Sorry for the long wait!

"Mami! Mami!" A young Aletia exclaimed. She could be no more than nine or ten, wavy, curly hair bouncing down her back as she ran to her mother. "Is it true? Is it true?!" She asked, practically bursting with excitement.

"Is what true, mariposa?" Her mother asked, giggling at her daughter's obvious joy.

"That I'm gonna be a big sister soon!" Aletia answered, causing the mother to choke a bit on her drink.

Her father, who had just walked into the room, curious, had his eyes blown wide. Like lightning, he was at his wife's side in a flash. Both her husband and daughter's faces matched in their eager, hopeful, joyful curiosity. Like little puppies, Rosa could practically see tails wagging in glee and anticipation.

Rosa sighed, turning to the other, older female in the room, "Suegra (mother-in-law)... I told you I wanted to be sure first before telling them." She said. The old woman smiled knowingly at her beautiful daughter-in-law.

"Oh, but I'm sure of it alright," Juliet answered. "There will be another bundle of joy in this house by spring of next year." She announced.

""YAY!"" Aletia and her father, Enrique, bounced for utter joy at the news. Rosa didn't even have time to think before she was lifted and spun in the air by her loving husband. The man peppered her with kisses, and the little woman couldn't stop the giggles erupting from her.

"Enrique!" She laughed, the sound like little bells that filled the man with happiness.

He gazed upon her as if she were his entire universe. "I," one kiss, "love," another kiss, "you," two more kisses, "so much," a kiss on her lips, "mi amada, mi vida, mi cielo," Each endearing name had a kiss attached to it.

He kissed her one more time before going to dance with his daughter, both of them singing about the new baby. Juliet was quick to join them, and Rosa had to let out a sigh. Even though she did, her sky-blue eyes watched them with undisguised fondness. This was her family; she wouldn't have them any other way.

Enrique, her wonderful husband. He was the type of man that would scream "I'm going to be a father... again!" To the entire world without shame. An open romantic. A complete simp.

She remembered how they met. They started as friends, their parents being acquainted. He fell first and serenaded her with her favorite songs, gifted her flowers. He took care of her when she fell ill, and made it his mission in life to make her laugh. When she finally accepted his courting, he yelled to the world "I'm the luckiest man alive!" and spun her around, just like now.

As embarrassing as that had been, she could not stop her smile. He made it clear that to him, she was the one. His only. There was no need to look at another woman because in his eyes she was indeed his everything. His sky, his stars, his love, the other half of his soul.

In their little town, his love for her was no secret. He would buy her favorite flowers every day, cook for her when she was tired, give her massages, take her on dates... he did it all with a smile and a kiss. Marriage was not too far behind, and soon after came Aletia, their little butterfly.

Now another joy was entering their life. Everyone was happy.

"I'm gonna be a big sister..." Little Aletia said in awe. Her eyes had started glowing in her excitement, no one minding it in the slightest.

When it first happened, around the time she turned two, Rosa was surprised. It only took three seconds for that surprise to shift into pure adoration. From then on, she would see what her grandmother saw. In their town, the older woman was regarded as a saint. There wasn't one person in their small village that hadn't been helped in some way by her.

And their Aletia would follow in her footsteps, doing great things. Rosa couldn't be prouder.

Juliet was the same and taught her everything she knew with a glorious smile on her face. Enrique would always be playfully jealous, as that particular gift seemed to only be for the women of the family.

But Enrique had a gift of his own, though it didn't seem as glamourous as his mother's or his daughter's. The music he played carried his emotions, creating different things. Those serenades? They were a lot more magical than just playing a song below her balcony under the starlit sky.

But to him, his little gift was nothing compared to the wonder that was his daughter. The way Aletia saw the world left them in wondrous awe every time she'd tell them about it. They listened to her eagerly as she ranted about how pretty their colors are as she learned what each of them meant.

"I'm gonna be the best big sister ever!" She exclaimed. Her chubby little cheeks were curled in a beautiful smile. Candlelight eyes gazing at her Mami's tummy with all the love they could convey.

Rosa leaned down to pick up her daughter. "I've no doubt in my mind that you will, mi mariposa."

Enrique wasn't far behind, wrapping his arms around his two girls. He was a tall, strong man. Lifting them into his embrace was a simple thing, "Of course you will, Leti! What are we going to do when they come into the world? Any ideas?" He asked her, the girl lighting up as lots of them came to her.

"We can teach him our song, Papi!" Aletia said, gazing at her dad with her lovely eyes. "And I'll play all of my games with him, and sing him lullabies, and share my sweets! I can give him all of my old toys! I gotta paint them a different color though, blue would be better."

There was a certain word in her rambling that caught all of their attention, """Him?""" All three of them said, gazing at Aletia in confusion.

"Mhm!" She nodded, tilting her head as she could 'see' their confusion, "Abuela, you didn't tell Mami he's a boy? Oh no! Was it supposed to be a surprise?! I'm sorry!"

When they looked at the older woman, they saw the shock on her face that matched their own.

Rosa was barely two months in, "I... didn't know, sweetheart."

There was no way for her to know that soon.

"Mmm..." Aletia slowly woke from her slumber. It had been so long since she saw Mami, Abuela, and Papi in her dreams. Well, in ones that weren't filled with sadness and heartache.

It wasn't long after that day that their lives began to change.

Adjusting her hands, she could feel Emil cuddle closer to her. She couldn't help the smile that blossomed on her face. This was the way they always slept. Knowing he was with her eased any worries she had. All of her fatigue had finally gone away, she felt as good as new. There was no pain, no scars, no fear. It was just her and Emil, wrapped in the comforts of a magical house known as La Casita.

'They must have laid him with me after we passed out.'

That was the only thing she could think of. After crying so much in Alma's arms, and being overwhelmed with the affection that this family had for them, Aletia hadn't the energy to stay awake. Emil quickly followed behind her.

Sitting up fully, she still remained on the bed. Her hand stayed caressing his soft hair. She didn't want him to wake up and find her not there again, and that was the same for her. She wanted him to stay where she could feel him, safe in her arms.

While she understood that Casita would keep them safe, it was a lot to get used to. A Magical house. A Magical Family. Their family.

"Is this a dream, too?" She whispered. The moment after she whispered that her eyes lit up with that familiar, candle-like glow. Someone was approaching the room. Soft steps and breaths. Just as quietly as they arrived, they opened the door. Her eyes dimmed again, returning to normal as they came in.

"It's not a dream, sweetheart," Dolores said. Aletia could hear her quiet footsteps as she came closer. She sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb the little one who was still sleeping. "How do you feel? Any pain?"

Aletia shook her head, her hair bouncing as she did. Dolores let out a small chuckle at the sight. Compared to everyone else in the family, Aletia was tiny. Soft brown skin and lots of wavy, curly hair. Even if she did not have great height, she was a well-endowed young lady. Dolores was sure she'd be hearing all of the local boys' swoons and sighs.

Aletia was a very beautiful girl.

"Um," She heard the young girl whisper. She hesitated, fiddling with her fingers a bit. Her thick bangs covered her eyes, but the Madrigal could see her mouth open and close, debating on whether to speak or not. "Um..."

"Go on, chiquita, you can speak with me about anything," Dolores assured. She could tell that she was nervous. But eventually, she did speak.

"I would, um," She gently squeezed Emil closer to her, as he was her source of comfort, "I would like to... meet everyone." She said, her voice so tiny even Dolores had a bit of trouble hearing her. She was thankful she had her gift at this moment. "I didn't get to meet them properly. Or thank them. I fell asleep. I'm sorry."

"No no no, honey. There isn't any need for you to say sorry. Yesterday was a lot. It's okay." Dolores answered before smiling, "I'm certain everyone will love seeing you! They're getting breakfast ready right now. I'm sure you and Emil are hungry. Do you feel up to coming with me?"

As if answering for her, Aletia's stomach let out a low rumble. She fiddled with her fingers in her embarrassment, but still answered, "Yes, please."

Dolores had to resist. How is she so cute? She just wanted to squeal and hug her, give her the world while she was at it.

Aletia, unaware of Dolores' plight, turned to the little bundle that still had a hold of her shirt, "Emil, it's time to wake up, honey."

"NoOoOo~" The baby grumbled, snuggling in closer.

"Mi luz," She leaned down, placing a kiss on his forehead, "I know you're still sleepy, but you have to eat." She said gently. At the mention of food, the baby finally began to wake.

His priorities included Leti, sleep, and food.

The child yawned, sitting up slowly. Not a second later, he was leaning on his sister again, his eyes slowly opening. "Morning, Leti..." He mumbled. His hair was a mess atop his head, tired honey-brown orbs taking their time to wake up to the world.

When he noticed Dolores sitting at the edge of the bed, he smiled brightly. Seeing her meant that yesterday hadn't been a rare, pleasant dream! They were in a magical house and had family again! "Morning, Miss Dolowes!"

Dolores had to resist the urge to coo. This kid, why was he so cute? His smile was like sunshine, who would want to hurt this little bean? No one, she'd make sure of it. "Hi, baby. Sleep well?"

"Yep!" He said, nodding as another yawn escaped him. "Leti's here. Leti keeps the bad dreams away." He looked down, a smile still on his face.

With that said, he carefully makes his way off the bed. As if he'd done so countless times before, he gently takes his sister's hand and she follows his lead, getting off the bed. Dolores had wanted to assist her since she had a feeling she could only 'see' when her gift was active, but Emil beat her to it, and she could only watch as they made their way off the soft mattress.

Now standing, Aletia crouched down just a tad. "Come on, Emil." She said softly, opening her arms to him. Within moments the little boy was being held by her, only one arm is needed because of his size. Now that she wasn't sick, feeling the healthiest she'd been in months, holding him was the same as holding a feather.

Elated to be in her arms again, Emil planted a kiss on her cheek, making her lips twitch as if she was resisting the urge to smile. "Leti! Leti!" He said, trying to hold in his excitement. "I'll tell you everything I see!"

"Mhm." Aletia answered him, adjusting her hold so he was comfortable. This was how they usually traveled, as she was taller and could move faster. Emil was her eyes, and she was their legs. Plus, she loved holding him. Hearing him talk, feeling his heartbeat, every breath he took, let her know that he was safe. He was alright, and he was with her.

And for Emil, Aletia's arms were the safest place in the world. There, no one could hurt him. Everything was alright as long as she was there.

"You two are so cute..." Dolores found herself saying before she could stop it. Both of them turned towards her, the boy beaming in his sister's arms. The girl, however, seemed shocked at the words.

Her expression spoke volumes about her confusion, "I-I am?" If she wasn't already blind, she'd be looking away right now. If she was a lighter skin tone, her cheeks would be dusted with a shade of red. "...Thank you."

Emil puffed his chest out proudly, "Yes! Leti is the prettiest." He nodded to himself as if that was a fact that should be known by all. Then he had a look of confusion, "Papi always said she can't, um, mawwy? Mawwy. She can't mawwy until she's, um," He counted on his fingers again, but ran out, "I can't count that high. It was a super big number. But he always said it every time anyone said she was pretty!"

Aletia sighed, shaking her head. "Emil... Papi was being silly."

"No, he wasn't!" Emil said indignantly, "Papi said boys are bad and that no one is worthy of Leti. So, I'm going to protect you from all the bad! Yeah!"

"But you're a boy, too, Emil." She replied, watching as the child took three seconds to go over her words.

"I'm not "a boy". I'm Emil, and Emil protects Leti." He stated, hugging her closer as if on the lookout for "The Bad".

Aletia couldn't help the small smile on her face, "My little hero."

Dolores was struggling. She was really, really struggling.

She didn't want to overwhelm them with affection. They saw the result of that yesterday. The poor siblings passed out from the stress and shock after crying their little eyes out... And it didn't help the family about the little things they caught in both the small conversation they had and the way they woke up. But...

"Dios Mio." She was going to lose her mind to this cute display. It was like she was being fed sweets enhanced with Tia Julieta's magic, healing her very soul.

It was at that moment her smile softened with a dull ache. She could hear their heartbeats while on the mountain, their cries, their panic. Before they realized they were safe, they'd felt far from it. Even while they were sleeping, their hearts were never calm.

She was almost certain that this was the first time they'd felt this at ease in a very long time. It brought her mind back to yesterday, just after they passed out.

Alma was shocked considerably when the children went limp in her arms. The Madrigals panicked for a moment before Julieta's voice paved the way for their calm, "They're just sleeping. All of this excitement must have been exhausting for them."

Sighs of relief could be heard, "Help me get them comfortable." Alma said. Her triplets nodded, helping her get the siblings situated in the bed.

Emil, the little one, curled in his sister's warmth as if it was instinct. His little hands gripped her gown, relaxing as he was in a familiar position. Aletia, in that same motion, gently held her brother closer. There was a sense of protection in her embrace, and the furrow in her brows relaxed knowing that he was with her.

It was like this that they peacefully slept.

"They are so cute..." Yes, so adorable. There was so much love for each other in all of their gestures, who could hate them?

"Let's leave them to rest. They've been through a lot." Everyone agreed on that, silently leaving the room. Casita, ever the helpful house she was, closed the door behind them.

"Now. There are some concerning topics I'm sure each of us would like to discuss." Alma stated, earning nods from all of them.

"Emil," Luisa said, inadvertently earning attention from her family, "The way he ran from us... He looked like he was sure that we were going to hurt him. I... I don't look that scary, do I?"

"No, dear. You are the sweetest girl ever. I don't think he was looking at you." Julieta told her daughter, the others looking at her in surprise.

"Yeah, Aletia was like that too. They... they were panicking," Pepa added. All of their concerns were rising. "And we'd know panicking, right Bruno?"

"Yep. That was definitely panic." Bruno nodded. "Big panic. Not something you'd get from a small worry. Something happened. Something major." It was one of the rare moments he wished he could see into the past instead of the future.

It was then he had a small light bulb go off in his mind, "Maybe... I could?" But this thought was put on the back burner for now. His gift was still something that scared him, something he had to work on to get into the habit of using again.

Ten years of disuse, thinking of it as a burden, don't just go away in a few short months no matter how supportive your family is.

"Emil said something about being in a house that 'smelled like coins'. Aletia told him no one would take him again." Isabela was growing flowers at her feet, trying to calm her increasing worry. Her thoughts drifted to how they found them on the mountain, Aletia's delirious rants of people hurting them, liars, and her protectiveness of her brother.

The more they thought about it, the more their stomachs fell. Especially Alma's. She would know that metallic stench. There were many who were killed when the riders pillaged their home, she remembered that smell invading her nose when Pedro sacrifice himself to give them time...

Alma was almost in tears again. She stopped herself from going back in the room and holding them in her arms again. They deserved to know that they were safe here. Nothing like what happened out there would ever happen here.

"Well, whatever was out there won't get to them here," Camilo stated as if reading her mind, "We'll make sure of it."

"Yeah." Mirabel was fast on the uptake, "We'll give them so much joy and love that all of their heartaches will be a distant memory."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"So, what's our game plan, Familia Madrigal?" Mirabel asked, smiling as a million ideas came to mind.

"First, get them healthy. Aletia is still much too thin." Julieta was firm. There were to be no strenuous activities or excessive walking before both of them were completely healthy. "They aren't to leave the house yet, not until then. That could be a good week or so."

"Then we can show them around Casita! Emil's first impression of her was... less than pleasant. But he's okay with her now, so let's give both of them the grand tour of La Casa De Madrigal! It's gonna be their home now, too."

"Good idea! Plus we have a week to shower them with love and affection. It's a plan."

La Familia Madrigal's goal was set, and Dolores was to be on the lookout for the moment they woke again.

That brought her to right now, her smile regaining its strength. Dolores walked before Aletia, "Come on," she said, gently taking the girl's free hand.

Aletia was silently surprised but grasped it back after a moment. Her eyes lit up for a brief second, the small twitch of her lips going up again.

"Time to meet the rest of your family."

This would be the start of their new, wonderful lives.