Carmine looked in the mirror as he was finishing getting ready in his room. He pushed back his hair from his eyes and adjusted his glasses. He'd even tied his hair back into a ponytail to look more distinguished in his new green and white suit inspired by the prince costume from Swan Lake.
Even though Carmine and Caroline were already married, he was still nervous as a chihuahua.
"Okay, Carmine. You can do this." He told himself nervously. "You've been in front of large crowds before. Even on holo-net livestreams. This isn't too different from those times."
But Carmine knew as well as his family that people didn't see him when he was performing on stage. They saw Count Crescendo, his musical persona created solely for the purpose of hiding from the paparazzi and crazy fans.
Part of the whole reason Carmine didn't let anyone know who he really was when he made it as a singer was that he was incredibly shy growing up, and he was worried that if people knew who he was as a famous pop star, no one would love him just for being him. He'd made a fortune in such a short time, travelled to so many places across the galaxy, and could get anything he asked for handed right to him when he was Count Crescendo. But even as Carmine Jinn, his playful childlike, happy-go-lucky attitude was another mask for how insecure he was sometimes.
After his grandmother died, Caroline was one of few people who'd helped inspire confidence in Carmine. All through music school, before they were even just friends, she'd helped him through all his struggles, especially learning to perform in front of people and not freak out on stage.
Carmine didn't even make that many other friends in music school. Too many students there wanted the same thing: to become famous musicians, singers, performers. And too many were willing to pay any price to get it, including losing their friends and families. It didn't help that back in those days, Carmine suffered terrible depression triggered by the loss of his father, then his grandmother, and going through so many foster families before he ran off to find work, and some of the kids used to pick on him for being a janitor and teased him about his glasses.
"You look great, Carmine." Anakin said, walking in.
"Uh... thanks." Carmine said, forcing a smile.
Anakin wasn't convinced his twin was okay. He and Carmine had the same face, and Anakin had forced a smile before, so that was one way he knew something was wrong.
"Are you nervous about this wedding?"
"What makes you think that?"
"I've known you long enough to know when you're okay. I know a forced smile when I see one on your face because I've seen it when I've looked in the mirror."
Carmine sighed and looked down.
"When Caroline and I first got married, it was only us. Well, and a couple of church members we met to be our witnesses. I never even told Caroline this, but... the way we got married was the way I preferred it because I still hadn't gotten over my stage fright. All I wanted was to declare my love for her, but I feared that if I said it in front of so many people, I'd mess it up somehow and everyone would laugh at me."
"But, isn't performing in front of people what you do for a living?" Anakin pointed out.
"As Count Crescendo. That's who people see. They don't see Carmine Jinn. They see this colorful, elaborate, super cool, confident character with not a fearful bone in his body. Someone who can do anything and doesn't care who sees or what anyone else says. Me... I'm not as secure as I might make myself appear with my happy-go-lucky behavior."
"How do you mean?"
"Well, you know how I got a scholarship to music school because a teacher discovered me playing music while I was on the job?"
"Yeah."
"I took the chance because I couldn't take it in foster care, and I saw a chance for a better life if I accepted. But I never told anyone else that all the while, I'd been seeking mental help. After Dad and Grandma died, I went through some abusive foster care, and at one point, thought about self-harm."
Anakin's eyes widened at that. He started to see what his brother was saying. As much as he wanted to make his lady love's dream come true, it triggered old memories of his stage fright.
Music started to play, and Carmine burst into a little song.
Carmine:
You ever looked at all the people
Who seem to know exactly how to be
You think, "They don't need piles of prescriptions
To function naturally?"
Anakin looked at his brother, starting to remember his first years at the Temple. As confident as he portrayed himself despite the other kids picking on him and calling him dangerous, inside, he felt hurt, depressed, and sometimes felt like he could disappear, and no one would miss him.
Well, look again, and you might catch it
Just stay a minute more
There's this little moment after the sunny smile
As their eyes fall to the floor
And the truth starts peeking through
They're a lot like me and you
They can fake a smile too
Carmine looked into a box of pieces of Count Crescendo merchandise he had. Posters, T-shirts, CD's, hats, even bracelets. And on the holo-net and lots of magazine covers and arts and entertainment articles, there were lots of pictures of Count Crescendo, the beloved mystery singing idol.
In every picture, Count Crescendo was shown as confident, cool, fearless, always smiling and never showing a hint that he was ever emotionally unsound, had any doubts, or that being a superstar had gone to his head.
The anonymous ones
Never let you see the ache they carry
All of those anonymous ones
Who never name the quiet pain they bury
So they keep on keeping secrets that they think they have to hide
But what if everybody's secret is they have that secret side?
And to know they're somehow not alone
Well, that's all they're hoping for
What if they didn't have to stay
Anonymous anymore?
Anakin put a comforting hand on Carmine's shoulder, and the latter stepped up on a platform, and with the Force he held up a bunch of other pictures and framed certificates he received from music school.
Awards for being the best male singer, best male dancer, best pianist, mastering the largest number of musical instruments in the school's history, best composition, best dance partner, best male choreographer, best dressed male performer, and a Siren award for his vocal talents being voted so amazing it was magical and placed people under a spell.
Spot the guy who stays in motion
He spins so fast so he won't fall
He's built a wall with his achievements
To keep out the question
"Without it, is he worth anything at all?"
So nobody can know
Just what the cracks might show
How deep and dark they go
Carmine guided Anakin in a little dance, him being one of few people he felt comfortable showing his true talent in front of and being one of few people who knew he and Count Crescendo were one in the same.
They are those anonymous ones
Stuck inside the perfect frame they're faking
All of us anonymous ones
Who pick themselves apart 'til they start breaking
And we keep on keeping secrets that we think we have to hide
But what we really need is somebody to see that secret side
And to know we're somehow not alone
Is all we're hoping for
And that we wouldn't have to be
Anonymous anymore
Carmine sat down and held his head, recalling so many times he'd wanted to be himself in front of others, but always chickened out at the last second because his mind was always filled with anxiety dreams of people laughing at him, teasing him, and forcing him to disappear just to escape.
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The anonymous one
Noticed by none
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell
We carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell
We carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The anonymous ones
Might just need this moment to remind them
That there are more anonymous ones
They're out there if you take the time to find them
Just to know we're somehow not alone
Isn't that all we're ever really looking for?
Maybe we
We don't have to be
Anonymous anymore
Carmine felt some tears run through his eyes... until they were wiped away by his big brother. Though he was only older by three minutes, Anakin made it his job to be a good big brother to his twin.
Anakin had heard many cases of nerves before walking down the aisle. Even a lot of crazy cases of cold feet. But never one like this. However, he saw that Carmine went through a similar story to his. Back when he first started out at the Temple, much like the Jedi Council, the other kids thought he was dangerous and called him a threat instead of welcoming him with open arms as a new student. For people who were raised in an order that was supposed to be compassionate, they sure had poor welcoming skills for new students, and appeared to overlook that compassion meant being kind to others regardless of any differences or oddities they may hold.
"I know how you feel, Carmine." Anakin said, hugging his brother. "I felt that way so many times when I first came to the Jedi Order, and I didn't have Padme there to help me through it. Only my memories of her, and I had to figure out how to deal with the others on my own."
Before Anakin even knew his brother existed, somehow, he always had a sense that there was someone out there like him. But due to expectations in the order, he felt pressured to stay around. Even all those times he snuck out of the Temple just to get away sometimes.
"How did you not get caught?" Carmine asked.
"I did. Obi-Wan was still getting the hang of teaching, but I think fatherhood was the real challenge he was facing. And let me tell you, he really busted my butt when I got really out of line."
Carmine started to chuckle and said, "Sounds like Miss Susy when she took me in and convinced the school to include a dorm for me when I became a student. And every summer, she always had a room ready for me to come home to. She couldn't replace Grandma, but she was a good mom. Sometimes, I snuck out at night too."
"You? The opposite of me, who follows rules, snuck out at night?"
"Yup. But I ended up getting caught when I ran into this guy one night and I was running from these crazy guys trying to steal my guitar because it was a valuable model. But I ran away before I got the chance to thank him for saving me."
Anakin thought and said,
"You know, it's funny. One night, I got caught, I remember running after these guys trying to steal a guitar from this kid. I didn't get a good look at him, though. Once I started fighting the guys, the kid ran off. All I remember was he wore a purple hoodie."
"I think I wore a purple hoodie that night." Carmine said, thinking back to it.
Anakin thought again.
"When those guys were chasing you, did you happen to use a sonic vocalization to fight them at some point?"
"Technically, it's called a Sonar Wave, but yes. Why?" Carmine asked.
"Because I heard someone with a really powerful voice singing just before I saw those guys chasing the kid I mentioned."
Carmine thought about it and recalled the night a little more clearly.
The twins couldn't believe this. It appeared they had met before and didn't even realize it! Mostly because neither of them got close enough to actually come in contact or see each other's faces.
"Imagine, if we'd actually met each other then, face-to-face, things might've been a little different." Anakin shrugged.
"Maybe." said Carmine. "For now. I guess it's time for me to get married again. I just don't know if I'll be able to say my vows correctly."
"Carmine, you might think it's Count Crescendo singing up there, but I know it's you up there. You know it's you. You are him. Maybe you don't even realize it, but Crescendo is you at your best self. Your true self. If he can be so fearless, what's stopping you from showing your fears who's boss?"
Carmine thought about Anakin's words, and he picked up a journal, where inside, he'd found an old entry from the day he first married Caroline.
Friends and family, royal guests and dignitaries in attendance gathered in the courtyard as it was officially time for the ceremony to begin.
The melody of Beauty & the Beast played as Carmine made his way up to the altar with Anakin by his side as the best man.
White butterflies fluttered all around as Gabby and Lamenta walked down the aisle together as the flower girls. And Boba carried the rings, this time with not a doubt he could do it, having previous experience.
Remix and Carousella placed their horns together to begin playing the wedding march.
Carmine stood so nervously at the altar, and then his eyes widened with awe when he looked up and saw what people were gasping about. And there he saw her.
Caroline in her beautiful Swan Lake themed dress, a crown of white butterflies on her head from which hung her veil, a small part in front over her face, and she held a bouquet of pink, yellow, and white snapdragons. Despite that front part of the veil, Carmine could tell she was smiling at him. She looked like an angel to him.
Qui-Gon came by Caroline's side and began to walk her down the aisle. Since Caroline's parents were no longer around, it only made sense that she would choose her father-in-law to walk her down the aisle.
Carmine lifted the veil off Caroline to reveal her beautiful face, holding no other expression but love as the preacher began the ceremony.
Caroline and Carmine held hands as the time soon came for them to say their vows. And, Carmine was first.
Carmine felt himself freeze up and nearly stammer as he started to forget his vows entirely! He'd given vows to Caroline before, but now he was doing it in front of a bunch of people! But Anakin reminded Carmine through the Force.
Who are these vows for? The audience, or the woman you love?
Carmine looked at his bride and focused on her eyes. Then he took a breath and began.
"Caroline...Caroline. It may sound cliche, but the moment I saw you, something told me you were the one. When I heard your name for the first time, your name alone was the most beautiful music I'd ever heard. For so long, I faced many moments of fear and self-doubt. When others laughed at me and said I would never be anything more than a shy, cowardly kid, you gave me reason to prove them and even myself wrong. Every time I play a song, perform a dance, or write any tunes, you're always the first thing I look to for inspiration. And in all the same amount of time we've spent together traveling across the galaxy, I couldn't find a better woman if I tried. Because this is how I describe you in the letters of your name."
C for caring
A for amazing
R for radiant
O for open-hearted
L for lovely
I for irreplaceable
N for noteworthy
and E for extraordinary.
"Every word describes you, and I could fill libraries with more, but I really only need four. I love you, Caroline. And I always will."
Many people's hearts were touched by the heartfelt vow Carmine gave his bride, but none were more touched than Caroline's. His vows were even more heartfelt than she remembered from her first wedding to Carmine.
And now it was her turn.
"This is the day I've always dreamed of for so long. A perfectly decorated wedding with flowers, music, the dress of my dreams, and all the elements of the beauty of Swan Lake, the ballet that allowed me to discover the one I'd choose for my partner in everything from dancing to my lifelong partner. But I never needed all the fancy stuff to truly make it my dream wedding. All I needed was you, the man of my dreams. Sensitive, kind-hearted, good intentions, a man who makes me laugh, and would run through fire to see me or our children smile. I love you, Carmine."
"May we have the rings?" said the preacher.
Boba gave the rings to the couple.
"With this ring, I Carmine Amadeus Jinn, take you, Caroline, as my wife, and pledge my everlasting honor, loyalty, and love to you." said Carmine, placing the ring on Caroline.
Caroline held up the other ring and placed it on Carmine's finger.
"With this ring, I Caroline Stefanie Mitchell, take you, Carmine, as my husband, and pledge my everlasting honor, loyalty, and love to you." Caroline smiled.
"Do you swear to take each other to love and honor in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?" The preacher asked.
"I do," Carmine said, holding his bride's hands dearly.
"I do." Caroline smiled happily at her groom, knowing what came next.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife." said the preacher. "You may kiss-"
The couple didn't wait for the preacher to finish his sentence and held each other in their most passionate kiss yet. Everyone cheered for the happy couple.
The couple embraced each other in a big hug as they finally pulled away.
"Is this everything you dreamed it would be?" Carmine asked his wife.
"No. It's even better." Caroline smiled, and she kissed her husband once more.
Carmine and Caroline got ready on the dance floor, and Remix got the song ready, the very song Carmine and Caroline fell in love to when they first danced together.
Beautiful piano music started to play, and Carmine held his wife close the way he did when they first danced together
Heart
Beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall
But watching you stand alone?
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
Carmine and Caroline started off slow, and started to dance in a graceful waltz together.
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Carmine twirled Caroline gracefully as a ballerina. People watched as the couple was so effortless together. Anakin and Padme remembered when that was them on their wedding day. Anakin held his wife close as they watched his brother and sister-in-law having the romantic wedding of their dreams.
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Carmine continued to sweep his wife off her feet as they danced even more gracefully. It might have had something to do with the fact that they were both professional dancers, but to them, it was their love that allowed them to move so beautifully because they'd each found the right partner. Like two notes in a song, a dancer needed to choose his or her partner carefully to ensure they were in sync and that they were true.
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
I'll love you for a thousand more
Ohh
One step closer
One step closer
Caroline leaned closer to Carmine, resting her head on his shoulder, and he embraced her as they kept dancing together.
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Carmine twirled Caroline a few more times as the song was finishing, and slowly pulled her closer, leaning forward, and kissing his wife, as he'd wanted to do the first time they'd danced to that song, but didn't because they'd only been classmates at the time and were dancing to that song for a ballroom dancing class.
They weren't the only ones who loved dancing though. Their little girl loved it too. And she tied the ribbons on her ballet slippers and came in to perform a little dance in honor of her parents.
Harmony conducted the music to the Finale song of Swan Lake, and Lamenta began to dance a graceful little dance for her parents. She was as lovely as an orchid, as graceful as bamboo, and she landed her grande jete perfectly, and finished in a perfect split, the way her father always would.
And when the time came to toast to the happy couple, every member of the family had something kind to say about them.
"It's taken a long time for my brother and me to find each other again," said Anakin. "But if tonight should teach any of us anything, it's that when it comes to true love, even though it may take longer than we hope, it will always find a way to make dreams come true, maybe even better than we dreamed before. And I'm proud of you, little brother. You've chosen a great woman who's made you happy all this time and given you a beautiful daughter of your own. May the Force allow you many, many happy days together."
"Uncle Carmine, Aunt Caroline." Gabby began. "Ever since you came into our lives, this family has never been the same. It's been better than ever. The wonderful thing about family is that it continues to grow. The more to love, the merrier. And I hope your family will continue growing and we all make many memories together."
"I'm not an expert on romance, but I couldn't think of a better match for Uncle Carmine or Aunt Caroline other than each other." Boba said. "I've lived with a loving family long enough to know that the way the happy couple supports each other, makes each other happy, and always finds a way through dark times makes them a perfect match. I wish you guys the best."
"Tonight is a truly magical, musical night," Padme said. "I remember when Anakin and I got married. When I look and Carmine and Caroline's love, I see the kind of love my Ani and I share every day. And I hope you two continue to have a happy, wonderful marriage for many years to come."
"I don't remember what my life was really like before my parents became the professionals they are today, working for Count Crescendo." Lamenta said. "They've told me in the beginning, we didn't have much, and it was by a miracle and hard work that we got a better life. But making a lot of money working for a superstar wasn't the best part of growing up, it was that we got to have a great adventure together as a family. I may have the magic to give people happy dreams when they're sleeping, but my parents gave me a life like a dream just by being there for me. I love you, Mommy and Daddy."
Qui-Gon went last.
"Carmine, even though I could not be around as much as we would have liked while you were growing up, I can see you have grown into a wonderful man. You have chosen a wonderful woman and you raise a wonderful daughter. You've certainly inherited your mother's kind heart and desire to give the best to your family. She would be very proud if she could see you now."
That brought happy tears to Carmine's eyes. Caroline wished her own parents could see her now, and even though she couldn't see them now, she knew they were watching her today.
"Alright, all single ladies." Caroline said, getting ready to throw the bouquet. "Get ready!"
All single girls got ready for the bouquet, but Caroline threw it a little too hard and past all the girls, and it landed in Obi-Wan's hands.
"Looks like you're next down the aisle, eh, Master?" Anakin teased his best friend.
"Very funny, Anakin." Obi-Wan said sarcastically.
Featured songs:
1. "Anonymous Ones" from Dear Evan Hansen
2. "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri