This story takes place right after the events of Attack of Crescenda

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After a hard battle fighting a voice-less siren who'd stolen the voices of many great singers across the galaxy, it felt good for everyone to be able to go home and relax. Carmine was so happy to have his voice back. Even after the concert was over, he just wanted to keep singing as well as talking. He even volunteered to read the kids a story before bed just to have an excuse to read out loud and hear his own voice.

Carmine just wouldn't stop talking for hours and hours, but who could blame him? When you've had literally no voice for almost a week, a thing as normal as talking feels magical.

"It feels good to have a voice again," sang Carmine, walking with Obi-Wan. "I could sing and talk all day."

"You already have, Carmine." Obi-Wan said. "I'm not sure who's more talkative, you or your brother."

"Well, you could try timing us for how much we talk at once without stopping, and then maybe you'd know for sure. Of course, then it might take a while because some people can talk for a long time without stopping, and some can even talk really fast for a long period of time without even stopping to take a breath, and seeing as you can't really predict who talks longer-"

"Carmine!" Obi-Wan exclaimed.

"Yes?"

"Maybe you should take a break from talking so much. You were even talking in your sleep last night." Obi-Wan yawned. "All night long."

"Oh. Sorry, but when you've had your voice stolen, talking is kind of something you gotta really get out once you get it back."

"Do you have to do it so much though?

"Would you prefer if I sing?" Carmine sang.

"Perhaps talking is fine. Besides, shouldn't you be helping Remix and Magenta with the playlist?"

"Oh, that's right! I totally forgot! Thanks for reminding me!"

Carmine sped off to go help Remix and Magenta.

What were they making a playlist for, you might be wondering? Well, it was actually for something typically only civilians did.

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"A little higher, Comedia." Ahsoka instructed.

Comedia flew a little higher with some red ribbons in her mouth, searching for the perfect spot to place it.

"Now more to the left." So, Comedia moved the ribbon slowly. "Right there!"

"I've got it from here, Girl." Anakin said, placing his hand on the ribbon so Comedia could let go, and he used a staple gun to attach it to the wall.

"Looks great," said Comedia.

"Constantine, we need more ribbons up there," said Ahsoka.

"I'm on it." Constantine said, flying to place more ribbons.

After thirty years of being a prisoner and three days of healing and cleaning up, it felt good for Constantine to get to exercise his wings, and helping hang up decorations in higher places was a perfect opportunity for that.

Today, there were Jedi, ponies, as well as teen volunteers in an empty gymnasium in the Jedi Temple. Normally it was used for physical training of Jedi, but today this whole room was being decorated for a very special occasion: a big dance. You've probably seen homecoming dances and prom night dances in high school movies, or dance clubs with people dancing. And most of them probably didn't include Jedi. Well, now there was one happening.

Since things began changing in the Temple, the Jedi began adopting a few civilian customs in the Temple, especially since some Jedi were marrying non-Jedi who later moved into the Temple. It helped them feel more at home, and gave the Jedi fun stuff to look forward to.

After a fun but also very crazy night some time ago with a father-daughter dance that was put on at the Temple, the Jedi decided, why not do more dances like this regularly? The young ones definitely liked the idea. So, for the very first official Temple dance, they first needed a theme. So, everyone wrote their ideas on cards, and Master Yoda picked out three, which everyone would vote on. And the theme that got the most votes for this dance? Movie Magic.

The decor was gonna be amazing. Red carpets, red ribbons, film reels, basically movie making themed stuff. Lights, Camera, Dance! That's what it said on the banner.

Everyone was so excited for the dance; it was three days away, and there was still so much to do.

"Let's get this done," said Ahsoka. "I need to go pick up my dress soon."

"Don't worry, Snips." Anakin said. "Padme's taking the kids to get their outfits, I'll just ask her to pick up yours on the way."

"Outfits?!" Comedia said. "Oh, broncos! I'm supposed to meet Myra at the salon for our appointment, and I'm gonna be late!"

Even a silly-corn like Comedia was not going to attend a dance without getting her hooves primed and polished. So, she immediately flew, just barely missing flying into Masters Plo and Fisto.

"Sorry, Masters!" Comedia shouted.

"The children are certainly excited about this big dance, aren't they?" chuckled Kit.

"You should've seen when I got stuck taking the girls to pick their dresses." Anakin sighed, remembering how Gabby, Lamenta, and Omega must have tried on at least two hundred dresses (each!) before finally deciding which ones each of them wanted. But that wasn't even the start of it. The girls also had to pick jewelry and shoes to wear, and Anakin lost the coin toss between him and Carmine, so the younger twin got the easier job of helping Boba pick a suit.

"Hey, picking an outfit is a big deal." Ahsoka said. "Remember how frantic you got about your wedding attire?"

"Touché." Anakin said. He might not have been a stickler for fashion, but even he wanted to look his best for special occasions, especially one as special as a day honoring his beautiful wife. "Hey, Mom. Where are we on food?"

"Strawberry Sundae just let me know that she's made significant progress on movie themed cookies and cupcakes for the dance." Shmi said.

___________________________

Later that same day, Comedia, just barely making it, met Myra at the salon for mani-pedis. Comedia stood still as some droids cleaned and polished her purple hooves so they would be nice and shiny for the dance. Myra, on the other hand, decided to get her nails painted a very glossy red.

"Now this is one girly thing I definitely like," sighed Comedia.

"Perfect, 'cause we gotta look amazing for this dance." Myra said. "Think someone'll spill the punch like at the father-daughter dance?"

"Hopefully not. I gotta admit, it was kinda funny though. But not as funny as everyone falling like dominos."

"Of course you thought it was funny, you didn't have your dad and two other dads piled on top of you."

___________________________

Meanwhile, Padme, Caroline, and the kids finally got out of the boutique after picking up the girls' dresses.

"So, at a dance, it's like a big party?" Mona said.

"Yeah, a big dance party." Omega said.

"What's being celebrated?"

"Nothing really," said Gabby. "It's just for fun. A night to get down and boogie!"

Qui-Gon and Boba met the girls by the fountain after picking up Boba's suit.

"Everyone find everything okay?" Qui-Gon asked.

"All of our dresses are packed and accounted for," said Goldie. "Speaking of everything accounted for, where are my parents and the Batch with the rest of the decorations?"

Garrett and Mariposa were with the Batch picking up supplies for decorating.

"Here we are," said Mariposa, she and all the others carrying shopping bags.

"I thought fighting Yalbecs was hard!" Wrecker said, carrying the heaviest bags. "But shopping is definitely the hardest mission ever!"

"Only 'cause the horses are busy putting together other decorations at the venue." Hunter said.

With Anakin, Carmine, their mother, and most of the horses helping out with the dance decor, and Mila and Indira watching the babies, everyone else had to carry most of the shopping bags themselves instead of a wagon tied to their reins. The kids' wagons couldn't be getting repaired at a worse time, and Wrecker was getting famished.

But, at least the shopping was done, and everyone began taking the bags to their vehicle.

"Remind me how we got trapped with decor and dress duty?" Echo said.

"It's the biggest job, and the squad does have a one-hundred percent success rate," said Omega. "And for a big event like a dance we need success."

"Technically, she is correct." Tech said.

"Just be glad it wasn't our turn to take the kids grocery shopping this week," said Crosshair.

The Batch could agree on that; with nine kids in the palace, grocery shopping was a warzone, even with three of them being little enough to ride in the cart seats.

"Last time I checked, Wrecker was the one hogging the free samples last time we were grocery shopping." Boba said.

"And someone thought it would be cool to use cheerleading moves to reach the high shelves." Omega said.

"It was cool."

"You flipped right into another customer's cart, crashed into a pile of soup cans, spilled the smoothie samples on your head, and sprained your ankle trying to get out of there." Gabby pointed out, which made Boba's face turn red.

"At least you kissed my sprain away," shrugged Boba.

"And then Carousella licked the smoothie out of your hair."

Boba groaned in disgust. It took two washes to get the horse spit out of his hair after that.

Today, as the grownups were loading the bags into their ship, Gabby screamed, which had everyone jumping.

"Clavatized villain?" Boba asked. But then he realized Gabby was smiling.

"No. Look!" Gabby said, pointing at something a short distance away.

A tent. A very big and beautiful sparkling blue and silver striped tent, and judging by the trailers and the big sign with diamonds and pictures of animals wearing fun outfits, that could only mean one thing.

"A circus!" Gabby exclaimed excitedly.

"I don't believe it," said Garrett, looking especially mesmerized by the sight of the circus tent. "That's not just a circus, that's the Diamond Ring Circus." Garrett said.

"You've seen them before?" Caroline said.

"Seen them? I performed with them. That's the very circus I used to work at."

"You mean the same circus where you were the big top magician, Daddy?" Goldie said.

"The same one. I wonder if any of my old friends still work there."

"Why don't we go over and find out?" Mariposa said.

"Mommy! Can we go see the circus?" Gabby asked. "Please, please, please?"

"I wanna see the circus too!" Lamenta said, begging her mom.

"Can we?" Omega added, trying to see if she could mimic Gabby's puppy eyes.

"Please, Mom?" Boba asked.

The kids all really wanted to go and see the circus, at least to take a look. But, they had all this stuff to deliver, and they needed to get it done soon. But then, Caroline had an idea.

"Padme, why don't we and the Batch just go and drop the stuff off?" Caroline said. "I think Garrett, Mariposa, and Qui-Gon can handle taking the children. Can't you?"

"Of course." Garrett said. "We'll meet you back at the Temple when we're through."

So, while the Batch and the moms went to drop off the supplies and such, the Heartwoods and Qui-Gon took the kids to go and browse at the circus.

"Stay together, children." Qui-Gon said, making sure all his grandkids were with him.

Boba and Omega each took one of Qui-Gon's hands, and held Gabby or Lamenta's in their other hands.

"Can someone tell me what a circus is again?" Mona asked.

"Something totally amazing!" said Comedia, walking by with Myra.

"Hello, Comedia. Myra." Qui-Gon said. "How are the two of you?"

"Stylish, thanks for asking." Myra said, showing off her nails.

"We got mani-pedis today for the dance. We just got out and then we saw a circus tent."

"I thought you stayed away from circuses." Boba said, recalling when Comedia talked about her previous owners.

"Yeah, didn't you say a circus used to own and abuse you?" Lamenta said.

"That was the Bronze Wing Circus, which went out of business once the authorities learned they were guilty of abusing animals, by the way. That's the Diamond Ring Circus! The greatest circus known to all of Enchantra. I've always wanted to go, but my parents always said a circus was a waste of time."

"Well, we're actually going over there now," said Garret. "Would you like to join us?"

"Uh, yes!" Comedia said happily.

"So, what's a circus?" Mona asked.

"Why tell you when we can show you?"

___________________________

Garrett and Qui-Gon escorted all the kids to the tent, where the performers and staff were setting up for the show.

"Alright, people, let's get moving!" said a woman's voice. "Augusto, get those props set up improperly, Donna and Lonna, sailor knot those ropes. Our first show is in four days, that's barely enough time to prep and rehearse."

"I wonder if anyone here will remember me,' said Garrett.

That was when Garrett realized the voice directing everyone came from a straight-haired woman in a sparkling blue tailcoat. Garrett almost didn't recognize her.

"Jenine?" said Garrett. "Jenine Diamond?"

The woman turned to see Garrett, and she looked happily surprised.

"Garrett? Garrett the Great?"

"I go by Garrett Heartwood now, but yes." Garrett chuckled.

Jenine ran and pulled Garrett into a hug, so happy to see him again.

"Hey, everyone. Garrett the Great has returned!" Jenine shouted into a megaphone.

That got a lot of the performers excited.

"They remember him," said the kids.

Garrett received a lot of hugs and happy greetings from many of the performers, mostly the older ones, whereas many of the younger ones were starstruck. It was basically like when he showed up at his family reunion for the first time in two decades. Only this time, it was with people who weren't related to him.

"It's been so long," said a guy in leotards, likely one of the acrobats.

"I know." Garrett said. "I can't believe all of you are here. Except... Jenine... wasn't your father ringmaster when I was here?"

The others looked down when Garrett asked about that.

"Oh no, Mr. Diamond, is he?"

Jenine looked teary in the eyes and nodded. About a year ago, Barney Diamond, Jenine's father and preceding ringmaster, got very sick. He spent months in the hospital, which took a toll on his daughter as well as the performers he'd served, led, and worked with for fifty years. And it was even more devastating when he flatlined. It was especially hard for Jenine. She was the first daughter born into the Diamond Family in years, and for as far back as she knew of the Diamond Ring Circus, all of the past ringmasters were men, the firstborn sons. But Barney only had daughters and Jenine was the oldest, she took it upon herself to continue her family's legacy as the Diamond Ring Circus' first female ringmaster.

As good as it felt to take on a leadership role, it was also a painful reminder for Jenine that her father was no longer here.

"I'm so sorry. I had no idea." Garrett said, feeling terrible.

"Of course you wouldn't. We didn't know how to contact you when it happened. I wish he could've gotten the chance to see you one last time. He always sang your praises even after you left to become a teacher. Three days from now, it would've been his birthday too. But, that's why I'm the ringmaster now. My family built this circus from nothing, and I'm keeping its legacy and my father's memory alive."

"She's done a great job so far too," said a bigger man dressed in funny clothes.

"I see that a few things look a little different since I was last here."

"Yes," said Jenine. "We've gotten new performers over the last couple of decades, and adjusted a few of the acts."

It was true. The outfits looked mostly the same, except even more dazzling now, and Garrett noticed the clowns ditched most of the makeup, because according to Jenine's research, it was the makeup that was frightening children.

Jenine then took notice of the other people.

"Oh, Garrett. Who are your friends here?"

"Oh, of course. How rude of me. Everyone, I'd like you all to meet my beautiful wife Mariposa. And our two girls, Mona and Goldie."

The performers were honored to meet Garrett's family. They thought the children were absolutely adorable. One of the clowns made a balloon flower to greet the two children.

Mona was mesmerized by that trick. She honestly couldn't understand why Hunter was afraid of balloon animals.

"Did you ever get your dream of being a teacher?" asked one of the clowns.

"As a matter of fact, I did. I'm actually now a professor on the Enchantra Commission's Educational Board. And it so happens a few of my newest students are here too."

Garrett got the royal kids and their grandpa to come and meet the performers, who were as mesmerized as pretty much everyone who'd ever come to their show.

"Are those the royal family of Solaris?" said one of the staff.

People started bowing in their presence.

"King Qui-Gon. Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you." said Jenine.

"It's an honor to meet all of you as well. Garrett's spoken very highly of you." Qui-Gon said, and he introduced the kids. "These are my grandchildren, the twins Boba and Omega, Gabriella, and Lamenta."

"And these two are friends of ours." Boba said.

"Myranda Windu, but you can call me Myra." Myra said.

"Windu. Like Jedi Master Mace Windu?" said a female acrobat. Her name was Tasha.

Some of the kids couldn't help noticing this woman seemed to have familiar features. Green eyes, black hair... where had seen those features before?

"Yeah, he's my father. You know him?"

"Sort of. If I remember correctly, he came when we were doing a show on Corellia. He was on a mission, I believe."

Except, Tasha seemed saddened, recalling that particular mission.

"Okay, please don't tell me she dated my dad too." Myra panicked.

"No," said one of the male acrobats, named Rob. "She and I have been married for the last twenty years."

"Why is she upset then?"

According to Rob, the time she and Tasha encountered Master Windu, he'd uncovered a new Jedi within the Diamond Ring Circus, and it turned out to be Tasha and Rob's kid. The child would be fourteen by now, and his parents hadn't been in contact with their baby since. They didn't want to give him up, but they didn't know how to train a Jedi, and they thought it best to send their little boy to the Jedi, hopefully where he could have a better life.

Sad memories set aside, the children got to have a tour of the circus as things were being set up again.

___________________________

There were a lot of great performers in the Diamond Ring Circus.

There was the acrobatic quartet known as the Flying Starrz, which consisted of Rob Starrz, his wife Tasha, and Rob's two sisters Donna and Lonna. Then, there was Augusto, the leader of the clowns. There was also the Tri-Tight Walkers, an act of triplets, two boys and one girl, who were most famous for their bike-riding tricks on the tightrope. And of course, there were the animals.

Qui-Gon kept a distance from the animal area; he wouldn't say anything, but he just wanted to stay as far away from the elephant as possible. So, he stuck with taking Lamenta to watch the tightrope walkers rehearse.

"The animals are treated well here, right?" Comedia asked, not being very subtle about that question.

"Of course they are." Jenine said, getting one of the elephants some hay. "The animals are all treated as part of the family this circus is."

The very elephant that Jenine was feeding tapped its trunk onto Comedia's muzzle, making the alicorn snort a sneeze.

"I think Basmah likes you, Comedia." Jenine chuckled. "She doesn't boop just anyone on the nose."

"What other animals do you have here?"

The Diamond Ring Circus had lots of different animals, many of which were rescues. They had the usual elephants, tigers, a lion, and horses. But, they also had some more unusual ones in their acts. They had the occasional dogs and cats, some of the rescue animals in need of new homes. Some of them became emotional support for the performers and staff, while others were brought on stage to be presented to the audience as available for adoption to help those animals find happy homes, and the Diamond Ring Circus received a lot of positive publicity, and most importantly, helped find lots of loving new homes for animals in need.

But of course, even trained professionals faced problems with some of the animals, such as a certain cat tamer, who was panicking about a tiger cub escaping from his pen.

"Has anyone seen Stripe Junior?!" panicked the cat tamer.

"Uh oh! No one panic, but we got a tiger cub on the loose!" Jenine called. "Those of you who don't work here, don't worry. He's harmless and just a baby, but he mustn't leave the tent!"

That got everyone worried anyway. The professionals knew how to handle a tiger cub, but if he got out, people might panic, or worse, kill the poor baby, which would likely lead to bigger problems from the mama tiger.

But that was when Boba heard a meow and felt something fuzzy rubbing against his legs.

"I think I found him." Boba said, petting the tiger cub's back, the little tiger proving gentle as a house cat. "Or, he found me."

"Hold still, Prince Boba." said the cat tamer, and he picked up the wild kitten. "Come on, Stripe Junior. Let's get you back with your mommy."

The kids were all having a great time seeing how certain acts in the circus were done. All of them were fascinated by various acts, and looked for ways to participate with the performers. Boba showed off some movements he knew from cheerleading as the acrobats were rehearsing their act.

"Hey, look what I can do!" Omega said, walking on her hands like she'd seen some of the performers do. "Maybe I can be in the circus."
"Maybe," said one of the acrobats. "But how long can you stay like that?"

"Whoa!" And Omega fell onto her back. "That long. You should see Uncle Carmine do it."

Lamenta and Mona sat and watched the clowns rehearse their act too. And one of them was practicing making balloon animals.

"What kind of animals do you like, girls?" asked the clown.

"Ducks!"

And the clown ducked, making the girls laugh. He liked that the impromptu joke made the girls laugh, and Mona was delighted to see how well the clown made a balloon ducky.

"How about you, Lamenta?"

Lamenta thought, and she knew exactly what animal she liked.

"Can you make a sheep?"

"What color?"

"Purple?"

"Coming right up."

And Lamenta was impressed when the clown made her a purple balloon sheep.

Gabby and Goldie were mostly fascinated by the ribbons the aerial dancers danced on.

"The ribbon dancers are so beautiful!" Gabby said.

"That, they are," said Rob. "It takes a lot of practice to get as good as the performers here are."

"Hmm. I wonder if I can do that." Gabby looked and saw a stray ribbon, and she jumped on it like she was swinging on the vine. "Whee!"

"Gabby, be careful!" Garrett quickly got out of the way as Gabby was swinging around.

"Incoming, Big Brother!" Gabby exclaimed, giving Boba time to jump out of the way, only to accidentally get a face full of pie.

"I am so sorry!" said the clown who'd been holding the pie.

The clowns had thrown plenty of pies before, but pie-ing a royal person was a huge no-no, and that pie wasn't even meant for throwing; even clowns liked to just eat pie sometimes. But, Boba didn't get too upset, especially when he got a taste of the pie... until Comedia started to lick him clean.

"Mmm. Coconut cream." Comedia licked her mouth, and then Boba's face again.

"Eww! Comedia!" Boba whined.

"That looks like fun!" Goldie said, seeing Gabby swing on the ribbon, and then she grabbed a ribbon and started swinging too! "Wahoo!"

"Girls, be careful!" Mariposa shouted.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Heartwood," said one of the dancers. "We're trained professionals. This happens all the time."

It was true, as some of the performers began to have children of their own who eventually joined the acts, the youngest members often wanted to play on the equipment, one of the most popular games being Jungle with the ribbons as the vines, and it usually resulted in everyone ducking for cover or rushing in to catch the kids if they climbed too high and fell.

"Kids," chuckled Qui-Gon, watching the kids play. "They make any place a circus."

"Then it's a good thing we're in an actual circus," said one of the clowns. "We're no strangers to crazy things happening. Not just 'cause some of us are clowns."

For a while, the kids got to help with setting up the circus and meeting many of Garrett's old friends. They all had so many great stories to tell about their days in the circus, especially sharing all the times they'd seen what tricks Garrett could do.

Everyone stopped to take a break for some snacks, and Jenine and the other performers shared some memories they had of their times with Garrett the Great.

Garrett did so many amazing kinds of tricks. He once did a trick where he said he would make a rabbit appear out of a hat, but instead he pulled out all the elephants. Another time, he performed a card trick where he turned the deck of cards into a dragon that actually flew and it breathed confetti and streamers; he even rode on its back for the trick. And for a death-defying trick, he did one where he placed himself into a magic box that was chained from all sides, and it was stabbed with many kinds of swords, and cut with a chainsaw, but then Garrett popped out from a smaller box, perfectly okay, and riding on the back of a pegasus.

"Wow!" Gabby said. "I knew Garrett was great at magic, but I gotta convince him to pull some of those tricks at my next birthday. But, what happened to the circus after Garrett left?"

"Well, we were sad when Garrett quit his job as the big top magician," said Tasha. "But luckily, Garrett's assistant stuck around, and she was actually a magician in training at the time. So, now she's the big top magician. Not quite as dazzling as Garrett's acts, but she is amazing. Would you like to meet her?"

"Sure!"

"Katia still works here?" Garrett seemed a little nervous.

"Yes. But don't worry, she's not as crazy as you remember anymore. I think she's tamed herself. Hopefully."

___________________________

Mariposa couldn't help being concerned when she realized Garrett was worried about seeing his former assistant. Then all sorts of questions filled her head. Was Katia really beautiful? Was she younger than Mariposa? Did Garrett used to date her? And if they did, how much did they kiss? Or were they ever engaged before Garrett met Mariposa? Did Garrett still have feelings for her? Normally, Mariposa wouldn't dare question if maybe she was the other woman and Garrett left Katia for her, but still.

"Wait... Garrett...were you and your assistant here ever...?" Mariposa seemed worried.

"No! No. Katia and my relationship was strictly professional. I admit, I did go on one date with her to see what would happen, but nothing sparked with her. I told her that I wanted to just be friends, except... she wanted something more, and she didn't take it well when I told her that I just wasn't interested in her that way." Garrett explained. "In fact, it was around that time I actually made a probably very cowardly decision to leave the circus. When I resigned, I didn't say precisely where I was going purely so Katia wouldn't find me. Let's just say if I were to compare her mental state then to any of the more challenging groups of students I've taught, that would be offensive to them."

Mariposa worried a little. She'd heard too many stories about co-workers becoming obsessed with one of their own, and it usually didn't end well in the workplace, no matter what kind of work it was. Garrett didn't go into all the details about his former assistant, but both he and his wife hoped that by now Katia had gotten over her obsession with Garrett and moved on, like Jenine said.

Being a magician, Katia didn't just walk into the room "like a normal person"; she decided to make a grand entrance.

"Presenting the Amazing Katia." sang Katia as she appeared in a poof of pink smoke. "Prepare to be amazed as I demonstrate my one-of-a-kind card tricks!"

Sure enough, the new magician, the Amazing Katia, a fiery redhead dressed in a sparkling red and white outfit with a short skirt and high heeled boots, one out of which Katia took out a single playing card. A seven of diamonds to be precise, and in her other hand made a seven of hearts. She crossed them together, then clapped over them, and when she pulled her hands apart, they were gone. Then, she took off her red top hat, wiggled her fingers mysteriously over it, and tossed her hat in the hair, and out came seven diamond hearts sparkling rainbow colored lights as light shone onto them.

Naturally, the kids were impressed by the trick, and Garrett had to admit, Katia had improved a lot with her magic tricks since the last time he'd seen her.

And that was when Katia caught sight of a man she never thought she'd seen again.

"Garrett!" Katia gasped.

And in one swoop, Katia made herself appear behind Garrett, and she held him in a dip, holding a rose in her mouth, like in a tango.

"You've come back, my love." Katia flirted.

"Um... nice to see you too, Katia." Garrett said. "But I'm just passing through."

"Ahem!" coughed a certain maricamba standing beside the two.

"Who's the girl with blue streaks?" Katia said.

"Katia, this is my wife, Mariposa." Garrett said.

"Wife?" Katia gasped.

"Yes, that means he's taken already." Mariposa said, grabbing her husband. "And you may be a magician, but I am one thing even Garrett the Great couldn't make disappear so easily."

Katia definitely was disappointed to hear Garrett was married, but she figured she might as well make peace now.

"Perhaps," said Katia, grabbing Garrett's arm. "But I'm sure Garrett has time to catch up with his old assistant."

"Actually, we have places to be, don't we, Gare-Bear?" Mariposa nuzzled her husband's nose, making Katia annoyed.

"Actually, yes. I believe we have to finish preparations for the dance." Garrett said.

Katia huffed as Mariposa pulled Garrett away.

"Figures, you left your family, then you left me, and then you left the circus. How long before you leave this girl?"

That had Garrett freezing.

"First of all, you and I, Katia, we were never a thing to begin with." Garrett said. "Second, my runaway story is my business, and I left the circus to pursue a job I'd worked my entire life for. And I have no intention of leaving Mariposa or my children. You and I, we will never be a thing. Look, you always seemed like a nice girl, and you are a beautiful woman, but I'm not the one for you."

"You don't know that." Katia pulled out a deck of cards. "Perhaps the cards can help you see."

"Still specializing in the cards, I see." Garrett said.

One thing Garrett remembered about Katia, when she was training to be a magician, her favorite trick and her specialty was card tricks. The whole pick a card, any card trick was child's play for her.

"Go on, pick a card. Any card."

Just to get Katia out of his hair, Garrett picked a card and took a look at it. A queen of hearts. And he placed it back on the deck. Katia shuffled them and then threw all of them into the air, where they burst like fireworks, and then, she pulled out a new deck of cards from her boot, trying to look sexy in front of Garrett, which really peeved Mariposa.

"Mari, please don't kill anyone." Garrett begged.

"Not sure I can hold up that promise." Mariposa said.

Katia shuffled the cards again and pulled one up.

"I believe this was your card?" said Katia, pulling out the queen of hearts cars. "Hmm.... Queen of Hearts... I'd say it's a sign love is closer than you think."

"Yes, love is close." Garrett said, taking his wife's arm. "And I married her. Children, it's time to go."

The kids were disappointed they had to leave though.

"Don't worry, children." Qui-Gon said. "We'll see about coming to see the show later."

So, the children gathered and followed Qui-Gon and the Heartwoods out to go and help with preparing for the big dance.

___________________________

Katia got to her trailer and looked at herself in the mirror. On the side of it, she had a sketch of Garrett and her in a big heart surrounded by smaller hearts. As much as she tried to deny it (until today, that is), she had not gotten over her obsession with Garrett.

All the time that Garrett was in the circus, Katia immediately developed a huge crush on him. She thought he was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. She loved how he was so smart too, and the way he communicated with the animals was quite attractive too. At first, she just left him alone and didn't try anything, like a lot of girls who were too shy to talk to their crushes. But then came the time Katia accidentally walked in on Garrett changing into his newest magician's outfit and she got a good look at how muscular he was, he didn't notice she was there at all, and that was when she got a little obsessive.

In every magic act during her time as Garrett the Great's assistant, Katia would always try to land in Garrett's arms so he would look into her eyes, and in between shows, she would flirt with him, but he would always say that he was busy with his online classes when he was working to get his teaching credentials. She tried everything to get Garrett to notice her. Dressing in more revealing outfits, getting her hair blown out, even rigging one of her card tricks so Garrett would pick a card that said they were meant to be together. Once, she even tried on a white gown that looked an awful lot like a wedding dress and asked Garrett if he thought she would make a beautiful bride. But, each attempt, Garrett walked away awkwardly, and tried to get away from her. And she got so obsessive, Garrett went to Mr. Diamond and reported her behavior, then the ringmaster made a new rule that the magician's assistant was to maintain a six foot distance between herself and the magician except for showtimes. And when she overheard Garrett talking to Mr. Diamond about his resignation when he was offered a job as a teacher like he always dreamed, she tried one last time to be hers by telling him he would need someone by his side on this new journey he was embarking on, and then she'd tried to kiss him, only for Garrett to take off running and then hide.

Garrett waited until the middle of the night to take his leave, much like when he ran away from home, and luckily for him, Katia was unable to track him. He sincerely hoped, however, that with time, she would get over this obsession with him.

___________________________

At the Temple, decorating could resume now that supplies were replenished. But Mariposa could barely focus on the decorations. She kept rambling on about Katia hitting on her husband and right in front of her no less.

"We straight up told her we were married, and she still tried to take him for herself! I mean, who does that?!" Mariposa said, pacing around with a ribbon, not realizing she was wrapping it around Master Mundi. "Can you believe the nerve of some people?"

"No, but I also can't believe how quickly you tied my legs!" Ki-Adi struggled in the ribbon tied around his legs.

"Oops! Sorry, Master Mundi." Mariposa said.

Ki-Adi tried to untangle himself, only to accidentally wrap himself in more ribbons.

"Terrific," said the Cerean sarcastically.

Some folks laughed, seeing the Cerean wrapped like a red ribbon mummy.

"I got you, Ki-Adi." Carmine said, grabbing one end of the ribbon, literally spinning the master out, making the poor guy really dizzy.

"Mariposa, is everything okay?" Garrett said. "You've been rambling like that since we left the circus."

"No, I'm not okay! I can't believe Katia's behavior towards both of us!" Mariposa said angrily. "It's unacceptable!"

"I know, Mari. Katia has always been a little impulsive, but she is talented." "Are you saying you like her?"

"Are you... jealous of Katia?"

"Jealous? Why would I be jealous of someone who clearly isn't well in her head and wants what she can't have?"

Garrett had never seen this side of his wife before. It wasn't like her to get jealous of anyone. He knew he loved her and couldn't see himself sharing a life with anyone but her if he tried. Sure, they had a rocky beginning when they met, but both of them saved each other's lives, and Garrett spent months looking for her just to thank her for saving him, only to save her life and carry her to safety, eventually marrying her. He still remembered the very first time they'd kissed, and that was just one moment with her he wished to relive over and over again.

Mariposa, on the other hand, she and Garrett promised each other no more secrets just before she finally met her in-laws, but the woman couldn't shake the feelings of worry she had. She'd accompanied Garrett a few times on his teaching jobs when he required an assistant, and then she found that sometimes some of the female students were attracted to her husband. That didn't bother her as much because they were teenagers, and she figured it was just hormones talking, but when Garrett had adult students, or was attending a teacher or commission's event, it was another story.

It didn't surprise Mariposa that women were attracted to Garrett. Why wouldn't they be? He was incredibly intelligent, charming, brave, handsome, famous in the educational industry, not to mention he was part of a very wealthy family, and survived many treacherous terrains. All he needed were some safari clothes, a fedora, and a whip, and he could pass for an islander version of Indiana Jones.

But no matter how many pretty girls Garrett met, none of them compared to Mariposa. She didn't need to be part butterfly to be a sight for Garrett to wake up to every morning. To him, waking up to her was like getting to see the miracle of a new butterfly hatching from its chrysalis and spreading its wings for the first time.

Garrett clearly saw his wife needed some reassurance.

"Mari, listen to me. I did work with Katia before, and I admit, she does have a pleasant appearance most men would definitely find attractive, but you are my wife. You are the most beautiful woman in my eyes, no matter how you look. Do you remember how insecure you felt after giving birth, and you struggled to lose the extra weight?"

Mariposa did recall that. After giving birth to Goldie, the only thing that came close to being as challenging as taking care of the new baby was getting her body back. She'd seen men leave their wives or girlfriends for all kinds of changes in appearance, but the one she'd witnessed the most was weight gain. But to her surprise, Garrett didn't leave her. If anything, he stuck around and took time off work to make sure she could rest and he could take care of the baby while the new mother recovered.

"And, Mari, I married you for more than your looks. You know that." Garrett said, wrapping his arms around his wife. "I may be the one who worked as a magician, but it was you who made any bad thoughts I once had about maricambas disappear. And then I fell under your spell that's bound me to love you and you alone. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Garrett kissed Mariposa, the latter caressing his face in one hand and tangling the fingers of her other one in Garrett's hair as she returned that kiss.

Constantine saw the two kissing. Though protective he was of his daughter, he couldn't deny it was a sweet sight to see; he always believed his daughter deserved to find a special man. Just because his marriage didn't work out didn't mean the same had to go for his children.

Mariposa did feel a little better now that she was kissing her husband. Garrett was a great kisser, Mariposa thought; somehow, whenever he kissed her, no matter how she was feeling, it made her forget all her troubles. This time was no exception.