#pepa is a good mami

[adoptedmadrigal2]

Big girl gifts and big girl rooms.

The first gifts

Isabela and Dolores are excited to finally get their very own big girl rooms. Both girls had been in the nursery with Luisa who was only a toddler at the time and sometimes didn't understand what Isabela and Lola were doing.

Plus both girls started school in September just after their fifth birthday. They deserved their own room to play and sleep.

Bruno came home the weekend before isabela's birthday and had the month off and could celebrate with his sobrinas. Bruno drove large forty foot supply trucks across the country. This meant he had a sleeper truck and hardly ever came home. He usually made an appearance for birthdays and holidays. Sometimes it wasn't plausible but he tried his best not to miss too much.

Pepa was working on starting a small business between her job as a waitress in the most popular restaurant in town, and being a mom to her daughter and an aunt to her nieces. Julieta was running a small catering business out of their home kitchen which so far had made excellent money. She was always left with large tips for excellent work. Agustin was a carpenter and Felix worked at his brother's outdoor company, usually installing pools and mowing lawns, it made good money so he couldn't complain and Pepa certainly want complaining when her man came home from work all sweaty and hot. She found the sweaty hardworking man attractive usually joining him in the shower before dinner.

The day of Isabela's birthday came and they kept it small, family only. She was showered with love and treated to new toys and dress up costumes. She had her favorite cake, red velvet with chocolate mousse, and she got her bedroom. The door glowing just like the triplets' had five years prior.

"go ahead sweetheart, it's ok." Julieta encouraged

As soon as Isabela touched the doorknob the door glowed and engraved itself with a floral design. Brunos eyes glowed green and yet another message tablet from their father.

"what does the tablet say?" Pepa asked curious to see what their father had to say about Isabela.

"it says, 'to my first born granddaughter, you may not know me but I know you. A beautiful little girl waiting to blossom into amazing things as she grows and learns. Isabela I grant you the gift to help grow plants by simply touching them, and the ability to make blossoms appear in your hands. May you use this gift to help the people you love. Your grandfather, Pedro.'" Bruno read.

"Who? I don't have an abuelo?" Isabela asked.

"You do, he just never got a chance to meet you. He protected me and your mami tia and tio when they were only bebés. Before you were born I came to grace this house for your mami tio and tia, by some miracle after lighting the candle it granted them gifts. Your tio Bruno has the gift to see the future and show small pieces of the past. Every time a new gift is granted he gets a message tablet like the one he read. It is his magic that grants these gifts and even in death he gives us messages so we understand the magic." Alma explains to the child.

"so I will get a gift on my birthday?" Dolores asks

"I believe so. The magic is still new to us so I don't know how it all works just yet," Alma tells.

Regardless Isabela opens her door to see the best bedroom a five year old in 2000 could possibly have. She has a Clifford themed room. It had decals of the large red dog and all his friends on the walls, and everything was themed around Clifford. The bed was made with brand new bed sheets that were Clifford themed with a red blanket that matched everything.

Julieta knew the room would need a facelift in a year or two but indulging her baby with a bedroom themed around her favorite show for her birthday was more important.

Pepa smiled knowing Dolores would love her bedroom just as much as Isabela loved hers.

Three weeks pass and many sleepovers are had in Isabela's new room. Until the day came and it was finally Dolores's birthday. Her new bedroom door glowed with potential, and after a trip to the beach to celebrate Dolores was excited to see what was behind her door.

She touched the knob and watched the engravings swirl around and make sound waves. Then brunos eyes out up in their signature green and a tablet placed in his hand.

"to my second oldest granddaughter, many words describe your wonder but I often describe you as an owl. You have bright eyes to see the potential, and a smile that lights up a room like the sun after a storm. Your gift is the ability to hear even the tiniest of sounds when you need to. May you use this gift to help the people you love, your grandfather, Pedro" Bruno read immediately, knowing if he hesitated he'd be asked what the tablet said.

When Dolores turned the knob she found her room decorated with strawberry shortcake. Just like Isabela's room she had decals of strawberry and all her friends on the walls. Her bed was made with strawberry shortcake sheets and a pink blanket similar to her cousin's.

The room is likely to grow with Dolores at least for a few years but by the time she's 10 her room will need a redo. But like Julieta, Pepa didn't care because her daughters happiness was all that mattered.

Following Dolores's birthday, Julieta announced her third pregnancy.

She knew it was only a matter of time until Pepa announced her own pregnancy since she overheard a conversation between the married couple a few weeks prior.

Not even a month an a half later and Pepa finally announced her pregnancy, and so the cycle begins. Again.

Hope you enjoy ❤️

[toaverse]

Mamá Mirabel AU

My own (rewritten) version of the mamá Mirabel AU, in which Mira takes care and basically raises Alejandra, Juancho, Cecilia and Antonio

Enjoy!

Ever since her failed ceremony, Mirabel tried very hard to prove to her family that she’s worth something.

But when she was 10, Pepa and Félix decided to take advantage of this, and dumped their newborn son Antonio onto the 10 year old girl to care for, the couple not wanting to be parents again. Besides, it gave that useless brat something to do other than be lazy.

Despite only being 10, Mirabel took good care of her primo, and loved him to bits.

Unfortunately, some of the townspeople got the same idea Pepa and Félix had, and decided to dump their kids onto the 10 year old as well.

In total, Mirabel had to care for 4 babies; Antonio, Juancho, Alejandra and Cecilia.

It obviously was hard caring for 4 young kids when being 10, especially when no one bothered to help you, but Mirabel somehow managed.

It went on for years. Every day, Mirabel had to go to town and take care of the 4 children while their actual parents were doing their chores, gossiping or mostly relaxing…

And obviously, the 4 kids started to see Mirabel as their mamá…

“Mami!” Antonio said, reaching towards Mirabel as little Juancho and Cecilia called her that as well. “Mami!”

Mirabel tried to correct them, saying that she wasn’t their mami, but it was already too late.

And when Alma, Pepa and the other parents found out, all hell broke loose…

[yellowcry]

'Til you can taste no more

Today Casita learned two things.

First is that even the calmer kids can get into an accident.

Second, you don't leave coffee on a table without supervision.

Pepa growled the cloud over her head thundered. She wasn't a morning person, but with three toddlers in the house, it was impossible to extend the nighttime.

The older kids were inseparable, more like siblings. When one of them wanted to start some shenanigan, the other would immediately join in. Luckily, Luisa didn't have her partner in crime. The house wouldn't survive it. And Jaime couldn't see her as often as kids that lived under one roof.

Casita clicked with a tile, pushing a cup filled with a steaming drink to Pepa. The woman smiled, about to take it. A good black coffee was the best way to start a good day and prepare for all the weather patterns surrounding it.

"Ouch!" Pepa was startled, jumping from her seat upon hearing her baby's whimpering. The wind grew around her, spreading tiny snowflakes around the dining room. They were melting on the warm surface, leaving wet drops everywhere. 

In just a split second, Pepa rushed outside, leaving her coffee on the plate. Right now her child was in pain and motherly instincts worked up, spreading with anxious cold. 

Dolores sat on the tilted floor, pulling her knee closer. Through the tear on her trousers, Pepa could see flayed skin, blood slowly dripping down. Her doll lay on the floor just next to her.

"Dolly, don't cry!" Isabela demanded nearby, patting her back. "I'm getting injuries all the time, Mi Mami will heal you!" 

Pepa kneeled next to the children, she knew the pain from the skinned knee. In her youth, she had often got into troubles that left her injured. "Sweety, don't worry, we'll heal you! Your leg will be even better than before in no time." She leaned, giving a soft kiss on a torn place. Dolores was way more careful than both of her cousins and rarely got injuries. But even she wasn't immune to accidents. "Your Mamí's magical kiss will take away the pain." The wind shook the flower petals, ripping the pink bouquets off.

Isabela crossed her arms, unimpressed and mad at the plants getting destroyed. A little leader she was. "You don't heal anyone with kisses." 

Pepa let out a soft chuckle, taking her child into her arms. "Sobrina, do you know what your Mamá says? The power of mother's love is magical!" 

Dolores blinked, still in pain but now distracted. She loved knowing everything about everything and this concept certainly got her interest. "Will my kisses heal Señorita Dasa?" She reached for the knitted doll, hugging it. 

Pepa smiled. It was so sweet. "Of course they will." She stood up, still with Dolores in her arms. "Let's get you to Tía."

The morning light was pushing itself through the windows, bright sunbeams crawled on the cupboards. Arepas con queso rustled on the stove.  Agustín was leaning toward Julieta in a kiss. Obviously busy with their own things. If Pepa didn't know her sister this well, she would laugh over the possibility of burning the food. But by now she knew that her sister was an expert in holding things under control. 

"Ew..." Isabela muttered, not bothering to be quiet. Her face winced from disgust over the sight. She ran to her parents, pushing her small arms between them. "It's gross! Stop!"

Julieta chuckled softly, taking a step back. Her eldest was such a brave little girl. Isabela's eyes looked from one of her parents to another, displeased with what she had caught them doing. 

Pepa yelled, nervous, holding her child tightly. Pouring with a light rain. "Juli, Dolores needs food."

Julieta's eyes shifted to her sobrina, and she gasped. Taking care of everyone was a part. of her nature and she obviously got scared for Pepa's baby.

She quickly took one of fresh-made Arepas, passing it to Dolores.

The child winced but took a small bite. Getting her to eat was getting insanely hard after she got her gift. Dolores was fussing each time she had to, upset with the sound of her own chewing. It wasn't anything new, Pepa could not remember the time when she got her gift well, but Mamá had said that it was ugly.

The skinned skin healed in front of their eyes. Just like always. Pepa breathed out in relief. The rainbow glowed over her head, as Dolores stopped feeling pain. The fact that her little child was now okay was so perfect that the sky started to cry from happiness.

Dolores giggled, placing her palm under the cold drop, and listening to how it smashed against her skin. Unfinished arepa that she held got wet.

It didn't continue for much longer, Isabela, seeing that her cousin was okay now, took her again. Now discussing what should they draw on Bruno's rat telenovelas scripts. Pepa knew how wonderful it was to have your partner in crime living right by your side.

Pepa wiped off her tears. The kids were getting so big. It feels like only yesterday she and Julieta were betting on who would give birth first. And by now two of them had their own gifts. They were getting so big, and oh, how much Pepa wished to hold three of them as newborns again. Alas, babies were getting bigger every day.

At least her coffee would always stay the same...

Oh, about it! She's better to hurry up before it turns cold.

Julieta returned to the cooking routine, listening to her husband's awkward flirt. He sounded like a teenager who knew nothing about romance despite years of marriage. But it was part of him that Julieta loved as much as everything else. And better yet, he gave her two wonderful girls. Noisy and mischievous sisters. 

Oh, what was Luisa doing right now? Julieta smiled to herself, kneading the dough. Maybe she joined the other kids, maybe she was with her Tíos. When there were three babies it was so hard to loom over everyone. How did Mamá manage to do it alone back then?

There was an evident thundering. Julieta could say she was used to the noise after almost thirty years since Pepa got her gift. With how emotional her sister was, entire Casita could hear the wind or thunder almost every day. Julieta wiped her tensed hands against her apron. Her eyebrows narrowed, eyes shifted to the wall. It was better to check on her sister as fast as she could.

Pepa stomped her foot with puffy cheeks. She crossed her arms, allowing rain to run down

her face, wetting her orange dress. 

Julieta placed her hand on her chest, standing in the doorway. "Pepa? What happened?" 

The gingerheaded threw her hand in the air. The thunder got louder. "My coffee had disappeared!" She waved at the empty coffee plate on the table. 

Really? Julieta sighed, trying to keep Pepa calm. They could always make another cup. And there was more chance that Pepa didn't actually make it in the first place. With all of Julieta's respect, she couldn't think of a single person who would want Pepa's coffee. Mama was too squeamish to use other people's crockery and cutlery. Felíx wouldn't do anything that could make Pepa upset even if his life depended on it. Bruno and Agústin just weren't fans of black coffee.

Luisa appeared from the doorway, pacing on her small legs. She giggled, holding a cup with obvious patterns of drawn rain. As their plates and cups were made to match their gifts because Mamá didn't want them to mess it up by accident, there was no doubt of whom this certain cup belonged to.

Julieta kneeled in front of her youngest, taking the cup from her. "Lulu, where was it?'

Luisa jumped, filled with energy that wanted to spill out of her body, and pointed at the table. "It's yummy! Wanna more!" She demanded, placing her palms on her sides. 

Years later, Julieta would still blame Pepa for making her daughter addicted to caffeine.

[starsfic]

Confusing Confession

Mariano tries to ask Isabela to court. A misunderstanding or two ensue.

-_-

"How dare you."

Mariano Guzman thought today was going to be a good day. Today was Julieta and Pepa Madrigal's birthday, and now he knelt in front of Isabela Madrigal. His entire being was frozen at Isabela's frozen eyes. Behind him, he could hear whispers, even as most people were quiet, wondering what was happening.

Mariano would also like to know.

He had always wanted a large family. His father had died when he was a baby, and his mother had never remarried. It didn't help that his parents had him rather late, meaning he was an only child. He wasn't lonely, by any means, but friends and such didn't make up for the quiet home he and his mami occupied. He supposed that was why he began to write poetry and began to dream of having five children.

This is why he was delighted when Dona Madrigal came and suggested that he court Isabela Madrigal. Mariano was fond of the Madrigals, with a childhood playing with Isabela and Dolores and forming a brotherly fondness for the ever-charming Mirabel, but they were also a large family. He couldn't even begin to imagine the noise and love in Casita!

Dona- sorry, Abuela, she insisted he call her that, had decided the day. It was Julieta and Pepa's birthday and the birth of the Encanto. "Your marriage will be the start of a new era for the Encanto," she had sighed.

Mariano had agreed eagerly, grabbed some flowers from the local florist- yes, Isabela could grow her own flowers, but he was pretty sure nobody ever gave her flowers- and had come to the party at Casita. After the candles had been blown out and Augustin Madrigal had started playing, Mariano, his mami, and Abuela had gone to find Isabela.

They had found her on the side of the dance floor, summoning flower petals for some children with a warm smile, and Mariano had made his move.

Except, now he was regretting it. Isabela looked furious that he even dared and he was starting to think that nobody had cleared this with her. "Pardon?" he managed out. "I'm sorry, I didn't think-"

"How dare you," she repeated. Vines were starting to coil around, and Mariano felt himself shudder as one slid against his ankle. Isabela no longer looked like the perfect flower princess. She looked like a warrior queen, ready to sink her teeth in and rip out his throat. "You rejected Dolores, didn't you?!"

"Eh?" Wait, what did Dolores have to do with this?

"I can't believe this," Isabela made a noise between a growl and a chuckle and Mariano only had a split second to realize that the vine was wrapped around his ankle. Up he went! He felt himself scream in shock, the noise mixing with Abuela's cry of Isabela's name. Before he could get his head straight- was that his house?- down he came. His vision spun and he could barely make out Isabela's snarl. "Dolores talks all the time about how you're a perfect gentleman and such, but I knew you weren't good enough for her. Still, I told her to go ahead, confess! And yet, here you are!"

"Dolores was going to confess to Mariano?" Abuela said, barely over the ringing in his ears. He could see her brows furrow together, her eyes darting from Isabela to him to something in the distance, like there was a puzzle she wasn't understanding.

"Yes. She's been in love with him for years! Who is the boy you think she's always going on about when she talks at dinner?"

Dolores... was in love with him? Dolores talked about him? All the time?

"But I knew he wasn't good enough for her! This proves it!" Mariano yelped as he was yanked closer to Isabela's snarl. "I hope you learn a lesson from this-"

"I HAVEN'T CONFESSED YET!"

Isabela's threat died. So did every other noise, excluding the ringing in his ears. The only noise was breathing, and, as he slowly turned, he could see Dolores standing there panting for air, as if she had run over.

"What?" Isabela said, sounding just as confused he felt. One second, everything was fine. Now he was here, listening to Dolores admit to some confession that hadn't happened yet. His bouquet was even scattered across the floor. "...Oh."

And down came Mariano.

[evostar]

Okay new au yall, It’s been stuck in my head and I needed to get it out 😭

Basically a what if Dolores and Antonio were adopted by pepa and Felix, also gaining Camilo as sibling!

It’s set 12 years before the canon time so Dolores and Isabela are 9, Luisa is 7, Camilo and mirabel are 4, Antonio gets age swap and is 1 year old! The triplets, their spouses and Alma are also younger ofc!

And in this au they get their gifts of the age of 8, gifts like strength, weather manipulation, hearing etc. can be turned off and on by command and they still help the community but not like get forced into it, they do it if they want to

I already did an chapter so enjoy reading it!! :D

(Also here if you can’t read it on ao3) enjoy!

————————————————————————————

-Persiguiendo la luz-

~Chapter 1~

Isabela was happily walking around the town, she finished her chores earlier the day so she roams around the town, of course only near where julieta was. She wasn’t “old enough” to be able to walk alone in town yet, she didnt complain much about it but it did bother her since Isabela considers herself a big girl. She’s gonna be 10 years old next year! And that’s pretty much a big age, right?

She was walking around with a mission, she was allowed to be in certain places alone and freely, she would describe it as fun…if only she had friends. Isabela has a hard time making friends, most of them turn out to be only mean people, so it’s her mission to find the perfect friend.

After an hour of her search Isabela started to get frustrated, she hadn’t found any luck. She made her way back to her mother’s stand and sat down next to where julieta stood. Julieta noticed her daughter’s sad face “what’s wrong mija?” She asked. Isabela pouted “I can’t find a single good friend.” She mumbled. Julieta smiled “Don’t just give up mija, im sure just with a bit of patience and a bit more searching you will find a friend. Just search a little more, for me?“ Isabela looked up to julieta and stood up with a huff. “Okay Mami but only because you said it.“ she said.

So Isabela searched for half an hour till she finally found the perfect friend…in the forest near casita, the person wasn’t in the forest deep, she was still visible but you wouldn’t notice her that easily. Before Isabela approached this person she wanted to spy a bit. This girl had mixed skin which had some injuries, dark brown curls that seemed to be damaged, brown eyes that looked pure, and a soft face that reminded her of her mama, its a bit funny because this girl resembled her tia more than her mother. The girl wasn’t alone, there was a little boy too. He had dark skin like his tio and his curls were the same. Dark and tight, but like the girl, he also had injuries and damaged curls. Maybe they were just clumsy like her papi, she didnt think too much about it of course.

After her spying she decided that its time to intoduce herself. She made her way to them with a big smile. “Hello!“ Isabela said, the girl got startled by the voice and stared at Isabela with fear for a second before she calmed down. “Uhm..hi?“ she raised an eyebrow. “Im Isabela, what’s your name?“ she asked. “Dolores.“ she avoided eye contact.

Dolores was a bit akward if isabela‘s honest but it’s probably because she‘s shy, right? “And who‘s that?“ Isabela pointed to the little boy. “That’s my brother, Antonio.“ she waved his hand to Isabela with a smile. Isabela smiled too, he was adorable and calm..unlike her primo who was a nightmare. “I have a primo! Not exactly a brother but he‘s pretty much like a brother to me. But hes annoying.“ Isabela sat down. “How old are you?“ she asked. Dolores thought for a second. She asks a lot of questions. “i think..nine..“ she said. She thinks that she‘s nine?? Doesn’t she know her own age? Isabela thought. “And Antonio?“ “He‘s a year old“ welp she answered that fast.

“Well im nine too!!“ isabela exclaimed. The two girls talked for a bit and the more they talked the more Dolores opened up, yet it was obvious she was keeping a lot of stuff a secret. Dolores also talked more about her brother than herself but Isabela didnt mind, it made her happy so why should she complain?

They talked for two fully hours till julieta called Isabela for dinner. “Awh…i need to go…i guess i will see you tomorrow..“ Isabela pouted, Dolores seemed sad too. They were about tot part ways when Isabela forgot to mention something “Wait!“ she shouted, dolores squeaked but turned around. She gets scared easily… Isabela thought again.

“We are friends right?“ She asked. Dolores smiled softly, “of course!!“ she peeped. Isabela waved and ran towards casita. She finally has a friend!! Not to mention a pretty good one too!! Julieta was already waiting for Isabela at the door. “Mami!! Mami!! I made a friend!!!“ Isabela shouted. “That’s great sweetheart!! I always tell you-“ “patience is always the answer, i know Mami“ Isabela continued. “Right.. Let‘s go before the food gets cold.“ they went inside and joined the family. Isabela announced that she had friends and her family were really happy for her. Isabela hardly makes friends mostly because most of them are using her for her gift. That’s why this time she made sure not to tell Dolores about her gift just incase, it also seemed like Dolores didnt know anything about her family at all.

Isabela talked a lot about her friend, well in this case friends. She’s pretty sure that Antonio is considered her friend too. After the dinner she went to bath, Agustín read her a story about two brave animals, isabela fell asleep happily this night.

Since that day on Isabela’s and dolores‘s friendship grew, not only that but the madrigal‘s curiosity also grew. They really wanted to meet Dolores and Antonio but everytime Isabela asks Dolores if she can come over she refuses. Months have passed and it was now 5 months into their friendship.

From all of the madrigals, pepa was the one with the most curiosity, she happily heard Isabela’s story about them, and she decided that it was the day that maybe she gets to meet Isabela’s friend for the first time!! Mostly it was also because she didnt want isabela to be with bad kids. But the other reason was also because of a quite thing isabela always mentions.

Apparently they are clumsy a lot, not clumsy but that’s what isabela calls it. They often get injuries and it seems like Dolores has an excuse for every single one. Pepa is suspecting abuse, she doesnt straight up go to the girl and say it obviously, she wanted to take things slowly.

Isabela was guiding pepa to their hangout spot, aka the spot where they first meet. She was really excited to introduce pepa to Dolores. Dolores was already with Antonio under the tree, he was sleeping with an blanket on the floor next to her, she kept a hand on his back. And she just stared into the void. “Dolores!!!“ isabela yelled as she ran up to her. Dolores turned to her with a smile and stood up. She opened her arms and Isabela happily hugged her tightly. Pepa chuckled, they seemed to be best friends for life, literally.

Pepa noticed how dolores quickly was alerted when she saw her, she took a step back as if she was protecting Antonio. “Dolores, this is my tia pepa!!“ isabela clarified. “Tia, this is Dolores and Antonio, my best friends!!“ Dolores smiled a bit at the names. But then turned to pepa with the most serious face a 9 year old could have. They stared at eachother for some seconds and in those seconds pepa studied them, it was true that they had injuries, their hair doesnt seemed to be taken care of, they were clean, and they were adorable. “Well hello!! I heard so much about you two, i really wanted to meet you guys.“ pepa spoke. The girl still was silent, she was staring deeply into pepa‘s eyes and pepa started to get nervous. Isabela scotched closer to pepa and whispered “Dolores isn’t great with adults, she said she finds them Lousy“ Ah..that makes sense….does it?

“Hello.“ Dolores mumbled. Pepa lit up, so she does speak! Not much but that was enough for pepa. “Well why dont you guys talk while i rather just listen for now.“ pepa suggested. “Okay!!“ isabela beamed. They sat down and it didnt take long for Isabela and Dolores to pick up their long talks again. Dolores had a soft voice and a soft face for sure. And it wasn’t just Dolores who was adorable, Antonio was adorable too, his face reminded her of Felix.

2 hours went by, pepa was amazed by how much they could talk, maybe this was the reason isabela became quieter at home. At some moment Antonio started to fuss a bit. Dolores noticed fastly, she picked him up and positioned him on her lap. He calmed down a bit but still fussed at something. “I think he might be a hungry..“ isabela mentioned. “He must be“ Dolores said. “Speaking of hungry!! Isabela its lunch time.“ pepa said. Isabela frowned, she wanted to talk more with her friend! Maybe..“Tia!! Could Dolores have lunch with us???“ She pleaded. “Of course she can!“ Pepa smiled. However Dolores did not look so pleased about it. Isabela already knew what Dolores was gonna say so she made sure to put her best act on.

“Doloooresss….pleaseeeeee???“ Isabela turned over to Dolores with puppy eyes. “Uhm…“ she muttered. She wasn’t that sure to go over to them yet, they are a big family and Dolores didnt want to meet that many. But she glanced over to Antonio who‘s starting to fuss more every second. “Okay fine..“ she said.

Isabela was thrilled, it was her first time having a friend over!! Dolores took the blanket and wrapped Antonio around her torso with it. Pretty smart. Pepa noted to herself. They made their way to the casita and Dolores was amazed by the house. It was really big and very colorful. Pepa was about to enter the house till she stopped them. She knew Isabela didnt want Dolores to know about their gifts, that’s a first but what about casita? “Wait here girls, i just need to do something quickly.“ pepa said. The girls waited while pepa went inside the house, luckily everyone was here already. Some of them were preparing the table and the other half was in the kitchen. So she took the ones in the dinning room over the kitchen to announce them about their guest.

“Okay, so isabela is having her friend over and we need to make some rules.“ pepa firmly said. Everyone went silent over the mention of them. “I’m pretty sure its exciting that Isabela is having someone over for the first time but she made it clear not to use our gifts and we all know for what reason..“ she grimaced. “This means you too casita, we cant show her any magic.“ pepa demanded. The house moved the tiles into a frown. “Okay we all got that clear?“ they all nodded their heads and went back to the preparations.

Pepa came back and took them inside. The further into the house made Dolores in a awh. The house was beautiful, Antonio also stared around curiously. “You have a pretty house isa!!“ Dolores complimented. “Thank you!!“ she replied. Antonio babbled something which they giggled at. “I take it he likes the house too?“ pepa smiled. “Seems so“ dolores looked down at him. They went into their garden where the table is, usually it wasn’t there but neither of them said anything. The other madrigals were already waiting for them and Dolores held her breath, Antonio started to get a bit overwhelmed. Dolores held his hand and Isabela held dolores‘s hand as if they could feel eachother‘s nervousness. Dolores maybe had heard about them but she never knew them. If she was correct they were called the madrigals.

They sat down in the middle, dolores sat between Isabela and pepa. Next to pepa was Felix and alma. Next to Isabela was julieta and Bruno. Opposite of them were Agustín, Camilo, Mirabel and Luisa. Isabela checked if her friend was okay and Dolores was really nervous so she put her arm behind Dolores, a way of saying that shes here. It calmed Dolores down but her nervousness was stilll eating her up. Pepa wanted to help too but she only knows Dolores a day and she doesnt think it will end up well.

The table was silent. Some of the others were nervous too. “Why are you guys so quiet, didnt u want to meet dolores?“ mirabel said bluntly, Felix started to crack up at her comment, the others tried not to make the situation worse as it was. Dolores saw how they were nervous, maybe this isn’t gonna end up bad. Pepa cuckled, “You’re right, maybe we should introduce ourself firstly?“ she suggested. “That’s a great idea! Why dont i start?“ Alma joined the conversation. Dolores turned to her direction,“ im alma madrigal“ alma…that name was familiar..oh! It’s the woman that her mothers swears about, often calling her selfish and a stuck up bitch. But for Dolores she seemed sweet, that doesnt mean she will trust them suddenly though.

Each madrgial introduced herself, so did dolores and Antonio, well Dolores for Antonio. They started to eat before they made it akward again, the children talked while eating, Bruno and Agustín were the only adults talking. Julieta and Alma noticed how Dolores fed Antonio first, she didnt even eat a single bite. However julieta was really impressed on how well Antonio was behaving, he didnt refuse a single bite and he didnt even make a mess. If she did the same with infant Mirabel or Camilo there would’ve been some stuff thrown at her face.

“Aren’t you gonna eat too?“ Isabela asked Dolores. “I am, i just need to make sure Antonio eats.“ She replied. Isabela thought for some seconds, and now that shes thinking about it, Dolores always has Antonio with her, she never saw Dolores without Antonio, and Antonio is more than 1 year old now. Not to mention Isabela was actually there when he did his first steps!! But Dolores often prefers to carry him around. Not only that too but, aren’t parents suppose to be taking care of the little ones? She always saw how her mama, papa, tia and tio took care of mirabel and Camilo, sometimes it was Abuela and tio Bruno too. She of course makes sure they are okay too but Dolores is acting like them when it comes to Antonio.

“Dolores, may i ask you something?“ Isabela spoke. Dolores noticed that something was off and turned to her. “Sure.“ she said. “Do u have parents?“ Isabela blurted and the table fell silence, besides for the little ones. Dolores face turned into confusion, why would Isabela ask her that? “What?“ she said. “Do you have parents?“ Isabela repeated. Now the table truely was silent. The adults started to panic a bit. “Yea i do, why are u asking?“ she questions. “Well you always take care of Antonio but aren’t your parents suppose to do it?“ she make a point. Dolores‘s eyes squinted, she purses her lips and doesnt say anything, but she seems to be mad. “Plus, you never talk about them!“ Isabela continues. “I like to take care of antonio.“ Dolores says. Isabela starts to notice that dolores‘s is angry, but why?

They stare at eachother for a bit, till Antonio broke the silence. He started to wave his hands around a lot. It seems like he didnt like it when they were like this. Dolores held his hand to calm him down but it didnt seem to work. Dolores started to get frustrated, maybe this was a bad idea at all. “I’m sorry i asked if you have parents Dolores..maybe it wasn’t a good question..“ Isabela apologized, she looked down at her plate. Antonio stopped fussing and Dolores started to feel bad. She shouldn’t taken that tone with her.

Dolores wanted to say she was sorry too but no words came out of her. So she just took Isabela’s hand and hoped she understood. Isabela did indeed understand her, and sqeeze Dolores’s hand. Sometimes Dolores would just shut down and it happened often so Isabela and Dolores’s started to understand eachother with just looks or body language. “Do you two have telepathy or is it just me?“ Bruno suddenly said. The girls started to giggle and some of the others laughed too.

“Looks like Antonio doesnt like seeing you guys like that.“ pepa confessed. Dolores had a sad smile on her face, “He doesn’t like it when people are mad or sad.“ she said. “What if he is mad or sad?“ Camilo questions. “Well then he makes sure everyone’s knows it“ she laughed. Camilo giggled at the answer. She was getting more comfortable with them and it was noticeable.

After lunch Isabela, Dolores and Antonio went back to their spot, but some have followed them. Isabela and Dolores sat down and dolores noticeded the noises behind Isabela, so she fixed her gaze into the bush and saw at least 3 people there. “I think someone followed us, or some people in this case.“ she said as she pointed them out. Isabela turned around and already knew who it was. “You guys are bad at hiding“ Isabela sighed, and they started to come out of the bush. “I told you this wasn’t a good idea Camilo“ Luisa said, as she helped mirabel to get out. He just ignored Luisa‘s comment and turned to face Isabela with puppy eyes. I wonder where he got that from..Dolores thought. “Can we please be with you guysss??? It’s so boring in casita!!“ he whined. Isabela glanced at Dolores for an answer and she shrugged. “Fine but dont annoy us Camilo!“ she snarled. Camilo gave her an evil grin before sitting down. Luisa and mirabel joined them.

They started to talk at some point. Some time passed by and Dolores saw how mirabel was focused on Antonio. She whispered something to Antonio and he started to wave at mirabel. Mirabel lit up brightly and smiled a lot. “How did u get him to do that!?“ she sputtered. “He started to randomly wave at people and if i tell him to wave at someone certain he just does“ Dolores said. Dolores started to ramble about Antonio to mirabel and Isabela started to get jealousy. Mirabel was really focused and Dolores loves to talk about antonio so Isabela feels like they could go for hours and hours about him.

Isabela crossed her arms and frowned. Her little sister is stealing her friend!! “Dolores!! Do you wanna go around town for a bit?“ Isabela interrupted them up. Dolores stopped talking and turned to Isabela. “Sure!! Will your family go too?“ she asked. She pursed her lip “uh no, i dont think its safe for them.“ she replied. “Cmon!!“ she said and took Dolores’s hand. “Wait isa!!“ Luisa shouted but they were already gone. “I dont think Mami allowed isa to go to town alone..“ Luisa reminded them. “Uh oh..“ mirabel and Camilo said in unison. “We should go get Mami!“ mirabel said, so they ran inside casita to tell julieta, lets say she wasn’t pleased by the news.

Isabela wandered around the town with Dolores, dolores had a worried face so Isabela asked what was wrong. “Aren’t you not allowed to go alone? I dont want to get you in trouble isa..“ she mumbled. And that’s when they stopped walking. “I totally forgot!!“ she said. All that jealousy made Isabela forget about it, all she wanted to do is get dolores away from mirabel so she would stop stealing her away but that really backfired on her.

Isabela started to panic, so she tried to look around to see where she ran off but the more she looked around the more she started to panic. She ran of almost to the other side of the town!! How did she not even notice!! Dolores realized that Isabela started to panic so she tried to calm her down. “Isa, its okay, i dont think your mom will be mad.“ she says. “It’s not even that!! I dont know where we are!! We are completely lost and its all because of me!!“ she tearing up. Dolores hugged Isabela, “its okay, i know where we are. I can bring us back“ she says. “Really!?“ “Really.“

Isabela was so happy that she had a friend like Dolores, she was really smart! Halfway trough their walk to casita Isabela asked, “How did u know the way?“ “My house was nearby, well its a bit further away but i mostly know the city of wandering around.“ she said as if it was nothing. That far!!?? Isabela thought. So that means that everytime she comes here it takes her a long time! And all that just to be with her? “You dont need to walk this far just to be with me Dolores“ Isabela turned to face Dolores with a sad face. “It’s okay, i enjoy walking plus i always come here!! I like it“ she hummed. Man..there’s a lot about Dolores she doesnt know yet..

When they arrived at casita alma quickly informed Felix to let julieta know Isabela was here and it only took some minutes for julieta to come from town and hug Isabela. She then proceeded to scold her but then hug her again. Dolores watched the scene confusingly. Why was julieta so worried about Isabela?? She just went to town for a little bit, and the hug? She was trying to think of an moment her mother hugged her like that but nothing came to her head.

It was getting darker so Dolores decided to go home early today, she was just waiting Isabela. After julieta hugged Isabela to death, she started to walk towards Dolores. Dolores stiffened up, she knew she was gonna get a scolding from this too, why shouldn’t she? Julieta kneeled down and Dolores saw a smile instead of an angry face. “Thank you a lot for helping Isabela, dolores.“ she thanked her. This woman’s voice is really soft..

Dolores‘s eyes widen, is that it? No screaming, no saying names, just that? “Dolores?“ julieta said. “Uh..right..you‘re welcome..“ she quickly looked over to Isabela to avoid eye contact. “See you then Isa..“ she waved and Isabela waved back.

While Dolores was walking back home, she had a weird feeling in her stomach, like..as if she was really happy about something. She hoped that she wont ever loose this feeling.

————————————————————

If y’all have any questions about this au I gladly answer them :D thanks for readingg

[miramilocamimira]

Villain Antonio???? Plez???

This is haunting me. It took so long to figure out what his reason would be and I realized if we lean heavily into pre-movie mama Mira headcanon, we really only need to start with a change at one scene.

If You Are Good

Antonio had come out of his room when Hiro told him that he heard Mira and Isabela come back. He had known that Abuela was looking for Mira but he didn't know what she wanted. He did know that Mira was trying to fix things.

All the animals kept talking to him. Telling him everything they knew. From Bruno being in the walls to his mom Pepa and Abuela having fought about what to use his gift for.

He loves his mom! He thinks. It's... Well, it's hard to say. How well can someone love what's essentially a stranger in his house? Antonio knows that's not what they all meant to have done but… the village came first. Abuela’s orders came first.

Except with Mira. He remembers when she'd break the rules and sneak him snacks or bandage his wounds or when she spent the whole day by his side while he was sick. She'd gotten in trouble for not helping pass out things or something.

It was funny. His Mira got in trouble for helping and for not helping.

“The cracks started with you.” He hears from his abeula and he feels cold. He looks down from his spot on the second floor and he doesn't need to see his Mira’s face to know she's hurt. Hiro growls and the others give out chirps and squeaks and more as they get upset on Mira’s behalf.

“Bruno left because of you. Luisa’s losing her powers,” Which isn't true! Bruno chose to leave to protect her! The rats said so. Earlier Dave the donkey said that he agreed with Mira and that Luisa deserved a break.

Barry is the one who comes up with the idea.

“Isabela’s out of control,” Flowers was out of control now? Antonio hears from some of the birds. He kind of agrees. Her having fun was out of line? “Because of you!” There's a bad feeling that feels like it's consuming him. He feels like he's on fire and covered in ice at the same time. Like he's gotten hundreds of paper cuts all at once.

He decides to do what Barry suggests. In a matter of moments, he and the animals are making their way up. Everyone else is focused on Abuela’s yelling at his Mira once again so they don't see him climbing.

“I don’t know why you weren’t given a gift,” Because his Mira, his Mami was perfect already. She was kind and caring. He'd always thought of her as good, as what good was supposed to be. “But it is not an excuse for you to hurt this family!” Now he knows he's the only one to think this way.

The walls are shaking. The animals say it's cause of the cracking.

There's a candle on a plate. It sits atop a windowsill to decide your gift and change your fate. He hears in his head. Something his Mira told him for as long as he could remember. Especially when he was feeling bad or scared. Well, in that impossible scenario, you’d stay here in the nursery with me.

He sees the candle. He doesn't hesitate to grab it.

“Don’t you ever- Antonio?” He turns around, candle in hand. They all start calling out to him but he focuses only on Mira.

And the hurt. The pain and fear, the doneness in her eyes when she first turns around are what does it. Even as it changes to concern and worry for him, he knows it was there.

If being good like the others will make him hurt his Mira for Abuela, if being good is what they are… he doesn't want it. Barry’s right.

If they're gonna call Mirabel bad then he’ll just have to show them what bad truly is.

He blows.

And

Everything

Crumbles.

[im-just-a-br0adway-baby]

Encantober 2023 Day 21: Age

Tomorrow was Alma’s birthday, and since this was her first birthday since the miracle was restored and her first in ten years with her only son with her again, Because of this, Bruno wanted to make his mother’s birthday extra special this year. He asked his sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews about ideas to make Alma’s birthday extra special.

“Well, we know that she doesn’t really like anything over-the-top, so inviting the entire village doesn’t sound like a good idea,” Julieta explained.

“We should also not use sparklers because of what happened on your fiftieth birthday,” Agustin added.

“What happened on our fiftieth?” Bruno asked.

“Agustin thought it was a good idea to put sparklers in the cake instead of candles, and it exploded in their faces before they could blow them out,” Felix explained.

“That was a lesson learned; we are never using any dangerous explosives on anything ever again,” Agustin added.

“Even if you did suggest that, you have more than just me to convince you that it’s a bad idea, and you have to listen to all of us.”

“Maybe we can do something on the creative side? Make her something that we can all pitch in with?” Mirabel suggested.

The rest of the Madrigals smiled at the idea of making her something they all could contribute to. Mirabel has had a creative mind since she was a toddler, and some of her best ideas were about letting everyone get involved.

“We know that she loves hats, maybe we could buy a hat from the village square and we can each make something to put on it.”

The rest of the Madrigals liked the idea, they could each make something that represented them and could put it on a hat for Alma.

“We can go into the village square later this afternoon, and while we’re there, you all can make your contribution to the hat,” Julieta suggested.

“That sounds good, or maybe we can go now before all the best ones are sold out,” Pepa added.

“I like that better.”

“I’ll go get some art supplies from my room,” Mirabel said before she made her way upstairs.

Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno got up from the couch and made their way out the door as the rest of the Madrigal family made their way into the kitchen. They felt safer making their trinkets in the kitchen since it can get a little bit messy and Casita would much rather help clean up the kitchen than any other room in the house.

Mirabel came back downstairs with construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, and colored pencils, and found the rest of the family in the kitchen. She put her arts supplies on the table and spread them out for her family.

“I got every color of construction paper I could find in my room, so you can take whatever color you need for your trinket,” Mirabel explained.

The Madrigal family grabbed a piece of construction paper each to begin making their trinkets to put on Alma’s hat. They wanted to make something that Alma would associate with them so she could have a piece of her family with that hat. The family also talked about what they wanted to make.

The family spent a couple of hours making their trinkets until the triplets came back from the store with the hat they wanted to give to Alma. They came into the kitchen to see their family making their construction paper trinkets and the kitchen island covered in cut-up construction paper.

“Hola, mami, you found the hat you wanted?” Mirabel asked.

“Si, we found this hat that we think she would love to wear for church,” Julieta replied.

The triplets showed the rest of the family a big, magenta hat that matched Alma’s outfits. They decided that the hat itself could represent Alma. being the base of the trinkets. The hat would represent herself being the backbone of the Madrigal family, and the trinkets would represent each family member and how Alma held the family together.

“Do you want to show us what you made for the hat while we make our trinkets?” Pepa asked.

“Sure; can I go first?” Isabela asked.

“Sure, sobrina,” Bruno answered.

Isabela showed her creation, which was a flower made with lavender and dark purple construction paper, made in several three dimensional layers. “Since Abuela always called me her little flower, even before my gift ceremony, I thought this was perfect.”

Isabela pinned the flower on the hat, and Dolores showed off her creation. It was a red and yellow vinyl record with tiny music notes coming out of it. “I wanted Abuela’s hat to have something music related, since she always used to say how I brought music into her life.”

Dolores pinned her vinyl on the hat once Luisa showed her trinket. Hers was of a small donkey carrying two weights. “I thought of something simple since Abuela knows how much I love the donkeys in town.”

Luisa pinned the paper trinket on the hat and Camilo showed his trinket to the family. “I made a chameleon, since that was how Abuela always saw me.” He pinned his creation on the hat and Antonio decided to go next.

“I made a little paper Parce since I know Abuela loves being with Parce and he calms her down sometimes,” Antonio explained.

Once Antonio pinned his trinket on the hat, Agustin showed a little bee he made. “Alma knew since we were young how much of a bee magnet I’ve been, so I thought of putting this one next to Julieta’s when she’s done with hers.”

Felix showed his trinket after Agustin was done pinning his. “I made a little umbrella to show how I helped sheltered her daughter from her storms and gave her a welcoming home within myself.”

“Those are all such great creations. We just finished ours; I’ll go first,” Julieta said as she held up a paper arepa. “Since Mama always loved my arepas since I started making them, I decided to make one of the construction papers.”

Julieta pinned her trinket to the hat next to Agustin’s, and Pepa showed hers off. “I made a sun for her, since Sunshine was my nickname she gave me since I was a toddler and she always said how much I filled her life with sunshine.”

Pepa pinned her trinket next to Felix’s, and Bruno showed off a little green hourglass. “Since Mama always associated the hourglass with me, I thought it made sense to make one,” he said as he pinned the hourglass right between Julieta’s arepa and Pepa’s sun.

“Mirabel, are you finished with yours? You’ve been making yours for quite a while even after we got back,” Julieta pointed out.

“I have, but that’s because I wanted mine to include more than just me, but I’m finished now.” Mirabel then showed the family an aquamarine butterfly with multiple designs on it, similar to the one on her skirt. There were flowers, musical notes, a dumbbell weight, a chameleon, a jaguar, an arepa with a bee flying towards it, a sun with an umbrella underneath it, an hourglass, and a candle in the middle. 

“I didn’t want to just have something that represented me, I wanted mine to represent everyone in the family. Since I know each of us are aging everyday and Abuela won’t be around for much longer, I will one day become the family matriarch and I did save the miracle and all of you when Casita fell.”

The rest of the family hugged Mirabel before she pinned her trinket in the middle of the hat. She wanted hers to be in the center, since hers has the candle on it, she wanted to make sure Alma’s sign was right in the middle.

“I think Mama will love this hat. I’ll keep in my room on the dresser until tomorrow,” Julieta said, as the family made their way upstairs with the hat.

-------------------------------------------

The next day was a day of Alma spending time with the family for her birthday. They just had a special dinner together, but right before they wanted to bring in the cake, they wanted to bring in the hat to show Alma.

“Wait here, mama, we all chipped in for a present for you together,” Julieta said as she made her way upstairs to find the hat. Once she got back downstairs, she presented her mother with the hat they made the day before.

“We wanted to make something that represented us so you can always have a piece of us everywhere you go,” Pepa explained.

Alma shed a tear when she examined the hat and noticed all the trinkets, representing each of her children, grandchildren, and sons-in-law. She cried tears of joy for several more minutes before gathering her words together.

“This is the best gift I ever got for my birthday. It shows how much my children and grandchildren care so much for me and want me to have pieces of them everywhere I go. Gracias, mijos.”

“We figured that since you have been the backbone of this family since the miracle found us, we would give you a hat that represented yourself and the decorations representing each of us. Since we know that another year is going by and you won’t be around for much longer, we wanted to show our appreciation for you by making something you know you’d love,” Mirabel explained.

Alma cried some more before saying what she wanted to say. “And I do love it. I’ll be wearing this hat to church every Sunday now. All of you know how to make each of my birthdays better than the last.”

The family spent the rest of the day celebrating by eating the cake Julieta made for them and looking back on old memories of Alma. Knowing that she is a year older was a bittersweet feeling for everyone, but they would not trade any of her birthdays for the world.

[anykindofbean]

Fight for you

Carlos Madrigal x Reader: Fight for you

Genre: Fluff/ Angst? If you squint.

Warnings: Mentions of blood.

More of my works if you’re interested: Masterlist

——————————————

Carlos was angry.

Not because of Abuela yelling at him for not doing his chores, Not Camilo pulling a prank on him, Not even when he had to clean up Antonio’s animal’s mess.

No, He was mad because someone had the nerve to insult you right in front of him.

So now he had to sit through another lecture from his mother after beating up said someone. Of course he had a couple of bruises too, And his lip and nose were dripping blood, But he didn’t care, That jerk got what they deserved.

“ Are you even listening to me!?” Pepa’s thunder brought him out of his thoughts.

He sighed. “ Yes, Mami..I’m listening.” That was a lie, And they both knew it.

Pepa let out a sigh as well, Causing her cloud to fade away as she calmed herself down.

“ Carlos, All I’m trying to say is you can’t go around fighting anyone who says something you don’t like.” She got close to him, Grabbing a towel from the counter, Wiping away the blood from his nose.

Carlos pulled away, Glaring off to the side.

“ You’re mama is right, Amor.” You spoke up. Pepa and Carlos glance in your direction, You we’re standing in the doorway.

Carlos pouted, Still glaring as he looked away again. Pepa however seemed pleased that you arrived. “ Hola, (Y/n)!”

You smiled at the woman. “ Hola, Pepa! I can take over if you’d like?”

Pepa nodded. “ Yes please. This boy doesn’t listen to me, But I’m glad he trusts you.” Pepa patted Carlos’s head, Carlos of course moved away from her hand though.

Pepa let out another sigh once again, Starting to make her way to leave, Stopping when she got to you. “ Good luck.” She whispered before continuing leaving.

You smiled before looking at your beloved. He was still facing away from you, Crossing his arms over his chest. He became even more tense when he heard you approach.

“ Carlos?”

If it was even possible, He turned even farther away from you. You gave him a gentle smile, Brushing some hair behind his ear, Before cupping his cheek with a soft touch.

You could feel him relax from your touch. You tilted your head to try to look at his. He still wasn’t budging, But neither were you.

You noticed a bruise underneath his eye, You leaned forward pressing a gentle kiss on it.

That got Carlos’s attention, He turned his head toward you, Finally meeting your gentle (e/c) ones. Carlos looked down. “….Someone was talking bad about you.”

You hummed, Cupping Carlos’s cheeks, Making him look back at you. “ Amor, There’s gonna be people in this town who don’t like me. Beating someone up because of that, Isn’t the way to go, Sometimes we just have to make peace with the fact that we can’t make everyone happy.”

He groaned ever so slightly. “….Fine.” Carlos seemed to be displeased with your words, But he knew that you and his mom were right.

“ Amor?” He spoke up again.

You hummed again, Brushing the hair that was covering one of his eyes back.

“ Can you kiss the rest of my bruises better?”

His question made you laugh, Your laugh making him smirk.

Carlos knew that he would still fight anyone who ever spoke bad about you, Even though you just told him not to. And you definitely knew that too.

——————————————

[ginnyweatherby]

Thinking a lot about the "Chores" scene today and how badly I wish it was kept. There's just so many good parts to it.

Mirabel in her adorable little overalls. I might draw her wearing these:

Agustín calling her "sweetheart" as he comforts her:

Félix and Agustín's little butt wiggle as they make the beds:

Mirabel dusting Félix's face with the feather duster because he scares her:

Félix: we can go anywhere! Dolores' room, Antonio's room, Abuela's room...

Agustín: not Abuela's room.

Félix: nooooot Abuela's room!

Félix calling Pepa "mami":

Agustín playing guitar:

and making these faces at Félix:

not to mention all the Oscar/Bruno backstory and the heartbreaking "I wish I was dead" reveal.

[needs-to-stop-looking-at-valves]

Can we get a story for when Luisa was born?

OH MY GOD I ACTUALLY HAVE JUST A STORY. Ya'll want lil angst? YOU GONNA GET IT

"What's so funny?"

Agustín looked down at his little angel, who just giggled and grabbed his nose.

"Big!"

"Yes, your Papi's nose is big-all the more to snuggle you with!"

He buried his nose in her cheek as she giggled. Julieta was busy making dinner downstairs, so of course Agustín watched his little girl. She was so small, so precious to him. Could there be anything cuter?

"Agustín! Mi amor! It's time to eat!"

"Coming! You hear that? Time to get some food in this little belly!"

He kissed said belly before bringing her downstairs to the dining table. Everyone else was there already, with Pepa and Dolores looking...well. Like they've just woken up. Abuela frowned at their manes of messy hair.

"Pepa? How can you and the baby come down looking like this?"

"....what?"

Félix chuckled as he slid a cup of coffee over to Pepa.

"Sorry, Abuela. Pepa and Dolores had a four hour nap and it's hitting hard."

"What YEAR is it? Genuinely I dunno."

Agustín chuckled as Isa leaned over to smack her cousin's arm a few times, seeming to try to wake her up.

"Isa, she'll wake up, I promise! Come on, eat. Look, mami made you your favorite!"

His daughter absolutely loved mashed plantains, more than anything. He even let her have the spoon to try to feed herself, finding it adorable. He helped her get some onto the spoon, and he felt like he'd burst into tears as she smeared it against Dolores's face, trying to share. Course, she just got it all over her face, but that didn't matter, thought that counts. Abuela lost her glare at Pepa in order to help clean them both.

"You're raising such a caring little girl, Agustín. It's bad enough she's the cutest baby in the whole Encanto."

Agustín grinned at her as Julieta started to set the grown up food on the table.

"She's precious to me, Abuela. I still can't believe we HAVE a little girl, even after all this time."

Agustín was about to tuck into his dinner, when he noticed Bruno was helping himself to dessert already. Macarons.

"Oh, you made those! They're so cute! What'd you put on them?"

Bruno slid the basket over to him, and he studied the pink little treats. Félix leaned over to try to look over at the pattern.

"It kinda looks like a person."

"Doesn't it? It looks so small, like a b-"

No. Surely he was over thinking it. He looked at her, and she nodded, lightly patting Isa's head.

"Someone is going to be a sister. Bruno had another vision- it's a little girl."

Félix laughed as he shook his buddy's frame, clearly in celebration.

"Woo! Been BUSY eh amigo? Congratulations! Pepa are we-"

"Nope, just her this time."

Abuela looked proud as could be. She raised her glass up.

"Salut, Agustín! Here's to another miracle!"

Agustín couldn't believe it. He didn't stop fussing over his wife and his little girl, long after dinner. He fell asleep that night, somehow, without too much fanfare.

Or so he thought.

"Agustín. Agustín."

Agustín groaned as he got up, only to have a heart attack upon seeing those big, green eyes peering down at him. He should've been surprised, but honestly, this seemed like Bruno appropriate behavior.

"Mierda, Bruno- could you knock?"

"Didn’t want to wake up Julieta. I need to tell you something. You only."

Agustín carefully got out of bed and followed Bruno outside. Bruno had to help keep him from falling as he guided him to the roof. They looked at the stars for a while, Bruno clearly stalling.

"Bruno. It's late, and I don't get a lot of sleep-"

"I had another vision before bed. A lot of times these visions just happen, even if I don't want them to. When I had visions of Isabela and Dolores, those were good ones. But...I had a vision that you need to see."

Bruno handed him the slate he was keeping in his ruana. Julieta was looking at what he assumed was their new baby, only she wasn't...smiling. She was crying. He knew that face, and it held only sadness.

"What...what does this mean?"

Bruno scratched at his facial hair, fumbling with his thoughts.

"The vision wasn't clear. But my guess is...your baby won't be born healthy. From what I could gather, she will grow weak. I tried to look further, I hate keeping you guys in the dark, but my headaches. You know how they get."

Agustín felt his heart sink to his stomach. His new baby was going to be born sick? Was his baby going to. Going to-

"Why didn't we tell Julieta this?"

Bruno nervously rubbed his arm, still refusing to meet his eyes.

"Because this feels like something you should tell her. I don't know when you wanna say it, but I...I can't. She's my sister. I can't bear to see her face when I tell her that her baby will be sick. Especially after tonight. Everyone was so happy and...I'm so sorry, this is why I hate doing visions of the fam...Agustín?"

He knew he shouldn't be crying. He was trying not to. But tears were streaming down his face, the slate shook in his hands, and his world was crumbling around him.

"I. Is it. Is it my fault, Bruno? Is it me that made her like that? What did we do to deserve this? Especially Julieta. Oh dios, Julieta."

Everything was spinning. He wanted to scream. And he would've had the whole Casita hear him yell, had Bruno not wrapped his arms around him, and pull him into a hug.

"You cry and scream all you want. This...hurts me too, knowing this. I'm here for you, hermano."

And cry he did. Agustín clung to him, and cried, and screamed, all into his shoulder. Bruno held him for a long time, enough for the sun to start peaking into the horizon. Agustin pulled away, wiping his face clean.

"I'm. I'm okay. We'll be okay."

"You sure?"

"Si. Thank you, Bruno. I...I hate to ask you a favor."

"Name it."

"Don't tell anyone else. I need to think of when will be a good time."

"...I won't say a word."

They made it down from the roof and into their respective rooms without another word to one another. Agustín immediately went to his closet, and tucked the vision away. For now, nobody needs to know.

------------------

"Mi amor?"

Agustín was currently helping Julieta in the kitchen, mainly with things that he couldn't mess up, like washing the vegetables and occasionally feeding Isabela little pieces of cut up fruits. She loved her fruit and vegetables like a good little baby. She seemed to realize something was amiss, given the tone of her little voice.

"Mami?"

Julieta grabbed onto her big stomach, holding onto the counter simultaneously. Then she looked at him, nodding quickly.

"Now. It's happening now."

"Now? Now wha-oh! Oh my god- okay okay, easy, breathe! Pepa! Félix!"

He called out into the living room, and they immediately rushed in. Félix, ever the capable friend, wrapped an arm around Julieta, gesturing to Pepa.

"Watch the girls, turn off the stove. I'm going to help them to her room, and I'll go get Abuela. If you see Bruno, tell him to go get the doctor."

It was just as chaotic as Isabela's birth. Scrambling, panic, making sure everything was in order and comforting the woman in question. She was incredible, taking it all in stride, and handling it all so well. Despite the fact that she was worried about Isabela, despite not getting dinner done, and despite the snowstorm Pepa was whipping outside in her worry. Agustín was with her the whole time, in absolute loving support, same as he always was.

Then she came, and she was precious. Julieta held her in her arms, weary, exhausted.

"Ho...you were not easy, little one. But you're here."

"She's beautiful, Julieta. Should we let everyone see them now?"

"Later. Right now, I need to sleep. I...I just want to hold her, Agustín."

And held her she did, even in her deep sleep. Agustín looked down at their bundle, and hoped that Bruno's visions were wrong. Unfortunately, they weren't. They never were.

It started on the day after she was born. She would not eat enough. The next day, the same thing. At first, everyone just frowned at the news. Then, everyone felt dread. The clouds felt dread at the news that their little baby stopped eating entirely. Julieta sat at her bed, trying over and over to get the little one to eat, even to cry. But their little one, Luisa, refused to do anything. Agustín walked in, a tray of hot food in his hands.

"My parents made dinner again. They wanted to see you, but I told them that you were too tired. How...how is she?"

"Agustín she won't eat! She looks so pale and I keep having to see if she's still breathing. Agustín..."

Her eyes met his, and he immediately crumbled as tears welled in hers.

"Is she going to die?"

He's waited too long to tell her. He should feel ashamed. He sighed, set the bowl down, and dug into the closet, pulling out the slate.

"I should've told you this before. But Bruno had this vision of...exactly this."

She looked at the vision, and her face when from tears, to anger.

"You hid this from me?"

"I just wanted you to have her first, I know you'd be too stressed and it could hurt her and-"

"BRUNO hid this from me?"

Oh no. She got up, baby in one hand, slate in the other, and practically stomping down the steps.

"Julieta, wait-"

"BRUNO!!!"

The poor guy looked scared shitless. Understandable, Julieta angry was a rare, and terrifying sight. Bruno looked at the slate, then at Agustín.

"You told her NOW?!"

"Don't you rope my husband into this! You could've told me, but no! I understand why he waited to tell me, but my brother?!"

"Julie, please-"

"No! I'm angry because this doesn't just affect me, Bruno! This affects my CHILDREN and-"

"Mami?"

Her face fell upon seeing her other little girl. Isa was standing there, a bottle of formula in her hands. Pepa gave an apologetic smile.

"She's been asking so much about the baby, so I thought we'd make your recipe for formula and...is everything okay?"

Julieta wanted to yell more, Agustín could tell. But instead, she sighed, and knelt down.

"Thank you for caring for your sister, mija. But she...doesn't want to eat. I-"

"Try?"

Isa gestured the bottle towards the little one, and Julieta, heart melting, decided she could at least try. She instructed her on how she would personally feed her, and they expected yet another bout of fuss. Only, they didn't get that. They watched in fascination as the little one not only ate, but ate the whole thing. They all looked at Isabela, who seemed confused by all the staring she was getting.

"How...did you do that, mija?"

Isabela shrugged, clearly having no clue. Julieta clasped a hand over her mouth in disbelief, and Agustín knelt down to her, making her look up at his face.

"You just did something very important for your mami, Isa. You helped Luisa, like a good big sister. Do you think you can keep doing that for us? Help her get strong?"

Isa nodded, and Agustín & Julieta knelt down to give her a good squeeze. He watched as Isa looked at little Luisa, with a sense of wonder and affection. He was so lucky to have them both.

-------------------

"Lulu, mija! Real quick, before you go!"

He stopped his girls before they ran out to go play. Isa had her hands on her little sister's shoulders, and he was so proud of her, taking responsibility for her sister, since Luisa was born. Luisa took the bag from her dad's hands, frowning.

"But papi, I'm not hungry."

"You skipped breakfast, and you didn't eat dinner. Please eat some of it, your mami made it just for you."

Luisa didn't seem convinced, before Isabela grinned down at her.

"If you eat, we'll take a peek at your door when we get back home!"

Luisa was four days away from her big day, and to say she was excited, was putting it lightly. Luisa jumped on her feet a bit as she looked at her dad.

"Can we? PLEASE, papi?!"

"Only if you eat. And Isa is going to tell me if you did. Can you promise you'll eat?"

Luisa hesitated, before nodding.

"I promise, I'll eat something."

"There we go! Now who's my strong girl?"

"Me!"

He flexed alongside her, absolutely adoring her little smile. She struggled with wanting to eat, even as a baby, but she was improving. Luisa ran out, eager to go play, and Agustín couldn't resist kissing Isa's head, just real quick.

"You're a wonderful sister, Isa. If you see anything you guys want to have at the square, neiva or pan dulce-"

Isa tucked a flower behind his ear, smiling.

"I got it, papi. She's my sister, I'll take care of her. Now I gotta go, I need to catch up. Luisa!"

She ran after her sister, and Agustín sighed. He hoped that whatever gift she'd get, it'd make her strong.

That's all he wanted for her.

[adoptedmadrigal2]

Modern au

When the youngest girl gets her first period

Again I theifed @needs-to-stop-looking-at-valves oc dulce bc she's camilos soul mate and yoy can't convince me otherwise

Sun and star

luna awoke to the shout of her sister yelling from the bathroom

“mami! we’re out of tampons” 

luna being 11 and not yet knowing the seven wonders of womanhood, had no clue what lola was talking about.  she brightened up her bedroom with a sloppy hand motion to get ready for the day. 

something felt off to the 11 year old, her thighs felt sticky and warm. she was absolutely positive she hadn’t wet her bed. maybe her brother had decided to come pour juice on her as a prank. so she sleepily pulled the blankets off of her and found her yellow pyjama shorts covered in blood, her sheets had a sizeable stain too. 

The whole family knew luna had lungs like her mami, due to all the screaming she did as a baby, and at her brothers as she started to get older; but they were not expecting the ear splitting, wall rattling scream that came from the 11 year old girl that morning. (She would have to apologize to lola later for that)

julieta was walking from her room having to retrieve the green onions she had taken for nighttime food experimenting, to the downstairs kitchen for breakfast. she had just passed luna’s room when she heard the door rattling scream of her sobrinita.

“luna?! what’s wrong?” julieta asked knocking on the door. 

“i-i-i need mami!” luna studdered her voice shaking with fear.

“mi sobrina, what’s going on? your mami went to town, she wont be back for a little while. can i help?” julieta asked worried.

luna was beyond panicking at this point first she wakes up covered in blood then her mami isn’t home! this day couldn’t possibly get any worse for her… or could it. luna decided it’s best to swallow her stubborn pride and let her tia help her, if she was injured or dying she could help.

“can i come in?” julieta asked after not getting a response from the girl. 

“...si” luna said 

julieta rushed into the room immediately looking luna over checking for wounds or any sign of injury. 

“what happened? did you get hurt, or cut yourself? are you sick?” julieta asked concerned.

luna reluctantly peeled the black duvet away from her revealing the sheets and her shorts that were covered in blood. 

“tia… i- woke up and this was just here. i don’t know what’s going on,” luna explained, shakily fiddling with the small shadow orb in her hand. 

this is when julieta realised wjhat happened… and really wished her sister was at home right now. 

“i can assure you, you will be just fine, let me see if i can’t get your mami to hurry home……. ANTONIO!” julieta told the girl before walking out of the room and yelling for her sister’s youngest son. 

“what’s up tia?” antonio asked as his jaguar parce jr, walked up to julieta with antonio promptly on his back. 

“i need you to go to the village and find your mami. you need to tell her to come home as quickly as her legs will take her, it’s really important,” 

“ok tia,” and with a whistle he was on the back of a cheetah and was out of the house and in the village before you could even say bunuelo.

“Mami! tia julieta needs you to come home quickly, it’s something about luna,” he told when he reached his mami at the fruit stand.  

“luna?! tonito, can i please catch a ride on parce jr?” pepa asked when she heard the news 

“one step ahead of you” he said and before he could bring his fingers to his mouth to whistle for the large cat it had swept pepa up off her feet and was quickly sprinting back to casita. 

pepa got in the house and up to luna’s rooom in record time. 

“mi bebe?! what hap-” pepa said as she walked into the room, pausing when she saw the mess and her sister standing by the bed. 

“dios mio, mi bebe are you alright?” pepa asked 

“i don’t know” was her reply 

“julieta! didn’t you explain while antonio came to get me?” pepa asked 

“no, i thought since she’s your only daughter besides dolores, you’d like to be here to explain, i know i would’ve been.” julieta told her younger sister 

“aww juli, you’re too kind, but it’s been 17 years since i gave a girl the talk, things have changed since dolores’s first one. you’ve done this three times, and you have had somewhat recent experience with it too, you always have the talk with the 6th grade girls at the end of the year,” pepa told,

“ok, can someone please explain something? i’m sitting in my own blood with no clue what’s going on and if i’m being honest i just want to eat a bar of chocolate and go cuddle with papi until i fall asleep,” luna said interrupting the two.

“there it is,” julieta sighed, “just like you were, explain it clean up find some chocolate and cuddle someone until passing out in their arms,” 

“ok, luna you’re gonna be just fine, this is your first period,-” pepa said before a shriil screech cut her off 

“My Period!” 

“si mi cometa, remember when i told you about the older girls being grumpy and not to mess with them? that’s because they were on their period, and by coincidence you got your first period the same day the other 8 women in the house started their own,”  pepa explained 

“your period, or menstrual cycle, is a process your body goes through to prepare you for a baby.  the lining of your uterus thickens to support a pregnancy, if you aren’t pregnant, then the egg that wouldve been fertilized along with the mucus and tissue that thickened to support it, comes out. And it makes a big mess unless you wear a pad or use a tampon. don’t worry, this is perfectly normal and has happened to every woman under this roof, really it’s happened to every woman in the encanto. now, let’s get you showered and all sorted out with a pad and then the nine of us can share some embarrassing stories over some chocolate santafereno,” Julieta explained to the shocked redhead.

Luna followed pepa to the bathroom, in her shadow of course because she didnt want to be seen by her brothers covered in blood.

“ok, go ahead and get in the shower, ill explain all the details while you clean up,” pepa told. 

her daughter stripped from yellow sleep shorts and tank top to reveal dried blood on her thighs and underwear. she peeled them off and got into the warm water of the already running shower. casita discreetly bounced the stained clothing out of the bathroom and toward juliets who was doing laundry down the hallway nearby.

“so pads go in your underwear, they can either have wings or not, the wings help hold them in place so they don’t slide around. when you put on a pad you take the plastic wrapping off and stick it in your underwear once you have it placed you fold the wings over the sides and that’s that. when you change it though, you should use the plastic from the new pad to wrap the used one into, you trash the old pad and put a new one on and just kind of keep going about life.” pepa said as her daughter rinsed red curls

“what about tampons mami?” luna asked 

“tampons are little balls of cotton with a string attatched that go inside you, theyre complicated to put in but once you’ve got the hang of it it’s easy, but for now you should stick to pads.” pepa told handing her daughter the black underwear with a pad in them where she demonstrated how to put one on. 

“Ok, can we go have that hot chocolate with the others now?” 

“of course mi cometa,”  pepa nodded leading luna out  

the kitchen table was full of laughter and cringes once luna had settled down. 

“oh, i remember when i got my period in the plaza and camilo pressed himself up against me and whispered into my ear that i had bled on my skirt he took me to casita and i got cleaned up and apologized to him for ruining our day. He told me i could never ruin a day when i was with him no matter what happened and then we went into his room to cuddle because my cramps were getting bad,”  dulce told.  

“he’s sweet, he gets it from his papi,” pepa commented 

“the first time i got my period with isabela was when  i came over to return her bra she’d let me borrow. when i turned to leav eshe pulled me into the house and told me what had happpened and even though isa is a girl i still go really embarrassed and shy. but then she made me a batch of chocolate cookies and took me to her room to cuddle and reassure me that she wasn’t gonna see me any different. she even let me borrow her heating pad for my back.” liv told.

“have you ever been without a pad or tampon?” luna asked curiously 

every woman at the table raised a finger at that question.

“mami usually has some in her apron just in case, but the one time i get it a few days early she doesnt have anything on her and mother nature isn’t about to wait on me to get a pad before the waterfall of blood covers my underwear." Mirabel tells

 hope you enjoy ❤

[sokkas-first-fangirl]

Birthday prompt? Antonio talks to the rats and they set up a special party just for their Mami Bruno and his litter-mates! Basically, rats throw a party for Bruno, using Antonio to invite Pepa and Juli. Rats try giving them presents. Reactions vary.

Julieta knew her brother's little pets were theatrical. For rodents, they were surprisingly skilled actors. They were such dramatic little things, wailing for Bruno's attention and following him devotedly. They were clearly happiest so long as Bruno was in the room.

"He makes them feel safe," Antonio explained, cradling one of the older rats gently. "They say that Tio Bruno's looked after their families for a long, long time."

Julieta would rather not think of that long long time, but the fact remained that the rats adored Bruno. And, with Antonio translating, he was able to explain the concept of a birthday to the rats, as well as presents.

So maybe Julieta shouldn't have been surprised when the rats swarmed Bruno shortly after their birthday breakfast. They brought forward dandelions, marbles, thimbles, pebbles and (for some reason) a particularly squashed strawberry.

The rats ran in circles, chittering excitedly. Some of them seemed to dance, one played dead and a few just stared at Bruno expectantly.

Bruno was clearly as baffled as Julieta; his smile was uncertain, his eyes were wide, but he still knelt down to examine the stranger offerings.

"Oh, what's all this?" he asked, stroking the nearest rat on the head.

Antonio popped his head out of the kitchen. "They're your birthday presents!" he chirped. "I told them all about birthdays and presents." The rats squeaked some more and Antonio nodded, turning his attention back to Bruno. "They say they love you very much, Tio."

Bruno's uncertain smile turned into a beaming grin.

"Aw, you guys!" he cooed, opening his hands for his pets to run to him. They crawled onto his lap, his hands, arms and shoulders. They nudged him with their little noses and batted at him with their paws. One rat appeared to be dozing off on his knee.

Julieta was sure her own smile was ridiculously sappy. Pepa would tease them both rotten for it, but she couldn't help it. It was good to know someone had been looking out for her brother all these years- even if it was a bunch of rats.

Besides, Bruno had a point: they were very cute.

[gamerbearmira]

Mirabel mama au♤♡◇♧

Warning:swearing and small violence

Mirabel was ten. Her prima was crying and screaming. She threw her pillow and stormed to him but froze as she saw his tears. She picked him up and his cries turned ti whimpers immediately. She bounced him in her arms and he giggled and fell asleep. She placed him down and went to bed."What the hell?" Ever since that night pepa and felix just gave him to her. She matured quickly without realising it. She had learned to cook and made the milk bottles whilst holding the baby boy. She taught him to talk and walk, she toilet trained him and was his mother.

When she's fifteen

.mirabel was talking to antonio kn the living room when "mami why do you not have a boyfriend?" The family looked and isabella dropped her glass amkjng it shatter. Mirabel froze realising who he was talking to. She felt proud instead of wanting to tell him thays not her name as if she earned this title. "Cause mami doesn't need kne tontio, I've raised you since I was ten I think, just maybe jm good" she gave a playful wink and he giggled. "mirabel madrigal" pepa said as the cloud thundered. Mirabel glared at her "mijo go to your room hm?" She asked smiling. The boy ran off on parce. "WHAT THE F-" she cut pepa's shouting "DONT YOU DARE SHOUT AT ME!" Mirabel was surprisingly louder than pepa. Dolroes covered her ears and isabella gave her earplugs. She put them on. "I RAISED THAT BOY! I GAVE MY CHILDHOOD UP TO HIM!" Ber voice bellowed and pepa shrunk slightly "MIRABEL MADRIGAL WHO DO YOU THINK YOUR TALKJNG TO!?" felix yelled "MY AUNT AND UNCLE WHO DUMPED THEIR BABY ON A TEN YEAR OLD!" mirabel yelled, she was angry and wasn't calming. "WE WONT LET YOU FUCKINF YELL AT US!" pepa yelled." YOU LEFT HIM TO ME TO RAISE! I TAUGHT HIM TO TALK! I TAUGHT HIM TO WALK! I WAS THERE WHEN HE SAID MAMI! I WAS THERE WHEN HE MADE HIS FIRST FRIEND! I WAS THERE WHEN HE CRIED AT NIGHT! I AM HIS MOTHER! I RAISED HIM!" Mirabel yelled "YOU ARENT HIS MOTHER! I DIDNR SEE YOU GIVING BIRTH TK HIM!" Alma yelled as all the adults stood up. "BLOOD DOESNT MAKE A MOTHER! A FATHER! A BROTHER, SISTER OR A FUCKING AUNT! LOVE AND CARE GIVES YOU THAT! YOU EARN IT THROUGH LOSING SLEEP! GIVING YOUR WN TJME! YOUR OWN MONEY TO RAISING THEM! YOU HAVE TO BE THERE AND YOU CANT JSUT JOIN WHKEVER YOU WANT TO!" She yelled and her eyes glowed gold. "YOU LEFT HIM SO I TOOK THAT ROLE! I TOOK MOTHER, FATHER AND COUSIN! I RAISED HIM! I DEALT WITH THE BULLIES! THE FIGHTS!"mirabel yelled as it rained and thundered. Mirabek didn't care and this was the final blow that she was gonna deliver "you were never his mother or father" the thunder stopped as the rain hit the ground and drenched the fifteen yesr old. Her eyes went back to normal, the adults stared as she glared. She stood straight and looked them dead jn the eye. "You were someone who gave up what he needed." She tool a breath "you've missed out on raising an amazing young boy who has a bright future ahead of him and if he's raised right he'll make it better for others to" whe walked off. The rain was pouring. "I am still hid mother!"pepa raised her voice and mirabel glared at her. "You don't deserve to he called that, I'd be dissapoitnrd and disgusted to have you as a mother"

Nah cuz. Where tf were you when it came to Antonio 🤨 you can’t just choose when you wanna be parents dawg, it’s a full time thing 😭 like she has every right to yell at you, I would to 💀💀

[yellowcry]

Who's hermanita now?

Isabela is sure Luisa is the shortest person in the world, Luisa loves being annoying and Mirabel thinks they should measure their height to see how they went

Julieta covered her mouth, yawning softly. It was early in the morning. However, she preferred to be awake before the sun would even get up. She loved this quiet time when the world seemed to be frozen in their dreams with only her and her mother being awake.

Or not only them, after all, Julieta had her own daughters now. Luisa flushed into the kitchen in a flash. Stood on her toes to grab a cup. Julieta groaned, putting the kettle away. 

"For the hundredth time, Luisa, you're too young to drink coffee." She sighed, hiding the drink away from her already far too energetic child.

For some reason, her middle daughter liked coffee so much that it was almost dangerous for her age. And where did she get it?

Luisa puffed out her cheeks, she looked so cute with this anger in her little eyes. Oh, Julieta still couldn't believe it was seven years since she had carried her second child in her womb. "But I love it,"

Luisa loved coffee way too much. Julieta blamed Pepa for it, she was the one who had left a cup unattended several years ago, allowing a toddler to snitch it. And now look where it got them.

But the girl didn't get to stay mad for a long time, as a sleepy Mirabel entered the kitchen as well. Julieta chuckled, observing how her strong daughter hugged her younger sister, throwing her in the air.

"Good morning, Hermanita!" Julieta winced at the scream. Oh, her two youngest babies had such a cute relationship. Luisa had claimed Mirabel as her child, always helping with her. It was really sweet of how much attendant Luisa wanted to be despite her young age. Of course, Julieta made sure not to force her to do anything out of her age.  

Two years old blabbed something, cuddling against Luisa. Oh, Julieta wished she had a camera right now. She kneeled next to her kids. "Corazon, how did you sleep?"

"I saw Casita playing piano tonight!" She exclaimed proudly. Luisa let out an excited gasp, clapping. But, honestly, she would react the same way regardless of what Mirabel had said. She just adored her sister so much.

Julieta smiled, picking her up, why should they be so sweet? Or tried to, because having a child with super strength meant you didn't have any physical advantages. "No, No!" Luisa demanded, stomping her foot. "Don't take Mira! I need to hug her more!"

Julieta blinked but eventually replied. "But your hermanita needs to eat something so she would have the energy to play with you."

This seemed to convince Luisa as she reluctantly pulled back. The middle child crossed her arms strictly, looking up at Julieta with a face that made it clear how unhappy she was with the fact that her sister had been snitched from her.

Mirabel enjoyed her fresh salad while Luisa was throwing suspicious looks at the coffee kettle that she couldn't reach under her mom's strict gaze. Give Luisa a chance and she would drink the entire pot. Attempts to push some fresh food to her failed as Luisa ignored the plate with her name and drawn barbells in front of her.

 Soon enough, the eldest child joined them. Still sleepy, Isabela didn't like early waking up, unlike her mother and sisters. She rubbed her eyes, half asleep, and sat in the chair next to the younger girls. 

"Buenos dias mami," She muttered under Luisa's grinding her fork against the plate. "Stop!" She demanded, trying to take the fork away. Oh, Dios Mio. Again.

Luisa stuck out her tongue, trying to fight Isabela off over her fork that she didn't even use before Julieta grabbed it away. Sharp cutlery wasn't a toy. She feared to imagine what would happen if they will hit each other unluckily and stuck it in somebody's eye.

"Ah, calm down my tiny baby Hermanita!" Isabela scoffed, pulling up to ruffle Luisa's unkempt hair. 

"I'm not tiny! Mirabel is!" The youngest girl gasped, offended, but kept eating her breakfast. "I'm basically the same height ad you are!" 

"You are not!" Isabela placed her hands on her sides. "I bet you a meter shorter than me!"

Julieta chuckled. Her Eldest didn't know how much meter was right now, but it was funny in a way to observe her kids. After all, they had a childish mentality that was so different from her own.

"You're lying!" 

Mirabel winced at the yelling, her eyes welled up. "Don't fight!" She begged. She was really sensitive and hated when people were disagreeing or fighting. She had always tried to avoid fighting with other kids. And yelded if there was no way to avoid. "Measure!"

Luisa's eyes lightened up. "You're a genius!" She jumped onto her sister with another squeeze. 

Julieta shook her head, laughing to herself. She loved her babies. All perfect in every way possible. Isabela whom inner fierce side was hidden for a close circle of people. Luisa, who loved helping and valued her baby sister more than anyone else. And delicate sensitive Mirabel. Three of them were wonderful girls. Sure, sometimes mischievous or poorly behaving. But it wasn't like Julieta herself had never caused any problems as a child.

Mirabel was the first one. She was small, filled with baby fat. So little compared to her sister. She stood straight against the wall, allowing Julieta to check on her. Ninety-two. Julieta nodded to herself, Mirabel was growing so fast. All of them were. Oh, how much Julieta wanted for her babies to stay little forever so she could hug them together. What if they'll outgrow her? So she wouldn't be able to get down to them? They were growing so quickly, and Julieta/s eyes were tearing from the thought that they would keep growing without a stop.

Luisa, who looked excited like a puppy was next. In two and a half years since her gift ceremony, her skinny body started growing mass rapidly. Eating a lot and exercising had given her first muscle development. Not enough to be noticed without examining her, but it was here.

"Meter thirty, four millimetres." It was tall for her age. And, honestly, Luisa was always like this. Way bigger than any of her peers. Ah, why did she have to be this big?

Isabela scoffed as if it was really lame. Ensured in her easy victory she got to her height. Twirling even more than Luisa, it was a big hard to get her height.

Julieta made a mark on the doorjamb. Just below Luisa's. Isabela raised her eyebrows, her face winced as if she tried to digest information that she didn't understand. "What does it mean?"

As checking the eldest's child's height, Julieta blinked. But eventually announced, "Isa, you're meter thirty and three millimeters." Just one millimetre shorter than Luisa.

Luisa fluttered, proceedings the information for a second, before she bent in half, laughing her lungs out. Her hiccupping laughter echoed through the house. She wanted to prove she wasn't that short, but the fact that she had actually outgrown Isabela... It was a giant surprise to her.

"And who's small now?"

Isabela clenched her fists. "Mama, recheck! You measured us wrong!" Because it had to be wrong. She was the eldest. She was supposed to be the tallest between them. There was no way Luisa could have outgrown her.

Luisa laughed even harder, resting her arm on Isabela's shoulder. "What, are you scared to admit that you're shorter than me?" 

Julieta's attempts to separate her babies didn't work, as both of them kept up with this petty act. Pepa used to laugh over Bruno the same way when he became the shortest of the three of them.

"I am not! It's just a millimeter, I'll outgrow you in a week!" The older girl said with crossed arms. Reddened from anger over losing this argument she had started.

How dare her sister be taller? Does she have any conscience? It was so stupid, she should be standing in the corner for doing this! And this arrogant face had only made it worse. 

Luisa wrapped her arm against her sister's neck, being annoying. "So, hermanita, how do you feel now?" Isabela growled, trying to push Luisa's back. Which was impossible, taking her gift into account. "How do you feel being a small baby sister?"

Isabela's eyes flashed with a fire of rage. "Don't call me that! And again. I'll be taller than you before you can even blink! In fact, I probably had already outgrown you!" Isabela's knuckles turned white, she gritted her teeth.

Luisa seemed proud of herself. Lightened with the fact that now Isabela was the one to lose this competition. She could announce this as her biggest victory with the proudest voice in the world. What could be better than being the tallest child in your family? God forbids her if she'd lost this privilege.

"Say what you want, hermanita." 

Julieta had to catch her daughter's arm to prevent her from hitting far too smug Luisa. Oh, dear, the house would never be quiet for the months being, regardless of whether Isabela would or wouldn't get taller again.

[casitafallz]

LTRL AU | Glimpse of the Child

Bruno watched the tablet with some reverence of the image that laid upon it. It was not an...In-depth vision, just to scratch the itch of an incoming future for a little longer but he’d probably do something proper when he felt…like he needed to make sure things would be okay…or that they needed answers they couldn’t get otherwise.

But this, he felt glad.

A good, pleasant vision. He couldn’t help but drink in the picture with a smile, skirting a finger to touch over the little face before he tilted it to allow his rats to have a peek first though he liked to imagine they were just as happy to see it as he was.

“Come on, let’s go show Isabela.” He set the rat into his pocket, holding the vision to his chest, and dusted the sand off himself, though it didn’t do much in the long run, and padded out from his room happily.

Casita shifted their tiles with an inquisitive rattle but… he was no expert to read them like his mother or Mirabel, he knew a little to know this was a curious sight; him happy with a vision. He rolled his eyes.

“Relax, Casita.” He assured, patting the nearest banister though he paused as Antonio seemed to burst out of his room with a new picture in his hands though Pico squawked, Antonio looked to the bird first then to him.

“Tio!” Antonio lit up happily, the sight that anyone was so happy to see him, even 7 months along still seemed startling but Bruno was glad to see him happy.

“Is that another picture for Isabela?”

Antonio shook his head, “No, this is for Luisa. She’s been looking very sad about something so I thought this picture would make her happy.” He said as if it was obvious that his drawings were magical mood-changers but who was Bruno to change his thought.

“Well, I hope she loves it.”

Antonio nodded happily. “I’m sure she will. What are you got there, Tio?”

“Er…” He looked down to the tablet hesitantly “Well, I had a vision so I was going to show Isabela.”

Antonio cocked his head at it curiously, “Can I see it?”

“I…wanted to show Isabela first…” Bruno didn’t like saying no. Not to Antonio and those puppy eyes.

“Please.” Antonio pouted, going full-on with those begging, puppy eyes that Bruno crumbled instantly.

With a soft sigh, Bruno gently knelt down and flipped the vision around, and watched as Antonio’s face lit up in full wonder, his hand coming to his cheeks first, dropping his drawing to the floor in his excitement before Bruno felt the tablet leave his hands.

“Is this him!!? My new best friend!” Antonio bobbed up and down, upsetting Pico a little who flew off his shoulders. “He’s so cute!”

Bruno laughed softly, unable to help himself really. “Yep, this is the baby but he will be a tiny baby, so when you see him, you will have to be very very careful.”

“Oh, I will be!” Antonio grinned down but before Bruno could take it back, Antonio shot off.

“Mami!”

“Antonio!” Bruno struggled to his feet for a second but pelted after the five year old who seemed to weave effortlessly down the steps and into the kitchen.

Bruno tipped after him but froze in the doorway as he realized not only was Pepa in the kitchen glaring Julieta down but also his mother and in-laws. Clearly, they had interrupted another disagreement.

Antonio was oblivious in both his young age and single-minded excitement as he ran straight to the thundering Pepa with the tablet hugged to his chest.

“Mami, look what Tio saw!!” He pushed the tablet straight into Pepa’s hand, the cloud lightening up, in mostly confusion and break in tension but there was some uplift in her side-tracked emotions to cater to her son’s abrupt arrival.

“Oh?”

Pepa pulled the tablet from his hands though her body turned ridged as she sat the image.

“Pepi?” Felix noted in concern as the cloud turned an array of weathers before settling to heavy clouds; bordering to rain. He went to his wife’s side though he almost seemed to light up at the vision.

Bruno staggered in nervously.

The reactions pulled the remaining three to look over. Julieta gasped, her hands coming to her mouth first but Abuela was the one to take it from Pepa’s hands first to look at it.

“Is this him?” Agustín spoke, “He so small!” He leaned down over Abuela’s shoulder.

Abuela's eyes seemed to well up a little, but Bruno hoped it was for a good reason, not out of shame. “He looks just like her.” Her tone was…calm.

“He’s gonna be my best friend!” Antonio declared, tugging on his mother’s dress excitedly. “I can’t wait!

“Look, he even has the same mole as well, just…reflected onto the other cheek.” Agustín smiled, touching the left side of the vision.

The vision itself showed the top view down of a baby’s cradle with its little owner inside, not fully wrapped up as the baby’s arms was free of his blanket, hands curled up into little fists beside his cheeks and the baby was staring up out, almost at them really. There was no color in the vision but there were enough details regardless to indicate the features the child had. Bruno could only guess like the rest the baby shared the same skin tone and hair color of Isabela. Alongside the baby, there was a crotchet blanket around him, his little straight hair was mostly hidden under a little knot hat. Beside his head, at the teetering edge of the vision was a wooden leaf was there with a hole cut out for a ring of balls.

“Excuse me.” Pepa pushed her way through though Julieta took her spot to get a proper look at her grandson, Agustín’s arms coming to slip around her. Bruno eyed Pepa for a moment before he decided to let Felix hurry after her then get involved. He’d rather avoid an ice burn or a hurricane to the face.

Julieta took the vision from their mother, though Bruno itched to take it back… and you know, deliver it as he planned to. He knew is anyone deserved a peek it was Isabela; it was her baby.

“So, did you see how long we had to wait, Tio?” Antonio asked, staring up at him with wide eyed as if expecting him to know.

“Sorry but… there was no clock or calendar for me to see.” Bruno smiled at the very least, even as Antonio pouted, “But, we should estimate at least two months, okay?”

“So…” He counted on his fingers, “March?”

“I hope so.”

“Ooh, what if the baby has the same birthday as Mirabel? That would be an amazing gift for her!”

“I’m sure but… it’s Mirabel’s big day too. I don’t think we should forget that.”

Antonio paused in thought, “I suppose…�� He pouted a little, “but, I guess I have to wait.” He sighed, if a little dramatically before Bruno felt a shift before his rats poked their heads out, squeaking though Antonio perked up then held his hands out, allowing the rats to jump ship and potter off.

“Bruno…”

Bruno jumped a little as Abuela appeared at his side.

Her eyes were still a little red-rimmed but she had a very…unnerving demeanor of calmness that he was…unfamiliar with. Did she want something?

“Can...can we talk, Bruno?”

“S-Sure?” He didn’t but he doubted that would be overly accepted. He rather go back to his room or…actually deliver the vision to his target like he planned to…once he wrestled it from Julieta.

Abuela led him away, back towards the steps and upwards until they got to the front of her door but thankfully, didn’t go in. He hated going into her room like this; he always felt like he was in trouble.

“I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorr-“ Bruno echoed then paused, “What?”

“I’m…sorry, Bruno,” Abuela spoke. “I…put a lot on your shoulders growing up because…I justified that by thinking we were protecting the miracle and the family’s magic. Your…gift was something I couldn’t help but push you to use so we didn’t have to leave with that same fear.”

The words look hard to speak, but not dishonest but Bruno wasn’t sure if this was really happening. At Nochebuena, they had to do a lot of convincing to get her to talk about their father… this was unprompted even.

“Are you okay, Ma?” he asked, to be sure that she wasn't sick or dying... he couldn't deal with that right now. 

Abuela blinked in surprise at the question. “Of course?”

Bruno faltered a little, not sure where to go with this. “Am… did you need something?”

“No.” Abuela’s face turned into a frown. “I’m not apologizing to get something out of you, Bruno.”

Again, Bruno didn’t know where to go with that. “Why are you apologising now, Ma?” He asked, “You don’t tend to apologize without a good enough reason.”

Annoyance passed through her face but it was gone in a heartbeat. “I’m trying my best to….do better, Bruno. I’m not deaf to what I’m being told to. I know I’ve been harsh but I’m not heartless. Our family is so close to breaking and I can’t let that happen without trying to get the family together again. I know I have much to blame for that. Will you…at least let me try?”

Bruno eyed her for a moment with uncertainty. “I… I want to believe you… but it’ll take more than an apology.”

“I know.”

“Can you… give me some time to think about it…Mama?”

Thankfully, Abuela nodded.

 -

 Pepa looked to be….very mixed emotions by the time Felix was able to catch up with his wife in their room. The fog around the edges, sleet and wind mostly fluttered at her dress. She was nervously grasping her braid and more or less tugged on it to soothe herself.

“Clear skies, clear skies.”

“Mi Vida…” He started, “Why did the vision upset you?”. Pepa ignored him for a good moment but Felix calmly took a seat on their bed. He could wait all day, she knew that. But he decided to keep going to push for more. “Was…seeing the baby something you didn’t expect?”

Pepa tittered at that. “Of course not, Felix. I thought the whole pregnancy was a kind of a ruse!” Pepa snapped with a clap of thunder. “I was just going along with it just…to keep things peaceful.”

Felix’s eyebrows shot up. “Why would Isabela joke about something like that?” Isabela barely liked jokes, let alone lies so he damn well knew this was a serious matter. Not to mention, Dolores wouldn’t have miss-heard for over seven months.

“Why do you think? Sympathy? Guilt… Make us feel sorry for her?”

Felix inhaled deeply, trying to retain his cool. “Pepi…Isabela was in denial about the baby for months before it was confirmed. She may have been petrified to tell anyone. Having a child, unmarried might I add, is not a small thing, my Amor...”

“I know that now!” Pepa shook her head, trying to soothe her clouds away. “I hoped of all people, Isabela wouldn’t have actually caved to carnal desires because she’s just a little upset about what she did.”

At that, Felix stood up, genuine anger flooding his veins. “Stop with the hypocrisies, Pepa. You blame Isabela for what happened and yet you turn a blind eye to our son’s actions that could have killed her or that tiny little baby boy.” He spoke firmly, pointing a finger out to the door for his point “There’s a reason Isa got into bed with a boy and that has everything to do with that our family's failures. Take a look at Antonio’s birthday photo for the proof, my Vida.”

“Failures?” Pepa shook her head. “Our son thought he was going to die, it was self-defense!”

“Why does he think that? He chose to ignore the fact that Isa was remorseful and continued to believe she acted against Mirabel with malicious intent! I failed him in that regard Pepa. I should have done to try and see him get rid of his negative behaviors that does nothing for his benefit.” Felix admitted.

“He has the right to defend himself, Felix! He was scared!”

“That doesn’t mean it’s okay to set a jaguar onto her!” Felix argued back. “How far are you willing to condone his actions? Her death? The child’s death?”

“Stop it!”

“No, because like it or not, Pepa. He still attacked a pregnant woman in the middle of town with Antonio’s best friend. Yes, he can defend himself. I don’t disagree with you there but he had to be held accountable for the damages he inflicted.” This was no new argument, a recycling one that Pepa was hardly going to absorb when she felt she was in the right. One Felix was tired of repeating.

Again.

“I can’t just let everyone push him away.”

“We won’t abandon Camilo, Pepa. But condoning his actions means he thinks what he’s done is right and undeserving of punishment. He has no remorse…Isabela did. Can’t you see the difference here? Isabela learned and accepted her punishment.”

The flurry of wind chilled down his spine but he relaxed his posture than to let her reel off his own mood. Well, he knew in most cases now that with Camilo under punishment, it wasn’t as heavy but there was his lack of accountability that needed the work for now.

“I won’t argue about it again, I’m too exhausted to keep repeating it.” Felix shook his head, “I’m going…to finish off my present to the baby and hope Isa allows me to be around him when he’s born.”

It was a hint if anything that with Isa not living at Casita, it won’t be convenient for the family to dote over the baby, or for Isa, it allowed her to restrict those to the baby as well… he could already anticipate Camilo wasn’t going to get a glimpse but he didn’t want Pepa to be the reason she didn’t get to hold her great-nephew.

“I’ll be in my workshop if you need me, my amor.”

  -

Isabela lay against her side, idly watching her potato potter about her room with some entertainment though every part of her itched to go to Fran’s house and see Mateo. She knew she couldn’t again without raising suspicions. Her last visit had been with a visit to examine how far she had healed and now she was allowed to let the wounds breathe without it being bandaged. So, she only put on fresh dressing when she went to bed, in case she pulled the skin too much in her sleep.

Of course, the peace didn’t last for too long as a sharp knock echoed through her home. Tiredly, Isabela got up, half hoping it wasn’t important before she slowly opened the door.

“Tio Bruno?” Her voice was laced with surprise, closing the door in her Tio’s face for a moment she quickly unlatched the door chain and opened it wide. He smiled brightly as her though flipped the vision to face her.

Her eyes widened before her jaw dropped as she saw the plain image inside the emerald sheen that made her heart skip a beat. “This is him?” She couldn’t help herself but take it from his hands, nodding him in as she wandered back to the privacy of her home.

“Yes. I… wanted to make sure he was born healthy. I didn’t see the birth itself—to both of our relief’s there—but he seems to be okay. I watched him getting cleaned up and put into his cradle.”

Isa hummed, though she couldn’t help but smile next, noting all the different details she could see. “He’s so small!” If that cradle was standard at least, then he was for sure a small baby. Well, he wasn’t even giving her a baby bump so it made sense.

“Indeed,” Bruno agreed, “he’s adorable… though he does seem to frighten easily so he may be a fussy baby.”

“He’s got Mateo’s nose.” It was such a small difference, though she could see but the baby otherwise had a lot of her likeness. Clearly, she had strong genes if Mateo’s nose was all the baby got from him. Who knew, maybe the baby had his mannerisms? Personality?

“Probably…I don’t know.” Bruno shrugged, awkwardly shifting on the spot.

Isabela remained quiet for a moment, “He’s got Abuelito’s blanket… Mirabel probably made that hat…” She cooed down, tracing her finger down the little cheek, pausing over the mole the baby had on his cheek. Sure, why not. It looked very cute on his little face. It was a shame there was no colour; that would have made this…perfect. All his little details like his hair and eyes…

“I think she gave it to you for Nochebuena?”

“She did?” Her head rose; it was probably in the pile of presents she hadn’t yet touched. “Oh, I’ll open it later.”

“You didn’t open any of your presents?”

“Not all of them. Only the ones from Mirabel, you…Pa, Oh, and Tio Felix.” Isabela shrugged though she set the vision down on her lap, not quite ready to look away from her child.

It was weird to have dreaded the idea of having a child when now, she felt happy for him. Maybe it was the basis of an unhappy marriage that she had that dread most with the expectation to have children because that was what Abuela wanted, not her. She was happy with Mateo… happier to marry him before the baby was born but… god only knew when that was a possibility. Sara Marquez would certainly try and kill him again if she saw him again for his escape.

“Not even from your Ma?”

“My issues with her aren’t resolved.” Isabela’s voice turned a little stern. Sure, her mother could start being there but she didn’t want her mother’s love and care on the basis of her injury or the baby. She had relented into letting her’s mother pestering help a little and it was…nice to spend some time with her but…that was not a resolution. A step in the right direction, nothing more.

It would take time.

“She really does care for you, Isa.” Tio tried.

“Last nine months of absence won’t be cleared up with a few nice chats and presents. She started to care after I got hurt. After she found out about the baby. Until she starts to show me her care without those as a factor, maybe I’ll forgive her properly and move on.” Isabela took a deep breath, turning her eyes back down to the vision. “Give me time, Tio.”

“I understand.” His voice was…odd though he looked far more understanding than what she expected.

“You do?”

“Abuela… apologized to me about…a lot of stuff. It’d… confusing. A little out of the blue… I don’t know how honest Abuela’s being but…I think she’s starting to listen?” Bruno awkwardly sat in a spare seat. “I…told her I’d think about it. Feelings… are hard.”

Isabela chuckled softly, not disagreeing with him there. “She’s given you…45 years with of issues. It’ll take time for sure.” For her, pretty much her whole life and then the mess of the last year was what Abuela had to sort through. She was not ready for talk to her. Nine months of hell with no reprieve and she didn’t know if she could finally have the rest of her punishments dropped.

“Still, thank you for this, Tio.” Nodding down with a smile. “It’s nice. I worried he’d be…deformed with stress.”

Tio nodded, “well, I wanted to make sure as well he was healthy. While I’m…not good with babies. I don’t mind trying to baby sit when he’s chubby and eating solids.”

“That’s very specific, Tio.” Isabela chuckled.

“Means they have a layer of protection and are less fragile. All I’d need to worry about is getting banana in his mouth than stress over a bottle of milk or… have anyone go for my flat chest.”

“No babies going to go after your chest, Tio.”

“You did!”

 “When?!” Isabela flushed. She hadn’t been told this story…

“Three weeks old and your mother left me and your papa looking after you while she helped your Tia’s labor with Dolores.” Tio Bruno spoke, “You weren’t the only one. Camilo was the last one to try.”

The slight mood soured at the mention of him, her eyes turning away. “Has he been punished properly?” She asked tightly. She hadn’t really been told much but she had hoped his absence from town was a sign.

“He has…. But I don’t wanna…talk about it myself. It’s… everything that I know is secondhand.” Bruno flattened down the front of his ruana. “Don’t worry, your parents aren’t letting things slide. Your Tio isn’t either.”

Isabela lifted the vision from her lap and gently placed it down beside her. “Let me guess, Tia’s all on his defense about it?”

Bruno hesitated to answer which was enough of an answer in itself.

She rolled her eyes. “Good to know.” It certainly gave her an idea on who to avoid further… maybe avoid letting her near the baby; that belief could have killed him and she wasn’t going to allow for rewarding that belief with her child. Harsh but… she had to think of him as well.

“Oh, one thing before I go… most of the family has seen this vision. Not…Camilo or Dolores for obvious reasons. Only the adults really.” Bruno spoke nodding to the vision, “Antonio gave me his puppy eyes so… I let him see it.”

“He ran off with it?” Isa guessed.

“Yep.”

Well, at least Camilo didn’t get to see it, then it was…alright. Maybe it…wasn’t a bad thing but she could guess the other would try and get more snuggly with her. More than she was willing to accept.

Caring more for the baby, not for her. What a nice feeling….

 -

 It was light evening when Isa began to head towards down town to the Lopez’s house. It’d be good; she could leave this with Mateo to love until he decided on what he planned to do; she knew he wasn’t planning to live under a bed all day so… she had to wait and see what he wanted to do. This, she hoped would benefit him.

Her grandparents had melted and cooed at the sight of it for hours as they had dinner, Abuelito had officially gifted her the blanket and Isa had even dug out the hat from the present pile ready; to make sure she had it for him.

As she walked, she noticed a few people out and about still, the closing of a few stalls and the happy chatter, though she felt the looks and stares; more to the scars on her arm but no one came to talk to her about it.

“Isabela.”

“Oh fuck.” Isabela immediately changed from her casual walk straight to a fast pace down the street. “Leave me alone, Marquez”

“Where’s my brother? You got him stashed anywhere?”

Her name was called again but Isa ignored Sara Marquez with every fibre of her being up until she felt a harsh yank on her healing arm. There was a slit second hot flush before she realised the second half of that second that at least one of the three scars on her had reopened.

Immediately, Isabela turned and punched the woman directly in the face, cracking her in the nose with a hot spurt of blood.

“Oh you fucking bitch!” Sara roared falling back, her hands coming to her face as blood seemed to splatter down the front of her white blouse, “You broke my nose?!”

Isabela didn’t even entertain her beyond a “Don’t fucking touch me without my consent!” She hissed loudly; so people close could hear hurrying down towards Lopez’s house for another reason.

Fuck.

[moprp]

im no baby, im a big brave girl! (and big girls dont cry!)

Eyy I’m finally done! This fic is dedicated to our dearest (and my favorite) authors, @wikluk and @adabofblessings!!! Since this is for said authors, I added small easter eggs for each. If u know, then u know ;)

Summary: Following her disastrous gift ceremony, little Mirabel thinks she isn’t allowed to sleep in the nursery anymore because she had her fifth birthday and that’s when the kids leave the nursery. Since there’s no other (her own) room for her, she feels the need to leave Casita, so she packs her things and tries to do so but she’s caught by Julieta/Agustin/both of them. Read to find out ;)

Word Count: 7178

(pls view the tags, they’re at the end of the post)

Happy reading! (constructive criticism is welcome!)

...

As soon as her big and pure eyes welled up with shiny tears, Julieta practically snatched Mirabel away, swiftly taking her to the nursery as whispers emitted from the courtyard. Something unexpected had happened; her door had dissipated into nothing, leaving a confused five-year-old looking to her parents for guidance. The event had shocked the whole Encanto at that very moment, and Pepa may or may not have thundered a couple of times, Julieta didn't notice, however, as her focus was locked on her youngest and her youngest only.

People are going to talk and she knew it, all of them did. But Julieta couldn't bring herself to care, all she could bring herself to think about is her Mirabel – her sweet and precious little mariposa that deserved every ounce of happiness.

As soon as she shut the door behind them, the tears that hung in Mirabel's eyes suddenly burst out, her body wracked with sobs as she cried into the fabric of Julieta's clothes. She clenched her mami's dress like a lifeline, her tiny knuckles turning pearly white. Julieta chewed at the inside of her cheek as she held her baby close to her chest, walking over to the bed meant for toddlers.

Mirabel, being a premature baby – although it's still slightly concerning on Julieta's part – had its perks. Fortunately, one of the said perks is being able to cuddle with her mamá on a single bed because of her smaller size.

As Mirabel and Julieta curled up together on the nursery bed, muffled sounds of Alma coaxing everyone to leave could be heard as well as what could possibly be the next hurricane started brewing, the temperature dropping significantly. Soft and barely audible squeaks were heard beyond the door and por dios, who knows what kind of nonsense rumors Dolores was currently hearing. The little voices of Isabela and Luisa bombarding their papá with questions about their hermanita made Julieta's heart constrict by an inch or two.

No one had answers right now.

Not that she minded, chasing Mirabel's sadness away is her mission at the moment.

"Mami?" her raw voice broke the older woman out of her thoughts as she sniffled quietly.

"Yes, mi vida?"

"Why didn't I get a gift? Did I do something wrong? Is Abuela mad at me?"

She ignored the feeling of her lungs ceasing to function. Just the fact that her hija's mind is currently raising with such thoughts gave her an unsettling sensation in the pit of her stomach. 

"I have no idea, corazón. Your Abuela could never be mad at you, she's simply just as surprised as the rest of us are." she stroked her curly locks with her fingers, eyes never leaving her glossy ones.

"I thought maybe Abuela's angry with me and that's why I didn't get a gift."

Mirabel and transgression do not mix. How could a toddler be capable of committing a horrible mistake for the miracle to reject her? It's simply implausible, especially when she seems to have a special connection to Casita more than anyone else in the family.

"You did nothing wrong, amor. You did everything you were told. Your papi, Isa, Lulu, and I are so proud of you for being brave out there." she booped Mirabel on the nose, making her tears momentarily halt as she gave a small smile.

Good.

She's still smiling despite the circumstances.

"I was?"

"Sí, mi vida, you were mi valiente bebé!" she gave her daughter a tight hug, driving out some giggles from the toddler.

"I'm no baby, mamá! I was a big brave girl out there!"

"Ay mi vida, bebé or not, you're still our brave little mariposa." she attacked the young girl with smooches to the face, eliciting loud and hearty squeals.

Julieta internally smiled wide as Mirabel stopped crying, her focus was now on her dress, tiny fingers tracing every detail of embroidery on her clothes. She had always been interested in these kinds of things, the healer couldn't help but wonder if her youngest would grow up to be a tailor, just like her papi. Once Mirabel began dumping her mamá with questions about yarn and such, she released a breath she didn't know she held. Her hija was here, she was fine. She was able to chase the sadness away this time.

The failed gift ceremony would awaken something else within the family, she knew. Based on mamá's reaction alone, it had already started. The way her warm expression flashed multiple emotions in such a short duration could make anyone who had witnessed it stutter. Warmth, confusion, horror, stone-cold, professional, it was almost terrifying. She kept her gaze on Mirabel and wished the stars that she wouldn't be faced with any more burdens. She may have dodged the burdens of having a gift, but she knows it won't stop there. This time, she’ll be forced to carry the heavy weights of being giftless.

All alone too.

Because she is the first. The first to be centered in an unimaginable light. She's the only Madrigal who was born into the family only to not receive a blessing from the candle. Had the candle deemed her unworthy? Did they simply have to retry the whole ceremony to get a gift? Or did the candle truly just have other plans for Mirabel?

Too many questions and none to be answered, sadly.

"Mira?"

"Yes, mami?" she looked up to her madre, an innocent glow in her eyes.

"Promise me you'll be my strong amor. Stand tall and be proud of who you are, be brave no matter what happens. Because gift or no gift, you're just as special as anyone else in this family. Do you understand?"

Mirabel smiled brightly, the twinkling of her irises unfading at the newfound strength. "Of course mami, I promise!" she held up her pinky and Julieta followed as their fingers curled against one another. "I pinky promise!"

Her heart swelled with affection and she couldn't hold back the maternal instinct that flooded her entire being at that moment. For the millionth time today, she showered Mirabel with kisses as she squirmed. "Bien. ¡Ay, te amo mi cosa linda!" she exclaimed between the spray of smooches.

The toddler's squirms died down as soon as Julieta hummed her a soothing lullaby. She'd always favored this tune, even when she was an unborn baby living in her womb. She recalled Mirabel was a restless baby, always making her mamá's heart flutter with each movement she made. Whenever she heard the voice of someone she liked, she'd kick and maneuver with double enthusiasm. Once, Agustín had been talking to a very awake Mirabel as Julieta lay resting on the bed, listening to the conversation her esposo started with the baby about how chocolate is created. Out of nowhere, Mirabel unknowingly kicked Julieta's spine and had her bedridden for a good week, but her hija didn't need to know that. She followed her soft singing with gentle strokes on her back, hoping to ease any remaining traces of pain her mariposa was feeling.

As if on cue, the door to the nursery echoed with a soft knock, followed by a creek. Agustín peaked his head in the small crack, followed by Isabela and Luisa. "Hey mis amores, are we interrupting anything?"

Mirabel perked up, eyes wide and clear with excitement. "Papi! Isa! Lu!" she gently released herself from her mother's grasp before speeding to the door, letting all three of them in.

He chuckled as he watched all of his hijas hold each other in tight hugs, their chubby cheeks colliding together from the side. "I'll take that as a no." he ruffled Mirabel's hair as she giggled. "Doing good, Miraboo?"

"Yes, Papá!" She moved to hug his legs and was surrounded by her sisters in a second. She let go and faced them, only to bring them both into another embrace. The sweet display warmed the parent's hearts, possibly faster than some of Pepa's mood swings. Julieta stood up and regarded Agustín, hand automatically reaching in to hold his big and warm one as they looked at the scene before them.

"We were worried about you, Mira." Isabela quietly admitted and with a wave of her hand, she created Mirabel's favorite flower as she tucked it between her brown strands.

"Yeah, I thought something bad happened. I was ready to fight for you!" Luisa said, pulling her little sister off her feet and setting her on her shoulders while securely holding her thighs, making Mirabel shine bright and squeal in surprise.

"I'm okay, hermanas. Mami said I was a big brave girl out there!" she said with as much smugness she could muster. She glanced at her mother with a smile before diverting her attention back to her sisters.

"Mami said I'm brave too, you know." Isabela piped in with a playful roll of her eyes.

"Uh-huh, were you brave when you found an ant living in one of your flowers?"

"Hey! At least I didn't scream as loud as Luisa did when a butterfly landed on her finger!" she retorted.

"I want no part in this conversation." Luisa inquired with raised eyebrows.

"You don't like butterflies, Luisa? You make me sad." she feigned offense.

As the light-hearted conversation turned into some ordinary sibling bickering, Julieta instinctively squeezed Agustín's hand tighter as the latter reciprocated the action. She hoped this bond between their girls wouldn't change despite the events earlier.

At some point in the night, the girls had somehow squeezed themselves into Mirabel's bed without one of them falling off as they drifted into a peaceful slumber together.

Julieta looked on, her tilted head slightly; she couldn't help the toothy grin and contented sigh that slipped out.

Agustín bumped her hip with his. "We raised tres niñas pequeñas properly, didn't we?"

She hummed in response, her eyes never leaving the relaxed expressions of their daughters. He's right; Isabela, despite sealing herself off ever since her gift ceremony, is still the same bebé they had held in their arms after her birth, always so thoughtful and sweet. And Luisa, oh their adorable niña. She'd had unfortunately taken her overworking habit after her madre, though that didn't stop her from being equally loving and caring to everyone. Lastly, Mirabel. Ay, this child, such a young soul, and yet she's already gone through too much for her age. But even after being rejected by the candle, she kept a brave face. The way Mirabel's eyes welled up with tears as she looked longingly at her parents. The way none of those tears spilled until she was alone and in her mother's arms is a sight Julieta wouldn't forget anytime soon. The image will be permanently drilled into Julieta's skull, as well as Agustín's, despite his absence during the first half of their little get-away circle in the nursery.

It was getting rather late, however, Agustín didn't want to have to leave their side, especially not so soon after what had happened. It seemed like Julieta read his mind, for she felt the same, the idea of leaving her niñas right now could fall down a well, for all she cared. Suddenly, an idea popped up in her head and she glanced around the room.

"Casita?" the wooden floor flipped in response.

"Could you fetch me a double mattress, pillows, and a blanket por favor?” Julieta asked, “We would like to sleep here for the evening."

And just like that, with another flip of the wooden floorboards, a mattress came into frame, along with the pillows and blankets she'd asked for. Considering everything had come from under the floorboards, Julieta was utterly surprised when she noticed that none of the items were dusty or molded. Their magical casa truly works wonders, as her mamá said.

She smiled and patted the wall, hoping to convey the message that she was grateful. "Gracias, Casita." The house repeated its earlier actions, but this time, it bounced a roll of blue yarn up and down in response to Julieta.

They both settled down, pulling one another close as they pondered today's happenings. Today had been hectic indeed, from making sure the food and decorations were well-prepared, to fretting over Mirabel, the parents were expecting a perfect day, but today was far from perfect. Instead, they got themselves a bittersweet day.

They weren't blind to the misery of the Madrigals, no. They could see it in themselves, but also others. The way Pepa would walk around with a looming cloud threatening to spill water, almost like her own tears. The way Félix would follow his esposo around to bring comfort and whisper sweet nothings to her ear. The way Dolores winces when someone claps or shouts, hell, she even approached Julieta to ask for something that'd make her sensory overload fade. Camilo is still in the early stages of being a Madrigal, eventually, he will have a crisis too, despite their dismay about it. The way Bruno would shy away from basically anyone in fear of being called ‘Bad Luck Bruno’ like the town claims him to be. The way Isabela looks to her Abuela for approval, when, in fact, she doesn't need it. And finally, the way Luisa could never just say no. Behind closed doors, the miracle is both a blessing and a curse. It's tied to every Madrigal, unfortunately.

"I'm scared for her, Agustín. I'm afraid of what she might experience just because she's different."

"Lo sé, me too. All we can do is be there for her, amor." he ran his long fingers through her thick and curly hair as she stifled a yawn. This, however, did not go unnoticed by Agustín. "Sleep now, corazón, you need energy for tomorrow, we'll take it one day at a time."

Right, one day at a time.

~~~~

As Mirabel opened her eyes, she noticed one figure cuddled up next to her, Isabela. She knew based on the flower scent and the soft snoring alone, though as she looked to her left, she frowned once she noticed Luisa was gone.

Ay Lulu, Mirabel figured she was probably already in town overworking herself and as she slowly sat up, she climbed off the bed, careful not to accidentally hit Isabela and wake her up. She took her green glasses and gingerly put them on, watching as the world around her sharpened. Only then had she realized that next to the bed was a huge mattress where her papi slept alone, snoring softly against the pillows. Her mamá was nowhere to be seen, probably already in the kitchen cooking breakfast for the family. Her insides jumped with glee at the idea of getting to spend the morning with her mami, despite it practically being a personal ritual for the pair. Everyday since she could walk, Mirabel would wander into the kitchen and babble to Julieta nonstop until the food was fully prepared. Today was no different as she quietly exited the nursery and silently walked down the stairs, intending to surprise her madre as soon as she entered the kitchen.

However, instead of the soothing sounds of chopping and light sizzling, the voices of Abuela and her mamá were heard and none of them sounded happy.

Mirabel knew eavesdropping isn't good, in fact, she was about to turn around and give them some privacy when she heard her name in the conversation. Why are they talking about her? Is it because of her ceremony? But as people say, curiosity killed the cat, she couldn't help but listen in.

"Mija, have you perhaps talked to Mirabel about redoing the ceremony? She was originally supposed to get her gift, however, it failed." Abuela said, her voice laced with worry.

"What are you implying, mamá? That Mirabel isn't perfect without a gift? She'll do completely fine without one." Woah, she wasn't expecting her Mamá to have such a thick and aggressive tone in contrast to her usual voice, which was the exact opposite; soft and comforting. If her mama sounds upset, it must be bad.

"That's not what I meant, Julieta. I asked because the nursery is meant for Madrigals before their ceremony, not afterward. Shouldn't she have her own room instead of the nursery?" Abuela tried again, though Julieta was having none of it.

"Nothing's wrong with mi hija staying in the nursery, we can decorate it according to her desires" she said sharply as sounds of something being swiftly chopped made itself audible to her ears.

"Julieta, I know our magic is strong. It wouldn't just reject Mirabel so easily."

Julieta sighed, she seemed to want to bite back with something else, but held her tongue instead, almost as if she sensed another presence listening in on their conversation.

"Mamá..."

"We have to redo the ceremony, mija. I've asked Bruno for a vision. He still hasn't come up with something, so it's better to act now, just in case."

"No Mamá, I will not have my Mirabel do it again."

"What if it works this time?"

The healer said nothing. Yes, normally she'd let things slide when it comes to her madre, however today, she had hit a sore spot that made Julieta jump into action with zero hesitation. Mirabel wondered what could've been so sore about redoing the whole ceremony. Abuela was right, there's a chance it would work the second time! But since she'd eavesdropped, she could only wait for one of the adults to approach her with the idea to avoid being outed for listening in on someone else's conversation.

Then, it dawned on her: big girls don't sleep in nurseries after their ceremony, that's when they sleep in their new room.

But since she hadn't gotten her new room, where would she stay? Her mami and papi's room seemed the most appealing, although she couldn't bring herself to burden her parents. Besides, she's a big brave girl that can take on anything, as her mamá had said! Being brave meant keeping your burdens to yourself, and so, she did. She'd find a way around the issue eventually, for her familia.

What broke her out of her little daydream were heavy footsteps approaching the main area of the casa. She scurried away from the kitchen, ducking behind a giant vase that towers over her. She peeked around the corner just in time to see Abuela muttering a prayer of some sort while walking up the stairs, shutting the door behind her. Once she knew the coast was clear, she hurried to her mamá and greeted her with a warm smile.

"Buenos días, mamá!" she hugged her legs from behind, earning a soft chuckle from the older woman.

"Buenos días, mi amor. Did you rest well?" she watched as the five-year-old carefully climbed on the stool provided next to her.

"Sí, papi and Isa were snoring," Mirabel said with a fake pout, Julieta couldn't help the sudden urge to pinch her chubby cheeks. As expected, Mirabel grimaced and attempted to wrestle out of her mother's grasp to no avail.

"Don't let Isa catch you saying that."

"I'm not scared of a few cacti and a flower punch to the face, mami!"

At that, the healer momentarily paused before resuming her task of cutting vegetables and laughing lightly. "Ay Mira, do you think more gray hairs would do your mamá any good?"

Mirabel vigorously shook her head and gave an innocent smile as she watched Julieta continue with her work with a contemplative look on her face.

"Why don't you wake the rest of the familia up? Breakfast is almost ready."

With a quick sí mamá and a peck on the cheek, Mirabel rushed out of the room to fulfill her newfound task. She slowly trotted up the stairs and scanned her surroundings. Taking in the exchange between Abuela and her mami from earlier, it did make sense to her. If not the nursery, then where would she sleep tonight? She pondered her options: mami and papi's room is the most appealing idea, but she's a brave girl! And brave girls don't sleep in their parent's room. Isabela's room? No, it smelled of too many flower scents, it was almost nauseating and Mirabel wouldn't be able to handle it for long. Luisa's? Maybe. Based on the four times she had been in her hermana's room, she knows there's a huge pile of stuffed animals that resides in one of the corners. She could use that as a bed, although her room is known to be cold during the evening and slightly damp in the wee hours of the morning, and her mamá would fret over her if she catches something as small as a cold, so maybe not. Camilo's room? Too many mirrors, it's enough to give anybody a headache. She wonders how her primo manages to stay in his room without his head spinning. Dolores' room? Too soundproof. Besides, Dolores' room is her safe haven where no noise could be heard, so having a sleepover with her prima would be a nuisance. Tia Pepa and Tio Félix? If Mirabel has been observing them correctly, there hasn't been a day where her Tia Pepa hasn't drizzled at least once. The idea of wet clothing at some point in the night made Mirabel quickly throw the thought away. Anyways, she wouldn't want to be a witness to something possibly gross, especially when Tia and Tio seem to always be making those goo-goo eyes at each other. She grimaced and moved on to the other options. Tio Bruno's room is full of sand and stone, her little feet wouldn't be able to take walking up and down for meals and chores. Abuela's room is naturally off-limits, so scratch that.

Huh.

She frowned once she noticed the options weren't in her favor. If not inside their Casita, then...

She'd sleep outside! Where? Maybe in Señora Guzman's place. Wait no, if she went to anybody from town and asked to have a little sleepover with them, someone in the family would know about her top-secret plan and she couldn't risk her cover being blown, so she quickly erased the woman from the picture.

In the forest? Yes! She remembered the countless camping stories from her papá that the outside world of the Encanto was beautiful, full of plant and animal life, not to mention the number of butterflies and animal species that have yet to be discovered! The comfortable grass and giant banana leaves would do as bedding, she'd just have to bring a blanket and a lamp to scare off any predators. She could be resourceful with what she had!

Forest it is, then.

With her mind set on her big girl plans, she spent the rest of the day contemplating the best way to execute her plan flawlessly. From picking out the bag she'd use, to the amount of food she'd have to steal as midnight snacks (she internally apologized to her mamá for the sin she was about to commit), to how many stuffed toys she'd bring with her. It's just one night though, she'd come back in the morning with gifts for her familia!

Evening rolled around and greeted them with a cold breeze through the dimly-lit casa. Mirabel snuck out of dinner as soon as she devoured all her food and stayed in her room, the next step to her plan calls!

The whole day, she'd held her tongue, knowing if she did as much as mutter it, Dolores would hear her and tell everyone. Big brave girls don’t let their top secrets be known to others! In her mind, the plan was perfect. However, if anyone else from the Madrigal family found out – excluding Julieta, she'll probably go into a frenzy – they would shoot her worried glances and whisper to one another because, in the eyes of others, this plan is less than ideal. Worried glances and brave girls don't mix, in Mirabel's vocabulary.

~~~~

Mother's intuition, they say.

Julieta attempted to shake off the growing uncomfortable feeling in her stomach as she rinsed the dishes clean, her sleeves rolled up and several hair strands escaping her loose bun.

Something seems off about Mirabel.

The way Mirabel had acted today was incredibly suspicious; very unlike her. As she was preparing breakfast, the way her brows scrunched together in deep thought for a good 10 minutes caused her to frown slightly. Usually, her little mariposa would be talking about nothing in particular, each passing minute with no brakes. Every moment with her is never silent, especially for more than five minutes. Even the way she walked up the stairs seemed unusual. Her steps were slow and faint, very brow-raising for her normally bright and loud self, typically running up the stairs in fits of giggles – cackles even.

Once dinner had rolled around, instead of dishing up right after the prayer, she focused her attention on her youngest, who sat directly across the table with Camilo to her right, and Luisa to her left. As the rest of the family took their fair share of the meal (except Camilo, since 7 arepas had already been stacked on his plate), Mirabel's eyes locked with hers. Her eyes held fear for a split before being replaced with the brightest of smiles. Julieta returned a warm grin, taking a personal note to check in with her hija later in the evening. In all her years of living, she could tell the difference between a genuine smile and a masked smile. Hell, her eldest and middle child have been wearing it ever since their ceremonies. Mirabel's was uncharacteristically incomplete, lacking the glimmering effect in her eyes that's present each time she shows her baby teeth.

She did find it somewhat comforting to watch Mirabel gobble up all of her food, like a hungry wolf that hadn't eaten in days, ever so slightly muttering a gracias mama.

At least her appetite is favorable. It's only been a day since the failed gift ceremony, and that, without a doubt, drained Mirabel out. Maybe she's just imagining things, she'd have more time to observe other changes in the days to follow.

Healing the pain on the inside is her ideal wish, even if it sounds like such a pipe dream. If only her gift worked in her favor, allowing her to heal literally anything then she wouldn't have to worry much, wouldn't have a bunch of gray hairs at the unripe age of forty.

Actually, that's a lie, Agustín would probably force all her hair to go white before she even hits sixty, with all his accident-proneness.

She completed the dishes and wiped her hands on her apron, more than ready to head upstairs and give out smooches to her bebés. As if summoned, slender arms snaked around her waist, locking her in place as the scent of someone familiar entered her nostrils.

"Good evening, mi amor." he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, nuzzling her hair and inhaling the unmistakable smell of herbs.

"Hello, to you too, mi vida." she chuckled and cupped the side of his face.

He hummed as they remained still for a while, sulking in the comfortable silence that befell them. Taking in the state of his wife; her hair is messier than usual, forehead lines are more defined, and her eyes look distant as if her head is far, far away. Somehow, an unspoken language was heard on his end.

"You're concerned," he concluded, "What about?"

She released a shaky sigh. "It's Mirabel. Something seems... off about her since this morning, I'm confused as to what it is." Agustín hummed, he seems to have the same thought, at least she knows it isn't all in her head. "If she had caught infection, it would've been healed since breakfast and lunch, but she still seems quiet. I can't wrap my finger around it, Tíno."

"You're right about that, Juli.""Have you checked on her?"

"Not yet, I thought I should get my wrist healed before doing so." With that, Julieta whipped her head around only to be greeted with her husband's beat-up sight. His hair was ruffled, his head bruised in some areas and just like his description, his wrist was broken and swelling red, she'd been so caught up in her thinking that she hadn't even noticed the limp hand dangling around her waist! "Mirabel wouldn't want to see her papá in such a state."

"Ay, Agustín." Exasperated, she snatched a hidden supply of arepas from her apron and shoved it into his mouth, patting him on the cheek like she always does. With a gracias corazón, she spoke again. "What happened to you?"

He gave her a sheepish grin. "I slammed face-first into a wall."

"How did that break your wrist?" she sputtered at the absurdity.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

She raised her hands in the air and turned, walking to the kitchen door. Agustín internally cursed at the loss of contact from his esposo. "I'm going to check on her."

She took a step, two–

"I'm coming with y – ACK!" he tripped over – literally nothing in particular, just the air – and landed with a hard thud on the concrete floor.

She turned and sighed, hands on her hips. It's not even 10 in the evening yet he's gotten into 6 accidents tonight. Walking over to his frame, she assisted him in standing upright, not even bothering to see his injuries over. She handed him another snack before taking him by the hand, anything to ensure this silly man doesn't get himself hurt again, and shutting the kitchen lights off.

Ay.

Unexpectedly, the tiles under their feet began to shuffle as Casita ushered them out of the kitchen faster. The casa seemed determined to complete its mission, so she didn't protest. Instead, she made sure her esposo wouldn't fall flat on his face again as they glided across the floor.

"Casita?"

~~~~

In the five years Mirabel has been living in Casita, wrestling with the house isn't one of the things she ever thought of doing over a packing session. At least her prima had already turned in for the night, so she didn't have to worry about being heard as she caused a ruckus in the nursery.

"Casita, I'm about to go on a trip tonight. Help me out!" she huffed when the house bounced her back on her bed, hiding the items she'd been secretly planning to take with her.

Her bedro–the nursery is currently in such a messy state, clothes strewn everywhere rooting from her–the dresser, tiny shoes scattered and missing pairs, her blankets hanging atop some of the tall furniture to keep her from leaving.

"Casita, this is for the best! I'll return tomorrow morning and the days to come will be filled with surprises for mi familia! That way, everyone will be happy with me again.

"The house responded by moving the windowsill disapprovingly.

Mirabel bit her lip as she thought of ways to convince the casa to set her free.

Camilo!

Even before his ceremony, he's got one of the best convincing skills out of everyone in the whole Encanto! She remembered the way he'd showcase his adorable puppy eyes at Tia Pepa, scrunching his brows and pouting, resulting in him getting his way, or when he'd use his words to manipulate her mamá into giving him another serving of his favorite food.

Tia Julieta, would you want your sobrino to go hungry? I'm a growing boy with growing needs!

To which her mamá would respond with a just one, don't tell your mamá then she'd ruffle his hair and send him off as if nothing had ever happened. Maybe, just maybe, it'd work with their live casa too.

"You wouldn't want me breaking the rules, would you? The nursery is for babies, and I'm no baby! I'm a big girl who can handle herself, especially after my gift ceremony.

"Another low shuffle, but this time, of the floorboards.

"Abuela said I can't sleep here anymore. Shouldn't we follow her orders?" She tried her best to impersonate Camilo's cutesy eyes at the house, internally crossing her fingers that it'd be enough to convince the house.A beat of silence.

Before she knew it, her bags were being pushed out from the walls and set neatly at her feet with everything she had packed inside. She smiled wide and kissed the wall. "Gracias Casita!"

It actually worked.

She made a mental note to use this method whenever she wanted to play with Isabela or Luisa, or if she wanted her papá to continue with another song on the piano, if she wanted her Tia Pepa to make another rainbow or if–She shook the distracting thoughts off. Focus is what she needs! Focus!

The house, although incredibly reluctant, responded with another shift of the wooden floor as Mirabel carried on with her packing. She wouldn't need much, just the necessities for one night. Blankets, socks, a small pillow, extra clothes, and of course, her butterfly stuffed animal. All she needed now were healing snacks. Of course, finding them wouldn't be a problem. The only issue is that her mamá is known for staying in the kitchen to clean up and prepare for the next day, even late in the evening. Dodging her will be a challenge, knowing her mami would freak out if she ever got caught and found something suspicious in her mannerisms.

Her eyes gleamed when a small hatch in the wall opened, revealing a little box neatly packed with arepas and jugged milk. "Gracias!" she squealed, before shoving said box into her bag.

Now, all she had to do was ensure nobody was outside, and slip outside the front doors. Easy.

Is this considered running away? Well, maybe. But it’s different because she’s coming back! Besides, she's doing it for a good reason! Abuela had a point; Madrigal children aren't supposed to stay in the nursery after their ceremony. Sadly, getting a darn gift was the only way to make her Abuela proud, and yet it had failed, she had failed in making her familia proud. Yes, she's a little terrified of leaving at night, especially when her mamá repeated to her time and time again not to, since that's when mosquitoes are most active and she might get bitten by a bug carrying some sort of disease. But this little camping trip could be another way to make them happy after the public humiliation they had faced during her ceremony, to fulfill her promise to her mami of being a strong and brave girl! She inhaled deeply.

For la familia Madrigal.

With that, she ever so gently creaked the door open and peaked left, then right.

Clear.

No sounds were heard, except the loud echoing of crickets around the house. Shutting the door behind her, she camouflaged herself with the teal and lavender flowers Isabela had grown a while back, looking down into the courtyard for any figure to avoid. It was dark, only being lit by a handful of candles in the corner along with the welcoming moonlight. It was on moments like these when she'd thank her mami for giving birth to her early because that resulted in her small size. If not through vision, the only way to spot Mirabel is through sound, easy enough. Casita moved some tiles as if to tell her to be careful.

"I'll be okay, Casita. I'm a big girl now," she whispered as she quietly slipped down the stairs, mindful as to not make a peep despite the coast being clear. She's super close, she can't mess up now! Not after her huge mistake the previous night.

Finally, finally, she reached the front door. Her ears ringing with bells, she thought about what the next morning would bring. This is it, when she comes back the next morning, her family will be here to greet her and cheer for her bravery. Tomorrow, she'd be given a tight hug from everyone with proud faces instead of concerned and anxious ones. She can already feel the sweet taste of victory coursing through her veins, giving her a giant sense of control. She wasn't able to control herself during her ceremony, but now, with this big decision, she's able to! With her slowly widening smile, she reached for the golden doorknob and felt a rush of déjà vu, like when she touched her doorknob. The single action that could've given her a gift, if done right.

"What do you think you're doing, young lady?"

~~~~

Gripping her now healed husband's hand with great determination to prevent him from tripping, they exited the kitchen as the tiles underneath suddenly came to a halt at the side of the courtyard.

It's either her eyes were playing tricks on her or she's just incredibly exhausted, either way, she's pretty certain that a ball of curly brown hair appeared in her peripheral vision to her left for a short moment.

She craned her head in the direction of where she thought the weird encounter was and froze, squeezing – maybe even breaking – his hand as she clutched him tight. Agustín thankfully didn't react and seemed to sense her instant rigidness.

"Amor?" he softly called out to her, his facial features writing concerned and matching her vibe as he turned to what she had her gaze on.

Then, he saw it.

Their five-year-old hija carrying a bag half her size and reaching for the door. On any day, this wouldn't seem irregular, mainly because their little Mirabel loved playing outside and chasing mariposas with some snacks from Julieta. The sight would never stop melting their hearts. Still, it doesn't change the fact that everyone in the family has a curfew. Nobody is allowed to leave their casa after dinner, to avoid wild animals and diseases being transmitted. But seeing Mirabel slowly turn the knob – with no lamp to scare off possible predators – snapped them out of their little awe-struck moment, Julieta was the first one to recover.

Putting her hands on her hips, she channeled her rarely-used inner strict voice and spoke. "What do you think you're doing, young lady?"

Mirabel jumped, turning in their direction in an instant and accidentally dropping her bag. The piece of fabric hit the tiles with a soft thud as the well-packed food escaped the folds, exposing the other items within her sack. Their eyes traveled over Mirabel, then to the scattered things on the floor, then back at her. Piecing together what could be their worst nightmare.

Mirabel? Running away?

Agustín almost choked up at the mere thought and without even looking over, he could tell Julieta was willing herself not to cry.

They understood now that she had been trying to get away, to somehow correct the non-existent mistakes she made during her ceremony, the regret creeping in like snakes slowly slithering behind their prey. It further confirmed their suspicions when a box with Julieta's specially baked food slipped out, revealing the additional goods stuffed inside the sack Mirabel was carrying. The items that she’d bring to her dangerous voyage outside and at night.

As they stood frozen in silence, Julieta was the first to break it, transitioning from a strict mami to a comforting mami. She ran over to Mirabel and enveloped her in a tight embrace as Agustín joined them in a millisecond. "Ay, mi vida, you don't have to leave just because you're different."

That seemed to hit a sensitive spot, as Mirabel collapsed into their warm arms, her sobs muffled by Julieta's thick apron. "I'm s-sorry m-mamá, papá. I thought I w-was making you p-proud." she heaved and shook, clutching onto both of their clothes.

"Mira, we're already proud of you. You have nothing to prove." Julieta held her in a death grip, hoping she wouldn’t accidentally crush her mariposa.

"But Abuela said that I shouldn't sleep in the nursery anymore because I'm a big girl and I already had my ceremony and that I should sleep somewhere else and you said I was brave so I thought I could sleep outside to be your big brave girl!" she practically rapped and sobbed, dropping the forgotten bag on the floor.

Ah, so she had heard.

"Mi amor, listen to me." Julieta pulled back and stared straight into Mirabel's puffy red eyes as Agustín remained unmoving, still clutching her despite the shift in motion. "Being brave – which you already are –" she emphasized her point by lightly tapping her nose, earning the smallest of smiles. "doesn't mean running away and endangering yourself. We don't do those two things, okay?" a nod. "Not everything your Abuela says is right, she's human too, she has moments where she's wrong. Venturing into the wilderness to search for your own room isn't a good idea, corazón. Since you didn't receive your own room, the nursery is all yours. Do you understand?"

Mirabel looked up at her from under her eyelashes as her lower lip wobbled again, water gathering at her eyes once more. "Lo s-siento." she dove back into both her parent's loving embrace and let all the emotions pour out, all the stress, all the pent-up emotions in just one day.

She's got a long road ahead.

"Está bien, mi bebé. Don't cry."

~~~~

As they tucked in for the night, Julieta glanced over to her right, where Mirabel had been asleep on the nursery bed for a good duration, snoring ever so slightly. Ay, the snoring from all her babies is definitely something they took after her esposo, without a doubt. But she wouldn’t change that for the world; she adores all of them equally. She thought about today's events and smiled once her hijas question echoed in her head again.

Can you sleep with me again, mamá y papá?

To which they agreed without a second thought. Another sleepover with one of their hijas? They wouldn't miss it for anything.

"What's your mamá going to think once she finds out you gave Miraboo full ownership of the nursery?"

"What is she going to do? Kick Mirabel out? She isn't that heartless, mi vida."

He let out a laugh. "You did it, Juli. You didn't even need my help when talking to our mariposa back there." Agustín held her hand from under the sheets, meeting her eyes with a soft smile before gently meeting her lips.

She smirked. "It was mother's intuition."

"Hey! What about father's intuition? I was the one that forced you to leave the kitchen just in time to catch Mirabel."

"Did you trip on purpose just to guide me out of the kitchen?" she looked appalled, her brows raised.

He gave a light-hearted chuckle. "Well, yes. It's what I've been doing since we got married. Besides, Casita indirectly helped me out too!"

"You're banned from setting foot in my kitchen, including my bedroom.”

Which is ironic. Julieta's room is basically a personal kitchen with extra comfortable furniture.

One, two, three-

"Amor, your room doesn't count!"

Ay Agustín.

...

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