Author's Note:

This is just a chapter that I was playing around with. The new characters mentioned might appear in future stories but, I'm not sure. I'm currently working on a story about Alma and Pedro as well as Luisa. I hope that you all enjoy.


Chapter 38:

(Isabella POV)

- 7 years later -

I sat in the dinning room sipping on my coffee, looking at the garden. I had opened my own plant booth here in the marketplace almost immediately after we got married and no one questions it with how much the garden has expanded. I made sure to maintain the integrity of what my mother-in-law had done but I just added more. More including several trees, bushes, flowers and cacti. It was my own personal eden and sometimes it even reminded me of the jungle in Encanto. We go back to Encanto in 3 weeks and I'm excited to see my family again but I will miss the peace. I let out a long breath as I heard the door open, "Caleb, do you think I'd be crazy if I added more of an orchard to the garden?" I heard him laugh as I felt a kiss hit the back of my head, "No crazier then you were 2 months ago when you asked about adding the cactus painting." I smiled back at him but then I saw a teenage boy and a younger girl standing by the door.

"Oh hello," I said standing up and holding my hand out. He took my hand and nodded his head, "Hello Señora Ramones-Williams." I smiled at him, "I actually go by Madrigal-Williams. No offense to my mother-in-law but I had to keep my family name too." I said looking over at Caleb who nodded his head. I smiled back at the young man and girl, "What are your names?" The girl smiled at me, "I'm Jane and this is Jack." I nodded my head, "Well hello Jane and Jack. Would you like something to eat?" Both of them looked over at Caleb and I saw him subtly nod his head before they both nodded. I stood up, "Alright well I'm nothing like my Mama, but I think I have some arepas. Caleb mind helping me?"

He followed me and I got two plates ready before I turned to face him, "Ok. What's going on?" He let out a breath, "I found them living under the dock, living off the scraps of what has fallen off. I don't know where there families are, but I'm guessing not Colombia with names like Jane and Jack." I quirked my brow, "Because you are such a great judge on that subject-matter Caleb, born and raised in Colombia." I let out a breath, "Alright, we are going to ask them what is going on and where there families are. After we will all talk and figure out the best course of action. The little girl looks what 11 and the boy looks like he is what 14 maybe 15. They need a place to stay at night." I grabbed the plates and I heard Caleb mutter, "Softie." I looked back at him, "They remind me of our nieces and nephews. Speaking of which Laura is still asking to come here with us and stay for a month." He groaned and I smirked, "You were the one who had to tell my 11 year old cousin, all about the big ships and the grand ocean and everything here in Santa Marta."

I walk back out to the dinning room and smile at the two, let's face it kids, that were sitting in front of me. I placed down the plates and watched as they eagerly started to eat. It was something I still wasn't used to seeing. In Encanto as far as I saw everyone always had enough food but, on my travels with Caleb I realized that wasn't always the case. I let out a breath, "Would you mind answering a few questions for me?" I asked tentatively. Jane looked at Jack and they both nodded their head, "Ok. Why don't we start with how old are you both?" Jack took the lead, "I'm 16 and she's 10." I nodded my head, "Ok, are you her older brother?" He nods his head. I smile at Jane, "I don't have much experience with brothers. I grew up with sisters and cousins I'm afraid. Is he a good big brother?" She nods her head, "The best." I smile at the comment.

I then look at both of them, "Why were you under the docks?" They both looked at each other but they didn't speak. "Where are your parents?" Again I was met with silence, "How long have you been away from home?" They refused to look at me, let alone respond. I let out a breath, "I need you guys to answer my questions. I promise that I'm only trying to help." Jack looked at me and down and back at Jane then back at me mouthing, "Can I talk to you alone?" I looked at Jane and gave her a smile, "You know, I have a pretty big garden. It could be fun to explore. Do you want to go check it out with me?" She looked to Jack and after he nodded his head she stood up and took my hand. I looked to Caleb, "You got this?" I asked and he nodded his head. I still wasn't the best around kids but, she did remind me of Daniela and that was making this slightly easier.


(Caleb POV)

I sat down at the dinning room table and looked over at Jack, "My wife isn't going to let anything happen to your sister, but she is right. We do need answers. Why were you under the dock?" He was avoiding eye contact with me but when he finally met my gaze he let out a breath, "Look we don't have anywhere to live, ok?" I quirked my brow asking him to continue, "Our parents died almost 8 years ago after our big brother came home and he died with them. It was some type of accident, no one bothered to give us any other details. We were under the dock because I heard about some jobs here and I was trying to see if I could find something and you guys drop a bunch of stuff. I overslept today when you found me and Jane." I nodded my head looking at him, "How is the job hunt going?" He was quiet and I knew the answer, "I'm going to talk to my wife and then we will all figure out what the next step is." As I was walking out I heard him say, " Please don't take her away, she is all I have left." I looked back at him, "I have no intention of breaking a family up."

I went outside and saw Isabella talking with Jane braiding her hair. She came over to me, "Years of practice with myself, sisters, cousins and nieces I will never forget how to make the perfect braid." She looked at Jane, "Why don't you go show your brother?" She ran inside and Isabella looked at me, "So?" I let out a breath, "Remember how we talked about training someone to take over the trade route for when I can't anymore?" She raised her brow, "We didn't." I half laugh, "Maybe we should talk about it." She looked at me to continue, "They don't have anyone. He can't get a job and I don't want them to get separated. We both know families shouldn't be forced to separate."

She looked at me sympathetically. She knows I'm thinking about my parents right now and I can already tell what she is going to say, "They can stay in the guest rooms here and in 3 weeks if they want to come with us to Encanto. After the first trip back from Encanto you can offer him an apprenticeship but, no before then. I want him to fully understand the job and that everything is their choice right now. If they agree we will all sit down and figure out what rules we need for this to work." I nod my head in agreement, "Ok." She sighs, "Let's go talk to them and figure out the game plan."

We walk in and I see Jack smiling towards Jane as she is showing off her braid. I clear my throat and they both look up at me. "We have something we'd both like to talk to you about." Jack nods his head and lifts Jane up onto his lap hugging her from behind. Isabella begins, "Would you two like to stay here in our guest room?" Jack opened his mouth looking at both of us. I stepped in, "I'm a tradesman and I travel to a very special trading post to bring the goods back here to be shipped off. I'm the only one who does it and in all honesty I can use some help with the next trip. If you 2 would be interested it could lead to more work in the future." Isabella then stepped in, "If you guys agree then we will all figure out what needs to be figured out." "So what do you say?" I ask. Jane looks up at Jack and we can both here her whisper, "Can we?" He nods his head looking back at us, "Thank you for the offer. I'd be glad to help out." I nod my head, "Well I work at the docks in the mornings when we are here, so you can come with me if you want and we leave for the trade post in 3 weeks."

Isabella stands up, "Well I need to go to the marketplace to set up my booth. Caleb will you show them to the guest rooms and then at dinner tonight we can discuss everything further." Jane looks at her brother and he smiles at her picking her up, "Let's go." I guided them upstairs, I stopped in front of my door, "This is Isabella and my room, if you need anything you can knock. We have 2 guest rooms. Do you guys want your own rooms or would you prefer to share?" Jane opened her mouth but, Jack answered, "We are going to stick together sir." I smiled at him, "Please call me Caleb and my wife is Isabella. Trust me she is going to want you to call her that." He nods his head, "Ok." I open up the door and I look inside, "You two can take today to get comfortable and like Isabella said we'll talk more at dinner. I have to head down to the docks for a few hours for work. If you need anything they aren't far from here and neither is the marketplace with Isabella."


(Isabella POV)

- 1 month later -

We pulled into Encanto and I looked at an exhausted Jane, "We're here." I then looked at Caleb smirking, "I told you the expansion on the Shack would be useful." Caleb rolled his eyes, "When you're right, you're right." We pull into the shack and I look over at Jack, "Hey I have some things I need to bring to my family home. Mind helping me?" He nodded his head and we began walking into town. "So I know we told you a bit about this place, but I wanted to make sure that you were ok." He looked over at me, "You aren't going to kick Jane out, right?" I shook my head, "Of course not. You and Jane are welcome in our home as long as you'd like."

We continued to walk and I let out a breath, "Look, I don't think he'll ever say this out loud, but Caleb likes having the help with work. It makes him happy and I like seeing Caleb happy. That is the only thing that matters to me. That we get the happy life that we both promised each other. So you never need to worry about me kicking you out or Caleb for that matter." He nodded his head, "Thank you." I smiled at him and gestured my head, "Come on. It's the big house with an even bigger personality." I said as we approached Casita. I watched as the tiles began to dance as I approached the doorstep.

The door opened and I smiled when I saw Daniela, "Hey." She wrapped her arms around me, "Tía Isabella." She leaned back and her eyes widened when she saw Jack. I smiled, "Daniela, this is Jack. He is helping Caleb and I out. Him and his sister have been staying with us." She waved shyly and I think that I saw the development of her first crush. I then looked at Jack, "Remember how I told you about my family having gifts?" He nodded his head, "Well Daniela here can talk to loved ones we have lost." She smiles at me, "Does Tío Caleb want to talk to his parents again?" I smiled at her, "Of course he does. Mind stopping by later?" She nods her head, "Of course. Marina and John are awesome so are his Grandparents." I nodded my head as I let out a shaky breath. I then excused us for a second and I whispered, "Can you ask him if he has anyone to talk to?" She nods her head.

We walked back over and she smiled at Jack, "Do you have people you'd like to talk to? I've been working on projecting and although I'll still need to be there voice you might be able to see them?" I saw Jack look at me and back at her, "Um. Yeah, if you don't need me Isabella." I just smiled, "I think that I can manage. Daniela can take you back to the Shack later?" She nods her head and I smile, "I'll give you some privacy to talk to them." I point at Daniela, "Your Mama?" She gestured her head, "Upstairs probably listening in." I sighed, "Some things never change."


(Caleb POV)

Jane and I were dusting everything and cleaning up while Isabella was out with Jack. Jane looked at me, "Are you and Isabella going to keep us?" I looked at her, "What do you mean?" She looked down, "Are you going to make us leave after this trip?" I shook my head, "No. I'm not and neither is Isabella." We sat down, "How have you felt living with Isabella and me?" She shrugged, "It's been good." I nudged her slightly, "Isabella and I only ever want to be happy. Are you guys happy?"

She shrugs again and I let out a breath, "Look, there is always going to be a bed waiting for you at Santa Marta if you want it. Even your own bed if you ever need a break from your brother." She laughed at the comment, "We're friends right?" She asked and I nodded my head, "Yeah we're friends." The door opens and I see Isabella, "Where is Jack?" Jane immediately asks. Isabella just smiles, "He's with mi sobrina Daniela, remember how I told you about my family's gifts, well she has one she is showing him." She looks up at me knowingly and I nod my head.

"Well are we having dinner with your family?" I ask and she nods her head, "Don't we always." She then looks at Jane, "Do you think Jack and you would want to join us? If you don't, we can figure something else out." Jane just smiles, "I'd like to come." Isabella smiled at me. This was the first time that she made a decision without looking at Jack for the answer. "Well then we can invite Jack when he gets back," Isabella smiled.

"Caleb can we talk outside for a second?" I nodded my head and we made our way outside, "Offer him the apprenticeship." I smirked, "I thought that..." She just shook her head, "Offer it now. I like having them around they remind me of my nieces and nephews and I think that they are going to say yes." I nod my head. "You happy?" She asks as she wraps me in a hug. I nod my head, "With you here always. You?" She nodded her head against my chest, "Let's get ready."

Later that night after dinner I offered Jack the apprenticeship and he immediately agreed and we all told Jane. Jane looked at us, "Are you our parents now?" I looked over at Isabella and she shook her head, "We are never going to be or replace your parents. But we are people who care." Jack looked at us, "Like family." Isabella nodded her head, "Yeah like a Tía and Tío." They nodded their heads. When I was sure that they were asleep I pulled Isabella to the outside smirking, "And what happened never having kids?" She smiled, "We both know that we can't have kids and I don't want kids, but I don't mind another honorary niece and nephew that stay with us." I nodded my head, "Yeah. I think I'd like that too."