Chapter Text
I was sitting with Bruno in “my” room (yes I'm still upset about that, I'm just stuck in the nursery while everyone else gets their own room) when it happened, it had been about a month since everything had happened with the cracks in Casita and all that, and I had become very close with Tio Bruno, we had a relationship that was somewhere between niece and uncle and friends.
Things were somewhat better with the family, but not much. It felt like Abuela was putting a mask of happiness over everything... again.
Yes everyone was looking down on me less, but most of them still were looking down. Yes I’d become closer to Isabella and Luisa, but Luisa was still working too hard and Isabella still felt like she had to be perfect. Yes Bruno was back, but he was still ostracized and blamed more by the townsfolk but by the family too. So yes things were better, but they weren’t a lot better
I was playing Uno with Bruno {Haha Uno with Br uno} when suddenly Casita moved us through the house and into a room I’d never seen before.
When I looked around I saw we were in a small antechamber with a door that was open, outside it I saw a room with several types of chairs, blankets, pillows, a cabinet with snacks inside and a screen. At second glance I noticed the rest of the Madrigals were there too.
“Casita, what is this place?” Bruno asks. The tiles flip around to spell out a message THERE IS SOMETHING YOU ALL SHOULD SEE, I SUGGEST YOU GET COMFORTABLE AS YOU WILL BE HERE FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS.
Bruno shrugged and then did so, as did everyone else. He set up the corner of the room closest to the door with cushions on the floor and walls and then draped blankets over them. I went to the cabinet and got some snacks before joining Bruno in the corner. Once everyone was settled the screen turned on and a movie began to play.
(ABUELA SPEAKING SPANISH)
(IN ENGLISH) Open your eyes.
(ENCHANTING MUSIC PLAYING)
This is where our magic comes from?
“Oh my god, is that baby Mirabel?!” Camilo exclaims. “Sure is,” answered Julieta. “Wow you were so cute, what happened?” Camilo asks, “Oh well this idiot Primo of mine stressed me out a lot, it was probably that.” I retorted. Before Camilo could answer, the movie started again.
Mm-hmm.
This candle holds the miracle given to our family.
How did we get a miracle?
Long ago, when my three babies had just been born, your Abuelo Pedro and I were forced to flee our home.
And though many joined us, hoping to find a new home, we could not escape the dangers and your abuelo was lost.
But in our darkest moment, we were given a miracle.
The candle became a magical flame that could never go out.
And it blessed us with a refuge in which to live.
A place of wonder.
YOUNG MIRABEL: An encanto.
ABUELA: An encanto.
The miracle grew.
And our house, our casita itself came alive to shelter us.
When my children came of age, the miracle blessed each with a magic Gift to help us.
And when their children came of age…
YOUNG MIRABEL: They got magic, too.
ABUELA: (CHUCKLING) That’s right!
And together, our family’s Gifts have made our new home a paradise.
“For some people” muttered Bruno so quietly that only I heard him, I grabbed his hand and gave it a little squeeze.
Tonight, this candle will give you your Gift, mi vida.
Strengthen our community, strengthen our home.
Make your family proud.
Make my family proud.
“That was all I ever wanted to do” I say, and Abuala gets a pained look on her face but says nothing. “You already do” say my Mom and Bruno at the same time and I smile at them.
(FIREWORKS EXPLODING)
Yes, yes, casita, we’re going!
(YOUNG MIRABEL GIGGLING)
What do you think my Gift will be?
You are a wonder, Mirabel Madrigal.
Whatever Gift awaits will be just as special as you.