Archive of Our Own

Isabela 

“Mami! Mami! Look! Look what I made!” Isabela said, padding into the kitchen on quick-moving six year old feet. She practically ran her mother over as she shoved a flower up at her. 

Julieta gasped as she saw it. A flower like that was the last thing she thought her six year old would create. “That’s… that’s a beautiful flower, mija. Where did you learn to make that?” 

“I saw it in a book Tio Manuel had and I wanted to make one too! It doesn’t look like my other flowers. It’s spikey and fuzzy looking.” Isabela shrugged. “It smells funny.” She scrunched up her nose. “I was trying to make Papi something for Father’s Day and that came out.” 

Julieta couldn’t hold back her smile. She shook her head. Was she going to hell for enjoying this? Possibly, but it was just too good. “Oh my god, Isabela. Papi is going to love this!” 

“He is?” She asked, tilting her head to the side in six-year-old wonder.

Julieta nodded. “Yes, it’s his favorite flower.” Her eyes were watering from the amusement and laughter she was trying desperately to keep at bay. It’s not everyday her six year old presents her with homegrown weed.

“Really?!” Isabela said, her voice went up several octaves and she let out an excited squeal. 

“Yes! But don’t make anymore okay? If it ever pops up again you give it to Mami okay?” 

“Okay.” Isabela nodded, handing it over to her mother. “Why do I have to give it to you?” 

“Because it’s a very special flower. It’s one that most people keep a secret because of how special and rare it is. I use it for cooking when I can find it but it takes a lot of preparation.” 

“Why?” 

“Because it’s special and special things take time.” Julieta explained, proud of herself for her own quick thinking. 

“Is this a grown up thing?” 

“Yes, which is why you have to give it to me or Papi.” 

“What about Abuela?” Isabela asked. She always shared her flowers with Abuela. She shared everything with her. 

“No, not this flower. Never share it with Abuela. She… she doesn’t like it.” 

“Why?” 

“Uh… Makes her eyes all red and watery.” Juleita was definitely going to tell Agustín about that one later.

“What about Tia Pepa?” Isabela liked to show Tia Pepa her flowers so she would water them. 

“It’s one of her favorites too.” 

“Are you gonna give it to Papi for me?” 

“Yes, and I will make sure he thanks you after I give it to him.”

“Okay!” Isabela said, grinning and then running off to play.

“Okay, bebé. Remember, it’s a special secret flower!” Julieta called after her. 

“Okay!” 

“And remember what I said about secrets! You don’t have secrets from Mami and Papi! We share with each other!” 

“ Okay!” Isabela said, voice full with as much attitude as a six year old could manage to give. 

Julieta shook her head. Sometimes raising Isabela was like having a little miniature Pepa around. 

A few hours had passed and Julieta prepared the gift Isabela had given her for Agustín. She put it in a little bag and drew little hearts on it. She used a purple marker. She didn’t want Isabela to actually handle it again so she gave it that little touch just because technically the gift was from her to Agustín. Julieta had just checked on Isabela and she was in her room coloring a card to give to her Papi before they headed to the beach. She said she was putting on the finishing touches. That was code for ‘Mami, leave me alone I’m covering this in glitter’. So, that was going to be fun for Agustín in the next few minutes. She entered her bedroom, smiling as Agustín finished putting some last minute things into their beach bag. 

“Hey.” She said with a grin, holding the little bag behind her back. 

“Hey.” He looked up to return the smile. “Almost ready. I’m letting Luisa finish up her nap before I even try getting her ready. You know how she gets when we wake her up too soon.” 

“She’s a three year old. Life is hard when you’re little.” 

“She really thinks it’s the end of the world when she’s woken up.” 

“I know and she looks so pitiful too. Her little sniffly cry.” She frowned just thinking about it. Luisa had the babiest cry. It was soft and sweet like her but it held some big emotions even for a toddler. She hated seeing her upset. 

Agustín nodded in agreement. He closed up the bag and looked his wife up and down. “What are you hiding? Why do you look like you’re up to no good?” 

“I’m up to very good things.” 

“That’s what people who are up to no good say.” 

“Okay, you got me.” She beamed, cheeks glowing as her excitement grew. “I have something for you. Isabela made it. It’s for you from her, but also a little bit from me.” 

“Okay?” 

She handed him the bag. “Happy Father’s Day, Amor.” 

Agustín couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He took the bag and looked it over several times. She had to be joking. She had to be. “Isabela made this?” He opened it up to smell it. “She made this?” 

“I know! She said she saw it on a book Manuel had and thought it was pretty so she made it.” 

“You told her not to make anymore right?” 

“Yes, of course. I told her it was a special treat and to always give it to Mami if she makes it again.” 

“You’re not encouraging our six year old to grow marijuana are you?” 

“No, but I am seizing this one specific instance in which she did. Am I wrong for that?” 

“I would say no but who am I to judge? You just gave me one of my favorite things for Father’s Day.” 

“Technically Isabela did.” 

“Right.” He nodded. 

“So make sure you thank her or she’ll never let me hear the end of it.” 

“Okay I will. I promise.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in close to drop a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you.” 

“For what? I didn’t make it.” 

“For making her. You made me a father when you did that.” He cupped her chin and tilted her head up so he could press his lips to hers for a chaste kiss. “Thank you.” 

“Hey,” she said softly. “It took both of us. I think you’re an amazing father and I can’t imagine making her with anyone else.” 

“Well I’d hope you wouldn’t want to make babies with anyone else.” 

“Well there was this one guy…” 

“Julieta.” 

“Kidding.” She kissed his pout away. “I love you. I don’t want this with anyone else. Happy Father’s Day, mi amor.” 

Before Agustín could say anything else the bedroom door slammed open with a loud thwack and Isabela ran up to them. She squeezed herself in between her parents and shoved her card upwards towards her father. 

“Hola, mija.” Agustín said with a laugh, scooping Isabela up in his arms. “What’s this?” 

“It’s for you!” 

“For me? Well what did I do to deserve this?” 

Isabela gave him a playfully dramatic eye roll. “Because you’re my papi! It’s Father’s Day!” 

“It’s Father’s Day? I thought it was my birthday.” 

“ Yes! It’s Father’s Day, Papi! We did your birthday yesterday!” She huffed. 

“Oh well I guess we need to find a father then to give your card to.” 

Julieta tried her hardest to conceal her giggle as she watched him frustrate Isabela further. “Gus, leave her alone.” She said. 

“Alright, alright.” He sat down on the bed with Isabela on his lap as he looked at the card she’d made. It was covered in purple glitter and Isabela had drawn music notes and hearts all over it. She’d drawn a large blue flower on the front. It looked like one she had given him that morning to stick in his vest pocket before church. He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “This is beautiful, mija. I’ll keep it forever.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes, really. I love you so much. Thank you, and thank you for the flower. Mami told me it was from you.” 

Dolores 

“You promise you won’t brush my forehead this time?” Dolores asked, voice soft and sweet as the lollipop she was eating. She’d been good all day and she deserved a little treat. 

Félix pushed his own lollipop to the side of his mouth to speak. He’d been good too, and it was Father’s Day. “I’ll try, mija, but I really don’t think I brushed it the first time.” 

“You did and it hurt.” Dolores said, pouting and folding her arms over her chest. She definitely got that from her mother. 

Félix shook his head. They went through this every single time he did her hair. He liked to use one of those wooden bristle brushes to slick down her hair. It worked the best for her texture. It worked especially well for him to lay down her baby hairs and make them look all swirly and cute. He always took his time with her edges. He liked to brush them first, much to his daughter's protest. She always scrunched her face up claiming he was brushing her forehead. Her complaints only changed when he used the tail of a comb to really make the swirls neat. She apparently hated that too. He could see why. He’s had his hair brushed and manipulated in a similar way for certain styles and sometimes it felt a little intense but Dolores was exaggerating. 

Then again, she was an eight year old. She was also Pepa’s daughter. Dramatics were bound to happen and he didn’t mind. 

“I’m sorry, niña. I’ll be more careful.” He said. 

“Okay.” 

They’d just gotten home from church and now the whole family was getting ready to head to the beach to celebrate Father’s Day. It wasn’t too far from the Encanto and safe enough for everyone within the mountains to enjoy. Pepa was getting Camilo ready and packing up the last few things they’d need. Félix was getting Dolores ready. That morning she’d wanted to wear her hair down for church and Pepa had made sure her curls looked nice, fresh, and moisturized. Félix had offered to put it up for her before they hit the beach. Anything to spare her from the amount of sand that was bound to get all up in her hair. He didn’t mind it though. Pepa could just use her wind to get the majority of it out once they got home. 

“Papi, you're doing it again!” 

“Lo siento, I’m just making your hair look all nice and neat.” He said softly. He took some of the gel from the back of his hand and smoothed it against her hair. He followed up with a brush and watched at how her hair instantly smoothed out. He brushed it up into a ponytail and smiled at his work. He turned her to face the mirror.

“What do you think?” He asked, grinning and playing with her curls a little bit. He was picking them out a little using just his fingertips to give her a little volume. Any curls that weren’t going in the same direction he twirled around his finger to give them bounce again. 

“It’s pretty!” She beamed. 

“It is and you are so beautiful, mi vida.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek and then several more to make her giggle. He scooped her up into his arms when she hugged him tight. 

“Gracias, Papi. Te amo!” 

“Te amo.” He set her down again. “Now go find Mami so Papi can get ready.” 

“Okay!” She headed off only to stop short and turn back and run back towards him again. 

“Hey, no running with a lollipop in your mouth.” 

“Okay.” She pulled it out and reached up to him. 

“Yes, mija?” He smiled as he picked up her again and held her tight. He dropped a kiss to her head when she leaned into his shoulder. 

“Feliz Día del Padre.” She whispered, grinning as she watched him smile. 

“Gracias.” He said, pressing more kisses to her cheek. One thing about Félix, he was gonna give as many kisses as possible to his babies. They were just so adorable. Pepa was the same exact way with them. “I love you.” 

“I love you too.” She beamed, looking like a perfect mixture of both her parents.

“Now, it’s time to get ready. You know how Mami gets when we’re close to being late.” He set her down once again and sent her on her way with an encouraging pat on the back. 

She took a few steps away and then. “Wait my lollipop!” 

“What?” 

“My lollipop!”

He prayed it wasn’t stuck to his hair. That would’ve been a whole thing. She’d just had it a second ago. He looked in the mirror and turned around to see it stuck to the back of his shirt. He pulled it off. He threw it away and watched Dolores tear up as it fell into the trash can. 

“Hey, don’t worry. I’ll give you another one before we leave okay? I promise.” 

“Okay.” She pouted, looking completely and utterly defeated. 

“Now, please. Go to Mami so I can get ready.” 

“Okay! I’m going.” She groaned, giving him yet another glimpse of Pepa. 

Luisa

“Ew!” Luisa said as she picked up her bucket to reveal another part of the sandcastle she was making. Four years old and she was already disgusted by seeing her parents kiss. She was sitting in the sand right in front of the towels they were laying on. She was working on a big sandcastle just for her Papi for Father’s Day. She’d given him other things but this one was going to be the best one. 

Agustín looked down at her with a grin. He was laying on his side, propped up on his elbow. Julieta was facing him with her head resting on her arm. Luisa was between them about a foot from the end of their towels. 

“What’s the matter, mija? You don’t like seeing Mami and Papi kiss?” He teased, already knowing the answer. 

“Nope!” She said very confidently. She didn’t even look up. She continued working on her sand castle. She poured some water out of her bucket and scooped up the squishy sand to mold it. She piled it bigger and bigger until she’d run out of wet sand to put on top. So she poured the rest of her water out to repeat the process. 

Julieta watched her work and then with a grin directed her gaze back at Agustín. “She’s so cute. She almost makes me want another one.” 

“Wait, really?” He perked up. He would love to have a third baby. It was something he’d been wanting to bring up but after seeing her struggle to carry Luisa and even go through a depressive episode after her birth, he wasn’t sure if having a third baby was a good idea for them. 

“I did say maybe.” She said with a teasing grin. She’d been delaying this conversation until she was sure she wanted to give him the hope for another child. 

“I know. I just… I would love to have another baby but only if you’re 100% on board. Otherwise I’m perfectly fine with the two that we have.” He looked down at Luisa again who was still occupied building her sandcastle. He looked over at Isabela who was playing in the water with Dolores and Pepa.

Julieta knew that look. She’d seen that look many times. The look of pride in his daughters accompanied with the longing for another baby to take care of and love. “Actually, I really—“ 

Luisa interrupted. “Mami! I need some more water please!” She held up her empty bucket as high as she could. “Please!” 

“Right now, bebé?” Julieta asked. 

“Yes! Right now please!” 

Julieta gave Agustín a glance, promising to finish their conversation. She got up and grabbed Luisa’s hand. She grabbed her bucket with the other. She took her to the edge of the water to fill it up. She smiled as Luisa squealed from the little waves touching her legs. “Cold?” 

“A little bit.” Luisa said, putting her hands in the water while she watched her Mami fill her bucket up for her. She smiled up at her and followed her back to their spot by her unfinished sand castle. 

Julieta kissed Luisa’s head as she sat the bucket on the ground for her. She then reclaimed her spot on the towel next to Agustín. “Now, where were we?” 

“Babies.” He reminded her. He couldn’t help but grin. She looked so beautifully sun kissed with the beach air blowing some of her curls around. He loved how adorable she looked when helping their girls. 

“What?” 

“Nothing, I just really like seeing you with our babies. I want another one.” 

“That’s what I was saying. I actually really want another baby.” 

“Even after what you went through with Luisa?” 

She hesitated. She bit her lip. Her eyes cast downwards as if she were searching within herself for the answer to that. After another moment she nodded. “Yes.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes, I’m sure. I love you and I love our girls. I would love to have another baby with you.” 

“This is the best Father’s Day gift ever.” He surged forwards, attacking her cheek and neck with soft kisses. 

She laughed as she swatted him away. “Slow down. There’s still another step between this and you being a father again. Arguably, the most fun part of it all.” 

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it here anyway.” 

“There is that changing booth.” 

They shared a look both playing through the scenario in their minds. They were both almost convinced to drop Luisa in Bruno’s lap and make a break for it. The fantasy ended as soon as Luisa yelled something again. 

“I need more water please!” 

“I just got you water, mija.” 

“I spilled it.” She frowned. 

“So use your wet sand to build your castle.” 

“I don’t want that sand!” She whined. “Please! I need it!” 

Agustín didn’t sense an end to this any time soon so he got up. “I’ll get it.” He took Luisa to the water with her bucket and filled it as quickly as possible. He sat back down on the towel next to his wife after getting their daughter settled. 

“Do you think we’ll have our boy?” Julieta asked as soon as Agustín settled next to her. 

“You want a boy?” 

“Yes. I’ve always wanted a son.” 

“You’d be an amazing boy mom.” 

“I can already imagine you with a son that looks so much like you. Of course, he loves his Mami more than anything in the world.” 

“You wanna raise a mama’s boy, huh?” 

She nodded as her smile grew wider. She really did want a mama’s boy. Bruno was one. He still is one. She glanced over at him lounging next to their mother while they talked about whatever it is those two always end up laughing about. “You’re a mama’s boy.” 

“Of course I am. I love my mom. She’s the most amazing woman in the world. Our son would think the same thing about you.” 

She grinned, already seeing herself with their son in her mind. The more she thought about it the more it seemed like something she really wanted. “I know we can’t guarantee a son but I would love to try anyway.” 

That might’ve been the best gift of all for this specific Father’s Day for Agustín. “Okay, we’ll try—“ 

“Papi! I lost my shovel!” Luisa whined, pouting and already on the verge of tears. Sandcastles were hard. 

“Under the bucket, niña.” 

“Oh! Thank you!” 

“Should we ask the girls what they think?” Julieta asked. 

“Isabela’s been asking for a baby brother since finding out Dolores was getting one. I think she’ll be okay with it.” 

“What about Luisa? I think she likes being the baby.” 

“Yes, but I think she’d appreciate having someone else to play with.” He cast a smile down at their littlest one. Well, for now that is. “Luisa?” 

“Si?” She said without looking up from her work. 

“How would you feel if Mami and Papi gave you a new baby brother or sister?” 

“A new baby?!” She dropped her shovel, clapping her hands together excitedly. “When? Sooner than Tia’s baby?” 

“Maybe not that soon.” Julieta said, giggling at the excitement her daughter was displaying. 

“When?” 

“I don’t know but after Tia’s baby gets here.” 

“Can it be a girl? I don’t want a boy baby.” 

“What if it’s a boy baby anyway? Then what?” Julieta asked. She opened her arms up for Luisa as she got up and sat right in her lap. “You wouldn’t want a baby brother?” 

“No! Boys are icky!” 

“Papi’s a boy. Do you think he’s icky?” 

“Papi’s not a boy. He’s a Papi.” 

“Thanks, Luisa.” Agustín laughed. He appreciated her logic there. 

“Have a girl baby! I want a sister!” 

“I’ll try, mija. I really want a boy though.” 

“ Noooo.” Luisa huffed, hiding her face in the crook of her mother’s arm. She shifted to look at her papi. “Papi, tell Mami to have a girl. Not a boy!” 

“I don’t know. She really really wants a boy.” 

Luisa pouted. She gave both parents the soft, sweet eyes that usually got her a ‘yes’ to anything she asked for. “Have a girl baby, please?” 

Agustín laughed, cupping her cheek and brushing his thumb over it. He really had the most adorable daughters in the world. “You’ll be an amazing big sister either way.” 

“A girl.” Luisa said, already feeling defeated. 

Julieta shifted just enough to cradle Luisa further against her. She was probably due for a nap anyway. “Even if Mami really wants a boy baby?” 

Luisa nodded, pout now firmly set on her lips. “Make it a girl please.” 

Julieta grinned. She knew she didn’t have a choice in the matter at all but talking to Luisa about it almost made her want to give her a little sister instead of a brother. “Well, I have always liked the name Mirabel.” 

Camilo 

“How’s your day going?”

Félix smiled as Pepa assumed her rightful place in his arms, settled between his legs and leaning back against his chest. They looked out over the mid afternoon sun reflecting off the water. Her own sun was beating down on them with a rainbow to accompany the warmth. There was no one and nothing around but the white sandy beach and the bright blue water that stretched out to the horizon. One of the perks of being the family who the town was created for; private beach access.

Julieta and Agustín had taken their two girls and Dolores off to get something to eat while Pepa stayed behind with Félix. For what reason, they weren’t entirely sure but they had a pretty good idea. 

Turns out they were only half right.

“It’s going amazing. I love these beach trips.”

“Well it’s your day, you deserve it.” She turned in his arms and gave him a quick kiss, and then another, and another. “But now it’s time for your present.”

“Seeing you in this tiny little bikini all wet and glistening isn’t it?”

He grinned as she smirked, and gave him another kiss. 

“It’s one of them. The next one comes in a few minutes.” She grabbed the bottle of sunblock and handed it to him. “Will you lotion me?”

“Oh that is quite the gift,” he purred as he poured a handful of the lotion into his palm and rubbed it between his hands to warm it up. Pepa laid face down on her towel and Félix sat beside her, firmly but gently rubbing the lotion into her shoulder blades and moving down her back. His knuckle ran down the center of her spine and he grinned as she shuddered rather pleasantly.

“I don’t think I have to worry about burning there,” she said as he began to rub the lotion into her legs and inner thighs.

Félix placed a soft kiss on her shoulder and gave her ass a quick little pat. “Can’t be too careful.”

Pepa grinned as she turned on her back. “I love how you worry about me.”

“Well that’s my job.” He poured another glob in his hand and began spreading it on her neck, her shoulders, the parts of her breasts that weren’t hidden by the yellow bikini top…

When he got to her stomach the rainbow and sun above her head shone brighter. As he started to go to her legs she grabbed hold of his hand. 

“I um… I need you to make sure you really get my stomach really good.”

Félix quirked his brow for a moment before he poured some more in his hands and rubbed it in where she asked. “You normally burn the worst on your shoulders though.”

“I know, but… I need to make sure he’s protected too.”

“Who’s protected?”

She bit her lip, her rainbow shining brighter. “Your son.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t have a son.” 

Pepa stilled his hand on her belly. A warm happy mist began to fall, mixing with the sun and the rainbows. “Yes you do.”

He looked at her for a moment, and then another and another before his big brown eyes went wide and she grinned at him. “A- a son? I have a son?” 

She nodded quickly, her eyes flooding with tears of joy. “You do.”

“You- you’re pregnant?”

“I am.”

“You’re pregnant, you- you’re really pregnant?” He let out a loud cry and cheer as he wrapped her in a bone breaking hug. “You’re pregnant! You’re pregnant! She- she’s pregnant!”

Pepa laughed as he stood, taking her with him. He picked her up, spinning her around. The sun in the sky and hers along with the mist of warm rain and her rainbows created an entire prism of colors around them. He’d never seen anything so beautiful. He set her down and pressed a kiss against her lips that she eagerly returned, resting their foreheads against one another when they pulled away

“You’re pregnant,” he whispered, resting his hand on her stomach where their son was resting inside her, living and thriving… “You’re pregnant.”

Pepa rested her hand over his, her smile as bright as her rainbow.  “Happy Fathers Day, Mi Sol.”

Mirabel 

“Pepa, can you turn down the sun? It’s a little bright.”

“No.” 

Agustín watched his sister-in-law lay out on her beach towel, her own sun above her along with a small little rainbow as she slathered yet another layer of sunscreen on. “Any particular reason why not?”

“Because I am finally relaxed and calm after I spent thirty minutes arguing with two children, who I am convinced are half fish, to wait thirty minutes after they ate lunch before they went back in the water.” Pepa put on her sunglasses and leaned back with her book. “I am not doing anything for anyone until it’s time to pack up and go home.”

“Fair enough.”

Agustín leaned back in his own beach chair, a lazy little smile on his face as he watched Félix play with the kids, laughing as he heard their screams of joy and yelling. 

He glanced over at Julieta whose eyes were covered by her sunglasses, but judging by the slow soft breathing he gathered she was taking a much needed nap after making lunch for ten different people.

With Félix taking charge of the kids, Agustín decided that a nap wouldn’t be all that bad of an idea. He leaned back against his chair and with a content sigh. He closed his eyes, and with the smell of the beach and the sounds of the gulls above them he soon fell asleep.

Only to be shaken awake what felt like not even thirty seconds later.

“Papi?” Mirabel’s soft little voice whispered giving him another shake. “Papi up?”

“Hm? Yes. Yes, mija I’m up,” he muttered as he opened one of his eyes. The sun had dipped a bit, signifying some amount of time had passed. Julieta was still sleeping while Pepa had gone from reading to simply sun bathing, and Félix had been roped into helping the older kids with a sandcastle. 

He looked over at his youngest and couldn’t help but smile at his little Mirabel in her butterfly swimsuit. Her little blue floaties dripped water and she was covered in sand. Her beach towel was in one hand and she had a thumb in her mouth.

“What do you need, Miraboo?” he asked. He gently pulled her thumb from her mouth. They’d been trying to break her from that habit. It wasn’t always so successful. 

“Papi…” she said in half a whine as she rubbed her eyes, slightly glowering at him as though it was his fault she was tired. “Nap.” 

He laughed and nodded and immediately she scrambled up the chair and plopped down on his lap, laying down on his chest and snuggling up to him.

She handed him her towel. “Cover me,” she said with a loud yawn. 

“Okay,” he said, kissing the top of her dark curls. Agustín took the towel and covered her up, only to be met with another whine a second later. She tried to hide her face against his chest. Then she tried rolling over and throwing her arm over her eyes. 

“Too bright! Tia!”

“Don’t bother Tia right now. I can fix it okay?” He covered her head with the towel as well. “Better?”

“Better.” She cuddled closer and yawned again as she closed her eyes. “Night night, Papi.”

“Night night, Miraboo.”

Mirabel closed her eyes and started to settle down for a long comfortable nap. As Agustín held her tight as she nuzzled against him. He decided that Mirabel’s idea had been a fantastic one that he had decided to partake in as well. He too closed his eyes and leaned back, ready to take another nap.

“ Félix MAURO CASTILLO MADRIGAL PUT HIM DOWN NOW!”

Mirabel huffed as one of her little brown eyes opened and immediately she glared at her Tia who was sitting up on her towel and pointing an accusatory finger at her husband. Félix had lifted a screaming, laughing Camilo up in the air by one ankle and was swinging him back and forth.

“He just ate!” Pepa yelled at her husband who had now swung him behind his back. “You’re gonna make him sick!”

“He’s always ‘just ate’!” Félix yelled back. “The boy is a bottomless pit!”

Mirabel huffed again before she got off Agustín and marched over to Pepa with all the authority a three year old girl could possess and tapped her on the leg. 

“Tia!” she huffed, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

Pepa looked over at the cross looking little girl. “Si?”

“Nap time!” 

Pepa started to grin. Mirabel took her naps very seriously. She glanced over at Agustín who was holding Mirabel’s towel. She must’ve just gotten comfortable laying on her papi. “I’m sorry, niña.” 

“Too bright!” 

“I know, bebé. I can’t fix that right now.” 

“Too loud!” 

“Okay, I’m sorry.”  Pepa threw up her hands in mock defense. It wasn’t… actually, yes it was everyday she had to argue with a three year old. 

“Shush!” 

Agustín choked on his laugh and Félix wheezed as they both watched Pepa raised a brow at her niece.

“Well excuse me,” she said with just the tiniest bit of thundering to accompany her words. “I am so sorry for disturbing your beauty sleep Princesa Junior.”

“Good.” Mirabel said rather matter of factly before she turned on her heel and stomped back to Agustín. “Tia, too loud.” she huffed as she climbed back in her Papi’s lap and covered herself back up with the towel.

He laughed again and kissed the top of her head as she closed her eyes and snuggled up against him again. “Get some sleep, Miraboo. I’m sure Tia is gonna be much quieter from now on.”

Antonio

“Why do you have to eat salsa before church on every single holiday?!” Pepa yelled as she scrubbed at Camilo’s tie with baking soda and water as her cloud thundered above her. “Especially when your tio already left and he can’t help get this out?!”

“I see chips and salsa and I eat it! It’s instinct. I can’t help it!” Camilo flinched as her cloud thundered dangerously louder. “… Maybe next time I could fight instinct...”

“Yes, you should because now we’re going to be late!”

“No we won’t. Here.” Félix grabbed the tie Pepa wanted him to wear and handed it to Camilo who quickly slipped it on over his shirt. “See it’s fine.”

“It is not fine! Because now you don’t have a tie since you only own one! He can wear one of Agustín’s.”

“No!” Camilo whined. “Tio’s ties are all nerdy!”

“They are not!”

“I told you. I don’t need a tie, Pepa!”

“Yes, you do!”

“No, I don’t!”

“Yes, you—”

“Papi has another tie!”

All three looked at a bright beaming Antonio who ran out of the room and returned a second later with a long, flat, wrapped box. “I was gonna wait until after church to give it to you but you can have it now if you want!”

The atmosphere shifted almost instantly. Pepa had to bite her lip to keep from grinning, and Félix forced himself to smile. “Is this my Father’s Day present?”

“Uh huh! I made it myself!” he said proudly.

“Then I’m sure it’s amazing,” he said as he tore off the cheap tissue paper and opened the box.

“Oh Tonito!” Pepa gasped, choking back a laugh. “It’s beautiful!”

Félix swallowed. “It’s so… glittery… and neon...” 

“It’s glow in the dark glitter too!”

“That way everyone will be able to see it even in the dark!” Pepa said. “That’s so clever!”

“Wow, Papá. I wish I had a tie that great,” Camilo said with a smirk.

“Keep it up and I’ll be nice enough to share it.”

“Will you wear it to church?” Antonio asked with an adorable pout. One they knew Félix wouldn’t be able to resist. “Please, Papi?”

Félix turned his groan into a throat clear and nodded, kissing his youngest son's cheek. “Of course I will, Papito.”

The excitement and joy in Antonio’s eyes as Félix put on the neon yellow glitter-covered tie was (almost) enough to make him forget how uncomfortable the feeling of being strangled was when he slipped it on. 

“You look beautiful, Papi.”

“Just what every man wants to hear before he goes out in public.” He picked him up and kissed his cheek. “I love it, Antonio. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He hugged him around his neck. “Happy Father’s Day, Papi.”

“Okay come on, we’re gonna be late,” Pepa said, waving away the cloud of warm mist before anyone got wet. “Then afterwards, beach time!”

“You sure did get a lot of comments about your super awesome tie!” Julieta said, later when church clothes had been shed and bathing suits had been donned, as they sat at the picnic table next to the grill as Félix laid down the charcoal. 

Agustín nodded in agreement. His own kids had aged out of adorable albeit ugly gifts and had gotten him a black pinstripe silk tie. “I know! Even the priest made sure to mention it.”

Félix scoffed as he started unwrapping the burgers he and Julieta had pressed the night before. “Well yeah, they were just jealous they don’t have a cool neon glow in the dark, glitter tie.” 

He was about to light the charcoal when Antonio came running over, wet and covered in sand. “Wait!” he yelled out, a beaming smile on his face. “Papi, wait!”

“What’s wrong, Tonito?” Félix asked as he began to dig in Pepa’s beach bag.

“Me and Mami picked this out for you!” 

Antonio handed Félix another long rectangular box. This one was significantly heavier than his first gift, and wrapped in much more nicely wrapped paper. Félix tore off the paper, finding a sleek leather case about two feet long and about eight inches wide inside. He opened it and took a sharp breath as he looked at the shining metal grill kit with engraving on the handles. 

“To Papi. With love, Dolores, Camilo, & Antonio.” Félix read aloud with a grin. 

“I thought you might like something in addition to the tie,” Pepa said as Félix took out the spatula and let out a low whistle as the sun gleamed off the flawless steel.

“Do you like it?” Antonio asked.

“I love it!” He hugged him tight. “Thank you, Tonito! The food is gonna taste a hundred times better now.”

“Do you like it more than the tie?”

Félix scoffed. “Are you kidding me? I couldn’t like anything more than my tie.”

Antonio beamed. “Good! Because Mami said I should get you another tie next year too!”

“I cannot wait.”