It was a little hard to comprehend. That it was over a decade ago now. Eleven almost twelve years ago.
There had been no sounds of small running feet yet. Both Julieta and Pepa had been pregnant at the same time with their very first babies.
And so it seemed just kind of natural that they would have a shared baby shower. Even if Julieta was five months ahead of Pepa with the pregnancy and ready to burst.
It had been a happy day where the women unpacked all the gifts from the townspeople who wanted to thank them for all the help over the years.
Small rompers, baby seats, toys, children's books. These little treasures were not going to lack a thing.
It was after the baby shower had ended and people had left that Julieta and Pepa ambushed Bruno. Offering him a large soft looking wrapped up gift. Complete with a green bow on top of the brown paper.
Confused did Bruno looked at the gift then up at his sisters.
"We were just thinking," Julieta said.
"It's so not fair!" Pepa exclaimed. "We both got each our wedding! And so many presents at those times!" she said as she touched her golden earrings that true enough she barely ever took off. "And now we are getting presents again. And you're not getting anything!"
Bruno smirked amused. "I have not gotten married and I am not having a baby." he reminded his sisters. "That's not how it works."
"Still," Julieta said. "We want you to have it! Please!" she asked.
Pepa nodded. "It's from both of us! I sort of found it and Julieta improved it. And we shared the cost!"
Bruno swallowed as finally, he accepted the gift. "Thank you," he whispered. And then he just stood there.
"Well open it!" Pepa exclaimed. "I have been dying to know if you'll even like it!"
And Bruno chuckled amused as slowly he started to unwrap the brown paper and finally reached green soft cloth. Bruno blinked as he realized there seemed to be fine embroideries on it. Looking like hourglasses. And then Bruno picked up the item to hold it up and saw… A ruana. A soft, thick, great quality cloth that promised to keep him warm. Hand-stitched embroideries.. That had to be Julieta's improvement. She had made those.
Bruno's current ruana was of lesser quality and just plain with no symbols. Then Bruno looked up at his sisters.
"Well…" Pepa was jumping up and down on the spot. Which was kind of impressing with her protruding stomach. "Do you like it?"
Bruno was lost for words. Then slowly he nodded. "I love it." he gasped.
"Yay!" Pepa beamed happily.
"Come on Bruno. Try it on." Julieta asked. "I want to see it on you."
Bruno nodded as he pulled off his old plain Ruana to reveal the dark purple shirt underneath. And then finally put on the new one which was much softer than the old one. Then looked at his sisters.
"I knew it." Pepa smiled. "I knew it would look so good on him."
"It does." Julieta chuckled as she smoothened out some of the wrinkles of the ruana for Bruno.
Bruno looked at his sisters and he swallowed. "Thank you." he breathed. "I really do love it."
"Well you can call it advanced payment," Pepa smirked. "We are going to need a babysitter! And if you are up for diaper duty I will not be saying no."
Bruno chuckled. "Sure. Whatever you need."
"Pepa." Julieta huffed. "Of course it's not payment! It's a gift! Cause we love you!"
"Well duh." Pepa rolled her eyes. "It's called a joke Juli!"
And Bruno chuckled and then stepped forward. "Come here." he wrapped his arms around both his sisters and pulled them into a triplet hug. It was a little awkward with the two big stomachs but they managed and they all smiled.
"You know what the best part is about all of this?" Pepa asked.
"What?" Julieta asked.
"We get to do all of this together!" Pepa beamed happily.
It was crazy to think about indeed. These triplets… Through everything, they had always been together. Since the day they were born. For every major life event or just the long boring days where nothing happened. They had never actually been apart.
Seemed like such a ridiculous concept at this point, to just not be there with each other. Impossible to even imagine. They were in this. Together.
In the present Bruno was sighing deeply as he was pulling that same ruana over his head.
Today was the big day. Mirabel's birthday and her big gift ceremony. Like with every gift ceremony Bruno felt a sense of dread.
But that was so normal at this point that he decided to just hide it away as far as he could. "Knock on wood," he mumbled as he knocked on his bed frame. Then took a deep breath, held it for a few seconds, and exhaled again. Before he ventured out his door into the entrance hall filled with bright sunshine and his family being all cheers as they were already walking around checking on the decorations.
There was Mirabel. Laughing while she was chasing Camilo around. Already she was in her new dress completed with the little bow. They rushed right past Isabela nearly knocking the girl over and she huffed annoyed.
"Ah Bruno." Julieta came rushing by. "Could you take this to the dining room for me por favor?" she asked handing him a basket of bread.
"Sure." Bruno nodded taking the basket and walked to the dining room where Pepa was just finishing putting out all the plates. "Everything ready?" he asked a little jokingly as he put down the basket at the middle of the table.
"Urgh don't say that!" Pepa gasped. "I don't know if there are chairs enough. And the musicians are asking what they should be playing! And Julieta says the food isn't nearly ready for tonight! Mama wants this to be perfect! Who knows when there will be another ceremony. This could be the last one for decades!"
Bruno sighed as he shook his head. "I think we'll be fine when it comes to food. Julieta always makes more than enough."
Just then Agustin came in. Only to have Camilo and Maribel run in straight in front of him and Agustin yelled as he tripped and fell flat on his face sending his glasses flying across the room.
"Brooo!" Felix yelled as he came running. "You okay there Hermano?" he asked helping the other man up.
"I'm good," Agustin assured. "Nothing a bite of Julieta's food can't heal," he informed as Bruno picked up his glasses for him and handed them over.
"Gracias," Agustin said accepting the glasses and put them back on as the children kept running around, and finally Alma stepped in.
With a straight proud back as always. She cleared her throat and clapped her hands and immediately the children stopped as they stood up politely. Before finally rushing towards their chairs as the entire family sat down.
And then there was quiet while people folded their hands as Alma spoke.
"We give thanks. For this family and the blessings that have been given to us. For the food on our table and how the magic has protected our family. Today is Mirabels birthday and we give thanks for the years where we have been blessed with her presence and that of our entire family. Thank you." she said.
And everyone mumbled in unison. "Thank you."
And then they were allowed to eat. Quickly the laughter and chatter began. Children laughed, excited for the party to come while the adults discussed.
Alma as the head of the family was sitting at the end of the table and the other seats could change depending on who had a conversation going as they sat down. Today Bruno was sitting next to Alma on her left side. And next to him was Luisa happily piling up the food on her plate. She was a big girl so she ate a lot. In front of Bruno, Felix was laughing while talking to his wife.
"I haven't seen much of you lately Brunito," Alma commented as she was quietly fixing her own food.
Bruno frowned. That was a strange thing to say. He would usually be in the house. And he always joined them for meals like he was supposed to do.
"I suppose I have been a little busy." Bruno then finally replied.
Alma nodded. "The children are a handful."
"They sure are." Bruno smiled a little fondly. "Since Camilo got his gift, he has been unstoppable." then he rolled his eyes. "Now he can just turn himself into Agustin to reach the tall shelves. There are no safe places left for the cookie jars."
Alma smiled amused. Then shook her head. "It is good to know that our family will stay protected. Our Encanto."
Bruno glanced at Alma.
"That is all that matters," Alma stated. "The magic must be protected."
Bruno looked down. He didn't reply but put a piece of food into his mouth… Should he have told her about the cracks?
What for though?… What were they even supposed to do about them?
"Right Bro?" A voice suddenly sounded from across the table.
"Huh?" Bruno looked at his dark skinned brother in law right in front of him.
"I was just saying. It's actually going to be nice having this last ceremony over with. No more pressure for the next one. Then we can just concentrate on the family." Felix said. "Don't you agree Hermano?"
"Ah. Yes." Bruno nodded. "That is going to be nice." he agreed.
"Any plans for today?" Felix asked.
"Julieta said she needed help in the kitchen. So I think I'm going to do that." Bruno informed. "I'm not very good at decorations. I always end up falling down."
"Well not as much as Agustin," Felix smirked and Bruno shook his head. "But where would we be if we didn't have our piano man for the parties. You get what I mean?"
"True," Bruno smirked. "Wouldn't be a party without music would it?"
"Exactly!" Felix grinned.
Bruno shook his head just as a big. "Upsie." sounded next to Bruno and he looked over to see that Luisa had cut into her plate a little too harshly again making it crack right over splitting it in two.
Without a word, Bruno just picked up the two pieces of the broken plate. Stood up and disposed of it before holding out his hands as Casita spat a new plate into his hands so Bruno could return to his seat and give the new plate to Luisa who grinned happily. "Thank you Tio!"
"Any time Luisa." Bruno replied in a short smile. Breakfast was always kind of loud and crazy in this family. But well, probably wouldn't be the Madrigals if it wasn't.
The rest of the day mostly just went with preparing for the party. Bruno helped out in the kitchen like he said he would. But also watched the kids when they were getting out of hand. Just trying to keep them out of the adult's hair when they were being too wild.
And then finally evening arrived and so did all of the guests. The entire Encanto like the other times who were so excited to be invited into Casita for another party.
Bruno took a deep breath as he walked up the stairs and then placed himself in front of his own door. Like all the other family members were standing in front of each of theirs as was the invented tradition they had made.
Bruno's door was all the way to the far right. And next to him was Julieta. And then the rest of the family in a big line with the new door in the middle just at the top of the long stairs.
And then Alma came carrying the candle, making all the onlookers quiet down as Alma walked past all the doors and her own descendants, walking with a proud straight back while gently holding the candle.
Bruno glanced at his mother as she walked past him, and then as she continued her walk until she was in front of the new door… He wished he could dismiss this sinking feeling in his gut. And that scratch in his head that wouldn't leave him alone all day.
And then… The crowd down the stairs split. And there was little Mirabel. With her bow and her round green glasses. Looking so incredibly nervous and like she was going to faint any second.
But the dear girl took a deep breath as she gathered courage and finally made her slow way up the stairs. Past her family members and finally ended in front of the new door.
Bruno inhaled a sharp breath as Alma finally spoke.
"We are gathered here today," Alma spoke. "To celebrate Mirabel. And for the blessings of a new miracle. A new gift." she said. "This gift will help see the Encanto through. And help the lives of everyone who lives here. It is a blessing which we shall now receive." and she turned to Mirabel holding down the candle. "Will you use your gift. To honor our miracle?" she asked.
Mirabel nodded swallowed nervously. But stood up straight clearly taking this extremely seriously as she answered. "Si."
"And help the Encanto to strengthen our hope?" she asked.
Mirabel nodded again as she reached up her tiny little hands, and the magic started to swirl around her fingers while she smiled. Alma's smile as well was large and warm.
And then. Mirabel turned to the door. She was smiling nervously. For a moment there was silence. As everyone seemed to be holding their breath watching. And then finally she reached for the door handle.
It was not something Bruno could have foreseen. His mind couldn't even comprehend it as suddenly from the top. The door started to vanish as if it was crumbling away.
What was going on? Suddenly the door was less and less until it was just nothing and the door was… Gone. Leaving nothing but a cold empty stone wall.
Bruno's eyes widened and so did everyone else's. The candlelight in Alma's hands flickered and shone a little less bright than usual.
Mirabel looked shocked, her face becoming white as a sheet, and then she turned to look at Alma with big questioning eyes. Tears forming and Bruno… Had just seen his nieces' entire world shatter in just one cruel second.
Julieta gasped as she covered her mouth with a hand and Bruno swallowed, not knowing if he should reach out to her or just stand still… What was going on?
No one knew. People were confused as they started to shift around and Mirabel looked beyond distraught.
"Abuela?" She asked confused and heartbroken.
And then suddenly finally a man spoke up. "Is… Is the magic vanishing? What's wrong with the magic?!"
And another shouted. "What did she do!?"
Making Bruno's eyes widen in shock as one of the townspeople exclaimed.
"Did she break the magic?!"
