(A/N: So in the first chapter, Peach told Mario the two clues that should have helped her realize that she and Mario were made for one another. Now let's get to the times she tried (but failed) to propose to her special man!)
"All right. When was the first time you attempted to propose to me, Peach?" Mario asked.
"Well, I wasn't going to do it for your birthday, since you and Luigi share it. I was afraid that Luigi might get jealous that his brother gets engaged while he gets something small in comparison. It was the same thing for Christmas, too. And I didn't think to do it on Valentine's Day, because then you might say you felt bad about what you got me because it wouldn't be as extravagant as the engagement ring." Peach explained.
"I really wouldn't mind if you proposed to me on Valentine's Day; it would've made me a happy man. But I completely understand why you chose not to do that for my birthday or Christmas... that was smart thinking on your part, la mia principessa intelligente, my intelligent princess." Mario said, making Peach blush. Bowser never thought of her as a smart woman, but Mario seemed to admire her intelligence.
"The first time I planned to ask you the big question... was the day of the party I threw when Bowser stole the Star Rod." Peach began.
"Tanto indietro? That far back?" Mario asked. Had Peach really decided that she'd wanted him as her husband that long ago? Well, they had been in a relationship for well over a year by then, so it really should come as no surprise that she was ready at that time.
"Yes, Mario. And the party was not just me being nice; it was to celebrate our engagement, as soon as I proposed to you, that is. I had a pretty good feeling that you would say yes, knowing how we've always been very much in love." Peach said as her face returned to normal.
"You were that sure I was going to say yes to you?" Mario asked.
"I had a strong feeling that you wouldn't say no." Peach said.
"If you had been able to ask me the question that day, you would've been right. I would have said yes." Mario smiled.
Peach returned Mario's smile, then began, "The week before the party, I had measured your finger while you were napping here at the castle, then I went to the jewelry store and picked out a ring I knew you'd like; the one you're wearing."
"Mama-mia..." Mario murmured as he looked at the ring that sparkled on his left hand. He still couldn't believe that Peach had kept this a secret from him for so long. Had he been the one who bought the ring, he would have asked Peach the question as soon as he could.
"When I got back to the castle, I started to plan the party, which would take place the following week. On the day itself, I couldn't wait to see you at the party. I just knew that you would be so surprised when I popped the question!" Peach began.
"I just wish you had been able to. I think my response would've been along the lines of 'YES! You don't know how badly I want to marry you!' But that reaction probably would have frightened you, and I don't want to frighten you, Peach. I love you." Mario said, smiling at her.
"When I suggested that we go out to the balcony, I had the ring on me and everything! I was all set to propose to you! But then we know what happened next. Bowser took my castle into space and claimed he would defeat you that time. The worst part was that he did so in one of the most unfair fights I've ever witnessed!" Peach said.
"Mi dispiace. I'm so sorry, Peach." Mario said.
"It wasn't your fault, Mario. It was Bowser's. Why he thought he needed my home to be out in space, I'll never know." Peach grumbled.
"I'll never know why he did that, either. My guess is that he did it probably just to be an even bigger jerk to you than he already is." Mario shrugged.
"But I do know that I wish I had thought to actually wrestle the Star Rod from his grasp and use it to put everything right! Had I done it, I could have put him and that old hag, Kammy Koopa, in their place!" Peach said.
"Oh, you just called Kammy Koopa an old hag...?! Mama-mia! I can't even begin to imagine what her reaction would be if you had called her one right to her ugly face!" Mario said.
"I couldn't do that, Mario. She might have done something really bad to me if she knew that I had called her an old hag." Peach said.
"Good point. Or, better yet, she complains to Bowser about it, only he tells her to shut up and agrees with you that she really is an old hag. Then she's so angry with him for it that she decides to leave and not help him out anymore. Then you can wrestle him for the Star Rod, and win." Mario said.
"You believe I would've won if I wrestled the Star Rod from him?" Peach asked.
"Sei una donna forte. You are a strong woman. I have every faith in you, Peach." Mario said, giving her a smile.
"But I was so exhausted by the whole experience that I couldn't even propose. Not after all that I had been through..." Peach moaned.
"I don't blame you for that, Peach. But you had to remember that the whole thing wasn't your fault in any way, shape, or form." Mario assured his princess.
"So I had to think of another interesting way to propose to you. When I planned the vacation to Isle Delfino, and I was reading about Hotel Delfino, inspiration hit me!" Peach said.
Mario's face fell at the mention of Isle Delfino. The vacation they had there started off so terribly that Mario wanted to forget that it ever happened. And he didn't have any plans of returning there in the near future.
"What... was your... plan, Peach?" Mario asked, a little nervous.
"Well, when I read that the hotel serves romantic dinners beneath starry skies, I had an idea: during one of those dinners, I was going to have the ring with me, and I would slip it into your champagne glass when you weren't looking. Once you found the ring in your glass, I was going to ask you to marry me." Peach said.
"Oh! That's a common proposal trick, only this time, it would be the girl trying to surprise her man. I would have been very surprised if you did that to me." Mario said.
"The only problems were that the vacation started out very badly because Bowser had a spawn who was making a mess while pretending to be you, and then he and his father ruined everything further by kidnapping me." Peach said.
"And Bowser also proved that he's nothing more than a lying liar who lies. Not only did he tell his youngest son that you were his mama, he yelled at me for disturbing his 'family vacation'. Peach, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that Bowser not only told his son that you were his mama, he also told him that the two of you were... (gulp)... married..." Mario said.
"I know. Bowser had to have convinced his son of that if he had the gall to refer to the 3 of us as a family. But I don't want a family with him; I never did! If I have to have a family of my own, then I want one with someone I love. And that someone is you!" Peach said.
"You'll have that when we get married. As soon as we marry, you'll have me as your husband, and Luigi will be your brother-in-law. Plus, we'll even have kids who refer to you by the simple title of 'Mama'. They won't add your name to it." Mario promised.
"You're so sweet, Mario. Still, upset with everything the two of us had been through when I was finally safe, I couldn't bring myself to propose. I knew a proposal would have been enough to put a smile on your face, something you really needed, but after all that time with Bowser and his horrid son, and the fact the Piantas were so unappreciative, I couldn't even think of giving you the reward you deserved." Peach said.
"You couldn't do it then? Why not?" Mario asked.
"Toadsworth and the Toads would have been the only ones cheering for us when you agreed to marry me. I imagined that the other diners would be an audience of those ungrateful Piantas, who would not fancy the idea of you, someone they hated for no good reason, getting a happy ending, and so they would boo at us, trying to ruin a happy moment for us." Peach explained.
"Mama-mia... I don't blame you for not following through with your proposal plan there." Mario said, feeling angry as he thought about the trip to Isle Delfino. He did all that work, cleaning up a mess someone else made, and the Piantas never once said 'thank you' to him. They didn't even realize that he and the one behind the mess were two different characters, either!
"I didn't even think about proposing to you again until I got captured by the X-Nauts. When I was in their clutches, I promised myself that if I ever got out of the situation, I would ask you to marry me. I couldn't do it right after you showed up because I left the ring at home." Peach said.
"You thought about proposing to me even then?" Mario asked.
"I knew I wanted to when I woke up after you sealed away the Shadow Queen's spirit for good. And I was prepared to propose, too, when we got home." Peach said.
"And...?" Mario asked.
"I thought about everything that happened to me. And I felt so... so violated by TEC-XX, the X-Nauts, and the Shadow Queen's spirit. I also knew that everything you had to go through was all my fault." Peach said.
"Your fault? How do you figure that?" Mario asked. He didn't blame her for what happened that time.
"Well, let's see..." Peach began, before saying, "I was the one who ran away from Toadsworth, opened that dumb box, and sent you that stupid map... I was scared... that you were going to refuse... after all that... I completely... lost the courage to... to ask you to marry me..."
Tears sprang to Peach's eyes as she spoke. It was clear that she still felt guilty for causing a lot of bad things to happen.
"Aww, dolcezza, sweetie... I wouldn't have said no to your proposal after all that... I would have been so happy to hear you asking me the big question... Please don't cry..." Mario said. He didn't want Peach to cry. Seeing the princess cry always made his heart hurt.
"I'm sorry, Mario... I... I can't help it... I felt so awful..." Peach said, picking up her napkin and crying into it.
Mario got out of his chair, walked over to Peach, and hugged her, trying to comfort her as best he could.
"I didn't blame you for what happened during that adventure. I could never blame you, Peach. You know that I could never pin the blame on the woman I love." Mario told her in a gentle voice.
A few minutes later, Peach took the napkin away from her face and said, "I'll be okay now." But Mario didn't go back to his chair. He stayed close to her side. He wanted to be right there to comfort her in case she started to cry again.
"The next time I thought about marrying you was the time Bowser kidnapped you, Luigi, and Toad. I planned to rescue all of you, and then I would ask you to marry me after defeating Bowser in the worst way." Peach said.
"Knowing that you actually defeated Bowser in a battle was enough to make me feel good, Peach. And a proposal would have cheered me up so fast, it would make your head spin." Mario replied.
"But I couldn't propose. I knew that being captured by Bowser so easily would be enough to scar all of you pretty badly, so I had to help you guys recover, and I needed to cheer you up equally. The idea of proposing to you would have to wait." Peach said.
"I really did need some cheering up after spending all that time in Bowser's clutches, and so did Luigi. He was terribly upset about being nabbed by Bowser's minions so easily." Mario said, unable to argue.
"So I couldn't propose to you when Luigi and Toad needed cheering up after the time they spent in captivity, too. Plus, I owed Luigi an apology when I pushed him so that I could be with you when I saved your life. I'd missed you so much. I always miss you when we're apart." Peach said.
"I don't blame you for wanting the first hug, Peach. You were worried about me because you love me so much. And I love you, too. You might also remember that Luigi had already forgiven you for doing that. He completely understood why you did what you did when I was free." Mario said.
"Yeah..." said Peach. She then took a deep breath and said, "Now, do you remember when I sent you that letter about something I wanted to give you on the night of the Star Festival? Well, I was ready to propose to you. I intended to make that Star Festival a very special night that we would always remember."
"Mama-mia! If you had given me the ring that night, then we would've looked at each other with stars in our eyes for sure!" Mario said. Then he remembered what happened, frowned, and said, "But then Bowser showed up and took your castle into space, where it doesn't belong, the way he did the first time you wanted to propose to me."
"I know. And I really should have proposed to you after all that. It would have made both of us feel better. Plus, Rosalina knew that we were each other's 'special one'. And I think she and the Lumas would have been very happy for us." Peach replied.
"But you know what I think? I think it would have served Bowser right if you proposed to me right in front of him!" Mario said.
Peach smiled slightly and said, "You're right. I probably should have done that, just to watch him squirm."
"He'd most likely have to face the fact that as soon as I accepted the ring, you would be off the market for good. I would soon be your husband, and there's nothing he could do about that." Mario said, hugging the princess tightly.
"Oh, Mario. My most recent attempt to propose was going to be right after you rescued me from Bowser when he was trying to force me to marry him. I promised myself that if you managed to survive whatever Bowser tried to do to you this time around, I was going to ask you the big question, come hell or high water. I was sick and tired of all the failed attempts that this time, it was going to be for real." Peach said.
"But you didn't ask me because I screwed up." Mario said.
"No, Mario, you did not screw up. You told me you were afraid when Bowser made the last-ditch attempt to propose, and he caught me in a moment of weakness." Peach said. She also added, "And now that I think about it, I kind of needed a break from marriage for a while after that."
"I should have known. After all the torture that monster put you through, marriage would be the very last thing on your mind, like when Booster attempted the same thing." Mario replied, before adding, "I was even thinking about getting a ring for you when I was in New Donk City, but you needed my help in a hurry. The ring could wait until after I knew you were safe."
"You see? That is why I love you so much. Whenever I need rescuing, you always think to put my safety above all else." Peach replied, giving her hero a kiss on the cheek.
"You make me so happy, Peach." Mario said. Knowing she loved him was enough to make him a happy guy.
"You make me feel the same way, you know." Peach said.
"So, after your tour with Tiara ended, you had finally recovered enough to propose, huh?" Mario asked.
"Yes, Mario. I had. And I showed you no ill will during our tour, by talking with you about the kingdoms we were at, giving you a Power Moon, and hinting to you where I was going next. I even forgave you for your behavior at Honeylune Ridge." Peach said.
"I remember that." Mario said.
"But since I didn't take the ring with me when we went on that tour, I couldn't wait till you got back after I returned home. I wanted to see you and make you happy again." Peach said, her mind going back to that moment.
(Flashback...)
"We have to do what we can with our time to put smiles on as many faces as possible!" Princess Peach told Mario as they stood on her balcony together. Cappy and Tiara were floating together and watching as their human companions spoke to one another.
"I know..." Mario said. He was still feeling sad about the rejection at Honeylune Ridge, even though Peach had forgiven him for what he did. Maybe he was afraid that even though she had forgiven him for behaving no better than Bowser, she would not want him to be her husband.
"And I think I know how to put a smile on your face, too." Peach said, having realized that he was still hurting inside.
"Oh? How are you going to do that?" Mario asked.
"Well, for starters, I still owe you for saving me from an unhappily ever after with Bowser." Peach said, bending down to Mario's eye level so she could hug him. The plumber instinctively hugged her back, glad to be in her arms again.
Then Peach really surprised her beau by kissing him on the lips. Mario had been able to kiss her like that when they first admitted their love for one another. And that was the way they would kiss each other since then.
Mario hadn't expected Peach to kiss him on the lips, even after she forgave him. He wasn't even expecting a kiss. Maybe there was still a chance for them. But he didn't think of kissing her back. And the reason he couldn't do it was because he was almost melting as she kissed him.
"Awwwwww...!" Cappy and Tiara exclaimed as they watched Peach kiss Mario.
"Thank you, Mario, for saving my life. And Tiara's as well." Peach said when she broke off the kiss.
"Non piangerò... I will not cry..." Mario said in his mind, fighting back tears as he tightened his hold on Peach. He said, "Prego, principessa. You're w-welcome, Princess."
"Are you okay?" Peach asked him.
"I-I'm fine..." Mario said, feeling emotional.
"I know how to get that smile to appear now..." Peach said.
"You do?" Mario asked, a little nervously as he let go of the princess. He was hoping Peach wasn't thinking of doing something with him that was more for married couples, or something they really should do when they're alone.
"Mm-hmm..." Peach said. She got down on one knee, produced a black velvet box, and opened it, showing Mario the ring inside.
Mario, Cappy, and Tiara gasped in unison when they saw the ring. They weren't expecting Peach to do this!
"I love you, Mario, and I always will. You've always been there for me, and I want you to continue being there for me... as my husband. Will you marry me?" Peach asked Mario, looking at him with love in her eyes.
Mario couldn't believe his eyes, or his ears! He never thought the princess would ask him the big question, and when he looked into her eyes... They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and the case was true with Princess Peach. She really did love him, and she truly meant it when she said that she forgave him for his bad behavior at Honeylune Ridge.
Cappy and Tiara were watching with excitement, chanting in their minds, "Please say yes... Please say yes... Please say yes...!"
Mario nodded, his eyes welling up. Then he answered, "I... I-I will, Peach... I love you s-so much..."
Peach grinned, then placed the ring on the 4th finger of Mario's left hand. It fit perfectly!
"Wow... I-it fits..." Mario said.
"And it looks good on you, too." Peach said.
Mario smiled and hugged Peach tightly again, feeling like the luckiest man alive as he whispered, "I love you."
Then after sharing a kiss to really seal their engagement, Mario and Peach quickly announced their engagement to the people standing around outside of the castle, and that made everyone cheer. This was a happy day for the kingdom's favorite couple. Toadette even heard the news from inside the castle, came out, and gave Mario a Power Star/Moon for his biggest accomplishment ever: being engaged to the princess.
(End flashback...)
"You were right about putting a smile on my face, Peach. Il mio sogno si stava avverando! My dream was coming true!" Mario said. He had a dreamy smile on his face as he recalled that moment.
"Did you really dream of the day we would be engaged?" Peach asked in surprise.
"Kind of. But in my dream, I was the one proposing to you. However, when you asked me the big question, I knew I wouldn't have it any other way. I loved you so much, Peach... I knew I wanted to be with you forever..." Mario told her.
"Aww... Me too..." Peach smiled, giving Mario another hug.
The couple stayed like that for a few moments, just enjoying each other's presence. It felt good to be together, without Bowser or anyone else interrupting them.
"So, you've really been wanting to marry me for a long time?" Mario asked.
"Yes. And I was the one who proposed because I knew that even when we confessed our love, you might be pretty shy about the idea of asking me to marry you." Peach said.
"I was, but could you blame me? Being your boyfriend is one thing, but being your husband, and a member of the royal family, is another, bigger thing!" Mario exclaimed.
"That's completely understandable, Mario. But you needn't worry. All my people know you, love you, and respect you. Plus, you love me not because of my looks or status, but for who I am. And that's what I want; a man who loves me for me." Peach said.
"You're more than una principessa, a princess; you're the love of my life." Mario told her.
"And you're the one man I've always loved. Not one of my other suitors could hope to be better than you." Peach said.
"I can't wait for our wedding day to arrive." Mario said.
"You're not the only one, you know. I'm looking forward to our wedding day, too." Peach reminded him.
"I know." Mario smiled.
"Now that I've told you everything, shall we finish our lunch?" Peach asked, looking at the table and remembering that they had been eating.
"Oh, right." Mario said, going back to his chair and sitting down.
About 15 minutes later, the couple had finished their lunch, and after bringing the lunch things back inside the castle, it was time for Mario to head on home.
"I'll see you tomorrow, cara mia, my darling." Mario promised the princess.
"Until then..." Peach said, and they shared a lingering kiss on the lips. Then she added, "I love you."
"Anch'io ti amo, Peach. I love you, too." Mario replied, lovestruck. And he made his way back to the mansion he and Luigi called 'home', feeling very happy and surprised.
The End
Wow! Bet you guys never imagined there were times Peach thought of proposing to Mario in the past, or even her plans to do so! Either way, I hope you all enjoyed this little MarioXPeach fanfic.