Sorry for the delay, writer's block.
Three days before the wedding, Mirabel found herself tackled to the floor in a hug tighter than the bears', the hug had followed a squeal of glee from an exuberant Dolores who had just seen her dress.
"THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!" exclaimed Dolores.
"Lola I can't br-ea-the.." gasped Mirabel
"Sorry," said an embarrassed Dolores releasing her cousin.
"The flowers will be added to the headpiece right before you walk down the aisle," said Mirabel
"Oh Mira I love it," said Dolores
"I'm glad, why don't you come with me to the treasury and you can pick up your jewelry," said Mirabel
"Mira the dress is too much as it is," said Dolores
"Please, I have more jewelry in that place than I could wear in a lifetime, even if I wore a different set every day," said Mirabel rolling her eyes.
Dolores's eyes nearly bugged out of her head at the sight of the treasury, It could fit casita in twelve times and still have room to walk around, this massive room was totally filled with treasures of all kinds, neatly organized and labeled.
"I went through about a quarter of the jewelry over the course of a month and organized it by who I'm giving it to and for which occasion, this is your wedding set," said Mirabel, giving Dolores a small box.
Inside was a gold filigree statement style necklace that would drape over her chest like chainmail and was set with hundreds of rubies in multiple different sizes. It had a good amount of weight to it and then Dolores saw the matching earrings, small teardrop cut ruby studs set in gold that then led into gold filigree suspending another ruby. The set was completed with a gold laurel leaf filigree bracelet with tiny rubies at the tip of each leaf.
"Mira…this is…" Dolores was at a loss for words.
"This is only your wedding set, I'll give you the next set on your birthday, I've also organized sets for future children and grandchildren," said Mirabel.
Dolores pulled Mirabel into yet another bone-crushing hug.
…
Isabela's squeal of delight at seeing both her outfit for the wedding and her new everyday clothes nearly broke the diamonds in the chandelier. Julieta and Pepa were surprised Dolores wasn't coving her ears until they realized that she had anticipated her Prima's excitement and had dialed her gift back so much she had made herself deaf. Antonio was bouncing so much he could hardly stay still long enough for Pepa to help him into his outfit for the wedding. After ensuring everything fit and was liked, Mirabel led them all to the treasury and gave all the women a box with a set of jewelry that would complement their wedding outfits.
"Mira is this why we've barely seen you in the last month?" asked Julieta
"I love sewing mama, and getting to make stuff for my family for something this special is a dream come true, I did have quite a bit of help from birds and other smaller critters, you wouldn't believe how talented spiders are at making lace and silk," said Mirabel
Dolores felt the fabric of her new everyday outfit, it was pale blue and embroidered with daisies. Suddenly a small turtle popped its head out of Dolores's hair.
"Lola, when did you meet Javier?" asked Mirabel
"Oh, that's his name? I was sitting with Mariano when he fell from the ceiling of the guard tower into my hair earlier today and has just been sitting there," said Dolores
"I was having a conversation with Pico and lost my footing," said Javier
"How did you even get into the rafters?" asked Mirabel
"Pico flew me up there," said Javier
Mirabel shook her head before moving on.
Abuela was next, her dress was rose-red with purple hyacinth embroidery and a black ribbon at the hem.
Julieta's dress was the color of wheat and had bluebells amongst the green embroidered herbs.
Pepa looked at her new dress, it looked like a storm with swirling grays and greens with specks of blue, the hem covered in embroidered mushrooms among emerald grass.
Bruno also had a new outfit, evergreen in color with a runa of gray, brown, and black, tiny fir tree cufflinks, and buttons in gold.
"This is for when you're at work," said Mirabel, handing the folded outfit.
Her father got a suit the color of honey but with herbs, gold butterflies, gladioluses, and sundews embroidered into the collar and cuffs.
Felix also got a suit that was sky blue with ranunculus flower buttons, daisy cufflinks, mushrooms on the pant cuffs, and a golden paw print on the shirt pocket.
Calimio's was a bunch of colors blending and shifting into each other with orange ranunculus flowers on the runa.
"Woah, cool, I look like I got splashed with paint!" exclaimed Camilo.
"Mira what's this tannish bronze outfit over here?" asked Dolores, she saw daisy buttons and cufflinks that seemed to be made of mother of pearl.
"Those are for Mariano after you two get married, I made all the family spouses' outfits to complement their wives' outfits and have the flowers attributed to their children and wives on them but also be unique because who they married doesn't define them. Once you two have kids I'll add the embroidery like the others," said Mirabel
Dolores tackle hugged her cousin for the second time that day.
"Mira, the color of my suit…" started Agustin
Her smirk was all the answer he needed.
"Bee grateful she didn't embroider a giant bumblebee on your chest," teased Felix, causing all of them to crack up.
All the women had new jewelry for the wedding and new daily jewelry.
Abuela couldn't believe just how much Casita and the Candle had given Mirabel, nor how limitless the magic seemed to be.
…
The morning of the wedding had the whole town rushing around for last-minute preparations, Felix and Agustin had ensured Bruno would make no comments about rain, today was not the day to tease his sister when her nerves were already fried. There had been some debate on where the ceremony would be held, in the church or Mirabel's throne room but they ultimately decided that it was best to hold it in the church to avoid clashes between the animals and the guests.
Mirabel still had all the animals helping with the wedding, her mama had been in the kitchen with the rats for days baking and frosting the cake and had spent all night cooking food for the reception. While the wedding would be in the church the reception would be in the center of town. Luisa and the hippos were getting things ready while Isabela was doing all the floral arrangements, though she point blank refused to put roses anywhere. Antonio was the ring bearer and little Cecilia and Alejandra were flower girls. Mirabel had made their pale pink and yellow dresses, their baskets full of pink tulip petals. Mirabel was at the moment trying to make sure the doves and butterflies knew exactly what to do, the doves were the epitome of bird brains so this was the seventh time Mirabel had to explain it to them that hour, the butterflies were getting annoyed with the dove's shenanigans.
"Firebele are the feathered idiots necessary? We are more than capable of pulling this off ourselves," said a butterfly, as several doves became distracted by the shiny jewelry around.
"I'll go talk to Dolores," said Mirabel
She poked her head into the room where Pepa was helping Dolores get ready.
"Hey Lola, we need to forget about the doves, the butterflies are still willing to help but the doves have the combined intelligence of an arepa and won't focus," said Mirabel
"That's fine," said Dolores
Mirabel left, muttering about feathered idiots.
She then went to inform Mariano.
"Hey Mariano, we're switching to butterflies only, the doves just aren't understanding what to do," said Mirabel
"Oh that's alright, birds aren't usually the brightest," said Mariano
"If by not the brightest you mean a mango being smarter than a whole flock," said Mirabel
"That bad?" asked Senora Guzman
"You have no idea," said Mirabel.
Suddenly three very very hyper children ran up to her.
"HIMIRABELWEWERENERVOUSEARLIERSOJUANCHOGAVEUSCOFFEEIS'TITAWESOMEICAN'TBELIVEWEGETTOBEINDOLORES'SWEDDING!"
All Mirabel could understand was "Juancho gave us coffee," and "get to be in Dolores's wedding.
Antonio wasn't talking a mile a minute but he did seem like he was vibrating.
River glared at Parce.
"Mom I looked away for half a second, I swear," muttered Parce
Mirabel now had three very caffeinated children to deal with.
"Tonito, you and I will discuss this after the reception," sighed Mirabel
Antonio deflated, he knew he was in trouble.
"I don't have time to deal with this right now," sighed Mirabel
Suddenly Cecilia's father and Alejandra's mother came racing in.
"These three just ran through the square and almost caused Luisa to fall off the ladder, what is going on?" asked Cecilia's father.
"Juancho gave them coffee, I suggest you talk to his parents," said Mirabel
"Oh dear," said Alejandra's mother.
Suddenly a spider came down from the roof.
"Your highness, the fish murderer lady has cornered Lord Bruno," said the spider
"Great just great," sighed Mirabel, almost running off.
She found her uncle being chewed out by Senorita Pezmuerto about yet another goldfish death, he didn't even predict this one!
"Senorita Pezmuerto, I assure you that Lord Bruno did not kill your fish. The spiders in your home have informed me of the horrendous condition you keep the bowl in, as ruler of the animal kingdom of Encanto and the surrounding jungles I'm am revoking your ability to associate and keep any of my subjects in your so-called care," said Mirabel firmly
"But I-"
"Should you go against this order, I will know because the spiders go where they please, you will lose the ability to ask for services from any of the Madrigals and you will be placed in my dungeon for a month for the mistreatment of my subjects, the only reason you are not being put there now is that you were not aware of this statute. I had assumed it was common sense but that was my mistake. Lord Bruno your assistance is needed in the church dealing with three five-year-olds who decided to try coffee," said Mirabel firmly, leading Bruno away.
"Thank you, Mira," sighed Bruno
"Don't mention it, you can go do what you were doing, I'll find Camilo to keep an eye on the three rascals, he has the time and energy to keep up with them," said Mirabel
…
There was little that could be done as the two flower girls all but bunny hopped down the aisle, Antonio was at least focusing on not dropping the rings. Juancho's parents had taken away his coffee cup and were watching him the whole ceremony.
Mirabel stood beside Abuela who got slightly misty-eyed at the sight. Mariano's dopey grin upon seeing Dolores walk down the aisle being led by Felix reminded Alma of Pedro's look upon seeing her all those years ago. Camilo was the Best Man, and to everyone's surprise, Luisa was the Maid of Honor, no one had ever realized Dolores and Luisa were that close.
Mirabel was right about Dolores sparkling in the light of the setting sun, her hair braided down her neck instead of in its normal bun, the veil would have looked silly otherwise.
The bouquet had all different types of sunset-colored flowers in a cascade style and the tiara holding the veil was of the darker sunset shades giving an almost ombre look to the floral pieces. Isabela was proud of it and happy that there wasn't a rose in sight.
The ceremony was perfect despite the hyperactive flower girls and ring bearer.
And Mariano gladly took the Madrigal name as he promised to cherish and love Dolores. Mirabel smiled knowing this wouldn't have happened if she hadn't intervened that night a few months ago with a careful scheme, Isabela squeezed her little sister's hand in thanks, knowing how differently this day might have been having she been in Dolores's place, unhappy and resigned to fate.
It was two in the morning when Mirabel put a sleeping Antonio into his hammock before climbing onto River. Antonio had crashed from the caffeine ten minutes before the reception ended and Mirabel was dead on her feet from all the dancing. She was glad for River, otherwise, she would have had to walk up the stairs. She threw her crown and shoes onto one of the upholstered chairs in her room before falling into her own hammock fully clothed.
