Mario XOXO: Chapter 4

Yes, it was finally here.  Valentine's Day had arrived at Mushroom Kingdom.  It wasn't too late in the evening when Peach's Valentine's Day party began.  Everyone in the kingdom was there, and everyone brought their valentine with them.  

Mario and Luigi had just entered, and were looking for a familar face.  Daisy was walking towards them, waving to get their attention.  It was a formal party; Daisy had ordered for a designer dress to be sewn, just for the party.  Each step she took was dainty, with no sign of her tomboyish attitude.  Her dress was sleeveless and a bright yellow with an orange trim that curved to outline her chest.  It had her trademark flower gem in the center.  The cloth came to a halt just above her knees.  After that, only red shoes were covering her feet!

"Hey, I think half her dress is missing," Mario teased, "I think she's implying something."

"SHUT UP!" Luigi snapped, his face was a bright red from nervous anger.

Daisy greeted them with: "What's the matter?  Don't you two know the difference between being  fashionably late, and just being LATE?"

"I know what will cheer you up, my dear," Luigi said reaching in his pocket.  However, all he felt was air.  He frantically searched for what gave him such pride and joy.  

"Er- I know where I put it, I just forgot-" he said still looking, still hopeful.

Daisy couldn't help but feel embarrassed.  "Its okay. It's the thought that counts," she stated with a little disappointment in her voice.  She turned to Mario and he nodded, agreeing with her statement.  So, Luigi stopped his search.

Mario had been looking for something, too, the two noticed. He was on his toes, looking over the herd of citizens.  Daisy gave him slight push, and asked what was wrong.  

"He's looking for Peach," Luigi nodded.

Daisy gasped then giggled, "REALLY?"

Mario gave his brother a punch on the shoulder, hinting to keep his mouth shut.  

"Well, she must be around here somewhere!" Daisy told them smiling, "she's probably upstairs or something."

Indeed she was.  Peach was in a whole new dress, but not so identical to Daisy's.  It was a light shade of pink, but some of the dress including the lace was magenta.  She didn't have sleeves, but straps, and the dress covered a quarter of her legs.  Her blue crystal was resting in the middle of her chest, and her shoes were the same shade of blue.  She pretended to be fixing herself in the mirror, but she was really reviewing her plans for the night and bracing herself.  Mario had found her and interrupted her thoughts.  He was smiling, relieved to have found her in the huge castle.

"Princess! Good evening!" he greeted, flushed.  She greeted him back; however she seemed more concerned about what had made him come to her, and asked if there was something wrong.

"NO, no way! I just wanted to give you something."

"Give ME something? What ever could it be?" she said surprised.

He showed the ring he had found.  It gave off a radiant shine, as if it was glowing.  Peach gasped and covered most of her face with her right hand, trying to hide that it had reddened.  

"This is for me?" she said. She was hard to hear and understand because her mouth was being covered by her hand.  She reached for her gift, and gripped it the best way she could. However, her hand was trembling just a tad, so she dropped it.

"Oops," she giggled.  

He laughed at how cute her reaction was, and offered to get it for her.  

"Lemme help you," he told her, taking her hand.  He slipped the ring on her finger and it fit perfectly.   She raised her hand towards the light, gazing at how beautifully the gem glittered.  

She grabbed his hand and full of excitement she told him, "Come with me! I wanna show Daisy!"

"Alri-" but her pull stopped him from finishing.