Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Being a Madrigal was not easy. One would think having spectacular gifts like super strength, plant manipulation or even controlling the weather would be fun and amazing thing to have. In reality, it was tough. From the age of five the Madrigals received their gifts, they’d devote their lives to the town after that which also meant, no time for themselves. Abuela Alma was strict about that. Everyone used their gifts to help the community. All but one. 

Mirabel Madrigal, the youngest granddaughter of Abuela Alma Madrigal and the youngest daughter of Julieta Madrigal was a fifteen year old young girl who was the only Madrigal without a gift (excluding the Madrigal husbands of course). She couldn’t grow flowers like her oldest sister Isabela, or carry impossible things like her older sister Luisa. She couldn’t hear a pin drop like her cousin Dolores or shape shift like her cousin Camilo. Couldn’t see the future like Tio Bruno, or control the weather like Tia Pepa. And lastly, she couldn’t heal with a meal like her mama Julieta.

Mirabel desperately wanted to make her family proud, earn Abuela’s approval but no matter what she did, or how hard she tried, she’d always get scolded or told to stay out of the way. Mostly from her big sister Isabela who was always so perfect and loved…The first born grandchild, the golden child. Abuela’s favorite. Mirabel wanted to be as loved as her sister who before her ceremony used to be inseparable. 

After her failed ceremony, they slowly drifted apart, at first Isa was always supportive and would comfort her when she cried. But slowly, she got busier and busier, when Isa was teenager she had…mood swings and mostly had Mirabel as her outlet for anger. Mirabel used to look up to her oldest sister, but now, she was convinced Isabela hated her guts. Sometimes, although she’d never admit it outloud, Mirabel just wanted her sister back not the Seniorita Perfecta as she calls her now.

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Antonio’s ceremony was tonight. The four soon five-year old was her youngest cousin and youngest son of Tia Pepa. The young boy was the only member in the family besides her mama who adored her. Tonito always looks up to Mirabel despite not having a gift. It did help that they shared room. But now, Antonio would get his super awesome gift and his new room, he’d probably forget her and join the rest of the family.

Soon, night came, it was time for the ceremony to take place. Luckily it was successful, Antonio received his gift, animal talking, it suited him since he always loved animals. Mirabel had made him a jaguar plushie just before the ceremony as a birthday gift. 

As expected, she was forgotten in the family picture and was mostly a shadow during the entire party until…She saw Casita cracking. Mirabel panicked and decided to warn everyone.

“THE MAGIC IS IN DANGER, I SAW CASITA CRACKING!” Mirabel yelled as she entered Antonio’s room. Abuela and the rest of the family and the villagers as well looked at her worriedly.

“Show me” Abuela demanded, Mirabel nodded and lead the family outside only to find Casita…fine, no cracks or anything out of ordinary.

“But…” Mirabel muttered, Isabela rolled her eyes in annoyance. Abuela sighed and calmed the villagers down.  Mirabel’s oldest sister death glared at her when no one was looking. Mirabel looked down, she later had a talk with her mama who apparently did not believe her either.

Mirabel was used to being misjudged and unwanted but the words from the grandkids of the family next morning broke her.First it was Camilo when Mirabel approached him thinking it was Dolores his words stabbed like a knife.

"You know,you should of thought something better than planning to ruin Antonio's ceremony with your stupid crack in Casita idea. We all know you're jealous Mirabel.Are you going to talk about the cracks every time you want attention?" Camilo hissed and walked away with his plate.

Tio Felix and Pepa just stared with pity,Luisa attempted to calm her down by telling her that they loved her no matter what and she had nothing to prove. Dolores told her she was the only one who saw the cracks and if there were really cracks she'd have heard them. And lastly,her oldest sister,the one who she used to always look up to and always would be there to comfort her. Isabela telling her off wasn't something new but … This time.

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Isabela was furious with Mirabel's behavior last night, she knew it'd be hard for her hermanita but this … attempt to ruin Antonio's ceremony? Not only that, Mariano had come to ask her about the cracks worriedly later. Speaking of which Dolores had announced that her engagement was tonight.She did not want this at all, but she had to do it for her family,for her sisters … Isabela was thirteen when she decided to get all attention from her Abuela on her just to protect Mirabel from scolding. It was bad enough she did not get a gift but her hermanita would not stop trying to prove herself,making Isabela's job harder. Naturally she ended up snapping at her baby sister and every time she did,she felt awful,especially by the hurt look Mirabel was giving her each time. She just wanted to hold her hermanita close and tell her everything would be okay but …she never did.

And now Mirabel had crossed a line,and she wanted to make sure her hermanita would not attempt anything to ruin the engagement,who knows what Abuela would do to her baby sister it the night didn't go perfectly well. Isabela dragged Mirabel in Casita and glared.

"Mariano's proposal is tonight,you better not ruin it like you always do. Stay out of the way and for your sake don't utter a word" Isabela hissed, Mirabel probably looked at her more hurt than she normally does, she always backfires whenever Isabela made a comment and the two argued, Isabela expected another backfire from her hermanita but…nothing,she just weakly nodded and left. That's a first. Isabela noticed how upset Mirabel was,  she wanted to go after her and just hold her close till her hermanita felt better about herself but now…she had other things she worried about … So all she did was go to her room and hold onto an imperfect Rose Plushie Mirabel had made for her Quince. Yes she was rude when Mirabel had given it to her but in reality it was the best gift she had received that day and slept with it every night. In fact, Isa had kept every single gift Mirabel had given her over the years despite the criticism she showed when receiving them.

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Mirabel ran to the nursery and stayed there for the rest of the day.She wanted to save the miracle, yes but after being doubted by everyone in the family it broke her. Mirabel decided to make something as a present for Isabela's engagement, maybe…her sister would finally accept her. And of course she ran out of fabric,great she now had to go to the town and get some more so Mirabel quietly left the nursery and walked to the sewing store. She was a known customer there and well loved by Senora Rodriguez. On her way there she couldn't help but over hear the villagers talking about her. They were all upset by her behavior. Great … as having her family hate on her but having the villagers too…maybe she should just stay out of the way for good. 

On her way back to Casita she bumped onto Osvaldo. 

"Ah Mirabel, just the person I wanted to see" Osvaldo exclaimed 

"Anything I can help you with sir?" Mirabel asked filled with hope to make herself useful.

"I actually got a present for you. I know last night was…hard for you so I figured I could give you another not special…special gift." Osvaldo exclaimed as he gave Mirabel another package with things for Isabela's engagement… Mirabel sighed and faked a smile. She left soon after and placed the new package on the kitchen. She quickly return to the nursery where she worked on a gift for her big sister. She had made a decision that day…

In a week's time she'd be gone from encanto.

Chapter Text

It was Isabela's engagement dinner, everything of course had to be perfect. Julieta had cooked the perfect dinner for her oldest daughter's engagement. Luisa helped around despite feeling weaker,she never admitted it. Dolores was awfully quiet and surprisingly starter avoiding Isabela like the plague despite the fact the two where best friends and one of the few who still hanged out with Isabela. Mirabel never uttered a word during the entire dinner, Mariano proposed, Isabela said yes and the dinner was deemed successful. Abuela couldn't be happier and prouder for her oldest granddaughter. When Mariano and his mother left, Mirabel decided to give her last gift to Isabela.

Mirabel made sure it was just her and Isabela, she didn’t notice how stressed her oldest sister was at that time and gently touched her shoulder, bad idea….

“What?!?” Isabela instantly snapped, Mirabel made a step back and sighed. 

“I-I just wanted to give you this…” Mirabel mutters as she hands her big sister an envelop.  Isabela takes it but doesn’t open it, she was too fed up for some reason then again, Isa was always fed up with her. Mirabel sighs and retreats back to her nursery. Strangely enough Mirabel barely comes out of the nursery for the next few days until one day Antonio decides to check on his favorite cousin.

"Mira?" Antonio asked, he looked around but didn't find her anywhere nor in nursery,the boy panicked and asked his  sister Dolores if she could hear his Prima anywhere.

"N-no…I can't hear her…why can't I hear her" Dolores mumbled,as soon as she said that,the entire family gathered in the dining table asking about Mirabel's whereabouts 

"She was too quiet this week … " Camilo admits

"I've always find Mirabel running around with the town's kids but today and she wasn't ,the kids actually stopped me and asked me if I seen her but I hadn't …" Luisa admits, Julieta was panicking, her youngest hija was missing!! Abuela attempted to calm her daughter down but didn't do much. Agustin decided to help organize a search party, almost all the grandkids agreed almost…

"You seriously not coming?" Luisa questioned , trying not to sound mad at her oldest sister

"Mirabel is probably just hiding in the forest, she's done it before…" Isabela replied I hope she thought…. Luisa glared but knew her sister had a point, Mirabel had done this again when she was 10 she had found a spot where Dolores couldn't hear her and hid there when Pepa announced her pregnancy … her hermanita thought they'd abandon her after Antonio's birth.

"What if-"Luisa got cut off by Isabela

"I said she's fine, she's just trying to get attention" Isabela snapped. Please tell me she's just doing it for attention… Luisa sighed , she knew it was pointless getting Isabela to help.

"Fine, stay here then, if Mira is hurt it will be your fault" Luisa glared ,Isabela scoffed but inside…she was beating herself up,she just wanted Mira to be okay. Isabela decided to head off to her room,she noticed Mirabel's envelope the one she had given her during the engagement, her hands trembled but picked it up and opened it…She fell on her knees when she read what was inside.

Isa…I know probably when you read this I'll be already gone, you wouldn't have opened it earlier unless you did and just didn't care I guess… Anyways, what I want to say here is goodbye, I don't know what I did to get you to hate me so much, YOU had promised me that nothing would change even when I didn't get a gift,but you did change… I'm sorry if I did something to piss you off, I'm sorry that I always was in the way, I guess I won't be in the way anymore…I'm leaving Encanto, it's better for everyone . Oh and…Congrats for the wedding. I wanted to make you something but I couldn't do something perfect enough for you so … this is the best I could think off… -Mirabel

Isabela teared up…her hermanita thought she was not good enough for her! Oh if she only knew…of course she didn't what was the last time I hugged her or told her I loved her? Gosh I'm terrible… Isabela got up from the spot she had fallen and walked to her bed,she grabbed the plushie Mirabel had given her for her Quince and held is close to her chest.

It was Isabela's Quinceanera everything was going perfectly well as always, she was wearing a beautiful purple dress even more impressive than the one she's wearing now, her papa changed her shoes and danced with her. The whole encanto was there. Yet all Isabela wanted to do was  spend her day with her family and mostly her sisters.

It was night time and the guests left to their homes, most of the family members where about to go to bed ,that's when a nine year old Mirabel had the courage to approach her big sister. They still hadn't fully drifted apart, Isabela would still make her flowercrowns or try and spend some time with her but not like she did younger.

"Isa?" Mirabel asked her big sister who was about to go to her room, she looked down at her hermanita.

"What is it Mira?" Isabela asked softly, shyly  her baby sister handed her a gift.

"I-Its not that good…it's my first try" Mirabel muttered , Isabela opened the box and remained silent, inside of it there was a plushie, a rose plushie or at least Mirabel attempted to make it look like one,it was far from perfect,the petals were not right shape and….yet Isa loved it but…

"What's this supposed to be?" Isabela asked, she sounded distant,she glanced at Abuela who was nearby,she couldn't show softness…no matter how much she wanted to.

"A rose plushie…I never tried to sew a plushie before" Mirabel mumbled her eyes were not meeting Isa's

"It's far from perfect and I'm too old for plushies" Isabela exclaimed,she hated herself when Mirabel just looked down and left heartbroken all she wanted to do was pick her baby sister up and cuddle with her all night …. But she had to put the facade on…

Truth is … ever since that night Mirabel had reduced her gifts to her big sister mostly cause she wanted to make sure they were perfect but never were. As for the plushie, Isabela treasured it and slept with it every night without anyone knowing it. And now, it was her comfort she wanted her baby sister back she'd look the entire world if she had to…

"I'll make it up to you Mira…I promise"

Chapter Text

The group search came back after hours of looking around with nothing,they were exhausted,Dolores could not hear Mirabel anywhere in Encanto and it was freaking her out. Julieta was in a bad state,Agustin was holding her close comforting her but he was in bad state himself.

"Why would she leave the Encanto??" Camilo questioned.

"I've heard her cry every night in the nursery for some years now … she did stop when Antonio was born but she always was about to break when we told her to stay out of the way" Dolores admitted. Luisa just felt guilty and hugged herself

"She cried in her sleep???" Luisa almost yelled, Dolores placed a hand on her shoulder

"Why couldn't I just be with Mira!" Luisa mumbled

"Luisa, you're probably one of the few people who Mirabel wouldn't be mad at, we all know how many chores you have" Dolores exclaimed ,Antonio nodded and climbed on Luisa's back.

"Mira was not mad at anyone…maybe she was at her" Antonio exclaimed as he pointed at Isabela who was quite the entire time. Luisa slightly glared at her oldest sister while Dolores said nothing.

"Isabela was always mean to Mira" Antonio points out, Luisa felt anger, she remembers a time when Mira would follow Isa like a duckling. When did it go wrong? How busy was she that she missed her sisters falling apart….

"S-She gave me this after the engagement …I read it last night" Isabela sighed trying hard not to break down as Luisa read the note and death glared at her oldest sister.

"So it IS your fault" Luisa hissed, clearly pissed off. The grandkids stared at Luisa A bit scared since Luisa never raised her voice at anyone and when she did …you know you've messed up.

"Luisa-" Isabela muttered but the death glared she received silenced her.

"DON'T Luisa me! Mirabel wanted to prove herself to YOU as much as she wanted to prove herself to Abuela all you had to do was be her sister yet you failed, heck you're not even a sister to me!!" Luisa snapped , Isabela looked down,she knew she had failed badly ,she just needed to fix this … Luisa got up angrily

"I guess I lost both sisters tonight" Luisa muttered as he left for her room. Antonio was next, who knew a five year old could be this scary when angry then again he was Pepa's son.

"I HATE YOU AND ABUELA" Antonio yelled, he then ran off to his room crying. Camilo just scoffed and left without saying a word. Isabela looked helplessly at Dolores but her cousin just left…she hasn't spoken to her since the engagement , Isabela hugged herself and sat down on her room , she finally broke… She just felt so alone now…she just held on her rose plushie for dear life. She wanted to be Abuela's perfect girl to protect her sisters from the scolding but…was it really worth it?

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Mirabel was climbing the mountains,she had moved fast away from Casita,she was already away from Dolores range, she had a small backpack that had the basic necessities some arepas Incase she got hurt or hungry…But she was not prepared to slip and fall to a remote forest between the mountains…it was protected from a large waterfall as well. Mirabel had fallen down breaking her leg. She ate an arepa and felt better but now…she had to make a settler.

"I guess this is where I'll be living now"

Chapter Text

It's been three long years since Mirabel left the Encanto, Julieta was never the same , she stopped cooking for the village as much and was just missing her baby girl, Agustin was always there by her side. Luisa was overworking herself more trying to distract herself from depressing thoughts. She missed her baby sister.She would always come and fetch her for dinner  or lunch if she was late and now…she was gone. And Isabela….she was having it worse than everyone, yes she was married to Mariano now but it was a marriage she never wanted. She is pushed by Abuela to have children but she always manages to escape the deed. Despite being married to a wonderful man she felt so alone…

Dolores hasn't spoken to her in three years , Luisa hates her guts no matter how much she has tried to be a better sister to her, and Mirabel…oh she looked everywhere for her but never found her. She was a mess…she found an escape through drinking, it would shove the dark thoughts away. She felt so alone… was this how Mira felt? Isa just felt awful, she wanted to get better but with everyone pushing her away she couldn't

Isabela managed to hide her drinking problems from Abuela and everyone else by eating her Mama's food whenever she got drunk. But sometimes she just got so drunk she passed out on bed. Mariano found her once. He comforted her that night but he didn't make it better. He agreed to keep it from Abuela but now he had an eye on her at all times.

Isabela was sick of it…one night she decided to get so drunk that she didn't know what she was doing…she took a very reckless decision that night 

I'll go to Mira

It was reckless…it was night and Isabela was alone in the jungle without any necessities. She could get killed…not that she cared but… it was reckless. Isabela was now climbing the same mountain Mirabel had climbed,how she did it while drunk? Nobody knows… Isabela found a cliff that separated it from the other side of mountain and decided to pull of a swing while drunk…bad idea she swang with her vine only for it to break and cause her to fall down crushing a house's roof. She was barely conscious when she heard…

"WHAT THE HELL?!? ISABELA?!?"

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Mirabel was never able to leave Encanto ,instead she moved to that remote forest she found when she fell from the cliff three years ago. She healed quickly with Mama's arepas she was able to build a house nothing like Casita but it was cozy enough for her to live in. She was taller than three years ago and her hair was long. She was also muscular since she had to hunt and cut wood daily. She had found a small wolf pup that was injured and nursed back to health, it stuck around with her. The pup, now a grown up wolf, had a clean white fur she had named her Bela because it did act a lot like her oldest sister. Her wolf was bothered whenever she got dirty by mud and would always clean herself, she was making sure to not make a mess while eating…

Mirabel was returning to her house when she saw something destroying her roof, Bela growled slightly and Mirabel ran inside, she was shocked to see that the thing that destroyed her roof was not a rock but her oldest sister…

"WHAT THE HELL?!? ISABELA?!?" Mirabel yelled she ran worriedly to her sister's side, despite everything Isa was hurt right now and needed her…Mirabel carefully picked her up, Isa looked at her weakly and recognized her.

"M-Mira?" Isabela muttered

"Easy sis, I got you, your leg is broken but it will be fine" Mirabel comforted her as she placed her on a couch she then proceeded to clean her sister's wound who was obviously drunk, Mirabel scoffed, why would senorita perfect would  be so drunk?

Mirabel was about to leave so she'd get health aid kit but Isa held her hand not letting her leave.

"D-Don't go …" Isabela muttered weakly, Mirabel sighed

"Isa I have to get your wounds cleaned up…that was a heavy fall" Mirabel explained, Isabela seemed to drunk to understand.

"Everyone hates me" Isabela mumbled, Mirabel stopped, she knew her sister needed urgent healing but it was also the only time her sister could open up.

"Huh?"

"Luisa…A-Antonio, D-Dolores won't even looked at me" Isabela muttered, Mirabel just sat next to her she had found the necessities to clean her wounds luckily they were nearby.

"Mama is disappointed…a-and I married Mariano" Isabela muttered, Mirabel raised an eyebrow , the way Isabela said that she was married…it didn't sound happy.

"I didn't want to marry him" She admitted, Mirabel's eyes widened, this explained so many things, Isabela's behavior had changed ever since Abuela had courted her with Mariano , apparently her big sister had no say in this, no wonder she would snap easily. Sure it didn't excuse her past behaviors but it now made so much sense.

"Isa…" Mirabel muttered as she cleaned her sister's wounds

"I'm sorry…" Isabela muttered , Mirabel pulled her close once her sister's wounds were taken care of and stroked her hair.

"It's going to be okay now…" Mirabel whispered, Isabela fell asleep curled up on her baby sister clearly afraid to let go. Mirabel wondered how much of a mess her oldest sister was…she has a lot of fixing up to do.

But she would not give up on her, she had a family to fix and apparently…a few words with Abuela

Chapter Text

Mirabel was patient with her oldest sister, she clearly was a mess and needed someone to be there for her. Sure Isabela was not the best big sister in the world far from it, but there was a time when she and Mirabel would be inseparable, Mirabel longed to have her big sister back and now…she had her chance, Isabela clearly wanted to make amends as well. But first, Mirabel needed to make sure her big sister was sober, yes she wanted to confront Abuela for the mess she caused to her sister and perhaps the whole family but, they couldn’t go back to Casita yet, Isabela was still injured and the girl needed to stay as far away from triggers as possible. Mirabel’s little house in the woods was the perfect location for that.

First things first, Mirabel needed to get her sister off her who was holding onto her like a scared puppy afraid to let go.

“Isa, I have to go hunt, we need food, now I have two stomachs to feed” Mirabel points out only for Isabela to stubbornly hold her tightly.

“Come on! I’ll be back I promise” Mirabel stroked the elder girl’s hair.

“N-no, i-i can’t lose you a-again” Isabela muttered, Mirabel sighed, just how mess had her sister become?

“Issyy, I’ll be fine” Mirabel smiled at her, Isabela perked up, she hadn’t heard that nickname in a long time. Mirabel’s smile was bigger, Isa just curled up closer, still hesitant to let go.

“What If I let Bella cuddle with you?” Mirabel questioned, Isabela looked at her sister puzzled, Mirabel’s wolf growled slightly.

“My wolf, she uh….reminded me of you so-” Mirabel was cut off by another hug from her sister who just had another breakdown.

“Isa-”

“N-no,w-why you named her after me I-I was t-terrible” Isabela muttered, the state her oldest sister was in broke Mirabel’s heart. Did Isa become like this because she left? She was supposed to be happy not a drunk broken mess.

“You weren’t terrible” Mirabel exclaimed causing her big sister to look at her confused.

“But I-”

“Yes you weren’t nice to me for the past few years but also you were stressed, probably more than Luisa, I can see it now, I wish I could have seen it earlier” Mirabel exclaimed, Isabela stared at her teary-eyed, Mirabel wiped her sister’s tears.

“I know some actions of yours cannot be taken back but, looking at them now, you always snapped at me whenever Abuela was around, and…it takes two sides for a fight to start, I didn’t make it easier, I always assumed you were the happy, perfect golden child and that, made me jealous of you” Mirabel admitted.

“I-I was jealous of you…” Isabela muttered, Mirabel raised an eyebrow.

“I always assumed you were happy, being free to do whatever you wanted, the only Madrigal with hobbies, and everything you made was perfect even if you didn’t have a gift…t-that made me jealous… I always thought you had everything without trying but…I was wrong, I can see it now, Mira…” Isabela looked down again, Mirabel chuckled

“We’re not so different after all hm?” Mirabel exclaimed causing her sister to let out a small chuckle

“No…”

“Isa, I’ve forgiven you a long time ago, I didn’t leave because of you, yes you’re the one who I gave a note but you were also the one I wanted to reach out to…” Mirabel explained, Isabela looked at her hermanita with curiosity now.

“Before the dinner I…I found a vision, an old one, Bruno had broken it in his tower and I got the shards, I saw myself and Castia cracking…If I stayed, the family, the Encanto, and the candle would be in danger because of me” Mirabel explained, Isabela stared,

“You left to….”

“Protect you guys from me” Mirabel finished. Isabela teared up and hugged her sister again.

“You could never hurt us” Isabela mumbled, Mirabel smiled weakly and stroked her sister’s hair. Their hug lasted for a few seconds until Isabela’s stomach growled.

“Hm, someone’s hungry” Mirabel exclaimed, Isabela looked down, and Mirabel grinned.

“You know, if you let me go hunt I’ll get us food” Mirabel exclaimed, Isabela sighed and finally let go of her little sister, Mirabel looked at her wolf who hesitantly jumped on Isa’s lap and sat there.

“Keep an eye on her okay?” Mirabel exclaimed to her wolf as she stroked her head. Bella nodded and she curled up on Isa’s lap who was confused but eventually ended up cuddling with the wolf. Mirabel picked her bow up and left the hut.

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By the time Mirabel returned with a successful hunt she found Isabela asleep with her wolf curled up on her. Her big sister was smiling…and it wasn’t one of those fake smiles she did when Abuela mentioned Mariano or when she had to act as seniorita perfecta, It was a real one and Mirabel couldn’t help but smile herself. She’d make sure her sister would be free of that facade,

No more lies, no more secrets, their family has had enough of those, But before she’d fix her family, she had to fix her sister, after all, she was the one she had with her right now.l Mirabel decided to cook for the two of them, she may not have her mama’s healing gift but she had spent enough time with her mama in the kitchen helping as much as she could. She made a simple meal for two and of course, had some bonus treat for her wolf and decided to wake her sister up.

“As much as adorable this is, You have to wake up sis” Mirabel shook her sister’s shoulder gently, Isabela rolled to her right side, Bella had gotten up as soon as she smelled food.

“Five more minutes mum” Isabela muttered, Mirabel snorted and then grinned, she mischievously approached her sleepy sister.

“Issyyy, it’s playtime” Mirabel exclaimed with a grin.

“It’s too early, go play by yourself” Isabela grumbled, Mirabel chuckled, and decided to use a childish voice.

“CaMiwILLityourarepas” Mirabel exclaimed, in an instant, Isabela woke up and attempted to get up from the couch but flinched, she was still injured after all. Mirabel quickly helped her out and lead her to the table, Isabela smiled weakly the two had their lunch together and Mirabel decided to stay around Isa till she was sober.

“C’mon sis, we got a lot of catching up to do”

“Yeah….y-yeah we do”

Chapter Text

For the next few days, Mirabel kept an eye on her big sister, the older girl was clearly better, she was smiling more and was now sober, there were sure times Isa looked for drinks but good thinks Mira’s humble house had none. It was frustrating yes, but Mirabel could be as stubborn as a mule when it came to her family’s safety so she made sure Isabela was taken care of even if her big sister snapped due to the lack of drinking.

Eventually, though, Isabela felt better, she felt…free, with Mira she could be herself without worrying about judgmental looks from Abuela. Mirabel helped her sister explore her gift once she was healed from injuries. Isabela was delighted, she finally knew her true strengths and changed her dress color. Mirabel grinned and looked at her sister with a mischievous smirk.

“What?” Isabela raised an eyebrow.

“I’m wondering Sis, what else can you do?” Mirabel grinned, Isabela grinned as well and the two sisters played around the jungle exploring the oldest girl’s gift. Isabela was curious about each new plant. Mirabel had studied them since she needed to know what’s poisonous and what was not. The two formed a bond that way. Probably as strong as it used to be. With Mirabel by her side, Isabela knew everything would be okay.

It just had to…

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When Isabela disappeared, the Madrigal family panicked, this was the third member they lost, Abuela had sent search parties bout her beloved granddaughter but all returned empty-handed. First, her son Brunito, then her youngest nieta Mirabel, now Isabela, what was going on? The family one by one was leaving…And Alma felt clueless.

It wasn’t until Mariano finally revealed Isa’s drinking habits that made everyone question their ways. Was Isa actually happy? Was she ever happy to begin with? Someone doesn’t start drinking if they are not depressed. The grandkids felt a bit responsible for Isa’s state. Dolores had held a grudge against her cousin for marrying Mariano. It was her own fault for not speaking up to Abuela about it in the first place, blaming Isa was wrong, she realizes it now.

Luisa felt guilty, yes she was mad at Isa for Mirabel’s departure but, it wasn’t just Isa who had pushed the fifteen-year-old away. Sure she had been busy with chores but she still neglected her hermanita and even felt a bit jealous of her at times for being able to relax while she couldn’t.

“I’m a bad Hermana” Luisa muttered, Dolores placed an arm on her shoulder.

“No Luisa, you’re not, you were angry, you had your reasons to be angry” Dolores points out.

“That doesn’t excuse me snapping at Isa, yes Mirabel and Isabela had their rivalry but I am also to blame… Was I there for Mira when she needed it? No…Was I there for Isa when she needed it? No” Luisa broke down, Dolores held her close.

“I was mad at Isa for marrying Mariano” Dolores admits, Luisa raises an eyebrow

“I was so mad at her that I didn’t realize she had no say in this or how much she was hurting” Dolores admitted,

“We all messed up” Camilo joins in the conversation, and Dolores and Luisa looked at him.

“Mirabel and I were together since birth, yet after her ceremony, I ignored her although I had the easiest job between you guys, I mean I could easily have her help me with babysitting but no…I distanced myself” Camilo admits,

“We all messed up as you said, probably only Tonito hasn’t the question is…how do we fix it?” Luisa questioned.

“We need to find them…If my bets are correct, Isa probably left to look for Mira” Dolores exclaimed

“When do we leave?” Camilo questions

“Tonight”

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Julieta was a worse mess than she was before, not only she had lost her youngest daughter but now she lost her oldest one as well. It was only a matter of time before the universe decides to take away Luisa too.

“I’m a terrible mama” Julieta muttered, Agustin, places a hand on her shoulder.

“No, no you’re not Juli” Agustin comforts his wife.

“I managed to lose two of my girls Gus, TWO” Julieta broke down

“Mirabel was hurting and no matter how much we tried to show her she was part of the family it was not enough for her to not leave, and now I find out Isa was drinking…My hija was drinking and now she’s off to who knows where” Julieta continued. Agustin just held his wife close, he was a mess himself too, he was supposed to protect his girls yet he failed two of them, who knew if Luisa was hurting too.

Alma had been speechless for the past days, she felt…guilt, why would Isabela get drunk? She was happy….right? What went wrong….Did she unconsciously push her so much that she broke her? Was it her fault that Mirabel and Bruno left too?

“Aye Pedro, help me get my nietas back, open my eyes…show me what I did wrong, my girls were hurting, Brunito was hurting, help me fix us” Alma talked to the candle and sighed,

She wanted to fix her mistakes, but first, she needed to find the lost girls, bring them home and make sure they're okay.

They were okay….right?

Chapter Text

The grandkids left Casita determined to bring the missing Madrigal girls back. They walked through the forest with Dolores trying to listen for Isabela or Mirabel. At first they got nothing but that was until they arrived at the mountains.

"I can hear them…" Dolores exclaimed, Luisa looked at her filled with hope.

"They are…laughing, chasing each other" Dolores exclaimed as she heard Isabela's laugh while apparently chasing her youngest sister.

"Where are they?" Luisa questioned, Dolores lead the way,by the time they found the hidden forest and Mirabel's but, the sisters were found cuddling on the couch smiling in their sleep. Honestly they've never seen them so happy before.

"Should we bring them back?"Camilo questioned, Luisa stared at her sisters from the window feeling a bit jealous. 

"I haven't seen Isa smiling like that since her ceremony" Dolores admits

"Or Mira's birth…" Luisa added.

The grandkids decided to wait for the sisters to wake up outside , they did not want to ruin their happiness. They've already hurt both enough…eventually the two sisters woke up and walked outside they both froze when they saw Luisa, Dolores, Camilo and Antonio outside the house. Isabela nervously held Mirabel's hand who squeezed it

" What are you guys doing here??" Mirabel questioned little harshly.

"We were looking for you two" Luisa answers

"And why were you looking for us,?" Mirabel demanded, the grandkids looked at each other.

"We want to make things right…" Luisa muttered, Mirabel raised an eyebrow 

"And you guys decided to make things right when Isabela went missing, ive been gone for three years" Mirabel hissed, Luisa,Camilo and Dolores looked down 

"The only one who has an excuse here is Antonio, he's 8" Mirabel added as she had picked little Antonio in her arms. Isabela looked down too. 

"You never stood up for me, Dolores we hardly ever talked, Camilo you stopped hanging out with me even in your free time, Luisa, you were one of the few people who didn't change around me although you still had a lot of chores…but I don't approve you being mad at Isa. I didn't leave because of her." Mirabel admits

"But why leave a note only to her" Camilo argued

"I-It was a distressed note… she wanted to see if I'd stop her" Isabela looked down feeling guilty for not reading the note when Mirabel had given it to her.

"I found a vision in Bruno's tower…it showed me and Casita…cracking j thought if I left everything would be okay but…" Mirabel explains, Luisa looks down feeling guilty 

"I told you it was off limits!" Luisa scolded her baby sister who smiled sheepishly 

"Cause it's a totally good idea to tell our curious hermanita that something is off limits" Isabela jokes,Mirabel elbowed her

"It's the truth" Isa commented, Mirabel rolled her eyes

"Thanks a lot"Mirabel muttered

"Anyways… We're here to get you girls back, Tia Julieta is worried sick and Abuela is mad" Camilo interrupts

"Well…we're not coming back …yet" Mirabel exclaimed

"But…"

"We still need time away from everything … Isa needs time away from everything especially Marian-"Mirabel was interrupted by a vine that elbowed her

"Isa?!?" Mirabel yelled out, Isabela glared 

"No"

"They need to know"

"NO" Isabela yells out and storms off back in the house.

"Know what?" Luisa asks softly

"Its up to Isa … anyways it's nice seeing you guys but we're not coming back, we are fine here, besides if I come back now I'm going to have a few words with Abuela" Mirabel explains 

"Why with Abuela?" Camilo questions

"Reasons" 

"Look, you guys have been mad at Isa for who knows what reason …yes I didn't leave because of Isa but all of you are to blame,none of you stood up for me …excluding Tonito and none of you saw Isa hurting so we're not coming back till we're ready…" Mirabel explained as she handed a sleepy Antonio to Dolores.

"I didn't stay mad at Isa because you left"Dolores blurts out…Mirabel raised an eyebrow 

"IminlovewithMariano" Dolores admitted, the grandkids stared at her. Mirabel sighed,

 "we'll figure something out …in the mean time me and Isa have a lot of things we need to work on …you guys need to go back know that we're okay we'll come back eventually," Mirabel explained, Luisa exchanged glanced with Dolores and they eventually left the two sisters in the woods.

They would be fine eventually….right?

Chapter Text

We can't be hiding here forever" Mirabel argued once she had entered the house

"Yes ,yes we can  ,you did stay here for 3 years…we can stay more" Isabela argued back 

"And you managed to find me drunk, the others found us easily and it's only a matter of time before anyone else does" Mirabel counters 

"I am not going back!"Isabela hissed and hugged herself.

"Isa…look I know you're scared  but you have to face her …him at some point " Mirabel points out as she gently pulls her big sister into a hug.

"I don't want to" Isabela mutters as she buried her head in Mirabel's chest, Mirabel easily picked her sister up.

"I know"

"She'll force me go back to being perfect….being away from you….I don't want that" Isabela muttered

"I don't want that either…I will have a few words with her Issy" Mirabel sat on the couch and the two sisters cuddled.

"I'm scared…" Isabela admits 

"I know…we'll figure it out sis" Mirabel stroked Isa's hair , the two eventually fell asleep on the couch with Isa holding onto Mirabel tightly.

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The grandkids had returned to Casita but they had changed, Mirabel had put them on thought …. Abuela's pressuring had lead to Isabela to get drunk and run away…it had pushed Mira ran away as well and Bruno before her they needed to change before another member was lead to leaving the family.

Luisa was determined to stop doing chores until Abuela changed her ways, she'd only help in real needs. Dolores wouldn't be the free for all gossip machine and Camilo wouldn't baby sit unless it was an emergency or he had to babysit Antonio. 

For the next few days Abuela was beyond pissed with the grandkids behavior,not only they didn't do their chores but they also back talked to her and wouldn't help in the search for Isabela.

"Isa doesn't want to be found let her be" Dolores replied when she got questioned

"It's you who drove both my hermanas away, maybe I should follow in their footsteps," Luisa replied coldly.

Camilo just ignored any request made by Abuela he only obeyed his mama. He was a Mama's boy after all…

The adults are confused by the sudden change in their kids behavior Luisa never back talked before and always was eager to help, Dolores would stay in her room and not gossip around, Camilo refused to shape shift and Antonio…well he was the only one who didn't change.

Julieta was a mess,not only she had lost Mirabel but now she had lost her eldest and probably would lose Luisa too…it took Luisa a while before deciding to talk to her mama about Isa's and Mirabel's whereabouts she only did so because her mama was in the state of refusing to eat. 

"I'm not going anywhere Mama" Luisa was comforting her mama with her papa. Julieta just held onto her daughter tightly

"I've already lost Isa and Mira how do I know I won't lose you too" Julieta murmured, Luisa sighed…she knew she hadn't had a choice but to reveal Isa's and Mirabel's location

"Mama,you need to promise me you won't tell Abuela this" Luisa begged, Julieta could only nod. Luisa took a deep breath and told everything from Mirabel never leaving Encanto to her surviving in the woods,to how much she had changed when she and the other grandkids visited to Isabela's issues and why she left. And of course she told her about how happythey are there.

"I don't think Dolores had heard Isa laughing so much before…maybe before Mira's ceremony… they are close again too" Luisa explained, Julieta wiped a tear and hugged her daughter smiling a bit for the first time in months.

"My girls…."

"They'll be back when they're ready, Mirabel is strict on that she's keeping an eye on Isa" Luisa explained 

"Think you can take us to them?" Julieta asked, Agustin looked just as much interested. Luisa sighed and agreed she knew she didn't have much of a choice and mama needed to see for herself that Mirabel and Isabela were alright.

"Okay, we'll be going on a small trip tomorrow"

Chapter Text

It did not take long for Luisa to lead her parents to Mirabel's little house in the forest. It wasn't as far and hidden as Mirabel thought it was. However when they got there the sisters were not in the house which caused Julieta to panic

"Relax mama, they're probably out hunting…Besides Isa loves being outside in the forest now" Luisa attempted to calm her panicked mother down

"HUNT? MI BEBE HUNTS?!?" Julieta yelled, Agustin hugged her trying to ease her.

"I had taken her once for hunting at a younger age taught her some things, Mirabel is actually skilled with a bow" Agustin explained 

"When?!?"

"Mira was 7 she was desperate wanting to prove her self and after Alma scolded her over something I decided to take her for camp to clear her mind….it did help and it was fun" Agustin reminded his wife who slightly glared at him

"You said it would just be a small pic nic camping you didn't mention hunting!" Julieta hissed

"Heh well….we had no choice" Agustin chuckled nervously

"Wha-"

"Papa had managed to trip,we got lost and also lost our resources so we had to hunt till we find our way back to Casita" Mirabel joined in as she and toIsabela had just returned home they didn't plan to show up to their parents yet but seeing how panicked their mama was….

Julieta froze when she saw her hijas, they both had changed so much. Mirabel was taller than Isabela, her hair were longer but not too long, she was actually muscular now as she was carrying a dead deer with no problem.

Isabela had changed too…her hair were now covered in colorful pollen, her pink dress was covered in blue pollen with mix of red and yellow. There was no hint of pink in her dress anymore and…her daughter actually smiled,a real one. Julieta couldn't help but just hug both of them tightly, Mirabel had put the deer down in order to hug her mama back.

"I missed you two so much" Julieta muttered, Mirabel and Isabela just hugged their mama tightly, Agustin and Luisa joined in ... .a family hug.

The three sisters cuddled with their mother on the couch Julieta didn't seem to want to let go any of her girls, Mira and Isa had rested their head on her lap just like they did when younger Luisa was nearby cuddling with her papa she had always been a papa's girl.

After a while the sisters caught up with their mum to what theyve been doing the past weeks…Mira had to caught up for what she was doing the last 3 years however…

The whole discussion lead to Julieta taking a big decision…The Blue Branch would move to Mirabel's house if Abuela Alma does not change her ways….

Chapter Text

To say she was pissed it was an understatement…Not only Mirabel had run off three years ago but now, Isabela too and so had Julieta alongside Agustin and Luisa. Alma knew Mirabel always was a problem but she had no right to tear this family apart.

“Dolores can’t you hear them?!?” Alma questioned, Dolores, hummed and shook her head

“No Abuela they left the Encanto” Dolores exclaimed, she knew where the Blue Branch was but she wouldn’t tell until Alma changed her ways.

Mariano was worried, he knew about Isa’s drinking problem and it’s been almost a month since anyone had seen Isa. He approached Dolores.

“Mariano?” Dolores wondered as the young man approached her with worry on his face.

“I know you said to Alma you have no idea where Isa is but.,..”

“She’s okay” Dolores smiled, and Mariano raised an eyebrow.

“She’s with Mira, she needed some time away from everything” Dolores continues after making sure Alma was not around to overhear. Mariano nodded.

“Was it my fault?” Mariano questioned

“No, but you two will need to discuss some things…Do you .love her?” Dolores asked

“Wellll…not the way I should be loving my wife” Mariano admits, Dolores stared a bit.

“We were both forced into this marriage you know…but I do care for her and I’m worried” Mariano continues, Dolores nods.

“She’s in good hands right now” Dolores answered.

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Julieta had made it official, she and her side of the family would move to Mira’s house.

“Julieta! You don’t understand!” Alma had yelled at her oldest.

“That you treated both my daughters horribly, so much so my youngest one felt unloved and ran away, my middle daughter is used as a work mule and my oldest one is pushed to her limits in an unwanted marriage and is scared of other opinions bout her?!?” Julieta hissed

“You pushed Bruno away, now you pushed two of my daughters away I won’t let you take Luisa from me too” Julieta decided.

“I knew Mirabel had always been a problem!” Alma declared

“No, the problem here is you, all Mira ever did was love this family so much that it hurt her so until you open your eyes, Alma, me, and Agustin are leaving with Luisa” Julieta declared

“And where will you go huh?!?” Alma yelled

“Find my daughters”

To say she felt pleased was an understatement, but Julieta had enough, she had tried to reason with her mother a couple of times in the past but ended up with nothing Alma had been always harsh on her daughters, especially her youngest one. But no more, Julieta would now focus on what made her daughters happy instead of what made her mother happy.

So there she was, helping Luisa and Agustin expand Mirabel’s little humble house. By no means it was nothing like Casita but it felt like their own Casita, Mirabel couldn’t believe that her mother had stood up to  Alma and now she had her whole family by her side, (her branch at least) Mirabel was now being cuddled by Isa and Luisa with her wolf Bella watching the trio over. Mirabel couldn’t feel happier.

The next morning they were all surprised to find the magical candle at the dinner table inside their home with a note

It was always meant for the family, not for the community -Abuelo Pedro

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Alma was panicking, Casita had fallen, and now Pepa with her side of the family, alongside Bruno who apparently had been hiding in the walls this entire time to protect Mirabel was now going to join Julieta.  Mariano followed, he and Isabela had to talk about their marriage. 

After being encouraged by her hermanita, Isabela had a talk with Mariano apologizing for getting him into this mess and disappearing without a word, surprisingly, Mariano understood, and they both agreed to end the unwanted marriage and remain friends.

It took a month or two for the three sisters to encourage Dolores in admitting her feelings for Mariano, as soon as she did, the two started dating, and Isabela couldn’t be happier for her cousin.

Bruno after having the scold of his life from Julieta who somehow had chased him all around the new Casita with a la chancla for hiding in the walls all this time was not babied by his two sisters who made sure he ate properly and was taken care of.

Lastly, Mirabel finally received her door after 15 years of waiting, it was Isa’s turn to encourage her sister to open her door.

“What if it disappears again?”

“Then you’ll move with me” Isabela decided

“But-”

“Mira, you helped me get back on my feet when I was at my lowest, you deserve this” Isabela exclaimed, Mirabel nodded and she opened her door… this time it did not fade!! Her new room was screaming Mirabel all over, it had a sewing kit, a warm comfy bed, and something that resembled everyone’s gifts. 

The family was delighted, they all celebrated without a care in the world, Pepa was allowed to let go of her feelings, Isabela destroyed everything that had to do with perfection, Luisa was able to relax, Dolores got the man of her dreams, Antonio was allowed, Camilo was helping out Bruno in his telenovelas and Julieta was watching her daughters being happy, 

As for Alma, it took three more years and a visit from Pedro to open her eyes, she finally ended up apologizing to Mirabel and the two hugged, she apologized to Isabela who although at first held a grudge eventually forgave her grandmother, she made up with her triplets, Bruno especially and lastly, she apologized to Mariano for the forced marriage.

Pedro watched them from above with a smile on his face, his family was finally able to enjoy his gifts for themselves as they should.