Chapter 21: Change

22 years before Encanto

Alma knelt beside her daughter's bed, stroking fingers through Julieta's sweaty hair while she gasped in pain.

"It's okay." Alma reassured her, kissing Julieta's forehead. "It's okay. You're okay, mija. It just means the baby is ready."

"I didn't cook enough." Julieta whimpered. "The food, Mama. I didn't-" She groaned, gripping tight to Agustin as pain shot through her body again, making her back stiffen.

"I love you." Agustin told Julieta, holding her in his arms and kissing her. "Don't worry about the cooking. The most important thing right now is that you're okay."

Alma glanced at him, impressed at how well he was handling this.

Julieta's back stiffened again and she sobbed.

"It hurts." She whispered, not used to being in so much pain. She took a shuddering breath then cried out, hiding her face against Agustin.

Rain pattered over Julieta's face and Alma turned to see her other daughter, watching with wide and frightened eyes from where Felix held her.

"Clear skies, Pepa." Alma scolded. "No clouds. Think of your sister, this is already hard enough without you raining on her."

Felix felt Pepa flinch back in shame, so he kissed her face, cuddling her close.

"Got you, mi amor." He whispered, kissing along Pepa's face and down her neck. She shivered, turning to rest her head against his. "Are you feeling scared?"

Pepa nodded, hands stroking her braid as she tried to internalise her weather.

"It's okay to be scared." Felix kissed her again, gently stroking her belly. "Is it because it will be you soon, too?"

Pepa shook her head, then whispered back. "I don't like to see her hurting."

Later

"Want to hold Isabela? " Agustin encouraged, offering their new baby to Bruno, who chuckled nervously.

"Me?" Bruno looked surprised, then timid. "Oh, I couldn't go anywhere near her." He held up his hands, waving them a little as he backed up. "I'd just drop her. And the rats, well they get really territorial, so-"

Seeing Julieta frown in protest, Bruno quickly added, "But you know, Pepa, she really wants a turn."

"Yes!" Pepa exclaimed, bounding forward. Felix chuckled, shielding his eyes from the blinding sunlight.

"Tia's turn!" Pepa announced, taking the baby and covering it with kisses. "Ay, que te amo! Look at you!"

Bruno wiped his brow in relief, quietly backing away and pulling up his hood as rainbows surrounded them.

Alma stood at a distance while the others celebrated. She couldn't stop staring out the window, feeling tense. Alma had an awful feeling that something bad was about to happen.

What if her daughter had to pick up that baby and run?Would this be the last day of their life like this, before it all changed again? Was this the last day they had Casita?

Alma's breath caught as every shadow and light outside the window played tricks on Alma's eyes. She searched, bracing herself for the inevitable horse riders, carrying flaming torches and swords.

"She looks just like her Abuela." Julieta spoke proudly, then turned to see Alma standing at the window. "Mama. Come meet Isabela."

Casita nudged Alma and she turned around, seeing her family all smiling over at her.

Alma exhaled slowly, because they all looked so happy. But this was exactly how Alma had felt, right before her entire world had fallen apart. She didn't want that to happen to Julieta, but wasn't sure how to stop it.

Bruno came over to Alma, placing a hand to her shoulder and watching from under his hood.

"Brunito." She said softly.

"Hernando." He corrected her. "And I'm scared of nothing."

Alma took a steady breath, glancing out the window again. "That must be nice."

There was a shuffling sound, and Alma turned back to see Bruno had taken off his green ruana. He held it out for her.

"It'll help." Bruno told her, eyes shining with sincerity. "I promise it will."

Alma didn't know if she believed that, but her son was being too kind for her not to humour him. She slipped on the green ruana, and Bruno gently brought the hood up over her head. It was warm and cuddly and smelled like him.

"There you go, Mama." He smiled. "Now you're safe."

Alma took a shaky breath, wishing that could be true.

"You have to believe it." He told her. "If you believe it, then I promise it'll work. You won't feel scared anymore."

She nodded, taking a deep breath.

I'm not scared of anything.

Alma felt determination rise within her as she remembered saying that all the time to herself as a young girl, before the war shattered her innocence. Alma glanced over to Julieta, remembering what it'd felt like, and realising how important it was that she was there for her daughter in this moment.

"Looks like it worked." Bruno smiled in encouragement. "Good old Hernando. Never lets you down."

Alma smiled back at him from under the hood.

"Come on." Bruno encouraged, gently taking her hand and leading her over. "Time to be an Abuela, just like your door."

Alma couldn't help but laugh, which made Bruno grin.

Alma didn't know if she'd ever be able to put this beautiful baby down. The moment she saw Isabela's face, everything changed.

"She's perfect." Alma whispered, captivated by the way Isabela's dark eyes watched hers. Isabela had the same intelligent gaze as her mother, quietly taking in the world.

It felt strange to hold a baby like this again, knowing that there was someone's entire life in your hands, a future that you could shape, for better or for worse.

Alma hadn't really had a chance to enjoy her own children like this when they were babies. The early years were a blur of panic and tears and clinging to the triplets for dear life. Alma knew she had messed up a lot with her own children, but was determined not to repeat the same mistakes twice. This time, Alma was going to get it right.

The little girl held Alma's fingers and smiled, looking up with big, sparkling eyes. Alma's breath caught as she realised the baby looked almost exactly like her sisters.

"Do you love her, Mama?" Julieta asked, watching with tired but hopeful eyes as Alma stroked the baby's sleek black hair. Agustin kissed Julieta, cuddling her as they watched.

"I do." Alma told her, unable to hold back her smile. "I love her so much, mija."

Julieta smiled back, blinking slowly in exhaustion. She relaxed into Agustin, as if now she knew that Mama approved, everything else would be alright. Agustin gently wiped the hair that'd slicked to Julieta's forehead, kissing her head as she rested against his chest and closed her eyes.

Isabela continued to watched Alma with intelligent eyes, and Alma couldn't look away.

This was a fresh chance for Alma to get things right. To change for the better. Alma would never say a harsh word, never lay a hand on this little angel.

Alma felt determined to give Isabela the childhood that she and her sisters never had. To shield her from the cruelty of this world, to make sure nothing ever hurt her.

"Isabela." Alma whispered. "I promise, you are going to have the perfect life."