I do now own Encanto.
As the day waned, the line did too. Luckily for her, she had plenty enough for the townspeople that came to her and had her healing foods. There were times where rain clouds hovered over the town, little droplets of rain falling but it never got too bad where she had to close it.
Pepa must be having those days. Julieta, honestly, didn't blame her.
Every now and then, she should check on Luisa, who would play kickball with the other kids or they would sit around each other, playing other games.
She was glad that Luisa was having fun. Certainly after she would get her gift, her mamá would put her to good use.
By the time the sun was beginning to meet the horizon. The last person left, giddy that their hand was no longer broken. Julieta sighed in relief, stretching her stiff limbs.
"Julieta!"
Julieta turned around to see Señora Guzmán walking towards her, a beaming smile gracing her lips. With a quiet prayer, she forced a grin onto her lips and allowed the older woman to embrace her. "Oh, Julieta! It is good to see you again!" she exclaimed, leaning back to survey her. "How are you?"
Julieta nodded, the trying smile still on her mouth. "I've been good, you as well?"
Señora Guzmán nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, of course! Mi Pequeño was just playing with your sobrina, I thought since they're having fun, I could catch up with you!" she gushed.
She tightened her lips that threatened to fall in a frown. All she really wanted to do was catch up on the sleep that she lost in the past few weeks. "Well, since I'm here," Julieta said with a nervous laugh, however, Señora Guzmán didn't seemed fazed.
"Oh, maravilloso!" she declared too cheerfully for Julieta's liking. The woman looped her arm around Julieta's, leading them away from the station table that she still had to clean off. "A good walk will be good for the both of us, hmm?"
Julieta nodded silently and allowed the woman to steer her as she talked animatedly about everything. Her hija, the man that accidentally knocked a wasp nest from the tree-
"I think that was your husband, actually," she chuckled.
"Ay, Agustín," Julieta murmured to herself.
Then it was about a cat harassing the goats, or how Luisa grew so much since the last time she's seen...which wasn't too long ago.
"Mi hijo actually has a little crush on Isa," Guzmán mentioned, catching her attention immediately. She stopped and arched her eyebrow. "Mariano likes Isabela?"
The woman giggled and bobbed up her head with a hum, continuing the walk. "Sí! Poor boy almost tripped when seeing her walk pass him." She bumped Julieta's shoulder lightly. "I can see that they could be a couple in the near future," she hinted, wriggling her eyebrows that made made her purse her lips in reply.
It wasn't like any parents go looking out for potential wives or husbands for their children, but it was just...unnecessary. They should focus on their kids' well-being or watch them grow up without worrying about partners.
She knew what the older woman meant, and maybe they will, but it shouldn't her job to play...matchmaker.
Julieta patted Señora Guzmán's hand. "Ay, well, maybe, but we shouldn't have to worry about that."
Señora Guzmán smiled warmly. "Of course, I just can't until my Mariano marries and have children of his own." She paused and regarded her. "What about you?"
"I'm married," she replied plainly.
"Oh, I know that!" Señora Guzmán laughed out loud. "I meant you're not getting older, and you still do not have any children!" she proclaimed loudly. "When do you think you'll have those bebés so you can have some Nietos?"
The question gave her quite a whiplash, like someone had slapped her unexpectedly. The color drained out from her face as she stopped briskly, feeling the pieces of her heart break a bit.
Believe her, if she had the choice to have children, she would have several of them.
She opened her mouth before shutting it, unable to produce any answers. The older woman waited for her to respond, looking at her expectantly. Even though people passed them without notice, Julieta wished she could crawl in a hole and stay in there.
It felt like minutes before a familiar voice called out to her. "Tía Julieta!"
Immensely glad for the sudden disturbance, she turned her heel and saw Luisa running towards her, forehead creasing worriedly. "Tía Julieta!" she jumped into her arms and immediately clung onto her.
"Oh!" Julieta gasped and wrapped her arms around the child.
"Found you!" she cheered, kicking the air wildly as she tried not to drop Luisa. "Did you now?" she asked, her voice shaking a bit. Luisa hummed happily and rested her chin on her shoulder. "Can we go home, tía?"
"Sí" Julieta found herself replying way too quickly. She cleared her throat and craned her neck, facing the older woman with a remorseful (it really wasn't) look. "Lo siento, Señora Guzmán, but I believe we should get going."
"Of course, of course!" she said, grin wide and above-average friendly. "Adiós, amigo!"
The woman left Julieta and Luisa on their own as she walked away from them. Julieta let out a relieved breath she didn't know she was holding before looking at Luisa, bouncing her niece playfully.
"Home, then?"
On cue, Luisa's stomach rumbled with hunger.
Home it is.
The young girl couldn't wait for dinner, so she let Luisa munch on the left over arepas to appeal her growling stomach. The walk back was silent-not awkward nor uncomfortable, but with the glance her niece was giving her, she knew that she had a question.
Although, Julieta vaguely knew what the question was. She waited patiently until Luisa finished the arepa and dusted off the crumbs off her skirt before searching out for her again.
"Tía Julieta? Why do you look sad?"
"Me? Sad looks?" she nudged the little girl playfully, earning a giggle, but it returned back to a frown. "Mmm, sí, sometimes you look sad." She blinked and looked at her. "Are you sad?"
Julieta softened her look, the bones inside her body feeling heavier than usual. "Ay, I suppose I am sometimes," she admitted. Luisa's bottom lip puckered out, stopping in front of her. "Why? Is it because you don't have a baby?" she asked seriously, worry shining behind her hazel irises.
She stopped shortly to see her niece stand in front of her, inquisitive expression marring her face. In some ways, she could see Bruno's face in that small one. "Who told you that?" Julieta asked, surprise crossing her face.
"Papá told me," she answered simply. Julieta winced internally. To be fair, her brother didn't exactly sugar-coat the truth, regardless of age. "He told me and Isa that the reason you've been sad is that you don't have a baby to look at like papá does with us."
"Oh? What does your papá look at you like?"
"Like we're treasure," she said, kicking a pebble with her foot. "Or that we are the apple of his eyes."
Julieta reflected the words, and then sighed before kneeling down, grasping a hold of her strong yet petite shoulders.
Normally she wouldn't be able to explain the way things are about her situation, and Luisa was too young to understand, but she had to set aside her own feelings to ensure that Luisa's concern for her could ease.
"He's right, your papá does look at you like your his greatest treasures and I can't deny how much he loves you both," she replied, brushing away the curly strand of hair from her face. "And yes, I do wish I could do the same with my own, but there are some things that you can't have in this world."
It was such bitter reality, and they lived in it with ignorance. Anything good or bad could happen and no one could expect it.
Luisa bit her lip and looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry..."
"There's no need to be worried about me, sobrina, because I have an amazing family and an amazing house-" Julieta poked her nose teasingly. "And an amazing you, and being your tía to you and your cousins makes me the happiest than anyone in town."
That made Luisa emit a crooked and shy smile, and Julieta returned the action, despite the feeling of aching emptiness inside her ribcage. She loved all her nieces, immensely, but they wouldn't be able to fill in a hole that was left for a child made of her and Agustín's blood.
There would always be a wound within her beating organ, but she was willing to live with it, for her nieces and the rest of her family.
She heard Luisa sniff, and slowly, she regarded her with a tear-eyed expression. "I wish you could have a baby so you wouldn't be sad anymore."
For Luisa to be so young to be worried for her made Julieta's heart shatter. She shouldn't have to worry about her problems or anything like this age. She should be having fun, be carefree and enjoy her childhood.
She wondered if Luisa had ever have panic attacks before.
"A baby won't fix all my problems, Luisa, but that's alright," she assured softly, Agustín's honest words echoing inside her mind. "I'll be fine, Pequeña, you don't have worry about me."
I'll be okay.
Luisa hesitated but she nodded all the same.
Julieta kissed her chubby cheek and straightened, giving her a large smile as she changed the subject. "Well then, shall we go home and eat some dinner?"
"Papá!" Luisa shrieked excitedly, running straight towards Bruno open arms. He scooped her up as soon as she in reach and twirled. "¡Ahí está mi fuerte!" he announced merrily, bending down to press kisses to her face, eliciting loud giggles from the young girl.
Julieta smiled at the scene, watching her younger brother shower affection of his kid.
Once he finished, he looked up and a grateful smile wormed up to his mouth. "Thank you for watching her," he said sincerely.
"She was a delight," Julieta replied with a satisfying hum.
"Oh! Agustín might need healing, he aggravated some wasps and-"
"He looks like a squirrel with his puffy cheeks!" Isabela declared out loud from above the stairs, the explanation almost amusing if it weren't for the fact that her husband was an legit attraction to bees and wasps alike.
A loud sigh escaped her lips as she ran passed him. "Why am I not shocked," she grumbled, though there was no vindication in her tone, but mere exasperation.
"Isa, that's not nice," Bruno scolded, earning a huff from her oldest niece. "But tío Agustín does..."
Julieta smirked to herself and entered the kitchen, only to be greeted by Agustín with swollen cheeks, lopsided glasses and a trying smile on his face. And just as what Isabela described him as, he did look like a squirrel that stuffed their cheeks with tree nuts.
"Mi Corazón!" he exclaimed with a bubbly tone. Julieta, with a blank expression, approached him and stuffed an arepa in his mouth. He stopped to chew and swallow before all the distension on his face disappeared.
He grinned widely at her and put his hands on her waist. "Ah, thank you, amor, bees were pesky today."
She quirked her lips up and kissed his cheek. "Like always," Julieta sighed. Agustín shrugged. "I'm attractive, don't you think?" He wriggled his expressive eyebrows and tilted his head.
"Of course, mi amor," she replied lovingly, stroking his shoulder. "However, Isa was right when she said you looked like a squirrel with those cheeks you had."
The immediate facial expression on him-stunned and sheepish-made her laugh out loud. It was these moments that Julieta had missed the most. Where they were at their contentment.
It had felt like years since she laughed genuinely, and she missed it.
"Well then," Agustín reproached sassily, blowing out a dramatic sigh. "I guess I must speak to this señorita Isabela about this!"
"Ay, I've seen worse."
"My own wife..."
Julieta smiled. Though the moment was very brief, she felt okay. And to watch Agustín in a good mood too makes it even easier. She knows that the past few years have been rough on him too.
Like her, he too had to watch countless couples have children and show them off to their families with glowing pride. He had been so focused on her emotions that every-so-often she had to remind him too that he needed to grieve as well.
She's seen it all; the tears, the familiar hands that wrapped around her body as if she was his only lifeline. Or the distraught feeling when he felt like he wasn't doing anything good for this family.
And every time, Julieta assured him, consoled him even though he felt as though he didn't deserve it, but he did in every way possible.
"-ieta? Juli?" Agustín waved a hand over her eyesight and she blinked owlishly, catching up with the present. She shook her head. "Sorry," she apologized.
"Tired?" he asked softly, and she nodded in response, the weariness kicking in.
He hummed and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Maybe a nice rest will suffice?"
"I have to make dinner," Julieta murmured.
"How about I make dinner and you can sit back and relax?" he suggested, eyebrow arching. Julieta did find that appealing, and her husband wasn't a bad cook. She nodded. "I...would actually like that," she said truthfully, but then squinted somewhat. "But I'll stay in the kitchen to watch on you."
"To admire my good cooking skills?"
"No, so you don't burn down my kitchen, amor."
"Fair."
The couple stared at each other, their eyes burning with love and affection, and Julieta realized for the first time in years, that she was going to be okay.
I'll be okay.
As the weeks passed, Julieta found herself in the routine she found comforting. As Pepa promised, there were little talks about the baby near her. However, she did enjoy feeling the baby's movement when Pepa mentioned it vaguely and it piqued her interest.
Days of creating and baking magical foods and going to town to heal the injured gave her a sense of purpose. True, she didn't have children of her own to care for, but at least people of the community needed her.
Though there were good days and bad days, she felt like herself for the most part. And when she wasn't, Agustín and Pepa, and Bruno were always there to comfort her, whether it was distracting her, talking, or silently.
But for now, Julieta was okay.
By the time she was home, the sun was setting, a mix of orange, periwinkle, and a golden hue swirling together, letting the sunset on the horizon, where the stars would eventually greet the sky.
She sighed out loud. Exhaustion overwhelmed her body and she could barely keep down the nausea that churned her empty stomach. It was happening in the past few weeks; exhaustion, nausea, and sore limbs that ached right down to the bone.
The casita greeted her, doors opening as soon as she walked in. Hola, casa," she said warmly, patting the wall. She ran her fingers through her scalp, holding back a yawn she ventured up the stairs, where she heard hushed voices.
"That wasn't here before-!" Pepa ushered.
"I know, maybe it was a mistake?" Félix's voice entered her ears.
"Casita is magical, it doesn't make mistakes," Bruno whispered harshly.
"Maybe ask tía Julieta?"
Confusion crossed her expression. Ask her what?
"Tía isn't here, mija," Pepa said to Dolores. The young girl squeaked, eyes widening. "Yes, she is."
"What?!"
All four people that were at the top of the stairs whipped their heads to see Julieta taking the last step, eyebrows drawn together, and mouth in a small, concerning frown.
It was as if she grew three heads by the looks given to her.
"Is something wrong?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips. She was tired and seriously wanted to take a nap before dinner. Before any of the adults could comment, Dolores tugged at Pepa's dress. "I can hear it."
"Hear what?"
"The heartbeat."
Julieta blinked. "You mean your hermano's heartbeat?" she questioned.
Dolores shook her head and pointed at her, right at her stomach. "No, it's right there-that's why the door is there!"
Julieta froze, her mouth hung open as she registered the words. Heartbeat? The door-what door?! Her gaze went to Dolores, who was biting her lip in contemplation.
Without even noticing, her feet moved and her family moved away from where she was going-right at the door that supposedly appeared while she was gone. She looked at it, thoughts whirling.
"How...?" she asked in a near whisper, tracing a finger on the outlines of the glowing door.
A small hand grabbed ahold of her other hand. She jerked and looked down to see Dolores, who regarded her questionably. Breathlessly, she nodded and her niece pushed her ear against Julieta's stomach.
They all watched with bated breath, waiting for the young girl to say something. Finally, Dolores leaned back and patted her stomach with a delighted grin.
"Heartbeat!"
Julieta's legs almost gave out when she heard her. Heartbeat, heartbeat, heartbeat.
"Dios mío, Dios mío," she whispered to herself, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. Tears welled up in her brown eyes, awe transforming her face. She leaned against the wall and the first wave of tears started to fall.
A new voice filtered through her ears and she whipped her up to see Agustín walking past their family members and straight towards her, worry etching his face. "Mi amor! What happened?"
Slender hands cupped her face while she continued crying.
"Juli, are you okay, querida?"
Her own hands gripped his and she tried to smile because, mierda, they were having a baby-a baby.
"I'm pregnant," she choked out, laughing and crying at the same. Now it was time for Agustín to freeze in reply. His pupils expanded, practically bulging out from his head. "Estamos teniendo un bebé?" his voice hushed and cracked with rawness.
Julieta nodded quickly, managing a teary grin, though her lips shook from shock, elatedness, and nervousness. She let go of Agustín's hands and grasped his head, pulling him close to hers.
"We're having a bebé," Julieta rasped out, wiping the teardrop that trailed down her husband's cheek.
At that moment, he spun her up in the air, laughing out loud. "We're having a baby!"
Throughout the casita, thunderous shouts of excitement echoed.
"I can't believe it," Agustín murmured in the dark. They were in bed, hands wrapped around each other, but neither of them being able to sleep. Julieta let out a tired chuckle, feeling his fingers splay over her midsection. "We're having a baby."
"Sí," she replied again.
Julieta knew they shouldn't be too excited about this. The worst-case scenario is that the baby doesn't survive, but she refused to let those thoughts consume her. She will do everything in her power to keep this one alive.
For once, she didn't want people to warn her about the risks of pregnancy or the nightmare of miscarriage after miscarriage because she already experienced this and did not want to be reminded.
For once, she wanted to revel and drink in this moment between her and her husband and the baby they were having. Back when she was pregnant, she doubted herself, asking herself, am I meant to be a mother? Am I capable of infinite love for them?
And so it had died, not knowing that their mother finally found the answer after their death; never knowing how much their mother loved them with such boundless affection; she just didn't know yet until she realized it was too late.
This time, she won't let her love or hesitation falter-she'll shower this child with such love that it will be left overflowing every time they went to bed and every morning they woke up.
Julieta placed her hand over Agustín's. She swallowed and tightened her hold, right under where the baby was safely nestled inside her.
"They'll be here, amor," he said quietly, his soothing and assuring tone calming her. "They'll be here tomorrow, the next day, and the next day, and the next day-"
"And the next day," she concluded in a whisper. Julieta heard her husband hum in reply.
"Everyday."
Julieta touched foreheads with Agustín, eyes fluttering shut. "Everyday."
The literal miracle :)
i hope you enjoyed this chapter, as i certainly loved writing it lol for those wondering, i will write about Alma but honestly im having trouble with writing her XD thank you for your wonderful comments; they fuel me with energy :)