Casita was starting to near its completion. Very fittingly it looked like Casita would be finished around a year after its original fall.

The walls had been raised, and the basic rooms were basically finished. So they could start to work on the interior at the bottom floors such as building a stove and installing a shower.

On top of the house, they could now start creating a roof, the support beams had been created and the first layer of isolation so it was time to place the tiles one by one.

A job Bruno was happy to do. He had found himself really enjoying the sunshine and fresh air of working outside these last ten months.

And finally, he had even started to gain some weight! His wrists were still very thin, but they weren't skeleton. And Bruno actually felt stronger and more filled with energy than he had for years. He could have been ready to swear he hadn't been this energetic since he was sixteen.

Which seemed ridiculous. But it didn't make it less true.

And Bruno was smiling as he was placing the tiles up on the roof just as a small voice shouted from fall below.

"TIO!"

Bruno smiled as he looked down to find little Antonio standing with Camilo and Isabela.

"Hi kids," Bruno called down. "What's up?"

"Come down." Isabela laughed and Bruno smirked as he stood up and then grabbed the ropes next to him. Not even bothering to use the scaffolding as he hoisted himself down with ease and then landed right in front of them with a smile on his face.

"Okay seriously. How are you so good at that?" Camilo asked. "Are you sure you didn't turn into a part rat or something?"

Bruno chuckled just as a rat appeared at the neck opening of his ruana as if Camilo had called for it. "Possibly," he commented as he scratched the rat with a finger. "They are very strong and resilient creatures though. Also, they are very clean, very social, intelligent, and loyal. Also, they are really cute so I am taking that as a compliment." he stated.

And Isabela smirked amused.

"Tio has a good point." Antonio agreed.

"So what's up?" Bruno asked as the three kids looked at each other. Mischievous smiles on their faces.

"So you know how we got the new front door the other day?" Isabela asked.

Bruno nodded. "Sure. It hasn't been installed yet though."

"We took this," Antonio whispered as he reached forward his hands, revealing a golden blank doorknob.

Bruno blinked. "From our new front door?" he asked then chuckled amused. "Why would you do that?"

"We figured we should have it engraved!" Isabela beamed. "Like the doorknobs to our rooms! An M for Madrigal!"

"Ooooh." Bruno's eyes widened. "That's a great idea."

"M for Madrigal," Camilo smirked. "Or Mirabel. We were thinking that when the house is finished let her put in the new doorknob! It's a surprise."

"That's brilliant." Bruno gasped. "You guys really are something." he laughed happily.

"We were just wondering if you would take Antonio to the engraver with the doorknob," Isabela said. "That should take you about… An hour or so right?"

"Oh I would love to." Bruno beamed. "What do you say, Antonio? Some Tio quality time?"

"YAAAAY!" Antonio yelled happily grabbing his arm.

And Bruno chuckled amused, sending Camilo and Isabela a thankful smile. Touched over being included like this and then took Antonio by the hand so they could head towards the town.

Isabela and Camilo though were glancing at each other smirking mischievously and then high-fived in triumph as Bruno was out of sight.


Together they made it to the engraver and Bruno picked Antonio up, holding him so Antonio could watch the engraving taking place in front of him with big wide eyes and his mouth gaping.

"So how many are in on this engraving thing?" Bruno asked.

"We asked Abuela for permission," Antonio informed. "She loved the idea too."

"That's great." Bruno smiled warmly.

"Tio look at those!" Antonio pointed at the wall where there were several collars for dogs and different animals. With different showings of engravings to show the possibilities in writing style and even symbols. Antonio sighed. "The animals haven't come back yet," he muttered.

Bruno sighed deeply. "Well… We don't have a house yet. Maybe when the house is done." he said.

"You think?" Antonio asked.

Bruno shrugged. "I don't know," he admitted. "But maybe. Guess we'll just have to share my rats until then," he said and Antonio giggled as one crawled up on Antonio's chest so he could take it. His favorite rat.

"Hi, Marcia." Antonio giggled happily and Bruno smiled.


Soon the engraving was finished and they had a brand new engraved doorknob with a beautiful M on it, M for Madrigal or Mirabel.

Antonio was holding this doorknob while Bruno was holding Antonio carrying him around, however they didn't get far before Bruno suddenly blinked at the sight of a woman not far from them. Huffing and sweating as she was carrying bags of what looked like cement.

"Pepa?" Bruno asked and Pepa turned to see them. At once she brightened up just letting go of the bags.

"BRUNO! Tonito!" Pepa cheered as she ran straight towards them and Antonio giggled.

"Hi, Mami." Antonio laughed. "Tio took me to the engraver to make the doorknob for the front door." he showed the doorknob.

"Oh did he." Pepa gasped. "How wonderful. And what a nice doorknob. Did you help choose the engraving Tonito?"

"Uhu." Antonio nodded with a smile on his lips.

"What are you doing here?" Bruno asked.

"Apparently we ran out of cement," Pepa stated the obvious. "And apparently it had to be me getting it! Don't ask me why. For some reason everyone else was busy!"

"Bruno! Pepa!" The third and final triplet suddenly exclaimed from not far from them and they both turned to see Julieta come carrying bags of food.

Bruno blinked. "Okay what's going on?" he asked and Antonio giggled making all three adults turn to him.

"Tonito," Pepa warned.

"I'm not supposed to say," Antonio stated as he buried his face into Bruno's shoulder.

Bruno blinked as he looked up. "Those rascals are up to something," he concluded.

His sisters both nodded.

"Well." Bruno bowed down so he could put Antonio down. "I guess we have to figure out what it is. Why don't I take half the cement Pepa?" he asked.

"Would you? Thank you." Pepa sighed in deep relief.

"No worries." Bruno smiled picking up a bag. "I'm here aren't I?"

And Pepa grinned as she picked up the other and finally the whole group started to walk back towards Casita.

Halfway there they met Luisa and Dolores who were both smiling. "Oh you three are already together. That's great!" Luisa beamed.

Dolores sighed. "Yeah, then we don't need to stall anybody."

The triplets side glanced at each other. Then looked at the two young women.

"What's going on?" Bruno asked, he couldn't help but giggle. "What are you guys up to?"

Luisa just grinned as she took the cement away from Pepa. "Here let me take that," she said. "And that." she took Bruno's too for good measure proving that even without her gift… This girl was strong.

"I'll take that." Dolores took the groceries from Julieta.

Again the triplets looked at each other and Antonio just laughed as he grabbed Bruno's and Pepa's hands. "Come on! Come on!" he pulled them. "GUYS THEY ARE BACK!" he shouted.

The triplets couldn't help but chuckle amused as they finally returned to Casita and saw that suddenly… Garlands had been put up.

There was a table outside with multiple items on it, and a big cake with the entire family around it smiling and beaming by the sight of them.

"Everyone on three!" Mirabel shouted. "One. Two. THREE!" she exclaimed and then everybody shouted holding up their hands. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

There was silence. Stunned silence as the triplets just halted.

Bruno blinked… It was their birthday? To be honest that had completely slipped his mind. And it looked like he wasn't the only one as his sisters both looked shocked as well.

And then Bruno got a better look at the table and realized. Those were presents. A mountain of presents! And a big massive cake right in the middle.

Agustin smiled at them. "Julieta. Pepa," he said. "We all know you don't like celebrating your birthday but… We assumed it would be different this year."

The sisters blinked and then looked at Bruno. And Bruno blushed deeply as he lowered his head.

Then they laughed as they both embraced him.

"You would be right!" Pepa laughed amused.

Bruno had to squint his eyes just out of pure embarrassment. He didn't really know what to do.

Alma chuckled amused. "It is certainly worth celebrating!" she stated. "Brunito is here so we can all celebrate as we should."

Bruno blushed deeply as his sisters finally let go of him. "I… I honestly can't believe you guys," he admitted.

"Come on!" Mirabel shouted happily. "We got presents!"

"And cake!" Camilo shouted happily. "Do you know how difficult it was to hide the cake?!"

"And there's Tamarind juice for everybody!" Felix laughed holding up multiple bottles of the sweet orange liquid. "And tonight we are all going to Sanchez's restaurant to eat. No more cooking for you today Julieta."

"You gotta open my present!" Mirabel shouted pulling up a soft-looking package.

"No open mine first!" Isabela demanded.

"No mine," Camilo demanded pushing the others away.

And it all turned into quite a little tumble as the younger generation started to fight among themselves. But it wasn't malicious as was clear to see in the way they were all laughing.

"Easy children," Alma said. "They will get through all of them." she assured while Bruno had his eyes closed. Focusing on his breath before it got too rapid.

This was overwhelming, kind of too overwhelming. But he had no intention of spoiling this wonderful surprise.

Quickly as always though, Mirabel seemed to realize what was going on and stepped in. "Why don't we sit down and drink a glass first?" she asked. "Let Tio sit down." she urged and Bruno felt hands guiding him to a chair so he could sit down and collect himself.

Then smiled thankfully at Julieta and Pepa next to him who had sat down with him on each side of him and then a glass was pressed into his hands giving Bruno something to focus on.

He opened his eyes and saw Pepa's smiling face to his right. "Happy birthday Hermano," she said.

"Happy birthday Hermana." Bruno returned raising his glass so they could clink. "And happy birthday Hermana," he repeated to his left where Julieta chuckled and they repeated the process as finally, the first present came.

Mirabel had won the battle and offered Bruno a big soft package. "I hope you like it!" she said. "I've been working on it for a while," she admitted.

Bruno blinked as he slowly started to open the package while Julieta and Pepa got each of their own as well they could work on and then Bruno found some green soft cloth. But with yellow threats creating symbols and then finally Bruno held up the item. A brand new green Ruana. But instead of hourglass symbols at the edges, they were yellow butterflies. That wasn't all though. There were hidden markings to be found.

A cooking pot. Rain clouds next to a sun. A jaguar and a cactus. It would take hours Bruno realized. To find all the small hidden figures and he could just imagine that in years from now he would suddenly notice a new one. Bruno swallowed as he looked up at Mirabel.

"I figured you could need a spare," Mirabel smirked. "I'm not saying you should throw the old one out. But it would be nice to be able to swap them once in a while right?"

"It's amazing," Bruno informed honestly. "I don't…" and he had to stand up so he could hug Mirabel and she laughed hugging him back while Pepa's gift from her husband had finally been revealed.

A necklace in gold that matched her beloved earrings. And Julieta had unpacked a gift from Luisa that turned out to be a relaxing romance novel. Because Julieta needed to be able to relax too and not just cook all the time.

And then the gifts just kept flowing in. It was hard for Bruno to keep up as he wanted to make sure he knew who each one was from!

A small lychee tree from Isabela, safe for the rats to climb around in. A very fine bottle of rum from Felix. A big warm cozy blanket from Luisa around three times as big as Bruno was. Something to really snuggle in.

A stuffed rat from Antonio… Actually, it was Mirabel who had made it but Antonio had picked out the colors and sewn on the eyes. He was convinced the stuffed animal would help Bruno with his anxiety… He was right. But the others didn't have to know that.

From Dolores, there was a book, a collection of fairy tales and adventures. For inspiration.

And as Bruno unpacked what turned out to be a climbing tower for rats he desperately tried to figure out which of the kids had given him that. Only to shocked find out that it was from his Mama.

That wasn't her only gift. There were also brand new clothes. Two pairs of pants and three spot free shirts which honestly felt much more in line with what Bruno would have expected from Alma. He could just imagine she had been dying to put him in some brand new clothes with not a tear in them.

Bruno was honestly shocked when he realized that it looked like… more than one third of these seemed to be for him.

It looked like the entire family had just gone to town being very excited about what to give him… It probably wasn't a hard task as Bruno had very little to call his own. And the family just seemed determined to fill up his entire room before he even got to move in!

And there was a brand new hammock in bright colors that could be hung either outside or inside and finally, a big heavy gift making all the kids look excited.

"This is from all of us." Mirabel grinned.

Bruno looked pretty defeated. "You've already given me a present each. This is way too much," he said.

"Well, you've been given all of us presents!" Mirabel pointed out making Bruno look confused.

"Your books." Dolores giggled. "So we all owe you ten years' worth of presents!"

"Oh…. Erhm." Bruno blushed deeply. "Well I guess." he swallowed as he slowly started to unwrap the present. Making everyone gasp excited and revealed…

A typewriter… They had somehow managed to pool money together for a typewriter. And he looked up.

"You have to continue writing!" Mirabel exclaimed. "Maybe you can clean write what you already made."

"Oh you're giving me work now?" Bruno asked and they all giggled.

Bruno's eyes watered though and he swallowed. "Thank you," he whispered as his voice broke. "Really… Thank you I…"

And Mirabel ran right into him to hug him. Quickly followed by Antonio. And then Dolores and then all of the rest. And then it was just one giant Madrigal pile with Bruno in the middle. Chuckling nervously but then smiled.

"Well. I think it's time to cut the cake now." Alma spoke up freeing Bruno from the pile as the young generation let go and cheered.

And Bruno was allowed to sink back into his chair only for Julieta to put a hand on his shoulder and Bruno was left to wonder… He was seriously wondering. If anyone else in human history had ever had this good of a birthday?

He just couldn't believe how blessed he was. It was just unbelievable.