Chapter Text
After the family photo, everyone was in good spirits and the Madrigals felt closer as a family. Bruno watched in delight as his Sobrina joyously tossed flowers on the ground like they were color bombs. The magic had returned, all thanks to Mirabel! He laughed along with his sisters as Pepa danced in her own little hailstorm. And then the house turned a slight shade of green. Bruno's smile slowly fell.
No. The magic had returned. Including his own. And for the first time in just over 10 years he was going to have an involuntary vision. A strong one. He tried to be inconspicuous as he sidled his way around the courtyard. When he got to the stairs, he made a dash for it and dove behind a plant on the balcony.
Mirabel noticed his skittish behavior and decided to follow him. She felt a new surge of purpose in her. She was sure of it. Everyone had their special gifts and their own particular roles in the family, but Mirabel now had the most important job of all. To keep the family together, to make sure everyone was okay, magically and mentally.
Bruno made it to the painting on the wall that covered the entrance to his hideaway. He went to swing it open only for the painting to teeter and fall off its hook, not hinges, revealing a smooth wall beneath. Bruno barely caught it before it hit the floor, fumbling with it, then nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a soft voice behind him.
"It's not there anymore, remember?"
Bruno turned and stared guiltily at his sobrina.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"I knew that. Ah, I was just fixing it."
Bruno hastily hung the painting back up.
"There."
Mirabel eyed him. "...are you ok? Your eyes are kind of glowey."
"No, oh no. I need to get out of here." Bruno looked this way and that in a panic.
"Here!" Mirabel took his hand. "I bet your room is back to normal, let's go see ok?"
"No, no, no I can't go in there!"
Mirabel was taken aback by his reaction. She thought the crowd was just making him nervous, but now he was clutching his head as if he were in pain.
Suddenly, Bruno bolted back down the stairs. The world was green. Bruno's heart was racing and he couldn't catch his breath. He made it outside just in time before his head started spinning and his vision swam. He felt like he was going to be sick. He stumbled to the nearest tree and doubled over. He felt a hand on his back.
"What's going on? Should I get Mom?"
Bruno shook his head, breathing far too quickly. His heart was thundering. His hands and legs started to go numb. He fell to his knees and groaned. Then he lost sight of everything as the vision began to take hold.
Mirabel skidded through the house calling for her mom. When Julieta appeared, Mirabel was out of breath.
"It's Tio Bruno!" She panted, then pointed outside. All heads turned to the windows. An unnatural wind was blowing and an eerie green, glow cascaded through the landscape.
The whole family hurried outside but stopped several yards away from where Bruno knelt. It was like he was in the eye of a tornado, and they couldn't get through.
"It's going to be okay, Mirabel. He's having a vision," Julieta said over the wind.
"But it looked like he was hurt! And why is it like this?"
"Sometimes they just come to him, and he can't control it. We just have to wait.
Mirabel squinted through the dust in the wind, trying to see what Bruno was doing. He had his hands planted on the ground, head bowed, and face scrunched up in pain. It seemed like it went on for a long time.
She looked at Abuela and noticed she was wringing her hands and had a worried look on her face.
Julieta's face was set in a firm, determined line. As soon as the wind stopped and the light faded, she hurried over to him. Mirabel and Abuela not far behind.
Julieta put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. "Bruno, sit down."
Hands shaking, he discarded the emerald tablet in front of him. He leaned back into his sister and waited for the spots to clear from his vision, but it only got worse. He closed his eyes. He felt someone take his hands.
"Are you okay, mijo? Do you feel faint?"
"I just need to rest a minute," he mumbled, then went limp.
Abuela quickly took his face, feeling his breathing, then sighed heavily. "He's out."
She turned to the rest of the family who waited a respectful distance away. "Luisa..."
"On it," Luisa said before Abuela could even finish her sentence. She carefully lifted Tio Bruno and started for the house.
"He's so light..." Louisa commented.
"Everyone is light to you," Mirabel said.
"Yes, but it feels like I'm carrying skinny Camilo."
Mirabel had no comment.
"Where do you want him, Abuela?" The front door swung automatically, letting Luisa in.
"In his room," Abuela said, as if it were obvious.
"Okay but I haven't been in there in ages, Mirabel, will you come with me?"
"Of course!"
They went up the stairs and Mirabel ran ahead to open the door, but when she got there it was still in its new, featureless glow. The nob wouldn't budge. "He hasn't opened his door yet, we can't get in."
"Here, let me try something." Luisa took Bruno's limp hand and placed it on the doorknob. Nothing happened.
"Luisa!" Mirabel gasped.
"It was worth a try."
"Here, just take him to my room. I'll sleep in the nursey."
"But it's your brand new room, and we just had it all set up for you!"
"It's fine. I can wait one more night."
"No."
Louisa and Mirabel turned to see Abuela on the balcony behind them.
"Take him to my room." She beckoned Luisa and opened her door.
Luisa ducked her head and walked reverently inside, as did everyone when invited into Abuela's room. It was simple yet cozy. Abuela flipped the sheets and Luisa laid her tio onto the nearest side of the double bed.
"That will be all Luisa, thank you."
Mirabel crept in the doorway behind her. "Abuela?"
"Hm?" Abuela was now taking Bruno's sandals off and trying to make him comfortable.
"Will he be ok?"
"Yes Mira, don't worry. His gift is very tiring and this happens occasionally."
"But nobody else's gift makes them faint! That doesn't make sense. It's not fair."
Abuela cringed. It was bold to question the miracle like this in front of the matriarch, but a new leaf had been turning in the family. Abuela considered Mirabel's words.
"I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you. We've always just dealt with it the best we could. He'll be up tomorrow and you can ask him all the questions you like."
Mirabel nodded, taking the cue to leave.
Abuela brushed a hair off her son's forehead and stared down at him wistfully.