Chapter Text
This was wrong and Julieta knew it.
One, she was married. Two, this was a married man. Three, this was her sister’s husband.
Oh, they would be in so much trouble if anyone knew, but Julieta couldn’t deny she was in love with her brother-in-law.
She wasn’t sure how it all started, she was in love with Agustín she truly was and they had two beautiful daughters together so why was she now cuddled up with Félix?
Pepa would kill both of them if she found them like this, but the thrill of trying to not get caught was so exciting to Julieta. She didn’t understand it.
But it has resulted in a six-month-long affair between Julieta and Félix.
Félix shouldn’t be doing this, he knew that. He was married. He had a son and daughter with Pepa. He loved Pepa and her firey personality. But his heart now longed for the other Madrigal sister.
No one knew, well okay someone did.
Dolores, his little girl with enhanced hearing knew and had approached them asking if Julieta was going to be her new Mami.
Félix couldn’t remember what they told her but Dolores hadn’t brought it up since.
And now, here was in bed with his wife’s sister, the wife of one of his best friends, he had no business being so but he was in love with the gentle healer.
It was wrong but it felt so right.
“This feels nice…” Julieta murmured, “Not having to worry about healing…”
“You work too hard, amor,” Félix told her.
“It’s my duty…”
“I know, but you need to take breaks.”
“I am on a break right now.”
“And you spend it with me.”
“Why of course,” Julieta chuckled, “We’re alone here aren’t we?”
Félix chuckled, “I’m just saying if we’re caught…”
“I know, there will be a hurricane…and…I suppose it really isn’t fair to…” Julieta sighed “We either need to come clean or stop this.”
“You’re right…this can’t go on…we can’t keep living a secret life behind everyone’s back. We’re both married, we both have children…this can’t continue…I love Pepa but I love you too…it’s…”
Julieta sighed “I love Agustín…he has been so loyal to me and…I can’t keep living like this.”
Félix sighed “This will have to be the last time we do this…at least we still live in the same house.”
Julieta sighed heavily again “I suppose…” she went quiet for a moment before smirking “But since this is the last time…why not make it special?”
“Oh, do you have something in mind?”
“What do you think?” Julieta slit her eyes.
The two weren’t sure if it was the wine they drank earlier talking or if it was simply their own desires. All they knew is they were both soon undressed with Félix on top of Julieta.
In the heat of the moment they gave in to their desires.
Something that would soon come back to bite both of them.
It would be about a month later Julieta started waking up needing to rush to the bathroom to vomit and she had been needing to urinate more often alongside feeling moodier than usual.
That was on top of her period being late.
Julieta knew what this was, of course, she had experienced it twice already and the thought of it horrified her.
She was pregnant, she just knew it.
While this should be a cause of celebration it couldn’t be, Agustín was not the father. It was impossible for him to be, they haven’t had intercourse in months.
There was only one man she got intimate with lately and that was Félix.
Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.
How was she going to explain this one? She was dead meat, she was super dead meat.
Julieta placed a protective hand over her stomach, no matter how her baby came to her this was now a life that depended on her, this was her baby.
“Amor?” Agustín knocked on the door “Are you okay in there?”
“I’m…” Julieta croaked out “...fine”
“You’ve been running to the bathroom every morning lately, are you alright?”
“I’m fine…I must have picked up a stomach bug or something,” Julieta stood up “I’ll be out in a moment.”
“Maybe you should see the doc-”
“No, no, I’ll be fine.”
“Well…okay…”
Julieta waited until she heard the footsteps fade before flushing the toilet and turning towards the sink and looking into the mirror tears were slowly falling from her eyes.
She didn’t know what to do, she couldn’t hide a pregnancy forever and she couldn’t bring herself to terminate.
Julieta washed her hands and did her best to clean up her face, she had to tell them but Agustín would know right away it wasn’t his and answers were going to be demanded.
Would they kick her out? Would she be left alone to raise her baby? Would her mother make her terminate? Would she force her to put the baby up for adoption?
Taking a deep breath she stepped out of the bathroom to see Dolores standing there with wide eyes “Oh, hi Dolores.”
The five-year-old tilted her head and stepped forward gently poking Julieta’s stomach “You’re having a baby.”
“Y-yes, you’re going to have a new cousin.”
“Then why are you sad?”
“It’s…an adult thing Dolores.”
“I heard you and Papi making strange noises, what were you doing?”
Dolores heard them that day? Oh God, why?
Julieta was sure she could hear her own heart racing “Listen, Dolores, you can not tell anyone about my baby.”
“But why?”
“Because, I will make an announcement when the time is right, okay?”
Dolores tilted her head the other way “Okay,” she squeaked and skipped off humming her small tune.
Julieta let out a breath as she made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen where breakfast was already being cooked.
Alma rose an eyebrow as she entered “Agustín said you were sick again.”
Julieta nodded “Ah…yeah…must be coming down with a-”
“I’m no fool, Julieta, I know exactly what’s going on, you've been experiencing morning sickness, you've been making more frequent trips to the bathroom, you've been getting tiredly more quickly and I hate to say it...a bit grouchy." "I..." "And if you don't mind me asking...your cycle...is everything normal?" "No...it's late." That confirmed it for Alma "You’re pregnant aren’t you?”
“I…yes.”
Alma smiled knowingly “Oh this is simply wonderful news! Have you told Agustín yet?”
“No…no…”
Alma smiled placing a hand on Julieta’s stomach “Another little miracle.”
Pepa walked in with two-year-old Camilo in her arms “What’s up?”
“I…”
“Julieta is pregnant,” Alma gushed.
Pepa didn’t speak as she put Camilo in his high chair but then spun around “Oh, Julieta, congratulations!” she ran over to her sister and hugged her.
Alma realised what she had done “Oh my, I’m so sorry mija you should have been the one to announce this.”
“It’s…fine..” Julieta forced a smile.
“How far along?” Pepa asked.
“About…six or seven weeks.”
A rainbow formed over Pepa’s head “Ooh, another blessing to be added to our family.”
“Yes…blessing.”
“Are you alright?” Alma asked, “You don’t seem excited.”
“I suppose it’s the shock…we…weren’t exactly trying for a baby,” Julieta said. Well, that was the truth.
Agustín entered the kitchen carrying Luisa, Isabela following behind “Feeling better amor?”
“Fine.”
Pepa greeted Luisa with a boop to her nose “You’re going to be a big sister.”
Luisa giggled.
“Wait…what?” Agustín glanced over to Julieta.
“Ah…I…I’m pregnant,” Julieta said “That’s why I’ve been sick, baby number three is on the way,” Julieta said she waited for him to point out that there was no way he could have fathered the child but the thought didn’t seem to cross his mind as a grin spread across his face.
“Oh mi amor this is wonderful news!” Agustín exclaimed.
“Yeah…” Julieta smiled “Great…”
“I can’t believe it! Oh! Our little family grows!” Agustín spun Luisa around "I wonder if we'll get another little girl or if it's going to be a little boy."
“I don’t want a boy!” Isabela exclaimed, “Boys are icky.”
“I’m afraid we can’t choose mi flor,” Julieta hoped no one could see how she was trembling.
Alma clapped her hands with delight “Oh, Julie mija do sit down you do not want to strain yourself.”
“I’m only-”
“Nonsense,” Alma guided Julieta to a chair making her sit.
Bruno sitting across the table from her had remained silent just staring at her,
Julieta couldn’t meet his eyes, did he know? Did he have a vision? How long until Agustín realised the timing was way off?
“Ah…congratualious Julieta,” Bruno said.
“Thank you,” Julieta replied softly.
“Aye, what are we all celebrating in here?” Félix entered holding onto Dolores’s hand having helped her do her hair.
“Julie is pregnant,” Pepa said.
Félix glanced over to Julieta “Oh…she is…?”
“I’m six or seven weeks along…” Julieta added “Isn’t it exciting?”
Félix felt his heart drop, no this couldn’t be. The timing was perfect but it couldn’t be..no he was not the father. Nope, nope, nope. He plastered a smile on his face and turned to Agustín “You’re going to be a father, bro! Again!” he forced out a laugh as he slapped Agustín lightly on the back.
“I’m going to get another hermanita!” Isabela jumped up and down.
“It could be a hermantio,” Agustín reminded her.
“No!” Isabela cried “It has to be a girl!”
“Alright, alright, let’s all settle down and eat,” Alma said.
Julieta stared down at her plate, she didn’t feel like she could eat a thing, she felt like she was going to puke and not from morning sickness.
It was only a matter of time before it clicked in Agustín’s mind and he’ll be demanding answers.
What was she going to do?
“Julieta?” Alma asked in concern.
Julieta suddenly shot up and ran for the bathroom making it just in time to vomit into the toilet bowl. She remained on her knees weeping until she felt someone place a hand on her shoulder.
“Julieta?” Alma asked gently “What is wrong mija?”
“I…”
Alma placed a hand on Julieta’s forehead “Hmm, well some women do get worse morning sickness than others, just take it easy until it dies down alright?”
“I have to cook for the town…”
Alma sighed “You still have leftovers from yesterday don’t you?”
Julieta nodded.
“I’m sure Agustín won’t mind handing it out today, surely he can stand there and hand out food without injuring himself,” Alma shook her head “You rest today.”
“But-”
“No buts, you’re not only thinking of yourself now remember, there is a new life forming in there that depends on you.”
Julieta nodded and let Alma guide her back to her bed.
“Pepa is going to take Dolores and Camilo with her to play in the fields while she works today, I’ll take Isabela and Luisa with me so you can have some peace and quiet,” Alma said.
“They’re a handful-”
Alma waved a hand “I’ll take them to play with Dolores and Camilio, it’ll be fine and they’ll be safer there than hanging around Félix with that axe chopping wood.”
“Right..well I’m sure I’ll feel better later, it’s probably just the surprise of it all.”
“Of course, of course,” Alma smiled softly “I’ll come to check on you later, you just rest up and help my new nieta or nieto grow strong,” she quietly left the room,
“...right,” Julieta rolled over to her side.
She really should’ve known her little affair would come back to bite her, her mother always taught her the truth will always come out in the end.
And now an innocent child will be brought into her mess.
She lay there in silence for a good while until a knock came on her door.
“Come in.”
Félix entered the room “Julieta-”
Juleita rolled over so she was facing him eyes wide.
“Everyone else has left, but I need to know are you sure you are pregnant?”
Julieta nodded “Postive.”
“And the father?”
“You know who the father is, Agustín and I haven’t been intimate in months, it’s impossible for him the be father so that only leaves one possible man, and the timing lines up perfectly…”
“Me, I’m the father.”
Julieta nodded numbly “Yes, I’m pregnant with your child, what are we going to do?!”
“Are you…keeeping it?”
“Of course I am! It’s just…” Juleita’s voice cracked “Agustín is going to figure it out sooner or later and…and…”
“Aye, aye calm down, we’ll work this out,” Félix began pacing.
Julieta shook her head “We’ll have to hide the truth and pray the child takes after me rather than you.”
“You don’t want me to be a father to my own child?”
“We don’t have a choice, I just hope I can talk Agustín into playing along, you can still be a part of his or her life but it’ll have to be as their Tío, not their father.”
Félix didn’t like the thought of having to watch his own child call another man their father while he stood to the side pretending to just be the uncle, but Julieta was right, they had no choice.
Julieta placed a hand on her stomach “We made a mistake, but this little one will be innocent, we knew it was wrong but we did it anyway and now we must right our wrong.”
Félix sighed “I suppose you’re right…”
“One day, we can tell our child the truth…but for their safety…Agustín has to be the father.”
“I’m sorry Julieta…I never meant for it to go this far.”
“Neither did I, but what is done is done.”
“Dolores and Camilo will grow up thinking their half-sibling is their cousin.”
“It’s the way it needs to be,” Julieta said “I’m afraid of what Mamá will do if she finds out…what Pepa will do…she’ll kill me!”
Félix sat down next to her “If that’s the way it needs to be…that’s the way it needs to be, but I must ask…do you regret…us?”
Julieta sighed “As much as I know I should…I don’t…and besides…” she looked down to her stomach with a small smile “I already love this little one with all my heart.”
“As do I…even if it will have to be from a distance I will watch my youngest grow up with pride.”
“You can still be there for them, just like you are for Isabela and Luisa in fact I will be disappointed if you aren’t.”
Félix smiled “Of course, Julie, of course…” he looked towards the door “I should go…”
“Yes, you should before someone comes to check up on me.”
Félix stood up and walked towards the door pausing and looking back “Oh, I know it’s not really my choice to make, but if I ever had another daughter I would have liked to name her Mirabel,” he left quietly closing the door behind him.
“Mirabel?” Julieta murmured to herself “Mirabel…Mirabel…” she tested the way the name rolled off the tongue “Mirabel…”
Julieta would think about it if this baby ended up being a girl.
Mirabel Madrigal.
It had a nice ring to it.
“Mirabel…Mirabel…”
Mirabel really was a nice name.
§
It would take a few weeks for Agustín to realise something was wrong.
Julieta was getting ready for bed one evening when Agustín entered the room.
“Julieta, we need to talk.”
“About what?”
Agustín took a deep breath. “I know that child is not mine, it can’t be, it's been months since we last…well…point is it was too long ago for me to be the father.”
Julieta took a deep breath “Agustín…firstly I want to say I’m so sorry and I never intended to hurt you…”
Agustín put his arms around Julieta “Mi amor…did someone…hurt you?”
Julieta shook her head “No, I consented…I wanted it…at the time.”
“You cheated on me…”
“I’m sorry! I have just been so stressed with the girls and my duties…I know it’s no excuse and now…” Julieta began sobbing “I understand if you want to leave me.”
“I must say I do feel very betrayed, to think you sleeping with another man behind my back.”
“It was only once…I know that is one time too many and it only takes one time to…make a child and I’m so so sorry…but please…”
Agustín felt crushed, he never thought Julieta would do this to him “Julieta…who is the father?”
Julieta went silent.
“Julieta?”
No response
“Julieta, please tell me. Who is the father?”
“Promise me.”
“Promise you what?”
“You won’t kill him.”
Agustín was confused “Who is it?”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Julieta turned around to face Agustín “Félix is the father.”
Agustín felt like he had been shot “Félix?!”
“I’m so sorry…”
“Félix?! My best friend?! YOUR OWN SISTER’S HUSBAND?!”
“Please..don’t be angry-”
“HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO FEEL JULIETA?!” Agustín exclaimed, “How long were you with him behind everyone’s back?”
“Six months…”
“Six months…” Agustín muttered “I can’t believe this…my best friend and brother-in-law with my wife and getting her pregnant!”
Julieta wept into her hands “I’m so sorry..”
"Sorry doesn't fix this Julieta!"
"I know! I know!"
"We made vows Julieta! We promised we would remain loyal to each other until the day we die! And now you have gone and done...THIS!"
"I know! I never wanted to hurt you!"
Agustín threw his hands in the air "You say you never wanted to hurt me yet you go and have an affair for six months! With your own sister's husband may I remind you. You have children! Félix has children!"
Julieta squeezed her eyes sight "I'm sorry!"
"Sorry...you're sorry..." Agustín paced in a small circle "How can I trust you now Julieta? Should I leave? Is that what you want?!"
"NO! Of course not!" Julieta cried "Isabela and Luisa need you! I need you!"
"I'm so hurt by what you have done Julieta...so hurt," Agustín's voice trembled "And this is not a hurt your food can not fix!"
"All I can do is say sorry...I'm going to have to live with this for the rest of my life!"
"So you just want me to pretend this never happened and go on playing perfect happy family?!"
Julieta didn't answer, she was a sobbing babbling mess.
"Are you keeping the baby?"
"Of course! This is my baby!"
“Does Félix know?”
“Yes…he has agreed to just be the child’s Tío, Agustín please I beg of you, you don’t have to forgive me but do not punish this child…they need a father…please.”
Agustín took a deep angry breath “I’m so…angry at you Julieta…so angry at Félix…but I am not angry at this innocent child that you have dragged into this mess…”
“Please, accept them as your own…please…don’t leave them wondering why their sisters have a Papi and they don’t…please,” Julieta got down on her knees begging “I don’t want the child to be punished for my mistake…please…”
“I…will say I’m the father.”
Juleita’s face lit up.
“But don’t think this means I’m automatically going to forgive you, Julieta, you betrayed my trust, not to mention Pepa’s trust. I...can't look at you the same anymore."
“I know…I’m not asking you to forgive me, just protect the child, they should not be punished for my foolish sins.”
“You better pray the child does not come out looking like him, there is no way anyone will believe I fathered a Félix clone.”
“I know…I know…”
“And lord help you if Pepa finds out…”
“I know…”
Agustín shook his head “Okay…we’re just going to tell everyone I’m the father and keep your little affair a secret are we?”
“I don’t want my child growing up with the title of being an affair child! You know this town loves to gossip!”
“I won’t take it out on the child but you will have to regain my trust, Julieta.”
“And I’ll do my best to do that, I swear.”
Agustín placed a hand on Julieta’s stomach “Regardless of how this child came to be, I will love them as much as I do Isabela and Luisa."
“Thank you…”
“Now, get some sleep.”
Julieta nodded and walked towards the bed still softly sniffling.
Agustín took a deep breath, he really wanted to go confront Félix, to ask him how he could do this to him. How could his best friend since childhood sleep with his wife?
He was betrayed by two very important people in his life and it stung.
Now they would have a permanent reminder of this betrayal in their lives.
He was afraid he wouldn’t love this child as much as he wanted to, knowing what he does.
But what if he looked at that child and only saw the betrayal? The thought worried him. The secret was going to kill him.
With a heavy sigh, he changed into his night clothes and got into the bed next to his wife.
The excitement he first felt when he learnt about the pregnancy was gone, he wasn’t the father. That wasn’t his child and his happy world had been shattered.
He was going to try and be the father the child deserves, they after all were innocent.
But he was afraid his feelings would overwrite that, he was afraid he would resent the child for the actions of their parents.
He had never been more unsure about anything in his life.
§
The time seemed to fly pay and Julieta could now go into labour any day now.
It was taking everything in Félix’s power to not be more excited, he was just the uncle, not the father at least that was what he wanted people to believe.
He was expecting there to be a big fight between him and Agustín but Agustín remained calm. Too calm.
Félix knew the only reason Agustín didn't cause a scene was to not draw attention to the situation.
He was obviously upset but said he would keep the secret and accept the child as his own but a rift had formed in their friendship.
Things were tense between them, though around others they acted like nothing was wrong. When alone Agustín would hardly look at him, let alone speak to him.
“Papi?”
Félix turned to see Dolores “Ah, hello my little princess.”
“How come you are the Papi of Tía’s baby?”
“What are you talking about dulce?”
Dolores stuck out her lip “I heard, Tío isn’t the baby’s Papi you are, but if you’re the Papi why is Tía the Mami?”
Félix knelt down to Dolores’s level “Listen my little mouse it’s...complicated.”
“Am I getting a new Mami?”
“No, no you’re not, your Mami will always be your Mami it’s just…me and Tía did something very silly and now she’s having a baby, this baby will be your baby brother or sister but you can’t tell anyone.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’ll be very bad if anyone knows okay? You’ll have to pretend they are just your little cousin like Luisa is.”
“I don’t understand…”
Félix picked Dolores up “I know it’s confusing, but can you keep the secret for Papi?”
Dolores thought for a moment and nodded “Okay, Papi.”
“That’s my girl, now where is your Mami?”
“She giving Milo a bath he jumped in the mud again.”
“Ah, that boy,” Félix chuckled.
“I didn’t jump in the mud.”
“That’s my good girl.”
Dolores grinned “I can’t wait to see the new baby.”
“I can’t wait either mija, a new baby in the family is exciting for everybody.”
“Isabela said she is going to be the best big sister, but I’m going to be a big sister too and I’ll be better.”
Félix forced a chuckle “I’m sure you will, but remember you have to pretend your the baby’s-”
“Prima…I know..” Dolores said disappointed.
Félix kissed the top of Dolores’s head.
Dolores went quiet for a moment before her face lit back up “Mami is coming!”
A minute later Pepa came down the wall with a freshly bathed Camilo in her arms.
“Mami!”
Pepa smiled “Hola there baby.”
“I hear you have been playing in the mud again, Milo,” Félix ticked his son’s chin.
Camilo looked at Dolores and pointed a chubby finger “Tattle!”
“I am not a tattle!” Dolores said.
“You is!”
“Am not!”
“You is!”
“Am not!”
“You two,” Pepa shook her head “Milo, remember how Mami said not to jump in the muddy puddles?”
Camilo nodded.
“And what did you do?”
“Jump in mud puddle,” Camilo said.
“Mmhmm, exactly.”
“Sorry, Mami.”
Pepa kissed Camilo on the top of his head “It’s okay baby, but listen to Mami alright?”
Camilo nodded.
“Good boy,” Pepa placed Camilo onto the floor “Now, I have to go cook dinner.”
Camilo’s face lit up “Arepas?”
Pepa chuckled “Of course, your Tía is taking it easy until her baby comes, then you’ll have a new cousin to play with. Isn’t that fun?”
Camilo nodded with a wide grin.
As if saying her name summoned her Julieta emerged from her room belly large.
“Julie, you should be resting,” Pepa scolded gently.
“I’m just stretching my legs,” Julieta replied “I’m pregnant but not fragile.”
“Any contractions yet?”
Julieta shook her head “No, this little one is perfectly happy where they are for now,” she glanced briefly over to Félix.
The closer the day of birth came the more anxious she grew, what if this child came out looking like the spitting image of their father?
There was no way she could come up with an excuse for that.
What if during the emotion of the moment Agustín or Félix spill the beans and admit the truth?
Just the thought of that made Julieta start taking small panicked breaths.
“Julieta?” Pepa placed both hands on her shoulders “Go lay back down.”
“No…no…it’s fine.”
“Julieta, this is not just about you, this is about my little sobrina or sobrino in there.”
Julieta didn’t say anything but allowed Julieta to guide her back to her room, a bassinet was already set up ready for the new arrival until they no longer required nightly feedings and could move to the nursery.
No one wanted Camilo and Luisa to be constantly woken up by a crying hungry baby after all.
Julieta lay down on her bed taking deep breaths.
“Are you sure nothing is starting?”
“I’m sure, I’ve had two children before after all I would know,” Julieta chuckled lightly.
“Well just take it easy, I’ll bring you dinner in on a tray.”
“That’s not-”
“Nonsense, let yourself be pampered a little.”
Julieta gave a weak smile.
“That’s better now, stay here or I’ll get Isabela to use her little vines to tie you down.”
“My little Isa? She would never,” Julieta chuckled.
“She would if I asked her,” Pepa smirked “Now I’ll go cook dinner, I’m sure I can wrangle Félix into helping.”
“Just don’t let Agustín near the stove we don’t want a repeat of that incident.”
Pepa laughed “No, no of course not, now rest” she left the room closing the door.
Julieta sighed rubbing her stomach “Oh my little one as much as this is wrecking my nerves I can not wait to meet you, your sisters are super excited you know? You come out when you’re ready okay?”
Julieta’s pregnancy has been going by the book so far with no complications much to her relief.
Alma was just about the burst with excitement and the whole town was waiting with battered breath for the birth of the newest Madrigal.
Julieta closed her eyes, she might as well get as much rest as she could before the baby came along, she knows very well that new babies mean many sleepless nights.
Things were going to turn out just fine, everything was going to be perfectly fine.
§
It would be a week to the day that Julieta went into full labour, and it would be a day later that the newest Madrigal would come into the world.
“It’s a girl,” the midwife smiled “A healthy little girl.”
Julieta was breathless with Pepa on one side and Alma on another “It’s a girl?”
“Yes, another beautiful daughter, congratulations you did wonderfully.”
Julieta forgot about everything else the moment her daughter was placed into her arms.
It was like looking into a mirror, Julieta found herself looking at a miniature her.
Gracias a Dios, Julieta thought as she looked down at the small wrinkly bundle in her arms. She never hoped Isabela and Luisa wouldn’t look like their father but with this one she was thrilled.
“She’s beautiful,” Pepa cooed.
“Isn’t she just?” Alma gushed nodding her thanks to the midwife.
The midwife took that as her cue to leave “Call for me if there are any troubles, I’m sure Julieta is fine in the capable experienced hands of you two,” she stepped out of the room where Agustín was waiting to hear the news of ‘his’ child.
“Well?” he asked.
“A healthy little girl, the spitting image of her mother.”
“That’s wonderful news, thank you,” Agustín smiled, Isabela and Luisa are going to be thrilled to hear they have a baby sister.”
The midwife nodded and continued on her way.
Félix had been listening from around the corner “So it’s a girl?”
“Yes,” Agustín said, “You have another daughter, I would say congratulations if it wasn’t for the fact you had this daughter with MY wife.”
“I’m sorry bro…I really am…she said it looks like Julieta so no one is going to know, as far as anyone else is concerned that’s your little girl bro.”
"Whatever...” Agustín huffed “Now if you don’t mind,” he walked towards the room and opened the door “Julieta?”
“Agustín, come in and meet your daughter,” Pepa beamed a rainbow forming her head.
Agustín entered and walked over to the bed, to his child…no not his child…but he will accept her as his child…even if the truth is forever going to hurt.
The moment those two big brown eyes looked up at him Agustín knew he couldn’t feel any resentment towards her, she was one of the three most precious things he had ever seen, the other two being his other two daughters.
Julieta smiled tiredly up at him “Isn’t she gorgeous?” she was anxious to know how he was going to react.
“She’s…perfect,” Agustín smiled “Just perfect.”
Alma had her hands clasped together “Oh, Pedro our family grows one more, I hope you are proud of us, bless this little one like you have blessed all of us, let her grow up in safety and peace.”
Julieta kissed her baby’s forehead “Welcome my little Mirabel.”
“Mirabel?” Alma questioned.
“That’s what I’ll name her…Mirabel.”
Just what her father wanted.
“Mirabel…” Alma tested the name “Unique but beautiful, Mirabel is a fine name.”
“I agree,” Pepa smiled.
“Pepa, be a dear and go get Julieta some water please,” Alma said adjusting the pillows behind Julieta’s head.
“Of course,” Pepa stepped out of the room “Oh, Félix she’s beautiful, just so beautiful.”
Félix forced a smile “I’m sure she is.”
“Mirabel looks so much like Julieta it’s crazy.”
Félix froze at the name “Mirabel?”
“Sí, Julieta named her Mirabel.
Julieta used the name he picked, she actually used the name he picked.
Pepa didn’t seem to notice as she continued down to the kitchen.
He had another daughter, his Mirabel was here. But he could never be her father, no one could ever know.
But at least he could watch her grow up, it wasn’t what he wanted but it was for the best.
A loud crash of thunder nearly made him jump out of his skin.
“FÉLIX!”
Pepa had stopped in the dining room to look at the family tree, when a new Madrigal was born and named Casita would add them to the tree showing who the parents and siblings were.
And she was not expecting to see what she was seeing.
Mirabel had been added and Julieta was connected as her mother but that’s when it went wrong.
Félix’s picture had been moved over, still connected to Pepa and their children but was now also connected to Julieta and one other person.
Mirabel.
No, no this couldn’t be true.
This couldn’t be.
Casita was pulling a prank.
Félix was not Mirabel’s father.
He couldn’t be.
Agustín was Mirabel’s father.
“Mi vida?” Félix poked his head around the corner.
“Pepa?” Alma had heard and came rushing out to see what was wrong, “What is the racket? Julieta and the new baby are trying to-” she cut off when she saw what Pepa was looking at it.
It was then that it hit Félix, the evidence was literally on the wall now. Casita proudly displayed to all that he was the father of Mirabel.
This was something they didn’t think about.
Casita had just exposed the secret for them.
“What is this?” Alma wondered “It…can’t be…Julieta and Félix?”
Pepa thundered as she turned to Félix with a murderous expression “Félix…” she was forcing her voice to stay at a low volume “Do you care to explain yourself?”
“Ah….” Félix gulped.
“Why does it look like you are Mirabel’s father?”
Alma narrowed her eyes “I would too like to know.”
“We…never met for it to go this far…” Félix was sweating.
Pepa let out a scream as she kicked over a chair “MY HUSBAND AND MY SISTER?!”
“Please mi vida…it’s not what you think.”
"THEN WHAT IS IT?!"
"Please..."
“Say it, Félix. I can see it but I want to hear you say it.”
Félix looked over at Alma who looked like she was ready to throw him out of the house “Please don’t take it out on my daughter.”
“Your daughter? Well since you said ‘my’ and not ‘our’ I know you’re not talking about Dolores here. Mirabel is yours isn’t she?”
Félix nodded “I’m sorry…but it’s true, Agustín isn’t the father of Mirabel…I am.”