Mirabel stumbled into Casita, the weight of her basket throwing her off balance. She twirled out of someone's way as she tried to find somewhere to set her load down.

Alma was just trying not to go through anyone. Or…let anyone go through her. Trying to keep up with Mira was tricky as she nearly collided with Luisa who ran past her.

"Careful sis!" She called out behind her.

A gust of wind blew through Casita and the clouds above darkened as Pepa made her way into the courtyard. Her daughter's manifested stress and worry began to tear through the decorations. Félix trailed behind her trying to calm her down.

"Did someone say…flowers?"

Alma watched for a second time as Isabela smoothly fixed the problem with a graceful descent, beautiful bouquet and a smile. The matriarch frowned when she turned to see Mirabel watching the whole display with blatant annoyance written across her face.

There was definitely something going on between her eldest and youngest nietas. But Alma couldn't fathom what it was.

"Oh, it's nothing." Stepping away from Pepa, Isa flipped her hair over her shoulder, smacking her younger sister right in the face. Alma expected an apology, but with the way she rolled her eyes as Mira began spitting flowers out of her mouth, it told her the action was intentional.

"A little sisterly advice?" Isabela threw the words quietly over her shoulder. "If you weren't always trying so hard, you wouldn't be in the way." The words had an antagonistic lilt to them.

"Isabela!" Alma frowned, Isabela was baiting her sister. This was not how she raised her girls, and Isa throwing advice at her was not helpful, it was purposefully rubbing Mirabel's faults in her face.

"Actually, Isa, this is called helping." Mira held her basket higher as she tried not to resort to insulting her sister. "And I'm not in the way, you ar-"

Alma winced when Mirabel ran face first into a pillar. She sighed watching her splutter, spitting leaves out of her mouth for a second time. The only person to fret over the girl was her invisible grandmother, as she stumbled into la cocina.

"Mi Vida, you ok?" Julieta asked her daughter as she hefted the basket of goodies onto the counter. "You don't have to overdo it."

"I know mama, I just wanna do my part like the rest of the family." Mirabel grunted as she began emptying the basket.

Do her part?

Alma and Mirabel both startled when Augustín appeared out of nowhere, swollen from bee stings and lightly scratching himself.

"She's right, Amor." Mira held back a cringe. "First gift ceremony since yours; lot of emotions."

"Bee stings." Her nieta called to her mother.

Chuckling Alma couldn't help but think: like father, like daughter.

"And I've been there-"

"Ay, Augustín."

"-when me and your Tío Félix married into this family," Alma raised an eyebrow, wondering where her son-in-law was going with this. "Outsiders who had no gift, never ever would. Surrounded by the exceptional, it's easy to feel…un-ceptional."

Even with bloated hands and fingers that didn't quite work from swelling, Augustín was helping to unpack the basket.

Mirabel was humming, absently agreeing to her father's ramblings like she's heard all this before. Alma wondered how she'd never noticed this, she had always been pleased with both Félix and Augustín and how they supported her daughters.

"Ok papí."

How often did Julieta and Augustín feel the need to reassure her? Were they just overly worried or did Mirabel really think herself…unexceptional?

"I'm just saying I get it." He tried to convince her, but Julieta shoved a fresh baked good in his mouth.

Julieta was quick to turn to Mira. "Mi amor, if you ever want to talk-"

Mirabel picked up a box of decorations. "I gotta put out the stuff. The house isn't gonna decorate itself."

Alma stared at her youngest granddaughter. She was beginning to see what Julieta could. Don't dismiss your mother, she's only concerned…

The decorations drooped, showing Casita's dismay at the statement. Noticing the movement Mirabel was quick to amend the insult.

"You totally could, you look great." She patted the door frame as she walked out.

The decorations perked back up in response. It was curious, the way Mira interacted with Casita. Much like Alma had when she was young and Casita responded to her the same way.

"Corazon, remember!" Julieta called after her.

"Yeah, remember." Augustín echoed.

Their voices grew distant as Mira continued walking away.

"You have nothing to prove!"

"You have nothing to prove!"

What was she trying to prove? Alma wondered as she followed her up the stairs to wherever she had decided to put the dec-

Oh, she remembers this.

Gently setting the box down Mirabel began setting out homemade decorations. Flower candle holders, lovingly embroidered to represent each member of the family…they were beautiful. What happened to them after…?

Mirabel stood up and backed away a step to admire her handiwork. Her face grew sullen as she fiddled with her fingers, clearly nervous about something. Then her gaze lifted upwards to stare at the pictures on the wall.

Alma had only ever seen that look on one other person's face before. Her heart ached at the longing in her nieta's gaze as she stared at the images of her family's door ceremonies.

"One hour!"

Mirabel and Alma both jumped as 'past' Alma sternly reminded everyone of the time. This caused Mira to knock over the candle that was in the holder she had made for her. It caught on fire easily…

Gasping at the flames Mirabel was quick to crouch down to try and put out the fire. She didn't see 'past' Alma beside her until she spoke.

"Maybe you should leave the decorations to someone…else?"

When she had said this, Alma knew she had to be careful to not sound like she was pushing Mira away. She just didn't want anything to go wrong…and cloth and open flame…said cloth's placement wasn't the best…she just…tonight…that night…needed to be perfect. And Mirabel's talents were best suited elsewhere. Alma was sure she understood this.

"No, I actually made these as a surprise." Mirabel snatched the still burning cloth to present to 'past' Alma. "For you-ooh!" She threw it back to the ground and stomped on it to finish putting out the flames. Looking back up she gave 'past' her an awkward smile.

"Mirabel," Alma winced; she knew how this was going to sound. But Mirabel understands… "I know you want to help. But tonight must go perfectly."

Alma watched Mirabel's expression turn brittle.

"The whole town relies on our family, on our gifts." There was a better way to say that. "So, the best way for…some of us to help, is to step aside." No wonder Julieta had words for me. "Let the rest of the family do what they do best, okay?"

Mirabel nodded with a tight smile. How did I miss this yesterday?

You're always too busy…you never see…

But…Mirabel understood…that night had to go perfectly…

"Pepa! You have a cloud!"

"I know mamá! But now I can't find Antonio! What do you want from me?!"

Alma ignored the conversation she had been a part of, instead her eyes stayed on Mira. She watched as her nieta's face crumbled as she hurriedly walked away trying to hide the tears wanting to gather in her eyes.

She didn't understand…and I certainly didn't help matters…is this what she was supposed to see? Is this what Casita was reacting to? Was the house reacting to Mirabel…like it had her?

Mirabel placed a hand on the nursery's doorknob, pausing as she heard her mother speak to 'past' Alma.

"Mamá, be nice to Mirabel okay? You know tonight will be hard for her."

"If the gift ceremony doesn't go well this time, tonight will be hard for us all."

With a sigh Mirabel walked into the nursery, shutting the door softly behind her.

Alma watched her, clenching her hands together in guilt. I should have…I should have done better