Sorry this took longer than I'd hoped to get gup. Work's been keeping me busy this week.

I haven't seen much about how Félix proposed to Pepa. Or how the conversation went down about him taking her last name. And, I just wanted to try writing from Alma's perspective.

Enjoy~

Alma Madrigal walked down the streets of her Encanto greeting everyone with a friendly smile as she passed. Their town had grown significantly over the last eighteen years. Homes were being built, one right after the other. The small group that survived the attack on their old home had nearly tripled.

Oh, if Pedro could see them.

A pang of sadness shot through her heart. Even after all these years, the thought of him hurt. Closing her eyes, she recentered herself. It was no use dwelling on the past. Pedro gave his life, so they could live. It was her job to make sure his sacrifice wasn't in vain. She'd personally see to it that their Encanto thrived.

"Señora Madrigal!" Alma stopped as she watched an old man step out of his shop. He was taller than herself, by a nearly a foot and a half. He was dark skinned with short white hair that peeked out from under his hat. He offered her a wide smile as he motioned for her to come closer. "I have those herbs packaged for you."

The man held out his hand offering her a bag. Taking it, she looked inside. Four different sized packages lay inside. Each bound by paper and tied with string. He'd even gone as far as labeling each of the bundled herbs. "Gracias, Alejandro. How much do I owe you?"

Alejandro chuckled as he shook his head. "Oh no. They're on the house."

"Are you certain?"

"One hundred percent. I wouldn't have been able to grow them if it weren't for young Pepa. With her gift it's much easier to grow these kinds of herbs. I don't think I'd be able to keep up with the amount of water they needed, otherwise." Alejandro laughed. Before he could continue on with his conversation another customer entered his shop. Tipping his hat, he bid her goodbye. "Have a good day Señora."

"You as well, Alejandro." Settling the bag in the crook of her arm, she continued her walk.

"Perdóname! Señora Madrigal! Can I have a moment of your time?"

The Madrigal matriarch stopped again. A familiar smile forming on her face. She knew the voice well. She could hear the sound of footsteps behind her. Turning to face them, she responded. "Of course, Félix."

Félix bowed. Lifting his head, he gave her one of his charming smiles. An alarm sounded her in mind. She stared down the young man beside her. She'd seen the same look plenty of times over the last ten years. It could only mean one thing.

He wanted something.

"I have a question for you." Félix said. His tone was confident yet shy.

"You do?" Alma hummed, pleased with herself that her instinct had been right.

"I do." Félix said, though she wasn't sure if the comment was directed to her or himself. Taking a deep breath, he fixed Alma with a serious stare. "I'd like your permission to marry Pepa."

"Walk with me." Alma said. Félix took the bag of herbs from her and offered her his arm. Linking it with her own, they walked down the street.

If she were being honest, she was surprised it'd taken the young man this long to ask her. She still remembered the day, when he was just a boy, that he'd approached her and asked for her permission to dance with her middle child. Over the last decade she had the privilege to watch the love between them grow. It reminded her so much of the love she'd shared with her own soulmate. It warmed her heart to know that there was someone out there that loved her daughter for who she was.

Pepa was like the weather itself, constantly shifting and changing. She vibrated with energy, just like the lightning she wielded. Yet, Félix was a stark contrast to her vibrant energy. He was calm and collected. He radiated sunshine and good times.

She'd heard from her triplets, the magic Félix worked with Pepa. On rare occasions, she'd witnessed it herself. Undeterred by the rain, or hurricanes, her daughter caused. When her children were younger, she'd seen how the village children would run. But not Félix. Instead, he'd stay by her side and together, they'd weather her storms. She couldn't have found anyone more perfect for her Pepita. The two just fit together, like pieces of a puzzle.

Her answer was already decided. She couldn't just give him the answer he wanted to hear. No, as Pepa's mother it was her duty to make sure that the man's intentions were honest and true.

And he deserved a little payback for all the times he snuck into Casita after dark.

Keeping her eyes ahead of her, she broke the silence. "How much do you love my daughter?"

"With my entire being. I've loved her since the moment I laid my eyes on her."

"You'd do anything for her?"

"Anything she wants."

"Would you take her last name?"

"Yes." There was no hesitation. No trace of uncertainty in his voice. Félix's brown eyes shined with confidence and commitment. He meant his words.

Though she didn't show it, Alma was stunned at how quickly he agreed. Tradition was for the woman to take the man's name. But Alma was concerned that if either of her girls changed their names, their gifts would be lost. The Encanto couldn't survive without their gifts. So, she made it clear that whoever married her daughters would have to take their last name. It caused quite an uproar amongst all of the suitors she'd found for Julieta thus far. "Most men would say no to breaking tradition."

"I'm not most men."

"No, I suppose you're not." The matriarch said with a small smile. Deciding she'd teased him long enough, she didn't want to scare him away after all, she patted the hand that held her arm. "Very well. Félix Castillo, you have my blessing to marry my daughter."

Félix's shoulders relaxed as he breathed out. "Thank you."

Shaking her head, she let out a chuckle. "Don't keep an old woman in suspense. Tell me how you plan to propose."

"Old woman, ha! You don't look a day over twenty!" Félix boasted. "But, my plan is..."

Alma walked into Casita's kitchen with Félix close behind. After discussing his plans, they decided to head back to the house. Pepa and Bruno sat across from each other at the kitchen table, cards spread amongst them. From the satisfied smirk Pepa wore, Alma knew Pepa was winning their round of poker. Plucking a card off of the pile, he grumbled laying his cards down. Pepa's grin only widened as she laid her own down, moving the candy they'd bet into her ever growing pile.

"You're a cheater." Bruno muttered.

"You're the prophet." Pepa smirked as she tossed a newly won piece of candy into her mouth. "You should know what cards you're going to pull and when to bet."

"You should know by now not to play with her Brunito. She always wins." Julieta laughed from her spot at the counter. She'd learned early on that her sister had a strange gift when it came to poker. No one in town could beat her.

Félix moved to the table. Sitting the bag to the side he leaned down to Pepa, giving her a quick peck on her cheek. Bruno pulled his hood over his eyes and made a gagging sound. "Get a room."

Pepa stuck her tongue out at her brother. Glancing over to Alma, she nodded. It was time. Félix couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so many emotions. Brushing his sweaty hands on his pants, he cleared his throat. "Pepi, would you like to go on a date with me?"

"I'd love to Félix, but I have to help Mamá with chores tonight."

"Go on Pepa. I've made other arrangements for tonight." Alma said, keeping her face neutral, watching as Casita poured her a cup of tea.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Go on." Pepa gave her mother a quick hug. Taking Félix's hand in her own, they walked out of the house.

Bruno looked to his mother, narrowing his eyes slightly. "But you don't have any plans tonight, Mama?"

Alma shrugged. She shook her head as Bruno took a small handful of Pepa's candy pile, tossing it into his mouth. "I don't, but your sister doesn't need to know that."

Julieta turned to the pair, mixing bowl in hand. One look from her mother told her all she needed to know. "Tonight's the night he asks her, isn't it?"

"It is." Alma nodded, taking a sip of her tea. "He received my blessing this morning."

Bruno let out a groan as he threw his head back, dramatically draping a hand over his eyes. "Great, now they're going to be more attached to the hip."

"Are you jealous?"

"Of them? No way." His face was deadly serious. In his opinion, the two spent way too much time together. He couldn't imagine spending every waking day with someone. Granted, he spent a lot of time with his family, but he could disappear into his tower if he needed space. Something that couldn't be done if he had to share his room. The thought of him having to share his space sent a shiver down his spine. "It's gross. Romance is overrated."

"Brunito, you wouldn't know romance if it smacked you in the face with a stick." Julieta chuckled. Unlike her or her sister, her brother didn't have a clue about romance. Almost a year ago, there'd been a particularly bad date with one of the girls in town. Since then he'd sworn off dating, choosing to spend his time with his siblings or with his rats.

"Oh, like Agustín does?" Julieta let her patient smile fall. Bruno's not so innocent smile grew, knowing he'd struck a nerve.

"Agustín?" Alma questioned. She'd heard the name before, though she couldn't quite place the face.

"The one with glasses that's always getting stung by bees." Bruno explained.

Ah, that's where she knew him from. She'd seen the boy at Julieta's stand, plenty of times. Many of the villagers talked about his strange affinity for bees, or rather, their strange aggression towards him. If she remembered right, he was an outsider that had come to the Encanto with his family, in search of a better life. Alma'd spoken to his father on a few occasions. Agustín seemed nice enough, though he was far from the matriarch's first pick for her eldest daughter. "Oh, yes."

"He hasn't even asked me out." Julieta muttered, tossing some spices into her mixture.

"Yet."

"Did you see something?" The healer narrowed her eyes, pointing her wooden spoon at him. Alma watched as a small amount of whatever her daughter was mixing flew from the spoon. It splattered across her son's cheek, right below his eye. "I swear Bruno! If you, did you better tell me!"

"Sorry, I didn't see a thing." The seer lied as he wiped the stray food off his face with his finger.

"You're such a liar!"

Giving his older sister a wicked grin, he flicked the mixture from his finger back at her. "Prove it."

"Where are we going Félix?"

Her novio shrugged, keeping his hand entwined with hers, he continued to lead the way. "It's a surprise, Mi Nube."

"I don't like surprises." Pepa muttered, bumping her shoulder into him.

"You'll like this one." Félix assured, bringing her hand up to his lips. Gently, he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. "I'm sure of it."

Pepa playfully rolled her eyes at his affection. A group of women caught her attention as they passed. "There they are. I'm surprised they've lasted this long."

Two of the girls looked to another. Shrugging her shoulders, another woman spoke. "Maria's just jealous because Félix turned her down."

"I am not." The dark haired one hissed. Her friend rose an eyebrow, as if daring her to challenge her. Rolling her eyes, she resigned. "Okay fine. But he should be with someone who can love him without soaking him with a rain cloud. I've seen how many times he's gotten rained on because she's in a bad mood. He's way too nice for her."

Pepa stared ahead as they passed the women. She knew full well that Félix was too good for her. She'd known since the moment they'd met. He was patient and kind, where she was a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

"Pepi?"

She felt Félix's small tug on her hand. Blinking, she focused back on him. "Hm? Sorry. I uh. I got distracted."

"I asked if you're okay."

Shaking her head to clear her spiraling thoughts, and the small cloud that formed over her, she gave him a forced smile. "Yeah, I am. Let's go."

"Here we are!" Félix almost shouted as he removed his hands from her eyes.

Blinking to adjust to the difference of light, Pepa took in the sight before her. They stood inside of a small cenote. The dark blue water was contrasted by the pale jagged rocks that surrounded it. Thick roots from the trees above hung down into the water. Vines and various plants littered the walls, creeping down from the large hole that sat above the center.

"Wow. It's beautiful Félix. How'd you find this place?"

"I have my ways. And I may or may not have fallen through the hole." Félix pointed to a smaller, human sized hole that sat off to the side of the much more obvious opening.

Pepa's eyes widened as her eyes trailed down from the hole to the water. "That's, at least, a ten-foot drop."

"Into water." He reasoned as he held his finger up. "Besides, if I didn't, we wouldn't be here right now." Pepa chuckled at his enthusiasm. He was the only man she knew that could find a bright side to everything. Let alone falling into a hole in the ground.

Her smile faded as the girls' comments rung throughout her mind. "Yeah, I'm sure you're used to water by now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, why are you with me Félix? All I do is bring rain." The redhead said softly, gluing her eyes to a small crack in the ground.

Taking her hand, he brushed his thumb over her pale knuckles. "You can't have flowers without rain."

"I'm serious."

Cupping her face, he tilted her head gently, so their eyes could meet. His warm brown eyes were full of nothing but love and adoration. "So am I."

Pepa sighed, turning away from him. Walking to the edge of the rocks, she stared out over the calm water. She wanted to believe him, she truly did. But she knew that everyone had their limits. Even Félix. "What if one day, you get tired of the rain?"

It was her biggest fear. She'd fallen hard and fast for him. He'd become her rock, and the thought of her weather driving him away terrified her.

"That'll never happen." Félix assured. "Pepa Madrigal, you are the light in my life. I've loved you since I met you on the playground all those years ago. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, can change the love I have for you. You're Mi Nube. Mi Diosa." Taking a deep breath, it was now or never. Kneeling down, he reached into his pocket. Pulling out a small box he opened it. "And if you'd let me, I'd like to stay by your side. Forever."

"No matter what?"

"No matter what." Félix assured.

Letting the last bit of her anxiety fade away, she took a calming breath. Slowly, she turned back around to him. Her heart beating wildly as she looked from his face to the ring in the black box. Settling back on his face, she brought her hands to cover her mouth. "F-Félix?"

"Pepi, will you marry me?"

"Yes!" Pepa threw herself into his arms, pulling him into a kiss. Once the need for air forced them apart, she rested her forehead against his own. She felt the tears fall from her eyes, but no rain fell from the sky. Looking up, she expected to see a cloud. Instead, a small rainbow hovered over her head.

She couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life with him.