Chapter Text
Mirabel’s quinceñera went off without a hitch. The week leading up to the event was filled with planning, multiple ice cream excursions with Mirabel and Alma, and sudden requests for her aid with errands.
But the highlight of the preparations was finally showing Mirabel the dress.
Señora Silva had Alma blindfold Mirabel and led her to the back, where the complete dress was on the dummy. The seamstress has spent multiple nights finishing the final design, subtly getting Mirabel to deliver smaller orders and encouraging the townspeople to give her multiple running jobs. Now, she would see what had been completed.
“What’s going on, Abuela?” Mirabel asked as Señora Silva brushed off the last speck of dust.
“Go ahead, Alma,” the seamstress said.
Alma removed the blindfold.
Mirabel’s scream of delight echoed in the shop. She flung herself on Alma, unable to express her gratitude verbally. Alma merely hugged her back, winking at Señora Silva.
The party was just as grand, and everyone insisted on a dance with Mirabel, including the girls. Sure, there were curious stares, but it wasn’t deemed as inappropriate, given they were family, and no one dared to ruin the event. Everyone knew this was for Mirabel, and no one, not even a humbled Hugo, even whispered about plans to ruin it. Showing Mirabel her new room was the cherry on top for the event, with Mirabel’s excitement going through the roof and not coming down for days.
Then came the next planning segment: preparing for the refugees.
Alma set about creating plots for new homes, and everyone in Encanto got together to expand, bringing in materials to prepare for the new arrivals. Alma implied she heard rumors about a large crowd coming, so no expense was spared. Clothing and furniture were donated, and the homes were furnished before four months had passed.
But, Alma secretly had two guest rooms in Casita squared off for four refugees in particular.
And, eventually, they came.
Mariano and Dolores were the first to spot them, spreading the word to the rest of the town. Alma spearheaded the welcome team, arranging for everyone to use spare rooms and couches until they picked out homes. She personally invited Diego, Carmen, Ana Maria, and Daniela into Casita, which they accepted quickly.
And, just like the book had said, Diego and Carmen met Mirabel and Camilo, respectively, in the same manner. Diego helped Mirabel not trip on the last step, while Carmen met Camilo as he brought Diego down from his room.
The pairs hit it off almost instantly; within a month, Camilo and Carmen were steady, with Mirabel and Diego going serious in two months. They had found their Pedro, and nothing would get in the way. Agustín and Julieta welcomed Diego as their son, befriending Ana Maria, who Señora Silva took on as a business partner the first time she met her. Pepa and Félix adopted Carmen without hesitation, and Daniela joined the planning committee, streamlining their planning methods and bringing about needed change from the old ways of planning. When they were offered a permanent place in Encanto, Daniela and Carmen accepted immediately, while Ana Maria and Diego insisted on living separately from them. Alma gave them the closest house to Casita so there wouldn’t be any dangerous areas Mirabel might go through.
Now, watching as the sun set over Encanto, Alma watched as Diego brought Mirabel home from a picnic date, while Camilo and Carmen made bets on other couples in the town. The rest of the family was waiting, with Pepa mothering Carmen about her appearance and Julieta asking about the date and how her cooking was. Chores were bartered instead of money, and Daniela kept track of it so Camilo wouldn’t back out of his end, and Bruno kept back his visions, using that to determine who won.
Alma didn’t know what would happen in the future. She was sure of seeing a few great-grandchildren, especially since Mariano was serious about wanting five children, and at least a few weddings: Mariano and Dolores, Luisa and Hernandez, Mirabel and Diego, and Camilo and Carmen. Maybe, she might live long enough to see Antonio enter his first relationship, if not his wedding at least.
Either way, she was ready for the future. A better future for the family.