Chapter Text
Mirabel walked through the Casita, stumbling and bumping into people as everyone chattered in the background.
“Camilo? We need another Jose.” Abuela said.
“JOSE” Camilo shouted as he shapeshifted into the older man.
“Luisa, the piano goes upstairs!”
“I’m on it- Careful sis!”
Wind blew harshly, causing Mirabel to stumble slightly. It seemed as if the universe would end if she got to the kitchen with the basket at a reasonable time.
“My baby’s night has to be perfect and it’s not perfect, and people are going to be coming and nothings ready-“ Pepa ranted as she paced frantically.
Pepa reflected on the night before. She now knew that everything would turn out fine and she may have overreacted a tiny bit. It was a tad embarrassing having her borderline panic attack showed to the entire family, even if they had seen it before, now that she knew it really wasn’t as bad as she had originally thought.
“You’re tornado-ing the flowers! The flowers!” Félix shouted.
“Did somebody say flowers?” Isabela called from the balcony before using her vibes to descend. Mirabel looked at her with utter annoyance.
“I don’t think I'm bad enough to warrant that face.” Isabela inserted.
“Debatable.” Mirabel said quietly, not even expecting her to hear it.
“Hey!”
“Girls.” Julieta spoke up, her voice was firm. The sisters quieted.
From behind the walls, Bruno smiled softly. He remembered when he was young and would argue or playfight with his sisters. The kids reminded him of him and his siblings, in a way.
The crowd cheered for Isabela as the flowers perked back up. “Our angel, our angel!” Félix applauded.
“Please, don’t clap.” Isabela said as she gave her Tia a bouquet of flowers. Pepa smiled.
Mirabel rolled her eyes. She didn’t hate her sister, but she could definitely be over the top.
“Thank you.”
“Oh it’s nothing!” She said, before flipping her hair into Mirabel’s face, causing flowers to cover her. She rolled her eyes at her sister, her smile gone from her face. Mirabel shook off the flowers. “A little sisterly advice, if you weren’t always trying so hard you wouldn't be in the way.”
“Actually, Isa, this is called helping, and I’m not in the way, you are-“ she shot back before walking into a pillar.
Isabela tried to stifle a laugh. Camilo didn’t care if anyone heard him cackle. Mirabel didn’t think it was that funny.
Mirabel carried the basket into the kitchen, where her mother was. “Wow,” Julieta began. “Mi vida, are you ok? You don’t have to overdo it.”
“I know mama,” she began to unpack the basket with Casita helping move around the objects. “I just want to do my part like the rest-” her voice strained “-of the family”
“She’s right, Amor,” Agustín started, his head peeking into the frame, nose enlarged and red. Mirabel cringed
The rest of the family also cringed.
“First gift ceremony since yours. Lot of emotions.”
“Bee stings.” Mirabel noted, leaning down to grab something else from the crate.
“And I’ve been there,” Julieta turned to look at her husband and grumbled in exasperation, turning back around. “When me and your Tio Félix married into the family, outsiders who had no gift, never ever would. Surrounded by the exceptional, it was easy to feel… unceptional.”
“It’s unexceptional, papá.” Isabela commented. Her youngest sister rolled her eyes.
“Hey, have you never forgotten a word before?” He said, slightly embarrassed.
“Ok Papi-“
“I’m just saying I get it.”
“Eat,” Julieta said, putting food into his mouth. She turned to Mirabel who was beginning to walk away. “Mi amor, if you ever want to talk..”
“I gotta put out the stuff! The house isn’t gonna decorate itself!” She laughed. Casita seemed saddened by her comment. “Sorry, you could, you look great.” Casita perked back up.
“Corazon, remember!”
“Yeah, remember!”
“You have nothing to prove!”
“Nothing to prove!” Both Julieta and Agustín called. Their daughter gave a thumbs up as she walked away. Julieta looked thoughtful, but Agustín didn’t seem to think that she may not have taken those words to heart. He glanced at his wife’s expression and copied it.
“You really don’t have anything to prove, Mira-“
“MOVIE! HAHA! We should really be watching it.” Mirabel laughed, loud and anxious. She turned her full attention to the screen and didn’t look away, even when she felt eyes on her.
Mirabel was setting up decorations outside of everyone’s doors as people talked in the background. “One hour!” Abuela shouted, startling her and causing her to knock over a candle. She frantically tried to put out the small decoration that caught on fire. “Maybe you should leave the decorations to.. someone else?” Abuela suggested.
“No! I actually made these as a surprise!” Mirabel said, holding up the still burning decoration. “For y- OO!” She dropped it and stepped on it, wincing slightly. She gave a nervous laugh.
“Mira.. I know you want to help, but tonight must go perfectly.”
“It did!” Antonio smiled. Last night was definitely perfect. Even if Mirabel said there were cracks. In his eyes, the night couldn’t have been better. There was some hesitant agreement from the rest of the family. While the night hadn’t been perfect, everyone seemed to agree that it could’ve gone way worse.
“The whole town relies on our family, on our gifts. So the best way for.. some of us, to help, is to step aside. Let the rest of the family do what they do best. Ok?”
Mirabel looked crestfallen but agreed “mh-hm.”
Some pitying glances were sent Mirabel’s way. She brought her knees to her chest.
Abuela looked over. “Pepa! You have a cloud!” She scolded.
“I know mamá, but now I can’t find Antonio! What do you want from me?” She yelled, thunder rolling from her cloud.
As Mirabel walked to her room, she heard her Mom and Abuela having a quiet conversation. “Mamá, be nice to Mirabel, ok? You know Tonight will be hard for her.”
“If the gift ceremony doesn’t go well this time, tonight will be hard for us All.” Abuela retorted.
Mirabel lingered by her door frame, listening to the ending of the exchange before entering her room. She sat on her bed and took a second to collect herself. Félix called for his son in the background. She straightened up and grabbed a neatly wrapped present.
“Everyone’s looking for you…” She remarked to the seemingly empty room. When she got no response he spoke up again. “This present will self-destruct if you don’t take it! In three, two, one… oop.” A tiny hand reached out from under the bed to snatch the present, and Mirabel let out a small laugh.
She crawled underneath the bed to lay alongside her younger cousin. Antonio fiddled with the ribbon on the present, not looking at Mirabel. “Nervous?” She asked. Antonio nodded and hid his face
Pepa’s side of the family all leaned in to mutter small reassurances to Antonio, even though he had gotten over his anxiety a long while ago. He was pulled into an awkward group half-hug. It was weird but he appreciated the attempt.
“You have nothing to worry about. You’re gonna get your gift, and open that door, and it’s gonna be the coolest ever. I know it.” Mirabel continued. Her little cousin was quiet for a moment.
“What if it doesn’t work?” He asked in a whisper.
Antonio was hugged with extra force.
“Well, in that impossible scenario, you’ll stay here in the nursery. With me. Forever.” She said, making it seem as though the only scary part of him not getting a gift would be him staying in the nursery. “And I’d get you all to myself.” She finished, pinching at Antonio’s face, making him laugh.
He quieted after a second and locked eyes with his cousin. “I wish you could have a door.”
There was a beat of silence.
“You know what? You don’t have to worry about me. Because I have an amazing family, and an amazing house. And an amazing you,” she grabbed his arm gently. “And seeing you get your special and your door, that’s gonna make me way more happy than anything.”
Julieta smiled at her daughter. It was nice to see her family supporting each other. Things have been slightly… dysfunctional lately and it was sweet to know that the kids at least could count on each other, even if the adults were having issues.
“Alas,” She continued, “I am going to miss having the world’s best roomie.” Mirabel said fondly while she dragged the present closer. She gestured to it and Antonio began to open it. He gasped as he saw what was inside and took it out of the box without hesitation.
Upon seeing the stuffed animal brought out of the present, Pepa’s side of the family either sighed or rolled their eyes affectionately. Since he got it, Antonio hadn’t shut up about it. He loved it.
“I know you’re an animal guy, and I made this so when you move into your cool new room, you always have something to snuggle with.” Mirabel explained, scooting closer. Antonio rested his head against her shoulder and closed his eyes.
Julieta let out a quiet coo, muffled by her hand. She was so proud of her little girl. She was always so thoughtful. Mirabel heard her cooing and felt just a tad bit embarrassed.
Pepa was also cooing over her youngest. He found it less embarrassing than his older cousin.
While Antonio and Mirabel were having a moment, Casita decided to ruin it by sending an alarm clock their way. It rang loudly, declaring that it was time for the ceremony. “Alright Hombrecito, you ready?” She asked. He gave a small nod and they began to scoot out from under the bed before Mirabel rolled over again. Music faded in. “Sorry! I gotta get one more squeeze!” She said as they both giggled. The floorboards forcibly separated them. “Ok ok! We’re going!”
The family let out a few laughs and smiles were present all around the room (and inside the walls).
Music played in the background as the screen showed everyone arriving at the Casita.
Children ran around with spark sticks happily. Luisa rounded up guests’ donkeys and Camilo greeted them by turning into them, high energy as always. Casita waved to the guests as they entered.
Kids clung to Luisa as she walked around. She didn't seem to notice at first, and when she did she didn’t really care.
Mariano gazed at Isabela, enamored as she threw around petals and flowers to the guests.
The younger family members quietly teased Isabela, who did not look at all amused with their shenanigans.
“Awwwwww, Guys, look at Isa’s boyfriend! How romantic” Camilo whisper shouted.
“Young love.” Mirabel sniffled.
Isabela shot her a glare. “I’m older than you, Mirabel.”
“Yeah, Isa’s right, guys,” Luisa said. Isabela was about to thank her before she continued. “We shouldn’t make fun of her for being so absolutely, positively, in love with the most handsome, most perfect man ever.” She finished in a reason voice, causing her younger sister and cousin to start laughing historically. Dolores winced at the noise, but didn’t say anything.
Abuela sent them all a harsh glare. Laughs were abruptly cut short and everyone shrunk back into their seats.
It cut to Mirabel walking Antonio to Félix, Pepa, Camilo and Dolores. “Haha there you are!” Félix announced, walking towards his youngest.
“Look at you! All grown up!” Pepa smiled, leaning down while her husband shooed away a cloud.
“Pepi, Amor, you’re going to get him all wet.” Félix chided.
Camilo shifted into a tiny version of his father and grabbed onto Antonio’s cheeks. “You are making your papa proud!” He said in an higher pitched version of his papa’s voice.
“I don’t sound like that!”
“I don’t sound like that!”
“Abuela says, it’s time.” Dolores inserted, smiling at her youngest brother.
“We’ll be waiting at your door.” Pepa whispered.
“Ok ok ok, vamo vamo vamo.” Said Félix.
“Ok ok ok, Vamo vamo vamo- Alright I’m done!”
There were some soft chuckles at Camilo’s antics, but otherwise everyone was happy to remember such a nice night.
The scene cut to Abuela, holding the candle in front of a large crowd. “Fifty years ago, in our darkest moment, this candle blessed us with a miracle. And the greatest honor of our family has been to use our blessings to serve this beloved community,” She addressed the crowd. Mirabel stood away from the rest of her family, though still listening to Abuela’s words. “Tonight, we come together once more, as another steps into the light, to make us proud.”
Mirabel curled into a ball. Her on-screen counterpart was impossible to ignore, and everyone kept either making sad noises or peeking at her pityingly. It’s not like she enjoyed being ignored by her family, but having her emotions forcibly put on screen in front of everyone without a say in it at all was without a doubt stressful. She didn’t want to be pitied.
Lights shined down on Antonio and the tiles flipped, creating a red carpet effect. He stood still, refusing to move even when Casita tried to nudge him forward. He turned back towards Mirabel and held out his hand for her to take. She hesitated for a moment.
“I can’t.” She whispered to him.
“I need you!” He whispered back.
After a second she walked out to grab his hand. A few gasps were heard from the crowd and her family looked on in confusion. “Come on. Let’s get you to your door.” She told him with a small smile. The two began to walk down the path. The scene flickered between Antonio’s gift Ceremony and Mirabel’s.
Mirabel shut her eyes tight and hoped to fend off tears. Remembering was one thing, watching it happen was another. She wouldn’t- she couldn’t look up at the screen. She refused.
Young Mirabel reached for her door, only for it to fade away. She turned to her Abuela in confusion and fear.
The family watched somberly, if a little uncomfortably. Antonio was a little shocked. He knew Mirabel hadn’t gotten a door, but he wasn’t even born when that had happened. Seeing it was strange.
Back in the present, Mirabel snapped out of her flashback, and Abuela was talking to Antonio. “Will you use your gift to honor our miracle? Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?” She asked. He gave a short nod. She moved out of the way to make room for Antonio to grab his doorknob. Everyone watched closely. The door glowed as soon as he put his hand on it, and a toucan landed on his arm. It chirped something, making Antonio gasp. A smile crept onto his face. “Uh-huh! Uh-huh! I understand you!” Another chirp. “Of course they can come!” He giggled as the toucan called a hoard of other animals. A picture of Antonio appeared on his door, and Abuela let out a sigh of relief.
“We have a new gift!” She declared, and cheers erupted from the crowd as fireworks went off.
Antonio walked into his new room, followed by a huge herd of animals. “It’s bigger on the inside!?” A child in the crowd yelled.
A leopard ran at Antonio, pushing him onto its back and running further into the room.
“Antonio!” Félix called in excitement.
“You wanna go where?” Antonio asked the Leopard in shock. They climbed the tree and Antonio looked around at all the creatures in a state of pure wonder.
“Hold on, how big is that? That cannot be safe- have ALL of you guys had incredibly big and dangerous rooms since you were five??” Mirabel asked. When she first saw the room she was only half there, mainly off in her own head, but now that she could think about it, that could not be safe for a 5 year old. There were some noncommittal shrugs and mumbled sentences but no clear cut answer.
The leopard returned him back to his family, who showered him with love and attention. The big cat jumped up against Agustín before quickly going back down. “I knew you could do it!” Abuela praised Antonio. “A gift just as special as you.” Mirabel’s smile faltered. “We need a picture! Everyone, come come come come come!” Abuela continued, beckoning the family. Mirabel didn’t move. No one seemed to notice that she wasn’t there. “It’s a great night, it’s a perfect night! Everyone! Together!”
And together, as one big family, they all shouted “La familia Madrigals!” And the picture was taken. Time Froze.
The movie paused and an uncomfortable silence took place.
“You weren’t in the picture?”
“Why didn’t you join in?”
“I thought you were in it?”
Mirabel blinked back tears and shrugged. She thought for a second on how to go about answering the questions, before ultimately deciding that she just wouldn’t. “What’s the name of this movie? Encanto? More like ‘Force Mirabel to Relive a Bunch of Unhappy Moments in Her Life: The Film.’” She said, laughing nervously. No one found that funny. Partially because she was obviously avoiding the conversations again, and partially because it wasn’t even a funny joke.
“Mira-“
“We can talk after the movie’s over. I don’t know about you guys, but this isn’t a conversation to be having on an empty stomach.”
And with that the movie unpaused. The air took on a distressing weight to it after that.
Music faded in softly. Everything was frozen in time, except for Mirabel.
“Oh god another song!” Mirabel cried out in anguish
“Don’t be upset and mad at all. Don’t feel regret or sad at all. Hey, I'm still a part of the family Madrigal. And I’m fine, I am totally fine.”
“I believe her.” Camilo joked, trying to ease the tension. If the glares he received were anything to go off of, it didn’t work.
“I will stand on the side as you shine. I’m not fine. I’m not fine.”
“I stand corrected.” He interrupted again.
“I can’t move the mountains. I can’t make the flowers bloom. I can’t take another night up in my room, waiting on a miracle.” She sang
Julieta and Agustín both tried to give their youngest daughter a hug from their seat. They both felt as though they had failed as parents. They loved Mirabel, they did, but they clearly hadn’t shown it to her enough.
“I can’t heal what’s broken. Can’t control the morning rain or a hurricane. Can’t keep down the unspoken invisible pain, always waiting on a miracle, a miracle.”
Tears streamed down Mirabel’s face silently, and her family was all focused much more on her than the movie. Despite crying, she couldn’t help but dance in her seat the tiniest bit, because sue her, the song had a nice rhythm.
“Always walking alone, always wanting for more, like I’m still at that door longing to shine like all of you shine! All I need is a change. All I need is a chance. All I know is I can't stay in the side, open your eyes, open your eyes, open your eyes!” She belted, begging and pleading with Abuela to open her eyes.
“I would move the mountains! Make new trees and flowers grow! Someone please just let me know where do I go? I am waiting on a miracle! A miracle! I would heal what’s broken, show this family something new.” She sang, looking to her sisters and parents.
Isabela stared at her sister. She knew that not having a gift was hard on Mirabel but she couldn’t remember the last time she had cried over it. Isabela gave her sister a hard time, but she really did love her and it hurt to see her so vulnerable. She was always steady, and seeing her sobbing was a shock. Isa considered getting up out of her seat to hug her, but she figured that she probably wanted some personal space right now.
“Who I am inside so what can I do? I’m sick of waiting on a miracle, so here I go! I am ready, come on I’m ready!” Sang Mirabel as she climbed onto the roof. Fireworks exploded behind her, lighting up the dark sky.
“The roof??” Julieta asked. She should not be on the roof while fireworks are going off. Or ever, preferably, but she was more concerned about the fireworks at the moment.
Not wanted to be scolded at the moment, Mirabel just forced herself to cry even more. It worked.
“I’ve been patient and steadfast and steady! Bless me now like you blessed us all those years ago when you gave us a miracle!” She belted
“Am I too late for a miracle?”
The movie was paused again, and Mirabel curled in on herself. Without the music she had no distractions from the prying stares, prodding into her skin like needles. She sniffled and opened her mouth to say something before Luisa crushed her with a hug. The contact was overwhelming but she still enjoyed her sister’s hugs. Her parents gave her a hug over the chairs as well. At some point Antonio came over to join the group hug as well. Isabela tried to fit herself in but couldn’t see a fine way to do it that felt right, so she settled for patting her youngest sister on the shoulder.
The rest of the family scooted closer towards her. Some had a harder time finding what to say than others, but overall, everyone was just trying to be there for her.
Mirabel sniffled and managed a small smile. The movie definitely felt invasive, but perhaps if she got big hugs like this more often it’d be ok.
From the walls, Bruno yearned to join the hug (Or perhaps to get a hug of his own at some point) yet stumbled backwards and sighed. They were working out their problems without him. He couldn’t ruin it. He couldn’t.