Mirabel stood in place, trying to comprehend what exactly she was looking at.
Before her, having trouble getting off a horse that was definitely not his, was Tio Bruno. The same Bruno that refused to come to Isabela with her because Abuela might have seen him. He was now shouting at his mother in his niece's defense, trying to take all the blame. Once again, he was doing all he could to save her.
Although this time, he didn't have to.
In two swift steps, Abuela approached her son and locked him in a tight embrace. With all the animosity momentarily forgotten, there only remained the joy of being reunited.
"Brunito," she said in a quiet, remorseful tone.
The man momentarily forgot what he was about to say. With a confused expression, he looked to Mirabel for help.
"I feel like I missed something important."
But Mirabel gave no explanation. She walked past them towards the horse.
"Come on."
Abuela released her son but only to place a soft kiss on his cheek. She took his hand and went after Mirabel.
Bruno was stunned, frozen to the spot. Without a word, he allowed Abuela to drag him along. They climbed onto the horse. The woman sat behind Mirabel and Bruno on the rear.
Finally able to speak, although still confused, he asked, "What – what's happening? Where are we going?"
"Home," said Mirabel, rushing the horse forward. Bruno held onto his mother so that he wouldn't fall.
There were so many things he wanted to know. He was curious about what had happened on the riverbank before he showed up but was too afraid to ask. Things seemed better somehow and he was afraid to ruin them.
Yet, the silence was becoming unbearable. So, instead of his mother, the man addressed his niece, remembering the promise that she'd made.
"So, um, Mirabel, did – did you save the miracle?"
The girl had told him she would take him home after she helped the family. As the last thing Bruno saw was Casita breaking down, her succeeding was not so obvious.
"Not exactly," replied Mirabel, stretching the vowels.
"Oh yes, you did," interjected Abuela with rock-hard confidence. They both looked at her questioningly, forcing the woman to elaborate. "A miracle is not some old candle that I've had for years. Having back my son," she squeezed Bruno's hand that was holding onto her, "and my granddaughter, this is a true miracle."
Mirabel and Bruno felt warm inside. Being appreciated was all they ever asked for. However, this nice family moment ended prematurely with Abuela asking,
"How did the two of you meet, anyway?"
"Well, uh –" Bruno struggled to find suitable words. Or an acceptable version of the story, one he would be comfortable sharing at that time.
"Tio Bruno came back for his vision," said Mirabel, saving Tio from any further explanations. "You know, the one everyone saw even though no one was supposed to."
Bruno let out a sigh of relief, but his niece was not done yet. There was another thing that had to be clarified.
"Also, just to be clear, I was the one forcing a vision out of him. And it helped, the vision helped. Without Tio Bruno, I would have never found out that Isabela doesn't want to marry Mariano."
This revelation shocked Abuela. "She doesn't? Then why would she – ?"
"You'd better talk to her about this. I've already said too much," stated Mirabel with a note of finality. "Oh, and Tio Bruno?"
"Yes?" Bruno's voice sounded unnaturally high-pitched. He did not expect to be brought back into the conversation.
"Thank you for coming back to save me."
The man's eyes lit up, and his lips curled into a warm smile.
"Anytime."
There was a short silence, broken by the youngest Madrigal.
"Um, Abuela? Don't you have anything to tell Tio Bruno?"
"He knows I'm sorry," she told Mirabel. Then, she addressed her son. "Don't you?"
Bruno seemed taken aback, and yet he answered,
"Yes, mama."
The horse stopped near the ruins of Casita. Mirabel jumped off and ran to her mother, who was calling for her from a distance.
Careful to do it right this time, Bruno slowly got down of the horse's back. He held out his hand to help Abuela. She took it without a word.
Now that they were all alone, things were getting awkward. Not knowing what to do with himself, Bruno rubbed his elbow with his other hand.
"Bruno," said Abuela, which made him wince involuntarily. She continued with a softer voice. "You've always reminded me of your father. He left us way too soon, and I… might have expected you to fill his place. Now I know that I never should have put so much weight on your shoulders, son. I was so afraid of losing my new home, I kept demanding that you'd be someone you are not. But I want to learn to accept you, the real you. Will you give me another chance?"
Seconds passed and Bruno stood motionless, refusing to believe his own ears.
"It can't – does this mean you want me – to come back home?"
"Of course," she said, passing him by. "Come with me."
In silence, Bruno watched her walk the same path that Mirabel did just moments ago. He was still processing what he'd heard.
Could his family truly accept him after so much time had passed? How could he be sure? Most of them barely remembered him. But when his mother turned back and reached out to him, Bruno reluctantly followed her into the light.
