I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to get this chapter posted! I proofread it quickly, so hopefully there are no errors. If you see any, feel free to let me know.
I hope you enjoy :)

After that day, Mirabel and Isaac never went more than a week without seeing each other and that was at most. They'd usually see each other every other day or so. They thoroughly enjoyed each other's company and chatting about their days. Mirabel knew he still liked her, but he never came on too strong and he never tried to physically get too close to her. She felt comfortable enough to start giving him hugs after they hung out for a few weeks, but it was always her that initiated the hugs. That really helped take some of the pressure off of her. She didn't know if he could be so chill after being told they might not ever be able to have a normal relationship, the kind of relationship she knew he wanted, but he never acted like it. He was simply a good friend to her and it was what she needed.

Sometimes they hung out just the two of them, but most of the time, Mila joined them. Isaac adored Mila and Mila adored Isaac. It melted Mirabel's heart to see the two of them interact with each other. Mila was still so full of energy and she'd talk his ear off at times. It embarrassed Mirabel and she'd tell Mila to calm down, but Isaac would always say he didn't mind it and he really didn't. Mirabel could tell he was being genuine.

Sometimes they hung out with friends that they went to school with and Mirabel really enjoyed that. She hadn't spoken to the people she went to school with much over the years, but it was good to be around them again. Mirabel had a fear that people would try to ask her questions about that horrible time in her life, but no one ever did and no one acted different around her. It was really nice.

Sometimes, Camilo joined them and that made for some really fun times. He was ecstatic that Isaac finally revealed his secret to Mirabel and he loved seeing the two of them together, even if they were just friends. Camilo never told anyone, but he really hoped Mirabel could someday handle a relationship with Isaac. They really were such a great fit and everyone could see it. Isabela, Luisa, and Dolores would sometimes hang out with them, too, and they could all see how great they were together as well.

No matter who was hanging out with Mirabel and Isaac, the two of them would stay in their own little world and give each other their undivided attention. Unless Mila was talking their ears off, they mainly focused on each other. That crush that Isaac had slowly grew stronger than ever before. He was so desperately in love with her and it hurt him that he couldn't really express that. He was never angry at Mirabel over it, because he understood and it made sense. Honestly, he was just angry at Rafael Gonzalez for all the things he took away from her. They talked about a lot of things, but one of the things she never talked about was her time with Gonzalez and he didn't dare ask. The only thing Isaac knew was that Mirabel was abused in a lot of ways by Gonzalez and that was only because of the announcement Alma made to the town the day after Mirabel was found.

Mirabel just thought of Isaac as her best friend. He was someone she was so comfortable around and she could be herself around him. Whenever she saw him, her mood would always improve and she'd be smiling so wide. Truth be told, Mirabel had never had a crush on anyone, so she didn't know what it felt like. She also never knew the feeling of properly being loved by someone. All she knew was that she loved having Isaac around and she was sad when they had to be apart.

Mila started school in the fall and absolutely loved it. It was the first time she was away from family since she was born and it made Mirabel so anxious, but Mila did amazing in school with a fantastic teacher and great friends. She loved learning new things and she was always so excited to share those new things with the family when she got back to Casita. Dolores always listened for her and there were never any problems, so that eased some of Mirabel's anxiety.

It was about a week before Mila's 6th birthday. This party would not be near as big as her 5th birthday, but she was still going to have a party with her friends and family. Mila had some questions for her mom that she was scared to ask. She had these questions for a few months now, but she kept them to herself. She still didn't know much about her father. She only knew what Mirabel told her right before her party. Mila, however, was very smart and intuitive. She knew her mama was hurt badly by her father. She didn't know what he did to her or if they were ever married like the other couples in her family. She didn't know if her mama ever loved her father, but one thing was for sure and she knew her mama loved Isaac. Mila could feel the love between all the couples in the family. It was the exact same feeling she felt when she was around Mirabel and Isaac. The way they looked at each other was the same way the other couples in the family looked at each other and everyone could see it. The only difference was that Mila could physically feel their love.

It was about an hour before dinner one evening and Mirabel was working on embroidering some clothes. She'd been working for several hours and was in a zone until Mila walked in and stood next to her. "Hey, Mama."

"Hi, mi amor." said Mirabel, still in a zone, not even looking up. "Do you have any homework you need help with?"

"I've already done it. I want to ask you something." She'd been putting this off for so long, but she finally worked up enough courage to ask her mom the questions she'd been wanting to ask her.

"Okay," Mirabel wanted to give her daughter her undivided attention, so she found a stopping point and turned to her with a smile. "What do you want to ask me?"

Mila took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She hated when her mom was upset and she hoped that asking this didn't upset her. "Abuela Julieta and Abuelo Agustin love each other. So do Tia Pepa and Tio Felix and all the other husbands and wives in the family. I know that, because I can feel it. I can feel the love they all have for each other."

Mirabel nodded, a little confused as to where this was going. "Yeah, they do all love each other. I'm sure it's nice to feel that love. Is that what you wanted to ask me about?"

"No. I wanted to know…if…you love Isaac."

Whoa. Mirabel was not expecting Mila to say that. Her heart started beating extra hard. "You want to know…if I…love Isaac?"

Mila felt so bad for causing her mom to have anxiety. Mila tried to push past these feelings of anxiety she also had now and said, "Yes. Mama, I…I can feel it. The same love that everyone else has for each other…is the same love I feel between you and Isaac. I can feel it, but…it's different with everyone else. They're all married, but…you and Isaac are just friends. You don't kiss and you don't hold hands or anything else like that. It's confusing, because if you love each other…why don't you…get together like they do? Is it because of my father?"

Mirabel was taken aback by the mention of her father and it shattered her heart to have that reminder of who Mila's father was. Mirabel could feel the panic in her chest getting higher and higher. Her breathing was uneven and shaky and she was getting dizzy. She looked back at Mila long enough to know she was feeling exactly the same way and it made her want to cry. She looked away. "Mila, go now. Please leave now." She closed her eyes and said louder than she intended, "Go!"

Mila had no idea why her mom had these feelings, but it was so new to her. The anxiety was almost too much to take and she wanted to cry. She wanted to make her mama feel better before leaving, but she was shaking too much to move. She didn't like this feeling in her chest and she didn't like that she was so dizzy now. She covered her ears and bent to the ground, trying to get this feeling to pass, but she started to cry.

Mirabel started to cry as well and right at that moment, Isabela and Luisa walked right in the room. They heard Mirabel ask Mila to leave and they could tell by her voice that something was wrong. Luisa scooped Mila up in her arms and whispered in her ear, "Let's give your mama some space." She left the room with her and closed the door.

Mirabel was already sobbing as Isabela kneeled next to her. "Mira, it's okay. She's going to be okay." She would have rubbed her back, but Mirabel was still uneasy about being touched without permission, so she resisted the urge to do that.

"No, no, it's not okay." said Mirabel through the tears and breathing heavily. "How could I do this to her? How could I not…control myself until she…until she…left the room? I'm the…worst mother." The panic attack was in full swing and Mirabel was now finding herself unable to breathe. She was so glad Mila was out of the room, but the fact that she experienced the beginning of a panic attack and cried made Mirabel feel worse than she already did. She felt like she failed her daughter.

Isabela knew there was no reasoning with Mirabel while in the middle of a panic attack. After she came home, panic attacks happened almost daily for months after. It was 6 years later and she rarely got them, but when she did, it was just as bad as they were before. "Mirabel, listen to the sound of my voice." said Isabela as calmly as she could. "Take deep breaths. You are okay. Mila is okay. You are safe in your room. Mila is safe with Luisa."

Isabela started to take deep breaths for Mirabel to mirror and it took a few moments, but Mirabel finally started to take deep breaths. They were very erratic and shaky at first, but they turned deep and she calmed herself down after a few minutes.

"I can't believe…Mila just had a panic attack…because of me."

Gently, Isabela brushed some of Mirabel's hair back. Thankfully, Mirabel didn't flinch at her touch. "Her gift is empathy. It was bound to happen sooner or later and it's not your fault. Your feelings are valid, no matter what caused it."

Mirabel nodded, not feeling convinced, and took another deep breath. She started to cry again. "Do you think I love Isaac?"

Isabela's eyes widened. She wondered if this was related to the panic attack. "Uh…why do you ask?"

"Well, apparently I do, but…I just don't know." She shook her head. "Mila said that…the love she feels that all the husbands and wives have for each other in the family gives her the same feeling when Isaac and I are together. She asked why…we weren't together if…we love each other." Mirabel closed her eyes to brace herself. "She asked…if it was because of…her father." She shook her head. She whispered, "And of course it is. Everything is because of him."

"Ahh," said Isabela, understanding the panic attack even more now. "You've got a smart girl on your hands."

Mirabel glanced up at her. "So, is she right? Am I crazy for not…being with Isaac?"

"First of all, I don't think your daughter was insinuating that you're crazy, because you're not. She is just going off of what she feels when around you guys. And second of all…the only thing that matters is how you feel." Isabela smiled sympathetically at her sister. "You don't have to be with Isaac, just because you have these feelings for him. If that's…something you want…that's okay, too. He's a great guy."

Mirabel bit her lip and blinked the tears out of her eyes. "I guess…maybe I do…love him." Saying it out loud was so weird. "I've known for almost a year that he likes me. He told me then that he didn't want to pressure me and he knew I may never be ready for a relationship. To this day, that remains true. Outside of our family, he is the only guy I feel comfortable with." She smiled as she thought about him. Her smile went away as she started off with her next part. "Despite being so comfortable around him and possibly loving him…the thought of…doing anything…that couples do together and I'm talking about the most innocent little things, like holding hands or kissing…" She shuddered. "Just…makes me want to…scream and cry. I can't do it, Isa." She looked down as tears filled her eyes. "I can't do it."

"And you don't have to," she said quickly. "Nobody is saying you have to be with him."

"But Mila asked why I'm not with him. Don't I owe her an answer?"

Isabela smirked. "Your daughter is a girl with many questions most of the time. All you have to tell her is that it's not that easy and leave it at that. I know she's not used to always having her questions answered. This can be one of those times."

Mirabel took a few more deep breaths. "Should I tell Isaac about this? I mean…it involves him and if I do…actually…love him…shouldn't he know? Or would that be unfair to him? It would be like, 'Hey, Isaac, I think I'm in love with you, but things have to stay exactly the same, so we'll just continue on like I never told you anything.' I mean, that's crazy. It sounds crazy."

Isabela shrugged. "I mean…I think it would be okay to tell him, but you don't have to tell him right away. Give it a few weeks or more and then you can decide how you want to tell him or if you want to tell him at all, because you don't have to if you don't want to. That boy truly cares about you, Mirabel. Everyone can see it. He will understand." Isabela knew that Mirabel loved Isaac. It was so obvious to everyone. Everyone, besides Mirabel. She really hoped that Gonzalez didn't ruin her to the point of her never being able to be in a relationship. She deserved to be happy with someone like Isaac. Only time would tell how it worked out.

Mirabel agreed that was a good idea. She felt much better and she thought it was now time to go check on Mila. She was ready to give her a big hug and apologize for the panic attack. Isabela and Mirabel left the room and went downstairs and found Mila in the kitchen with Julieta and Luisa, helping with dinner. Luisa had brought Mila down to the kitchen where Julieta was starting on dinner. Julieta stopped what she was doing and Luisa handed Mila off to her after giving her a brief explanation. Julieta consoled Mila and helped her feel better and now, she was good as new helping her abuela cook dinner.

Mirabel walked in the kitchen and Mila immediately noticed. She smiled really big and jumped off the stool she was standing on to go give her mama a hug. "Mama, I'm so sorry." she said after they hugged. "I didn't mean to upset you. I don't ever want to make you feel like that again."

Mirabel bent down to her level and kissed her on the forehead. "No, mi vida, it's okay. You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry I reacted the way I did." Times like this Mirabel really hated Mila's gift. Mila still loved it, though, and didn't see it as a burden in the slightest. "To answer the question you had, though…it's more complicated than just being with Isaac like that. I wish…I could be with him like that, but it's really hard for me. Do you understand?"

Mila nodded. "I understand, Mama. I love you."

"I love you so much." Mirabel kissed her again on the forehead.

Just before dinner, while Mila was distracted helping get the table set, Julieta pulled Mirabel aside briefly to ask if she was okay. Mirabel smiled and nodded. It used to be that Julieta was the only one who could pull Mirabel out of those moments, but they were both so happy that Mirabel could trust other people enough to allow them to help her, too.

Before Mirabel knew it, it was her daughter's 6th birthday. 6 whole years had come and gone. Her tiny, baby girl wasn't a baby anymore. Her birthday brought about a bunch of extra bittersweet memories. When Mirabel gave birth to Mila, it was just a few months after she came home and it brought her back to how that felt. In some ways, coming home felt like a lifetime ago, but in other ways, it felt just like yesterday. The memories of those 18 months were still so vivid in her mind.

Mirabel tried to avoid Isaac for a couple of days after Mila asked her that question, but it was pointless to try and avoid him forever. Honestly, Mirabel didn't want to be away from him for long. He brought so much happiness into her life. She acted nervous around him at first, but told herself she could talk to him about what Mila asked at another time and it calmed her down. She knew he could probably tell she was a little nervous, but he never acted different around her.

At Mila's party, she had a cake and her friends around her. Everyone was singing to her. Mirabel had to take deep breaths to stay calm as Mila blew out the candles on her cake. Next to her was Isaac. He whispered, "Are you okay?" He could tell she was anxious, but he didn't know why.

Mirabel took one more deep breath and glanced at him, her heart fluttering. She smiled and nodded.

Mila started to open up her presents. She got all kinds of things that she was so excited about and thanked her friends for. She got to Isaac's present. Mirabel told Isaac he didn't have to get her anything, but he wanted to.

Inside the box was this beautiful little doll. Mila gasped and her eyes widened. Mirabel had the same reaction. She instantly recognized this doll. One afternoon, months ago, Isaac, Mirabel, and Mila were walking through town. In the window of a shop, there was this doll. Nothing hugely special, but the doll had dark, curly hair and a beautiful dress that Mila loved. She wanted the doll so badly, but Mirabel told her she didn't need it. That girl had so many toys and dolls and Mirabel knew she'd be getting so many more toys on her birthday, so she didn't need the doll. Mila pouted for a minute, but then got over it and forgot about it. Mirabel forgot about it, too. The two of them suddenly remembered that day.

"Isaac!" Mila exclaimed. "You remembered!"

"Of course I remembered." he said with a smile. "Happy birthday, Mila."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, I love her so much!" With the doll in hand, Mila got up from her seat at the table and ran to Isaac and gave him a big hug.

"You're welcome, sweet girl."

Mirabel could have burst into tears. She knew Isaac was amazing, but this was more than that. This gesture meant so much to her. This was a doll Mila saw in a store window months ago and briefly mentioned one time and that was the end of it. She couldn't believe he remembered.

Mirabel knew. Mirabel knew she'd never find a man who truly cared about her daughter the same way Isaac did. Mirabel knew she'd never find a man who truly cared about her as much as he did. She knew he would be so understanding about everything, because he already proved that to be true. She didn't know how this would work or if she could even handle a relationship, but she couldn't let another day go by without telling this amazing man how she felt.

The party ended and Mila was off in her room, playing with all her new toys along with Gabi and Maria. Dolores was listening in on the girls playing, which made Mirabel feel much better. Isaac helped finish cleaning everything up and was getting ready to leave. Mirabel wanted to tell him the truth before he left, so she walked him outside and they stood outside together.

"Thank you for Mila's gift." she started off. "That was so sweet of you."

"Well, I was happy to do it." he said with a smile. "Seeing the smile on her face was worth it."

Mirabel smiled, feeling butterflies in her tummy. This was a whole new feeling that she wasn't used to. "Um…before you go…I wanted to talk to you…about something. Can we sit down on the porch?" Her legs were shaking, so she thought she could tell him this much better sitting down.

"Yeah, for sure." he said and they both sat down on the porch. "What's up?"

Mirabel decided she needed to just be completely honest with him and tell him exactly how she felt. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for this. "This is probably going to sound…I don't know…weird, but…I have to tell you."

"You know you can always tell me anything."

She nodded. "I know." She gulped, heart beating so fast and whole body shaking. "I think I'm in love with you."

Isaac blinked a few times, in complete shock. He dreamed of this moment for over 10 years. He dreamed of her returning his feelings and wanting to be together. Over the last year, he had accepted the fact that he might not ever be able to be in a relationship with her. He knew she enjoyed his company and he knew that he made her happy. She didn't have to tell him; he could just tell by her smile around him. He thought she only saw him as a best friend, nothing more. "Uh…you, uh…what?"

"I'm sorry." she said shakily. "I know it's not fair. I told you a year ago that I might not ever be able to be in a relationship and a part of me…still feels that way. But…these feelings that I have…I just…I couldn't shake them." She took a shaky breath. "Can you understand that?"

"Absolutely," he whispered. "That's why I told you I liked you a year ago. I had these feelings that wouldn't go away."

She nodded. She bit her lip, trying to work up the courage to tell him this next part. "I want you to understand why…a relationship…is so hard for me."

"No, Mirabel, you don't have to explain anything to me. It's none of my business."

"It, uh…it kind of is your business since I just told you what I told you." She took a deep breath as she braced herself for sharing details of that dark time in her life. "He wanted a wife. He wanted someone…that would stay with him and…do whatever…he wanted. He laid eyes on me when I was around eleven or twelve." This felt so weird, yet comforting at the same time. She was happy that she was being honest with him. This was the first time she was sharing any details about her time with Gonzalez with someone outside of the family. She shared brief details with Sofia, but only if it pertained to her pregnancy and the health of her baby. "That was when he decided…he wanted me."

Isaac already hated this man, but hearing that he wanted her when she was a literal child absolutely disgusted him. "What the hell. There are so many things messed up with that. I'm so sorry, Mirabel."

"I know. When he saw his opportunity, after I ran away when Casita fell…" She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to not let the painful memories overtake her completely. "He threatened me with a knife, saying he would kill me…and my family if…I didn't go with him or if I tried to escape. So…I went with him. I had no other choice." She looked at the ground as her eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away. She did not want to cry in front of him.

Isaac couldn't believe she was sharing this with him, but he was hanging on her every word and just listening intently.

"He basically…kept me as a wife, but…never treated me like I should have been treated. I mean…nothing was ever my choice. He would forcefully…kiss me…if he wanted to." She had to take deep breaths to stop the overwhelming pain that she felt in her chest. "He would grab me or…touch me…if he wanted to. And…even if I begged him not to, he would…um, he would…" She wrapped her arms around herself, almost trying to hug the pain away. She wanted to finish her sentence, but she couldn't. She had to keep her eyes closed to stop from bursting into tears.

"You don't have to say it." he whispered shakily. Isaac had no words he knew that would help. The pain Mirabel went through was something no person should ever have to go through. It was just so unfair.

"I wish it wasn't like this." she said shakily, tears falling down her cheeks, no matter how hard she tried to stop it. She quickly wiped them away, hoping he didn't see it, but he did and it broke his heart. "I wish we could…have a normal relationship like everyone else in the world can have. He took…so much away from me that I can never get back and it makes me…so angry."

He nodded and whispered, "It makes me angry, too."

"It makes me so angry that he forced me to have a child at sixteen years old. Don't get me wrong…I love Mila more than anything in this entire world. She has helped me heal in ways I never thought I could. But…knowing that he is her father…it just sucks and is so unfair. All she knows about him is that he was mean to me before she was born and he is locked away and can never hurt anyone again. I know someday she'll have to learn the truth and…I dread that day."

Isaac nodded. "Yeah, I can imagine."

Mirabel took a deep, shaky breath. She was sitting about a foot away from him. She thought to herself, I can do this. Very slowly, she scooted closer to him. Not quite touching, but almost. "Can we try something? I may not…be able to handle it, but…I want to try."

"Whatever you want, Mira,"

"Can you…hold out your hand?" Her heart was beating so fast and she really, really wanted to be okay with this.

Isaac nodded and held out his hand. She stared at it. She had to keep telling herself that this was her choice. No one was making her do this. She bit her lip and with very shaky hands, she put her hand in his hand. She interlaced her fingers with his.

Mirabel closed her eyes, fulling feeling this moment, and telling herself where she was. She was at Casita. She was safe. She was with her best friend, who she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, would never hurt her. She was not 15 or 16 years old in the house of Rafael Gonzalez. She was 22 years old and she was free from his abuse. She'd never have to see him again.

Mirabel was shocked that her heart beat slowed down to a normal speed. Very slowly, she leaned her head on his shoulder, eyes still closed. She took a few relaxing, deep breaths. She was so proud of herself for being able to handle this. He was proud of her for being okay with this.

"Thank you for being patient with me," she whispered. "I appreciate it…more than you know."

"One step at a time," he whispered. "We've got this."

Just so you're aware, we will be seeing a lot of time jumps coming up.
Until next time... ;)