The room came alive with applause. Antonio looked out at everyone with a hopeful smile, the animals by his side helping him to feel brave and confident.

As the crowd cheered, a couple fireworks went off. Pepa turned in disbelief, a cloud appearing over her head.

She spotted the villager who was starting them. There was a sudden flash of lightning above his head, making the villager jump in surprise. He turned to see Pepa glaring at him from across the room, her eyes fierce. He grimaced, putting the rest of the fireworks away and holding his hands up in apology.

Pepa cleared her cloud and turned to Dolores with worries eyes. Her daughter was smiling through the noise, her hands tense over her ears and her shoulders stiff as she watched her little brother.

"Im sorry, mija." Pepa whispered.

Hearing Mamá's voice, Dolores turned to her. As their eyes met Dolores shrugged a little, her expression warm and reassuring. She didn't want Mamá to worry. Dolores had learned from a very young age that it was best to keep calm and quiet when things like this happened.


Antonio opened the door to reveal a giant treehouse, surrounded by lush rainforest and rivers.

"It's bigger on the inside?!" One of the town's children exclaimed.

Félix laughed in excitement, putting his arm around Pepa's waist as they followed Antonio in. The magic never ceased to amaze him.

"Pepi, why is our room so boring?" He teased her under his breath. Pepa scoffed, giving him the side eye.

Hearing the crowd react to something behind them, Pepa turned to see a jaguar. She gasped, but before she could do anything Dolores whispered.

"It's ok, Mamá." She reassured Pepa, hearing the jaguar's calm heartbeat and seeing it's playful expression. "It won't hurt him."

Antonio's face lit up as the jaguar ran at him, tossing him onto its back. Antonio held on tight, laughing as the jaguar carried him to the treehouse.

"Antonio!" Félix called out in encouragement, "Vaya, vaya!"

Pepa put her hands on Félix's shoulders as she watched their son, feeling proud and overjoyed by how happy the magic was making him.

Antonio reached the top of the tree and the jaguar stopped suddenly, letting Antonio drop through the canopy below.

Pepa clasped her hands together anxiously, but before she had time to react, Antonio was okay again. He bounced off the hammock below, little coatimundis bouncing with him as he laughed in exhilaration.

She sighed in relief, the crowd around them cheering. Pepa allowed herself to smile again as she watched her son slide down a waterslide, swinging from a python to land on the jaguar. He reached out his hand as the jaguar ran past a waterfall.

"Que chimba." Pepa whispered, turning to Félix. "You know, for my gift, it wasn't like this. I just made a rainbow and we called it a day."

"Just made a rainbow?" Félix laughed, squeezing her. "Listen to yourself."

She grinned at him.

"Careful, amor." Félix teased, leaning in close. "You'll become old and jaded talking like that."

"Old!" Pepa exclaimed, pushing him off with a frown. "You are the one who said our room is boring." She huffed. "I will lock you out tonight."

Félix laughed, playfully kissing her face. Pepa tried to stay mad at him, but as their eyes met, she couldn't help but smile.

The jaguar returned and Antonio jumped off, the crowd applauding him.

Pepa ran over, placing her hands to Antonio's cheeks and covering his face with kisses.

"That was amazing!" Félix knelt beside them, one hand on Antonio's shoulder and the other on Pepa's.

Feeling Alma approach, Pepa quickly stepped back, holding her breath in anticipation.

Félix wrapped an arm around Pepa's shoulders as they watched Alma kneel down beside Antonio.

"I knew you could do it." Alma smiled in approval, her voice warm with love. She placed her hands to Antonio's face. "A gift just as special as you."

Félix saw Pepa's face light up, and he gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

Alma gazed at Antonio, then gasped. "We need a picture!"

Pepa turned to Félix, her eyes bright as she smiled. She was so proud that her son's picture was going to make it up on the wall.

"Everyone!" Alma called out to the family as she headed to the treehouse. "Come come come... It's a great night!" Alma put an arm around Isabela. "Its a perfect night!"

Pepa put a hand to Antonio's back as they walked.

"You make me so proud, mijo." Pepa grinned, leaning down a little so she could look him in the eyes. "You were very brave, you know?"

"I was scared." He admitted.

"Ay, but you didn't give up." Félix reassured him. "You faced your fears, even when it was hard, even when it was scary."

"That's what brave is, hm?" Pepa agreed.

Félix glanced knowingly at Pepa, his eyes warm with pride. Her expression softened as she smiled back at him.

There was a big rush as the family all grouped up together. The townsfolk crowded around them, loud and clamouring.

Pepa hesitated, looking at the crowd. She then felt Dolores take her hand with a soft hum, leading Mamá through the crowd and up the back where she knew she'd feel safe.

"Everyone together!" Alma announced, taking her place in the centre.

"Come on," Camilo grinned, picking up Antonio and lifting him onto his shoulders as they headed to the front. Antonio giggled as his birds circled around him, swooping and squawking. Alma eyed them warily.

Pepa grinned as she noticed, then turned to the camera. She didn't need to think of a happy thought. Her heart was already filled with joy.

"La familia Madrigal!" The family all called out together, a rainbow appearing over their heads.


After Alma got her solo picture with Antonio at the door, the music started to play and people began to mingle.

Félix's family gathered around Pepa and Félix, his brothers wearing matching yellow guayabera shirts to Félix, as a way of showing their support.

His Pá also wore a matching shirt, and a sombrero vueltiao over his grey hair. He leaned on his cane as he smiled up at Pepa.

"Come down here, mija." Pá chuckled, beckoning a hand to her. "Let me see you."

Pepa grinned, bending down a little so Pá could look her in the eye.

"There you are," He put a hand to her cheek. "Our Pepa. How are you feeling?"

She smiled, glancing up at her rainbow. "You can't tell?"

"Ay, I can." Pá chuckled. "Beautiful. But I want to hear it from you, mija."

Pepa smiled. "I feel happy, Pá."

He smiled back, his eyes warm.

"And how is the cloud?" He continued, "Are you taking good care of it?"

Pepa laughed, then nodded. He always asked her things like that.

"Buena." He chuckled, patting her cheek. "Buena. Today was a big day for you, darling. You did well."

Pepa's rainbow shined brighter.

She always felt comfortable and safe around Félix's family. They accepted and loved her, even at times when Pepa wasn't sure she deserved it.


The toucan perched on Antonio's head as Camilo helped his brother feed the animals sweets from the snack table. They both ducked under the table as Tia Julieta passed by. Camilo's arm wrapped around Antonio's shoulders as they both laughed softly to eachother.

Dolores sat nearby, stroking a capybara as she watched her brothers in amusement.

"I would move the mountains, make new trees and flowers grow."

Dolores hummed to herself as she heard Mirabel's voice speak up amongst the noisy crowd.

"Someone please, just let me know, where do I go?"

Mirabel sounded distressed. Dolores followed her voice, weaving her way through people as she went.

"Congratulations, Isa." Mariano smiled, holding her cousin's hand as Dolores passed them by. He reached into his pocket. "This is for you, I ah, hope you like it."

"What is it?" Isabela looked happy, but her voice sounded frightened.

Dolores tried not to frown. It's his mamá's necklace, she thought as she continued walking. It's very special. His Mamá means the world to him. He sits by her bedside every night, and reads her poetry to help her fall asleep.

Dolores took a breath, catching herself. This isn't supposed to be your business, she reminded herself.

Memories flashed green in Dolores' head as she remembered Tío Bruno's vision. Abuela, Señora Guzmán and Mariano all walking together towards the Madrigal casita, their feet stepping in time with one another. The family all gathered around the table for dinner. Mariano kneeling in front of Isabela with a ring, while Dolores watched from the other side of the table, her eyes wide with stress.

Dolores exhaled slowly, trying to focus instead on finding Mirabel.


"I would heal what's broken." Mirabel called out from a distance. "Show this family something new."

Dolores stepped out of Antonio's room, following the sound of her cousin's voice up the stairs, until she reached the tallest balcony of the casita, where the candle sat on the windowsill. She looked out with a hum to see her cousin standing on the casita roof, staring out at the sky.

"What can I do?" Mirabel called out into the night, her voice heavy with anguish. "I'm sick of waiting on a miracle."

"Mirabel." Dolores called, but her voice was too soft for her cousin to hear.

Mirabel took a heavy breath, then looked forward in determination. "So here I go."

Dolores' eyes widened as she saw Mirabel run across the roof. Dolores carefully climbed over the balcony after her, stepping lightly across the tiles as she followed.

Mirabel stopped at the edge of the roof, calling out again to the sky. "I'm ready, come on, I'm ready!"

Dolores didn't hear the rest of what Mirabel had to say, because that was the moment the fireworks display went off.

She saw them shimmer up into the sky, illuminating Dolores' face as her eyes widened in fear. She turned and ran, her hands covering her ears as the fireworks exploded into light and colour around her. Dolores screamed in pain, her hands pressing into her ears as she fell from the roof.

Casita extended out its railings as she fell, catching Dolores and rolling her onto the balcony. She collided into the wall and didn't move. The tiles beneath Dolores lifted up, shuffling her body along the balcony until she reached the glowing door of her bedroom, her forehead touching lightly against it. The tiles nudged at her, urging her to wake up.

She opened her eyes with a gasp, clapping her hands over her ears again. She shuddered in agony, feeling the fireworks exploding inside of her head and short-circuiting her senses. Everything around her was muted, a shrill and high-pitched whine piercing her ears and reverberating through her head as the world faded in and out.

"Casita." Her mouth made the word, but no sound came out.

The tiles nudged at her again, pushing her against the glowing door and urging her to open it.

She looked up at the blurring door, tears streaking down her cheeks and her breath shaky. She didn't have the strength to reach for the handle. Dolores' head felt like cracking glass, and every explosion was another hammer smashing into it. She closed her eyes, feeling like she could shatter at any moment.


Hearing the sound of fireworks, Pepa panicked, dark clouds appearing over her head and thundering.

"They were supposed to tell Dolores first!" Pepa exclaimed to Félix, her clouds flashing and her breathing fast and heavy.

People gathered around to try and comfort her.

"Hey, hey! It's ok, Señora." One of the townsfolk reassured her. "Someone told her. I saw Dolores leave the room a while ago."

"I saw it too." Another confirmed. "She left right after the photograph."

Pepa looked back at them, her eyes wide with stress and her cloud thundering. More people turned around, staring in concern.

"Pepa." Alma called out from a distance.

She flinched, expecting Mama to scold her, but when she turned she saw Alma's face soft with concern. She gestured down at Antonio, who was watching with frightened eyes.

Pepa took a shaky breath and swallowed, trying not to rain, for Antonio's sake.

"You definitely saw her go?" Félix asked the villagers, putting his arm around Pepa.

"Definitely." They confirmed. "Right after the photo."

Félix sighed in relief.

"You see, amor?" He reassured Pepa, his hand rubbing her back. "She's okay. She would've had lots of time to get to her room."

Pepa exhaled slowly, her cloud fading.

"Everything is okay." Félix kissed her face. "She's safe, mi vida."

Pepa sighed and nodded, allowing herself to relax again.

Camilo took hold of Pepa's hand.

"I'll check on her." Camilo reassured Pepa. "You just have fun with Tonito, ok Mami?"

Pepa looked over at Antonio, who was hugging onto his jaguar as Alma and Julieta knelt beside him, stroking his hair and speaking comforting words.

"He needs you, Mami." Camilo squeezed her hand, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Go have fun with him. I'll be back later with Dolores."


Camilo left the party, gazing up at the fireworks with a smile as he walked along the balcony.

"Camilo."

Her voice was no more than a whisper.

Camilo' gasped at the sight of his sister, lying on the ground with her hands over her ears. He immediately switched form into Luisa and picked her up, carrying her into her bedroom and quietly closing the door behind them.

As soon as they entered Dolores' room, the magic blocked all sounds of the outside world. The fireworks disappeared, but the high pitched squealing inside Dolores head remained. She closed her eyes, her hands still curled tight over her ears.

Camilo carefully lay Dolores on her bed, changing back into himself as he sat down beside her. Dolores lay still, her eyes closed and her body shuddering.

He reached into his pockets, pulling out an assortment of food he'd stolen from the party earlier.

Feeling something nudge against her mouth, Dolores smelled the sweet aroma of Julieta's desserts. She weakly opened her mouth, letting her brother feed it to her.

Camilo watched Dolores swallow the food, noticing the slow rise and fall of her chest as she sighed in relief. He sighed too, watching as her body stopped shaking.

Dolores opened her eyes, her vision clear again. The pain in her head disappeared and the squealing faded into peaceful silence.

Camilo watched her carefully. Her knew that while her body was healed, his sister would still be shaken. Julieta's food healed the body, but not the mind.

Dolores felt a gentle touch to her shoulder, and she turned to see Camilo. She watched him, wanting to tell him she was okay, but she was too afraid to speak.

Camilo understood. He held both his hands up for her, one of them a thumbs up and the other a thumbs down.

Dolores smiled. She glanced at the thumbs up and pouted her lips. Camilo nodded, his shoulders relaxing.

Taking a deep breath, Dolores slowly brought her hands down from her ears.

Camilo watched, his lip quivering as he saw blood in her ears. Dolores saw blood too, on her hands. Her fingers trembled a little as she stared down at it.

Hearing her brother's heartbeat become faster, Dolores took tissues from her bedside table and wiped away the blood. She then gently took Camilo's hand in hers, her smile reasuring as she gave him a thumbs up. Camilo took a shaky breath and nodded, swallowing as he fought back tears. Camilo knew it was never helpful to cry.

Keeping a hold of Camilo's hand, she turned it over so his palm was facing up. She then lightly traced the letter M with her finger, then A, then M, then A.

Camilo watched, then looked up at her face. Dolores held a finger to her lips.

He nodded, understanding what she was trying to say.

Don't tell Mamá.


After Camilo helped Dolores clean up any last traces of blood, the two of them sat on the bed together, eating desserts while Camilo entertained his sister.

He took one of the sweets and made a show of tossing it up into the air and catching it in his mouth.

Dolores couldn't help but giggle.

"You stole so much food, Camilito." She finally spoke up.

Camilo turned, startled by the sudden sound.

Dolores smiled, making a soft peep.

Camilo grinned in relief at the sound of her voice.

"Do you steal from Tia at every party?" Dolores prompted, enjoying the way his face lit up as she spoke. "Hm?"

"Ah, just on special occassions." Camilo shrugged, counting them on his fingers, "Gift ceremonies, weddings, birthdays, breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert..."

Dolores laughed softly, covering her mouth.

"I always carry a stash." He bragged, gesturing to the snacks. "Hunger strikes at any moment, you know?"

"Hm." She smiled. "I do know."

Camilo continued to entertain Dolores, changing his form into various people as he tossed and caught the food.

He then turned into Tía Julieta.

"You think if I cooked like this, the food would still be magic?" Camilo asked in Tía's voice.

Dolores hummed thoughtfully. "I think people would know it was you."

"Because the food isn't magic?"

Dolores smiled.

"Because it would taste terrible."

Camilo playfully rolled his eyes, then popped another sweet in his mouth.

Dolores giggled, then stopped, her expression serious.

There was a loud and sudden cracking sound at her door. Dolores quickly covered her ears.

They both watched as the golden glow of the door flickered and faded. As the door went out, sounds of the outside world came flooding in.

Camilo quickly put his hands over Dolores' hands, adding another layer of protection to her ears, but she didn't need it. The noises were bearable, as it everything had suddenly been turned down. Camilo stared at his hands in concern as his body flickered back and forth between himself and different people.

The door then glowed golden again, the silence returned, and everything went back to normal.

They stared at eachother in confusion.

"Did you feel that?" Camilo whispered.

Dolores nodded.

"What do you think happened?" He wondered, looking around.

Dolores glanced at the golden door. She didn't know how well Camilo remembered Mirabel's ceremony, but Dolores had perfect recollection. She remembered the flickering doors and the faltering candle. She remembered the whispering crowd, the things they'd said about the family, about the magic.

She hummed softly, turning back to her brother. His heart was pounding, and Dolores could hear the shakiness in his breath.

She'd spent her whole life shielding people from uncomfortable truths. It had always been Dolores' responsibility to collect information, and filter it down for the family in a way that wouldn't upset them. This time was no different.

Dolores stroked Camilo's cheek and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Hm." She shook her head. "I don't know."


Meanwhile at the party, no one had noticed anything was wrong. Pepa danced the champeta with Félix and Antonio, the three of them laughing and stepping in time with eachother.

"You guys are gonna be so tired later." Félix's brother Macario grinned, clapping to the music as he watched them.

"We are old now." Félix laughed, spinning with the music. "Tired is our life."

Pepa groaned, shaking her head at him. Ay, again with the old.

"If we're gonna be tired anyway," Félix continued, We may as well have some fun."

"Well, if that's the case..." Alma chuckled, coming over to join them.

Pepa's face lit up in excitement, a rainbow appearing at the sight of Mamá coming to dance with her. Alma's feet stepped and skipped in time with Pepa's. They circled eachother. Alma held her hands as Pepa watched with bright eyes.

After a while, Alma tried to take a break.

"Come on, Abuela!" Félix called out playfully, dancing his way over to Alma as she laughed.

Pepa clapped in time to the music as she laughed, watching Mamá and Félix circle eachother playfully.

"The house is in danger!"

The music stopped.

Everyone turned to see Mirabel pushing her way through the crowd. Pepa watched with frightened eyes.

"The house is in danger!" Mirabel repeated, skidding to a stop in front of Alma.

The whole room fell silent.

"The tiles were falling and there were cracks everywhere," Mirabel continued, "And the candle almost went out!"

The crowd murmured and Pepa held her breath, trying to push down her fear.

No, no, no.

The magic was saved, it was supposed to be over.

Why wasn't it over?

Pepa felt her heart begin to race. She glanced around at the townsfolk, feeling a storm rise up inside her. Pepa tried to push it back down.

Clear skies, clear skies, clear skies.

She glanced at Félix, her body tense as she held it all in. Félix looked back at her in concern.

"Show me." Alma said, heading off with Mirabel.

Everyone else left the room too, following Alma with a sense of urgency.

Pepa didn't follow. Her arms twisted around her body, her breathing becoming fast and heavy as her chest tightened. Pepa groaned, closing her eyes in panic as wind began to spiral around her.

Clear skies. Clear skies. Tiles falling. Cracks everywhere. Candle going out.

Félix stood behind her, his arms wrapping tight around Pepa. He put his hand against her chest and pressed in, the firm pressure comforting the ache in her heart.

"Deep breaths, Pepi amor, deep breaths." He encouraged, kissing her face as the wind blew around them. "Breathe with me. Ready?"

She nodded, feeling his chest rise and fall against her back as she followed his breathing.

Opening her eyes, Pepa whimpered as she saw Antonio.

He hugged onto his jaguar as he watched, the animals all huddled around him and the wind blowing his hair. Antonio had been too afraid to leave his room after what Mirabel had said, especially since both of his parents stayed.

At the sight of her son, Pepa's stress only worsened. She didn't want to hurt him with her storms.

She rubbed her hands over her eyes and moaned in distress, the pain in her chest intensifying.

Clear skies. Tiles falling. Cracks spreading. House in danger.

Félix kept his hand firm against Pepa's chest, and felt her heart pounding. He saw the sweat running down her face. Pepa shuddered, her breathing laboured as she whimpered between gasps.

"Hey." Félix kissed her face, his voice playful. He leaned in close to her ear. "Do you remember Abuela and the birds?"

Pepa hesitated, her expression softening as the question took her by surprise. Félix grinned.

"You were so mean to your Mamá tonight, amor." He chuckled, kissing her again. "Shooing the birds so they'd fly at her. Hm?"

Pepa swallowed, the wind slowing down a little as she remembered.

Félix smiled as he felt Pepa's heartbeat slowing down. He gently rubbed her chest, kissing her cheek again.

"You made squawking sounds all night, amor." He laughed. "I saw you. Shameless. Squawking, then pretending it wasn't you when she turned around."

Pepa couldn't help but smile.

"You remember?" He grinned, "Hm?" He playfully rubbed his nose against her. "So mean."

Pepa continued to smile as she remembered the way Alma would recompose herself after a scare, her hands fixing her hair as she pretended nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Pepa would creep past to prepare the next flock.

Pepa felt small arms wrap around her. She looked down to see Antonio smiling up at her.

"You did it." He whispered, hugging her tight. The animals gathered around too, the jaguar rubbing against Pepa's leg.

She looked up, seeing that the storm had calmed into lightly blowing wind and grey clouds. She sighed in relief, her fingers stroking through her son's soft hair. She turned to him apologetically.

"I'm sorry, mijo." She sighed. "I didn't want to scare you like that."

"It's okay to be scared, Mami." Antonio reminded her. "As long as we don't give up. Remember?"

She looked back at him in surprise.

"That's what brave is." He smiled.


The door opened, and joyful sounds of party music and laughter spilled in.

Pepa looked around in confusion as the family and guests all crowded back in, smiling and carrying on as if nothing had happened.

Isabela headed their way, slowly shaking her head as she walked. She noticed Pepa's grey clouds and sighed, feeling annoyed that her sister's little stunt had caused Pepa more heartache.

"Oh, Tia." Isabela muttered, her tone dry. "Don't even bother. It's not worth it."

The three of them watched Isabela in surprise.

"What happened?" Félix asked.

"Absolutely nothing." She rolled her eyes at the memory. "Mirabel embarassed the entire family, and wasted everyone's time. " She shook her head in disbelief. "The casita was fine. She made the whole thing up."

Pepa blinked in confusion. Her hands stroked her hair as she tried to navigate through all the emotional whiplash.

"The magic... Is safe?" Pepa asked, her worried eyes searching Isabela's.

Isabela's expression softened. She gently stroked her Tia's hair, feeling her inner resentment for Mirabel continue to grow.

"The magic is safe, Tia." Isabela spoke in a kind and reassuring tone. "Everything's fine. There were no cracks in the walls, no danger. The candle was still burning bright."

Pepa exhaled slowly, letting her head drop down in relief.

Félix rubbed Pepa's shoulders, sighing to himself as he also felt relieved by the news.

"The only thing in danger now is my sister." Isabela continued, her cheeks hot as she made a flower and crushed it in her hand.

Antonio frowned up at Isabela. Mirabel was his best friend, and he didn't like Isabela talking badly about her.

Noticing her cousin's expression, Isabela assumed Antonio was upset for the same reasons she was.

Mirabel had attempted to sabotage his party, after all. Either out of jealousy, or in some sort of sad grab for attention. Attention that of course she got, Isabela reminded herself. Cutting her own hand so she could have Mama all to herself. Please. That was the oldest trick in the book.

Isabela sighed, pushing it all back down to make way for a smile.

She reached over to her cousin, stroking his hair affectionately. "I'm sorry she did that to your party, Tonito."

Antonio continued to frown at her.

"Come on," She encouraged, pinching his cheek. "Let's go dance. Don't let Mirabel ruin your night."

Antonio's jaguar growled from beside him. Isabela quickly recoiled, pink and white flowers popping up in her hair.

"Careful, Prima." A familiar voice laughed from behind her. "He's a great judge of character."

Pepa's face lit up as she saw Camilo approach, followed closely by Dolores.

She hurried over to her children, pulling them both in for an embrace. Dolores hummed softly as she smiled.

"Mija, I was so worried for you." Pepa sighed, stroking her face. "When the fireworks started, and I could not find you."

Dolores made a nervous peep at the mention of the fireworks. She was still pretty shaken up, but she knew the family would worry if she didn't return to the party, for at least a short appearance before bed.

"Oh. Don't worry." She smiled. "Camilo and I had a fun time. He brought me snacks."

"Speaking of," Camilo grinned, seeing the perfect segway. "Let's go get some more food. I need some cake in this belly before I dance with Mamá."

"Me too." Dolores agreed.

Pepa's face glowed excitement.

"And we need to feed all the animals again!" Antonio added in a bright tone. Camilo quickly put a finger to his lips, but it was too late.

"What was that?" Félix scolded.

Camilo laughed sheepishly.


The party lasted a couple more hours, but Pepa didn't make it to the end. She went up to the treehouse to put Antonio to bed, and never came back.

As all the guests started to leave, Félix came up to the treehouse to check on her.

He smiled as he found Pepa asleep in Antonio's bed, her arms wrapped around their son and her breathing soft in his hair. The jaguar was curled up by their feet and an array of forest animals and birds were all gathered in the bed around them.

Félix sat beside her, gently stroking her fringe.

"Pepi." He said in gentle tone.

She didn't respond. Pepa was completely wiped out, exhausted from a long day and night full of emotions.

Félix carefully unwrapped Pepa's arms from Antonio and put his son in bed. As he tucked Antonio in, Félix found a stuffed jaguar and put it under the covers with him.

He then turned back to Pepa, who was still fast asleep. He kissed her forehead and smiled.

"Come on, mi amor."

Félix lifted Pepa up into his arms and carried her to their room, her head resting on his shoulder and her breath soft and warm against his neck.