AN: The first official chapter is here finally! I'm excited to post this, this was a little difficult because I will be going through the movie with some things changed, and I did put in the songs. I won't do all of them, but I wanted to establish that the musical numbers do happen in this story because there will be other songs I can imagine happening later on!

If there becomes a problem with this though, then I can just re-upload without the songs. The majority of singers with all their words italicized or underlined, while Fabian will have his words in bold. Speaking of Fabian, it was interesting making and trying to write a character like him! But still a lot of fun!

I don't own Encanto, or the wonderful, catchy songs! Hope you all enjoy! Thank you for reading Woven Together!

/

His hands ran over the beautifully stitched patterns on the nice formal light beige shirt on his lap. They were obviously additional patterns added by a different seamstress. The pattern of blue butterflies with swirls of stars around and in between each, in two vertical lines on the front.

Fabian smiled now that tonight was the night he would finally be able to wear such a special outfit. A gift he cherished so much when he received it on his birthday last month. He didn't get a wink of sleep last night as his nerves kept him awake. He just wanted tonight to go well, but he's sure that was the mindset for everyone in town. But for him it was a different reason.

Suddenly all thoughts were interrupted when the rooster from behind his house signaled its morning alarm. With the birds chirping louder at the rise of the sun.

"I'm gonna be late!" Fabian panicked to himself realizing now what the time it was, he wasn't even ready yet! Placing the nice shirt on his bed gently, he quickly went to his dresser, pulling out everyday wear since he won't wear his nice shirt till the night comes.

Throwing off his pajamas and throwing on his clothes. Consisting of a light very pale blue and white striped shirt with a tan vest over it that had a sewn on pattern of small stars on the bottom trim. Then finally dark pants and shoes before he ran down the hall of his house towards the front door.

Before he opened it though, he remembered immediately he almost forgot his formal shirt in his room! Running back to grab it, this time he was ready to bolt out the door.

A few neighbors and vendors were already setting up stalls for the day, waving and greeting Fabian as he ran by to the specific colorful house at the end of town.

"Hola Fabian!" One vendor greeted him.

Fabian grinned and reached into his pocket to pull out a coin, tossing it to the man who tossed him back an apple. "Buenos días señor! Gracias! I'll see you tonight!"

Running back to the beautiful house that was now just ahead, he took a bite from the fruit the man gave him. As he got closer, it never failed to make him smile at how amazing this place was. It felt so alive, and it actually was!

When he came closer, the house almost seemed to see him as it waved its shutter like waving towards him. He waved right back, swallowing his food, "hola Casita!"

Getting closer to the front doors, they opened for him as he stopped running when he got inside. Everything seemed so quiet, no one seemed awake yet. Maybe he came before a specific early bird woke up.

He looked to the side, talking to the house, "is Mirabel awake yet?"

The shutters waved as the tiles leading to the stairs did flips, signaling that she was. Of course she would be. It made Fabian chuckle before he went to the staircase, placing his formal shirt on the railing he asked, "can you put this somewhere safe for tonight, por favor?"

Accepting his request, Casita took his shirt, moving it from the railing to a place where it would be ready for tonight. Grinning then thanking the house, he ran up the stairs onto the second floor towards the teal painted door that contrasted to all the glowing ones around.

Taking a deep breath, fixing his vest and dark straight brown hair, he raised his hand to knock on the door. But like she was expecting him, the door swung open to reveal a bright young girl who seemed even more excited when seeing who was standing at the doorway.

"Fabian! You're here!" Mirabel greeted happily but still in a sort of whisper. Probably to not wake up her little cousin Antonio. It took all of Fabian's control to not let his voice crack.

"I promised I would help, didn't I Mira?" He jokingly asked, with his childhood nickname for her, feeling his face heat up slightly but prayed it wasn't too noticeable. He didn't speak a lot, especially not after that night ten years ago, but he still was able to talk to others. Yet he just liked more observing now, it became more his style.

He just couldn't help but stare into Mirabel's beautiful hazel eyes behind her green glasses, wanting to stare at them all day. But he had to focus! This was no time to get all lovestruck!

Especially since said girl grabbed him by his wrist that still held his apple, and led him to the stairs he just ascended up. She gave a quick spry, always so fast pace even in the morning, he always wondered how he was able to catch up with her. But it still made him smile.

"Vamos!" She ordered playfully, jumping down the stairs as Casita turned them into a slide for them to get down faster. Already having done this many times before, Fabian copied what she did to get down the stairs. As they passed the picture of Mirabel's grandfather Pedro, greeting him, "morning Abuelo!"

"Morning sir!"

They walked through Casita towards the kitchen; where they would get the plates and dining table set up first. As they passed each window, they opened up to let in the brighter morning light all over the house.

Fabian was sure he heard children's laughter coming closer, but granted here in Encanto children played early in the morning together all the time.

When they made it to the kitchen, Fabian threw away the core of his small breakfast as Casita rolled the shelf holding the plates down to the table. Letting all the plates roll across the surface, Mirabel tried catching them all, yet a couple almost rolled passed her towards the edge.

Fabian grabbed them immediately, laughing and taking a few more plates off of Mirabel's hands. "Here let me help you there, before you break them."

"No I won't." Mirabel rolled her eyes at his obvious teasing as she set plates down on one side of the table, Fabian setting his own stack down on the other side.

Until a young child's voice called out from outside towards them, "hey! When's the magic gift thing happening?!"

Fabian looked up to the windows to see three small kids he recognized from town when hanging out with Camilo; little Alejandra, Cecilia, and Juancho. Who he was pretty sure was chugging a cup of coffee… that's gonna be a wild ride.

"My cousin's ceremony is tonight." Mirabel called back out to them while still doing her job.

"What's his gift?!"

"We'll find out tonight." Fabian answered Alejandra this time, still helping.

Juancho took another sip of his coffee, kind of looking a little crazy, "what's her gift?" He questioned pointing at Mirabel.

Fabian tried not to look uncomfortable, knowing that was a touchy subject to his best friend. He was both surprised, yet not too shocked that they didn't know Mirabel didn't get a gift. They were young, and she always had to help on the sides even if she wanted to do more. But he was sure someone in their family would've told them there was at least one magic-less Madrigal here…

Luckily, and sadly in his opinion, Mirabel played it off cool and unbothered, "who's asking?"

"Us!" All the kids answered innocently but still excited.

"Well 'us', I can't just talk about myself so easily," Mirabel explained after finishing setting her plates down. She went over to a painted family tree on the wall with a slim crack in it, of all the members of the Madrigal family, "I'm only part of the amazing Madrigals."

"Who's all the amazing Madrigals?!"

"You know they aren't going to leave you alone till you answer, right?" Fabian smirked slightly towards Mirabel as he set down his last plate as well.

Chuckling and shaking her head, with a hand on her hip, "yeah I know. Casita, you wanna help us out here? Drawers!"

Pointing at the cabinet drawers they opened at her command by the magical house.

Taking Fabian's hand, he let her drag him away again, running along with her as she jumped into the middle of the open area of the house in the center. "Floors!'

Each tile around her flipped over to a different color tile, before she ran back up the stairs to where all the beautiful glowing doors of each other Madrigals family member slept in.

"Doors! Let's go!"

Mirabel let go of Fabian's hand to skip along the balcony next to each glowing door as he followed close behind her.

"This is our home, we've got every generation." She sang as with each beat she would knock on her family's doors to wake them up for the day. "So full of music, a rhythm of its own design."

Keeping her own rhythm going, Mirabel ran up to her sister Isabela's door that was glowing brightly and covered with flowers. She opened it without even knocking this time, "this is my family, a perfect constellation."

Over Mirabel's shoulder, just only slightly taller than her by a few inches, Fabian could see his friend's sister rise from her bed in the huge flower garden she called a room. She even rose all perfectly, wind blowing in her hair. He had no idea where the gust of wind even came from!

That was short lived till Fabian sneezed, the pollen from the room acting up his allergies, before he was dragged off once more. However this time, he sung along to Mirabel's song as they ran down the balcony hall again, "so many stars,"

"And everybody gets to shine!" She finished looking at him with stars in her own eyes.

Though they then realized as they ran, they weren't getting anywhere. That was because Mirabel's second oldest sister Luisa was training, and Casita's floor became a treadmill as the tall young woman ran while lifting weights.

Fabian chuckled a little nervously, he knew Luisa was extremely kind, but still very strong. That sort of worried him. Especially with his plans for tonight.

But before he could linger on those thoughts, Mirabel made them stop so that way the fast pace of the treadmill balcony floor, slid them all the way back to in front of the nursery. "Whoa! But let's be clear, Abuela runs this show."

She gestured to her grandmother, the matriarch of the Madrigal family, Alma Madrigal. Who walked out of her room with dignity, her hands held in front of her as she looked out to her family that all emerged from their own rooms.

"Oh! She led us here so many years ago." Mirabel still sung while they all went down the stairs together to the kitchen to quickly get their breakfast and coffee. Now ready to start the long day of being the amazing Madrigals. "And every year our family blessings grow."

When they were all done, Fabian walked right next to Mirabel singing along with her still. With his admiration for all these amazing people, "there's just a lot you've simply got to know."

Grinning at his help in talking more about her family, she ran to the front door ahead and opened it up wide for her and her family that walked out, "so! Welcome to the family Madrigal!"

"The home of the family Madrigal," Fabian walked behind the group, letting the more important members of the community lead and show themselves.

However, Mirabel ran back over to Fabian to take him by the arm this time and come along with her and her family as she bounced in excitement, "we're on our way! Where all the people are fantastical and magical."

The pair both turned around and waved bye to Casita, as the beautiful and colorful house waved back to them with its shutters and tiles.

"I'm part of the family Madrigal!"

As the family and Fabian walked into town, ready to help and do what needs to be done for their community, the two teenagers behind them walked side by side as the kids from earlier were watching from a building. Their little minds being blown away at seeing the Madrigals come out and use their extraordinary gifts.

"Oh my gosh it's them!" They all cheered simultaneously, immediately running towards Fabian and Mirabel asking so many questions together. Cecilia walked backwards in front of them, while Jauncho followed with his cup of coffee, and Alejandra grabbing and tugging on Fabian's hands.

"What are their gifts?"

"I can't remember all their gifts!"

"But who is who?!"

Mirabel laughed and tried to calm them all down, "alright, alright relax."

"We'll explain them all to you guys soon, contain yourselves." Fabian tried to as well. Though the children were just being sweet and hilarious with their positivity.

"But it is physically impossible to relax!" Alejandra countered as a ball of energy.

Cecilia agreed with her just as small as her friend, "tell us everything! What are your powers?!"

"Just tell us what everyone can do!" Juancho ordered loudly, his whole body shaking with adrenaline. And coffee.

It caused both teens to stop in the middle of the road and stare at him. Not quite sure how to take that.

"And that's why coffee's for grown ups." Mirabel kindly stated, just as Fabian quickly snatched the cup from the little boy's hands. Just to be on the safe side.

Changing the subject back to the main topic at hand, she motioned them all over to a beautiful mural painted on the side of the building. On it were all the members of blood relation to the madrigal family.

"My tia Pepa," Mirabel pointed to the painting of Pepa Madrigal on the mural supporting her signature yellow, and sunshine painted behind her. "Her mood affects the weather."

Fabian ushered the kids to look behind the building where Pepa was dancing around the crops, sun shining brightly because of her elated mood. Until she tripped. "When she's unhappy, well the temperature gets weird."

As confirmation, when Pepa got back up she looked angry, making a thunder cloud with rain appear above her head and in the sky.

Mirabel continued the song pointing to the man in green holding an hourglass in his hands, "my tio Bruno-"

"We don't talk about Bruno."

All of the townsfolk suddenly sang to interrupt her song, very ominously.

It left the teens and three children to look at the people strangely at how ready they were to shush the mysterious man's name. Fabian though just shrugged and knelt down to all the kids to still say what he at least remembered of Bruno, singing playfully but adding to the mystery, "they say he saw the future. One day he disappeared."

Mirabel hoisted Fabian back up to stand, shaking her head at him but still happy, "oh! And that's my mom Julieta, here's her deal!"

"Whoa. The truth is she can heal you with a meal." Fabian explained bringing them all over to the table of baked and ready made food Mirabel's mom Julieta had prepared for the long line of people that have just recently been injured.

"Whoa, her recipes are remedies for real," Mirabel sung admiring her amazing healer of a mother, standing next to her as she fed a man who had an extremely broken wrist some food. Then it was magically fixed and able to be used again. "If you're impressed, imagine how I feel."

Julieta noticed her daughter standing next to her now, immediately setting down her basket of food just to grab her daughter's face and kissing her cheek. It made Fabian's smile soften, imagining his own caring mother.

"Mom!" Mirabel groaned though but still laughed as they twirled around, "welcome to the family Madrigal!"

She ran back over to Fabian and the kids, taking both his hands to spin them together, "the home of the family Madrigal!"

She then still held one of his hands, both of them now running through the plaza. Weaving between people with the kids following, but politely saying to people who they almost ran into, "hey coming through!"

She let go of him and began to dance around the plaza with music all around them. Fabian clapped his hand to keep in time with the beat for Mirabel while chorusing, "I know it sounds a bit fantastical and magical."

"But I'm part of the family Madrigal!"

When Mirabel danced in front of the stoned walkway of the streets, her dad and uncle began to come in, dancing to the music as well. She figured this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce them, "two guys fell in love with family Madrigal."

Hugging both of them as being a part of her life and family, Fabian added to the song with almost a bit of a happy hopeful look in his eyes, "and now they're part of the family Madrigal."

The two men moved away but towards their magical wives who brought them to be a part of the Madrigals. "So yeah, Tio Felix married Pepa." Mirable went to Pepa and Felix first as they kissed each other romantically, before going to her parents as they did the same, "and my dad married Julieta."

He watched with amused eyes at how happy and loving each couple was in their own way. It made him think a little of his own parents.

His remembrance of his parents though left when Mirabel gathered with her whole family in front of him and the kids, "that's how Abuela became an abuela Madrigal!"

"Let's go, let's go!" Moving aside, the head of the whole family came walking down, looking around at everyone in the community and her family. She looked over at Fabian and smiled at him, while he gave a polite nod as a greeting to her.

"We swore to always help those around us. And earn the miracle that somehow found us." Mirable stood back next to Fabian and the children as her grandmother sang. A few townspeople were moving bricks over to a new house that they were building.

Wanting to help out as well, Fabian placed a hand on his childhood friend's shoulder briefly before going over to the line and help pass along the bricks to the pile needed for the foundation of the new house, listening to Alma Madrigal sing watching everyone work together, "the town keeps growing. The world keeps turning."

"But work and dedication will keep the miracle burning." Abuela Madrigal patted Fabian on the back as she was grateful for his help, with everyone working faster to make the new building. The dark haired boy smiled softly, as he watched Luisa come in with an extra stack of brick. Dropping them down with no problem. Hearing a baby crying close by, he looked to see also his other best friend Camilo helping a mother with calming her child down as she needed rest. He shapeshifted into her to soothe the child better.

Isabela, who was dancing and posing through the streets, helped make flowers bloom in decorations for tonight. "And each new generation must keep the miracle burning."

Fabian always admired the Madrigals' hard work and their aid in the community with their gifts. They always seemed to work well together for everyone. They worked so hard, but sometimes he wondered, do they ever get tired of working so much?

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Fabian returned to Mirabel and the others as they watched everyone. But the look of confusion on the children's face made him chuckle. Fixing his vest a little, he heard Alejandra first ask, "wait, who's a sister and who's a cousin?"

"There's so many people!"

"How do you keep them all straight?" Juancho questioned.

Fabian laughed as it would be a little confusing with so many children living under one roof and having magical gifts. He grew up with them so Fabian knew who was who, but it was still best to explain it to the kids.

Even a few more children came in while Mirabel led them back over to the mural that was used as a visual aid. The kids followed her lead like baby ducks, as Fabian just walked normally with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

"Okay, okay, okay. So many kids in our house. So, let's turn the sound up." She bumped Fabian on the elbow with her signaling she wanted him to be involved with this number. "You know why? I think it's time for a Grandkid Round-up!"

"Grandkid Round-up," Fabian echoed with the villagers as well.

"Cousin Dolores, can hear pin drop." Mirabel introduced while even dropping a pin. While walking by, hearing them singing about her and the pin, Dolores waved and cupped her hand over her ear.

"Camilo shapeshifts," Fabian sang, pointing over to Camilo who was still taking care of the baby and mother getting rest on the nearby bench. The boy was shapeshifting into various people, playing and having fun with the small baby. Fabian then gestured over to the youngest Madrigal that was all dressed up with Alma Madrigal's inspection of it, "Antonio gets his gift today."

Mirabel then gestured to them to follow her over by the river running through the town, where she introduced her sisters, "my older sisters, Isabela and Luisa!"

"One strong, one graceful. Perfect in every way." Luisa greeted her sister and them, giving a thumbs up with one hand but in her other hand was another large stack of bricks! Mirabel greeted her back while moving aside to show Isabela who was twirling around gracefully making so many flowers bloom around her, growing up the vine.

The town people stared and watched the perfect young woman use her beautiful gift, singing enchantedly, "Isabela."

Fabian however didn't join in, as all these flowers made his allergies act up more with all the pollen, he couldn't help but sneeze and cover his nose and mouth. "Grow a flower and the town goes wild," he tried singing with his now congested nose, bothered that this always happens when Mirabel's sister shows off her gift.

"Isabela."

"She's the perfect golden child." Mirable sang with such longing in her voice, watching as her sister walked away. But gave the town heart throb Mariano a smile as he watched her from his balcony. Luckily though since she's walking away, Fabian felt a little better. Going to Mirabel as she watched her sister be praised over and over again.

Fabian always knew Mirabel envied the praise and admiration that her eldest sister always got from everyone. His eyes couldn't help but look at her sadly, wishing she would see herself that she was just as special.

"Luisa, Luisa," suddenly the town cheered and chorused as the ground beneath them shook. They looked down to realize the bridge they were standing on was being lifted up by Luisa and moved.

Mirabel's mood seemed to get elevated with her other sister there, singing back about her, "and Luisa's super strong! The beauty and the brawn do no wrong."

The strong Madrigal set down the bridge, wiping dust off her hands, till Alma's voice called out towards her, "Luisa we need to get ready!"

"Coming Abuela!" Luisa called back, running now on the bridge that she had placed over to where her grandmother was.

As she ran past them, Mirabel and Fabian turned to the kids while the former continued singing, "that's life in the family Madrigal! Now you know the family Madrigal."

Fabian took Mirabel's hand as she jumped up onto the stone railings of the bridge to dance more. He sang with her, following along walking backwards to look at the kids, "where all the people are fantastical and magical!"

Mirabel jumped down from the rails with one final verse and posed, "that's who we are in the family Madrigal! Adiós."

Figuring that was the end of it now, the two teens began walking off the bridge back into town. There was so much they had to get ready for tonight. "Nice dancing." Fabian complimented Mirabel with a nudge.

She only laughed, fixing her glasses before nudging him back, "nice singing. You know you should really do it more- oh!"

The pair didn't exactly get too far, before Alejandra was right in front of them stopping them in their tracks. She looked straight at Mirabel, asking, "but what's your gift?"

Mirabel and Fabian looked at each other then back at the girl, unsure of what to say. Fabian could understand why Mirabel wouldn't want to specifically say she didn't have a gift, it was hard for her to think of herself not as special as the rest of her family.

Trying to think of an excuse for her, and them to get out of there, "well… we kind of-"

But before he could say anything else, an accordion was thrown right at Mirabel as she caught in surprise. Some of the musicians who had played their instruments for them, started playing again in excitement for her to continue her song.

This time Fabian was sure thinking they lived under a rock, since at least most adults knew! Mirabel though tried to play it off cool, even if she looked very uncomfortable in the moment. "Well, I gotta go to the life of the Madrigal. But now you all know the family Madrigal."

She played the accordion a bit, till tossing it up to hang back up. Before she ran away, leaving Fabian in the dust. He awkwardly chuckled at the kids, trying to play it off just as cool as they looked like they were expecting him to answer their question. Yet he bolted away after Mirabel.

He ran past a building, before someone pulled his arm to them. It was Mirabel who was trying to hide behind the building as she looked worried, "I never meant for this to get autobiographical."

Trying to explain herself, until the kids followed them popping out of the windows and back doorway. Surprising them both, Fabian quickly came up with, "so just to review, the family Madrigal!"

"Let's go!" Mirabel played along, walking away at a fast pace with him.

The kids tailing behind them, "but what about Mirabel?"

"It starts with Abuela, and then Tía Pepa, she handles the weather." Mirabel sang, gesturing to her grandmother then aunt still in the fields with rain over her and that part of land.

"But what about Mirabel?" The kids pushed.

"Her mom Julieta can make you feel better with just one arepa." Fabian pointed out towards Mirabel's mom. Distracting the kids a bit while he grabbed onto a donkey pulled wagon riding by. Taking his best friend's arm to help her on quickly and get her away.

"But what about Mirabel?!" All the children just suddenly appeared in the hay in the cart!

He's starting to think these kids have gifts of their own of super speed! Or a whole lot of coffee!

"My dad Agustín, well he's accident-prone but he means well." All of them looked over at her dad as he tried chopping up wood, but accidentally hit the tree behind him where a whole bunch of bees flew out to attack him.

While they all watched, Mirabel got off the cart with Fabian behind her. Them both hiding behind a pillar. It didn't do much of course with the kids following, "what about Mirabel?"

Trying to still run away from them, to avoid the question, Fabian followed her through the games townspeople were playing. Also trying to not get hit or hurt. "Hey you said you wanna know what everyone does, I got sisters and cousins and-"

"Mirabel." The kids chanted her name.

"My primo Camilo won't stop until he makes you smile today!" She tried distracting them again with Camilo shapeshifting into a few more people to play a game with others.

"Mirabel."

"Her cousin Dolores can hear this whole chorus a mile." Fabian tried to vaguely point out somewhere in the mountains of Encanto where Dolores could be that she could hear this song they were still singing.

Yet the children didn't want a recap, they wanted to know what Mirabel's gift was. "Mirabel!"

Not finding any other excuse, except when Mariano walked close by, she grabbed his arm to pull him to her and show him to the kids. As he just looked confused while she sang all in one breath, "look it's Mister Mariano! Hey you can marry my sister if you wanna, between you and me she's kind of a prima donna! Yo, I've said too and thank you but I really gotta go!"

She was speaking so fast that Fabian didn't even attempt to try and sing along, but still very much impressed. Until she began trying to walk away, as he and the kids followed.

"Mirabel!"

"My family's amazing!" She still tried avoiding the topic, walking closer to her house.

"Mirabel!"

"And she's in her family." Fabian also tried.

"Mirabel!"

"Well…"

Before she could explain anything else, "Mirabel!" A new voice shouted her name instead making everyone stop what they were doing in the group.

Fabian and Mirabel winced at who it was, and turned to see Alma Madrigal standing in the entrance of the front door of Casita. She held a flower pot in her hands, obviously getting everything ready for tonight.

She looked at both Fabian and Mirabel, then to all the kids that surrounded them. Confusion all over her face, "what are you two doing?"

Fabian tried to act like nothing was wrong, whistling innocently while Mirabel awkwardly shuffled her feet and held her bag tightly. "They were just asking about the family. So I was-"

"She was about to tell us about her super awesome gift!" Alejandra yelled out loudly with so much excitement, it was kind of scary.

Fabian looked at her slowly, before face palming with shaking his head. So much for that. Even Mirable looked speechless too.

"Oh, Mirabel didn't get one." Dolores spoke out of nowhere from the front door too. Before squeaking and walking away thinking she helped the situation. She really didn't.

Alma left as well, leaving the two teens and now seven children alone in the front yard. The kids turned to the pair, pretty disappointed that there was one Madrigal without a miracle. "You didn't get a gift?"

The tall girl with glasses cleared her throat, while Fabian and her looked at each other, trying to think of an excuse. "Well you see I…"

"Ah! Fabian, Mirabel! Delivery for you guys!" Everyone looked over to see Señor Julio with his donkey and with a lot of supplies and items. He took off the basket that had so much in it like small paper windmills, some treats, hats and a few little play items. Walking over to them, he handed Mirabel the basket, stating in a chipper tone, "I got you the special basket since you don't have a gift in the entire children line up of the Madrigals. That's why I named it the 'Not Special Special Basket'. Considering that, you know, you have no gift."

Fabian helped Mirabel hold up the giant gift basket, before looking at the man with an unamused look. Keeping silent through like usual to others, and not wanting to say something rude in defense of Mirable.

The girl however tried to be kind and play it off nicely, even if it looked like she was dying inside, "thanks…"

This time Fabian did speak to Señor Julio, trying to be polite, "aren't there other things you want to bring in for tonight?"

Reminding the man of the rest of the items, he walked back to his donkey with one final goodbye, "right! Tell Antonio I hope that this ceremony goes well for him, since the last gift ceremony was such a bummer. Last one being your's when ya, you know, didn't get your own special-"

"Señor, the items."

"Oh yeah! Well see you later tonight!"

Fabian sighed and took a few jars and some other items into his hands to help his friend out and lighten the load. It just seemed like the world was out to get Mirabel today, and he knew it. Because this was honestly everyday for her…

'But out of all the days to keep reminding her she was the only Madrigal to not receive a gift, couldn't the universe have taken a vacation on this day?' He thought to himself, making apologetic eye contact with Mirabel. As she still tried to hide the pain inside with a smile, he could tell.

"If I was you," the little girl Sofia began, looking up at Mirabel, "I would be really sad."

"Well my friend, I am not," She lied, "cause no matter what, if I had a gift or no gift. I am still just as special and magical as everyone else in my family."

Everyone turned to look back at the beautiful, colorful Casita where every magical family member did something that really didn't prove her point. Isabela opened the window of her room growing more beautiful pink flowers, Luisa lifted a large wagon that had like 6 full barrels in it, and Pepa's happy mood sprung out a gorgeous rainbow over the house.

"Maybe your gift is denial."

At that final comment from Sophia, Fabian began shooing the children away before their brutally honest comments became worse. "Alright, everyone go back to your parents and get ready for tonight."

Groaning at being pushed back home, Fabian and Mirabel then walked to the front entrance of Casita as the house opened its doors for them.

Mirabel looked at him gratefully, and this time genuinely said, "thanks."

He smiled at her assuringly, yet his eyes held worry in them. "Of course… but are you okay, Mira?"

"Yeah I'll be fine."

Not leaving anything else to be discussed, she headed inside a lot quicker than him. Struggling though to hold the large basket of goods and not bump into people. Everyone and everything was bustling and moving, like the band in their instruments, a couple men moving benches, and a whole lot of other people.

Mirabel said sorry to those she accidentally bumped into, until Fabian came over and helped guide her to not do so. They both watched as Casita was doing its part as well, changing tiles and making stairs that go all the way up to the balcony towards the new blank glowing door for Antonio.

Camilo stood at the top of the steps where Abuela Alma asked him to help out José as he put up a banner with 'ANTONIO' painted on it. Luisa was carrying three barrels until Alma told her to put the piano up stairs.

"On it!" She dropped and rolled the barrels away, before running to where her grandmother instructed. Almost running into the pair, "sorry you two, be careful."

"Your family is running around more so than usual." Fabian joked around a little, to make his friend laugh.

Until a strong gust of wind nearly knocked them down again. When looking over at the center of the room, pacing back and forth with a literal tornado of worry, Pepa Madrigal rambled to herself. "My baby's night has to be perfect. But what if something goes wrong and it's not perfect! And everyone is going to be here to see and…"

As she rambled on, her husband Felix pushed through the strong gust of wind to his wife to calm her down. "Pepita, Pepi, you're tornado-ing the flowers! The flowers!"

"Did someone say, 'flowers'?" The elegant tone of voice, and the fact that Fabian immediately sneezed, Mirabel groaned at who was coming down to grace them all with her presence.

Isabela, with a spotlight on her somehow, most likely from Casita, came down on a swing like vine. Twirling around to grow beautiful carnations and roses all around. Everyone clapped and cheered as the oh so perfect member of the Madrigal family blessed them all.

Even Felix cheered with, "our angel!"

Fabian watched while wiping his nose on the shoulders of his shirt, since his hands were still full. Isabela seemed to enjoy the praise she was given, then handing a bouquet of flowers to Pepa who thanked her graciously, "oh don't fret about it."

She walked a little close to Mirabel and Fabian, flipping her hair right into her sister's face. Flowers coming straight out of it getting all over the youngest. Fabian sneezed even harder at all the pollen that inadvertently got in his face too.

"A little older sisterly advice, if you and your snot nosed boyfriend weren't always trying so hard, you might actually be useful when you aren't in the way."

Fabian rolled his eyes, biting his tongue, 'really? She's calling me snot nosed?'

He huffed letting Mirabel talk to her sister, as he just stared with annoyance. Fabian didn't not like Isabela, he respected all the Madrigals for the help they all did for him in his time of need. And when Isabela wasn't making his allergies act up, or being so rude to Mirabel, he would think of her as a kind generous person. It was that last part she did that sort of hindered him from wanting to like and admire the princess. He never understood her condescending attitude towards Mirabel. Even at least Luisa was kind to her little sister.

Just as she seemed finished when trying to tell her sister off, Mirabel ran into a post.

Fabian sighed, running over to her and helping her carry more items into the kitchen. Where Mirabel's mother Julieta was already, making the kitchen ready for tonight as well. "Whoa… are you two okay?"

"Yup!" They both grunted, tired, and placed the basket on the floor next to the counter. Working a system together, where Fabian was knelt down by the basket taking stuff out, handing them to Mirabel. While she placed them on the counter so Casita can move the items to where the house wants it.

"Mirabel, I know how much you want to help, but try not to overdo it…" Julieta cautioned her daughter.

"I won't, Mamá… I just want to do what I need to do like everyone else…" She struggled a little carrying a few bricks Fabian handed her, that were for some reason in the basket.

He heard new footsteps coming their way, turning to see Mirabel's father Agustín walk over to them. But was covered and almost completely swollen with bee stings on his body, being highly allergic. Fabian though just saw this as any other days, continuing his task still greeting, "hola Señor Agustín."

"Hola Fabian," the older man greeted back, then went to his daughter and placed a swollen hand on his daughter's. "You mother is right though, mi vida."

Mirabel took notice of her father's state of swollen nose, hand, and ear. Cringing at how bad it is. "Oh man…"

"This is the first gift ceremony since yours. There's going to be a lot of pressure."

"Mamá, bee stings…"

"And I know how you feel…"

It made Fabian chuckle when Julieta saw what Mirabel was talking about, sighed, "ay Agustín," and went deeper into the kitchen to make something to help her husband. He admired how much care and love they had for each other and for their children.

Yet Agustín continued his motivational speech to his daughter, while she just kept working. "When me and your tio Felix and I married into the amazing Madrigal family, it felt a little overwhelming. Knowing that outsiders who would never have a gift, living among the exceptional, it does make you feel a little… un-ceptional."

"Okay Papí."

He also tried to help, by taking a jar of cookies that Fabian pulled out, but had to place it down when Julieta came back and put an arepa in his mouth. "Eat."

The magical food instantly healed her husband's battle wounds from the bees, all the swelling going down and he looked back to normal. Fabian and Mirabel were done emptying the basket, and while the former dusted himself off, Mirabel went to grab a box of unlit candles. Her mother continued before she could leave, "mi amor, please remember. If you ever want to talk about tonight…"

"I'm fine Mamá. Don't worry about it." She assured, but Fabian watched as she avoided eye contact with her mom. "Now I gotta put out more stuff, the house isn't going to decorate itself."

Everyone heard the sound of the creaking in response to her comment. Looking over as Casita lowered their colorful banners. As if offended and dejected.

Mirabel smiled, "sorry, you could. You look great."

Casita rose up its banners again, happy at the compliment. While the teen walked off, leaving her parents and her best friend alone in the kitchen. Her parents called out to her one more time, trying to assure her again while Fabian finished placing the empty gift basket away.

"Fabian?" He stopped what he was doing, and turned around to see Julieta look at him with worry still all over her face. Her husband right next to her, an arm around her shoulder.

"Yes?" He politely asked.

"I know that tonight is going to be hard for Mirabel… could you please keep her company? Just be there for her?"

Fabian smiled, he was going to do that even if she didn't ask him to. With Mirabel he could just spend time with her and avoid talking to other people. Still with a nod, he answered, "of course. I won't leave her side at all tonight."

Julieta and Agustín looked at the teen boy with such pride in their eyes, "Mirabel is so lucky to have you as a friend, Fabian."

Fabian's cheeks almost seemed to have gotten a little red at their compliment, something popping up in the young man's head as he cleared his throat. Taking a deep breath, he wanted to talk more to them. Say something that was weighing on his mind, "um actually, Señor. Señora… I wanted to ask… well I actually want to say that your daughter, she…"

He looked to be having a hard time thinking of the words to say, he cleared his throat taking a deep breath. Trying to look them in the eye, he started again, "she's so gentle and I… I would like to um…" The two parents looked at each other confused, before looking back at their daughter's best friend. Before it all just caved and he said, "to take some extra arepas for her since I know it will be difficult tonight, and she loves your cooking."

Julieta was a little surprised that that was just all he wanted to say, yet seemed to have a difficult time. It did make sense to her a bit, Fabian always spoke politely but very few words to adults then he did with people his own age. She smiled kindly though and placed a hand on his cheek, "of course Fabian. I have some extras here."

Just as she turned around, Agustín patted Fabian on the back proudly, "you know it shocks me that we haven't made you an obligated Madrigal yet! You're so thoughtful and think of others so much, you'd be a perfect addition!"

Even if Fabian looked honored at the compliment, something in his said that he wanted to say something else. But he just nodded his head and took the plate of arepas Julieta handed him, "Gracias…"

"Anytime, thank you for being there for Mirabel. And you know you can talk to us about anything as well."

Fabian gave one last nod to the two, before leaving the kitchen with the plate of arepas. When he was out of sight, he hid behind a post and sighed looking at the plate of food he actually didn't want.

'Dang it… I was so close this time…' he thought before walking up the stairs, 'might as well get ready for tonight then.'

He thought dejectedly. He went over towards the bathroom that was upstairs and hidden away in a corner of the house. Walking in and placing the plate on the bathroom sink, he shut the door before looking at himself in the mirror. Seeing some dirt and sweat still on his natural warm skin on his face.

"Real smooth Fabian…" he muttered to himself. Sighing then looking around the bathroom, "Casita? Could you hand me my outfit for tonight please?"

The lower sink cabinet doors opened and closed, before opening one final time to reveal the formal shirt that Fabian had Casita put away right inside. Almost like a magic trick.

He laughed and took the light beige shirt with butterflies, swirls, and stars Mirabel had sewn on when she gifted it to him. Taking off his vest and casual shirt, he put on the formal one. Placing his other clothes back into the sink cabinet, he turned on the water and washed his hands and face. Then he began to wet his dark brown hair a little, trying to style it back.

Staring at himself once more in the mirror, he thought of why he wanted this night to go perfect for himself. Even if he really wished it well for the Madrigals, Antonio, and everyone… There was something he wanted to do tonight. He tried in the kitchen first, but he just got too fumbled with his words. Plus he wasn't sure if that was how he wanted to go about his plan.

Yet he knew he had to ask them eventually. It was also why Luisa made him a little nervous, even if he liked and admired her like all the other Madrigals. But she was the closest sibling to Mirabel, almost the closest family member.

Taking a deep breath, looking at himself in the mirror, his dark eyes looking back at him. He tried saying the lines he had practiced for months now, "Señor Agustín. Señora Julieta. I would be honored if you would please give me your blessing to date your beautiful, charming daughter, Mirabel Madrigal?"