It wasn't too long after that the family decided to go to the Parish house to get some rest. The townspeople were already in the process of putting up pools so they could put a big cloth over it like a temporary roof to protect the rubble from any potential rain and they could always return to it later when the family was more rested.

It had been a long day yesterday and a long night.

Unfortunately going to the Parish meant they had to wake Bruno up and Julieta swallowed as she looked at her Bruno, resting heavily on Pepa.

Then she reached forward a hand and gently touched his shoulder. "Bruno. Hey Bruno," she whispered as gently as she could.

Bruno's face retrieved in a dissatisfied groan.

"Hermano." Julieta now tried again a little louder and finally, Bruno groaned.

His eyes cracked a little open as they looked towards Julieta. At first a little unfocused, then confused, and then suddenly Bruno's eyes snapped open as he screamed and fell down on the ground.

"BRUNO!" Both Julieta and Pepa shouted as they looked down at him.

Then Bruno shot right up as he sat up, wide-eyed looking at them as he gaped and shouted. "I CAN EXPLAIN! I.. I...I.." he blinked and then looked around himself, only for his eyes to widen in shock.

"Easy Tio. Easy." Mirabel smirked amused. "You're out of the walls remember?"

For a moment Bruno looked utterly confused at Mirabel, then he looked around. "Oh," he commented and then looked at his sisters. "Eeerhm." he blushed as he looked down. Before squinting his eyes and shaking his head while knocking on the ground three times before giving a last knock on his head. And inhaled deeply and exhaled.

"Are you okay Hermano?" Pepa asked and Bruno's eyes snapped open again.

"I… Si." Bruno swallowed. "I mean I… Just surprised you know." he scratched his neck. "Cause… This is not my room. Obviously and… You are here. And that's… Weird."

There was a stretch of silence.

"So ahem." Bruno cleared his throat. "We're… erh."

"We are going to the Parish." Julieta said. "There are beds there so we can rest."

"Oh." Bruno blinked. "That's nice… So you are going there like… Now?"

"We are going there." Mirabel corrected him.

"Oh. Right. Right." Bruno nodded though he still looked pretty confused but slowly stood up while the others did.

"It's not far," Julieta assured. "You can sleep some more once we get there."

Bruno just looked blankly at Julieta. As if his brain wasn't really comprehending what he was hearing.

Then Pepa marched forward as she grabbed Bruno's hand making Bruno's eyes widen.

"Come on then." Pepa simply said and pulled Bruno with her making Bruno let out a yelp in surprise only for multiple rats to fall out of his Ruana and Pepa screamed as she jumped back.

"Oh! OH! Sorry about that." Bruno gasped as he ducked down and picked up multiple rats all scampering around then stood up and now had his arms full of rats. Wide-eyed looking at Pepa.

And Pepa wide-eyed looked back at Bruno.

"Erhm…" Bruno hesitated. "So you remember I used to have a rat right?"

Pepa nodded. "That… Looks like more than one rat."

And Bruno looked filled with guilt as he held all of his furry friends. Like a child who had been caught stealing cookies.

"I made sure they never got into the kitchen," Bruno said. Again like a child who had to defend his actions.

Julieta couldn't help it, she bit her lip and she snorted amused. Making Bruno look at her. "Hermano… I think you're old enough to decide for yourself what pets you want to keep."

"Heh." Bruno smiled awkwardly.

"We were letting Antonio keep a jaguar. I think you're fine." Julieta smirked.

Again Bruno smiled, it was a very awkward smile, clearly nervous. But clearly, he tried as the rats ran back down his arms and into his pockets or wherever else they were hiding. Except one that decided to just sit on his shoulder and Bruno scratched it with a finger.

"Come on then," Pepa said taking Bruno's arm again, this time a little more careful. But she managed to pull him with them down towards town.

Of course, they couldn't walk too far before people blinked and looked, trying to get a glimpse at the Madrigal who had vanished ten years ago and appeared again now in the midst of all of this chaos.

Words traveled fast in their small town and everyone was curious so they tried to steal glances and would poke each other on the shoulder and point.

And clearly, it was triggering Bruno who tried to hide behind Pepa without showing he was trying to hide.

He pulled up his hood, hunched his back, and mumbled some odd sentences that were hard to make out. Pepa though was determined as she grabbed Bruno's arm firmly and refused to let go.

Pepa swallowed, feeling her own eyes getting stingy. It was so unbelievable... He was here. Her brother was here. And yet, it wasn't entirely right. He seemed smaller than before. The way he hunched himself, his eyes darting all across the place.

That panic attack where Bruno had seemingly just vanished right into himself... Pepa had seen Bruno having small panic attacks in the past. But nothing like this... Then Mirabel had revealed the wall and Bruno's work and it broke Pepa's heart. Had he really been here? All this time?

Pepa looked at the man next to her, and felt how he was shaking like a leaf. His breath gasping and his eyes darting around... This wasn't like the Bruno Pepa remembered. Then though Pepa recalled Mirabel's words... What she had said. They had to accept Bruno for who he was now. Not who he had been.

He needed them... Pepa swallowed. Her small, clearly scared brother needed her.

In the past he had needed her too, but he had never asked and Pepa had never stepped in. So Bruno had concluded he needed to wear the burden alone.

The moment the townspeople saw Bruno they were already ready to just put the entire blame on him, without a second thought! And he had worked to save them! It was just... Awful.

And here he was, reduced to a shaking shadow of his former self... And Pepa had let it happen. No... Not again.

"Bruno," Pepa spoke loudly making Bruno quiet as they walked. "I owe you an apology," she said.

"Wha-What?" Bruno asked in his stuttering voice.

"My wedding. I want you to know the truth." Pepa swallowed. "That day, was one of the best days of my life! And I would never want to change a single thing about it!"

Bruno clearly froze in her grip, clearly startled.

"I…" Pepa swallowed. "When we grew up… People often got scared of my storms and… I was afraid that one day people would just have enough of it. And leave me." she sniffed. "That no one would ever want to actually stay with me. Then at my wedding my worst nightmare seemed to come true, I ruined the whole thing but… You stayed with me. You took me through the storm! You didn't leave me! And Felix went through the storm to get me and I knew… Finally, I knew for sure. I had nothing to be afraid of! It didn't matter if I made a hurricane doing my wedding. Felix would still take my hand and you would still be next to me! You didn't let go… And that's why… That's why." she gasped.

"Pepa." Bruno gasped. "Pepa I'm sorry… I didn't mean."

"So I am not letting go of you now," Pepa informed sternly. "You know something else I figured?"

Bruno shook his head.

"Remember when we were young. You told me that one day I would meet someone who would not just walk through a storm to get me. But dance through it?" Pepa asked.

"That was not a prophe-" Bruno began.

"Not a prophecy! I know!" Pepa exclaimed. "And you know what that means." she turned so she was now facing a shocked Bruno. "It means it wasn't your gift who brought me and Felix together. It was you!" she said and Bruno's eyes widened. "Just… You." she finished.

Bruno was rooted to the ground. Stunned into silence.

Julieta nodded as she stepped next to Pepa so she could face Bruno. "The reason I even went out with Agustin in the first place was because you seemed to like him."

"What?" Bruno asked.

"Yeah, he came across as a little desperate back then honestly," Julieta admitted. "But you seemed to like him. And you never liked anyone so I decided to give it a chance and… I am so glad I did." she sighed deeply. "He is the love of my life."

"Juli." Bruno whispered. "I… I had no idea I."

"Of course, you didn't!" Pepa said. "We should have told you!" she grabbed Bruno's hand and then she halted as she looked at her hand holding Brunos. His hand was shaking... His fingers not actually curling around hers. She was the one holding unto him. Then Pepa looked at him again. "How long has it been? Since the two of us last danced?"

Bruno blinked, utterly confused. "What?" he asked.

And then Pepa pulled in Bruno's hand yanking him a bit forward as he yelped in surprise as he stumbled and almost fell down on the ground. If not for Julieta who caught him and pushed Bruno back up so he was now facing Pepa again.

Pepa swallowed as she kept a firm grasp on Bruno's hand. She had so many memories from her childhood and her youth. Of when she had been sad and upset… Bruno had always been ready to cheer her up. And his favorite way of cheering her up had been through a joke and a dance…

It had been Pepa's favorite way too… It always cheered her up and made her smile.

One thing did occur to Pepa. It had always… Always been Bruno cheering her up with a dance. Never the other way around. And her eyes watered.

Then Pepa pulled in Bruno making him shriek.

"Pe-Pepa." Bruno stammered.

"I'm not Pepa," Pepa replied. "I'm the devious Lucinda Scarlotti! Here to make mischief!"

Bruno blinked. "Huh?"

And Pepa smirked as she pushed herself away, stretching out her arms as she kept holding his hands. "See I'm no good for you at all," she stated as she took Bruno around in a little circle never letting go of his hands and Bruno looked up. Deep surprise in his eyes.

But then, a little light appeared in his eyes. And then a smile… A tiny little smile. And for the first time, it seemed natural.

"I just trick men to rob them blind!" Pepa stated.

Then Bruno chuckled a little amused. "Oh do you?" she asked.

"Yeah. What are you gonna do about it?" Pepa asked.

Just then Bruno's hand in hers became firmer as he held her back, and he let go with one hand, to swing her with the other, and capture her again. "Well I guess I'll just have to catch you before you get away with it!" and he dipped her down and grabbed her waste now having Pepa caught as he smirked. "Got you."

And Pepa laughed as Bruno stood there, and then…. He laughed too. It was a nervous laughter but it was laughter nonetheless! And there was a small light in his eyes, a fondness.

And slowly, slowly Bruno pulled Pepa back up. He was gasping, shaking, and already back to being withdrawn and insecure. But the light had been there. However brief! It had been there. And Pepa rushed forward to hug Bruno tight. Wrapping her arms around his neck.

Bruno's eyes widened and then slowly he wrapped his arms around her too. Pulling her in.

"Bruno," Pepa whispered. "If you ever leave me again… I'll kill you."

Bruno's eyes widened in shock, then his eyes softened. "Can't have that can we?" he asked. "You would go to jail. Lores, Milo, and Tonito will have no mother."

Pepa hissed but then swallowed and she stepped back so she could look at Bruno. "I'm serious now. Don't leave," she asked. "I can't… I just can't go through that again."

Wide-eyed Bruno looked at Pepa and then nodded. "Okay." he swallowed and Pepa gasped.

"I errh." Bruno swallowed. "I know… That I am not… I am not." he frowned deeply. "Normal." he ended looking up. "And… I am even less normal now than before. Bu-But I want to try." he said. "I missed you so much and erhm."

"Bruno." Julieta shook her head. "Who in our family is 'normal'" she made rabbit ears with her fingers. "We just want you here. Okay." she took his hand as Pepa took the other one. "And whatever you need… Just say the word. This time just… don't carry the burden alone." she swallowed. "That's the mistake we all made." her eyes grew misty. "We all tried to carry our burdens alone when we never had to in the first place."

Bruno swallowed, he just stood and he swallowed, and then he launched forward hugging both his sisters and they both laughed as they hugged him back.

Crying and laughing as they hugged.


And once they reached the Parish they sat down on a couch and it was like all they had done was move place from the rubble to this couch. Now sitting in the same position again. Except now all three of them were asleep to the great amusement of the children and.. The matriarch of the family just seemed to melt on the spot.

So many memories Alma had. Of these three just laying at random places in this sort of triplet pile. Even into their twenties, she could still find them on couches or out in the open on the grass in similar positions.

And the triplets did not wake up until Mirabel stepped in and announced that dinner was served!

Together Julieta and Pepa pulled Bruno towards the mess hall where a table had been set up with twelve plates on it.

Bruno halted as he looked at it, he went over the table and he counted… There were twelve.

"Come sit down Tio." Mirabel smiled as she pulled out a chair.

In stunned silence, Bruno pointed at himself.

"No offense Tio. But you seriously need to put some meat on those bones." Luisa commented and Bruno blinked.

"I helped make the Arepas!" Isabela cheered.

"You burned the arepas!" Camilo huffed.

"Calm down children." Felix chuckled. "Hi Hermano. Nice to see you up!" he smiled brightly at Bruno and Bruno's eyes widened as slowly he raised a hand.

Finally, one sister let go. Julieta, only so she could rush to her husband who still looked a mess.

"Are you all right?" Julieta asked Agustin.

"Yeah… Yeah." Agustin said. "Well actually no. I'm dizzy and have a temperature and the doctor said that under no circumstances should I overexert myself the next few days. But I'll live…. Provided I don't overexert myself."

Julieta smiled fondly at him as she touched his cheek and then kissed him.

"COME SIT NEXT TO ME TIO!" Antonio shouted.

"Oh… Erh." Bruno halted.

"I don't bite," Antonio informed sincerely and Pepa chuckled amused as she lead Bruno over to the seat next to Antonio and took the seat on the other side of Bruno while Julieta sat in front of him.

"So erhm." Bruno looked at Antonio. "Hi… Again."

"Hi Tio." Antonio beamed.

Bruno blinked stunned. Then cleared his throat. "No more bad language from the lemurs I trust."

"I can't understand them anymore." Antonio pouted.

"I'm sorry," Bruno said sincerely.

"It's okay. I only had my gift for a day. It has to be worse for the others." Antonio said. Though he still looked disappointed.

"Well, you know. You're more than just a magic gift." Bruno replied. "And animals are still good friends even if you can't talk to them." he reached out a hand and a rat crawled over his arm and then landed in the palm of his hand making Antonio gasp. "To be honest I never understood a word of what they were saying. But we still made it work."

And Antonio grinned. "Can I pet her?" he asked.

"Sure thing kid," Bruno said handing the rat over. "Her name is Marcia. She's young and kind of vain. But she has a good heart looking after her friends."

"Hihi." Antonio laughed happily as Alma stepped in, which automatically made the family silent and she sat down by the end of the table.

As Alma looked down the table she smiled, and for a moment her eyes rested at Bruno, making her smile even warmer. "We sure have a lot to give thanks for today don't we?" she asked. "Our family is safe and strong. Our Encanto has graced us with this shelter and this meal. Now… Let's give thanks."

She asked and everyone folded their hands as Alma said her little prayer and then the meal began.

At once Pepa filled up Bruno's plate with rice, tamale, and plenty of vegetables.

"You gotta eat!" Pepa gasped. "As much as you can."

Bruno nodded as he picked up a fork and then… He dropped it. And suddenly he bowed together as he covered his face.

Dolores looked towards him. "Tio?" she asked.

And then… Bruno's shoulders trembled, and then a sob could be heard. "I.. I'm sorry." he sniffed in a broken tone. "I'm really sorry I just." he cried.

Defeated Pepa put a hand on Bruno's back, and rubbed it gently. "It's okay," she whispered. "It's all okay."

And the family nodded as they returned to their own food and chatted with each other while Bruno cried, with a trembling hand he picked up the fork again and finally stuck it into some rice and put it in his mouth and he swallowed as he cried.

"Are you okay Hermano?" Pepa asked.

"Uhu." Bruno swallowed, with tears running down his face. And his nose was running. Bruno swallowed as he picked up a handkerchief to clean himself, trying to save some dignity.

Pepa looked at Bruno. "Good!" she stated as her voice broke and now tears ran down her face too. "Cause I am doing just fine too!" she picked up a handkerchief herself and blew her nose.

Bruno bit his lip as he chuckled amused… And cried… And ugly cried. He was not the only one.

"It's all too much." Felix swallowed. "This is just hitting me, man. Bruno is back! Can you guys believe it? I mean actually believe it."

"No." Agustin sniffed.

And Alma was wiping her eyes too.

"So erhm yeah." Camilo glanced around. "All the adults are crying."

And now Luisa just blew her nose loudly in her handkerchief.

"Okay, who's not crying?" Camilo asked. "I think that's a safer question."

"Oh just take it in," Mirabel smirked as she hung an arm around her cousin. "It's our first real family dinner in ten years!"

"All our dinners have been family dinners." Camilo pointed out.

"But it's not real when you are lacking a family member." Mirabel rolled her eyes.

Dolores shook her head but this time kept quiet. People were crying, people were laughing. It was just chaos.

It was the family Madrigal.