind him. Once they were gone, Luigi let a huge sigh of relief and weariness. He was more than just tired; he was completely worn out, he couldn't ask for a better time for a day off.

He walked over to the chair beside the bed and sat down heavily. A loud yawn escaped his lips as he held up his hand to cover over it. He glanced over to the figure on the bed. Wendy seemed like she's going to be asleep for a while so he might as well do the same.

Another yawn escapes him as he folded his arms and rested his head on them. He let out a small sigh before falling asleep in seconds.

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Wendy started to wake up from her sleep slowly. She felt really tired and wanted to continue sleeping, but the pain in her head was preventing her from doing so. Once she had gotten used to it, she started to open her eyes. At first, it was blurry and unclear. But after blinking a few times, it focused on a color display of flowers.

'Flowers?' she thought. She looked back at them and realized what kind of flowers they really are. 'Wait, those are water lilies...'

The sight of her favorite flower brought a small highlight on her already lousy day. She smiled slightly, wondering who would have brought them for her. She had a few names in mind when she heard a light snoring coming next to her. She turn her head down slowly only to froze in surprise.

Sitting right next to her bed was the plumber. The green clad man had his head resting in his arms as he lightly sleeps beside. Wendy blinked a few times in astonishment. How long had he been there?

She made a move to get up. Her actions drew the awakening of the plumber beside her. Luigi let out a small moan as he stood up from his chair. His whole body ached from all the training he's been doing and from not having to sleep on a proper bed for three months. He sighed and glanced over to the bed, only to have a pair of blue eyes staring back at him.

"W-Wendy…?" he said. "You're awake!"

"Y-Yeah, I am," Wendy grunt as she tries to sit up.

Luigi gently try to push her back down, not wanting her to force herself. "Please, don't get up. You're still pretty weak."

Wendy frowned at his tender words. She struggled against him a few times. Eventually, she settled with a comfortable up right position.

"How are you feeling?" Luigi asked her.

"Like my head's going to explode,"

Luigi frowned; that didn't sound too good. He reached over to the medicine bottle and opened it. "Here, take this; its medicine from the doctor."

'Doctor?'

Wendy watch in confusion as Luigi hands her two pills and a glass of water. After a bit of hesitation, she took the pills from him and swallowed them down with some water. Within minutes, the medicine began working and Wendy could start to think clearly.

"What happened?" She asked him.

"I found you in the halls last night." Luigi replies. "You didn't look too good so I carry you back to our room. Just this morning I inform your father of your condition and he called a doctor to check you out."

"A doctor?" she questioned. Luigi nodded.

"Yes; he said you'll be fine but you'll be bed-ridden for a couple of days." He softens slightly. "You were asleep all morning and for most of the afternoon."

"What?" She glanced over to the time and was shocked to see it was actually 3:15. "I was asleep all day? And you…" She turned back to Luigi with a raise eyebrow. "Should you be out training?"

Luigi shook his head. "No, Bowser gave me the day off so I can take care of you."

Wendy's eyes widen with surprise. She couldn't believe the plumber had actually cared about her wellbeing. She took a good look at him and for the first time, took notice on how tired he looked. His hat was off so she could see how messy his hair was, as well as his mustache. His blue eyes were dim and puffy with heavy bags under them. His posture was weak and he looked just about ready to fall down.

'Boy, he sure looks exhausted,' Wendy thought, finally taking pity on him. 'Did he stay up all night just to take care of me?'

Now she was starting to feel guilty which doesn't come to her often. Why would the plumber care so much about her when she cared so little about him?

"Are you okay?" Luigi asked, breaking Wendy out of her thoughts.

"I-I'm…fine." Wendy said turning away from him. "Just a little hungry I guess."

Luigi nodded and stood up from his seat. "Here, I'll get you something to eat."

Wendy silently nodded. She watched the green man make his way to the door and exit out of the room. Once the door close behind him, she let out a huge sigh.

"This guy…is something else," She mumbled.

A fragrant made its way to her nose and she turned her gaze to the water lilies sitting on her nightstand. These weren't any ordinary water lilies; these were those very nice ones with the strong fragrant. Not only did she have the white ones which were the most common, but she also gotten a few pinks ones which were rare.

She leaned forward and broke a white one out from of its stem. She lean it close to her nose and took a big sniff, enjoying its wonderful scent. It was then she realized who really gave her this special gift.

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