Pepa danced as she scrubbed the balcony, humming to herself as she leapt and spun between messes. The movements kept her happy and distracted.
Following the trail of bird splatters along the balcony, Pepa scoffed as she spotted some animals gathered on the tiles ahead.
"Ay," she warned them. "You better not be making more-"
Pepa stopped, her expression darkening as she realised the animals were rats.
"Shoo!" She shouted, throwing the scrubbing brush at them. The soapy brush clattered across the tiles as the rats escaped, Pepa and her cloud chasing after them.
Pepa used to love the rats, but ever since her brother left she couldn't stand the sight of them.
The rats raced along the balcony, squeaking in fear as Pepa ran fast behind them. They turned suddenly, climbing a set of stairs. Pepa skidded around the corner and climbed after them.
Reaching the top, the rats squeezed under the door and Pepa stopped, finding herself face to face with a familiar carving.
She swallowed, standing very still.
It was the door to Bruno's tower.
The cloud above Pepa flashed and thundered.
"We don't talk about Bruno." She reminded the cloud, her eyes still on the door. Bruno's face stared back at her, etched into the dark and aged wood.
As her gaze met her brother's, the cloud above Pepa flashed again, lighting up Bruno's eyes and reminding Pepa of when they used to glow green. She gasped softly, taking a step back.
The last time Pepa had gone through this door had been when Bruno left.
Pepa remembered running up the stone steps in the rain, gasping for breath as she called out her brother's name. She remembered reaching the top of the tower, discovering he really was gone, and the despair that followed. The hurricane and lightning that accompanied her screams, projecting throughout the tower.
Bruno's tower was once a fun place to be, vibrant and colourful. After Pepa's hurricane, all that remained now was a stripped and bare stone cavern, the floor broken into a dark abyss and the ceilings fractured, sand spilling down like waterfalls.
"We don't talk about Bruno." Pepa repeated in a soft voice, her hand on the door, fingers stroking the picture as the cloud above her thundered and rained in protest.
She used to love coming here. Pepa remembered running along the balcony as a kid, she and Julieta skidding across the tiles as they reached Bruno's door, racing eachother up the stairs, laughing and singing loudly to wake him.
Pepa smiled at the memory, then caught herself, stepping back with a scowl.
"We don't talk about Bruno." She reminded herself, her finger jabbing her brother's picture with each word.
The cloud above her continued to rain as Pepa closed her eyes in frustration.
No one was allowed to talk about Bruno. They'd made it a family rule, and it brought Pepa shame to admit she was the reason.
When Bruno had first left, just the mention of her brother was enough to break Pepa down into tears and panic, bringing on huge storms. It would take the family a long time to calm her down each time.
"That's enough." Alma had finally announced. "From now on, we have a new family rule: we don't talk about Bruno. That goes for all of us. Not another word about Bruno."
Mama had given Pepa that phrase to repeat whenever she thought of her brother, and just like clear skies, we don't talk about Bruno became a mantra.
Pepa exhaled in a puff as she headed back along the balcony, picking up the scrubbing brush as she went.
She glanced up at her cloud and frowned.
"You are still here." She muttered, and it thundered back at her.
Pepa took a deep breath, then smiled, determined to clear the cloud and prove to herself she was better than she'd been back then. Pepa wasn't a problem anymore. She could control her weather. Just watch.
Giving the cloud a smile, Pepa began to dance under it.
"We don't talk about Bruno." Pepa sung in a quiet voice, boldly merging the forbidden words with a salsa melody she'd been singing earlier. "No, no, no." She sidestepped, moving her hips, and spun around. "We don't talk about Bruno."
Pepa smiled to herself, feeling clever. She watched the cloud disappear, and her chest puffed up with pride.
"We don't talk about Bruno, no no no."
Pepa's singing became laughter as she skipped along the tiles, a rainbow over her head.
She leapt across the balcony and spun around, taking hold of the railing and dipping herself back.
Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, Pepa stopped what she was doing, her eyes wide. Did they hear her? She waved the rainbow away and dropped to her hands and knees, scrubbing the balcony.
Dolores couldn't help but giggle as she reached the top of the stairs, making a soft peep to reassure Mama that it was only her.
As Dolores passed her by, Pepa noticed her daughter's wet hair wrapped in a towel, and a jar of hot oil in her hands.
"Mm? You want help?" Pepa offered.
"Oh. Don't worry." Dolores smiled as she headed towards her room. "You're busy."
Pepa tossed the scrubbing brush over the railing, the sun shining brighter as she followed her daughter.
"Ay. Come on, mija." Pepa insisted. "Let me help you."
Dolores turned back to Mamá, seeing the excited shine in her eyes as she held out a hand in invitation.
"Hm." Dolores smiled, taking hold of Mamá's hand.
Pepa sat Dolores in front of her mirror, placing the jar on the dresser. She gently unwrapped the towel, letting Dolores' damp hair drop down over her shoulders.
"Que linda, hm?" Pepa ran her fingers through her daughter's curls. Dolores smiled up at her.
Pepa turned to her dresser, rubbing some of the oil against her wrist to check it wasn't too hot.
As Dolores watched Mamá, the voices continued to flood in from all around her.
She'd actually been in a terrible mood before running into Mamá, and had been on the way to her room to block it all out. But Mamá had just been so happy and excited to spend time with her, and Dolores knew better than to refuse an opportunity like that.
"I'm a loser." Luisa's voice sobbed from the village, followed by the heavy sounds of barn doors closing.
Dolores stared into the mirror, her eyes filled with concern as she listened.
"They don't think you're a loser." Antonio's hopeful voice spoke up. "The donkeys told me you're their best friend."
"What if you shared the job with Antonio?" Camilo tried.
"I can ask the donkeys to walk themselves to the barn." Antonio agreed. "They don't mind. They said they want to help you."
This only made Luisa cry harder.
"Think of it like you're training him up." Camilo encouraged. "Teaching him to follow in your footsteps."
"You don't get it!" She sobbed. "I'm supposed to carry the donkeys. It's my job. If I can't help people, then what do I have left?"
"You think I don't get that?" Camilo's tone was dry.
Luisa exhaled. "Sorry... I, ah, didn't mean to let it all out like that. I'm just gonna go. Sorry."
Crack.
Dolores peeped in surprise. What was that sound? It sounded like it'd come from inside the walls.
"You okay?" Pepa asked, their eyes meeting in the mirror.
"Mm-hm." Dolores nodded, smiling at Pepa.
Pepa gently combed Dolores hair into sections, applying hot oil to her daughter's roots and spreading it down with her fingers. While Pepa was distracted, Dolores took a deep breath and continued to listen.
"The Encanto doesn't have any doctors." Julieta's voice spoke from downstairs, followed by clinking and the sounds of pages turning. "We're isolated, no access to outside knowledge, no access to new technology or medicine... It's been 45 years, Agustin." Julieta moaned softly in stress. "Half a century. This town doesn't know how to heal anymore. They won't know what to do without my gift." She shuddered. "I don't know what to do without my gift."
"At least we found these books?" Agustin did his best to comfort her. "And your hand is better."
"With old food." Julieta whispered. "Everything I've made since breakfast hasn't worked. And somebody ate the last of our good food."
Dolores heard Agustin gasp in surprise, followed by more clinking from Julieta.
"Wait," Agustin sounded horrified. "You mean... That's it? Someone gets hurt from now on, and they just-"
There was a clanking sound as something knocked over, followed by Julieta's soft crying.
"Hey." Agustin's voice was gentle. "It's okay. Come here, Juli... It's okay. We're gonna figure this out together, I promise."
Dolores hummed. No healing? Dolores had never known a life without Julieta's gift. The idea of getting hurt and just staying that way was terrifying.
Crack-crack.
That sound again.
Crack-crack-crack.
Dolores squeaked in surprise, her back stiffening. That one had gone right under Mama's bedroom floor.
She closed her eyes, fireworks flashing and popping in her mind from the stress.
"Mm?" Pepa turned to her daughter in concern, her eyes searching. "What is it, mija? Did I burn you?"
Dolores shook her head, causing drops of oil to patter over the towel Pepa had wrapped around Dolores' shoulders. Pepa was suspicious now.
"Did you hear something, mija?" Pepa asked, starting to worry. "Is something wrong?"
At the sound of Mama's heart beating faster, Dolores opened her eyes and put on a brave smile.
"Hm. Actually, you did burn me a little." Dolores lied, knowing Pepa could handle that better than the truth. "But I'm okay, Mamá. It mostly surprised me."
Pepa's eyes softened as she apologised, crouching down so she could look her daughter in the eyes. Dolores felt guilty as she saw Mamá's nose twich and her eyes glisten in an attempt to hold back tears.
"It's okay, Mamá." Dolores smiled. "Will you still finish it for me?"
Pepa swallowed, then nodded, standing up again.
Dolores had to protect Mama from the truth. It had always been her responsibility.
Pepa rubbed her fingers along Dolores' scalp, her eyes on her hands and her movements slow and careful as she massaged in the oil. A cloud floated over Pepa's head as she felt ashamed for hurting her daughter, and scared that she might do it again. Pepa exhaled, her hands shaking.
Dolores leaned into Mamá, wanting nothing more than to reassure her, but knowing she had to ignore her right now. This information was far too important for Dolores to miss. She closed her eyes again and listened.
"Mamá? Are you okay?" Isabela's footsteps entered the kitchen. "Let me help you."
There was shuffling in an attempt to hide books, followed by sliding as they were discovered.
"Why are you reading about medicine?"
"I was just curious." Julieta's voice was surprisingly calm. "I've always found it interesting, you know? It's similar to my gift."
"It is." Isabela agreed, turning the pages. "You're right, Mamá. This looks interesting. Maybe I can read it after you."
"Are you excited for tonight?" Agustin spoke in a strained voice, the end of his sentence awkward and high pitched. He wasn't good at hiding his feelings like Julieta. Dolores heard Julieta's foot nudge against his.
Isabela laughed.
"Of course, Papi." She sounded happy, though Dolores could hear the loud thumping of her heart.
"Isabela!" Abuela called from upstairs.
Isabela's heart beat faster.
"Coming, Abuela!" Her voice was pleasant. "I better get back... You sure you're okay, Mamá?"
"Never better."
"It looks like you've been crying." She pressed. "And Papi, you're acting really weird."
"We're fine." Julieta laughed softly. "We're just getting emotional about the proposal. Go on, don't let us keep you."
As Isabela's footsteps led away, they both exhaled heavily.
Dolores exhaled too, then her breath caught as she heard it again.
Crack-crack.
"We need more spackle over here!" Bruno's voice came from inside the walls.
He spoke up in a different voice. "More spackle!" There was a wet slap, followed by scraping.
"Thanks Jorge... And Hernando, make sure you really get into those cracks... This casita ain't falling down today. Not on my watch."
Rats squeaked in approval as Bruno's voice changed tone again.
"But you don't have a watch, Brunito."
He chuckled to himself. "You got me." The scraping continued.
"So many stairs in la casa Madrigal..." Mirabel's singing was breathless. She called out, her voice echoing. "Bruno, your room is the worst!"
Crack-crack-crack.
Dolores squeaked, her eyes opening.
"I know what's happening, mija."
Pepa was watching Dolores, her voice soft with concern.
Dolores hummed, her eyes wide. It felt like her mind was bubbling with secrets and pressure, boiling like water over fire that kept getting hotter and hotter. She felt ready to overflow at any moment, and was terrified of what would come out.
"You don't have to keep it all inside, darling." Pepa smiled kindly. "I am here for you."
Dolores closed her eyes, feeling sick.
Which secret was Mamá referring to? Tio living in the walls? Luisa's lost magic? The fireworks? Mirabel sneaking into Bruno's tower? Tia's lost magic? The cracks in the casita?
"It's the engagement." Pepa said quietly. "Isn't it?"
Oh. For some reason Dolores hadn't expected her to say that.
"I knew since Dias de las velitas something was wrong." Pepa told her. "When I found you crying in your room."
Dolores shifted uncomfortably at the memory. That'd been the day she'd overheard Abuela and Señora Guzmán finally decide to betrove Mariano to Isabela, just like Tío Bruno had predicted.
"You never cry, mija." Pepa continued. "And I always wondered what happened to you that day... But, seeing you worry about tonight, seeing the look in your eye when Mama talks about Mariano... Well. I think I know what it is."
Dolores hummed. She hadn't realised how much Mamá noticed her.
"I was the same, you know?" Pepa continued. "When I was your age. Julieta found love, and I was alone... And as the years passed I thought I would never find it too. I thought, who would love this?" She gestured a hand to herself, and Dolores' expression softened.
"But you glow, Mamá." Dolores' voice was genuine.
Pepa couldn't help but smile. She turned from the mirror to look Dolores in the eyes. Dolores watched Mamá's face as she spoke, the visual cues making it easier to block other sounds and really listen.
"You are so beautiful, mi cielo." Pepa's face shone with sincerity, her hands running conditioner through Dolores' hair as she spoke. "So loved... By me, by Papi, the family... But it's important you love yourself too." Pepa encouraged. "If you can do that mija, things will be easier."
Crack-crack.
Dolores turned around briefly, then exhaled as she turned back. It wasn't fair for this to happen now.
Pepa gave her a gentle smile.
"I know it's hard. I know." Pepa sighed. "You see prima's gift making everyone so happy, and you try to do the same, but your gift hurts you. And it makes you wonder why."
Pepa's cloud thundered and she frowned.
"Sh." She glanced up at it. "Let me speak to her."
Pepa turned back to Dolores.
"Tonight will be hard on you, mija. But you are not alone." Pepa kissed her. "And good things will come to you too, I promise. You just need to give it time... And look after her." Pepa tapped a finger to Dolores' cheek. "Mm?"
Crack-crack.
Dolores smiled sadly. Mamá was connecting with her in a way that she'd always longed for, and right when she needed it most. This should be a happy moment for Dolores.
Crack-crack-crack.
Dolores lip trembled.
"Mama." She spoke quietly.
"Yes, darling?"
Crack-crack-crack-crack.
Dolores hugged onto Pepa, closing her eyes.
"Thank you."
She rested her head against Pepa's chest, her hand covering her other ear, so Mamá's heartbeat would be the only thing she could hear.
"I love you." Dolores whispered.
Pepa smiled, gently placing her hand over Dolores', helping her daughter to find a quiet place.
"I love you too, mija."
Later
"Tonight we can't have any more problems!"
Alma's voice called out as she came downstairs and into the foyer, furious as she ran into her daughter.
Pepa froze at Mama's hard expression.
"What did I do?" Pepa asked, glancing over her shoulder but finding no clouds. She turned back to Mama in confusion.
"It's Mirabel." Alma sighed heavily, a hand rubbing her eyes. "Now she's causing problems for Luisa! Honestly, I don't know what has gotten into her, but she is being so-" Alma struggled to find the words. "I cannot understand her. It's like she wants to hurt this family." Alma's eyes flashed with anger as she threw a hand up.
Pepa flinched, backing up a little.
"Every time there's trouble, Mirabel is there!" Alma continued. "Right in the middle of Antonio's ceremony. Right before our Isabela's proposal. I don't know why she is acting this way, but it has to stop!"
Pepa's back bumped into the wall behind her. She kept very still as Mama continued to shout.
"We don't have time for this." Alma sighed, taking out her pocket watch and glancing at it. "I should be at the Guzman's. And you need to finish your work. Did you go to the fields today?"
Pepa nodded, her shoulders stiff.
When they were younger, Julieta had explained to Pepa that it wasn't personal when Mama got stressed. She said bad things happened to Mama that were out of her control, so now whenever Mama gets overwhelmed she feels the need to control everything around her, in order to feel safe again.
"Did you clean the balcony?" Alma continued.
"Yes, Mama."
"And did you clear Tonito's things from the nursery?"
Pepa swallowed.
"No, Mama."
"Well," Alma sighed, waving a hand towards the stairs. "Go."
Pepa stepped lightly around Mama, picking up the box she'd come down here to fetch.
"Pepa."
Pepa's back tensed up. She turned to Alma with wide eyes, one hand on the box and the other gripping her hair.
"Yes, Mama?"
"Get rid of that cloud." Alma's voice was heavy with disappointment as she gestured above Pepa's head. "Before the Guzmans arrive. Do you understand? I've had enough trouble from Mirabel, I don't need it from you."
Alma turned and went out the front door.
Pepa watched her go, then wiped her eyes and headed upstairs, her voice shaky as she whispered the cloud away.
Pepa hugged the box to her chest as she walked towards the nursery.
"Was that you I saw dancing before, mi vida?"
Pepa's face lit up. She turned around, smiling at the sight of her husband.
Félix was leaning against the railing as he watched her. Pepa dropped the box and ran to him, jumping up into his arms and laughing as Félix caught her, the momentum pushing them both into the railing.
"Ay! Careful Pepi amor, careful." Félix laughed, glancing behind him at the drop below. He turned back, gently kissing her. She smiled, hugging him tight and feeling safe.
"You know amor," He begun, and Pepa was already grinning, so happy to be in his arms and hear the sound of his voice. "There's still a bit of time before dinner. Maybe you can show me those dance moves." He smiled, rubbing his nose against hers. "I tried to join you before, but you were already gone." He chuckled. "Where'd you disappear?"
"A mystery." Pepa teased, hugging him.
"Hm." He smiled, turning and dipping her back over the balcony.
Pepa exclaimed in surprise, her arms tight around his shoulders. She laughed, feeling Félix's strong hands on her back and knowing she was safe. Pepa looked up at the sky above her, feeling the breeze against her face and seeing the birds fly past. She grinned, holding her arms out and feeling as if she were flying too.
Félix leaned in, kissing her.
"You wish you were one of those birds, amor." He whispered to her ear, kissing her again. "So you could swoop around, scaring your Mama. Hm?"
Pepa laughed, watching as a rainbow appeared in the sky, the birds flying through it.
"I would be a loud bird." Pepa decided. "With a long sharp beak."
"Ay." Félix laughed. He gently brought Pepa back around to the balcony.
"You want to dance?" He grinned, holding her hands.
She smiled, but couldn't forget how upset Mamá had been earlier. She shuddered at the thought of Alma coming home to find Pepa dancing and not working.
"I need to go get the last of Tonito's things." She sighed. "Sorry."
Félix nodded in understanding, putting a hand to Pepa's back as she picked up the box.
"No sorry." He reminded her with a smile. "You do what you gotta do, mi vida. I'll get the cupboards ready in his new room." He grinned, calling after her. "But after that, no excuses. I'm coming back for that dance."
"You better." She smiled over her shoulder.
As Pepa opened the nursery door, she heard the end of Mirabel's sentence, the words catching Pepa off guard.
"-vision, Bruno." Mirabel muttered.
Pepa's clouds immediately thundered and flashed. Mirabel turned and they both froze, their eyes wide as they stared at eachother.
"Tia! Jeez." Mirabel said softly, a little frightened.
"Sorry." Pepa smiled apologetically as she tried to calm down, determined not to let it get to her. She put the box on the dresser. "Sorry, I didn't mean to..." Her voice trailed off as she saw the cloud return.
Ay. Not you again.
"Shoo, shoo, shoo!" Pepa shoved the cloud out the door, grunting softly as she forced the door closed on it. She then turned back with an accomplished smile, heading over to Antonio's dresser and picking up one of her son's bears. "I just wanted to get the last of Tonito's things, and then I heard the name," She covered the bear's ears and leaned in to whisper, "We do not speak."
The room darkened as the cloud returned over Pepa's head.
"Great." She muttered, throwing her hands up and tossing the bear in the process. "Now I'm thundering!" Pepa began to pace, repeating the words Mama used to say to her when she was little. "And that thunder will lead to a drizzle, and a drizzle will lead to a sprinkle..."
Pepa forced a smile, pushing the memories and feelings back down.
"Clear skies, clear skies..." She continued to smile, pressing her fingers together and shaking them, ignoring the tight feeling that spread up through her chest.
Pepa took a deep breath and exhaled, sitting down like the very definition of calm.
"Clear skies." Pepa's smile was genuine now as she felt the cloud disappear above her. That was a Bruno cloud. Usually they were harder to clear. She smiled proudly to herself, opening up drawers and getting to work.
"Tia Pepa?" Mirabel continued from behind her. "If Bruno- ah,"
Pepa frowned as raindrops fell over her, her expression dry as the cloud returned. Great.
"If he," Mirabel tried again, seeing this conversation was upsetting Tía and trying to tread lightly, "Had a vision about someone... What would it mean for them?
Pepa scowled down at all Antonio's wet clothes that she now needed to wash.
"We don't talk about Bruno." Pepa reminded Mirabel, raising her angry eyebrows as she glared down, twisting water out of the clothes with her hands.
"I know. It's just, hypothetically," Mirabel continued. "If he saw you..."
Pepa reached up both hands, waving away the cloud and turning to Mirabel.
"Mirabel, please." She pleaded. "We need to get ready for the Guzmans." She gestured both arms towards the door, unable to understand how Mirabel had encountered Mama as angry as she had, and still didn't understand that tonight's dinner needed to be their top priority.
"I just wanna know." Mirabel continued. "If it was generally positive or, like, less positive-"
"It was a nightmare!" Felix burst through the door, holding up his finger.
"Felix!" Pepa exclaimed, turning in surprise.
"Hey, she needs to know, Pepi, she needs to know." Félix headed over to Mirabel.
Unlike most of the family, Félix didn't hide things or withhold information. If someone asked him a question, he told them the truth.
Pepa threw down Antonio's bear, scrambling to her feet so she could hold a finger to Felix's mouth, but Félix caught her hand in his.
"We don't talk about Bruno." Pepa reminded him.
"He would say something terrible and then..." Félix made big gestures with his arms. "Crack! Tik-tik-tik-tik brack! Boom! It would happen."
Pepa watched with a frown, her hands becoming fists. She felt frustrated that no one was listening to her. She pushed her way back in, her hand to Félix's shoulder as she scolded him, tilting her head to emphasise her words. "We don't talk about Bruno!"
"What if you didn't understand what he saw?" Mirabel continued, and Félix turned back to her.
Pepa scoffed in disbelief.
"Then you better figure it out," He shook Mirabel's shoulders, his eyes wide as he leaned in. "Because it was coming for you!"
Pepa put her hands to both Félix and Mirabel's faces and pushed them apart so she could get in the middle, her hands on her hips.
"We don't talk about Bruno, no no no." She sung the salsa melody from before, flicking a hand at Felix with each word, then turned to Mirabel, holding up a finger. "We don't talk about Bruno!"
Both of them fell silent, and suddenly Pepa had their full attention.
Felix's hand slid around her waist as he waited to see what she'd do next.
"But." She eyed them both. "It was my wedding day."
Felix tried not to laugh in disbelief. Dios, she was actually going there. After all these years, Pepa was finally ready to talk about Bruno.
"It was our wedding day." Felix repeated, encouraging her to keep going.
"We were getting ready," Pepa told Mirabel, using her hands to help tell the story. "And there wasn't a cloud in the sky."
"No clouds allowed in the sky!" Felix added in a loud voice. Pepa dropped her arms and gave him the side eye. Félix always had a bad habit of interrupting her stories.
Pepa turned back to Mirabel, flicking her hands up and bringing them together like a villain, fingers tapping as she tried to paint an unflattering image of her brother. "Bruno walked in with a mischievous grin-"
"Thunder!" Felix threw up his hands, his voice dramatic as he interrupted again. Mirabel took a step back as Felix's shout sparked actual thunder from his wife.
"You're telling this story or am I?" Pepa exclaimed, throwing a hand up in frustration and attempting to leave the room.
Felix grinned, catching Pepa by the hand and pulling her back to him. His other hand moved up her arm, fingers tracing along her shoulders.
"I'm sorry mi vida, go on." Felix leaned in with a grin, his breath soft against her neck. Pepa's shoulders moved at his touch and she smiled.
Mirabel made a small sound of discomfort, reminding them that she was still in the room.
Pepa turned back to Mirabel, unapologetic as she continued to tell the story.
"Bruno said it looks like rain."
30 years earlier
"I'm sorry!" Bruno shouted over the storm, wind whipping at his hair.
Rain bucketed down inside the church, lightning illuminating the stone walls. The stained glass windows had shattered, their coloured shards glittering and swirling in water. The seats and broken statues skidded in the wind and the candle Pepa and Felix had lit together to symbolise their marriage had gone out, floating in rainwater.
Pepa was on her knees in the water, her hands covering her face as wind and debris swirled around her.
Julieta was holding her tight and whispering comforting words in her ear as she sobbed, while Félix sat in front of her, his forehead resting against hers as he stroked her back. The storm raged around them.
"This reminds me of home, amor." He shouted over the thunder, stroking her wet hair and veil as it flapped in the wind. "Remember how I told you about the ocean?"
Pepa leaned into him, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as she hid her face against him.
"The Caribbean storms every day, mi amor." He grinned as he held her, squinting at the rain. "But it always clears up." He kissed her face. "And that storm, it's the most beautiful time of the day."
Felix felt Pepa's body trembling and he held her close.
There was a pattering sound above her. Pepa peered up to see Mama holding an umbrella over her. Beside her was Felix's Pa.
Pepa hid against Felix, too ashamed to look at them.
"You're alright." Pa laughed, couching down and rubbing Pepa's back. "You're alright. This is what happens when you throw a big party, hm? Everybody wants to come." He gestured up at the hurricane. "And you have so many clouds, my darling. They didn't want to be left out."
Pepa felt Mama gently pull her to her feet, holding her close under the umbrella.
"You can do this, mija." Alma reassured Pepa, wiping under her eyes as she lead her outside. "We are all here with you. Come on."
Pepa sobbed, tears running down her cheeks as she watched Félix. She couldn't understand why he hadn't run away yet. Julieta stood beside Pepa, slowly rubbing a hand up and down her sister's back.
"Pepa Madrigal." The priest continued the ceremony, his hand tight over his wig as the hurricane swirled around them. "Do you take this man to be your husband?"
She took a deep breath and nodded. Her hands shook as she held onto Felix's. He smiled back at her, his eyes sparkling with tears of joy.
"In sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Pepa was a mess of tears and rain and thunder as she nodded again.
"Now it's time to give your vows." The priest encouraged Pepa.
The storm got worse, people shrieking as umbrellas flew out of their hands. Pepa looked at them with wide eyes, then hid her face against Julieta, letting go of Felix's hands. She sobbed, her body shaking.
"I got you." Her sister whispered, gently reaching into Pepa's pocket and taking out a soggy paper. "Here," she encouraged, holding the paper up for Pepa, her grip on it tight against the wind. She kissed her sister's face, resting her head against hers. "I'll hold it, all you have to do is read."
Pepa glanced at the soaked remains of her messy speech, her expression pained as she struggled to get words out through her panic. She glanced back at the town. They were all watching from under their umbrellas, waiting to see what would happen next. Pepa turned back to Félix in a panic.
Felix stepped forward, putting his hands to her cheeks. She looked back at him, her eyes terrified as she whimpered between breaths.
"It's okay, amor." He reassured her, stroking her face. "It's okay. I love you. I know how much you love me."
Pepa shook her head, tears and sweat dripping from her face as she gasped for breath. She couldn't do it. The sky lit up with lightning, thunder rumbling over the land as she began to hyperventilate. It felt like her brain was flooding.
There was a hand on Pepa's shoulder as Agustin arrived, leading Bruno over to stand by his sister. Pepa whimpered, avoiding Bruno's eyes.
"Pepi, come on!" Agustin encouraged over the wind. "How many hours we had to listen to you talk about this speech, and now you're not even gonna do it?"
"He's right." Julieta agreed. "It's a great speech, Pepa. You really should do it."
Bruno watched quietly, afraid to say anything.
The wind howled and the sky flashed as Pepa leant into Julieta, her chest heaving.
"I can't." She managed to whisper, her eyes closed as she gasped for breath.
"Do you want us to help you?" Julieta asked.
Pepa nodded desperately.
"Okay." Julieta whispered back, her hand holding onto her sister's speech while her other arm wrapped tight around Pepa, holding her sister close.
Julieta turned to Felix and they smiled at eachother.
She took a breath, then began to read out Pepa's speech for her.
"I don't know why you want to marry me, Felix, when you could have anybody else." Julieta began, "But here we are."
Julieta paused to kiss Pepa's head. Pepa peered out from where she was hiding, her hands clinging to Julieta's dress as she watched Felix. He smiled back at her, his eyes warm with love as he reached forward and stroked her face. Around them, the wind became just a little calmer.
Julieta continued to read.
"My sister told me not to keep in that part-" Julieta laughed a little. "But I kept it in, because it is true. And it's my wedding, so I can say what I want." She smiled. "I could never understand why you like me, Félix. You are so good, so brave, so funny, so-"
Julieta groaned, putting down the speech and turning to Pepa with a strained expression. "I told you to take that part out too." She muttered.
Despite her tears, Pepa couldn't help but smile. Julieta sighed.
"Let me see." Agustin glanced down at the paper and grinned at what he saw. He then turned to Felix, their eyes meeting as Agustin continued the speech.
"So sexy." Agustin read, Félix laughing as Agustín wiggled his eyebrows. Pepa smiled too, the lightning stopping.
"Sorry Mamá, I know we are in a church." Agustin continued to read, "But I have to say it. And you know, God will agree with me."
Alma and Pá laughed, Alma slowly shaking her head in amusement.
"You bring so much to my life." Agustin continued. "Even if it is rainy, even if it is cloudy, you make it shine bright again, Félix. Because you are my sun."
Félix smiled, gently wiping tears and sweat from Pepa's face.
"And you are mine." He hugged her.
Agustin readjusted his glasses, his expression softening at what he read next. He glanced at Julieta.
"I'll read it." Bruno spoke up in a quiet voice.
They all turned to him, and he slowly stepped forward, determined to help his sister.
Bruno's eyes scanned the paper, then he looked up at Felix, who gave him a grateful smile.
Pepa peered out from Felix's embrace, the wind blowing her hair as she watched her brother.
"They'll ask if you want to stay with me, through sickness and health." Bruno read. "But before you say yes, I want you to really think about it. Because most sickness you can see, but sometimes I feel like I am sick inside."
Julieta's expression fell as she glanced over at her sister. Félix stroked Pepa's hair, a tear rolling silently down his cheek as he listened.
"If you marry me, it will be forever. And that is a long time, I think." Bruno continued. "I don't want to trap you, Felix. Because most days I'm going to dance and laugh and chase you through the fields. But other days the weather will change, and I won't be fun anymore. I will cry, and scream, and storm... And I don't know how to stop it."
Felix hugged Pepa and kissed her, over and over, while Pepa hid against him.
"I'm so scared I will ruin everything." Bruno swallowed, feeling the words hit home for him too. "Because that is what I do, Félix. I ruin things. This is the first wedding I've been invited to, because my rain brings bad luck to a marriage. And I'm terrified it will bring bad luck to our marriage, too."
Pepa took a shaky breath, rain pouring as she cried softly into Felix's shirt. He rested his head against hers.
"I am a lot for one person. I get things wrong. I make it storm." Bruno continued to read. "But I love you, Félix. With all my heart. And I promise if you say yes to me, I may not be perfect, but I will give you everything I have. For the rest of my life."
Bruno put down the paper, feeling Julieta's hand on his shoulder as they watched their sister cry.
He glanced at Julieta and she nodded.
Bruno slowly approached his sister. She looked up at him with watery eyes.
"I was, uh, gonna give you this after. As a wedding present." Bruno gave her a small smile. "But... I think you should have it now."
The whole town gasped and recoiled as Bruno pulled out a green glass slate. Felix held Pepa to his chest protectively. Alma's expression hardened as she took a step forward.
Pepa watched Bruno with a terrified expression, but he just smiled.
"Here." He encouraged, gently handing it over. "They're a lot like you."
Pepa frowned in confusion, then her face softened at what she saw.
A little boy sat on Pepa's shoulders, laughing and reaching up for her rainbow. He had Pepa's curly hair, her bright eyes, her energy. Felix had his hand to Pepa's waist and in his other arm he held the most beautiful girl Pepa had ever seen. She was smiling up at her parents, a hand cupped to her ear as if she were listening to something. Her hair was wrapped in a bow and her soft face reminded Pepa of photos she'd seen of Felix's mother.
Pepa smiled, her heart melting at the sight of them.
"Things are gonna be okay, sis." Bruno said, putting a reassuring hand to her shoulder. "You're not gonna ruin anything."
Pepa looked up at him, tears in her eyes.
Bruno smiled back.
"You're gonna be happy."
30 years later
Pepa sighed at the memory, wishing she'd told Mirabel the end of the story.
She'd left in a hurry after the part about the hurricane, thanking Pepa for the information. Pepa had watched her go, deciding it was better like that.
It felt easier to make Bruno out like a villain. It was the only way Pepa could make sense of why he'd left her.
"Isabela, your boyfriend's here!"
Camilo's voice was loud, Pepa hearing it from the nursery as it echoed through the Encanto.
"Ay, he will embarrass her." Pepa laughed, shaking her head as Félix helped her pack up the box of Antonio's clothes.
"He's so much like you, amor." Félix grinned. "I remember you shouting things like that, all happy to embarrass your sister."
Pepa rolled her eyes, but smiled because it was true.
"Time for dinner!" Julieta's voice called from downstairs.
"Come on." Pepa encouraged. She went to leave the room, but Félix took her hand.
"I'm so proud of you." He smiled, giving her hand a squeeze. "That was brave, talking about your brother."
Pepa hugged him, then gestured to the room.
"It didn't rain." Her eyes were bright and hopeful. "Did you see?"
"I did." He chuckled.
Pepa kissed Félix, then took a step back, taking his hand and tugging playfully.
"Time for dinner." She grinned, repeating her sister's announcement. "We have to go set the table. Hm?"
Félix watched her in adoration. Pepa smiled as she waited for him to follow, tugging his hand again. Then her brow furrowed because he was taking too long.
"Why are you- Ay!"
Félix lifted her up over his shoulder, Pepa shrieking in surprise as he carried her out of the nursery and along the balcony.
"Stop stop stop!" Pepa laughed, her legs thrashing and a rainbow floating over her head as Félix carried her downstairs.
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Thanks so much for reading :)
I wanted to thank one of my readers KathyMesser for the idea about Antonio helping with the donkeys, which was super sweet. 3
Wishing you all a great weekend!
