"Did you have fun at your lesson today, mi Amor?" Dolores heard his mother ask as she was checking to ensure he got home safely. There was no reason he shouldn't get home safely, but was there any harm in checking?
"Si mama, Ms. Julieta sent me home with some arepas for papa and I brought some flowers for the table," he said.
"So beautiful, just like that Madrigal girl," she said, her teasing tone rang like church bells.
"Oh mama," Mariano laughed as he helped put things away. "It's not like that."
"What?" she asked innocently. "I can't say she's not beautiful? She is beautiful. You have eyes, they work. You can agree."
"She's talked to me maybe once," he insisted. "You and Alma need to stop this scheming."
"Scheming? What scheming? The Madrigals love you and the town loves you and I love you, is it so wrong I want you to find something you love?"
"...or someone?" he filled in the blanks for her,
"You said it not me," his mama said, dropping the matter. This was not the first conversation the two had had regarding love. Mariano was a romantic, yes, but he was also very studious. Hi love of piano had not only awakened his love of music but his love of teaching. And he knew to be a good teacher he needed to be a good student and so threw himself into school. He rebuffed any attempts at his mother's matchmaking as politely as possible, much to Dolores' joy but even she knew from miles away that when Mariano fell he would fall hard. He was already in love with the idea of love and once it became something tangible she knew he would never let it go.

The way he felt love so deeply, he also felt sadness. When his father passed away, Dolores had never heard silence quite so loud. It happened suddenly, but not so suddenly. His health had been fading beyond what Julieta's baking could do, and though the treats ensured he felt no pain, his loss was tremendous. Mariano was never one to shy away from emotions, but he stayed strong for his mama. She spent more time at Casita now, as Alma knew exactly how she felt and offered her condolences with her company.
Dolores wanted to comfort him but also wanted to be respectful. She couldn't let her own emotions take over when he was so vulnerable, allowing her nerves to have him misunderstood her and possibly make things worse. She put her sentiments on paper, and hoped he would be able to find comfort in them. She placed the note in an envelope among the flowers Isabella had prepared and continued to track his grieving from afar.
Mariano threw himself into his work; his father was what ignited his love for music and there was nothing that honored his memory more that Mariano filling the town with music. He did not need to come for his piano lessons anymore; Agustin had passed the torch and now Mariano taught the children in town music. He taught piano, and chorus and his love of literature lead him to study to be the next literature teacher. Dolores would still see him in passing in town, and would still hear him recite his poetry at night, but with him becoming a more active member of the community, she worried he was back to simply being a voice to her. She cared about him and was happy he was okay, but as the years made him bolder and louder she found herself becoming quieter.
His mother was overjoyed at his progress, which Dolores knew meant the world to him. Outside his schooling, his mother did all the talking. He was her whole world; a did not have it in his heart to correct her. When she suggested he wore a certain shirt because it complimented his eyes, he bought five. When she mentioned a song her father sued to sing all the time, he taught it to his students for the spring concert. When she wouldn't stop talking about how beautiful the Madrigal girl was, he agreed with all his heart. Whenever they spoke of her family, Dolores quickly found something else to focus on. If they were talking about her, she wanted them to have their privacy. She didn't know why she didn't want to know what they said; it might not be bad. It might be good, very good. All she knew is that he did not want his mother to meddle in affairs of the heart, but Dolores heard that each time his mother brought up "the Madrigal girl" (as it came to be known) Mariano's tone become brighter. The way the first time you hear a song, you know there's something special there but by the 12th time it's familiar and comforting. How a song becomes your favorite, how you grow to love it.
One day, Mariano was up earlier than usual. Dolores heard he was chipper and happy as he nearly ran out the door. He ran past the market, past the schoolhouse, and then past the last house before casita. He was coming to casita! She had a flashback, she felt an excitement she hadn't felt in years. Her mind went back in time, recalling him seeking approval from his mother, guidance, calming nerves. For what? Someone walked by him and asked where he was going and he responded "To see the Madrigal girl,"
Dolores' heart flipped and soared and she felt as though she was going to throw up. But no! This was good! This was perfect! This was… so sudden. Nevertheless, she stood by the door and heard as his footsteps got closer. He was coming to casita! She realized then that she missed him, even thought she could always feel as though he was near nothing compared to having him close. Even the sound of his footsteps made her swoon, how were his footsteps so light? They had purpose and promise like he was marching in a parade.
Dolores paced, the echo of her own footsteps making her even more frantic. She fluffed her dress, she fluffed her hair, she debated entering from the staircase versus the living room, how did the sunlight-
Knock knock!
He was here! She fell to the ground. She knew he couldn't see her, but she couldn't risk it. But she couldn't be the one to answer the door this time!
"Camilo! Camilo!" She whispered loudly as her brother caught her eye walking by.
"Que pasa?" He said, not seeing her at first. "You, uh, drop something there Do?"
"I need you to answer the door,"
"Why are your legs broken?"
"No no they're here for Abuela,"
"Oh, I see," he said, transforming into the matriarch. "Got into some trouble in town did we? Don't worry, I'll get the to-."
"No, no," she interrupted. "He's here to see Abuela but you need to answer the door and call for her when he asks."
"O...Kay?" He said walking over to the door as himself, half convinced this was a part of some kind of not very funny prank. "Welcome to casita! How may I help ya?"
"Good evening young man," began the man. "My name is Mariano Guzman I've come to speak with your Abuela if I may. Do you know if she's home?"
"Lemme check," smiled Camilo. "Hey Abuela! Door!"
Dolores' ears rang, the shouting happened so close. Casita's floorboards bounced Camilo in the air a tad, urging him to try again. He groaned. "Sorry casita," he said, clearing his throat and said in a monotone voice. "Please come in while I retrieve my beloved Abuela to speak with you."
Mariano stepped inside and Dolores snuck a look at him from her hiding spot. He seemed nervous, she heard his heard beating rapidly.
"Ah, senor Mariano!" She heard her Abuela exclaim with a light laugh. "I've been expecting you!"
"Thank you for taking time to speak with me, senora," he said, taking her hand with gratitude.
"Of course, anything for you," she smiled. "Your mother told me how busy you've been, helping her at home and then at the schoolhouse."
"Yes well, it's hardly work when you do what you love ," he said with a sort of humbleness Dolores rarely heard
"Agustin taught you well; you've become such a wonderful young man," mused Abuela. "Now how can I help you my dear boy?"
"Well," he chuckled as a small blush found its way into his cheeks. "Ever since I started coming here I've been captivated by your granddaughter and I would love your blessing in getting to know her better."
"Are you suggesting a courtship?"
"Si, if she will have me,"
"A fine upstanding man like you? It would honor my family! Dolores!" She called. She couldn't tell if she was calling her because she saw her as Abuela often called Dolores to rely messages because she knew she would always hear her.
She revealed herself from behind the staircase, trying not to look too eager and trying not to look like she had just been hiding on the floor seconds ago.
"Yes Abuela?" She said as though she was totally oblivious
"Would you fetch Isabella for me? Mr. Mariano would like to speak with her."
Her heart sank. It darted around her chest to her throat and then dropped and deflated.
Chirp.
"Of course," she said, disguising her disappointment so only she could hear it. "Be right back."
She lingered for a moment, hoping he would stop her, hoping he would correct Abuela. But no, they continued to sing Isabella's praises. And why shouldn't they? She was perfect. She was so easy to fall in love with. How could she have not known it was Isabella?

"So how was your visit with Mr. Mariano?" Dolores asked after dinner.
"Fine, I guess," sighed an unimpressed Isabella. "The usual suitor visit."
"He's really nice," tried Dolores. "I thought I heard music earlier." That was a lie, she knew she did.
"He brought his guitar over because he read that music helps plants grow," groaned Isabelle. "But like, that's what I do, they don't need music. They grow when I want them to."
Chirp
"I think it was a sweet gesture," Dolores said. "And… he really likes you."
"Everyone likes me," Isabella said still unimpressed
"And Abuela really likes him,"
"She does, doesn't she?"
"Yeah," continued Dolores. "Hes kind and respectful and Abuela thinks he'd be good for you, for the family."
"I guess you're right,"
"And he's a teacher, so he's patient," Dolores went on, more to herself. "He loves the kids and they love him. And he takes care of his mother and he's a writer, he writes his own songs and poems. He has a lovely voice, and he-."
"Okay! I get it!" Yelled Isabella. The family knew not to yell at Dolores, how it pained her and rang in her ears. There was a genuine anger in Isabella's voice that Dolores had not heard before. It wasn't the annoyance she would get when Mirabel jumped in puddles and got her wet or the frustration she held when Camilo impersonated her. Why did talking about how wonderful Mariano was upset her? These were true things about him, wonderful things, why would they anger her?
Was it because Dolores was the one saying them?
"I'm sorry," whispered Dolores. "I didn't mean to upset you. I understand why you'd-."
"No, it's fine," there was pain in her voice, just beneath the surface but she quickly collected herself. "I guess I'll just have to get to know him better, I suppose. Since Abuela likes him so much."
"And how do you feel about him?"
"Well," she twirled her hair searching for a prepared and rehearsed answer, not used to feeling flustered. "He certainly has good qualities… that would compliment my… good qualities…"
"He's liked you for a very long time," whispered Dolores, putting the dishes away. "He talks about you to his mother."
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"Because I thought-." It was suspicious. Dolores told the family basically everything that concerns them that she heard. But it was embarrassing for her to admit that she thought Mariano was captivated by her this whole time. That she wanted him to be. Why did she want him to be? Unless-
Chirp.
It wasn't until right then that it hit her.
"-I thought it would be more romantic to hear it from him." She finished, hoping Isabella believed her.
"Well, next time please let me know if he says anything else," said Isa with a classic hair flip. "I don't like being surprised."
"But do you like him?" Dolores couldn't believe the words left her lips, it happened before she could think about how it sounded and before she knew what she even meant.
"Does it really matter if I like him?" Isabllea said after a pause, not looking at her cousin. "You heard Abuela when he came to the door, she adores him. She wants him in this family. She said that seeing him and me together reminded her of her and Abuelo Pedro when they were young. How could I deny her that?"
Only Isabella could make such a sad confession still seem so elegant. She closed the cupboard and made her way to the stairs.
"Just please don't mention it to anyone, especially Abuela. I can't allow anything to ruin this perfect courtship."
"Of course,"
"Dolores I'm serious," and indeed she was. "I know you have trouble keeping secrets but this is different, this is-"
This is my secret too, thought Dolores.
"Of course," she promised.
Of course she would keep this secret, she had been keeping this secret for years already. This was the beginning of her prophecy. And she knew how it was meant to end.

She never called it what it was, not aloud. She didn't trust herself to hear it plain and simple and not repeat it. Mariano was around Casita more now, visiting with Isabella. Dolores tried not to be around during these but her gift did not let her rest and told her exactly what they entailed. Mariano would swoon and sigh and sing and Isabella responded as though she was in a play. She always cut the visits short, saying she had so much to do and he was always so understanding. Dolores suspected that Isabella was trying to have him lose interest in her but absence made the heart grow fonder. This was evident by the way his heart beat each time he saw her. Like a mariposa free and dancing, his heartbeat called out to her so each time he came to casita she still made sure she was the one to answer the door. Letting him in was somehow both punishment and reward. He would greet her and thank her and acknowledge her, but Dolores knew he did not see her.
But Mariano had so much to keep him busy. Usually, children learning instruments was her least favorite sound; they were sharp and off key and overlapped in a way that made her head spin but Mariano was amazing. Even if she wasn't enamored with the teacher, Dolores would still find reason to pass by the schoolhouse to hear their latest rehearsal. The instruments and voices blending together so effortlessly you would think they'd been playing together for years. She suspected it was the joy that came from the unbridled encouragement of their teacher. Every minor detail about him made her prophecy sting even more.
But Isabella was her oldest and best friend, and if she was hiding her unhappiness because needed this courtship to continue then Dolores could do the same. Because even though the two cousins were not as close as they once were, she knew Isabella would be supportive if she knew of Dolores' feelings for Mariano. But how could she fight the prophecy? No one had ever fought one of Bruno's prophecies. What could happen? Mariano could despise her, Abuela might not approve, it might not be what was best for the family.
Only one person could say for sure, if anyone could. And as far as anyone knew, he was long gone. When in fact, Dolores knew he was living in the walls.