Chapter 2
-
Maria stared into the stunned expressions of everyone around her. Everyone was either wide eyed, or had their jaws hanging, or both. Her brother looked like he was about to faint and both Peach and Toadette had smiled after a few seconds had gone by.
“Congratulations,” Peach embraced her.
“Mr. Toadsworth, you are correct,” Prince Peasley nodded repeatedly. “It would have not been best to gone of on a daring rescue mission when you are expecting.”
“I’m not about to give birth any second,” Maria rolled her eyes. She could not believe that people view her as helpless already. “I had a co worker run around making espressos and machiattos up until she was eight and half months pregnant. “I’m only six weeks along.”
“Preparing caffenated beverages and fighting against the forces of evil are two different things,” the Prince said softly. “You should take it easy.” He jumped off his floating cushion and pointed at it. “Have a seat.”
“She’s not that helpless,” Toad rolled his eyes again. “She can still stand and walk.”
“Toad is correct,” Toads worth nodded and adjusted his glasses. “Miss Maria is not made of glass. She will not break, however Prince Peasley is correct.” He pointed at Maria. “No adventures for you, no more rescuing anyone, no more exploring strange lands, and most certainly no fighting powerful enemies of any kind, not until you have the baby.”
“Oh come on,” Maria smacked her forehead and turned to your friends. “You guys know that I can still kick ass.”
“Of course you can,” Toadette nodded. “But it might not be good for the baby.”
“Et Tu Toadette?” Maria asked and turned to the others. Both Toad and Peach had nodded.
“I want you to be safe,” Mario took his hand. “And I want my niece or nephew to be healthy. By the way, who is the father?”
“Bowser,” Maria braced herself for the multitude of questions that were about to be rained on her.
“Bowser?” Peach repeated.
“You slept with that?” Toad’s face turned green.
“Don’t refer to him in that way,” Maria glared at him.
“Miss Maria, is it true that you have had relations with the Koopa King?” Toadsworth asked.
“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Mario said. He was the only one. He was also the only one who wasn’t disgusted or shocked, or even indifferent like Peasley. He seemed to be rather pleased.
“This is good,” Maria said and hugged her brother. “This means that if you and Peach want to get married someday and have children, then you can.”
“Uh sis, that isn’t a big surprise.”
“It isn’t?” Maria raised an eyebrow.
Mario nodded. “Koopas and humans can have children. There are hybrids in the other kingdoms.”
“Oh,” she felt like an idiot. “If I knew I might have use protection. You see in my world, mammals and reptiles are not compatible with each other. It just doesn’t work that way.”
“Wait a second,” Toadsworth raised an eyebrow. “What have you said about Mario and the Princess having children?”
“It’s not what you think,” Peach’s face turned pink and she held up her hands. “I’m not pregnant.”
“Miss Maria was implying that you had certain feelings for Mario?” Toadsworth asked.
“Yes,” Mario pressed his index claws together. “I’m not afraid to admit it. Even though she probably doesn’t feel the same about me, but I love her.”
“Mario,” Peach ran her fingers through Mario’s hair before she grabbed him by the shoulders and kissed him.
“Oh my,” Toadsworth gasped and fainted into Toad’s arms.
“Oh brother,” Toad grumbled.
“It’s so romantic,” Toadette sighed.
“He’s going to be okay?” Maria asked. She turned when she felt a hand on her shoulder and saw that Lady Lima had returned with a glass of water.
“Have I returned at a bad time?” The elderly bean lady asked.
“I just recently informed everyone that I was expecting,” Maria said and accepted the glass. “The princess and Mario kissed and Toadsworth fainted. “I think he might need this.”
“Oh,” Lady Lima smiled. “Congratulations.”
“Lady Lima?” Toadsworth sat up. “You have returned.” He stood up and dusted himself off. He shook his head when Maria offered him the glass of water. “No you drink it. You are drinking for two.”
“Mario, could you take me to Dark Land?” Maria asked.
-
The metallic tang that clung to the air had made Maria sneeze and cough a little bit as she walked through the land with her brother, She had noticed it didn’t bother him at all and it didn’t bother her too much when she was a Koopa, although she had sneezed a few times and her eyes watered up a bit. Her brother was probably more used to it than she was.
There was twice the amount of guards on patrol than there was the last time Maria had been at the castle and all seemed to be ready to attack when they saw Maria, but relaxed when they noticed Mario and even apologized for attacking when they were under the brainwashing spell.
“There is no need to apologize,” Mario said and pets the heads of a few of the piranha plants and chain chomps that were before he and Maria entered.
Inside everyone in the castle was busy cleaning. There were troopas vacuuming the carpets, Shy Guys mopping the stone floors, Moles with dusters and several others moving a few objects around.
“Where is everyone?” Mario asked a Goomba as it walked by.
“In their rooms,” The Goomba said. “They are a bit bummed about the whole possession and being brain washed. Ludwig and his fiancé are playing music. Iggy is working on one of his machines, Larry is shooting hoops in his room, Roy is watching his favorite martial arts movies, Lemmy is playing with his toys and I don’t know what Junior or Morton is doing. Wendy and Luigi are together.”
“Where is Bowser?” Maria did not want to ask what her brother and Wendy were doing. If she were in Wendy’s shoes she would have been sobbing on the bed while hugging a pillow or a stuffed animal, knowing that she was forced to her the one that she loved, of course there is the possibility they might be doing much more, but she did not want to think about that.
“On his throne,” The Goomba said. “And he wishes to be left alone.”
“I have some news that is going to cheer him right up,” Maria said and placed her hands on her stomach.
They found Junior standing in front of the throne room with his back against the doors and his arms stretched out. “Daddy doesn’t want to be bothered.”
“Hello Junior,” Maria said, using the sweetest voice she could muster. “I heard about how you helped save everyone. You must have been very brave.”
“I was,” Junior nodded. “Now I’m protecting Daddy.”
“How would you like to have a little brother and a sister?”
Junior blinked. “What do you mean?”
“Maria is going to be a mommy,” Mario explained. “And your daddy is the daddy of the baby.”
“Maria is gonna be my mama?” Junior looked up to her.
“It’s kind of complicated,” Maria said. “Your daddy doesn’t know yet. I want to tell him.” She gave him a pat on the head and slipped through the doors.
“I’ve said I don’t want to be bothered,” Bowser’s voice came from the throne. He was sitting on it, sprawled out with his spiked shell facing Maria.
“Bowser, its me.”
“Maria?” Bowser rolled over and sat up. “I wasn’t expecting to see you, not after-“
“Shhh,” she placed her finger on Bowser’s mouth. “I’m here now,” she kissed him.
“Do you know?” He asked after they pulled away.
“About Cackeletta?” She nodded. “I don’t blame you for anything. I want to cheer you up.”
“Seeing you here, as lifted my spirits,” He smiled weakly. “I got your letters. How were your finals?”
“I passed with flying colors,” Maria grabbed his hands. They were huge. She hadn’t noticed how large they were before. “I have some news to tell you. I’m pregnant.”
His eyes doubled in size. “Oh,” he stood up. “Am I the father?”
Maria nodded. “Yes.”
“I see.” He slowly walked to far right of the room where a desk was and opened one of the drawers. “I didn’t have this the last time.” He came back to her. “Remember when were at the ball at we looked up at the stars?”
“How could I forget?” It was the most romantic event that had happened to her.
“Do you remember my offer?” Bowser got down on one knee. “Because I am going to offer it again and this time I will do it right.” He flipped open the jewelry box. It contained a golden ring with a large sparkling stone. “Maria Segali, please accept my claw in marriage. Marry me, be my queen. We’ll raise our child together. You can still have your sporting good store. You will have a chain, and I’ll find some way for you to extend that chain into your world.”
Maria stared at the ring. The jewel was sparkling as much as the lights in Bowser’s eyes. She continued to stare until her vision blurred and she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I always had a plan for life, start my career, get married, get pregnant. It seems the order of my plans have changed. When I open the first of my stores I want you by my side as my husband.” She took the ring out of the box.
“Yes,” Bowser stood up and raised his hands in the air.
“Yes,” she felt the rate of her heart increase as she slipped on the band. The size of the ring was too big for her finger.
“I’ll get it resized,” Bowser told her and gave her a kiss. “I’m going to get married.” He chuckled. “I’m going to have another child.” His laughter grew louder. “I’m going to get married. I’m getting married.” His voice boomed. He kicked the doors to his throne room open. “I’m getting married and I’m gonna have another child.” He pointed at Mario. “I want you to be one of my groomsmen. I have to call my brothers and sister. Now who should be my best man, Fido or Spot?” He continued to dance down the halls.
“I think I cheered him up,” Maria said when she caught the surprised look of Mario and Junior.
“Yeah,” Mario blinked. “My baby sister is getting married and I’m going to be an uncle.”
“I’m going to be a big brother,” Junior said and ran up to Maria. “Mama Maria.”
Maria hugged him back. “I think we found our ring bearer.”
-
Maria stared in front of the mirror. She was surprised at how well the gown fit her. The shining white material hugged her frame and high waist design and puffed up sleeves. It was her mother’s old wedding gown and with several adjustments and some extra material it was made to fit Maria.
“Your grandmother would be griping at how you shouldn’t be wearing white,” her mother said as she adjusted the veil that was attached to the tiara on Maria’s head. “Although this was one of the things they would do back when she was young and a girl would become pregnant before she was married. They would marry her off right away, or hide her away until the baby was born, have another family member adopt the baby, and then send the girl to a nunnery.”
“Did she ever get the bard’s autograph?” Stevie asked as she was applying her lipstick. She along with Peach and Bethany made up the rest of the bridesmaids while Pauline was the maid of honor.
“Don’t disrespect your grandmother,” mom pointed at her.
“It does sound wrong,” Peach said.
“I agree dear,” Mom nodded. “I’m just saying she would have approved of Maria getting married the second she found out she was expecting.”
“I somehow doubt Grandma would approve of Maria marrying a lizard man,” Beth said. She had agreed to wear the same lavender gown and even toned down her makeup a bit.
“He’s not a lizard,” Pauline said. “Koopa’s are more like turtles.”
“Okay, I doubt grandma would have approved of Maria getting married to turtle, even if he is a king.”
“I happen to love that turtle king,” Maria said.
“Not to mention my sons are Koopas.”
“Yeah,” Stevie blinked. “How did that happen again?”
“The story is too long and we don’t have much time,” Mom said. “I have to go check on the boys.” She gave Maria a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll probably see you again when your father walk you down the aisle.” She ran out of the room.
“I wonder if Kammy is already fussing over them?” Pauline asked. “She would let your mom, make sure they have their cummerbunds on correctly?”
“Yeah,” Maria said as she put in the pearl earings Pauline loaned her for the something borrowed. The dress was the something old, the tiara and train was the something new and her garter was the something blue. “They can focus on one and cut the time in half.” She was worried the two would have arguments and there would be shouts and things being thrown about. Her mother assured her they did argue silently, but also thanked her for making sure her sons were not killed even if it meant changing their species and for raising them. They would never be friends, but the were being civil and respectful.
“I hope everyone likes my cake,” Peach was staring at her hands. “This was the first time I baked a wedding cake.”
“I’ve seen it,” Beth gave her small pat on the back. “It looks delicious, and I can’t wait to try a slice.”
“I have to thank you two for agreeing to be part of the wedding,” Maria said to her cousins. “ I know its last minute, and the fact that it’s in a whole different world.”
That was a lot of explaining. After she had gotten her aunts and uncles to calm down about after telling them she was expecting and getting married she had to explain about the different world, and even with her parents help they still didn’t believe her until they were taken to the other world, where they then turned to yell at her parents for not telling the truth about her past.
Her other cousins and their family were also introduced to the world and after they got over their fears of the different creatures they agreed to attend to the wedding. Her cousin Christopher and his wife agreed to allow little Mia be the flower girl. They also accepted Mario and Luigi for being what they are, but hoped they would don a human form again, just so they can come and visit.
Maria had even invited a few classmates and coworkers, but made them sign a waver to not tell anyone about the world they visited. They agreed, mostly because they didn’t believe it until they saw it, and even after they knew that no body was going to believe them.
Her younger cousins had easily adapted to the Mushroom World. Ludwig’s fiancé, Dru had hit off with Beth. They were complimenting each other’s nail polish and fashion sense and Dru had offered to take Beth to her favorite clothing store.
“Bridesmaids,” Toadette tapped on the door. “You are needed at once.”
“Uh oh,” Pauline chuckled. “We don’t want to be late do we?”
“Of course not,” Peach said.
“I better go with you,” Maria said. If the bridesmaids were needed then she would half to walk down the aisle soon herself.
-
Maria restrained herself from chewing on the bottom of her lip. She didn’t want to remove her lipstick.
“Are you nervous sweetie?” Her father asked. He was also wearing a tux and had gelled back his hair and trimmed his beard into a stylish goatee.
“My feet are not frozen,” Maria said. She stared at the banquette Toadette had handed her. It was made of lilacs and violets. She was wise in letting the toad girl be in charge of the flowers as well as co coordinator and decorator.
“It’s time,” her father held out his arm. “You remember which foot you start out on?”
“My right,” it made sense to her, she was right footed.
“No time to think lets go.” He walked her out into the chapel.
Everyone was watching her, a few of her family members were still casting wary glances at the groom’s side, but they all had turned when she walked by. Maria smiled at everyone before she faced the chapel. Pauline, Peach and her twin cousins were gorgeous in their gowns.
On the other side were four handsome Koopas in their tuxes. Her two brothers smiled as she approached. The other two were Bowser’s brothers, Fido and Spot. Fido had a white head, silver shell and a flame of red hair on his head. He was a famed archeologist. Spot was shorter than his two brothers, green like Bowser and was bald. He had a notable star shaped mark surrounding his left eye. He was racecar driver and won several trophies.
“Greetings gentlemen and women,” Toadsworth said. Maria had asked him to be the one to perform the ceremony. “Today we are gathered her to witness the wedding of the great heroine of the Mushroom Kingdom and the king of Dark Land.
One of the heroine’s, Maria thought as Toadsworth read on. She was not the only one, and Mario was getting respect as a hero and the same for Luigi now. Why couldn’t they give the same respect and courtesy to Maria?
“We will never forget how these two, along with Mario, Prince Mallow of Nimbus Land, Geno, and our own Princess Peach have saved our world from the dreaded Smithy Gang. May more heroic deeds come from them and plenty of peaceful rest as well?” He paused to clear his throat. “Dear Bowser, do you take Maria to be your lawfully wedded wife, to honor and cherish, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, until death do you part?”
“I do,” Bowser said.
“Miss Maria do you take Bowser to be your lawfully wedded husband, to honor and cherish, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, until death do you part?”
“I do,” Maria could not stop looking at him.
“You may exchange the rings.”
Maria slipped on the wide golden bands on Bowser’s middle claw and he gently put on her ring. The band was shortened to fit her finger.
“Now you may kiss the bride,” Toadsworth said.
Maria closed her eyes as she and Bowser kissed as husband and wife.