Chapter Text
“Okay…okay, first ceremony in ten years.” Isabela muttered under her breath. That was fine. This was totally fine. It was going to be okay. “Everything is going to be alright.”
Antonio’s ceremony was today.
It should’ve been a good thing, a great thing actually. Antonio turned five and he was going to get an amazing gift! That’s fantastic, right? No, not really. But, everyone couldn’t help but be wary of today considering what happened last time.
The last ceremony was…Mirabel’s. Her baby sister. She still is. Mirabel’s ceremony, ten years ago, went so horribly wrong. For the first time, a Madrigals’ door had disappeared.
She still can’t get Mirabel’s expression out of her head. She looked so confused and worried. She didn’t know what she did wrong. She wished that she could just forget about it.
“Ah…she would’ve been fifteen, wouldn’t she?”
March sixth.
Her birthday.
She missed a lot of her birthdays, yet they never stopped making her favorite cake as if she would magically appear and take a slice. As if this was all some cruel joke then they all would be happy after.
Wouldn’t that be such a nice wish?
Isabela honestly lost count of how many times she prayed to the candle to just bring her sister back. That her sister didn’t deserve such a cruel and unfortunate death. It never worked. And, sometimes, Isabela can’t help but blame the candle for Mirabel’s death. It is its fault for Mirabel’s death, isn’t it? Even if it isn’t alive, it holds some responsibility for Mirabel not being with them right now.
First, Mirabel didn’t get a gift.
It should’ve been a sign, right?
They just…didn’t think Mirabel would do something so drastic. She was only a child, she still is a child. Isabela hated that the candle didn’t grant her sister an amazing gift like the rest of them. She could only think of the future at that very moment.
Mirabel wouldn’t feel as if she fit in. As if she didn’t belong. People would make fun of her for being different. Rumors would start. What if she ran away because she didn’t have a gift? Because she would’ve felt unloved by her lack of gift?
In reality, Isabela was thinking too far ahead in the future. Mirabel wouldn’t make it to the age where she would have to worry about things like that. Isabela’s heart sank, imagining Mirabel’s last moments. Nobody really knew how long she had been there, it was already too late. She probably died thinking that something was wrong with her.
When Isabela thought that she wanted to take all of Mirabel’s pain away, this is not what she meant. She’s sure that Mirabel is in a happier place where she isn’t in pain anymore. It should reassure her, but it really doesn’t. She’s selfish for wanting to take that away from Mirabel. She’s selfish for wanting Mirabel back. She’s not the only one that’s selfish though, she knows that everyone else wants the previous youngest Madrigal back. Right, once Antonio hits a certain age, Mirabel would remain the youngest forever. That thought hurt a lot more than it should’ve.
Just…why did she leave Mirabel alone? Why didn’t any of them have Mirabel stay in their room instead of leaving her alone in the nursery worrying about everything else but her well being? Why didn’t they think more about Mirabel than something being wrong with the miracle?
And, truly, Isabela felt as if all of them had some sort of blame for that. Nobody should’ve left her alone. They shouldn’t have left her side. She was devastated and confused. Mirabel has always been the one for dramatics, along with Camilo.
Why didn’t they stay with her?
Why…just why?
There were a bunch of rumors about Mirabel’s death and why she didn’t get a gift like the rest of them.
Maybe she didn’t get a gift because the miracle knew that she wouldn’t be alive to use it?
Isabela…she wasn’t so sure about that rumor. It was a possibility though. When everyone touched their door, it showed an older version of themselves. Mirabel didn’t get a gift nor did it show an older version of herself. She didn’t know that the miracle could tell if someone is about to die or not. She’s pretty sure that Casita likes them. Why wouldn’t Casita or the miracle try to prevent her little sister’s death? It was stupid, but she felt frustrated and bitter with the magical house.
Perhaps her death was something more…sinister than a simple accident?
Isabela knew what it was implying. That they were suggesting that they might’ve killed Mirabel because she didn’t get a gift. That rumor angered her like no other. She knew it affected her mother the most. All of the rumors. Even when they disproved the rumors, it’s not like all of them would disappear. They all love Mirabel. They just wish that her life wasn’t claimed so early on.
Mirabel would never meet her little cousin. She knew that Mirabel would’ve loved Antonio if she met him.
Isabela straightened out her dress, making her way through Casita. It was almost time. Judging by the clouds in the sky, things weren’t that good.
Everyone seemed gloomy today, including her.
Isabela felt guilty because Antonio was unaware and didn’t understand what was wrong with everyone.
She doesn’t think anyone knew that the near future would be like this. And, honestly, Isabela isn’t so sure if Antonio is going to get a gift.
They’ll figure it out when the time comes.
She let out a sigh.
Casita wasn’t empty, but it felt empty.
Isabela passed the kitchen, spotting her mother and uncle, she couldn’t help but stop in her tracks.
“Bruno…..no…” Isabela heard her mother say to Bruno, who looked concerned. She could see the hurt in Julieta’s eyes. “Not now. It’s fine. Estoy bien.”
“No, no, no, Julieta, please.”
They’re speaking in hushed voices.
They’re not arguing.
Not exactly.
It’s not a disagreement either.
Both Madrigals were far too passive for that.
“You couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t do anything to preven—“
Isabela stopped eavesdropping once she realized what they were talking about. Mirabel. She’s aware that Bruno blames himself for not having a vision to see the future. Isabela isn’t going to lie, she blames him too. She feels guilty for feeling that way. She knows it isn’t actually his fault though. He couldn’t do anything. It also takes a while for him to actually have a vision and prepare to show it. She just wants her sister back. Her death was a pure accident. A part of her wants to get angry at Mirabel for doing something so stupid resulting in her death.
Isabela swallowed.
Isabela Madrigal is many things.
Isabela Madrigal has been a woman who has been mourning for her little sister for so long.
It wasn’t Mirabel’s fault.
She didn’t know any better.
It was nobody’s fault even if they blame themselves.
Why was life so unfair? Why did it have to take her baby sister from her family? She hated seeing her family so depressed. She can’t do anything to help them much because she’s in a similar state. If she did, she’d be a hypocrite.
She can feel herself begin to tear up.
“Isabela?”
“H-huh?” She instantly stands up straight, looking up so the tears wouldn’t fall and show how weak she felt. She doesn’t want to ruin her makeup either.
“Prima,” Dolores is staring at her with an almost knowing expression. Isabela is sure that she knows what she’s thinking and what she did. “I can hear your heart racing across Casita.” She let out a low hum. She wasn’t going to say that nearly everyone else’s heart was racing in Casita too. Including her own. “Estás bien? Maybe you should take a break. You’ve been working hard and you deserve to relax for a bit. Today is going to be a long day.”
That was a simple way to put it.
Isabela smiled, it was clearly fake, but she knew neither of them was going to say anything about it. “Ay, you’re talking to me as if you’re the oldest.” She said with synthetic laughter as Dolores’ eyebrows raised. “I’m fine. It is a long day ahead of us, but it’s also an important day. Your little brother is turning five—“
“—Isa…”
“Also he’s going to retrieve a gift! Isn’t that great?”
Dolores heard a lot. She wouldn’t say that she heard everything because that just simply isn't true. She didn’t hear Mirabel climbing the roof. She hears a lot of things that she shouldn’t hear. Just because she heard most things doesn’t mean she doesn’t see things. Her death affected everyone negatively. It’s been ten years. Ten years since her death. She could see the jealousy in her eyes that she has all of her siblings. Camilo and Mirabel were close in age, practically twins. They feel guilty for feeling jealous, but they can’t help it.
Dolores let out a low sigh. “Sí, eso es genial…” She wasn’t going to question Isabela’s deflection. Considering how the last ceremony went, everyone just prayed for the best outcome. They weren’t even sure if Antonio could get a gift. It was a fifty-fifty chance. It could’ve been just Mirabel or something was wrong with the miracle. “Seriously, Isabela, take a breather. All of you should.” She placed a hand on her cousin’s shoulder. “It’s supposed to be a happy birthday for Antonio. He may have just turned five, but he isn’t dumb.”
Antonio isn’t aware of Mirabel nor does he know who she is. They prefer to keep it that way too. All of them. It was better for him to not know about his cousin, who died around his age. He would have questions that none of them are too sure that they could answer without breaking down.
“Right, right…Lo siento.” Isabela doesn’t mean to be so negative. She tries to be positive thinking about Antonio and being happy for him. She really does. It’s just hard. When she thinks of their ceremonies, her mind automatically goes to Mirabel. She’s not mad at Antonio or would ever treat him terribly. It’s not his fault and he isn’t even aware of who Mirabel is. It’s not his fault that he got caught up in something that he doesn’t have a clue of. “I’m just…” She exhaled, she can’t find the right words to describe how she feels. She’s not even sure if it could be put into words.
Dolores squeaked. “Exhausted?”
Isabela ran her fingers through her hair. “Yeah, that works.” It is true, she’s exhausted. Emotionally and physically. She’s not sure if she could take a break even if she wanted to or take a nap. Her body and mind wouldn’t allow her to.
Dolores looked smug, almost. “Exactly why I suggested you take a break. You’re draining yourself from overworking.” That trait apparently ran through Julieta’s entire family.
“Not as much as Luisa.” Isabela tried to joke, gesturing over to her only younger sister, who was moving the piano. You could see the exhaustion in her face and in her eyes. “Maybe you should go tell her to take a break. I’m pretty sure that she has been working since we were done with breakfast.” Isabela cares about Luisa a lot. Although strength is her sister’s thing, she can’t help but worry about her a lot. It’s hard not to when her mind goes haywire when Luisa is outside. A lot of accidents could happen.
Dolores’ face shifted to concern. “Didn’t abuela tell all of us to take it easy? Meaning that she didn’t want us working hard or even warming at all. I swear, I have a bunch of workaholics as my cousins. It’s worrying.”
“Sorry, Dolores, we don’t mean to worry you, but…”
Dolores let out a chuckle. “You don’t have to explain yourself. I understand. I just wish you two would just…care about yourselves and the state of your body a little more. I don’t want anyone to faint because they overworked themselves and overestimated their limits.”
“Sí, sí lo entiendo.” Isabela had a weird feeling that she might’ve been getting scolded by Dolores. “Seriously, we need to tell Luisa that.”
They heard a knock on a wall.
They both turn to Camilo.
He seems rather…dull to how he used to be. But, that was the new normal. Camilo was one of the closest to Mirabel. It affected him deeply and his personality.
“Abuela says that it’s time.”
They all glance at each other with equally cautious expressions.
They say nothing.
“…Fifty years ago, in our darkest moment, this candle blessed us with a miracle. And the greatest honor of our family has been to use our blessings to serve this beloved community. Tonight, we come together once more, as another steps into the light, to make us proud."
Luisa tightly held onto her skirt, watching as the curtains revealed her younger cousin. It hurt watching him. It shouldn’t have, but it hurt badly. She knew that it would’ve, she thought that she was prepared. She felt as if she could break down at any second. She only kept a strong face because she was in public and that just isn’t who she is. She was weak and that’s why her little sister wasn’t her now. “Perdóname, hermanita.” She whispered under her breath. She felt something on her hand. It was Isabela holding onto her hand. She wasn’t looking at her though, she kept her eyes locked onto Antonio. She could see it in Isabela’s eyes, she felt the same.
She was getting a strange feeling of déjà vu. She was sure that everyone else was too. It was hard not to. Just like every single Madrigal kid, Antonio wore white. Mirabel, however, was the only one that wore a hint of color on her ceremony. There were golden butterflies embroidered on her dress and a light pink bow pin on her head. She also had white and gold flats that matched her dress. That was the last thing that Mirabel wore when she was alive. It was such a beautiful dress. They kept it stored away. It was stained with her baby sister’s blood from her death. They wanted to burn it but at the same time, they couldn’t just get rid of it. They had cleaned the dress, but the stain couldn’t completely be removed.
How unfortunate.
Everyone was holding their breath as Antonio was the center of everyone’s attention. They’re not sure how he isn’t nervous. That is for the better though.
That’s when Antonio reached his door.
Even Alma seemed a little bit nervous as she held onto the candle. "Will you use your gift to honor our miracle? Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?"
Those are not the words that wanted to come out of Alma’s mouth. But, she had been saying it for so many years to the point that it’s the force of habit. She’s nervous. She feels terribly nervous. She feels awful. She feels powerless even with the miracle in her hand. Her hands were subtly trembling. She would not have Antonio working if he gets a gift. She couldn’t bear the burden on anyone else anymore.
Antonio nodded, walking even closer to his door.
He touched the doorknob.
It was pure silence.
What’s next?
That’s when a toucan landed on his arm, making some sounds.
Antonio slowly nodded. “Uh-huh, I can understand you!” His smile is so bright and sure. “Of course, they can come!”
It doesn’t take long for the others to figure out what his gift is. It should’ve been a happy occasion, but everyone was just so tense. As if they were waiting for something to go wrong.
Alma looked shaken as if she hadn’t expected it to actually work. She isn’t sure whether to be relieved or sorrowful because it was just Mirabel. She briefly glanced at Julieta, who wasn’t even looking at Antonio or the door anymore. She had walked out.
Alma doesn’t blame her or would she force her to stay. She just wished things didn’t have to be this way. What had her family done to deserve this? Mirabel didn’t deserve that fate. She had an entire life ahead of her. She wasn’t even in her double digits yet either. She was so young. She didn’t know any better.
“…Abuela?”
Alma looked down at Antonio, who looked confused, possibly worried too. She can not falter like last time. She will not leave a Madrigal so alone and scared.
Not again.
Oh right, she couldn’t stay quiet forever. It seemed that everyone was waiting on her to speak before they continued.
Alma took a deep breath.
“We…we have a new gift!”
That’s a good thing, right?
That’s when the fireworks were set off and the cheering began.