Chapter 43

40 years before Encanto


"This is the coolest thing ever!" Agustin told Bruno, dancing ahead while Bruno grinned.

The boys circled the big bell, ducking under it and calling out in excitement. They laughed at their warped reflections and the way their voices echoed.

Pepa wiped her nose as she watched them, a cloud still over her head from earlier. She felt a hand take hers, and Wish smiled at her.

"Come on, Pepa." She encouraged. "Let's look inside."

All the sound reverberated when Pepa stepped inside the bell, her reflection distorting in the curved metal. She watched as Bruno and Agustin called out, their voices bouncing, and her face lit up into a smile.

Agustin begin to sing and Pepa was surprised because it didn't sound so bad. He was a pretty good singer. Bruno not so much. Bruno made loud noises as his sister came to join him. Pepa shrieked too and their sounds bounced back at them. Pepa laughed, calling out and singing with them.

After the four of them had their fun with the bell, they went over to the lookout and gasped as they could see the entire village and Encanto from up there.

Bruno and Pepa exchanged a knowing smile, because it was exactly like in their vision. Well, almost.

At the thought of the vision and their powers fusing, Pepa frowned. It felt wrong that Julieta was not here. She was should be here with them.

"Do you see her?" Agustin asked.

Pepa searched the streets below.

"That way." Bruno corrected Pepa, pointing up to the sky.

Oh. Pepa realised. They were asking about Sunshine, not Julieta.

Pepa looked up, but didn't feel anything except a longing for her sister. Bruno came in closer.

"I can't do it." She said sadly. "Not without Juli."

He put a hand to her shoulder.

"Sis," Bruno spoke gently. "This is something you've gotta do yourself... Julieta can't do this for you, and neither can I. We can help get you up here, we can support you and hold you, but, in the end, well... Saving Sunshine comes down to you."

Pepa took a deep breath, absorbing his words.

"Come on, Pepi!" Agustin encouraged, banging loudly on the bell. "I'll help you!"

The others turned to shush him, but it was too late. The sound reverberated over the land.

Bruno sighed.

There was muffled shouting from beyond the door as the priest heard the bell ring.

They all ducked under the bell and covered their ears, but in his panic Agustin ran straight into it, knocking himself out and dropping to the ground.

"Gus!" Bruno whispered in concern, reaching for his friend, but Agustin didn't respond.

They dragged him under just before the priest emerged.

"Come out, right now." The priest called in an angry tone. "Stealing from the church, sneaking up here! You're gonna be in a lot of trouble!"

They gulped, looking down at Agustin.

Bruno held Agustin's head in his lap, gently patting his cheek, but his friend didn't wake.

"Gus." Bruno's voice was filled with worry. Agustin didn't open his eyes.

"Come out now." The priest called out, his feet circling the bell.

They glanced at eachother in panic.

It was going to look like they'd hurt Agustin. Pepa and Bruno knew it'd be the first thing everyone would suspect.

Wish's expression softened. She turned to them.

"When I go out there," She whispered. "I want you to take Abeja Grande and run."

"What?" Pepa hissed. "We're not leaving you behind."

Wish smiled sadly.

"Don't you get it?" She told Pepa. "It's like Julieta said. This is my chance to make things right. To be a good person... I owe you that much, Pepa."

Pepa watched her friend go, unsure what to say back.

"Go on." Wish encouraged. "Go save Sunshine."


Pepa and Bruno huffed and wheezed as they struggled to carry Agustin down the stairs. He was younger than them, but big for his age.

"Don't.. drop him." Pepa gasped, seeing her brother's grip slipping.

They made it about halfway before they had to stop, the two of them collapsing and gasping for breath.

"So heavy." Pepa moaned, leaning back on the steps as her chest heaved.

"That's why... Big Bee." Bruno panted, then they both looked at eachother and laughed breathlessly.

The door up top of the stairs shut and the priest's voice echoed as he came down.

"Your parents wont be happy about this, Señorita Pezmuerto." He scolded.

"I was just trying to send a message to Pezito."

The siblings gasped, scrambling back to their feet. They grunted softly as they lifted Agustin again, their legs trembling with effort as they continued carrying him down the stairs.

They made it a little further, then dropped down again.

Pepa whimpered, too exhausted to keep going. She hugged Bruno, knowing they were about to be caught.

Bruno rested his forehead against hers, the two of them closing their eyes as they heard footsteps approach.

"You're okay." A familiar voice whispered. "Come on."

They looked up to see it was Julieta.

"Hermana?" Pepa gasped, her face lighting up.

Julieta nodded with a smile.

"You came back." Bruno grinned.

"Of course I'd come back." She reassured them, ducking down to check Agustin. She gently stroked back his fringe. "Is he okay?"

"He ran into the bell." Pepa explained.

"Ay Agustin." Julieta sighed, putting his arm around her shoulders and lifting him. Pepa took his other arm while Bruno took the legs.

Julieta glanced up the stairs at the sound of the priest approaching, then turned and led her siblings away, their combined strength making it easier.


Later


Agustin moaned softly, his eyes fluttering open. He saw Julieta leaning over him and his breath caught.

"How do you feel?" She asked, her eyes searching his in concern.

He stared up at Julieta. The setting sun behind her head made her look more like an Angel than usual.

"You okay?" Julieta tried again, her brow furrowed a little.

Agustin nodded, eyes wide and unblinking.

Julieta turned to Bruno. "You sure he's-"

"He's fine." Bruno assured her. "That's normal Agustin. Right, bro?"

Agustin smiled, enjoying the nickname. "Right, bro."

"Come on," Bruno helped his friend up. He brushed off Agustin's clothes, then checked his face. "Yeah, you're alright." He straightened his glasses. "Cmon, I'll walk you home."

"Thanks." Agustin said nervously, eyes darting back to Julieta.

Pepa exhaled in a puff.

"I helped too." She announced.

"Sorry." Agustin said quickly. "Thanks Pepi."

Bruno patted a hand to his friend's back, helping him up.

As they walked away Agustin turned to Bruno, his whispering way too loud. "Did Julieta breathe in my mouth to wake me?"

"What?" Bruno hissed back. "Ew! No."

"Sorry." Agustin blushed. "It's just, I thought that's how you save someone."

"No!" Bruno shook his head. "Definitely not." He shuddered at the thought.

Pepa giggled, while Julieta just sighed, shaking her head.


"Sorry I wasn't there, Pepi." Julieta said quietly as they walked home together. "I know it hurt your feelings when I left."

Pepa nodded, holding her sister's hand.

Julieta paused, hoping Pepa would say something back, but her sister kept quiet.

"But you know," Julieta continued, "Some of the things you said really hurt my feelings too." Julieta took a deep breath as she remembered. "Especially when you said I was just like Mama... Right after she'd been so mean." Julieta swallowed. "Why did you say that to me?"

Pepa looked surprised, then guilty.

"I was angry." Pepa admitted, glancing back at her sister. "I'm sorry, Juli."

They walked in silence for a while, but Pepa could tell from Julieta's face that she was thinking.

"Did you really mean it?" Julieta finally asked, her voice quiet.

Pepa turned to Julieta, recognising this was something that really worried her.

Pepa shook her head, and Julieta searched her eyes to make sure she was being sincere.

"Mami loves us." Pepa told her. "But you know, every day Mami's love is different. Most of the time it's good, but sometimes it's scary..." Pepa's eyes shifted at the memories. "But your love," She smiled, "It's always the same, hermana. Every day you make us feel safe, and loved, and you look after us... No matter what."

Julieta leaned into her sister as they walked, resting her head on her shoulder.

"Sometimes I feel angry," Julieta admitted quietly. "Like how Mama does. I'm worried one day I might do something bad."

Pepa shook her head. "You never do bad things, Juli."

"I just." Julieta sighed. "I want to be a good Mama one day, Pepi. I don't want to mess it up."

"You will be." Pepa smiled, hugging her sister's arm, then leaned in to whisper. "Want to know a secret?"

Julieta nodded, smiling a little as Pepa leant into her ear.

"Sometimes, I pretend you're my Mami." Pepa whispered. "Like today, when Mami smacked me. You made me feel better... And I pretended you were Mami instead."

Julieta's smile faded. She stopped walking, feeling overwhelmed. She exhaled slowly, closing her eyes in stress.

"Hm?" Pepa didn't understand, she thought that would've made Julieta happy.

Julieta gently took Pepa's hands in hers, then lay her own hands over the top. Pepa watched in confusion.

"Look at my hands." Julieta spoke softly. "What do you see?"

Pepa looked closely. Julieta had soft dark skin, and her fingernails were clean and shaped. She wore a blue woven band around her wrist that Bruno had made for her.

"They're pretty." Pepa smiled.

Pepa was surprised to see a tear run down Julieta's cheek. Did she say something wrong?

"Do they look like a mama's hands?" Julieta asked, her voice a little shaky now. "Like an old lady?"

Pepa looked again, then noticed that Julieta's hands were smaller than hers. She often forgot that. She looked back at her soft face, realising just how little Julieta was.

"I'm just a kid, Pepa." Julieta whispered. "Like you." Julieta took her hands back, wiping her eyes. "I only look after us because I have to. But I don't want to be our Mama... I want to play too." She took a shaky breath. "I really try to do the right thing, Pepa. But if I don't help people-"

"Then people die." Pepa said sadly, remembering the crops.

Julieta nodded, grateful that she understood.

"It's okay to get mad." Julieta said softly. "You're allowed to get angry, Pepa. But, when you say those mean things to me... It really hurts. Okay?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry, hermana."

"Me too." Julieta kissed her hand. "I really wanted to help you find Sunshine... Did you?"

Julieta's eyes searched Pepa's hopefully, but when Pepa shook her head, Julieta looked devastated.

"We had to run away," Pepa began to explain, but stopped as her sister began to cry.

"It's okay." Pepa comforted her. She wrapped her arms around Julieta, hugging her close. "We still had fun."

"I should've been there." Julieta whimpered. "And now she's gone." Julieta hid her face against Pepa, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. "I didn't want her to go."

Pepa rubbed Julieta's back, her chin resting on her head as she thought about what her sister had said.


When they got home, Mama was upstairs in her room.

Julieta went to make dinner for them, but Pepa took her hand with a smile.

"I want to do it." Pepa told her. "You rest, hermana. I'll help us."

Julieta stared back at Pepa in disbelief.

"I thought dragons don't cook?" Julieta put on a brave smile.

"I'm not a dragon anymore." Pepa grinned, "I'm your sister."

Pepa exclaimed in surprise as Julieta pulled her in for a sudden hug.

"Thank you!" Julieta laughed, covering Pepa's face with kisses. "Thank you, thank you. I love you, hermana. I love you so much."

Pepa laughed too. Julieta's shift in mood was so unexpected, and reminded Pepa of when she would get a rainbow. Pepa enjoyed making Julieta so happy, and decided to help her sister more often.

Pepa squeezed Julieta, hugging her so tight her feet lifted off the ground and she made a little groan.

"Don't!" Julieta laughed breathlessly. She tried to get away, but Pepa caught her again, the two of them giggling as they wrestled.


Later


While Pepa was cooking, Julieta went upstairs to see Mama. She found Alma sitting on the floor of her room, her back against the bed and head in her hands. Alma's long hair was out and hung loose over her face.

Julieta slowly approached, sitting down next to her. She watched in concern, gently stroking Mama's hair behind her ear so she could see her.

Alma's face was streaked with tears, her eyes red and nose running. She was too ashamed to look at her daughter.

They sat in silence for a while, then finally Alma spoke.

"I hurt her." She whispered.

Julieta watched Mama quietly. She'd found sometimes the best thing she could do was listen.

"She was so happy, mija." Alma took a shaky breath, more tears falling. "She was so happy. And I hurt her."

Julieta looked down at her hands, her fingers slowly turning her bracelet as she listened.

"I just got so frightened, mija." Alma whispered. "We made a promise to our village. If we can't keep that promise, we lose our home. It scares me so much to think of it... The village turning on us, torching our casita. Chasing us back into that river, and..."

Alma closed her eyes, going quiet as memories took over.

"Pepa is scared too, Mama." Julieta spoke carefully. "She's scared people will hurt her. And we spent so long helping her to get better. If you hurt her, it just makes everything scary for Pepa again." She took Mama's hand, her expression serious. "You're supposed to be her safe place, Mami."

Alma turned to Julieta with watery eyes. Her heart sunk in shame.

"The town has been watching Pepa so closely since the hurricane." Alma shuddered. "I don't want them to turn on her. Or force her away."

"You really hurt her, Mami." Julieta frowned. "That's what matters most. You left marks on her back... That's not okay."

Alma closed her eyes, more tears falling.

"I'm so sorry, mija." She said softly. "I was wrong. I should've found another way."

"Don't tell me this." Julieta sighed. "Tell Pepa."

Alma nodded, still not looking up. Julieta stroked her face.

"You know what it's like to be scared, Mama." Julieta reminded her. "Imagine if someone hurt you, someone you trusted, like your Mama."

Alma took a deep breath. She'd never told anyone, but that's exactly what did happen.

Alma remembered how angry her own Mama used to get, how she would hurt Alma when she was little, urging her to be perfect. She remembered Mama hitting her and her sisters, leaving marks on their skin and fear in their hearts.

Alma used to run away, hiding up in the tree. She remembered her secret friends, the caterpillars she used to play with. They'd crawl over her hands and Alma would sit and talk to them, laughing softly at their fuzzy little bodies and tickly legs. She used to tell them stories and secrets, and imagine what they'd say back. The caterpillars made everything better.

One day they wrapped themselves up and hid away, and Alma got sad, thinking they had died. But then time passed and they came back out, this time as butterflies. Alma watched them fly, so excited for them, but sad to watch them go. She used to think about that moment all the time. She'd draw the butterflies, playing games and pretending she was one, wishing one day she could fly away too.

When she met Pedro, Alma didn't understand why he loved her so much. It was like when Pedro was there, all the things that were wrong with Alma didn't seem so bad anymore. He didn't mind that that Alma saw the world differently from everyone else, or that she never knew the right things to say or do. Pedro told Alma it's our differences that make us special.

Pedro always knew the right things to say and do, so Alma found herself following him, copying him, letting him make their decisions as he lead her through life. Pedro taught Alma how to fly.

When Pedro died, Alma was lost. She didn't learn how to be a Mama. She didn't have Pedro, or anyone else to tell her how. Alma was terrified. Suddenly there were three sweet babies, and a village that once turned to Pedro for leadership now turned to her. Sometimes she got it right, but other times Alma really got it wrong.

She turned back to Julieta.

"Open my eyes, mija." Alma pleaded. "What do I do?"

Julieta climbed to her feet.

"You already know the answer, Mami." Julieta encouraged. She held out a hand. "First, you have to get back up."


"What are you doing?" Bruno grinned as he came home to discover Pepa preparing dinner.

"Making healing food." She announced proudly.

Bruno chuckled, heading over. "You got a new gift, sis?"

Pepa shook her head.

"The healing is for Julieta." She explained with a smile. "She gets a break. See? And that heals her."

Bruno looked at her strangely. Pepa frowned.

"What?"

"You." He shrugged. "You feel different." Bruno got the strange look again. "You sure you didn't find anything up the top of that tower?"

Pepa smiled, shaking her head. She would've known if she'd found Sunshine.

"Pepa?"

At the sound of Mama's voice, Pepa's shoulders stiffened. She turned with wide eyes, a cloud floating over her head.

Alma approached slowly, her expression gentle. Julieta came and stood with Bruno, leaning into him as they watched.

Pepa glanced at her siblings, then back to Mama. She reached for Mama, then pulled her hands back, shaking them by her side because she didn't know what to do. Wind spiralled around her.

"I'm sorry." Alma knelt down so she was face to face with Pepa. "I'm sorry I hurt you, mija. And you don't have to forgive me. I know saying sorry won't fix everything." She took a breath. "But. I want to make things better. For you, for our family." She looked Pepa in the eye. "I love you, mija. So much."

Pepa looked back at her. Her fingers fidgeted and Alma noticed.

"Do you want me to hold you?"

Peps nodded, her cloud sprinkling.

Alma gently put an arm out in invitation. Pepa cuddled up to Mama, the wind slowing down as Alma held her.

"Am I bad, Mami?" Pepa asked, taking Mama's braid in her hand and turning it with her fingers.

Alma shook her head.

"No, mija." She reassured her, kissing her head. "You're my good girl."

Pepa swallowed, unconvinced.

"Then why do you hate me?"

Alma flinched. She remembered Pepa asking her that a while ago, right after she'd been hurt, and Alma had answered wrong. She didn't realise that Pepa was still holding onto that.

"Pepa." Alma told her. "I don't hate you."

"You do." Pepa insisted, her voice stronger. Above her, the cloud darkened.

Alma swallowed. She glanced back at the others and saw Julieta watching with hands over her mouth, her wide eyes silently urging.

Come on, Mama. Julieta thought. Do something.

Alma turned back to Pepa.

"I don't hate you." Alma reassured her. "I love you, mija. You're my special girl."

"But I'm bad." Pepa's voice was matter of fact. "I'm a monster."

Rain started to fall at her words and Pepa hid against Mama, feeling ashamed.

Alma's heart sank. Dios. Pepa had asked her about that too, in the fields. Alma tried to remember what she'd said back. Had she said the right thing? She thought she'd been kind to Pepa that day.

Alma stroked back Pepa's fringe, trying to think of how to help her.

Suddenly a lot of things her daughter had been doing made sense. Alma remembered feeling similar when she was a kid. She remembered drawing insects and feeling like she wasn't good like the other kids. Alma tried remembering that girl, and what she would've liked her Mama to have said to her.

Bruno glanced at Julieta, who was standing tense. Julieta was stressed out that Mama would mess everything up even more, and that Julieta would be left to pick up the pieces after Mama broke Pepa's heart.

Bruno put an arm around Julieta.

"Don't worry," He whispered. "Miracle is our healer, remember?"

"Miracle doesn't know how to play the game." Julieta whispered back with a frown. "She never has. She always forgets the rules."

Bruno sighed in agreement. "Guess she'll have to roll on this one."

Rain pattered over the kitchen as Pepa watched Mama, waiting for her response. Alma kissed her forehead.

"You are not a monster, Pepa Madrigal." Alma told her, gently stroking her daughter's face. "I promise you, you're not a monster. You are a good girl."

"It's okay Mami." Pepa said quietly. "I want to be a monster. Because then I'm not scared of anything."

Alma stroked her fringe back.

"But you are already brave, mija." Alma smiled, her eyes warm with love. "So brave, and so strong. Our sunshine."

Julieta and Bruno held their breath, unsure what would happen next.

Pepa watched Mama quietly, and the rain stopped.

"Come here," Alma brought her in close, holding her to her chest. Pepa closed her eyes and relaxed, listening to Mama's heartbeat.

"It beats for you." Alma told her, kissing Pepa's forehead. "You, and your brother and your sister. You are my reason to wake every day, mija." Alma rubbed circles along Pepa's back. "You are the reason I get back up. You're a wonder, my darling. Our miracle. And I love you, with all my heart."

Pepa looked up at Mama, deciding to trust her with a secret.

"We went on a quest today, Mami." Pepa whispered. "To save Sunshine. We went all the way to the top of the bell tower."

The others gasped softly, but Mama didn't get upset.

"Did you now?" Alma kissed her hair. "Did you find her?"

Pepa shook her head. "The baddies found us first. We had to run away."

Alma thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Well. We better get back up there, so you can finish your quest."

Julieta and Bruno glanced at eachother in disbelief, then back to Mama.

"But it's locked, Mami." Pepa explained. "The goblin is guarding the key."

"Hm." Alma smiled knowingly. "Let me check my inventory."

Alma gestured down to the ring of keys that hung from her belt. Being in charge of the village, Mama had keys to all the main buildings in town.

"No way." Bruno whispered in disbelief. Julieta clasped her hands, shaking them together in excitement.

Pepa's face lit up, a rainbow appearing over her head. She threw her arms around Mama, hugging her tight.


Later


Mama didn't sneak into the church, she went right up to the front door. The triplets huddled close, their eyes glittering in the moonlight as they peered out from behind Mama.

"Won't we get in trouble?" Julieta whispered.

"I think we're playing by different rules now." Bruno whispered back.

"Señora." The priest smiled, opening the door.

"Padre." Alma smiled back. "I'm just here to visit the tower. My children wanted to see the stars tonight."

He seemed a little surprised, but didn't question her.

"Yes, of course." He nodded, letting them through.

"Thank you."

Alma dipped a finger into the water font on her way in, making the sign of the cross, and her children did the same. She held their hands, leading them through the church.

"We'll lock up after we leave." She glanced over her shoulder as they reached the stairs. "You won't need to wait up."

"Dios te bendiga." He smiled to them, returning to his living quarters.

The triplets kept quiet until they reached the privacy of the staircase, then turned to eachother with excited grins, squealing softly. It was all so forbidden and exhilarating.

When they got to the top, Bruno and Pepa dragged Julieta under the bell, shouting over eachother as they filled their sister in on everything she'd missed earlier.


Later


The four of them lay snuggled up together under the light of the stars, their faces still glowing from all the fun they'd had.

Alma had packed a bag of the children's blankets and pillows, so they could make themselves comfortable. Their bowls clinked as they ate dinner.

"This is really good, Pepi." Julieta praised, finishing her bowl.

"Did it heal you?" Pepa's eyes were bright and hopeful.

Julieta smiled and nodded.

"Imagine there's line between the stars," Bruno explained to Mama from where he lay cuddled in her arms. "It makes pictures. See? That one's a rat." He pointed it out "There's the nose, the legs, and that dippy part there, that's the tail."

"No that part's a rainbow!" Pepa corrected him, her long legs knocking Bruno as she climbed under the blanket too. She wanted Mama's attention for herself.

Bruno groaned, pushing at Pepa, which got a scowl from Julieta as her sister was shoved into her.

"Stop, you guys!" Julieta scolded. "You'll knock me off the tower."

"Ay mijos." Alma pulled them apart. "Enough, enough."

Alma reached into the bag, and with effort as she pulled out Pepa's heavy blanket. "Pepi, I thought this one would break my bag."

Pepa bounced in excitement, reaching for it.

"Lay down first." Alma chuckled, and when she did Alma gently spread the blanket over her three children, tucking them in. Pepa snuggled the blanket to her face, feeling comforted by it's familiar texture and the way it smelled like home.

The outside air was fresh, but the blankets and their bodies kept eachother warm. Pepa brought her blanket to her mouth, Julieta cuddled up to her from one side and Bruno on the other. Mama had an arm over the three of them as she slept beside Bruno.

Pepa lay there feeling very safe and loved. She watched the night sky reflecting against the shiny metal of the bell, her heart filled with excitement. They were on a real adventure. It felt like Pepa's fantasy life and real life had become one.


The next morning


Pepa woke to the morning sun. She groaned and opened her eyes, squinting because it was so bright. She jumped in fright as she saw stone walls and realised it wasn't her bedroom, but then grinned as she remembered they were still on their adventure.

She turned to Julieta who was still asleep, her face against Pepa's chest. Pepa squeezed her and Julieta moaned in protest.

"You're up, mija." Mama said with a smile. Her hair was done and it looked like she'd been up for a while. "Buenos Dias."

"Dias?" Bruno mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he sat up too. "Mama. The sun's barely up."

"Yes, it is sunrise." Alma told them, leaning against the tower wall as she looked out at the mountains. "It's time for the morning bell." She smiled, turning back to them. "You know, I talked to Padre. Just this once, it's okay if you ring it."

They all gasped in excitement, clambering over eachother.


Pepa loved ringing the bell. They all look turns making it chime, and Pepa put her hands to it, feeling the vibrations.

"Look," Julieta called from the stone railing. "You can see everyone waking up."

They stood together at the balcony, and Bruno grinned.

"It's just like in the vision." He whispered. "The four of us up here."

Pepa and Julieta glanced over at Mama then back to eachother, smiling in realisation.

"Do you see Sunshine?" Julieta asked, her head resting on Pepa's shoulder and her expression hopeful.

Pepa looked up at the sky, her eyes searching. "I don't know where to look."

Bruno glanced at Julieta and they both smiled knowingly, taking Pepa's hands. She turned back to them.

"Over here." Julieta instructed, leading Pepa to the bell.

Pepa stopped, seeing her reflection.

"What do you see?" Bruno asked.

Pepa frowned at her pale face and red hair, not liking what she saw. Above her, a grey cloud appeared, sprinkling as she remembered the names the kids had called her, the things they had said.

What's wrong with your face?

Pepa flinched, closing her eyes and stroking her braid.

"Clear skies," she whispered to herself. "Clear skies, clear skies."

Her siblings faces fell as they realised their plan was about to fall flat.

"Hm. I see a beautiful girl." Alma spoke up, coming over and putting a hand on Pepa's shoulder. She crouched down beside her, stroking Pepa's face so she'd open her eyes. "There, look at that beautiful face." Alma smiled. "I see a brave girl, with lots of energy and a kind heart."

Pepa looked back at Mama with a soft expression. She liked hearing her talk like that.

"And a big imagination." Bruno added, following Mama's lead. "I see a sister who's lots of fun and makes me laugh."

"And a great dancer." Julieta joined in. "I see our best friend. Someone who makes our lives better, just by being there."

Pepa turned to them, her cloud sprinkling and her heart full at their kind words.

"I see a nice girl," Alma kissed Pepa's face. "Who cares about her family. And who was the most beautiful little baby."

Pepa looked back at Mama in surprise. She didn't usually talk about that time. Alma smiled sadly.

"You know, Papi used to have special names for all of you when you were babies." Alma explained. "And he used to call you-" Alma hesitated, taking a deep breath. "He used to call you Sunshine, mija. Because you shined so bright."

"Sunshine?" Pepa asked.

Alma nodded.

"But I didn't have magic when I was a baby." Pepa said. "How did he know?"

Alma laughed softly, wiping her eyes.

"Oh Pepa," she smiled. "You didn't need magic to shine."

Alma kissed Pepa's forehead.

"You do it every day." Julieta agreed, coming in close.

"Yeah that's right, sis." Bruno joined them, giving Pepa a reassuring smile. "You light up our lives. Just by being you."

Pepa hugged her family, their love filling her with strength and confidence. She looked over their shoulders at the bright sun which lit up the Encanto. As it's warmth reached her face, she also felt it in her heart.

"Thank you." She said quietly. "For helping me find her."

They all turned to Pepa in surprise.

"Sunshine?" Julieta asked hopefully.

"Where?" Bruno grinned.

Pepa smiled back, putting a hand to her heart. "Just here."


A couple weeks later


"Thank you for coming to our magic show!" Bruno announced, "But now, I'm taking a step back. It's time for Hernando's retirement."

"You can't retire!" Agustin called out from the audience. "You're so young!"

"Sh," Pezmuerto whispered from next to him. "Hernando's 150 years old, Gus. Didn't you listen to the backstory?"

"Still young." Agustin shrugged.

Alma chuckled from beside them, watching as her son flicked his cloak in frustration. He glanced at Pepa, who held up a finger to Agustin. "Ay, silence from you, Abeja Grande."

"Ladies and gentlemen," Bruno announced, doing a rehearsed dance then pose with Pepa.

"It is time to introduce the new magician." Pepa said, taking Bruno's hat from him. Julieta jumped out from backstage and Pepa tossed the hat. Julieta caught it and put it on.

"I knew it'd be her." Agustin's whisper was too loud. Pepa shot him another look and he covered his mouth.

The three of them did a song and dance together, then Pepa dragged out a box.

"In you go, Brunito." She grinned.

Bruno sighed.

"This is what they call suffering for your art." Bruno explained the audience, while his sisters squashed him down and closed the lid.

"May he rest In peace." Agustin whispered sadly.

"For my first trick," Julieta announced, "I send Hernando into retirement..." Her voice became dark. "By banishing spell!"

Pepa turned to her in surprise.

Julieta spun, doing an evil laugh as she pushed the box offstage, then came back out.

"You should've never handed over your power." She announced to Pepa. "Now I'm unstoppable!"

Agustin wailed in anguish, while Pezmuerto and Alma just laughed.

"Wait, you're a bad magician?" Pepa scoffed. "Hermana! That wasn't in the script!"

"I thought it'd be an interesting plot twist." Julieta shrugged.

"Ay but this is the ending!" Pepa put hands on her hips. "We are supposed to wrap things up now, not add more drama!"

Julieta grinned.

"Ay but Bruno's spirit remains..." Julieta told Pepa, waving a hand out to the audience. "It haunts this very room."

Casita helped Julieta, flashing lights and clattering tiles. Pezmuerto whimpered, hugging Agustin who looked terrified. They jumped up with shrieks as something touched their backs through the sofa. Alma turned with a frown, but remained seated.

"Wait, but Bruno was in the box!" Agustin whimpered. "How did he get in the chair?"

"Magic." Bruno came out to the stage with a shrug.

Their friends shrieked again, looking back at the couch with genuine fear.

"Then what touched us?" Pezmuerto exclaimed in fright.

The couch shook a little and they both screamed, running off before they could see the rats scurry out.

The triplets laughed, while Alma just shook her head with a smile.

"Did you like it, Mami?" Pepa asked Alma, while Mama carefully collected up the last of Bruno's rats out of the lounge.

"I loved it." She chuckled. "Though you may have scared your friends."

"I really did know Julieta was going to turn bad." Pepa boasted, bouncing a little as she followed Mama. "Did you know that? Or did it trick you too?"

"No." Alma smiled. "You fooled me."

"And what what about-"

"Pepa! Stop spoiling the show!" Bruno called out, while Julieta came over and grabbed Pepa around the middle, pulling her into a hug while she squealed.

There was a knock on the door, and voices called out.

"Señorita!" The farmer called. "Time for work!"

Pepa wriggled out of Julieta's grip while Mama went to let the farmers in. Pepa got up and ran, jumping into their arms.

"Dios!" One caught her with a laugh. "Are you getting bigger?"

"Every day she grows." The other grinned.

"Wait, wait-" Alma brought over Pepa's school bag, slipping it over the shoulder and then putting on her farmer's hat. Alma straightened it and then kissed Pepa.

"Have fun today, mija." Alma smiled. "Tonight I'm cooking a surprise. You will like it."

The farmers put Pepa down so Bruno and Julieta could come over.

"Great work with the show, sis." Bruno grinned. "That might've been our best one."

"I told you," Julieta laughed. "People like evil Julieta."

They laughed, then hugged Pepa.

"I hate saying goodbye." Julieta rested her head against her sister's. "We had so much fun today."

"You'll see her at school!" Bruno laughed. "Dios, Juli."

"I know, I know." Julieta sighed. "Still."

"See you soon." Pepa gave them one last hug, then took the farmers hand as they led her away to the fields.

"Bye Pepa!" Her siblings called after her.

Pepa turned and waved, her smile bright as the sky.