Isabela was bouncing with excitement as Julieta brushed her hair, today was her fifth Birthday and she was told she was going to get magic.

No one knew if the blessing of the magical gifts the triplet children of Alma Madrigal would be repeated but with a glowing shimmering door that appeared with the letter 'I' on the doorknob excitement grew, and the miracle it seemed would continue.

"Calm down Isa, I'm trying to do your hair," Julieta chuckled.

"I'm sorry, Mamá," Isabela settled down "I'm just so excited! I can't wait to get my magic!'

Across the room, her prima Dolores nodded beaming "And in a few weeks I am going to get MY magic," the four-year-old tilted her head "I think."

Isabela grinned "You'll get magic! And so will Luisa!" she said in reference to her baby sister "She'll be all alone in the nursery though you and me will be in our MAGIC rooms!"

Julieta shook her head "Isa, keep your head still, please. Luisa will be just fine."

Another voice came from the door "I'm sure she will be," Pepa entered the room "Everything is ready out there."

"MAMI!" Dolores cried running over to Pepa.

"Hey there chica," Pepa picked Dolores up kissing her face "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get your turn."

"I can't wait!" Dolores turned her head to Isabela "Isa! What do you want your magic to be?"

Isabela grinned "I want to heal people like Mamá!"

Julieta smiled kissing Isabela on top of her head "Oh, then you'll get to be my little helper."

"Yeah!" Isabela cheered "What about you Lola?"

Dolores thought for a moment "I want to make rainbows. They're pretty."

"Like this, mija?" a rainbow formed over Pepa's head.

"Yeah!" Dolores clapped her hands "I want to do that! I want to do that!"

"Well, we'll see," Pepa chuckled.

Julieta finally managed to tie Isabela's hair into two long braids "There we go, all done."

Isabela began bouncing again "Can I get my magic now?"

"Patience, mi vida," Julieta stood up "Abuela will come to get us when it's time."

Isabela settled down for two minutes before letting out a dramatic sigh "What is taking Abuela so long?"

"She's slow because she is old," Dolores quipped.

"Dolores, be nice," Pepa warned her.

"But that's what Tío Bruno said," Dolores whined.

Pepa shook her head "Aye, that man."

Alma poked her head into the nursery "Where is our Birthday girl?"

Isabela was across the room in a matter of seconds "Abuela! Is it time to get my magic?"

Alma chuckled "Yes, yes it is time."

Julieta smiled "Papá, Lulu and I will all be waiting at your door," she gave Isabela one last kiss "Just remember you have already made me proud."

Pepa followed Julieta out with Dolores in her arms, the child giggling over something else Bruno told her.

Alma grinned at her firstborn nieta with pride "Are you ready?"

"I've been ready ALL day," Isabela answered "I thought it would NEVER come."

"Well, it has come. Make your family proud mi nieta."

"I will!" Isabela said before thinking for a moment "Do you think Abuelo is watching from Heaven?"

Both Isabela and Dolores had been told the story of how they got their miracle, toned down to a much more child-friendly version of course. They were both sad that their Abuelo Pedro wasn't with them anymore but they were ensured he was in Heaven and is watching over them.

Alma smiled "I'm sure he is, now come along we don't want to be late-"

Isabela was already out the door.

Alma shook her head with a soft laugh as she followed "Aye, Pedro I hope you are proud. Our family is growing, our children have grown up into wonderful people and we have three beautiful granddaughters. I know you would be proud of them, it is thanks to you we are all here."

She walked into her room pausing in front of her wedding photo, when they fled they couldn't take much but she managed to grab this one precious memory.

Alma kissed her fingers and placed them on the photo "I miss you, mi amor," she turned and approached the candle and picked it up looking out over the townspeople gathering in the courtyard below.

It was time.

εїз

Isabela had watched as her door faded away leaving nothing but the bare wall, she turned to Alma in confusion "Abuela?"

Alma didn't understand, she did everything the same as when her own children got their gifts. What had happened? Was it truly a one-time thing after all? Or was it just Isabela?

"I…I don't know," Alma said "Maybe we misunderstood, maybe there are no more gifts after all."

The crowd left in disappointment.

"But why would Casita give her a door just to take it?" Julieta asked, "This makes no sense."

Dolores whined "Does this mean I don't get magic either?"

"Shh, shh," Pepa whispered "We'll figure it out."

Isabela had never felt so disappointed in all her short life "You said I would get magic!"

Alma said giving Isabela a quick kiss "I'm sorry, Isabela. I thought for sure you would get magic."

Agustín smiled at his eldest as he held the two-year-old Luisa in his arms "Don't worry, your old Papá here doesn't have a gift either and I'm just-"

Julieta had to quickly grab Luisa as her husband nearly dropped her "Agustín, please be more careful."

"Sorry," Agustín gave an innocent smile then turned back to Isabela "Cheer up chica, we still love you. Gift or no gift.

"That's right, you are special just the way you are."

Luisa pointed at Isabela "Special!"

"See? Even Luisa thinks so."

Isabela smiled "But do I have to live in the nursery forever?"

"No," Alma said "We'll sort out a room later, alright? Let's just get Dolores's Birthday out of the way first, then we'll see about big girl rooms for you two."

"Okay…" Isabela sighed.

Dolores hugged her "It's okay Isa, I'm still your bestest friend!"

"Bestest is still not a word, Dolores."

"If I say it enough times, it'll become a word."

Alma took Isabela's hand and squeezed it "Come on, there's a Birthday cake with your name on it."

"Literally has her name on it." Félix chuckled.

Isabela felt herself cheer up a little, her family still loved her. Even if she was looking forward to magic she supposed she would get over it, she still had Dolores to play with and she had Luisa to play with too.

A smile started coming back as her family sang her Happy Birthday, playfully flicking from frosting at Dolores who kept trying to blow out her candles on her.

After having cake she ripped open her presents with delight, she jumped up with a squeal and hugged Julieta when she saw a mini version of her apron "Now I can look like you!"

Julieta chuckled "Now you can help me with the arepas without getting flour on your dress."

"I love it!" Isabela insisted on putting it on straight away.

She was still a part of La Familia Madrigal and no one could take that away from her.

No one noticed the worried look on Bruno's face.

εїз

When a second door appeared everyone was confused, Isabela had hoped it was for her and Casita was just pulling a prank earlier but inspection revealed the 'D' on the doorknob.

Which was why Isabela watched as Pepa was doing up a wiggly Dolores's hair.

Dolores was wearing the white dress Isabela wore a few weeks prior, they decided to let Dolores try to see what happened but in order to avoid disappointing the town once again they were keeping it a family-only affair. Tonight would give them the answers they were seeking.

Dolores hoped it would work, she wanted to have magic. She would be sad for Isabela to get left out but having magic just sounded like so much fun.

"Remember," Pepa began "No matter what happens tonight, we love you."

"Yes, Mami," Dolores said, "But I hope it works!"

"Me too, mija."

Isabela sighed, what if Dolores did get a gift? What would she do then?

"Dolores," Alma stood in the doorway of the nursery holding the candle "We're all ready when you are."

Dolores let out a squeak of excitement as Pepa released her and skipped over to Alma "I can't wait!"

Alma smiled "Try not to get your hopes too high, we're not sure if it's actually going to work. I tried asking Bruno but…" she trailed off.

"I want to try!"

Alma chuckled "Of course, of course, you may try. Who knows, it might work."

Pepa made her way out of the room "Me and Papi will wait at your door."

Dolores turned to Isabela and held her hand out "Come on Isa!"

Isabela sighed again, it was Dolores's Birthday she really should stop being such a downer "Okay!" she slid off her bed "Let's go get your magic!"

Dolores giggled as she followed Alma out and towards the glowing door a bounce in her step, Isabela following behind her.

"Are you ready?" Alma asked standing next to the door.

"Uh-huh!" Dolores said "I'm ready Abuela! I'm ready!" she bounced up and down again.

"Who gave Dolores coffee?" Agustín murmured to himself.

"Dolores, do you promise to use your gift to better your community, your family and your home?" Alma said.

"I do!" Dolores exclaimed.

Alma nodded and held the candle out for Dolores to touch "May you be blessed tonight, Dolores Madrigal."

Dolores touched the candle and turned towards her door with a deep breath she reached out and touched the doorknob, the door began glowing and instead of fading turned solid with an image of herself with both hands held up to her ears.

However, no one was expecting Dolores's reaction.

Dolores dropped to the floor with a scream from a sudden onslaught of noise. She could hear everything. The animals in the nearby rainforest, the chatter of the townspeople, the clicking of knives and folks, she could hear everyone's heartbeats.

Dolores covered her ears with a wail, what was happening? Why was it so loud?

Alma looked from Dolores to the door back to Dolores and back to the door "Um…we have a new gift?"

Pepa and Félix looked at each other before quickly checking on their daughter.

"Dolores, what's wrong?" Pepa asked.

"It's so loud! I hear it!"

"Hear what?"

"Everything! I can hear the people in town, I can hear the animals in the jungle I can hear everything!" Dolores wailed in distress "Make it stop!"

Alma looked at the door again "Enhanced hearing, her gift is enhanced hearing."

Isabela watched the scene unsure how to feel, on one hand, Dolores got her magic. On the other she didn't seem to be liking it, if that was what getting magic was like maybe she didn't want it after all.

Pepa scooped up Dolores and noticed her ears were bleeding "Julieta!"

Julieta noticed and spun around sprinting down the stairs to grab some of her cooking.

"Shh, mija." Pepa whispered "Let's go see your new room, hmm?" she entered Dolores's room and found herself in a mini paradise "See how pretty it is? Look a waterfall, you always loved waterfalls."

Dolores noticed as soon as she was in the room with the door closed the sounds grew muted "It's….quiet…"

Soundproof room, Pepa thought "Yes baby, quiet time now."

Félix entered quietly closing the door behind him "Enhanced hearing, she's the ear of the whole Encanto now."

"I don't want magic anymore," Dolores hiccuped.

Alma entered holding an arepa from Julieta "Dolores, mi nieta. I'm sorry, the miracle has chosen to give you enhanced hearing, I know it's overwhelming but I'm sure you will adjust. Maybe we can get you some earmuffs?" she offered the arepa.

Dolores took the arepa taking a bite "It hurts my ears, Abuela."

"I know, I know," Alma said. She had the answers she needed, the miracle will continue on it was just Isabela who had been skipped over, Luisa getting a gift would prove that theory correct or not. Maybe Dolores would end up being the fluke.

"Why did I get a gift and Isa didn't?"

"We don't know Dolores," Alma sighed "But don't worry about it okay?"

"Is Isabela going to have to stay in the nursery?"

"No no," Alma reassured her "We'll see about a room for her."

The Birthday celebration was moved to the quiet of Dolores's room, Alma promising to go pick up some earmuffs tomorrow.

Isabela tried pushing the jealousy down as she looked around Dolores's magical room but it kept coming back up. She would be sleeping in the same old nursery tonight. Alone.

Bruno watched Isabela, he saw tonight coming. He knew Luisa would get a gift, he also saw the ceremonies of Madrigals yet to be born but most worryingly of all, he saw Isabela's undecided future. The young girl's path was not going to be easy, the best he could do was keep her guided down the right path.

Their very home depended on it.

εїз

Isabela sighed as she lay on her bed, it had been two years and she was now seven and here she was still in the nursery with four-year-old Luisa.

Luisa was on the floor drawing something on her sketchpad once finished she stood up and waddled over to Isabela "Isa! Look I drew a donkey!"

Isabela looked at that picture "Donkeys, don't have horns, Luisa."

Luisa looked down at her drawing "Unicorns do….it's a unidonkey!" she frowned for a moment "Or it's a donkeycorn? Unionk?"

"Call it whatever you want," Isabela mumbled "You invented them so you might as well name them."

"Okay, donkeycorn it is."

Isabela rolled her eyes, so much for the promise of her own room. A few months ago Pepa had given birth to her second child and the first boy of their generation, Camilo and Julieta was heavily pregnant and expecting to go into labour any day now.

I'm not sharing my room with two crying babies, Isabela huffed. She was excited to meet her new sibling just as she was excited to meet her new primito but the idea of her only space being invaded irritated her.

"Do you think we'll get a baby brother or baby sister? I want a baby sister."

"We won't know until it's born."

Luisa turned back to her sketchpad beginning a new drawing "How come Dolores has magic and you don't? Dolores said she got her magic for her fifth Birthday and when I turn five I get magic too. Did you mess it up?"

Isabela shot up glaring at her sister's back, it's fine…she's a little kid…they all say stupid stuff "No, I didn't mess it up, I don't know why I didn't get back and Dolores did. And there's no guarantee you'll get magic anyway."

Luisa frowned "Well, Abuela said if there is a door they'll throw a ceremony for me. I just hope mine isn't like Dolores said hers was."

Dolores had adjusted to her gift, she had learnt she could focus on specific sounds and block out others. If it got too much she had her soundproof room and specially made earmuffs to help her.

Dolores didn't hang out with Isabela much these days, always using her gift for one reason or another and when she wasn't she was holed up in her room. Isabela had been out on the back burner.

A part of Isabela was hoping Luisa wouldn't get a gift, just so she wouldn't be the only Madrigal grandkid without one and Luisa would have to stay with her. But the reasonable part of her knew that was selfish, she was just worried Luisa would leave her too if she got magic.

"Isa?" Luisa looked up "Can you draw with me?"

Well, not like anyone else was giving her a better option, "Sure," Isabela got off the bed and sat down next to Luisa picking up a crayon "What do you want to draw?"

"Bees! For Papá!" Luisa giggled.

"Bees it is then," Isabela high-fived Luisa.

"Yeah!"

Isabela wished it could just stay like this, she was content. Luisa was always happy to hang out with her. But of course, this new baby was going to change everything around here.

She may not have a magical gift, but she had her family. And that's all Isabela needed.

At least that's what she told herself, she wasn't jealous. She wasn't.

Oh who was she kidding, she couldn't even fool herself.

εїз

"Meet your new sister, Mirabel."

Isabela grinned when she saw the bundle in Julieta's arms.

"Yes! It's a girl!" Luisa cheered.

"You didn't want a boy?" Agustín asked.

Luisa shook her head "Boys are icky and stinky."

"Oh, I'm a boy am I icky and stinky?"

"No, you're not a boy you're a Papá it's different."

Agustín chuckled kissing Luisa and Isabela on the top of their heads "Oh, thank goodness for that then, aye?"

Alma was beaming with pride at her newest nieta "Welcome, Mirabel Madrigal." she glanced over to the window as a butterfly flew in through the open window, nothing too usual but Alma watched with interest as it fluttered over to Mirabel circling around her a few times.

"Look! Mariposa!" Luisa pointed.

"That's it…" Alma looked down at Mirabel again "Ah, Mirabel, you're mi mariposa perfecta. My perfect butterfly."

Mirabel stared up at Alma for a few seconds before yawning.

Julieta kissed her newborn "Being born is hard huh? It isn't so easy on the woman either."

Luisa blinked "Where did she come from anyway?"

Isabela sighed "From Mamá's belly, remember?"

"Why was Mirabel in Mamá's belly? Did Mamá eat her?"

"No, Lulu," Julieta chuckled "I didn't eat your sister."

"Then how did she get in there? And how did she get out?"

"You'll…you'll understand when you're older, okay?" Julieta smiled "Now, Isa would you like to hold your new sister?"

"I want to hold her!" Luisa whined.

"You can, but Isabela is the oldest so she can go first."

Isabela nodded grinning sitting down on the bed and soon her new baby sister was placed in her arms "Hola, Mirabel. I'm your hermana mayor Isabela."

Mirabel yawned again looking up at Isabela with wide eyes.

"Does she like me? I hope she likes me. What if she doesn't like me?"

"Relax, Isa," Agustín said "She's going to love you."

Alma frowned for a split second "Be careful Isabela, we don't want you accidentally hurting her."

"I won't," Isabela's mood deflated for a bit "Abuela?"

"Yes?"

"Could I have my own room now? I'm seven now and still in the nursery."

Alma sighed "Isa…we have two new babies in the family, this is not the time to talk about building new rooms."

Isabela should have known, it was always something that needed more focus "Oh….okay…"

Julieta gave her a weak smile "Don't worry, mija we'll get to it eventually, maybe after we know if Luisa gets a gift or not. In the meantime, you can keep her company."

Isabela nodded "Fine…"

Isabela could see Alma was colder towards her than she was to her cousin and sister, she didn't mistreat her but she didn't seem to love her as much as she used to. She's just busy…everyone counts on her, she repeated that over and over in her mind but she knew deep down it was more than that, right now it was as if Isabela was invisible as she wrapped her arms around Luisa as she stared at Mirabel as if she were the most precious thing she had ever seen.

Mirabel, the perfect butterfly.

One day I will make Abuela proud, Isabela made the silent vow and looked down at her baby sister. She couldn't be jealous of her, she was her baby sister, and Mirabel needed her to protect her. Isabela planted a kiss on Mirabel's forehead "Mirabel, I'm so happy you're here." she whispered "We're going to be the best of friends."

Dolores may have a magic gift but she had something Dolores didn't, two amazing little sisters. And she would protect them with her life.

εїз

Isabela took a deep breath as she stood with her parents watching as Luisa slowly made her way towards the stairs. After the success last time Alma had decided to invite the public to Luisa's ceremony and everyone turned out to see what would happen.

Julieta rocked Mirabel as she watched her secondborn with pride, this was Luisa's big moment she muttered a quick prayer that everything went well, after the way Alma hyped it up she didn't want her daughter to be humiliated in front of the whole town.

Bruno stood next to Pepa and her family, already knowing how this was going to go he made sure Dolores had her earmuffs on ready for the explosion of noise that was no doubt going to occur. He felt pulling on his ruana and turning his head he found it held tight in Camilo's fist.

Camilo giggled and pulled again cooing.

"Pepa…"

Pepa blinked "Yes? Oh.." she pulled Camilo's hand free "He just likes you." she chuckled.

"Yes but I don't like-"

"Luisa, do you promise to use your gift to better your community, your family and your home?"

The sound of Alma's voice brought Bruno and Pepa back to attention.

"I do!" Luisa said.

Alma smiled as she held out the candle for Luisa to touch "May you be blessed tonight, Luisa Madrigal."

Luisa looked over to her family for reassurance.

Julieta and Agustin gave her reassuring smiles whilst Isabela gave her two thumbs up.

Luisa let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and reached for the doorknob, the gathered waited with bated breath as the door glowed and changed to show Luisa holding a weight over her head. Strength? Luisa thought eyeing the large pot next to the door without thinking she picked it up with ease holding it over her head to the cheer of the crowd.

"Super strength! We have a new gift!" Alma exclaimed in delight.

Luisa put the pot down and ran over to her family "I did it! I got my magic!"

Julieta bent down to kiss Luisa's head "We're so proud of you."

"So proud, my little girl is all grown up," Agustín wiped tears from his eyes "It's okay, they're happy tears."

Dolores joined the blue family "Luisa! Come on you got to see your room!" despite the earmuffs Dolores still had her hands over her ears.

"Yeah!" Luisa cheered leading the way.

Isabela found herself being shoved back as everyone wanted to see the new room, Luisa got magic after all. It was true, it was just her.

She blinked back the tears as she walked into the room, she must say it wasn't as pretty as Dolores's but still…it was Luisa's own room. Her baby sister had her own room and she didn't.

Luisa ran around the room lifting up the various weights scattered around it, as people cheered and Alma beamed with pride. She felt like she could move a whole mountain! Wait, maybe she could move a mountain.

Dolores idled up to Isabela "So it looks like it was just you."

"Gee thanks Dolores," Isabela huffed.

"Oh, I didn't mean it like that you don't need magic to be part of the fam-" Dolores's words fell on deaf ears as Isabela walked away "...ily"

Isabela remained quiet during the rest of the Birthday celebration but no one seemed to notice feeding Mirabel her bottle whilst her parents danced.

Was this going to be her life? Watching as everyone she loved grew up and moved on while she remained in the nursery?

She pulled the empty bottle out of Mirabel's mouth and put her over her shoulder just like she was shown patting Mirabel's back to burp her "What do you think of this Mira?"

Mirabel burped spitting up at the same time.

Isabela looked at the baby spit on her shoulder as Mirabel giggled "Yeah…my thoughts exactly."