Chapter Text
“There’s nothing to be done?”
“The damage is too severe. We can keep her comfortable but… we don’t have the tools or antidotes to repair the damage that’s been done.” Doctor Lopez spoke, his eldered face lined with sympathy. “We were too late to get to her.”
Agustín felt like the world had been knocked out from under him. A huge weight was settled in his ribs which made it impossible to breathe.
No… he couldn’t believe that.
Julieta was a fighter. There was no way… there was no way he’d lose her. They didn’t get this far to lose.
“No.” He shook his head. “No, you… you need to fix her!”
“Thank you, Doctor Lopez,” Abuela spoke up behind, her face lost of all warmth and colour but her tone remained polite. “Keep her comfortable then wait outside.”
Doctor Lopez nodded and disappeared back to the kitchen before he turned to face his mother-in-law.
For the first time, Agustín realised he had never seen her cry. Not once. But now, the tears were falling down her face, her head held down, her uninjured hand clenched tightly around her locket and her breath was barely paced beneath the stoic front she had.
“Alma, they have to keep trying!” He demanded. “They can’t just…stop.”
Abuela nodded. “I know.”
“Surely… surely we have the time to leave Encanto? There are plenty of places that can treat her.” He wasn’t born in Encanto, he of all people knew the options that await them.
“Agustín, your wife needs you at her bedside, not running not on some futile mission when she won’t survive the night.” Her voice cracked at the last bit, “If you aren’t there for her, I will not forgive you, Agustín. Your daughters will not either.” Her chin rose tightly, “I don’t care if Encanto is invaded; you are to be there for her for whatever time she had left.”
Agustín knew what he needed to do; of course, he wouldn’t leave his wife behind… but to watch her die, to be helpless to do anything… it was downright terrifying. God forbid, Julieta didn’t even know what had happened to Casita…to their home. She was…confused but he didn’t dare tell her what happened. He couldn’t…
He couldn’t do that to her.
Not now.
Let her have her peace.
A nudge to his arm pulled his mind back sharply, Abuela had her candle in her hand.
“Come. I will be at your side too, Agustín.”
Sucking in a shaking breath, swallowing the grief and pain behind a mask, Agustín nodded.
For Julieta.
The Guzmans were no longer around, despite it being their house. Julieta was laid still across the table now on a bunch of blankets, stripped down and dressed into a white nightgown but she looked so small and pale in her sleep. Luisa had taken up refuge at her feet with Mirabel who was quietly fussing about if they should find more blankets.
Isabela hovered by the window; close to being there but not wanting to watch; he couldn’t blame her.
He reached forwards, her skin too cool for comfort though she shifted a little in her sleep before he let his fingers slide down to her hand.
Agustín didn’t want to believe it. Still couldn’t but some part of him begged the miracle candle to do something; to burst a stream of light to heal his wife in front of him right now.
It did nothing as it was set down, the spark of hope Abuela had in her eyes died quickly into grief; they had both expected something—anything to happen to save Julieta… now the reality was real. Julieta wouldn’t be getting a miracle cure. He could hate the candle for that. It could move mountains, bring a house alive and grant gifts to the family… but it couldn’t even try to save one of its wards. Pedro had died for his family…
“Por dios no” He sucked in a deep breath, trying to swallow away the tightness in his throat and chest, to breathe…
“Mi Amor…”
The sounds were so smooth in the darkness, pulling Julieta away from the peacefulness of sleep like she was floating… but the closer she got to the surface she became aware of a burning in her mouth… her stomach and throat. She wanted to shy away from the painful discomfort.
Her eyes fluttered before she felt the strength to open her eyes. The light was dim but it felt so bright against her eyes that she groaned, rolling her head to the left, blinking to see Agustín’s face so close.
“Agustín?” her voice barely above a whisper, the words burning in her throat.
Julieta was mildly confused as she stared at him. One of his lenses was cracked in its frames; his face was littered with little cuts, she could smell the distinct smoke on his hands, ones that was curled into one of her own. Little cuts also made its way to his arms. Even his suit had blood on it. She slipped her hand free, her hand coming to his face.
“What…happened to you?” Her thumb traced over a large scratch down his cheekbone. She could only assume he had tripped.
Agustín sucked in a soft breath, cupping her hand to his cheek. “It… was an accident.”
Julieta snorted, licking her dry lips, “Glass?”
“A few bottles.” There was something in his tone she didn’t get, but she followed his gaze that she realised that they weren’t alone.
Her Mama was stationed on her other side, her other hand in her tight grip but she was surprised to see her mother’s arm wrapped into a sling, a few similar cuts along her cheek. But her eyes were welled in tears; Julieta didn’t like the look that resided in her face so she looked further down, not even noting the Miracle candle beside her head.
Luisa and Mirabel sat not too far by her feet. Mirabel was fiddling with the bottom of her nightdress; its fabric ticking at her legs. When did they change her clothes?
“Where’s Fuega?”
“She’s sleeping Mami,” Isabela spoke, appearing behind Abuela’s back. “She’s safe.”
Julieta blinked in surprise to see her child so…colourful. Her clothes were decorated in pollen and flowers that were so different to her typical pinks and roses. Her concerns about her youngest melted away.
“Isa.” She smiled, pulling her hand free from her mother and out to her, Isabela floated to her side, taking her hand. “New look?”
Isabela’s eyes widened, looking down at herself.
“You look beautiful.” Julieta smiled tiredly, taking in the mess of colours “You…you should experiment some more. It’s been so long since you played around with your gift.”
Isabela’s eyes widened before she nodded “I like it as well.” She sniffled, bending down to kiss her on the bed. Julieta chucked softly though let her hand go and this time reached for Luisa. She hadn’t missed Luisa’s bandages.
Luisa came over though Julieta turned her hand around, looking at the dressing with a frown. That wouldn’t do. Luisa… she needed her food.
“Does it hurt?”
Luisa shook her head. “No, Mami. It’s fine.”
Julieta licked her lips again. “I’m feeling tired… but… after my nap I… I can cook you some food; heal it all up.” Why they didn’t get any food from the kitchen, she didn’t understand but she could only assume they had to give it to other people to not have any now. “Don’t overstress yourself in the meantime, Mija.”
Luisa’s lip quivered before letting out a shaky “Okay.” After a moment, Luisa pulled her hand away, disappearing down before burying her face into her hands, her hand wrapping around her ankle, Mirabel’s hand coming to stroke Luisa’s back softly.
“Julieta!”
The door opened, making her flinch though she relaxed into Agustín’s grip as she realised it was both Pepa and Felix. Pepa was soaking wet, not surprising though she looked devastated for some reason.
“Pepa?” her head tilted in confusion, “Are you okay?”
Pepa stalled for a moment, her eyes huge as she looked at her family around her. “Juli?”
Julieta frowned at her tone but let her come, letting her triplet throw herself across her chest, wrinkling her nose at the orange braid that flew into her face.
“It’s okay, Pepa. Just…feeling groggy.” She whispered, “I’ll be on my feet in no time.”
Pepa’s cloud began to tinkle, the cool water splashing against her skin.
“Pepa…” Mama spoke
“I don’t mind the rain, Mami.” Julieta defended weakly. Felix lent forwards his hand touching against her forearm for a moment with surprising heat, his cheerful face now so serious, even with the little cuts that he too seemed to have.
Felix pulled Pepa back, tugging her to sit beside Agustín’s side.
Her tried gaze flickered around before she realised one of two things. This wasn’t their kitchen and—
“Why am I on a table?” She frowned, Mama taking her other hand again, kissing her knuckles.
“Your bed…sort of caught fire. Casita’s…a little out of action.” Mama spoke carefully, “But I’m sure we’ll redecorate.”
Julieta wanted to question on the how but… the questions were gone before the words touched her lips. She didn’t know why but…this whole scene felt…odd. No one ever came to see her all at once when she was sick.
“Yeah…” Julieta opted to agree, her eyes getting a little heavier but she fought to keep them open; Her husband’s hand tightened a little as he caught that but Julieta found her mind wandering “It’ll be nice for a new bed… maybe new colours. That’ll be nice to wake up to when I get better.” She pulled Agustín’s hand closer, resting her forehead against his hand.
“What sort of colours…would you like?” Agustín’s voice broke as he spoke.
“Hmm…Dark blue wallpaper on one wall, like your suit pattern… with teal paint on the others.” She grimaced a little as the ebbs of pain flared in her gut.
“Julieta?” Mama spoke this time, “Are you comfortable?”
“Wish the heartburn would go…” She complained, “not used to napping with an audience.” She chuckled dryly. “At least I’m fully clothed this time.” Nightgown was a plus since Fuega’s birth hadn’t been clean going.
Pepa almost snorted, her rain still tinkering in the background. It was oddly therapeutic
Julieta rolled her head back to Agustín but frowned again at his expression, “Are you okay?”
He nodded, trying to choke back his shaking breath. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too. I’m sorry I kept everything from you.” She couldn’t help the tears from forming, blinking them away but that only serves to push them down her cheeks, her heavy gaze lingering on his face, her head feeling woozy, her pulse spiking in her veins that made the burning increase. “I should have told you…at the very least… i… I just…thought I was keeping her safe…”
Agustín’s other hand came to her cheek, washing the tear away but she leant into his warm touch.
“I do forgive you for that.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “I do.”
Juliet let out a shaky breath but…she felt a weight had been lifted from her shoulders to hear him say that. Her lips curled up into a small smile. “Thank you, Mi Amor.”
He lent over, his lips pressed against her forehead. Her eyes fluttered shut, enjoying his warmth.
“Tomorrow…” She mumbled out, “Tomorrow…let’s.. let’s start fresh.” A new page.
“That…would be nice.” Mama croaked beside her.
Julieta numbly nodded, “That could be the best…” Julieta wanted to savour the moment, of her husband’s arms around her; this was what she needed. She could get better with him at her side now. Their family was whole again.
Julieta’s breath evened out after a moment, a soft grimace passing over her expression but after a few moments, the rise and fall of her chest came to a stop, her grip turning slack before Agustín broke down into tears, followed in quick succession of the rest of the family as he pulled his wife into his arms, quietly weeping her name over and over.