AN: I've been trying to do mass updates for my own health but I don't know if it's working since this was a way to keep myself from feeling like I was being forced to write. However this fic and several others are ones that I get excited and passionate to write for. Maybe I should focus on those types of fics for now (since I'm studying in two different college-type programs). Anyway, thank you for choosing to read and mostly thank you for not pressuring me to update. I'm very grateful for everyone who has taken an interest in this fanfic.

Chapter Three

Something About A Key

3.1

As much as she loved her grandmother and felt terrible that she had a gift that she didn't which connected her to someone so special, Mirabel did like being able to connect with her grandfather. Whilst strength and beauty could be seen as gifts that contributed to one's own self-worth, this proved that Mirabel drew importance from being part of her family.

Nieta, Mirabel heard Pedro's voice as a breeze rushed by her and towards the new hallway. Mirabel put a hand on the wall and looked down her own part of the house. She had a roommate but the roommate was so big that he filled the entire house and even outside for the community and she wasn't concerned with any physical presence. It was just like she always had a friend. Can you go to the workroom? I was able to create something new.

"Something new?" Mirabel smiled before laughing. "You're really spoiling with all of these gifts, aren't you, Abuelito," she said as she laughed but then heard the sound like a whistle and turned around to see Dolores staring at her. Mirabel gave an awkward wave. She wasn't sure how much Dolores actually knew but it was good that Dolores actually thought she was a little weird.

Mirabel slowly backed into her hallway before opening the door. "I think that I'm the only one who can understand you," she said and Pedro sighed.

I had figure that. I need to learn more about this magic, fifty years doesn't quite seem enough, does it? He sighed. I also can read your mind if I tap into that energy so as long as you are directing your thoughts to me, I can hear them.

Mirabel laughed weakly as she closed the door behind her. "Abuelito, you couldn't have told me that earlier," she said before rolling her eyes. She sighed and bowed her head. Dolores would still be able to hear her. It was her great hearing that was her gift and even behind doors and through walls she could understand conversations. Was she just making herself seem stranger .

I should have given you that wisdom before especially since I want to selfishly ask you for a favor.

"How can you who has given us everything consider yourself selfish?" Mirabel sighed as she laughed and put a hand over her mouth. It'll take a lot of practice to learn to talk to you without using my mouth. So, you said that there was something in here.

Mirabel saw a draw open and the bottom of the drawer bump a gift to the top counter. Mirabel took it in her hands and saw it was a key on a rope which looked like a homemade necklace that a child might make. A key? Do you want me to wear this?

No. I would…would like you to ask your Abuela if she could wear it. I'd like to see if I can communicate with her. I've missed her a lot and have channeled some magic into that. If she wears it then I might be able to reach her. I'm nervous though. I'm scared that she'll refuse to wear it.

"I've got you," Mirabel smiled as she slid the lid onto the box. There was no way her abuela would just carelessly throw away a gift that came from Pedro. However, what if there wasn't enough magic in there. What if it didn't work. How could she help both of her grandparents cope with that.

3.2

Mirabel took a slow breath as she waited outside her abuela's door. She closed her eyes as she tried to communicate with her grandfather. Abuelo, Pedro. What do you want me to do if this doesn't work?

I think it will work however this is my duty. You are not responsible for the outcome, Nieta.

Mirabel took another slow breath before knocking on the door and stepped back as she saw it open. She saw her grandmother's face turn into an expression of shock and concern as she looked around the house. This was new to both of them but it seemed that her grandfather wanted to communicate with her grandmother. If he wasn't strong enough to do it in person then perhaps his gift might be something they could use.

"Mirabel," Alma said as she looked at her with a little fear. "What is it? Did something ha-"

"Abuelo told me to give you this. He wanted you to wear it," Mirabel said as she handed over the box and her grandmother took it carefully out of her hands. Lifting the lid they both saw a gold key on a piece of strong rope that could be slipped around someone's neck. It wasn't the most fashionable piece of jewelry that Mirabel had ever seen but as Alma lifted it from the box, that didn't seem to matter to her.

"Pedro," she said as she saw the flap of the window answer her, "You want me to wear this?" she asked and the window flap tried to respond. "Okay." She said slowly before slipping it around her neck. She held to the key as it glowed and she let it fall close to her heart.

Did it work? Pedro asked and Mirabel tried to smile to give her grandfather encouragement. She saw her grandmother's eyes widen and she grasped the key in her hand.

"I hear you," she said as she looked at the walls of the house. "I hear you," she bowed her head and heard Pedro's relieved exhale.

I'm glad that it worked. I might not be able to do much, my butterfly, but I can at least try to be a presence in your life. Please don't cry for me. I had my last wish granted in such an unbelievable and special way. My last wish was for your safety and protection and I was able to provide you with that. I am grateful.

"I'm sorry, I know that it hurt that you had to leave us," Alma whispered as tears slid down her cheeks and she saw a table with a handkerchief bounce over to her. "But I would have wanted to hold you, to be with you. I'm sorry. I thought that -"

I have been with you. I have always watched over you. It's okay that you didn't know. Nobody thinks that the spirit of their husband has been turned into a house. I just wish that we lived in a different time. Then you would have felt no pain. I am so fortunate to have a granddaughter who can communicate with me, who can offer me a way to communicate with you.

"Will I see you in…again?" Alma asked as she turned to look at the wall.

I'll make sure of it but it takes up a lot of energy even for a short time. My energy and spirit provide the magic of this land, it provides the protection for all of you. My energy is also strengthened by that of Mirabel so please take care of her.

"And the broken wood, is that just like…you're broken body?" Alma asked. "Can you repair yourself."

With some aid, yes. It's okay if parts of me break so long as they are fixed. It's like a scratch or a paper cut, nothing important and trivial but I do appreciate you taking care of me. I am especially thankful to you, Mirabel. You are the heart of this family.

"Abuelo Pedro, you give me too much credit," Mirabel laughed as she tucked a strand of hair away from her face. She turned to her grandmother. "Abuelito is a little nervous about the family knowing but he told me that he still wants to slowly make himself known to the family a little at a time. So, he asked me to select one family member. I was thinking my mother."

"Julieta…she is a good choice. She's able to keep a secret and her gift is taking care of others," Alma nodded as she thought about their children. "What about Brunito?"

"Yes, why can't you enter Tio Bruno's room despite you creating it?" Mirabel asked and Pedro sighed as the house followed that sigh.

I exist in the past and the present. I was killed in the past. My son's gift deals with the future. It's a useful gift but I am carried by the present of this house. I have no way of existing in all three times and the future is an unknown to me. That's why I couldn't help you within that room. To enter the future would break me and end the power. I am happy to see my son but I cannot be around his gift in a meaningful way.

"But…you would like to meet Brunito as well, right?" Alma asked nervous of the answer.

Of course. This family gives me life. The bonds within this family give me strength. I want to be able to communicate eventually with everyone but have to do it slowly. So you think that Julieta will understand?

"Yes," Mirabel replied. "I think mom would be excited to meet you. She always tries to understand anyone and she wouldn't turn anyone away especially when they are hurt or scared."

3.3

Mirabel paced back and forth as she tried to figure out how she could tell her mother what had happened. Even when her mother didn't quite believe her, she had always been so gentle with her but this was really big. Maybe Bruno would take her more seriously but there was that power that was creating a distance between the two of them. Mirabel rubbed her arm as she tried to think of the best method for her mother when she nearly tripped over something.

"Woah, Woah, Woah," she heard Luisa say as she grabbed her arm and kept her from falling onto the ground. Mirabel laughed and turned around to look at her sister. "Are you okay?" Luisa asked concerned and Mirabel nodded.

"Just lost in thought, I guess," she said before seeing Luisa with a half smile on her face. Mirabel watched her seeing that she was acting a little differently and knelt in front of her. "Hey," Mirabel said as she reached out her hand to take her sister's and squeeze it. "What is it? What's wrong? You know you can talk to me about anything and I know you don't like to -"

"I'm scared," Luisa whispered. "I know that our powers all returned a while ago but having my power fail on me like that, it was a different kind of weak and I can't figure out what I would do if that happened to me as well."

Mirabel sighed. "You know that we would still love you and the whole family would be with you at your side," she said and then hummed. "Luisa, why don't you go and visit the local shops or go to the school and see if there are any community classes there that interest you."

"Yeah, good idea," Luisa said as she smiled and Mirabel grinned.

"Don't worry. I really feel that you'll have the ability to…you know," she shrugged, "branch out but without stepping into Isabela's territory," she said as Luisa nodded. Hopefully there was something waiting for her that she hadn't yet found.

End of Chapter Three

Thank you for reading

Thank you so much to those who left a review on Chapter Two

Bahari Muziki, Guest, Teenylambofgod

Also, I apologize if I try to use Spanish and it sounds wrong. I've been learning on Duolingo for about a year and am at Level 5 as well as now listening to songs in Spanish and watching Disney movies in Spanish and reading children's books in Spanish. I am not a native Spanish speaker but thought that living in California I really should at least attempt to learn some Spanish as I want to be able to communicate with those who are still learning English and bridge the language gap.