Story in a nutshell: Francisco teaches one of his great grandkids a new skill.

Authors Note: I guess I'm doing another Francisco story! Honestly I just wanted to write something new with one of the kids as its been awhile. Then this came out. In another news I'm thinking about going back to college either for my masters or just to pick up some marketable skills, so stories will probably be late as I go through that process. I'll keep you updated on how stories on going as I make some life progress.

Enjoy!

Mirabelle Nunez-Castillo glanced out the window to see the rain pouring down outside. She just sighed wishing that she could go and find the jaquins. Instead she found her feet leading her down the music room where she could hear the soft strum of music. She swung her dark hair behind her as she peered in. The seven-year-old could see her bisabuelo practicing a new piece with sheet music in front of him.

"May I walk with you?" asked her brother as she saw Lorenzo catch up to her.

"Sure," she said brightly. "I thought you had homework you were working on with Esteban."

He kicked his foot against the wall slightly annoyed. "Yea, but I don't like studying royal stuff all the time," he moaned. "Don't you wish you could be queen instead?"

She pondered that for a moment. Mira could remember asking her mother why she wouldn't be queen until she heard the story about some ancestor that had a twin. They did some very bad things and now one twin over another can't inherit the throne. She shrugged in response to her brother. She couldn't do half the stuff she wanted and would have to work with Esteban.

"Not really," she said. "Maybe you could just give it to Orlando."

Lorenzo made a face as they found themselves wandering down the main hall. The rain was just falling harder and harder as they looked up at the ceiling as if it would fall in on them. Too bad it was one of those days.

"Want to sneak to the kitchen?" he asked brightly. "I think bisabuela is making cookies!"

Nodding the brother and sister pair found themselves heading toward the kitchen for a snack. They could hear some strumming from an instrument as they passed the music room. Transfixed on the door they stopped and peered inside. They could see their bisabuelo playing the guitar while he stared out the window. It was a soft tune almost lullaby like but kind of fast paced. It was a weird mix as they listened.

"I wish I could learn how to play," said Lorenzo. "I feel like I'm stuck in lessons a lot."

Mira just shook her head, if he wanted to learn he could learn she thought. "We can just ask," she said. Before her brother could make a remark, she started to walk inside before getting caught up in looking around. There were so many instruments that the castle had. Behind her Lorenzo followed in suit while Francisco looked up at them a grin on his face.

"How can I help you?" he asked teasingly.

"Can we learn how to play too?" she asked looking up at him excited at the idea of learning an instrument. "I want to learn how to play the guitar like you and mama can."

Francisco paused as he looked at her with utter and total delight. Mira had never seen him like that as she wiggled in her spot some. Lorenzo looked just as hopeful as the six-year-old bit his bottom lip holding in his own excitement.

"Of course! You know I taught your abuela and her sister. Plus, your mom and Esteban," said Francisco. "All you have to do is come here and pick out a guitar."

With that he led them to a wall that had a variety of different shapes and sizes. She pointed to a pretty one that was made of maple wood. Lorenzo picked out a cherry colored guitar.

"What are we going to learn how to play first?" asked Lorenzo. "I want to play something fun."

"That we can dance to," said Mira as she looked at him hopeful.

Francisco rubbed their heads excited about their enthusiasm. This was going to be like teaching Lucia and Adelina again. They learned how to play together beautifully. Thinking back, he could remember what he tried to teach them right away. It been so long ago, he thought wistfully, before snapping back to attention.

"Let's start with something slow and simple," he said. "That way it's easy to pick up. Have you ever thought about your mami's lullaby music?"

That intrigued Mira as she liked that idea. It would be fun and if she learned how to play that she could help put her brothers to bed. Lorenzo looked thoughtful as he was mumbling the words to the lullaby.

"Okay," he said as she nodded.

First, he gave them a pick and how to properly hold the guitar. Since he had made the song up himself, teaching them how to read sheet music now was useless. Francisco never wrote it down and daughter his daughters by ear.

Which wasn't that bad as they learned how to play. Lorenzo picked up the music very naturally while Mira slower then usual. Doing everything that he had done before with some minor tweeks in the teaching style, he had two new budding musicians.

"Bisabuelo," said Lorenzo, "This is fun."

"Yea, even though I'm pressing too hard," said Mira gesturing to the strings. "When did you learn how to play?"

Sitting back, he had to think about that. Brown eyes watched him curiously as he thought of his mother that had shown him some notes. Not enough to teach him a whole song. Perhaps it was the mariachi players in the square? Thinking about it harder, he wasn't naturally sure which one was the first or even if there was a cohesive order.

"You know I'm not sure," he said. "I taught myself a lot but by listening and my mother taught me a few notes."

Suddenly shy Mira chewed slightly on her hair. "What was your mother like?"

"Was she pretty like mama?" asked Lorenzo.

Oh wow, now that took him back as Francisco could picture his mama's wide smile. Her sweet tooth with visits to the bakery and chocolate shop often. The way she would sing him and his siblings to sleep. In a way that was like a whole world away.

"My mama was very beautiful," he said rubbing Lorenzo's hair. "You know I think you have her smile." Lorenzo smiled very widely at that as he tried to picture what she looked like. "My mother was a very special woman. She could make me smile and made the best pottery in Avalor."

Smiling at the window Mira strummed the guitar. "I wish I could meet her."

"One day in a very very long time you will," said Francisco.

It was quiet as they tried a few other notes until they could successfully play Lucia's lullaby. Standing up and remembering her and Lorenzo's mission, Mira took Francisco's hand. "Let's go get a snack together. You can help us reach the cookie jar."

"Please?" said Lorenzo nodding his head quickly.

"Oh all right, it's enough practice. Besides we must beat your mother there," said Francisco.

The three raced down the hall as fast as they could. They had cookies with their names on it, or at least, they would if they got there in time.