The big day had finally come. Graduation day.

Carmine packed his suitcase and looked at his dorm room for the very last time.

"It's crazy, isn't it?" Sanjay said, looking around as he took down his electric guitar poster from the wall. "Our last day in the dorms."

"I know." said Carmine. "Four years ago, we first met in here, became best friends, and made so many memories at this school."

"And you still kept Fluffy in perfect condition." Sanjay chuckled, seeing Carmine's rabbit on the bed. "You saving him for the kid?"

"Maybe." Carmine said. "But Fluffy's also one of few things I have left of my grandmother."

"Maybe you can name the baby after her. I was named after my great grandpa."

Carmine shrugged.

"It's possible. I do know for sure, though, there's no one I'd rather have than you as my best man when Caroline and I get married."

"And I'm honored to do it. You're gonna be a great dad too."

"I hope so."

Carmine wondered what his father would think if he could see him now. Would he be proud of Carmine for stepping up to be a good father? Or would he first be upset with him for getting a girl pregnant at sixteen?

But now, Carmine wasn't sure what he was more afraid of, whether he would be a good father, or the fact that he'd been asked to deliver a speech at graduation. He'd done so well in all of his classes, won many awards for his talents, and was deemed the best cheer captain the school had ever seen. There were no other guys in the school who could reach high C vocally, play every instrument in existence, and do 200 fouettés in a row without vomiting.


Coming up with names for the baby was probably the hardest part of preparing for one. So far, he already figured if he and Caroline had a boy, they could name him Qui-Gon after Carmine's father, and Caroline agreed. Girl names, however, were still on debate. So far, they had Miranda on the table. But, Caroline also thought Valentine would be a good name for a girl because Valentine's Day was the night of Caroline's favorite date with Carmine. She remembered it very well.

It started out with a bouquet of pink snapdragons and white dendrobium orchids and a box of chocolate covered strawberries at her door. The flowers were in the arms of a cute pink bear plushie.

And to top it all off, there was a handwritten note with a very heartfelt poem from Carmine.

For the flower of my life,

Hot as dragon fire,

The apple of my eye,

With eyes blue as a clear blue sky,

Hair as silky as chocolate,

Lips as sweet as strawberries

My one and only Caroline

My one and only valentine

My one and only future wife

But it didn't stop there. After school that day, Carmine told Caroline he had a special surprise for her.

Carmine had finally gotten his license and wanted to surprise Caroline with a wonderful date for Valentine's Day. And one day, when their ballet class watched a movie about ice skating as part of a presentation of potential careers with ballet experience, Carmine noticed how Caroline's eyes lit up when she saw how beautifully the skaters danced across the ice. So, for Valentine's Day, he saved up all he could and surprised her by driving her toa date at the ice rink for figure skating. Carmine had a lot of trouble balancing on the skates, but Caroline helped him stay up no matter how much he wobbled or came close to falling flat on his face. He was willing to bear with it for the sake of making her happy, so it was a wonderful date, and one Caroline would never forget.

But, Caroline also liked the name Rose, as a rose has been the flower Carmine presented to her just before she told him they were pregnant, and he turned out to be very supportive and happy to be there for her and their future son or daughter.

Miranda, Valentine, Rose, Kathleen, Susy. It was so hard to choose the right name.


Caroline rubbed her stomach gently as she and Lulu finished getting ready for graduation.

"Big day is finally here." Caroline said. "After today, Carmine and I begin our lives together."

"I still can't believe you of all people are going to be a mom so early in life." Lulu said.

Caroline sighed. This wasn't the first time she heard comments like that, and it wouldn't be the last.

"I know. But need I remind you of your getting stuck in the tree on prom night?"

"Touche. I still haven't figured out how I got up there."

Caroline looked at an old pair of ballet slippers she held in her hands. The very slippers she wore during her first ballet recital, the magical night she realized how much she loved ballet and wanted to be the prima ballerina in Swan Lake when she grew up. But, now that she was pregnant, she would have to put that on hold. Her doctor said she could still dance during her pregnancy, but she would have to take it easy, meaning she couldn't do anything that would stress her or the baby. That also meant she had to go easy on the turns, and if she did any, it was recommended she do it at an adagio tempo. And once she was further along, she would have to stick to prenatal yoga and relax as much as possible.

"Do you know what you're gonna name the baby?" Lulu asked.

"Not yet." Caroline said. "Carmine and I already have a boy name, but I can't decide on girl names."

"Well, you have nine months to narrow it down. If not, hopefully it's a boy so you won't have to struggle."

Caroline thought about how her parents told her about how they named her. They told her they just knew the right name for her when they saw her and held her for the first time. They could tell from the moment she started kicking in her mother's womb that she was going to be a spirited baby. And when they saw the gleam in their baby girl's eyes and how she had the same smile as Nicholas's great grandmother Caroline, they decided to name the baby after her.

"If my parents' way of naming their baby really does work, hopefully Carmine and I will know the right name for a girl if we haven't decided on a name by delivery day."

That was when a knock came on the door.

"Caroline. Are you almost ready?" Carmine asked.

"Come in." Caroline said.

Carmine came in and gave his girlfriend a kiss.

"Ready for the big day?" said Carmine.

"Are you ready?" said Caroline.

"I don't know, honestly. If I'd known being the best student meant I'd be giving a speech in front of so many people, I would've failed a few more tests."

"You're captain of the cheer squad." Lulu said. "You literally shouted in front of crowds all the time."

"I'm not sure shouting's gonna fly this time." Carmine said, getting in a power pose. "It's not like I can just go, five, six, seven eight, today we all graduate, go Melody!"

Carmine finished in a split.

"Go Melody!" Carmine cheered. "Pep rally, sure. Graduation, not so much."

"That was still a great jump into a split." Caroline said. "No one can do it like you do."

"Except you."

"You always do it with so much enthusiasm though."

Carmine caressed his love's face and told her he had her to thank for being able to come out of his shell. Caroline always encouraged Carmine to get back up whenever he fell down from the day they met. Carmine decided he didn't want to switch to contact lenses in favor of how they were what helped him meet his future wife in the first place.

"Our baby's gonna be so lucky to have you as its mother." said Carmine. "It won't be easy, but we'll raise this little guy or girl to do great things someday, whatever it chooses to be."

Carmine got a little lower to Caroline's stomach to talk to the baby. He knew the baby couldn't actually hear him yet, but he hoped that he or she could feel his voice.

"Hey, little one. I know you can't really hear me yet, but I'm looking forward to meeting you. And I intend on being the father you deserve for as long as we both shall live. I'm gonna take good care of you and your mommy."

Caroline ruffled Carmine's hair and told him, "A pretty good example you could set for our baby is getting up there and showing the school just how far you've come since you began here at Melody Prep. Our baby will need motivation to strive for success someday, and one thing he or she will need is knowing that confronting fears is part of growing up as a person and gaining strength. If you can lead the cheer squad to winning three championships in front of crowds of thousands, perform a multitude of pass the entrance exam to get into this school, you can certainly give a speech at graduation."


"And here to kick off this year's graduation ceremony of the Musical Education League of Dynamic Youths Preparatory Academy, I am pleased to introduce our valedictorian Carmine Jinn."

Carmine stepped up to the podium as the big moment had come.

"Thank you, Headmistress Mozarta." said Carmine.

Carmine felt like a million butterflies were fluttering in his stomach right now. But, he recalled the same trick he'd used for his audition into the school. He imagined the whole audience in bunny suits. It was still a hilarious image, especially when he imagined all the teachers in bunny suits. He was surprised he was able to keep from laughing.

Carmine took a deep breath and began to speak.

"I'm very honored to be here representing our class this year. Four years ago, I wouldn't have imagined myself up here. Back then, I was just a foster kid left alone without a family who only came here by chance and got a job as a cleaner to have a roof over my head, and I thought all my dreams would be nothing but that. But then, I met Susy Lamura, who helped me realize my potential and find the courage to audition to come here. And I'd like to give her a big shoutout for being my mentor as well as my mother all these years. I've met so many interesting people here I would never have met if I didn't find the courage to come out of my shell and just release the music in me. We all have music in us somewhere. Some of us are singers, some are dancers, and some are exceptional at explaining in detail the history behind so many forms of music, dance and what goes on backstage. And like a good song, every piece is important. We're all like different notes and instruments. We each have our own unique voice, and while one can sound good alone, harmony is truly created when we play together as a team. This school has taught us, tested us, and made us challenge ourselves in ways that helped us not only grow as musicians, but as individuals too. So, on behalf of everyone in this year's graduating class, a big thank you to our teachers, our families, and our friends for supporting us throughout our days at Melody Prep Academy. Thank you everyone for coming out today, and I wish everyone the best of luck going forward."

The crowd cheered as Carmine concluded his speech. And the boy felt like a huge weight lifted off his shoulders as he'd just confronted his fear of public speaking.

Caroline hugged Carmine and said, "You did so wonderfully, Carmine." And she kissed him passionately.


After graduation, Carmine managed to find a job working retail at a store called On-Key Center. With his knowledge of musical instruments, he had the perfect skill set for organizing the store's instruments by family, making sure each one was in tune, and knowing how to repair any of them if they were damaged in any way. The pay was decent enough, so Carmine immediately began saving up so he and Caroline would be able to live decently while they attended college.

Already, both of them applied for every college within a thirty-mile radius, even some online colleges just in case. They were still waiting for responses. But in the meantime, their parents began helping the couple with keeping track of everything they needed to take care of the baby and planning their wedding to take place next year.

Caroline already had an amazing dream wedding in her head, which her mother was eager to help plan.

A few months went by. Caroline started to show in her pregnancy.

Every day, whenever Carmine came home from work, he spent every waking moment taking care of his fiancé and helping to prepare for their new baby. Despite his future in-laws offering to pay for various expenses that came with the baby while the two would eventually attend college, Carmine still set aside as much money as he could to prove he was a responsible father. He wanted to make sure he would be able to get his baby everything he or she needed, and that he could save a good amount for college for the baby too.

Already, they got lots of baby things. After Miranda died, most of her stuff was put in storage, and none of Carmine's foster families thought to retrieve any of it. Luckily, though, after Susy adopted him, they managed to get most of her stuff, as well as Carmine's old baby things. Toys, blankets, books, even a bumblebee mobile Miranda made herself when she took him in. All they needed to get now were diapers, baby shampoo, some newer clothes, baby powder, baby wipes, formula, baby bottles, new pacifiers, and a new stroller.

And luckily, Caroline's parents still had her old crib, from when she was a baby, stored in the attic, as well as many of her old baby toys and onesies.


Today, Carmine finally got some time off from work to spend time with his love. Both his and Caroline's parents were running some errands today, gathering supplies, buying groceries, and scouting tailors and bridal boutiques for potential wedding dresses for Caroline.

"How are you feeling, Caroline?" said Carmine, feeling his love's stomach as she was already six months pregnant.

"The little one's moving around a lot." Caroline chuckled, feeling the baby moving again. She took Carmine's hand and placed it in a particular spot. "Feel right here."

Carmine felt his heart burst with love as he felt his baby kicking inside of Caroline.

"Daddy's looking forward to meeting you, little one." Carmine said.

"I have a feeling your grandparents are gonna spoil you rotten," chuckled Caroline, rubbing her stomach.

Suddenly, Caroline was feeling hungry again. She had a strange craving for spaghetti and meatballs with cheddar cheese and sweet potatoes.

"I thought you didn't like cheddar." Carmine said.

"Oddly enough, now I want it." Caroline said. "And I strangely feel like having some dragon fruit and a shurra fruit smoothie too."

Caroline tried to get out of bed, but Carmine stopped her.

"Nuh uh uh. You stay here and relax." Carmine said, fluffing Caroline's pillow for her. "I'll get that stuff ready for you. We're gonna be married soon, and I'm going to be the husband you deserve if I have to travel halfway across the Galaxy to get whatever satisfies your cravings."

Caroline sighed as Carmine left the room. That was something else special about Carmine. She'd heard one too many stories about men expecting their wives to become free servers to them, even while they were expecting a baby. But Carmine, he behaved like a good husband and tended to her every need. No matter how stressed he was at work, no matter how tired he was, he pulled through hell to be able to make his love happy and take care of their future baby. He was so excited to be a father, and now that they were getting closer to delivery day, Susy and the Mitchells were so excited about becoming grandparents, even if it was much earlier than they expected.

Carmine got to work preparing everything Caroline was craving. He remembered from his cooking lessons with Mr. Kiran the best spaghetti and meatballs recipe he'd ever tasted, and decided it would be the perfect one to serve to his love. Hopefully it would be good with the cheddar and sweet potatoes too. Unfortunately, they were out of dragon fruit and shurra fruit. So, Carmine consulted the Meal Deal app on his phone and ordered a shurra fruit smoothie and some fresh dragon fruit for immediate delivery to their door.

He served Caroline her meal while he waited for the other stuff to arrive.

"Don't worry, love. Your smoothie and dragon fruit will be here soon." said Carmine. "Meanwhile, I also made you your favorite spinach salad to compliment your meal.

Caroline smiled and said, "What did I do to deserve you?" And she kissed his cheek.

That was when they heard a chime at the door.

"That must be the delivery." said Carmine.

But when Carmine check through the peephole, he didn't see a delivery droid or anything. He saw a cop instead. Suddenly, Carmine was worried. The last time a cop had been at his door, they were with Child Protection to tell him that his grandmother died. He was hesitant to answer, fearing what was happening now.

Don't panic, Carmine. They may just be investigating the neighborhood. Carine told himself mentally.

Then, he answered the door.

"Hello, Officer." said Carmine. "Is there a problem?"

"Are you familiar with this couple?" said the officer, showing a picture of Kathleen and Nicholas.

"Yes. Those are my girlfriend's parents. What about them?"

"I'm afraid we have some terrible news."

Carmine was in utter shock when the officers told him what happened not too long ago. Apparently, the Mitchells and Susy were on their way back from their errands, when a drunk driver crashed right into them! Susy was currently in the hospital, but... neither of Caroline's parents survived. At first, Carmine was relieved knowing his mother was okay, but his terror and shock immediately resumed when he realized he would have to break the news to Caroline.


As you can imagine, Caroline was broken down when she learned of her parents' fate. If she didn't understand how much it hurt Carmine when he lost his father and grandmother, she definitely understood now.

Carmine held Caroline close and stroked her hair the way Qui-Gon and Miranda used to for Carmine when he was little as Caroline cried into his shoulder.

"I know, Caroline. I know." Carmine said, crying himself. He kissed his bride's head. "To say this is hard is an understatement. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, this is a tragedy, and it's gonna be harder taking care of our family ourselves. But we'll pull through this together. We just have to be strong."

A week later, Carmine drove over to the hospital to pick up his mother. Susy wasn't allowed any visitors until she was fully checked, bandaged, and cleared by the doctors until now. According to the doctors over the phone, she'd suffered a broken arm, head trauma, and a nasty set of bruises and scars, but she was alive and cleared to be taken home for some time of bed rest. Carmine knew it would be hard taking care of his wife-to-be, his mother, and the baby in a few months, but if there was anything his grandmother taught him, it was how to be resourceful. So, before he left, he made sure to set up his mother's room to be as comfy as possible, and even placed a bell for her to ring if she needed anything.

Except... when Carmine got to the hospital, he was told that Susy was no longer in the hospital.

"I don't understand." said Carmine. "My mother would've called me to let me know if anyone else was picking her up."

"I'm afraid it's worse than that," said the receptionist. "It appears she's been kidnapped."

"WHAT?!" said Carmine, unleashing a small Sonar Wave. "Did you call the police?! How could you let this happen?! My mother's life could be in even more danger than it already was!"

The staff told Carmine to calm down, but in anger, he unleashed a screech in high C that shattered the glass on the front door.

The police were contacted to file a missing person's report.

Carmine waited for results. But the cops found no traces of Susy or whoever kidnapped her. As if it wasn't bad enough to lose Caroline's parents. Now the cops just gave up on searching for Carmine's mother.

Now, Carmine and Caroline were on their own. They were about to have a baby, Carmine and Caroline were each a birthday short of being of age, and now both he and Caroline would have to work harder than ever to take care of their new baby once he or she was born.


Fortunately, Nicholas Mitchell made a last will and testament some time ago.

In it, he left the family home and their fortune to Caroline... except, according to the law, she couldn't touch most of it until she was eighteen... unless she got emancipated. Which, she and Carmine both fought for in a court of law.

It was a hard fight, but with careful studies of their skill sets, clean school records, and a testimony from Carmine's boss that he was very responsible, as well as Caroline's teachers that she was a resourceful and organized young woman, and the two of them were engaged to be married, their motion was approved under the condition that they married in thirty days.

Sadly, that meant Carmine and Caroline couldn't have their dream wedding. They didn't need to be accountants to know that weddings were expensive, especially one with an astonishingly beautiful theme like the one Caroline dreamed of having since she was a little girl.

"We need to do what's best for our baby." Caroline said, feeling her stomach. "It looks like our music careers aren't the only thing we're putting on hold anymore. We can't even afford to book half a rec center as a venue at this point."

"Hey," said Carmine. "It may not be the wedding we wanted, but we can still make it special. And most importantly, we'll still be getting married and having our baby. And one day, when we can afford it, we'll have the wedding you always dreamed of. For now, my main priority is taking care of you like I promised your family I would, and take care of you and our baby as I promised you from day one."

Carmine and Caroline then kissed once more. They had a lot to do, and not a lot of time to do it.