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Today was Mirabel's 15th birthday.
She woke up in a good mood, happily knocking on the doors, ignoring the strange looks she got when she skipped down the hall happily to the dining room.
As they were breakfasting, Mirabel was a bit confused. No one had said happy birthday...or...even mentioned her birthday.
Strange.
"Maybe they're planning a surprise!" She thought to herself. "Yeah, a surprise party."
As she went about the house doing menial tasks, she thought maybe she could get some info off of her family.
She grabbed her bag and ran into town, off to find her Mama.
"Hola mama!" She smiled at the older woman, her smiling back.
"Hola Mirabel," Julieta said, passing a couple of empanadas to the carpenter, who had broken his finger with the hammer again. "What brings you here?"
"Oh nothing, I was gonna ask you, are you baking any...cakes today?" Mirabel smiled.
"Uh, no niña," she laughed slightly, "not that I know of." Julieta turned her back from Mirabel, passing out more food. "I-I'm a bit busy, how about we talk a bit later?"
Mirabel's smiling face faltered a bit, but she quickly bounced back. "Ok! I'll see you a bit later!" She said, hopping off to find Isabela.
"Maybe she's trying to hide it from me, I'll see it later tonight!" She thought as she came up to her eldest sister.
"Hola...Isabela," She said, a bit of fault in her voice.
Isabela made a bouquet for a man about to go on a date. She looked at Mirabel, looking her up and down. "...Mirabel," She muttered, animosity present.
"So...are you doing any special arrangements today?" Mirabel asked, ignoring her tone.
Isabela scoffed. "No. Not that it concerns you. Why don't you go...'help' somewhere else. I'm sure someone could use your...whatever it is you do," She flipped her hair, pink and purple flowers hitting Mirabel in the face.
Mirabel huffed. She expected this. Turning on her heel, she went to go find Luisa.
"She's just a bit busy. If I'm lucky, I might get a bouquet!" She thought.
Luisa came into view, picking up donkeys.
Again.
"Hola Luisa!" Mirabel waved, following her second oldest sister.
"Hola, Mirabel," Luisa said, not letting herself stop picking up donkeys.
"Um...so do know anything...I don't know...special going on at Casita today?" Mirabel asked, following her sister.
"No," Luisa said. Just as she was about to ask why, another villager called for her. "Can we continue this later? I gotta go." She said, jogging off.
"O--K..." Mirabel quieted down at that last part.
"Well, maybe she's waiting last minute." Mirabel thought.
Off to find Dolores then. She spotted Dolores not far away.
"Hey, Dolores, have you-" Mirabel was cut off.
"Before you ask, no. There isn't anything going on at Casita. It's just another day." Dolores stated, looking at Mirabel.
"Ah. Ok then." Mirabel said, walking off.
There was a thought, but she quickly pushed it to the back of her head.
"No way..." She thought.
After being in town for hours, she could see the sun setting. Everyone had gone back to Casita, except her.
"Oh, I need to get ready!" Mirabel quickly made her way to the house. Being greeted by the house, she looked around. No decorations...no one hiding...no food...nothing. Everything was the same.
Mirabel was about to ask Casita about it but decided against it, she didn't want to spoil the surprise.
"Mirabel, hurry up, dinner's ready!" Julieta yelled.
"Ok! Lemme wash up!" Mirabel quickly dashed to her room, giggling.
"They must be holding it outside in the courtyard!" She smiled to herself.
Pulling out a box, she opened it to show the beautiful dress she had made for the special day.
It was a blue dress, smiliar to her usually color scheme. But this was a grand dress, almost like a ballroom dress, maybe not a as wide though. It had butterflys stitched all along the skirt, and the bodice was a heartline that was slightly off the shoulder. A bow tied around her waist, finishing off the look. It's much more simple than what her hermanas or primas had, but it was hers.
As she got ready, she thought of what the party would be like.
Would there be fireworks? What kind of cake was down there? Ohhhh, was it Red Velvet? What present would she get? Her heart was beating in her chest.
She looked in the mirror, taking a deep breath in. Walking out the door, she saw no one was out their waiting for her. No escort?
Strange.
But ok.
She went through the side to the courtyard, peeking out. Nothing was set up. No cake. No decorations, no music, no familia, nothing. Just the cold breeze of the air blowing in her tied up hair.
Strange.
Maybe it's a small party in the dining room. As she caught a glimpse of the dinig room, she froze.
There was her familia sitting at the table. But...nothing was there.
No. No way. It can't be. They couldn't have forgotten. Forgotten her-
Mirabel's throat went dry and her breath hitched. Tears stung in her eyes as it hit her.
They had forgotten her 15th birthday. Her quinceanera. They had forgot.
"Mirabel?" Julieta called again. "Are you coming down?"
Mirabel was snatched out of her own head as she heard her mother call.
"N...No mama! I'm not very hungry, I don't feel well." Mirabel said, voice starting to crack.
"If you don't feel well, you should eat!" She said.
A harsh whispered hushed her.
"No, I don't think...I'll just turn in for the night." Mirabel said, her last word a quiet sob.
"Alright! I'll leave you a plate on the counter!" Julieta yelled.
Mirabel quickly made her way back to the room, stifling sobs. She flung herself onto her bed, not bothering to take her dress off or take down her hair.
She cried into her pillow, thoughts rushing through her head as she sniffled and cried. Tears just kept coming and coming, never seeming to stop. Casita clicked its tiles.
Mirabel turned her head from the pillow, tears still flowing.
"It's ok Casita...I'm sure they were just really busy." She said, breaking down again at the last few words. "Who am I kidding? They forgot Casita...They forgot my birthday. I thought..." She put her face in her hands as Casita moved the shutters.
A squeak came for the dresser. Mirabel looked up and saw a rat.
"Huh?" She hiccuped.
The rat took her bracelet from the dresser, the one she got for her 10th birthday, and it dashed out of the slightly cracked door.
"H-Hey! Give that back!" She said, running after it.
The rat ran, and as she rounded the corner, she caught another glimpse of the dining room. Her family laughing, talking, without her. They didn't even give her a second thought.
But she had no time to cry over that, her bracelet was on the loose! The rat skittered up a plant and into a painting.
Wait. Into a painting? That shouldn't be possible. Mirabel stopped running, almost out of breath. Casita opened the painting, revealing a big hole in the wall.
"Casita?" She whispered. She looked in the hole. It was the walls. She could smell the dust and musty air, slightly stuffy.
Mirabel took in a deep breath, and hopped in. Holding her dress away from the ground. She jogged through the halls, following the squeaking.
She had just finished walking across a rickety board when she saw a light down the hall. The rat went through a door.
Slowly, she walked uo to the door. She listened. Squeaking and talking could be heard. Not wanting to be rude (though she second guessed that since she was in the WALLS), she knocked. An audible yelp was let out before it was silent.
The door creaked open. Looking up slightly she saw a man. He looked oddly familiar. Wait...those hazel-green eyes...was that-
"Tío...Bruno?" Mirabel whispered.
The door opened a bit more. Bruno yanked Mirabel in.
"Knock knock knock knock knock on wood." He knocked on the door. Grabbing salt and throwing it iver his shoulder, he turned and looked at Mirabel.
"Hola, Mirabel." He uttered, giving a small smile.
Mirabel then burst into questions. "You're here? How long have you been here? I thought you left. Why-" She was interrupted.
"Shhh! You can't be too loud, we're near the dining room." Bruno hushed her. Taking a deep breath. "I...Yes, I've been here. I've been here all along. 10 years." He rubbed his hands together, slumping into his worn red chair. I left my tower, but I just couldn't leave the family. Casita lead me here. I left..." He stopped, looking away.
Mirabel walked over, bending down. "How come?" She whispered.
"I left to...to..." He sighed. "The night you...you didn't get your gift. I had a vision that you would either break, or save the family. It was weird; not set in stone; uncertain. But I knew how it was gonna look, cause I'm Bruno and everyone assumes the worst so..."
"You left...to protect me?" Mirabel said, tears welling up.
"I did it so you wouldn't be left alone. Neglected. Hated. Like me. But...that didn't work. I..." He looked down. "I failed yet another person.
Mirabel grabbed her tio's hands. "No! No, you didn't fail me. I can't imagine what you've been through, but...Well, your here now. And that's what counts. Besides...I'm glad I'm not alone today." She looked away, sitting on the floor.
Bruno looked at her sadly. "I saw...they forgot." He uttered.
Mirabel sniffled, a lump in her throat. "Yeah..." Her voiced cracked.
Bruno couldn't handle it anymore. He'd make it up to her.
He stood, and picked Mirabel up, much to her surprise. He sat her in the chair.
"Tío? What are you-" she quieted down as he rummaged around his little room.
"Where did I...Ah!" He game back with something behind his back.
Mirabel looked up at her estranged uncle. "Tío?"
Bruno held out a small wooden crown. It was carved, by what looked like a almost dull knife. It was surprisingly intricate. Little swirls and dots danced along its frame. And on the tip, was a butterfly. It looked like it was painted white, with the butterfly being yellow.
"I...Well I was saving this for later after you fell asleep. I usually give you your present when you're all asleep. But I guess nows a good time. I saw how you didn't have a crown like the others did so...I made this one." He smiled softly. "B-But you don't have to take it! I know it's bad and-"
Mirabel shot up, hugging her Tío. She tightly held onto his ruana, quiet tears spilling from her eyes. But Bruno didn't care. He only hugged back.
As she pulled back, she was smiling the biggest she had all day.
Bruno placed the tiara on her head, a (almost) perfect fit.
"Cumpleaños feliz, Mirabel." He smiled.
Mirabel felt true happiness, something she hadn't felt in a while.
"Oh! And, and-" Bruno ran over to a small basket, pulling out some kind of bread and taking a small candle.
"I don't have a cake, BUT, I do have some mojicones." He held the candle in front of Mirabel. "Make a wish sobrina!"
Mirabel's tears only intensified. She sniffled and closed her eyes. Opening them, she blew out the candle. Bruno handed her the sweet bread, and she happily ate it.
"Thank you, Tío Bruno...Really I...I couldn't have imagined a better birthday." She rubbed her eyes, trying not to cry harder. "I really do appreciate this...you're the only one who remembered. Well...you and Casita."
Bruno had his own tears prick his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, making them go unnoticed.
"One last thing." He said, walking over to an old record player. He took out an old looking one vinyl and put it in. It started playing a waltz song, it was quiet, but there. "May I have this dance? I-I'm not your father but..." He said holding his hand out.
Mirabel covered her mouth with one hand and grabbed Bruno's hand with another. They began dancing, back and forth to the song. As it came to an end, Mirabel giggled while doing a curtsy, and Bruno bowed.
"Thank you, Tío. I...I needed this tonight. Really. I'm so glad that I got my quinceanera. You and Casita are the only ones who remembered. And I just..." Her breath hitched. "I just..." Bruno frantically came over, awkwardly hovering over her shoulder and back. He finally rubbed her back, guiding her to the red chair.
"Hey...It-It's ok to be mad at them. They had no right to do that. NO ONE, a-and I mean NO ONE should have to go through that. I don't want you to go through what I had to. Never. I will always be here for you, and I will always protect you sobrina." He said.
Mirabel looked up at him, smiling. Tío Bruno was so much nicer than she had initially thought. Her familia had made his name so taboo and his stories made him out to be scary when actually, he was probably the kindest person other than her own mother.
"Now. For your last gift, you get a sneak peek at my newest episode for my telenova!" He said dramatically.
Mirabel clapped as Bruno grabbed a couple rats and set them on a "stage".
It was actually very entertaining. From what she was watching, the aunt had amnesia, and had fallen in love with her own nephew! The nephew was trying to explain to her what had happened, but she was dead set on him. And another girl who was into the nephew tried sabotaging her, but it quickly back fired!
Mirabel was watching with excitement. Seeing how happy his sobrina was, he continued on for 3 more episodes.
"But Ricardo, I...I love you!" Bruno said in a falsetto.
"It is not meant to be! I cannot..." Bruno says in a deeped voice.
He looked over at Mirabel, to catch her reaction, only to find her asleep. He smiled, and set down his little rat friends, letting them run off to wherever. He picked up his sobrina carefully, walking out of the room and down the hallway. His hood up, he hopped out of the painting. Casita was dead silent, not a peep to be heard. As he made his way to the stairs. He caught a glimpse of something in his vision.
A shiny door.
In the hall.
Next to the nursery.
He stared up at the second floor. Mirabel in his arms still. He stood still. It was real. The golden particles floating off, he could see it. He stared in awe.
Mirabel stirred, the golden light shining in her glasses and causing a glare. "Tío? What--!" She stared as well. The door caught her attention, she was wide awake now.
Bruno set her down, and they both stared. Mirabel looked at Bruno, who was looking at her as well.
"Tío Bruno...Is...Is this real?" She breathed out.
Bruno looked at the door for minute.
"Yes. It's time. You'll finally get your door!" He excitedly whispered.
Mirabel laughed lightly, not believing it.
"Casita, did you...?" Mirabel questioned.
Casita then made a light shine on her, and the tiles leading up to the door were turned red.
Bruno was quick to understand, moving out of the light.
Mirabel sat, blank. She snapped out of it as Casita clicked its tiles. She adjusted her tiara and glasses, straightened out her dress and wiped her tears. Taking a deep breath, she stepped foward.
She was shaking. What if it didn't work? She could see her tiny self walking up the stairs again.
Another step. No. This time is different.
Step. But...If it happens again...?
Step. Stop. She was breathing hard.
Bruno noticed his sobrina, frozen. He walked up to her, and took her hand.
Mirabel look at her tío. "What if it doesn't work?" She whispered.
"It will work. I promise." He whispers back.
Mirabel nodded, looking foward again.
It would work.
She walked the red path, coming up to the red path. As she went up the stairs, she squeezed her tíos hand, and he squeezed back. After what seemed to be only a moment, she was in front of the door.
She stared, remembering it disappearing like last time. The gold fading to nothing. Her family's concerned or scared looks. The whispers.
She was shaking again, her hand pausing mid air when she went to grab the knob.
Bruno turned her towards him.
"Mirabel. You can do this. This is your night, and it will not go wrong. I will make sure. Now, you open that door and get your gift!" He encouraged her.
Mirabel took in deep breaths. "I got this," she said to herself.
She was about to grab the knob, she hesitated. Reassuring herself, she grabbed it.
The light shined brightly, the brightest she'd ever seen. She watched with absolute happiness and joy as her name became etched in the top. She gasped as the illustration came into view.
It was her, eyes closed. She had butterflys, and they seemed to circle around her. The background was what looked to be the encanto, with a crack, but the butterflies covered it up, almost as if it was broken, but fixed by her.
She felt a warmth in her heart and body, was this what it was like to get a gift?
She looked at her palms, and suddenly gold butterflies were forming in them. They sprouted from her hands, swirling around her as she giggled happily, and a couple had even landed on Bruno.
"I think they like you," Mirabel laughed at her uncle.
Bruno was some on his hood and shoulders. "Yeah," he laughed, "I think they do. But you should open your door! Let's see what's in there!" Bruno ushered.
Mirabel opened the door. Inside, it was huge, maybe just a bit smaller than Isabella's room. It had a large tree in the center, from which hundreds of different kinds of butterflies were perched. In one of the branches, she could make out a bed. A big bed, with lots of pillows and blankets. Around the tree was lush green grass, that had flowers of all types, some she had never seen, not even Isabela made flowers as beautiful as this! There were what looked like small stars hanging from her ceiling, with looked like the evening sky. In another corner, Mirabel's sewing things had been placed neatly, her seeing machine on a wide desk that had plenty of work room.
"It's...It's beautiful!" She gasped.
Bruno walked in, taking in the grand room.
Mirabel ran around, her dress behind her. She kicked off her shoes and felt the soft grass tickle her feet as she ran through the large field.
"Come on Tío!" She yelled.
Bruno slipped off his sandals and set them next to the door. He walked into the grass cautiously. It was soft. The flowers gave off a gentle aroma, not super strong like the ones Isabela made. It was an amazing feeling, cozy. Like home.
They walked around, exploring the room and tree for a while. Bruno had offered to go pack Mirabel's things (because Antonio was asleep in the nursery and Bruno could be much quieter than Mirabel), and by the time he came back with all her stuff, she was changed into her night dress and was still frolicing while using her powers on broken branches.
Soon, the two sat in the grass, and talked.
"Y'know. I'm so glad I got to experience this entire night Tío." Mirabel said, head in her knees. She yawned. "Not everything they say about you is true..." She was nodding off, eyes heavy.
Bruno sighed, a smile gracing his face. "I'm glad. I would do that for any family, and you're no different." He said. Looking at the young girl, he saw she was asleep. He stood, picking her up.
As he walked to her bed, he could see the lights dim slightly and the butterflies all settled in the tree. It looks like the room adjusts to her sleeping state. He climbed the wooden stairs that were in the tree, laying her down in her bed, tucking her in. Brushing hair out of her eye he walked out of the room, slipping his sandals back on.
"Buenos noches, mi pequena mariposa." He closed the door, the soft glow of her door finally gracing him.
As he walked through the house, he had decided.
He would stand up for his sobrina, no more hiding. He hopped into the painting while holding his breath, concocting a plan.
The next morning, Mirabel had slept in, tired from the night she had last night. Because of this, the family had slept in. Even Julieta, who was usually up before her, had slept a little late, but still managed to get up and make breakfast.
She had knocked on the doors herself, calling everyone down. Everyone didn't even spare a glance at the new door.
"Where's Mirabel?" Antonio asked.
"Mirabel's a bit tired, so we're gonna let her sleep in, okay?" Juleita said.
"Ok..." Antonio moped a but, but quickly bounced back when he saw the food.
As everyone sat down, they realized the plates were in the wrong order.
"I don't sit here..." Luisa said, taking her plate to it's proper seat, everyone doing the same.
"I'm sorry mija, Mirabel usually does it." Julieta sighed. "I've decided to let her sleep in, she wasn't feeling well last night."
Just as eveyone was about to sit down, Casita pulled the chairs away, leaving them standing.
"Casita? What is the meaning of this?" Abuela asked the house.
Casita only clicked its tiles in anger, keeping the chairs even further away.
"You all should be ashamed of yourselves." A voice came from somewhere near them, one they couldn't see.
"Excuse me? Come out, this instant!" Abuela yelled.
"You'd forgotten. I didn't think you would but...but you did. And I am disgusted." They continued.
Dolores looked at the doorway, seeing a figure with a hood over their head.
"Do you remember what day it was, yesterday?" The figure spoke.
"Thursday." Camilo said nonchalantly.
Felix elbowed him.
"What?! He asked, I answered." Camilo whispered.
"Yes. And does that day...ring any...bells?" He said getting closer.
"No..." Isabela said.
"Are you sure?" He said, stopping right in front of them, less than a foot away.
Wait...that slightly raspy voice, thin frame, green ruana with hourglasses--
"Tío...Bruno?" Dolores whispered. Everyone snapped their head towards the figure as he removed his ruana.
It was Bruno. The family member that had been missing for 10 years.
"Oh, Bruno!" Julieta gasped, running to hug him. Pepa had a cloud, but she looked somewhat happy.
Bruno quickly backed away.
"I-I asked a question! Answer!" He started stuttering realizing he had been made, but there was no turning back now. "Yesterday. W-What day."
"Brunito, please, that's not important, your here! We must-" Abuela was interrupted.
"No!" Bruno yelled, surprising everyone. He was never one to raise his voice at his family or anyone, let alone his mama.
Everyone stared at him in shock, but also thought about his question. Yesterday...
Yesterday...
Mirabel...
Yesterday was Mirabel's...
It hit Julieta first.
"Díos mio..." She breathed out.
"What? What is it mija?" Abuela said, looking at her eldest.
"Yesterday," she sputtered out, tears building in her eyes. "It was Mirabel's birthday. Her 15th birthday." Julieta fell to the floor, sobbing into her eyes.
"That's right..." Luisa had a ghastly look on her face. "She had asked me if anything special was going on at Casita yesterday and I...brushed her off," Her head fell in shame, and tears felk to the floor.
"Sh-she had asked me," Julieta hiccuped. "She had asked me if I was making any cakes. And I...I..." She broke down again. Augustin rushed over to comfort her, but in all honesty, he was on the verge of tears as well.
"Oh no..." Isabela whispered.
Abuela stood in shock, the realization hitting her. Yesterday was Mirabel's 15th birthday. Abuela had seen Mirabel going around to the others, and had planned on reprimanding her about bothering them and interrupting their jobs.
Mirabel asking questions was brought up at dinner, but they had all brushed it off.
Mirabel stayed in her room, all night. Looking back, Abuela could here the lighest of sniffles.
Mirabel's day dress was on her bed, but her night dress was still put up.
Everything clicked. They had forgotten her-
"Mirabel's quinceanera." Abuela put a hand to her mouth, trying her best to keep her composure.
"Yeah. You forgot. All of you did. A-and you know what she did? She came to me. Casita guided her to me." Bruno took a deep breath. "And she cried. Cried. On what should have been one of the happiest days of her life. But I remember. I tried to give her what I could, but I know...I know that never could replace what she should have had." He said, angry present.
He gritted his teeth.
The family stared at him, faces ranging from sadness, to guilt, to shock.
"We didn't mean to, we just-" Isabela was cut off by her uncle again.
"No. You all have no excuse. It was your hermana's, prima's, mija's 15th birthday. An-and you forgot." Bruno paced the spot he was in. "But you didn't forget Isabela. Or Dolores. Or Luisa." He said, pointed at each of them, the mentioned 3 flinching.
"Bruno, we can make it up."
"Oh you better. Because I'm...I'm horrified. Even on Pepa, Julieta and I's 15th, I wasn't forgotten." Bruno stopped. He was shivering in fear, and anger.
"I left to protect Mirabel. To keep her safe. So she could feel included. But it looks like I was wrong." Casitas times clicked and clacked angrily, as if agreeing. "But you pushed her to the side for 10 years. 10 YEARS!" He yelled.
Everyone flinched at the sudden raise.
"I bet you didn't even notice her door." He mumbled.
That got everyones 100% attention.
"What? Mirabel got a door?" Camilo asked, stepping forward.
"Yeah. She did. But I'm not surprised that none of you noticed." Bruno turned, hands flopping to the side in defeat. "She only had me and Casita with her, she was shaking in fear. Fear that it would happen again. That she would be left alone again." He walked off.
The family stood in silence. They had really forgotten. Not only that, but they missed Mirabel's gift.
Abuela eventually shuffled to the door, seeing Bruno was gone.
"Bruno?" She said.
The family made their way to the courtyard.
"Look!" Luisa pointed at a door.
A new door. Bruno was right. On the door was Mirabel, butterflies surrounding her. She looked so happy. Abulea was the first to say something.
"We...we need to apologize. And make it up to her. I realize that...I've been hard on Mirabel. Even without a gift, she didn't deserve the treatment I gave her. I should have heard her out. I should have loved her more." Abuela spoke up.
Everyone agreed. They also could have done better for her. And now they would.
As they made their way up the stairs, they noticed Bruno's shoes by the door. Hesitantly, they took off their shoes, setting them next to Bruno's.
"Casita. Can you open the door please?" Julieta asked.
Casita clicked its tiles and the door slowly opened, revealing the room. The soft grass immediately seemed to calm them down, to point where Pepa's cloud was small, slightly gray. Isabela gasped at the flowers, seeing some unfamiliar ones. Everyones eyes wondered around the large room. The ceiling was sky blue, and small white clouds were peppered above them. The lights hanging from the ceiling seemed to resemble the sun, and a gentle aroma filled the room.
Butterflies that were on the tree and flew around the room surrounded them, tickling their skin and earning a few giggles.
Antonio spotted Mirabel and immediately ran over, hugging her.
Mirabel turned around to see her familia behind her. She held Antonio, who was lightly crying.
"We-we're sorry we forgot your birthday, M-Mirabel!" He said between sobs.
Mirabel flinched slightly, before softly smiling at the 4 year old.
"Oh its alright. You guys were just busy yesterday." Mirabel reasoned.
Abuela walked over to her, looking at the girl with sad eyes. "No. What we did was...unforgivable. Gift or No Gift, I should not have robbed you of such an occasion, something as special as that. I should have known something was wrong, I should have been there for you. All these years, I've looked back and...I've seen the damage I've done. I see that deep down, you were hurting, and I hadn't been there for you as I should have. You experienced something alone last night, scared. I should have walked with you, should have comforted you." Abuela looked away, staring at the tree. "But I didn't. I was selfish, cruel, even. I thought if I was different towards you, if I was...harder, you might learn." She looked into the eyes of her nieta. "But I now see that you never had anything to learn; but I did. I needed to learn how to properly love you, and appreciate all that you do for this family. I wasn't there for you then, so let me be here now." Abuela looked at Mirabel, who had tears in her eyes.
Mirabel's breathing hitched, as she searched her Abuela's eyes for some kind of lie. Some false hope. Something insincere. But she never found that. Only equally glassy, sorry, not pitiful, but truly sorry eyes. She threw herself on Abuela, who stumbled before catching her.
Mirabel cried into her grandmother's dress, heaving.
"I'm sorry, nieta. Let it out." Abuela knelt to the ground, holding Mirabel as she cried into her shoulder. The rest of the family at down and surrounded them, Bruno, Julieta, Augustin and Antonio being closest.
Bruno smiled. He was happy to see his family was finally seeing what they were doing, and were genuinely trying to fix that.
Abuela looked at Bruno, and held her arm out towards him. Bruno only stared. Abuela gestured for him to get closer, and he did. He was also pulled into her hug.
It was nice. Warm. Genuine. Motherly. Something he hadn't felt in over 3 decades. 30 long years. He wrapped his arms around his mother, leaning into her soft touch and her gently petting his curls. Everyone joined in until is was one big hug, warm. Like a true familia.
The Madrigals weren't perfect, and they never would be. A lot of damage had been done, some of it unfixable. But they know that what they can fix, they will. They are the amazing Madrigals.
Maybe they would be okay.