Chapter 2:

(Dolores POV)

I sat across from Mamí and I could hear something coming from her stomach. I looked up at Mamí and Papa with my mouth open. It was a heartbeat. I could hear her heartbeat but there was another one. "Mamí you have two heartbeats," I said as I started to worry. Everyone stopped and turned to face Mamí. Abuela took her hand, "Is this true?" She sighed and turned to face me, "Well it was supposed to be a surprise, but I am pregnant." Everyone began congratulating her and I began to understand what was going on. Soon there would be another Madrigal. A crying baby in the casita. I could already feel my ears begin to burn. I could hear so many hearts beating faster.

I turned to Tía Julieta and I could hear a second heartbeat within her, "Tía, you too?" She was surprised, "What?" Tío Augustine looked at her, "Why didn't you tell me?" "I didn't know," she said placing her hand on her stomach. "Are you sure you hear a heartbeat Dolores?" I nodded my head, "Yeah it is quieter then the one in Mamí's belly but it is definitely there." Everyone surrounded both Mamí and Tía congratulating them. "This calls for a fiesta, tonight we will invite everyone in town to the casita to share the news," Abuela declared. I rubbed my hand on my ears. That was just what I needed I thought. Still I smiled and congratulated everyone as I began the process of mentally preparing myself for two screaming babies coming soon.

I made my way into town and I saw Mariano. His Mama stopped bringing him over once Isabella and I got our gifts because we were busy. I made my way over, "Dolores, it has been a while." He said with a smile. I nodded my head, "Yes it has. How have you been? How is your Abuela and your Mama?" "They are fine. Abuela is already talking about my future and what kind of life I should have you know with a family," he said. I nodded my head. "Is it what you want?" I asked. He shrugged, "I-I don't know I mean I'm 10 it just seems..." He teetered off as he stared in a direction. I looked and saw that it was Isabella. I nodded to myself, "If you'll excuse me I have to go to the marketplace. It was nice talking." He looked back at me, "Dolores, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I just got distracted." I smiled and shook my head, "Don't worry, I'm just busy. I hope I'll see you around." He smiled and nodded his head as I went off.

I was walking the perimeter of the field making my way near the casita when I saw Tío Bruno making his way out. I went over to him and tapped on his shoulder. He jumped, "What I didn't say anything that time?" I said. He sighed, "I don't know Dolores. I thought you were someone from the village who was mad at me." I looked down a the dirt and kicked it to the side, "Oh no, what is wrong chiquilla?" I shook my head, "It is nothing Tío. It is just hard to help the family sometimes." He nodded his head, "Yeah I get that." He looked at me and smiled, "But, you know your favorite Tío always has your back." "Augustine?" I jokingly asked. He shook his head, "Not cool. I let you hide in my room during hide and seek with Isabella and Mariano, no one can find anything in there." "Because of all the stairs?" I asked. He sighed, "Yeah, because of all the stairs but also the sand." I started laughing a little and so did he.

I looked up at him and smiled, "Do you think you can tell me about my future Tío?" He shook his head, "No, you know my rule with predictions in the family. After what happened with your Mamí's wedding. She is still mad. It has been almost 9 years. I am not doing it again." He crossed his arms and turned away, "Please." He sighed, "Tell you what. If on your birthday you still want a prediction you can have it." "But my birthday isn't for another 7 months," I whined. I heard a crowd of people coming looking for him, "Tío," I started but he lifted his hands up, "Sorry Chiquilla that is the best I can do." He wouldn't listen to me so all I could say was, "Ok." "AY THERE IS BRUNO HE KILLED MY GOLDFISH!" We heard someone yell. He groaned and went to go deal with them. He whispered for me, "See why I am making you wait chiquilla." I laughed and made my way back to Casita.

I saw Mariano's Abuela talking to mine. Abuela turned to me Dolores, "Are you done with all your work today?" I nodded my head. She smiled, "Well then why don't you clean yourself up for tonight. I can already see your footprints being tracked into Casita." "Yes Abuela," I said making my way deeper inside. Suddenly their conversation became the loudest thing that I could hear. I tried to not listen in but, I couldn't help it, "We are two pillars of the community Alma. Our families helped to build Encanto." "I know, I know" she said. Señora Guzmán sighed, "Our grandchildren have always been friends maybe they can be the great uniters of the familias." Abuela stopped her, "I-I don't know they are still so young. I mean she is only 6 and Mariano is 10, they are a bit young to be thinking about..." Señora Guzmán spoke again, "Alma we won't make them do anything we will just steer them in the right direction." The both took a sip or their tea, "I suppose we could do that."

"Dolores," I turned and saw Papa standing in front of me as I sat on the stairs. I smiled, "Hi Papa." He sat down next to me, "I just wanted to check in with you. I know that you having a new sibling join the family can be a lot, not to mention a new sibling and cousin." I smiled at him, "I'm ok Papa. It'll be nice to have more kids running through the house." He looked at me, "You know that you still are a kid, right?" I shrugged and whispered, "Doesn't always feel like it." "What was that?" He asked. I opened my mouth when we both heard a loud thunder clap. I looked over at him, "Go, Mamí needs you." He nodded his head, "Thank you mi vida."

I watched as he ran off and Isabella made her way home. She called upon the flowers of the house and lifted herself up to the second floor without taking a step. She looked over at me and smiled and I watched as a vine wrapped around the stairs and a flower came out in front of me. A marigold, my favorite. I picked it up, "Thank you." She came over, "Becoming a big sister isn't all bad and hey at least this time we get to do it together. Now lets find Luisa and help her get ready. I stood up and listened for a second, "She is in the nursery right now." I paused, "She is looking for a toy ball under her bed." I paused for one more second, "She found it." Isabella wrapped her arm around mine, "Well at least we won't have to share the nursery with the babies this time." She whispered as quietly as she could. We laughed and made our way over.

After we all got dressed in our finest we made our way downstairs to the party. The barbecue was sizzling and music was playing as everyone began to gather in. Isabella, Luisa and I walked down the stairs together holding hands. However, as soon as we made our way down everyone began surrounding Isabella asking her to make flowers. She looked over at me, "Can you watch Luisa?" I nodded my head, "I'll find your Papa." She smiled and I watched as flowers began to surround the circle. Luisa and I began making our way through.

I saw Mamí and Tía talking to a group of people. I heard them both clearing their throats on occasion and I turned to Luisa, "Do you think we should get them something to drink?" "On it," Luisa said letting go of my hand and running into the kitchen. I made sure to listen to her as she made her way through and asked Casita to give her two waters. She then tried picking them up but was having trouble. That was when I finished making my way through the crowd and picked up one of the glasses. I handed the other one to Luisa and we walked over and gave them to our Mamís. "Thank you Luisa," they both started before turning to face me, "and you too, Dolores." I smiled and nodded my head.

Luisa stayed with them as I made my way to the outside of the party along the Wall away from all the dancing. I could hear everyone talking about Isabella and how beautiful she was and how perfect she was at using her gift. There was so much noise surrounding me that I didn't realize that someone was behind me until they tapped my shoulder. I turned to face them and saw Mariano, "Hi." "Hey, sorry we didn't get to talk much earlier," he said rubbing the back of his neck. I just smiled, "It's fine. We both have been busy." He looked out at the dance floor, probably to look at Isabella. "Um Dolores, would you..." he started but I just tried to listen for something that I could do. I heard Lupe saying that we were running out of arepas. I smiled, "Sorry there is about to be a food emergency, I have to warn my Abulea." He looked at me confused, "Food emergency?" "We are running low on arepas," I said and he gasped, "That is a food emergency, let's find her."

He took my hand and guided me through the crowd. We ran around people and ducked under couples as we cut across the dance floor until we found our Abuelas talking. I tapped on her shoulder, "Abuela." She turned to face me, "Yes Dolores." I looked around the room and gestured for her to lean down, "We are running low on arepas." She shuddered and turned to Señora Guzmán, "Please excuse me." I turned to Mariano as he held up his hand, "We just saved the fiesta." I laughed as I gave him a high five. That was when Isabella was making her way over, "Dolores is everything alright?" She asked and I nodded my head, "Yeah everything is great."

She looked over at Mariano who went quiet, "Oh hi Mariano it has been a while." He nodded his head. I then saw Señora Guzmán lightly push on his shoulder, "May I have this dance Isabella?" She gave him a smile, "Um, Sure." They made there way out to the others and it looked like they were having fun. Abuela came back and looked at me, "We had some extra prepared in the fridge they are being cooked right now." She clapped her hands together and looked out at the dance floor, "Oh Isabella and Mariano are dancing." I nodded my head, "Yeah it looks like fun." I walked away and decided to start going upstairs. I hung out along the balcony and looked down at the party below.

I could hear each conversation as if I were right next to them but, I just felt disconnected. I heard a shuffle behind me, "Hi Tío." I turned and saw Tío Bruno coming over to sit down next to me. "Heard me coming?" I nodded my head. "Well anything interesting going on?" I pointed to a couple in the back, "Well those two are wondering if their parents would notice if they disappeared. The group over there is theorizing why we are having this party, they are all wrong. Um Abuela is getting a drink to make the toast for tonight's announcement." I rattled off a few other things before Abuela began tapping on her glass.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Encanto, I have wonderful news. As you know our family came here many years ago and each member of our family has received a gift. Well today we have joyous news. Pepa and Julieta please step forward." I watched as they moved in front of Abuela, "Both my daughters are expecting children." The crowd erupted into cheers. I covered my ears not prepared for the loud outburst of noise before I calmed myself down and turned to Tío. He gave me a half smile, "Do you want to come to my room? It doesn't matter how good your hearing is, it will definitely dampen the noise." I smiled but shook my head, "I can't stop listening." He quirked his brow, "Why?" "Abuela," I said looking up at him. "Oh," was all he could say.

He wrapped an arm around me, "Well was it cool to hear your brother's heartbeat?" I looked at him, "Brother?" He slapped a hand over his mouth, "Do not tell anyone I told you that. Pepa and Julieta will not forgive me for spoiling another gender reveal." I nodded my head and lifted up my pinky, "I promise." We pinky swore, "Can you tell me about my cousin?" He shook his head, "No I will not tell you about your prima." I smiled knowing that he just told me. We enjoyed the rest of the party removed from everyone else. People started to leave the party and I saw Mariano looking around for something. He wasn't saying anything so I wasn't sure what he was looking for, but his Mom and Abuela soon guided him out and back home. I stood up and he looked back and caught a glimpse of me he waved and I waved back, but then I looked on the other side of the stairs and Isabella was standing there waving too.