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Chapter Text

"Abre los ojos. Open your eyes."

Two little girls opened their eyes to see a beautiful candle with a butterfly pattern on it. The candle burned a beautiful light.

On a bed sat an old woman and two adorable little girls. One of them had short curly hair and wore green glasses, and the other had long wavy hair and didn't wear glasses, but she did have a pair of safety goggles on her head. Their names were Mirabel and Milagro "Mila" Madrigal.

Tonight, it was the girls' birthday.

"This is where our magic comes from?" Said Mirabel

"Mmm-hmm. This candle holds the miracle given to our family." Alma smiled, holding one granddaughter in each of her arms.

"How did we get a miracle?" Mila asked. And Abuela told them her story.

"Long ago, when my three babies had just been born, your Abuelo Pedro and I were forced to flee our home. And though many joined us, hoping to find a new home, we could not escape the dangers and your Abuelo was lost. But in our darkest moment, we were given a miracle. The candle became a magical flame that could never go out. And it blessed us with a refuge in which to live. A place of wonder."

"An Encanto." The twins breathed in awe.

"An Encanto. The miracle grew. And our house, our casita itself came alive to shelter us. When my children came of age, the miracle blessed each with a magic Gift to help us. And when their children came of age..."

"They got magic too."

"That's right. And together, our family's Gifts have made our new home a paradise. Tonight, this candle will give you your Gifts, mi vidas. Strengthen our community, strengthen our home. Make your family proud."

"Make our family proud." Said the twins in unison

Fireworks boomed outside, and Casita bumped the little clock to tell them it was time.

"Yes, yes casita, we're going." Alma said.

The girls giggled as Casita helped them put on their shoes, and the helped their grandmother up before walking with her to begin the ceremony

"What do you think our Gifts will be?"

"You are a wonder, Mirabel Madrigal. And you are a miracle, Milagro Madrigal. Whatever Gifts await will be just as special as each of you."

The twins stood at the end of the red tile resembling a red carpet. They both looked so adorable in their matching white dresses.

"Ready, Mira?" Mila whispered.

Mirabel nodded, and she held hands with Mila as they walked to their doors together.

Mila looked up and saw her parents, Bruno and Alicia, looking so proud as she and her cousin approached the candle.

Mila was so excited as she approached her door. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on the knob. The doorknob glowed, and soon did the door. Mila slowly opened the door a crack. But, before Mila could fully enjoy the moment, she stopped as she noticed something from the corner of her eye.

After Mirabel touched her door, it slowly started vanishing. Mila quickly discovered she and Mirabel weren't the only ones shocked. No one knew what happened, and the candle flickered.

"What does it mean?"

"How can this be?"

"Why is this so?"

Those were some things Mila heard people saying. But, Abuela decided to turn the focus to Mila.

"Milagro. What is your gift?" Abuela asked.

For a minute, Mila was frozen. Mirabel just got traumatized and humiliated on her birthday, and Abuela was concerned about what gift Mila got?

Mila looked at her door, and then at Mirabel, who looked like she was about to cry as Julieta and Augustine knelt down to comfort her. Then, Mila looked at her door again, a look of disapproval decorating her face.

No. I won't let Mirabel suffer like this.

"I don't know, and I don't care either." Mila said, shocking everyone, including her parents.

"Mila, your gift-" Abuela began.

"If Mirabel can't have a gift, then I don't want mine." Mila said, closing her door. "Casita, lock the door, por favor."

And sure enough, when anyone tried to open the door, it wouldn't budge.

Mirabel just ran to the nursery in tears, and Mila quickly followed her.

"Go ahead and worry about magic. Meanwhile, I'm gonna be here for my cousin, which I don't need a magical gift to do!" Mila said before slamming the door shut.

Later, the Madrigals dismissed their guests and sent the rest of the children to their rooms. No matter what anyone else tried, they couldn't open Mila's door. Camilo couldn't trick Casita by pretending to be Mila, Dolores couldn't hear anything on the other side, and Luisa couldn't even force the door open.

Eventually, Alicia decided to go check on the twins after giving them both time to settle down. If there was one thing Alicia knew about her Milagro, she had a very strong mind for her age, and was smarter than the average five-year-old. She felt pretty sure whatever gift she had, it would have something fitting with her strong mind.

"Milagro." Alicia called gently. "Would you please open the door for Mami?"

"Is Abuela with you?" Mila asked.

"No, Mija. She's with your Papi."

Reluctantly, Mila opened the door, and in the nursery Alicia went to find Mirabel on her bed, crying. Mila was hugging Mirabel, and soon Alicia was too.

Meanwhile, Abuela expressed her concerns to Bruno about the magic, and begged him to look into the future to see what it all meant.

Bruno went to his tower and looked into the future. He could see the house in danger. Cracks were forming, and in the middle of it all, he saw Mirabel. But there was no clear fate for her. The cracks would appear and then disappear, like her future was undecided. But then, he saw something else. He saw his daughter, and she was angry.

Mila's anger showed to be destructive in many ways. Objects vibrated, floated, and doors would open and shut randomly. And in the middle of the vision with Mirabel, the cracks got bigger faster.

Bruno didn't know what to do. He knew what everyone would think because they only saw the worst in him.

Everyone... except his wife. Alicia was the only woman in the entire Encanto to fall truly in love with Bruno.

He remembered meeting her at a party in the village, where he found out he wasn't a very good dancer. That was when Alicia, who happened to be a dance teacher, stepped in and gave him a few lessons. And that dance lesson quickly turned into a dance of love that led to an eventual wedding. They tried to have a baby for years, but had no luck. Until one day, just as Julieta was expecting her third baby, Alicia found out she was finally pregnant. It was a miracle for her and Bruno, and that baby just happened to be born the same day as Mirabel. Since their baby girl was such a miracle, they decided to name her Milagro.

Bruno decided to go talk to Alicia first, knowing she would be least likely to see the worst in his vision.

As Bruno arrived at the nursery, he found Alicia holding Mirabel over her shoulder, singing her a lullaby before tucking her into bed.

"Alicia?" Bruno said quietly. "Can we talk?"

Alicia told Mila to go to her new room. Even if she didn't want to use her gift, she should at least sleep in her new room for one night.

Mila was reluctant, but she obeyed her mother while her parents went to the tower to talk.

Bruno explained what he saw to Alicia. The house breaking, Mila getting angry, the magic in danger, everything. He didn't know what it all meant, and he was worried about what would happen to the twin cousins if Abuela knew.

And Alicia held her esposo's hands and said, "I don't know why Mirabel didn't get magic, but she does have a gift. Her family. And that's what she needs now more than ever."

"What about Mila?" Bruno pointed out.

"It's her power. She can decide what she wants to do with it, and she doesn't have to use it if she doesn't want to." Alicia replied. "Whatever her gift is, she's still our daughter, and if she wants to stand by her cousin, I'm proud of her for that."

Bruno agreed with his wife; the girls needed their family, but it wasn't going to be easy keeping the vision from his mama. But, Alicia reminded him that in their wedding vows, she promised to stand by him no matter what, and that included tonight.

And so, for the years after that, Bruno and Alicia vowed to stand by the twin cousins as long as they needed them.

Chapter Text

10 years later...

Mila woke up as she felt someone licking her face.

"Okay, Chika. I'm up." Mila giggled, and the brown poodle barked as her owner got out of bed to get ready for another day. She looked at the clock and had a feeling what was coming next.

"And three, two... one." There was a knock at the door. "Buenos dias, prima." Mila knew the only one who got up as early as she did was her cousin Mirabel.

Mirabel and Mila had quite a special bond just like sisters.

Mila was older than Mirabel by eight minutes, and she acted like the big sister Mirabel needed.

By now, each girl discovered a special talent that did not require magic.

Mirabel turned out to be pretty great at sewing and embroidery. Mila had the beautifully hand-stitched lab coat she always wore to prove it.

Mila, on the other hand, was also a little different from the rest of the family. At age three, she was found to be very intelligent for her age. She learned to read at age three, knew how to multiply four-digit numbers at age five, and had an extensive vocabulary for a child. Now, Mila found her passion was inventing.

Everyday, Mila had some new ideas to put into her journal, but actually building them was another story.

To put it simply, Mila was used to at least twenty setbacks before an invention finally worked right.

Flashback to a few incidents with Mila's inventions...

Age 8: Invention goal: Create skin serum that would repel bees and protect Tio Augustine from bees

Mila was innocently mixing a few liquids together and taking notes on all their effects on each other. And then Camilo, being the jokester of the family, got a little too curious around Mila's experiments, and shapeshifted into Abuela, knowing Mila was scared of her yelling at her for an experiment gone wrong causing trouble.

"Milagro!" Shouted Camilo, startling Mila and making her spill the wrong thing into her beaker, and then poofing smoke into Camilo's face, and turning it orange.

"Camilo! How many times have I told you not to scare me when I'm doing experiments?!" Mila said angrily.

Camilo transformed to normal and coughed all the smoke away.

Mila sighed and took Camilo to the bathroom to wash the stuff off, but it wouldn't rub off. She scrubbed harder, but it wouldn't come out. She even tried mixing a stronger cleaning solution, and it still wouldn't come out.

As expected, Tia Pepa thundered up a storm when she found out. It took an entire week for the orange face dye job to wear off.

Age 12: Invention Goal: create a soothing aroma therapy humidity solution that would help people sleep better, namely her father, whose visions sometimes made it hard for him to rest peacefully.

"A little bit of lavender. A dash of eucalyptus with a smidge of vanilla." Mila listed to herself. "Sweet and very soothing. Now it just needs a little spice to make it strong."

Mila borrowed a few spices from the kitchen and tried to deduce which would be the best to use. That was when Mirabel came in.

"What are you working on, Mila?" Mirabel asked.

"Just some aroma therapy for my papa." Mila said, picking up another spice. "Definitely not this one."

"What are all the spices for?"

"I'm seeing if adding a spice will make the scent pop. You know, so it lasts longer and has the best effect possible."

Mirabel tried to pick up a spice to help, but Mila quickly tried to stop her from touching it, only to knock her solution and some black pepper together. Somehow, it created a big gas cloud that filled the entire Casita, and the next thing they knew, everyone was sneezing like crazy. In other words, Mila invented sneezing gas instead of soothing gas.

That was the one time Abuela couldn't yell at her for an experiment gone wrong. Everyone was way too busy sneezing to even get a word in. Luckily, Mila's super fan invention worked well enough to air the place out faster.

The most recent incident, just a few weeks ago:

Invention goal: a security system to keep Camilo out of the cookie jar

If there was one thing that bugged Mila and the other kids, it was Camilo always sneaking himself some polvorosas and leaving barely a few crumbs for the rest of them. So, Mila invented a trap to guard the cookie jar at night, when Camilo liked to sneak midnight snacks.

The cookie jar was under a system that involved an invisible string attached to the lid. Once someone picked it up to get a cookie, it activated a series of pulleys and gears Mila stashed in the kitchen, and covered the thief in blue glitter.

And, it worked. But Camilo wasn't the one who got hit. This time it was Isabela. Mila could hardly keep from laughing when she found out "golden child" Isabela was the one trying to sneak herself a cookie.

"Don't tell Abuela about this, por favor." Isabela begged, embarrassed. She knew Mirabel would never let her live this down, even more than Abuela.

"My lips are sealed." Mila promised, making the zip motion across her mouth.

Present day...

Sure, Mila's inventions did face a lot of trial and error. Well, mostly error. But she had a lot of inventions that did make it. Like, one of her best was one she called the Uplift of the future, which was basically an elevator that worked with a pulley and a big platform that she built for Bruno's tower so he, or anyone else could get up to the top in a matter of minutes instead of walking up literally a thousand stairs. She even built a huge slide to get down. Sure, it probably seems silly because Bruno might be a little old for slides, but he loved it anyway. And Mila had a lot of fun testing it out when she first built it.

Mila grabbed her invention satchel before heading out with her dog and meeting Mirabel to have breakfast and then head out to the village with the rest of the family.

Mirabel and Mila walked together as many children of the village followed them, asking them about the family's gifts. Of course, Mirabel was happy to share how amazing her family's gifts were.

Tia Pepa's mood affected the weather, so the temperature could get pretty willy nilly if she was unhappy. Tio Bruno, or Papa to Mila, saw the future. Mirabel's mom Julieta had recipes that were remedies for real. And of course, there were many children in the house.

"Time for a grandkid roundup!" Mirabel exclaimed.

"First off, there's Tia Pepa's kids," Mila began.

"Cousin Dolores can hear a pin drop, Camilo shapeshifts, and Antonio gets his gift today." Mirabel listed.

"Then there's me," said Mila. "My dad Bruno first had me. And I have siblings, the twins Rosella and Pedro, who won't get gifts for two years, seven months, and three more days."

"And my older sisters, Isabela and Luisa. One strong, one graceful, perfect in every way."

"Isabela grows a flower, the town goes wild," said Mila, picking a few flowers Isabela just grew, and some made Chika sneeze when she sniffed them.

"She's the perfect golden child," said Mirabel, and then she and Mila felt themselves being lifted as the bridge they stood on rose. "And Luisa's super strong. The beauty and the brawn do no wrong."

Chika barked.

"And let's not forget my dog Chika." Mila said, scratching the dog's ears.

"Mila rescued her, and Chika's stuck by our side ever since." Mirabel laughed as the dog jumped up and licked her. "So that's everyone in the family Madrigal. Adios."

"But what are your gifts?" One kid asked.

Instead of answering, Mirabel played a little song on the accordion and then began running off, Mila following.

Mila knew it was a touchy subject for Mirabel being the only kid without a gift, but the former insisted that it wasn't any better for her.

Keeping her gift secret, Mila was constantly bombarded with people asking her what her gift was. Her door didn't give them a very obvious answer.

On Mila's door, it just had the name "Milagro," and a picture of Mila, but with an image that looked like a picture of her brain, and there were question marks surrounding her head. People had all sorts of guesses. Basically, they knew that her gift had something to do with her mind, which made sense since Mila was known to have a very strong mind.

Some thought Mila's gift was reading minds. Some thought her power was just asking a lot of questions or answering them. Some thought super advanced intelligence was her gift. And some thought her gift was having a lot of ideas.

They were partially right. Mila was a very intelligent young woman, but she was already smart on her own. She was the brains of the entire casita, she was the top of her class in school and graduated two years early. No one had even been inside of Mila's magical room. Not even her parents had ever been in there.

"Is your gift having a really good memory?" One kid asked Mila.

"Nope," said Mila without even looking at them.

"What about Mirabel?" The kids asked again.

"Run," said Mila, and she, Mirabel and Chika ran, ran, ran as fast as they could back to Casita, the children following suite.

The kids asked once more about the twin cousins' gifts. "Well..." Mira and Mila began, only to he interrupted by...

"Mirabel! Milagro!" That turned out to be Abuela, who looked confused at the girls. "What are you two doing?"

"Oh, they were just asking about the family and-" Mirabel started, only to be interjected by a little girl. "MIRABEL WAS ABOUT TO TELL US ABOUT HER SUPER AWESOME GIFT!"

"Oh. Mirabel didn't get one," said Dolores, and she squeaked before leaving with Abuela.

The kids all looked at Mirabel.

"You didn't get a gift?" Asked one girl, sounding surprised and sad.

Mirabel was about to say something, until a man with a donkey came, bearing a big basket of treats.

"Mirabel. Delivery. I got you the special since you're the only Madrigal kid with no gift." Said the man as he gave Mirabel the basket. "I call it the not special special, since..."

"Since she has no gift?" Mila raised a brow.

"Your gift is mind reading, isn't it?" The man guessed.

"Sorry not sorry to burst your bubble, but not even close." Mila said.

"Thanks." Mirabel said.

"Oh, and tell Antonio good luck. Last gift ceremony was a bummer, the last one being yours."

"Way to rub it in," said Mila with sarcasm and a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"If I was you, I would be really sad." Said a girl.

"Well, my little friend, I am not because the truth is gift or no gift, I am just as special as the rest of my family." Mirabel said.

"Exactly. Just like I don't need a gift to be a great inventor, Mirabel doesn't need a magical gift to be an important member of this family." Mila said.

Inconveniently, the family started using their gifts.

"Who wants more pink?" Isabela called, growing more flowers on the casita.

Pepa made a rainbow, and Luisa lifted a cart with a donkey.

"Where should I leave the cart?"

"Maybe Mirabel's gift is being in denial." Said the same girl from before.

Chapter Text

Mirabel walked in with her basket, trying not to run into anyone. Mila too. Everyone was getting really excited preparing for Antonio's big day.

"Camilo, we need another José," said Abuela.

"José!" Camilo called, shapeshifting to help hang a banner over Antonio's door.

"Luisa, the piano goes upstairs."

"On it." And Luisa ran past the twin cousins. "Oops! Careful sis and cous!"

"Everyone sure is excited today," said Mila.

"I wouldn't mind if you used your gift to help," said Mirabel. "Abuela might like it too."

"No way. I chose not to reveal my gift as a protest, and until we find out why you didn't get one, I'm sticking by it."

Mirabel's lack of a gift was actually the whole reason Mila took on science. She figured there had to be an explanation, but she wasn't sure what it could be. Over the years, she conducted various experiments and came up with many hypotheses.

One hypothesis was that maybe Mirabel was just a late bloomer and would get a gift later. Another was that maybe it was genetic, as in because her father had no gift, that left the possibility that there would be Madrigal children without gifts. But her biggest hypothesis was that something was wrong with the candle. So far, however, she had no luck. And her train of thought was interrupted when a gust of wind came about caused by Pepa's nerves.

She went rambling on about how Antonio's night had to be perfect, and Felix tried to calm her down as she was blowing all over the flowers.

"Did someone say 'flowers?'" Isabela gracefully swung down from the balcony on her vines, growing lots of beautiful flowers as people called her their angel.

Mirabel just looked annoyed, and Mila rolled her eyes at her older cousin being such a showoff.

"Please, don't clap." Isabela giggled as she calmed Pepa with a lovely bouquet of roses, the. She flipped her hair, hitting Mirabel in the face.

"Hey! Watch it, Princess!" Mila said.

Isabela just sighed and said, "A little advice, if you weren't trying too hard, you wouldn't be in the way. And one of you could be helping with a gift."

"Actually, Isa..." Mirabel began. "This is helping. And we're not in the way, you-" And Mirabel faceplanted into a pole.

"Mira, are you okay?!" Mila asked, helping her cousin.

"I'm fine."

The girls brought Mirabel's gift basket to the kitchen, where they began taking out all the treats.

"Niñas, don't overwork yourselves." Julieta said.

"We know, Mama." Mirabel said. "We just want to do our part."

Just then, Augustine came in with a swollen cheek, hand, and ear.

"We know this is hard. First gift ceremony since yours... a lot of emotions." He said.

"Bee stings," the cousins said.

"Ay, Augustine." Julieta groaned.

"You know, Tio Augustine. I've almost perfected that bee repellent." Mila said. "I promise it'll work this time."

"Mila! Mirabel! I need your help." Called Bruno's voice.

"Coming, Papi!" Mila shouted in response.

"The house isn't gonna decorate itself," said Mirabel

Casita's banners drooped.

"Sorry. You could though. You look great."

And Casita's banners rose again.

Bruno and Alicia were helping with some of the decorations, but they also had a couple of two-year-olds to look after.

Alicia held Pedro, who was getting fussy, and she tried to calm him down by gently bouncing him.

"It's okay, Pedro." Alicia said.

Rosella, on the other hand, was walking around, being the more energetic twin. She was curious about everything. Maybe a little too curious, and she started to play with a banner she found on the floor.

"Rosella, no." Bruno said, picking up his active daughter, who then started to grab and play with her father's hair. "Ay! No, Rosella. No pulling hair. Ow!"

Luckily, Mila and Mirabel arrived moments later.

"We're here, Papi. ¿Cuál es el problema?"

"The twins are restless." Bruno said. "Could you and Mirabel watch them while we finish decorating?"

"Sure," said Mila. "Come here, hermanita"

Mila took Rosella into her arms and Mirabel took Pedro. Luckily, Mila had some baby toys in her satchel. She gave Pedro a stuffed puppy, and Rosella a butterfly rattle.

"You're life savers, niñas." Alicia said.

Mirabel was ready to get out some decorations she made as a surprise for everyone. So, Mila took her baby brother into her other arm and watched as Mirabel placed handmade decorations with little candles at each door.

"See, hermanitos?" Mila said. "You don't need magic to have gifts. And whether or not you two get gifts when you turn five, you're still the best baby brother and sister I could ever ask for."

"Clean your rooms. I don't care how big they are," said Abuela.

Mirabel couldn't help looking at the photos of all the past gift ceremonies. Everyone but Mila, the twins, and Antonio had a picture up there. And especially her.

Mirabel could understand herself not having a photo, but she still couldn't believe Mila refused to use her gift, or have a celebration. She was one of only three people who knew what her gift was. Mirabel was also the only one besides Chika and Mila to ever enter that room. Though, they kept that as their little secret. Mila figured, if people are only going to like you for something you have, don't share it with them to teach them a lesson.

"Mirabel," said Abuela, startling Mirabel and accidentally knocking over her candle and leading her to put out the fire set to Abuela's decoration.

"Perhaps you should leave the decorating to someone else?" Abuela suggested not so subtly.

"Oh no. I actually made these as a surprise for you- Aah!" Mirabel finally managed to extinguish the flame.

"Mirabel, I know you want to help. But, the best way for some of us to do that is to stand aside. The community relies on us and our gifts."

"In other words, the community is too lazy to figure out how to do things themselves?" Mila said.

"Milagro!" Abuela scolded.

"Well, it's true. Look at me. I don't use my gift, and I get along with inventing things to help the community."

"Speaking of standing aside. Mila... I would appreciate if you would hold off on your... inventions until after tonight."

"If this is about the time I mixed up my pink coloring solution with Isabela's shampoo, that was just an accident."

"We just don't want anyone getting hurt."

"It's science experiments, there's supposed to be setbacks. They're how we figure out what to avoid when building things." Mila said.

Abuela then turned her attention to the other balcony.

"Pepa, you have a cloud."

"I know, Mama!" Pepa groaned. "But now I can't find Antonio! What do you want from me?"

Mila and Mirabel looked at each other; they both had a hypothesis, and headed to the nursery.

Mirabel sat on her bed, holding a little wrapped box.

"Everyone's looking for you," said Mila.

Mirabel held the box close to the underside of the bed and said, "This present will self-destruct if you don't take it in three... two... one..." Then a little hand snatched the gift.

Mirabel crawled underneath the bed and found Antonio laying there, looking worried.

"Nervous?"

Antonio said nothing.

"You know, I just know you'll do great. Your gonna get your gift, and it is gonna be the best ever." Mirabel smiled.

"What if it doesn't work?" Antonio whispered.

"Well, in that impossible scenario, you stay here in the nursery with me and the twins... forever." Mirabel tickled him a bit. "And I get you all to myself until the twins get gifts. But alas, I am going to miss having one of the world's best roomies."

That was when Mila joined in on Antonio's other side.

"No matter what gift you get, primo, it's up to you to decide what to do with it." Mila said.

Antonio then opened his present and found a handmade stuffed jaguar.

"I know you're an animal guy, and I made this so when you get your cool new room, you'll always have something to snuggle with." Mirabel explained.

"And a little music too," said Mila, pointing to a pull string on the toy. "Don't worry, I tested it. It's perfectly safe."

Antonio pulled the string, and the melody of "Dos Oruguitas" sweetly played.

That was when Casita moved the clock over to tell them it was time.

"You ready?" Mirabel asked, and Antonio nodded. And then Mirabel hugged him. "Sorry, I gotta get one more squeeze!"

"Make room for Mila!" Mila laughed, joining in the hug before Casita urged the three of them to hurry up.

Everyone was excited as they arrived for Antonio's big night. Members of the Madrigal family used their gifts to entertain the guests, and music played all around, courtesy of a couple of musical inventions Mila snuck in that she tested four months in advance to ensure they were perfect and safe.

Bruno and Alicia each held a twin as they watched everyone having a good time.

"Do you have any idea where Mila is now?" Bruno asked his wife.

"She's probably helping Mirabel with Antonio." Alicia said. She and Bruno were just as worried as Mirabel's parents how hard tonight would be for the latter.

And, Mila was indeed helping. She and Mirabel brought Antonio to the room where he would make his grand entrance. There, the boy was greeted by his parents and siblings.

"Look at you, all grown up." Pepa praised, a little rain cloud appearing.

"Pepita, you're get him all wet." Felix said, calming his wife.

Camilo shapeshifted into a child-sized Felix.

"You are making your papa proud," said Camilo, imitating his father.

"I don't sound like that," said the real Felix.

"I don't sound like that," Camilo repeated. Mila couldn't help giggling at her cousin's playful antics.

Dolores then listened and said, "Abuela says it's time."

"We'll be waiting at your door," said Pepa.

"Okay, okay, vamo, vamo vamo." Felix said as he and the rest fo the immediate family left.

"Okay, okay, vamo, vamo vamo." Camilo repeated before getting picked up by Felix. "Alright, I'm done!"

Mila laughed. "Oh, Camilo."

Drums played as it was time for the ceremony to begin.

Abuela held the candle and gave a speech.

"Fifty years ago, during our darkest time, this candle blessed our family with a miracle. A miracle that has blessed this family, and served this beloved community. Tonight, our blessings grow as another joins us."

The drums played again, and the curtain opened to reveal Antonio, and everyone cheered. Casita moved a little tile to coerce Antonio to start walking, but the boy was too nervous. He looked at his big cousins and held out his hand.

"We can't," whispered Mirabel.

"I need you," whispered Antonio, pleading with his eyes.

Neither Mirabel nor Mila could say no to that darling face. So, each of them took one of Antonio's hands, to everyone's surprise. Everyone except Bruno and Alicia's; they actually smiled proudly at the two of them as they walked their little cousin to his door.

But, while Antonio's nerves went down as he held his cousins' hands, the girls felt bad memories fill their heads of the night of their gift ceremony. For Antonio's sake, she hoped Antonio got his gift and Abuela wouldn't isolate him like she did Mirabel.

Antonio held the candle as Abuela started the vow for him to use his gift to serve his community. Then, the boy walked to his door and nervously reached the knob. Antonio's door glowed a beautiful golden glow as Mila's had ten years ago.

A toucan suddenly flew in and landed on Antonio's wrist, squawking.

Antonio gasped and smiled. "Uh huh. Uh huh. I understand you." Then the toucan squawed again, and Antonio said, "Of course they can come."

And the toucan squawked louder, and all sorts of animals came in, and the door glowed again to show a picture of Antonio with a bunch of animals.

Abuela sighed in relief and announced to everyone, "We have a new gift!"

Everyone cheered for Antonio, and soon Antonio opened his door to see that it was a literal jungle.

Mila looked amazed when she and Mirabel walked in to see how amazing the room was.

Rosella seemed excited when she saw the fast, colorful hummingbirds, and Pedro like them too.

"Talk about a wild change," said Mila.

After a wild ride across his amazing new room, Antonio eventually was back with his family to receive praise.

"I knew you could do it. A gift just as special as you." Abuela said. "We need a picture. All together."

"La Familia Madrigal."

But Bruno quickly stopped the camera.

"Wait! Mirabel and Mila aren't here," he said.

Abuela's face said it all.

"They're part of this family and deserve to be treated as such." Alicia added. But when she looked around, she didn't see the girls. "Has anyone seen Mirabel or Milagro?"

But, no one did see them.

Chapter Text

Bruno looked for his daughter and niece, but didn't see them anywhere. He called for them, but got no response. Then he saw Mila's door glowing a little bit, and got a pretty good idea.

Bruno knocked on the door.

"Mila? Mirabel? Are you in there?" Bruno asked. No answer. "Mila, open the door, por favor."

Still no response.

"Milagro Mariana Madrigal, you open this door by the time I count to three." Bruno said. "Uno... dos... tres!"

No response. Then, Bruno pulled his hood over his head and deepened his voice, becoming the fearless Hernando.

"Okay, then. I'm Hernando, and I'm breaking the door down!" Bruno knew it was a long shot. Even Luisa couldn't break the door down when she tried, but as Hernando he ran toward the door, ready to break it down.

But, at the last moment, the door opened, and Bruno went comedically flying in, face-planting on the floor, the door closing behind him.

"Ow!" Bruno groaned. He got up and pulled his hood down. Then he looked and saw the amazing room before his eyes.

Mila's room was outstanding. It was filled with super tall shelves at least a hundred feet high with hundreds of books. Some floated around in the air, some of them flapping like butterflies. There was also a workshop filled with many gadgets Mila had constructed over the years, a desk for Mila's notes and designs, and near the back was a bed, where Mirabel was laying down, and Mila was in a chair beside the bed with her notebook, acting as a therapist. And Chika was on the bed too, laying her head on Mirabel's stomach.

Bruno knew Mila also inherited his creativity for acting. And in this scenario, when she put on fake glasses and tied her hair in a bun, she became Dr. Jacqueline, an emotional therapist who helped people.

Mila held her hand towards a shelf, and a book floated into her hand. And she opened the book.

"So tonight, it was hard because it reminded you of the night you didn't get yours?" Mila, or rather, Dr. Jacqueline, said more of a statement than a question.

"Yeah," said Mirabel, staring up at the ceiling.

"And you say that your familia has treated you differently since then?" Mila opened the book, revealing lots of family photos, but very few included Mila and/or Mirabel, aside from a few pictures from just Mila's side of the family, and pictures of that part that included Mirabel. "They've excluded you from everything, including family photos?"

"Si. All except Tio Bruno, Tia Alicia, and my cousin Mila." Mirabel said. "Mila has tried to help me, but I feel like it's unfair to her because she has a gift, but people treat her differently because she refuses to show her gift."

"And you feel your cousin isn't embracing her gift?" Mila pulled the fake glasses down a bit.

"Exactly. She has a gift, so why not?"

"Perhaps because you have not embraced yours," said 'Dr. Jacqueline.' "Even people without magic have gifts, you know."

"She's right, Mira." Bruno said.

Mirabel sat up from the bed, a little bit of surprise despite hearing her uncle crash on the floor earlier.

Mila took off the fake glasses. She said nothing.

"And your gift is...?" Bruno waited for his daughter to answer.

"The proper term would be 'telekinesis'" Mila said. "But that's not important now."

"Why did you both run away?" Bruno asked. "The family was about to take a picture."

"Like Abuela noticed we weren't there?" Mirabel said.

"She hasn't noticed Mirabel or me were excluded from pictures since we were five. No one has." Mila pointed out.

"Why would now be any different?"

"I noticed. So did Alicia." Bruno said. "Your family loves you both."

"Well, Abuela has an odd way of showing it," said Mila. "I'm not an official doctor, but everything I've read about social inclusion and family therapy has shown me that being treated as an exception can have dangerous impacts on one's emotional health, especially if left untreated for too long. You know that, Papa. I've seen the way Abuela looks at you every time you have a vision people don't like, including that one vision you and Mami kept secret for so long."

Bruno sighed, he knew she was right.

"What vision?" Mirabel asked. Mila froze; she just blabbed a big secret in front of her cousin.

"Mila? What was in the vision?" Mirabel asked.

"I don't really know. I didn't hear the whole story at the time." Mila said. "All I know is my parents kept it secret to protect you from Abuela, and after that, Abuela started treating Papi worse than before."

"She's right. I probably would've run off and hidden if I didn't have my wife or my children here," said Bruno.

Mirabel looked down again. She was grateful to have at least a few family members who were looking out for her. But, she still wished she could make Abuela proud of her just once. Even with Mila refusing to use her gift for anyone, Mirabel couldn't help feeling inferior to her anyway. Even without magic, Mila was the smartest one in the whole Casita. Not only did she graduate school early and have the highest IQ known in her generation of the Encanto, but she also used her intelligence to help enhance other gifts. She managed to help Julieta figure out recipes that healed more severe injuries and illnesses, helped Pepa target her weather patterns, invented earmuffs to help Dolores, and even managed to invent a bridge and construction materials that could withstand even Luisa's incredible strength.

Mila might have been super exceptionally talented, and she was never boastful about it, but shockingly it wasn't enough to make her the golden child of the family. In any ordinary family, the parents and grandparents would be ecstatic to have a genius in their home. And Mila's parents couldn't be prouder that she dreamed of being an engineer someday. But, no gift, no respect, was the apparent rule for Abuela. Mirabel was at least glad Mila didn't act like a showoff pageant princess like Isabela.

Chika suddenly got up and started licking Mirabel, trying to cheer her up.

"Why am I the only one who didn't get a gift?" Mirabel asked.

"I wish I knew." Bruno shrugged.

"I've been trying to figure that out for years. None of my books have a good explantion, and neither do my experiments." Mila said. "Even the blood test didn't tell me anything."

Bruno looked alarmed at his daughter.

"When did you take a blood test?" He asked.

"Don't worry, I got a professional to get the samples from Mirabel and I." Mila said. "I didn't tell you because I knew you'd freak. And then Tia Julieta gave us an arepa to get rid of the scars."

Chika eventually walked over to Mila's door and started scratching at it.

"Okay, Chika. I'm coming." Mila said. And she went to take the dog outside, but then she saw something. "Um... Mira? Papa? I think you might wanna see this."

Mirabel and Bruno looked confused, then they exited the room, and they saw why Mila had a worried edge in her voice.

Cracks were appearing in the walls of the Casita, the tiles started to shake, and the cracks got bigger and bigger within seconds. Chika whimpered as she saw the cracks going over the family's doors, and they started to flicker. Then, the cracks led up to the window where the candle sat, and it almost went out.

"ABUELA!" Mirabel and Mila both exclaimed, rushing to find their grandmother.

Chapter Text

Everyone was having a great time dancing in Antonio's room. Music played, the animals frolicked and danced around, even Abuela joined in the fun after Felix pulled her in. Then, all of a sudden, two twin cousins burst into the dance floor with a message.

"The house is in danger!" Mirabel shouted. And all the music stopped as quickly as a record scratching.

"There were cracks, the tiles were falling, and the candle almost went out!" Mirabel continued.

"It's true! I saw them too. So did Papi." Mila added in support.

"Show me," said Abuela.

But, when they all got out there, the cracks were gone.

"But- but they were there. Abuela, I swear. There really were cracks." Mirabel said.

"Yeah, you can have Antonio ask Chika. She saw them too." Mila said.

Chika barked as though agreeing.

"Mama, they are telling the truth," said Bruno.
"I don't know what happened-" Mirabel started, but Abuela raised her hand for her to stop.

"Nothing is wrong with La Casa Madrigal." Abuela announced. "The magic is strong and so are the drinks. Music."

Luisa held the piano up sort of awkwardly, Augustine played a dance tune, and everyone went back to the party.

Abuela just... She doesn't believe us? Does she really believe we'd want to ruin Antonio's night? Mirabel and Mila thought.

Mirabel just ran to the nursery and lay face-down on her bed in frustration. Her mother Julieta joined her, hoping to comfort her.

Mila tried to follow Mirabel, but was stopped by her father's hand on her shoulder.

"Give her some space, Mija." He said.

Mila didn't feel like going back to the party, so she just went to her room and locked the door again.

Mila couldn't fall asleep that night.

"Alright, Chika. It's time to really get serious." She got out some of her chemistry equipment and notebooks. Then she summoned as many books about genetics, natural disasters, and house building as she could find. "There's a reason the house is cracking, and I'm gonna find it."

Looking at her notes, she came upon an old hypothesis.

"Maybe something is wrong with the candle again," said Mila. "I just need to get a better sample of it. Maybe it'll have answers this time."

Mila quietly snuck out of her room and started climbing the tiles of the Casita up to the window where the candle sat. But then, she nearly lost her balance when she saw

Mirabel doing the same.

'What are you doing here?" Mila said in sign language.

Mila had a real gift for coming up with ideas, as well as learning many things quickly, including languages. With Dolores hearing everything, secrets were not so easily kept anywhere in the Encanto. Therefore, Mila saw fit to learn sign language, and to teach Mirabel since they talked to each other the most, and it was helpful when they didn't have any paper or writing tools to make notes.

"I should be asking you the same thing," signed Mirabel.

That was when the girls heard their abuela and saw her talking to a picture in a locket of her late husband Pedro, who Mila's little brother was named after.

"Ay, Pedro. I need you. Cracks in our casita. If our family knew how vulnerable we truly are... If our miracle is dying...We cannot lose our home again." Abuela sighed. "Why is this happening? Open my eyes. If the answer is here, help me find it. Help me protect our family. Help me save our miracle."

"I will save the miracle," whispered Mirabel.

"How?" Mila whispered.

Mirabel was silent, but was clearly uncertain.

"Well, I figure out what's hurting the miracle." Mirabel said quietly.

Casita moved some tiles, asking Mirabel how she planned to do that.

"I agree with Casita," said Mila.

Mirabel thought for a moment, and then she had an idea.

"Who do we know who would noticed something was wrong from anywhere?" Mirabel asked.

Mila smiled as she knew exactly who her cousin was talking about.

"I knew I wasn't the only genius in the family."

But, that was when they heard a baby crying. Mila knew exactly which one it was.

Mila gently picked up her little brother and gently rocked him in her arms. It was a good thing Rosella was a deeper sleeper, otherwise it would've been a bigger problem.

"Is he okay?" Mirabel asked.

Mila checked Pedro to see what he needed. He didn't want his bottle, his pacifier, or his plushie, he didn't appear to need burping, and his diaper was clean. But something had to wake him.

"Yes. Pedro isn't hungry and doesn't need a change." Mila said, gently patting Pedro on the back. "He probably just had a bad dream."

Pedro started wailing again. Mirabel quickly and quietly shut the door so the noise wouldn't wake the rest of the family.

"Shh. Shh. Esta bien, Pedro." Mila cooed.

Then, she sang a little lullaby Bruno and Julieta sang to her and Mirabel when they were little. Dos Oruguitas. Mila even got Mirabel to sing along, and little Pedro's eyes slowly drifted back to sleep.

The cousins gently kissed Pedro's head, and Mila carefully placed him back in the crib beside his twin sister.

"We're gonna save the miracle." Mirabel said. "For the twins, for Antonio. For the family, and the Encanto."

Chapter Text

At breakfast the next morning, Mirabel quickly found Dolores stacking some arepas on her plate.

"Dolores, hey. Out of all my older cousins, I'd say you're pretty much my favorite cousin and I feel like I can tell you anything, which means you can tell me anything. So, I was wondering about last night, with what happened to the magic that no one seemed to know about, that you might've heard about it?"

But Mila gave an unamused look. "Um... Mira? Since when does Dolores take that many arepas?"

That was when Felix came out and said, "Camilo, stop pretending you're Dolores so you can have seconds."

'Dolores' transformed into Camilo. "Worth a shot." Then Casita bumped him with the shutters.

Mila knew her cousins all too well. That was another one of her natural gifts; she knew pretty much everything about everyone in her family and everyone in town. She was very observant of behavior, thanks to many psychology books she read, as well as hands-on experience.

Dolores popped by Mirabel and said, "The only ones worried about the magic are the two of you. Oh, and Luisa. I heard her eye twitching. All night." Dolores squeaked and left.

Mirabel and Mila saw Luisa bring out the table so the family could have breakfast. And Casita set out everyone's chairs.

Mirabel quickly got a seat next to Luisa, while Mila took a seat near her parents as they got the twins their breakfast.

Alicia fed Pedro while Bruno fed Rosella. Well, tried to.

Rosella kept trying to feed Bruno her food and ended up making a mess of eggs on him.

"Rosella, that's your breakfast," said Bruno.

"Maybe you should be the one wearing the bib, Tio." Camilo joked.

Mila started helping her father clean up while Abuela was talking. She didn't need Dolores's super hearing to hear Mirabel whispering to Luisa, asking her if she knew what was wrong with the magic.

"You do!" Mirabel exclaimed.

"Mirabel! If you are not going to pay attention, I will help you." Abuela said, and she had Casita move Mirabel's chair closest to hers.

"Now, an announcement." Abuela got up and approached her 'perfect' Isabela. "I have spoken to the Guzman's about Mariano's proposal to Isabela. Dolores, do we have a date?"

Dolores appeared to listen. "Tonight. He wants five babies." She said, making Isabela gulp and grow a bunch of purple daisies and one white one in her hair.

"Wonderful," smiled Abuela, plucking the white flower from Isa's hair. "Such a fine young man with our perfect Isabela will bring a new generation of gifts to the family. To our community. Our home is counting on us. La Familia Madrigal!"

"La Familia Madrigal!" The rest of the family cheered, and Mirabel quickly got up, only to find Luisa leaving.

Mirabel started to go after her, bumping into Isabela.

"What is your problem?!" Isabela said angrily.

"It was an accident, Diva Nature." Mila said. "Mama, Papa, I'm gonna help Luisa and Mirabel. Vamos, Chika."

Mila ran off with her dog before her parents could object.

Luisa was just finishing moving the church, and then a lady asked her if she could reroute the river. Then a farmer reported that his donkeys got out again.

"On it!" Luisa called, starting to pick up the donkeys.

"I'll invent something to help keep your donkeys from escaping, Farmer Vasquez." Mila promised before following her cousins.

"Luisa, Dolores said she heard your eye twitching, and your eye never twitches, so something must be wrong." Mirabel said. 'What are you hiding?"

"Nothing. Just got a lot of chores." Luisa said.

That was when Mila popped in.

"That's what people tend to say when they're stressed Luisa." Mila pointed out.

"Nothing's wrong, cous. So, maybe you and Mira should just go home." Luisa said.

"Luisa, my house is leaning to the-" a man started, and Luisa kicked the house back into place.

"Luisa, please talk to us," said Mila.

"You're gonna make me drop a donkey," said Luisa, picking up one more.

"I can't talk to animals like Antonio, but I'm not sure the donkeys like being held like that." Mila said.

"Luisa, if something's wrong, just tell me what it is! Por favor!" Mirabel said.

"There's nothing to tell." Luisa insisted.

"You're obviously worried about something. Luisa, if you know what's hurting the magic and it gets worse because you won't tell me what's wrong-"

"NOTHING'S WRONG!" Luisa shouted, which silenced both Mirabel and Mila.

"Whoa, sorry." Luisa said, gently setting the donkeys down. "That snuck out there. What I meant to say is I'm totally fine. The magic's fine. Luisa's fine, and I'm totally not nervous." Then her eye twitched.

"Um... your eye is... doing that..." Mila started.

I'm the strong one, I'm not nervous
I'm as tough as the crust of the earth is

Luisa threw a rock up and broke it with her head to make a point.
Chika backed up with the donkeys.

I move mountains, I move churches
And I glow 'cause I know what my worth is

Luisa flexed her muscles.

I don't ask how hard the work is
Got a rough indestructible surface
Diamonds and platinum, I find 'em, I flatten 'em
I take what I'm handed, I break what's demanding
But
Under the surface
I feel berserk as a tightrope walker in a three-ring circus
Under the surface

Was Hercules ever like "Yo, I don't wanna fight Cerberus"?
Under the surface
I'm pretty sure I'm worthless if I can't be of service

A flaw or a crack
The straw in the stack
That breaks the camel's back
What breaks the camel's back it's
Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa
Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'till you just go pop, whoa
Give it to your sister, your sister's older
Give her all the heavy things we can't shoulder
Who am I if I can't run with the ball?

If I fall to
Pressure like a grip, grip, grip and it won't let go, whoa
Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa
Give it to your sister, your sister's stronger
See if she can hang on a little longer
Who am I if I can't carry it all?
If I falter

Under the surface
I hide my nerves, and it worsens, I worry something is gonna hurt us
Under the surface
The ship doesn't swerve as it heard how big the iceberg is
Under the surface
I think about my purpose, can I somehow preserve this?
Line up the dominoes
A light wind blows
You try to stop it tumbling
But on and on it goes

But wait
If I could shake the crushing weight of expectations
Would that free some room up for joy
Or relaxation, or simple pleasure?
Instead we measure this growing pressure
Keeps growing, keep going
'Cause all we know is
Pressure like a drip, drip, drip that'll never stop, whoa
Pressure that'll tip, tip, tip 'til you just go pop, whoa-oh-oh
Give it to your sister, it doesn't hurt
And see if she can handle every family burden
Watch as she buckles and bends but never breaks

No mistakes just
Pressure like a grip, grip, grip and it won't let go, whoa
Pressure like a tick, tick, tick 'til it's ready to blow, whoa
Give it to your sister and never wonder
If the same pressure would've pulled you under
Who am I if I don't have what it takes?
No cracks, no breaks
No mistakes, no pressure

Mirabel and Mila could see that Luisa was stressed, overworked, and obviously needed a break. The two girls hugged Luisa.

"I think maybe you're carrying way too- much!" Mirabel and Mila felt squished as Luisa hugged both of them.

"Maybe I do overdo it." Luisa said.

"You think?" Mila said.

"There is... something. When you guys saw the cracks last night, I felt..." Luisa sounded scared. "...weak."

"What?!" Mirabel and Mila exclaimed in unison.

"How? What could be hurting the magic?" Mirabel asked.

"Don't know. But I heard Tia Alicia once that Tio Bruno had some horrible vision." Luisa explained.

Mirabel looked at Mila, but Mila shook her head and said, "Papi never even tells me about his visions. 'We don't talk about my visions' he says."

"I suggest you start with asking Tio Bruno. He wouldn't tell anyone else, but maybe he'll tell you, Mira." Luisa said, going back to helping with the donkeys.

"Hmm. Once we save the magic, I'm getting Luisa and Tia Pepa to start joining yoga." Mila said. "Let's go find my dad."

Chapter Text

Mirabel and Milagro went to the casita, where Abuela and Isabela were talking about the latter and Mariano being such a perfect match.

"Yeah, right." Mila said, gagging. "Mariano is so not a perfect match for Isa."

"How do you know?" Mirabel asked.

"You'll find out later," said Mila. "There are a lot of things you have yet to learn about our familia."

Mila knew her mother was normally teaching dance class at this time, and Bruno, being the one who preferred not to go into town because of how folks perceived him, was likely in the nursery with the twins.

But, Bruno wasn't in the nursery as hoped. Mila called for her father.

"Dolores, have you heard my papa anywhere?" Mila called.

Dolores quickly came by.

"He's helping himself in the kitchen." Said Dolores, squeaking before leaving.

Mila rolled her eyes. Bruno just loved Julieta's cooking, especially arepas, and always snuck himself a few snacks. No doubt Camilo inherited his love of food from him.

"It's a wonder even for me how those two manage to stay so thin." Mila said.

Sure enough, the girls did find Bruno in the kitchen, helping himself to a cookie.

"Papi," said Mila.

Bruno nearly choked on his cookie as he was startled.

"Mila, qué pasa?" said Bruno with his mouth full. Then he swallowed what he'd been eating.

"Papi, what has Mami said about talking with your mouth full?" Mila scolded.

"Sorry. I was getting a snack for the twins," said Bruno.

And the twins were indeed munching their own cookies in their high chairs.

"We were wondering if we could ask you something important?" Mirabel said.

Bruno had an unpleasant feeling about where this was going.

"Luisa told us you had some bad vision you told no one but Tia Alicia about, and we were wondering if it had anything to do with whatever is happening with the magic."

Bruno looked worried all of a sudden. At that point, the girls knew that he had to know something. But, he wouldn't say anything.

"Tio...?" Mirabel started.

"I can't tell you." Bruno said.

"Can't or won't?" Mila said.

Bruno was silent.

"We need to get ready for the Guzmans," he said and picked up the twins. "So, would you both watch the babies?"

Mila took Pedro and Mirabel took Rosella. They obviously weren't going to get anything out of Bruno himself. So, they decided to check his tower. But, they had two toddlers to look after, and everyone else was too busy getting ready for the Guzmans. So, Mila went to her room and did some quick building, and she made a sand-proof stroller to put the twins into while they went to Bruno's tower.

Mirabel and Mila walked up to Bruno's tower. Luckily, Casita turned the stairs into a ramp so Mila could push the stroller up. Then, they opened the door and went in to find an hourglass shaped hole with falling sand.

They'd both been in there at least a few times growing up. Mila remembered how she and Mirabel, and the other kids used to love building sandcastles with some of Bruno's sand. Mila used to color some of it to make artwork, and sometimes used the sand for some of her experiments.

"Is it weird that I'm nervous being back in here?"

"Nope. It's been a while since we've come here." Mila said. "And given the circumstances, it is nerve racking."

"Well, I guess we'll be okay." Mirabel said. "At least I have a friend with me."

"You can always count on me Mira." Mila smiled.

The two came up to the falling sand and prepared to jump in. Mila and Mirabel both held onto the stroller to make sure the twins got in safely and they counted uno... dos... tres. And they walked in together.

In Bruno's room, there was a lot of sand, but there was also a clear part of the room where Bruno's bed was. And, nearby, there lay a big stone hand poiting up and engraved with the words Your Future Awaits, right near many flights of stairs. But, luckily, there was also Mila's invention the Uplifting Transport.

The girls got onto the transport and pulled themselves all the way up to the top of the stairs, only to find that the bridge that led to Bruno's vision cave was completely gone.

"No wonder Tio Bruno hasn't done any visions." Mirabel said.

"Hmm, this'll be tricky." Mila said.

Mila looked at the distance between them and the vision cave.

"I can get you across, Mirabel." Mila said. "But you'll have to go into the cave on your own. It's too risky to take the twins to the other side, and Mami would kill both of us if anything happened to either of them."

But, Mila had an idea. She pulled out a whistle from her bag and blew it, but it made no sound. None that humans could hear, anyway.

Mila lowered the uplift, and pulled it up when she heard barking down below, and she pulled the lift up again with Chika on it.

"Okay, Chika. Go help Mirabel find the vision." Mila said, putting a harness and leash on Chika, and she telepathically transported her pooch to the other side to accompany Mirabel.

Mirabel held Chika's leash as they walked through the dark hallway to Bruno's vision cave. It was creepy. Chika whimpered, but Mirabel scratched her ears.

"Shh, esta bien, perrita." Mirabel said calmly, though she was pretty nervous too.

They soon came up to a big round door, which Mirabel opened so she and Chika could get in. But, once they got in, the door closed behind them. And then, Mirabel spotted some green glowing dots in what looked like a circular sandbox. Chika started digging through the sand, and found some pieces, two of which Mirabel picked up.

"What's hurting the magic?" Mirabel asked the emerald pieces.

Mirabel found the two pieces fit together, and she put them together to see an image of herself.

"Me?" Mirabel gasped.

Suddenly, the vision cave started shaking, and sand was falling fast!

"Rapido, Chika!" Mirabel exclaimed. "Excavar!"

Chika helped Mirabel quickly dig up the rest of the pieces as she placed them into her purse, and they raced to get out at the sand began to fill the cave.

"MILA! AYUDAME!" Mirabel screamed, hoping her cousin could hear her as she tried to open to door.

Chika whimpered as she was starting to get buried.

Fortunately, the door opened to let them out just in time! Chika nearly slipped over the edge of the cliff, but Mirabel grabbed her and pulled her to safety.

"Mirabel! Are you and Chika okay?!" Mila called from the other side.

"I think we're okay," said Mirabel. "We found the vision."

"Then let's go before my parents catch us in here."

And, the two cousins went to the nursery. Mila placed the twins in their crib and gave them toys to keep them distracted, and Mirabel took out the pieces of the vision to piece together. Mila took out some glue from her bag.

"Let's put it together."

Chapter Text

The Guzmans were on their way to the Madrigal house for Isabela's proposal dinner.

Everyone else was getting the table and the house ready for the Guzmans. Except for two cousins.

Together, Mila and Mirabel put the pieces of the vision together. Mirabel figured out which pieces went together, and Mila started gluing them together. But when they finished putting it together, they saw a picture of Mirabel in front of Casita, and it was cracked. Both Mila and Mirabel were shocked by what they saw. How was this possible?

This was one of those occasional moments when Mila didn't have an answer, not even a hypothesis.

"Miraboo," called Augustine, entering the nursery. "Hope you got your party pants on, because-"

Augustine froze when he saw what his daughter and niece had on the table behind them, which they tried to hide. Casita even nudged the table to the side to help hide it, but it was no good.

"Uh, we broke into Bruno's tower and found his lost vision, the magic is dying, and I think it's because of... me?"

Augustine got a closer look at the vision. He still didn't speak a word.

"Pa?" said Mirabel.

"Tio Augustine?" Mila said.

Augustine quickly picked up the pieces of the vision, but got glue on his hands, as it hadn't dried yet, and he hid the pieces in a bag.

"Abuela wants tonight to be perfect," said Augustine, whispering. "So, until the Guzmans leave, the two of you did not sneak into Bruno's tower, the magic is not dying. Nothing is wrong. No one has to know."

Inconveniently, the nursery door opened, and there was a gasp from across the balcony.

"I know," whispered Dolores. She squeaked and scampered off.

"She's gonna tell everyone," said Mirabel in a panic.

"Time to eat!" Abuela called from downstairs.

"Miercoles," said Augustine.

Mila got the twins and started to bring them downstairs.

"Okay, you two. You heard Tio Augustine. Both of you have to behave tonight." Mila told her brother and sister. "And we have to keep Dolores from blabbing too."

The entire Madrigal family and the Guzmans sat at the table together.

"The Guzmans and the Madrigals together will be so good for the Encanto," smiled Abuela.

"Yes," said Senora Guzman. "Then let's hope tonight is not a horrible disaster."

Meanwhile, Mirabel was keeping eye contact with Dolores to make sure she didn't blab what she heard about the vision.
Mila also kept an eye on Dolores, but from where she was sitting, eye contact wasn't something she could do. But she could do something else.

"To a perfect night, Salud!" Abuela raised her glass to toast, and the family complied.
Mirabel kept eye contact with Dolores, neither one of them seeming to blink at all.

"Avocado?" Mariano said, holding the bowl of avocado in front of Mirabel's face, making her lose eye contact with Dolores.

Dolores was about to blab to Camilo, when she suddenly got bopped in the head with something thrown at her. Pedro's teething ring.

Mila looked at Pedro and feigned scolding.

"Pedro, what did we say about throwing things?"

Mila gave Dolores the 'I'm watching you' gesture, then pointed at her and made a zipping motion across her mouth. Dolores sat up straight, and Mirabel resumed eye contact with her, only for it to be blocked again when Isabela passed the pitcher of water.

That was when Chika came in, sniffing at the table, wanting food.

"Milagro, I thought I told you to keep Chika out of the dining room." Abuela said.

"Sorry, Abuela." Mila said. "I'll take her outside. Vamos, perrita."

Mila left the room briefly to take her dog outside and leave her a bone to chew. But when she got back to dinner, she saw a cloud forming in the dining room.

"Pepa, the cloud." Abuela said.

"Clear skies, clear skies," Pepa whispered to herself, fingering at her hair.

Mila sat down and tried to remain calm, but then she saw her parents looking at her like they knew she was hiding something. That was when the dinner dishes started shaking, and so did the table.

"Mila, relax!" Bruno whisper yelled, knowing Mila's nerves affecting her power was the cause of the vibrating table.

"What's going on?" Mariano wondered out loud.

As if things couldn't get any worse, Mirabel found cracks under the table and bumped her head on it.

"Is everything okay?" Mariano asked.

"Everything's fine!" Mila exclaimed, forcing a smile. "We're... just excited for the proposal."

"Which you should do," said Augustine, also forcing a smile, as did Mirabel. "As fast as you can."

Mila took a slow, deep breath, mentally reciting a mantra she used in yoga class Light as air, soft as a petal, feel serenity, no despair. And the table and dishes stopped shaking almost instantly, to everyone but Mila's parents and Mirabel's confusion.

"Uh, I was actually gonna..." Mariano began, but was interrupted by Mirabel.

"You were actually gonna. Great!" Mirabel said, and she turned Isabela's chair so that she faced her boyfriend.

Then, Mariano's mother spoke up.

"Well, since everyone here has a talent, my Mariano wanted to begin with a song. Luisa, could you fetch the piano?"

"Okay." Luisa tried not to cry, but was failing miserably as she got up to go fetch the piano.

Mila and Mirabel wanted to hug her right then and there. But, they had to face other problems.

More cracks started to form, so Mirabel got up.

"It's actually family tradition to sing after," said Mirabel, pushing Mariano out from his chair and down onto one knee.

Mariano took out the ring box and began a little speech professing love for perfect Isabela. But, that was also when Mirabel saw some of Antonio's animals putting the pieces of the vision back together, and Mila saw too! Luisa also came in with the piano, but was struggling to do so. That was when the dishes and table started shaking again, this time harder.

"Will you marry..." Mariano started.

"NO!" Mirabel exclaimed, trying to stop the critters.

The dining room furniture didn't just shake. Suddenly, the table started floating, and so did some of the chairs.

"What is happening?!" Senora Guzman asked. The utensils also started floating around.

"Mirabel and Mila found Bruno's lost vision. Mirabel is in it, she's gonna destroy the magic, and we're all doomed!" Dolores blurted very quickly.

Mirabel tried to stop the animals as the vision was put on the table, and Bruno tried to grab it, but accidentally slid it over to his mother, and more cracks formed into the walls. But, that wasn't what freaked everyone out most. They still had no clue why they were floating... until Mila raised her hands and slowly lowered them, making everyone's chairs gently lower to the floor. But, that didn't stop Pepa's storm cloud from storming the dinner, or a plant hitting Mariano's nose, or Camilo's shapeshifting going out of whack. And the doors opened to reveal the whole town with a big banner, shouting "FELICIDADES!"

The Guzmans quickly left, Abuela begging them for forgiveness.

"Abuela, please. There's gotta be something-" Mirabel said.

"I hate you!" Isabela exclaimed angrily at her sister and cousin.

"I'm a loser!" Luisa cried, running to her room, Augustine going after his middle daughter.

"What did you do?!" Pepa said.

"It wasn't me, it was Bruno's vision!" Mirabel said.

"Don't you dare pin my father on this!" Mila said. "Dolores was the one who started the blabbing!"

"Enough!" Bruno exclaimed, looking angry for what looked like the first time. "Both of you, Milagro's room. Now!"

That actually surprised Mirabel and Mila. Neither of them had ever seen him behaving so strictly before. Mila knew this especially because her father never called her by her full first name unless it was serious. Some of Bruno's rats came by with pieces of the vision and were following Bruno to his oldest daughter's room.

"Nothing is wrong! Everything is fine!" Abuela shouted to everyone. "The magic is strong! We are the Madrigals!"

Abuela slammed the doors shut. "MIRABEL! MILAGRO!" thunder boomed right after Abuela shouted.

The two girls didn't hesitate to run to Mila's room like their lives depended on it; they'd much rather face an angry Bruno than angry Abuela. At least, they hoped so. They weren't sure which they were more afraid of at that point.

Bruno had the two girls sit on Mila's bed as he talked.

"No one was supposed to see this vision," said Bruno. "Ever."

"Why not, Papa?" Mila said.

"You shouldn't have encouraged Mirabel to look for it," said Bruno, scolding his daughter.

"Papi, we had to." Mila said.

"It was for Mirabel's own good."

"And you told Mami, but not me, your own daughter? I could've figured something out a lot sooner."

"Some things even you can't figure out, Mila."

And something in Mila snapped.

"You think I don't know that?! I'm the one who's had to live with constant pressure of being the smartest Madrigal since before I was even in kindergarten! Do you think I like being the one everyone looks to for explanations to every single thing? If it's not that they see, it's my inventions going wrong, or guessing what my gift is, and wondering if I make bad things happen like my father even though he only has visions of the future. So yes, I know I can't know every single thing. I don't need a five hundred IQ to know that or to know that my cousin needs help because she's treated as inferior by everyone in this family!"

Mila breathed heavily, tears falling from her eyes. It was true. As happy, optimistic, and level-headed as she appeared, Mila felt constant pressure every day of her life. Her teachers expected her to have the highest score on every single test, answer every question, solve the hardest math problems, give the best oral reports, and have the best science projects. And in her house, everyone expected her to always have new ideas for inventions with which she would eventually have a breakthrough. But, while she came up with good ideas, she felt pressure to be the perfect genius who always had the answer to every question, never hesitating to find all the facts, and give a straight answer to the most important questions, making life easier. If it weren't for Chika, she probably would've lost her mind by now.

Mila started crying as she felt the weight of all the pressure she felt finally cracking her.

Mirabel hugged her cousin. This was just like the pressure Luisa said she felt her whole life.

"Mila..." Mirabel said. "I'm not as smart as you, but I already know you have a heart as big as your brain."

Bruno could see his daughter was distressed. He remembered what Alicia always said to Mila: "Your heart is as big as your brain, Mila. A strong mind is good, but a strong heart will lead you to your dreams if you let it."

"Mila, maybe it's time you start following your heart instead of just your mind." Bruno said, hugging his daughter.

And, Mila did listen to her heart.

"I want to help Mirabel, Papa." Mila sniffled.

Bruno was speechless again.

"Tio Bruno..." Mirabel said. "If I'm hurting my family, I just need to know."

"I can't tell you," said Bruno. "Because I don't know."

Bruno took out the pieces of the vision and put them together on a tray.

"I had this vision the night Mirabel didn't get her gift. Abuela worried about the magic, our miracle. She begged me to look into the future to see what it all meant. I saw the magic in danger, our house breaking, and Mila... she was angry and lost control of her gift."

"So that's why you and Mami were always worried when I was unhappy?"

"Si, but there was no clear fate for Mirabel. Her destiny would change, like there was no one answer. It was as if her future was... undecided. But, I knew what everyone would think because I'm Bruno and everyone always assumes the worst... except for one... my Alicia."

"What happened then?" Mirabel asked.

"I confided in her first, knowing she wouldn't be as harsh." Bruno explained. "She promised to help me keep it secret from everyone, including the two of you. I was tempted to run away to protect you... but I couldn't abandon my family, especially not my bride and child."

"You kept this vision secret... to protect me?" Mirabel said.

"I don't know which way it'll go," said Bruno. "But, my best guess... the family, the Encanto, and the magic itself... it's all gonna come down to you."

Then Bruno threw away the pieces.

"Or maybe I'm wrong. Like I said, it's a mystery. That's why this vision is-" He blew a raspberry.

Mila took out her journal and seemed to make a note before walking to something neither Mirabel nor Bruno had seen the last time they were in her room.

There seemed to be some big board Mila had with pictures and notes of all sorts, some of which were connected by push pins and red yarn, like in a mystery show, and it all started with a picture of Mirabel when she was five.

"Is that...?" Mirabel said.

"I'm so close to cracking this case." Mila said. "That vision may have been the clue I needed."

Mila placed the sketch of the vision on the board and added another piece of yarn to it. She placed her goggles over her eyes as she concentrated, trying to piece it all together. The answer was so close, and yet so far.

"There's gotta be an answer somewhere!" Mila said. "There must be more to see. Something missing."

That was when Mirabel had an idea of her own.

"Tio, have another vision." Mirabel said.

"Oh, no. I don't do visions anymore." Bruno said.

"You can't just say, the weight of the world is on your shoulders, the end." Mirabel said. "If the fate of our magic is up to me, me says have another vision."

"Even if I wanted to, which I don't, you wrecked my vision cave. I need a big open space."

"We'll find one."

"Where?"

"Use my room," said a little voice nearby. It was Antonio. "Chika and the rats told me everything. Don't eat those."

The jaguar stopped as it had been about to eat some of Bruno's rats.

"Antonio, get that jaguar out of my room before he makes a mess!" Mila said. It wasn't that she didn't like cats, but she didn't want any of her stuff being clawed or knocked over by the giant cat.

Mirabel ignored her cousin's outburst, and told Bruno, "The magic needs help."

So, Bruno agreed to do the vision.

"You should have told me about the vision the minute you saw it," said Abuela, scolding Augustine. "Think of the family!"

"I was thinking of my daughter!" Augustine defended.

"Alicia, where is Bruno? You or he should have told me Mila's gift was mind tricks. She could have used it to be helpful."

"Telekinesis," Alicia corrected. "But the name of her gift isn't the point. Mila's gift is her own, and Bruno and I support whether or not she decides to use it. And she already helps Mirabel, unlike you."

Snow started to appear nearby.

"Pepa, calm down." Abuela said.

"I'm doing my best," said Pepa. "You're lucky it's not a hurricane!"

"Mama," said Julieta. "You've always been too hard on Mirabel and Milagro."

Another crack appeared in the wall.

"Look at our home," said Abuela. "We must protect our family. Find them."

Chapter Text

Out in the Encanto, rumors started to spread about gift being revealed. According to the Guzmans, Mila made everything float and then made it all stop as though she were the one in control of Casita. At least now, Mila didn't have to worry about people constantly asking and guessing what her gift was anymore. It got pretty annoying over time, and Camilo kept bugging Mila about it over the years. Every birthday, he would play Guess Mila's Gift.

Mila and Mirabel's 15th birthday...

"Give it up, Camilo." Mila said.

"Is your gift brainstorming?" Camilo asked.

Mila sighed and said, "No."

"Is your gift knowing everything?"

"No."

"Is your gift making people forget or remember things?"

"If that were my gift, I would've erased a lot of memories by now, including this conversation. So unfortunately, no."

"Is your gift thinking really, really hard?"

"Nope."

"Is your gift saying no?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"NO! Oh my God, Camilo! Give it up already! No one in the entire Encanto has guessed my gift, and neither will you."

Present Day...

Now that Bruno had a big open space in Antonio's room, he started making a circle of sand while his daughter and Mirabel sat in the middle.

Mirabel could hear more cracks forming quickly.

"You might wanna hurry up," said Mirabel nervously.

"You can't hurry the future," said Bruno, moving around a capybara that sat in the way. "I mean, what if I see something worse? If I see something that you don't like, you're gonna be all 'ooh Bruno makes bad things happen. He's creepy and killed my goldfish.'"

"Papi, that fish dying was not your fault." Mila said.

Mila had been one besides Alicia who always stood up for poor Bruno. She didn't need super smarts to know that her father didn't make the future happen; he just reported it.

"He told me my fish would die, the next day, dead!" said one woman before.

"Maybe try taking better care of it next time?" Mila said.

"He told me I'd grow a gut, and just like he said," said the man who gave Mirabel her 'not special' gift basket.

"Maybe if you watched what you ate like he warned you!" Mila said angrily, smacking the man in the gut.

"He told me all my hair would disappear, now look at my head," cried the Father from the local church.

Mila patted him on the shoulder and said, "Padre, that happens to a lot of people. It's most often genetic."

But the more people spoke bad of Bruno, the angrier Mila got. She had to constantly tell them, "If you don't have anything nice to say about Bruno, don't talk about Bruno."

And each time Mila got angry, pots broke, trees fell onto people's carts, and shutters and doors randomly opened and shut, and her parents had to calm her down. Bruno never let Mila know he knew her gift was telekinesis; he thought it would worry her to know more than just her mother and Mirabel knew her gift. It was a good thing no one was hurt; they didn't need Mila to be dubbed Bad Luck Bruno Jr. by everyone in the Encanto because they made her angry.

"I don't think you make bad things happen, Tio." Mirabel said. "Sometimes, family weirdos just get a bad rap."

"And most humans, unfortunately, are always looking to blame someone else for their problems instead of taking good advice." Mila added.

Antonio gave Bruno his jaguar plushie.

"For the nerves," said Antonio before leaving on his real jaguar.

Bruno took a deep breath and told himself he could do this, and he lit some little piles of herbs and leaves, and prepared to have his vision. Bruno cracked his knuckles and held out his hands.

"You might wanna hold on," said Bruno, his eyes turning green.

Mirabel and Mila each took hold of one of Bruno's hands. A strong wind started to blow, and a dome of sand surrounded them as the vision came into view. The house was breaking, a door nearly fell on Antonio before Felix rescued him, and then Mirabel was in front of Casita cracking and then not cracking, and Mila was angry and making the cracks grow even bigger.

"It's just the same thing!" Bruno cried in dismay. "I've gotta stop."

"No! I have to know which way it goes," begged Mirabel. "There's gotta be an answer, something we're not seeing."

"You're both looking at the same thing I am."

"What's that?" Mila said, looking at something.

Mirabel looked where Mila was and saw something golden and pointed it out to Bruno.

"Butterfly! Follow the butterfly!" Bruno shouted.

And the two girls helped him up so they could see where the butterfly went. It landed on a blade of grass, but they couldn't tell where it was. The vision was out of order. But then, there was something new, first, it was Mila, who was looking into her journal, and had her hair tied back in a high ponytail, which she normally did only when she was experimenting or inventing. But, they couldn't tell what Mila was inventing, and then they saw Mirabel with the candle.

"It's getting brighter! I think you're gonna help the candle!" Bruno hypothesized.

"How?" Mirabel asked.

Then someone else was in the vision, but their face wasn't visible.

"There's someone with you, and you... you fight her!" Bruno said.

"WHAT?!" Mirabel and Mila exclaimed in unison

"No wait," the vision changed. "Is that a hug?"

"Is she fighting or hugging?" Mila grumbled, beating her cousin to the question.

The vision showed Mirabel hugging someone.

"An embrace!" Bruno exclaimed with a smile. "To make the candle brighter you have to embrace her!"

"Embrace who?" Mirabel asked.

It started getting clearer... almost there... almost... and it was...

"Isabela?!" The cousins exclaimed in unison.

And the sand stopped spinning, and Bruno held an emerald plate with Isabela and Mirabel hugging.

"Oh, your sister. That's great." Bruno smiled, only for it to disappear when he saw the twin cousins holding the same disgruntled look on their faces. He sighed. "Every time."

"Why would embracing Isabela do anything?" Mirabel grumbled, looking at her oldest sister's door.

"I don't know. How do you save a miracle? You hug a sister." Bruno said.

"And apparently I have to invent something." Mila said. "But I don't know what or why."

That was when the cousins heard Camilo downstairs, calling their names, and his power went whack again, giving him a baby head and hand.

"Poor Camilo." Mila whispered, feeling sorry for her cousin.

"Isa won't hug me. Ever. You saw what happened at her proposal." Mirabel said. "And Mila will probably be off the hook since everyone knows her gift now."

"Don't be ridiculous," said Mila. "Nobody's gonna treat me that much differently. They still can't force me to use my gift if I don't want to."

"You really don't have to keep sticking up for me," said Mirabel.

"I know. I do it because I love you. But, it looks like I forgot to let you have the chance to fight your own battle. And that battle now is getting a hug from Sister Nature."

"I'll be helping Alicia, with the twins, if you need me." Bruno said, scurrying off.

"Well, looks like I'd better go find out what I'm supposed to invent," said Mila, rushing to hide as she heard Julieta calling her name, quickly but quietly closing her door and locking it.

Mirabel sighed, "Okay. Time to save the miracle... with a hug.

Meanwhile, Bruno walked into the nursery, where he found Alicia putting Rosella in her crib beside Pedro, who had fallen asleep after they were placed into some dry clothes.

"Bruno, there you are." Alicia said. "Are you okay? Where are Milagro and Mirabel?"

Bruno picked up a notepad and wrote a note so Dolores wouldn't hear him, not wanting to risk another disaster.

I had a new vision. They're helping to save the miracle. Mira has to embrace Isabela, and Mila has to invent something.

Alicia wasn't surprised that Mila's future involved inventing, but it surprised her that Mirabel and Isabela would hug; she hadn't seen them hug since before her and Mila's gift ceremony.

Bruno and Alicia looked at the crib as Rosella stood up and bounced, making happy little noises.

Bruno chuckled and said, "Not even the darkest times could defeat your smile, Rosa."

Rosella cutely stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry.

Alicia looked at both of her babies.

"Amor, I'm worried about our babies. If the miracle is dying... what will it mean for them?" She asked her husband.

If the twins didn't get gifts, would they be isolated too like Mirabel, Bruno, and Milagro? Bruno was isolated because people only saw the worst in his gift, Mila because she refused to use her gift, and Mirabel because she never got one.

"I don't know," said Bruno. "I only hope it's not too late to save it." He then took his wife's hands. "But gifts or no gifts, they are still our niños, and we wouldn't love them any less than we do now."

Alicia knew her husband was right. She knew she made a good choice marrying him. And the couple embraced each other and kissed.

Chapter Text

Mila was in her room, looking through her journal for ideas as to what kind of invention she had to create. She found all kinds of ideas in her journal, some which were still in the phase of calculating and hypothesizing, in other words, revising.

"What could it be?" Mila asked herself.

Mila had found answers to many of Bruno's visions, many of them having to do with pointing out the accountability of whoever the vision was for, which many did not take into account, and well as theorizing how to make the good ones come true and prevent the bad ones as best as they could.

"This is one of those few times I just have no idea what to do, Chika." Mila looked at her dog.

Chika walked closer to Mila and licked her hand. Mila smiled a little and pet her poodle. Somehow, her canine comrad just always knew what Mila needed, sometimes before she even knew she needed. Ever since Mila rescued her as a puppy, she never felt alone.

Every scientist needed an assistant, and Mila had no luck getting anyone in the family to take the job. Even Mirabel was too nervous to get close to her experiments. Mila thought back to that day; she remembered it as if it were yesterday.

Four years ago...

It was a Saturday afternoon, and Mila was out on a walk. She carried a little basket with her with some snacks, and of course she had her invention satchel to collect plant samples for some of her experiments. Sure, she could've tried getting some from Isabela, but even if they did get along, all she ever grew were roses, flor de mayo, and basically flowers of symmetrical perfection. Mila wanted some natural native plants to work on, and maybe find a nice natural flower native to the jungle that her mother, aunts, and even Abuela might like.

Mila often looked for new materials to study. She was curious, which was what contributed to her being so smart. When she wasn't with Mirabel, it got lonely. And since Mila skipped a couple of grades due to her superior IQ, it meant they weren't in the same class, or even in the same school. Mila had to attend school in a completely different building with classmates closer to her level, and even there, classes were too easy for her. It didn't exactly equal popularity for her, not just because the other kids were older than her. Even if anyone did bother to talk to her, it was to ask her what her gift was or why she never used it.

Many times, Mila longed for a friend. Someone who would love her with or without a gift, and wouldn't try to tell her what to do with her gift. Mirabel loved Mila either way, but even she tried to convince Mila to use her gift. But, Mila took a stand, and she was going to stick with it. From her perspective, it was a battle between her and Abuela's expectations, and she wasn't going to give in to Abuela or anyone else telling her who to be or what to do with her life. And today, Mila's wish for a friend finally came true.

Mila had just managed to find some beautiful flowers and wild cacti growing in the jungle, when she heard the sound of someone crying. Mila listened for it. It sounded like... howling and whimpering. She followed it until she came to a bush with thorny branches, and in it, she saw... a puppy!

It was a little brown poodle puppy with curly hair, and she was trapped in the bush, whimpering and crying for help.

"Oh, you poor perrita." Mila said, kneeling down. But the puppy seemed scared. "Shh. Don't be scared. I won't hurt you."

Mila took out some clippers and gloves she had in her bag. Being a girl of many smarts, Mila was prepared for just about anything. She put on the gloves so she could safely move the thorny branches, and she used the clippers to cut an opening in the bush to safely get the puppy out. But, the puppy wouldn't come out from the bush. She was shaking in fear.

Mila took off her gloves and reached out her hand for the puppy to sniff, but the puppy only scooched back farther. So, Mila reached into her snack basket and pulled out some papaya slices and held one out to the puppy.

"Tienes ambre, perrita?" Mila asked. "Are you hungry?"

The puppy sniffed for the papaya, and Mila slowly pulled it outside the bush.

"You can have it if you just come over here." Mila sang gently.

The puppy sniffed again, and slowly started to come out. And the puppy ate the papaya out from Mila's hand, and Mila gently pet the puppy's head.

Mila looked at the puppy's condition. She was pretty dirty, and it was possible she might've had scratches from the thorns that Mila couldn't see because of that. The puppy didn't have a collar either, and no on seemed to be around looking for her. So, Mila took out a clean towel and carefully picked up the puppy and took her to the Casita. The rest of the family was out helping the village with their gifts. Except for Bruno, Felix, Mirabel, and Augustine.

Mila gave the puppy a bath and then took her to the kitchen, where she got her a bowl of food and some water.

"I think I'll name you... Chika." Mila said, petting the dog's head. "Now I just gotta convince Mami and Papi to let me keep you."

Chika started sniffing around the casita, Mila followed to make sure she didn't have an accident anywhere. She knew Abuela would kill her if she found out a dog did its business in anyone's room. But, the puppy ran around and started barking when it saw Bruno coming out from his room.

Bruno jumped in surprise when he saw the little pooch running towards him, wagging her tail and wanting to play.

"Where did you come from?" Bruno asked the puppy. That was when Mila came in and picked up her puppy, only for the pup to lick her face.

"Hola, Papi." Mila said.

"Mila, where did that puppy come from?" Bruno asked.

"I rescued her from the jungle." Mila said. "Can I keep her? Por favor?"

Bruno wasn't sure what to say; Mila hardly to never asked for anything, so it was hard to say no to her, but he didn't know about letting her have a pet. So, he told her they should wait until Alicia returned and make sure Abuela would also be okay with a dog in the Casita. For the time being, Chika could stay.

Later, the family arrived home for dinner. Camilo saw that Mila was cooking something with meat and eggs.

"Mmm, that looks delicioso." Camilo said, taking a taste.

"Um... Camilo, that's dog food you just ate." Mila said, and Camilo spat it out immediately, to Mila's amusement.

That was when Camilo noticed Chika sitting nearby, staring at Mila as she prepared her bowl of food.

"When did we get a puppy?" Camilo asked.

"That's Chika." Mila said. "I found her earlier, and I'm taking care of her now so hopefully Mami and Papi will let me keep her.

Of course, Abuela was skeptical about having a dog in the house, but Alicia remembered having a dog herself as a child. She and Bruno knew Mila was responsible and very smart. So, they agreed to give a trial run. If Mila could handle taking care of Chika for one full month, then she could stay. If Mila couldn't, they had to find Chika a new home.

So, Mila worked really hard every day. She fed Chika, gave her water, got her a harness and leash to take her for walks everyday, housebroke her, made chew toys with a little help from Mirabel, and even taught her some tricks.

Before they knew it, that one month turned into two months, and Alicia and Bruno came to Mila with a surprise.

Alicia held in her hands... a green collar with a tag with Chika's name and address on it.

Mila put the collar onto her dog and said, "Welcome to the familia, Chika Madrigal."

Present Day...

"I can't imagine how I ever got along in this world without you, girl." Mila said, scratching the dog's ears.

Suddenly, Mila heard shouting down the hall.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Isabela's voice shouted.

Uh oh. Mila thought. She immediately got up and left her room to find out what was going on.

Chapter Text

Mila slowly entered Isabela's room, and she saw things did not look promising between her cousins.

Isabela had grown a cross of vines between herself and Mirabel.

"You wanna be a better sister?" Isabela said. "Apologize for ruining my life. Go on. Apologize."

Mila's jaw dropped at Isabela's audacity to demand an apology. Sometimes she wondered why she bothered to keep Isabela's secret about sneaking into the cookie jar.

"I... am... sorry..." Mirabel reluctantly said.

Isabela smirked.

Then Mirabel said, "That your life is so great!"

"Out." Isabela said.

That was when Mila kicked the door open and came in, using her clippers to free Mirabel from the vines, telepathically pushing them away.

"Fine! I apologize. Some of us have bigger problems you selfish... entitled princess!" Mirabel said angrily.

"Selfish?!" Isabela gasped.

"Mirabel has nothing to be sorry for," said Mila, fighting the vines with her telepathy. "You're the one who's been such a showoff and a diva since we were kids!"

"I've been stuck being perfect my whole entire life, and literally the only thing either of you have ever done for me is mess things up!"

"How have either of us messed anything up for you, besides your proposal disaster?" Mila asked, struggling to keep up with the vines.

"Do you have any idea how many times teachers have compared me to you?! 'Why isn't Mila the golden child,' they asked. She's the one with the best grades, the great inventions, the one who stands for the one giftless Madrigal."

"Being the smart one isn't as fun as it looks, Isa." Mila said. "Besides, nothing's completely ruined."

"Yeah, you can still marry that big dumb hunk!" Mirabel said.

"I never wanted to marry him! I was doing it for the family!" Isabela shouted, and a little cactus popped out from the floor in front of her.

"Isa, did you just...?" Mila was just as shocked as Isabela.

"Wow, Isa." Mirabel said, more focused on her sister's confession. "That is a very serious confession. Come on. Get over here. Bring it in."

Mirabel opened her arms, hoping Isabela would hug her, but instead, Isabela kneeled to the little cactus.

I just made something unexpected

Isabela tapped the cactus, and it grew a little bigger.

Something sharp, something new

"Uh, Isa? This is the part where we-?" Mirabel started, but Mila shushed her.

It's not symmetrical or perfect
But it's beautiful and it's mine
What else can I do?

But, Mirabel rushed after her, trying to get that hug.

Bring it in, bring it in
Good talk, bring it in, bring it in (what else can I do?)
Let's walk, bring it in, bring it in
Free hugs, bring it in, bring it in
I grow rows and rows of roses
Flor de mayo, by the mile
I make perfect, practiced poses
So much hides behind my smile
What could I do if I just grew what I was feelin' in the moment?

Isabela started to grow lots of different native plants all around the room. Flowers and trees of all different colors.

(Do you know where you're going? Whoa)
What could I do if I just knew it didn't need to be perfect?
It just needed to be? And they'd let me be?
A hurricane of jacarandas
Strangling figs (big), hanging vines (this is fine)
Palma de cera fills the air as I climb
And I push through
What else can I do?

Can I deliver us a river of sundew?
Careful, it's carnivorous, a little just won't do
I wanna feel the shiver of something new
I'm so sick of pretty, I want something true, don't you?
You just seem like your life's been a dream (whoa)
Since the moment you opened your eyes
(How far do these roots go down?)
Mirabel and Mila: All we know are the blossoms you grow (whoa)

The two cousins offered their hands to Isabela, and she took them.

But it's awesome to see how you rise
How far can I rise?
Through the roof, to the skies
Let's go

And the three girls rose up through the roof and started growing lots and lots of plants all over the place.

A hurricane of jacarandas (woo)
Strangling figs (go), hanging vines (grow)
Palma de cera fills the air as I climb
And I push through
What else, what else?
What can you do when you are deeply, madly, truly in the moment?

Isabela tapped some plants, which shot out some colorful pollen, covering Isabela in it, and she liked it. All three girls liked it. Abuela would never approve, but the girls were having too much fun to care.

(Seize the moment, keep goin')
What can you do when you know who you wanna be is imperfect?
But I'll still be okay
Hey, everybody clear the way, woo
I'm comin' through with tabebuia (she's comin' through with that boo-yeah)

Mila slipped at some point, but caught herself with her gift and landed safely

Making waves (making waves), changing minds (you've changed mine)
The way is clearer 'cause you're here, and well

Isabela pulled Mirabel into a hug, and just like in Bruno's vision, the candle burned brighter, and some cracks started to disappear, to Mirabel's delight.

I owe this all to you
What else can I do?
(Show 'em what you can do)
What else can I do?
(There's nothing you can't do)
What else can I do?

The two sisters dropped to the floor, landing in a pile of flowers, Mila joining in the fun.

"You're a bad influence," Isabela laughed.

"I didn't know you had it in you," said Mila.

Bruno and Alicia heard the commotion and came out with the twins to see what was happening.

"What's going on?" Alicia said.

"The candle burned brighter, Mami!" Mila smiled. "Mirabel's saving the miracle."

"What is going on here?!" Said another voice.

Mirabel got up and said, "Abuela it's okay. We're gonna save the magic!"

"What are you talking about? Look at our home, look at your sister!" Abuela said.

"But Abuela, you don't understand. Isabela wasn't happy." Mila said.

"Of course she's unhappy. You ruined her proposal."

"No, she needed us to ruin her proposal. And then we did all this," Mirabel said, motioning to all the plants around them. "That's why I'm in the vision. I'm saving the miracle."

"You have to stop, Mirabel!" Abuela shouted, silencing Mirabel. "The cracks started with you. Mila refused to use her gift to help the community because of you. Luisa is losing her gift, Isabela is out of control because of you. I don't know why you weren't given a gift, but it is not an excuse for you to hurt this family!"

That was when Mirabel finally had an answer before Mila did.

"I will... never... be good enough for you... will I?" Mirabel said. "No matter how hard I try. No matter how hard... any of us tries. Luisa will never be strong enough. Isabela won't be perfect enough. Mila only refused to use her gift because she didn't want me to be alone."

"Don't you-"

"That's enough!" Mila interrupted. Her hands formed into fists at that point. "My refusal to use my gift was mine alone! My father almost left this family behind because you only saw the worst in him! You drive your family to use their gifts to the point where it hurts them!"

As Mila's anger grew, so did the cracks, and members of the family started to levitate and so did Mila herself.

"Tia Pepa has to bottle her emotions! Tia Julieta has to deal with the pressure of not letting anyone die because she couldn't heal them! Dolores has to constantly hear literally everything, including stuff she doesn't wanna hear! Camilo probably doesn't know who he really is! Papi is called bad luck because you allow everyone to blame him and not own up to their own accountabilities!"

"Uh... Mila?" Mirabel began.

"Not now! I chose not to use my gift because when Mirabel didn't get hers, I could see that that was all you cared about. You didn't care about us! Just our gifts or lack of gifts, and yet you have the audacity to say that Mirabel is hurting this family?! She loves this family! I love this family! We all love this family! This miracle isn't dying because of Mirabel, it's dying because of you!"

That was when Mila finally spread her arms apart, deactivating her power and dropping everyone to the ground. However, that wasn't the best time to be grounded, as the biggest crack burst into the floor.

"No, no, no!" Pepa exclaimed.

The candle was being shaken, and the cracks were growing even faster.

Mirabel ran to get the candle.

"Casita! Get me up there!" Mirabel called.

Casita brought down some balcony bars for Mirabel to climb. Meanwhile Isabela and Camilo tried to help, only for their powers to vanish.

Antonio was nearly crushed by a door before Felix rescued him, and they rushed out the door.

Casita started to quickly evacuate everyone, including Mila, but that was when she heard barking.

"Chika!" Mila exclaimed, running back in to save her pet.

Chika was whimpering as more debris fell towards her direction.

Mirabel and Mila's parents all shouted for them to get out of there. Mirabel was trying to save the candle, while Mila went for her dog.

"Chika! Jump!" Mila called, and Chika leaped from the balcony into Mila's arms just as Mirabel saved what remained of the candle.

"Mirabel!" Mila exclaimed, seeing her cousin come down with the candle.

Casita quickly brought the two cousins and their dog together, and it brought many pieces of furniture and window frames that remained intact together, sheltering them from the rest of the collapsing material.

Mila hugged her dog closely, while Mirabel shielded the candle. However, the candle went out, to the girls's horror.

"No," whispered Mirabel.

Chika whimpered.

"I'm so sorry, prima." Mila said.

Mila heard her and Mirabel's parents calling for them.

"We're over here!" Mila called.

"Niñas, are you hurt?" Julieta asked, caressing the girls' cheeks.

"I don't think so," said Mila.

Mirabel remained silent.

"Don't move. I'll be right back." Julieta said, leaving.

Mila saw the rest of the family. They looked horrified at what became of their home, and many looked like they would start crying.

Looking around, Mila found something underneath the debris. Her invention bag. It was still intact. And so was her journal. She took in what had happened. The cracks grew with her anger, all while she was standing up for her cousin. Could it be...? Was it Mila's fault that the miracle died? Did she make them lose the miracle because she refused to use her gift?

Mila didn't know what to think. So, without thinking, she put on her bag and ran away. And so did Mirabel.

Chapter Text

The Encanto was filled with cracks, and the Madrigal house was now in ruins. But, that wasn't what everyone was most worried about now. Not just one, but two Madrigal children were missing.

The Madrigals searched far and wide for Mirabel and/or Mila.

No one could find them. Without Dolores's super hearing, they couldn't search for them that way, and Antonio could no longer communicate with his animals either.
But, there was a piece of pink thread hanging from a branch, and a photograph on the ground, which someone picked up.

It was a photo of Mirabel and Mila with Abuela getting fitted into their matching dresses two weeks before their gift ceremony.

Mirabel sat by a river, crying into her knees and she wasn't alone either.

Mila knelt on the ground and looked at her reflection in the water, feeling sorry for herself. She shut her eyes tightly as a tear fell into the water, and she cried out in frustration as she punched the water with a big splash.

"Why me?" Mila asked. "Of all people who should've been left without a gift, it should've been me!"

Mila punched the water, but meaning really to punch her reflection.

"If you'd just controlled your anger! Or just tried doing more to- AGH!" Mila felt like pulling out her hair at that point.

"Ninas?" A new voice said, startling Mila and making her fall into the river with a bigger splash.

Mila picked herself up and coughed as she gasped for air.

Mila and Mirabel couldn't bear to look at their grandmother then. For the first time, Mila was speechless.

"I'm... sorry." Mirabel sniffled. "I never meant to..."

Abuela was silent as she looked at the river Mila climbed out from.

"I have never been able to come back here," said Abuela. "This river... is where we were given our miracle."

"Where Abuelo Pedro...?" Mirabel said, looking at Abuela. Mila looked at her too.

"I thought we would have a different life. I thought I would be a different woman."

51 Years Ago...

A young Alma took a candle and pulled herself up onto a lamppost to get a better view of the beautiful festival of candlelight. And on a lamppost across from hers, she could see a handsome young man named Pedro Madrigal, who smiled at Alma.

Dos oruguitas enamoradas
Pasan sus noches y madrugadas

Sometime later, Alma and Pedro were married, and one day learned that they were expecting triplets.

Llenas de hambre
Siguen andando y navegando un mundo
Que cambia y sigue cambiando
Navegando un mundo
Que cambia y sigue cambiando

Nine months later, Pedro and Alma were blessed with healthy triplets; two beautiful baby girls and a beautiful baby boy. Sadly, their happiness was short-lived as some violent men on horses were setting fire to other houses in the village, and they were forced to flee.

Dos oruguitas paran el viento
Mientras se abrazan con sentimiento
Siguen creciendo, no saben cuándo
Buscar algún rincón
El tiempo sigue cambiando
Inseparables son
El tiempo sigue cambiando

The Madrigals and many others from their village headed on their way, hoping to find a new home, when they saw that their attackers had followed them. And they could not escape. Everyone ran as fast as they could across the river. But, the villains were approaching fast. So, Pedro gave his babies each one last kiss, and one to his wife. Then, he returned to the river, sacrificing himself to the attackers, to his wife's dismay.

Ay, oruguitas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Vienen milagros, vienen crisálidas
Hay que partir y construir su propio futuro
Ay, oruguitas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Vienen milagros, vienen crisálidas
Hay que partir y construir su propio futuro

As Alma cried in despair for the loss of her husband, the candle she and Pedro had held on their wedding day glowed as a miracle blessed her and their people with a miracle, and an Encanto to call home. But, it wasn't all sunshine and butterflies for her. From then on, Alma had to raise her three babies on her own, and she changed inside.

Dos oruguitas desorientadas
En dos capullos bien abrigadas
Con sueños nuevos
Ya solo falta hacer lo necesario
En el mundo que sigue cambiando
Tumbando sus paredes
Ahí viene nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro
Nuestro milagro

"I was given a miracle," said Abuela in present day. "A second chance. And I was so afraid to lose it that I lost sight of who our miracle was for. And... I am so sorry. You never hurt our family, Mirabel. Neither did you, Milagro. We are broken... because of me."

That was when Mirabel and Mila saw a little butterfly land on a blade of grass like in Bruno's vision.

"Abuela," said Mirabel, standing up in front of her grandmother. "I can finally see."

Mila got up as well, and she and Mirabel each offered a hand to help Abuela up.

"You lost your home," said Mirabel. "Lost everything. You suffered so much all alone."

"So it would never happen again," Mila added. "We were saved because of you."

"We were given a miracle because of you." Mirabel said. "We're a family because of you. And nothing can ever be broken. That we can't fix."

"Together." Mila and Mirabel said together, holding Abuela's hands dearly.

Abuela gave a sad smile as she looked at her granddaughters in a way they did not recall seeing for ten years.

"I asked my Pedro for help," said Abuela. She placed a hand on each of her girls' cheeks. "Ninas. He sent me you."

And the three ladies embraced each other as a flock of golden butterflies flew all around them. Such a beautiful sight.

Ay, mariposas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisálidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar
Su propio futuro
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisálidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar
Su propio futuro
Ay mariposas, no se aguanten más
Hay que crecer aparte y volver
Hacia adelante seguirás
Ya son milagros, rompiendo crisálidas
Hay que volar, hay que encontrar
Su propio futuro

Suddenly, the twin cousins and their grandmother heard barking and a horse galloping.

"They didn't do this!" Bruno shouted as he arrived on the horse. "I gave them a vision."

Bruno fell down as he got down from the horse, and Chika bit his ruana as though helping him up.

"It was me! I was like, no! And they were all pfft!" Bruno blabbered on. "I don't care what you think of me, but if you're too stubborn to-"

Abuela hugged her son. "Brunito."

"I feel like I missed something important." Bruno said.

"Don't worry, Papi. Everything's fine." Mila smiled.

"Why are you soaking wet?"

"I fell in the river." Mila squeezed some water out from her hair. "Long story."

Mila pet her dog, and Chika licked Mila like crazy, having missed her friend after she ran away.

"I missed you too, Chika." Mila giggled.

Mirabel got everyone onto the horse.

"Where are we going now?" Bruno asked.

"Home." Mirabel and Mila answered together, and they began riding the horse back home, Chika following.

Chapter Text

The missing Madrigals rode back into the Encanto on their horse. The church bell rang as some children spotted them heading for the remains of Casa Madrigal.
Mirabel rushed over to her mother and hugged her.

"Oh, Mira. We were so worried." Julieta said.

"I'm sorry, Mama." Mirabel said.

Augustine popped in, covered in bee stings.

"There were bees... everywhere!" Augustine said. But, he reassured Mirabel he would be okay.

Mila also rushed to her mom, who held her baby brother and sister.

"Milagro Mariana Madrigal!" Alicia scolded. "Don't you ever scare your Papi and I like that again!"

"I'm sorry, Mami." Mila said. She gave her brother and sister each a kiss, and so did Bruno, who took his son into his arms.

Pedro cooed as he put his hands on his father's face. "Pa...pa."

Bruno and the rest of his family froze.

"Did you just say...?" Bruno gasped.

"Papa." Pedro said.

"You just said your first word!" Bruno exclaimed, tossing Pedro up and down, to the toddler's enjoyment.

Rosella looked like she was trying to talk too.

"Come on, Rosella." Mila said. "You can do it. Talk to your big sister Mila."

"Mila," said Rosella.

The surprise of the babies talking for the first time sent in a spark of joy for the family.

"I think everything will be okay," said Mila.

"Uh, not if we don't have a house." Camilo said, and Felix elbowed him.

"Way to be a killjoy, Camilo." Mila said sarcastically.

"What? I can't say we don't have a house? What is that? Not a house."

"But it's not anything we can't fix."

Mila looked around and sifted through the rubble, and found some things. "Hey, Chika. Look what I found!"

Mila squeaked a toy arepa, Chika's favorite toy, which the poodle got right to chewing when Mila threw it to her.

The family started to sift through the rubble too, finding a few belongings that survived. A few broken items were beyond repair, but no one was hurt, and the family was all together. That was all that mattered. And soon, they weren't alone anymore.

Soon, everyone in town came to help the Madrigals fix their home. Mila managed to scrounge some parts from some of her old inventions and rebuild them to help with construction. Everyone worked together to create a new, stronger foundation for the new Casita. The Madrigals even got a good taste of how to work without their gifts. With help from Mirabel's determination, and Mila's smarts and inventions, they were able to build the house itself in almost no time at all. And during that time, a lot more occurred.

With a little help from Isabela and Mirabel, Dolores finally confessed her love to Mariano Guzman, and they got together. Mariano said they should get married, but Dolores told him to slow down.

Mila managed to get some inventions working properly a lot better this time and taught some of the people how to put them together. And, of course, she took care of watching the twins and Antonio, since they were too little to do construction.

Day by day, the house came together, and then one day, home sweet home was complete... well... almost complete.

"Just one more thing before the celebration," said Abuela.

"What?" Mirabel asked.

"We need a doorknob." Bruno said.

"We made this one for you," said Antonio, handing Mirabel a doorknob with an M on it.

Antonio and Mila each walked Mirabel from one side as they walked her to the front door of the house. The whole family looked so proud of Mirabel as she walked to the new door.

"Open your eyes," said Abuela, caressing Mirabel's cheek. "Abre los ojos. What do you see?"

Mirabel looked at her reflection in the doorknob; now she knew who she saw.

"I see... me. All of me." Mirabel said.

Slowly, Mirabel placed the doorknob into the new front door, and then something magical happened. The doorknob glowed, and then so did the house, and it changed color... Casita came back to life... only this time, brighter, more colorful, and more beautiful than ever. And on the front door was a picture of the whole family with Mirabel in the center of it all. Casita waved a shutter hello as it did for Alma many years ago.

"Hola, Casita." Mirabel said, waving.

Casita then started to bring everyone inside for the celebration.

Everyone was excited, and even more so when the family's gifts returned. Pepa made hail fall, Isabela made new plants grow, and Luisa could lift a big plant again. Of course, Luisa finally got a chance to relax in a hammock.

Mila even started to share her gift with the others. And she did that by quickly gathering materials and building some wooden horses, which she had some of the children ride on as she played music on the phonograph and telepathically floated them up and down and all around.

"I call this the Mila-Go-Round!" Mila exclaimed as she watched the children having fun.

Casita then gathered the entire Madrigal family together for a picture, and this time, Mila and Mirabel were in it.

"All together," Abuela called.

"La Familia Madrigal!" Chika jumped in as the picture was taken.

Now... don't think for a moment that this story ends here.

Chapter Text

When the celebration was over, Mila was so happy to see her room again, this time better than ever. That night, she got started right away working on plans for her next great invention. However, she also noticed the board she previously had labelled Why Didn't Mirabel Get a Gift?

Mila laughed and shook her head. There was no need to worry about that now. The house was back, the family was together, and now they were going to be better than ever. However, when Mila picked up her journal, she saw a picture fall out of it. The same picture of her, Mirabel, and Abuela before the gift ceremony. Then, Mila looked at the board again, then at the picture, and then the board.

The Next morning...

The family was getting ready for breakfast. Of course, Camilo tried to sneak seconds again. But, Chika stopped him by barking.

"Has anyone seen Mila?" Abuela asked, noticing Bruno's oldest child was the only one absent.

Alicia looked over and said, "There she is."

"I know the reason!" Mila exclaimed. "I finally have the answer!"

Mila looked like she hadn't even brushed her hair yet, and like she slept in her lab coat too. She had been up all night doing research and putting together her evidence.

"What answer, Mila?" Julieta asked.

"I know why Mirabel didn't get a gift." Mila said.

Even though the family wasn't worried about why Mirabel didn't get a gift, some were still a bit curious, especially Mila.

"Okay, listen carefully. Think this through with me."

Mila looked at her notes and talked it through as clearly as she could.

There were seven people in Casa Madrigal who didn't have gifts: Felix, Augustine, Alicia, Mirabel, Pedro, Rosella, and Abuela.

All of them lacked gifts for different reasons. Felix, Augustine, and Alicia because they were Madrigals by marriage, and Rosella and Pedro were still too young to receive gifts.

Only one other person besides Mirabel didn't have a magical gift, and that was Abuela.

For the longest time, it didn't make sense to Mila that she would get a gift and Mirabel didn't. So, if the magic were punishing the family by taking away the miracle, why did it give Mila a gift that night? But then, after the house was restored, the magic of the candle was too. Then, that was when it all came together.

Abuela obviously wasn't going to be around forever, and Mila was pretty sure the candle didn't include immortality when it gave her the miracle, or they wouldn't need new generations of Madrigals to keep the miracle burning. And that was how Mila had a breakthrough with the answer.

"Mirabel didn't get a gift because the candle chose her." Mila said. But, that seemed to confuse everyone. So, Mila explained, "It chose her to be its next holder. Its heir. So, after Abuela's time, Mirabel will take over as the protector of future generations. And later, another Madrigal will be chosen, and they won't need a gift to do it. Abuela didn't need magic of her own to protect the candle, and Mirabel doesn't need magic to help the family either."

Mirabel could hardly believe it. Even after she saved the miracle, she was finding out more and more about herself. Someday, she would be the new keeper of the candle's magic, and the community would look up to her to help them.

"I couldn't think of anyone more capable of watching over future generations," said Abuela, placing a hand on Mirabel's shoulder.

Mila's brother and sister seemed to agree.

"Whatever gifts you two get will be just as special as you two," said Mila. "But, you don't need gifts to be special or part of this family. You're the real gifts all on your own."
And so, the Madrigals were left with a whole new miracle: a second chance to be a family. A better family. Stronger and more wonderful than ever.