"Pepa's sweating." Bruno whispered through gritted teeth. Julieta followed his gaze across the town courtyard.

Even from a few feet away, the glossy, wet sheen on her sister's forehead and cheeks was impossible to miss in the growing morning sun. Pepa, her hair sticking up in gravity-defying directions, looked as if she'd just returned from a morning swim. A grey fog, which grew thicker with each passing minute, hung around her head.

Julieta took in a sharp breath, looking back to him.

"Should I...?" He bit his lip.

She shook her head. "I'll deal with it this time," she replied. Reaching a hand forward, she squeezed his shoulder. "Why don't you go check on how Luisa and Isabela are doing with the decorations?"

He nodded, not meeting her gaze.

"Weddings," Julieta said with a sigh. "You love them but you hate them. I'll never understand it."

Bruno's lips curved upwards though his eyes were still on the ground. "You and me both."

Julieta scanned her surroundings as she walked - at least what she could see. The mob of townsfolk and donkeys surrounding her made walking in a straight line impossible. The further into the fray she went, the louder the surrounding chatter became, until she could barely hear herself think.

"Pepa!" Julieta cried when she finally reached her. "I've been looking all over for you."

Her back stiffened. "You have?"

Julieta nodded. "I needed to talk to you about..." She gestured towards the rushing passersby. "How about we discuss it somewhere a bit more private?"

Before she could respond, Julieta looped her arm around Pepa's own and began pulling her towards a nearby alley set between some homes and shops. By the time their backs hit the brick wall, Pepa was running in front of her.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Julieta asked. She wiped her bangs back. "I don't remember anywhere near as much commotion at my wedding."

It was true, even if Augustin had managed to break his nose and leg right before the ceremony. Though what other couple could say they'd gotten to cut the wedding cake before they'd even said their vows?

"It's a big day," Pepa responded, hugging her sides as she looked upwards. "Why shouldn't it be a big event?"

Julieta took a quick breath before speaking. "Pepa, you look a little-"

"Turbulent?" She smirked. "Don't tell me what I already know." She rubbed her forehead. "You don't have to worry about the weather. The last thing I'd want to do is ruin my baby's special day."

"Of course you wouldn't!" Julieta wrapped an arm around Pepa's shoulders. "Though, if I'm being honest, I'm a bit surprised to see you out here. I thought you'd be with Dolores."

Pepa sniffled. "I was," she replied. "Oh, you should have seen her! Dolores would have put a star to shame! I could hardly believe that I was looking at mi nena."

"I still remember when she was small enough for you to give her piggyback rides."

"I can't say that my back misses those days." Pepa replied. She scratched absently at her arm. "I would have stayed, but Dolores was having problems with her dress. The last thing that anyone needed was for me to stand around getting in the way."

"Oh, Pepa!"

"What? It's true." She looked back towards the crowded streets. The noise, muted as it was here, was probably loud as a firecracker in Dolores' own ears."Though that seems to be the case wherever I go today."

Julieta tightened her grip around her shoulders. "Well, I think it's quite sweet of you."

Pepa looked up, an eyebrow raised. "Excuse me?"

"You caring so much about today," Julieta said, smiling.

"How can I not? Dolores has been looking forward to this for so long. Oh, you should have heard her! The wedding is all she's talked about for months."

Julieta couldn't push back a chuckle. "Believe me, I know. How many times do you think she updated the menu?"

"I'm afraid to hear the number."

"Don't worry, because I lost count!"

This time, Pepa was the one who laughed. "I just want today to be perfect for mi bebé. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Of course not," Julieta replied. "But it's not like you have any control over how today goes." She bit her lip. "Well, at least not all of it."

"Should I not try to make it the best I possibly can?"

"You're already doing more than enough. Dolores couldn't wish for better help."

"Really?" Pepa's voice shook.

"Really." Julieta reached forward, pushing some of Pepa's hair back behind her ears. "But that doesn't change the fact that you don't control everything. Much as we all wish otherwise, something might happen today."

Multiple somethings, in fact, but that was a hypothetical best left unspoken. Just in case, she'd made a few extra arepas con queso.

"But even if something does go wrong, it's not like they'll never have the chance to have a perfect day again." Julieta reached forward, pulling up her sister's chin so that their eyes met. "Really, Pepa, can you honestly say that the best day you and Felix ever had together was when you got married?"

"When you say it like that..." She took in a deep breath. The fog above her began to melt like ice cream left out in the mid-afternoon sun. "I just realized, do you think Mami has sent out a search party for us yet?"

"She's probably the one leading it!" Julieta stepped forward, her hand outstretched. "We should get back. Want to come help me check on the buffet? I fear some people might have already started snacking." She cocked her head to the side and winked. "And even if they haven't, I could always use a last minute taste tester."

Pepa wiped her forehead. "Well," she replied, shooting her a quick smile, "I suppose that I could be of service."