Disclaimer: I do not own Encanto or any of its characters, and even though Bruno originally created Hernando, I thought of the idea for this story, and my best friend helped a lot on it, too.

Sand swirled around Bruno as he looked into the future. He saw himself and his Prometido– his fiance– standing in front of the priest as they took their vows to always be there for each other. Then he saw images of them living their new lives together, unashamed and unafraid. He even caught a glimpse of little kids running around while the two men watched them, pride in their eyes.

A knock distracted him and broke his concentration. The sand fell and a green slab floated down, but Bruno turned to see his brother-in-law, Agustín, entering his room. He hesitated when he saw all the sand.

"Did I… um… interrupt?" he asked.

Bruno shook his head. "Oh, no. It's fine." He reached down and picked up his vision. He paused before adding," I just needed to… Well…"

He didn't need to finish. Agustín seemed to understand. "You wanted to make sure your future with Hernando would be a, well, a happy one. Right?"

Bruno nodded.

"Will it be?" his brother-in-law pressed.

Bruno couldn't stop the huge grin that spread across his face. "Oh, yes. Yes, it will be."

Agustín grinned, too. "That's great, cuñado!" He reached forward as if to pull Bruno into a hug, but he froze when Bruno flinched. Bruno wasn't sure if he wanted to be touched. Then he relaxed and threw himself at his brother-in-law, wrapping his arms around him. At first, Agustín seemed too shocked to react. Finally, he hugged him back.

The taller man leaned down and whispered in his ear," It's really good to have you back, Bruno."

Now it was Bruno's turn to be shocked. He stepped back and blinked up at Agustín. "Thank you," he murmured. He hesitated, before continuing," The whole family has been very welcoming to me. I mean," he quickly added," it's been a struggle to be among everyone again, and there's been days where I wish I was back in the wall, but…" All this was coming out before Bruno could stop himself. It's been weighing him down since the moment he stepped in the midst of his family again after so long.

Agustín cut him off by placing his hand on his shoulder. "Shh, Bruno, it's okay. There's no reason for you to hide anymore. La familia is here for you, and in less than 24 hours you are to be married to the man you love. What could be better?"

Bruno considered his words. He was right. It took over 50 years, but finally his life was going the way he wanted it. Tomorrow he'll take his vows with Hernando and they can start a whole new life, as a married couple.

"Thank you," he said again. A glow of green made him look down at the slab in his hand. It showed a picture of Bruno, Hernando, and two little children.

Agustín looked, too. He smiled. "Let's keep this between us," he suggested, and Bruno looked at him, confused. "At least until after your wedding," his brother-in-law added. "If Alm knew the future held more grandchildren, she'd want to know when. But I have a feeling only time will bring these kids to us. Right?"

Bruno nodded. He didn't know where these kids were right now, but somehow they were to become part of the Madrigal family, his own children. His and Hernando's. Excitement coursed through him, but he tried to hide it as he followed Agustín out of his room. He couldn't wait for tomorrow!

"Isabela! We need some flowers over here!"

"How about some cacti?"

"Luisa, can you move that table?"

"Where to?"

"Over there would be good."

"Nervous?"

Bruno jumped when someone spoke behind him. He turned to see his niece, Mirabel, approaching him. He chuckled, but he knew it was clear that he was very nervous. The girl flashed him a look and sat down on the floor with him.

For a while it was silent, and Bruno continued to watch his family setup for the wedding. He felt like he should help in some way, do something, since it was his big day. But when he offered to help, they would send him away, insisting he take it easy and do nothing except say "I do" when the time comes.

Finally, Mirabel spoke. "It's coming along," she observed. Bruno nodded, glancing around. What his niece said next surprised him. "Have you seen Hernando?"

Bruno turned to her. "Um… no…" Suddenly worried, he looked around, but there was no sign of his future esposo. He got up. "I better go look for him," he said, and took a step forward, but paused when Mirabel made to follow him. "I think I should look for him on my own," her uncle told her. She gave him an uncertain look, but he dismissed her doubt with a wave of his hand. "I'll be fine. I'm not helpless, you know." That had been meant to be a joke to make Mirabel relax, but she looked alarmed like she thought Bruno really meant she believed he was completely helpless. "Oh, I'm sorry," he blurted. "I didn't mean to suggest you thought I was helpless. It's just… I know Hernando best and if something's bothering him, most likely he'll open up if it's just me."

Mirabel visibly relaxed. "Oh. Yeah. I get it. Um… good luck, tío."

Bruno dipped his head and turned to go find his friend. He looked all over the house, even in his room. But there was no sign of Hernando. He eventually found him in the courtyard.

"Hola," he said as he joined him.

Hernando turned to him. "Hola, mi amor."

Bruno studied his face. "¿Qué ocurre?" he asked.

Hernando shrugged. "Nada."

"Then why are you out here alone? We should be getting ready for the wedding."

Hernando turned away, and Bruno frowned. He knew something was wrong. He opened his mouth to press his friend, when Hernando blurted out," Did you ever think this day would come?"

Bruno started, surprised. "W-What do you mean?"

"For so many years it didn't seem like we'd end up together," Hernando explained without looking at him. "When you left– or when I thought you left– I gave up on ever seeing you again. I spent the entire time convincing myself that you didn't exist anymore– that you never existed…" He turned huge, green eyes on Bruno. "It was easier to make myself believe that you were part of some made up fantasy than accept that you disappeared and might never come back."

Bruno pulled him into a tight hug. "But I did come back," he told him firmly. "I'm real. And soon we'll be married." Hernando hugged him back and Bruno felt him shake as he sobbed. Bruno reflected how strange it was that he was comforting his friend when in the past it was Hernando who did the comforting when Bruno was breaking down.

After a while Hernando finally stepped back and leaned in to kiss Bruno. "Gracias, Mi Ratóncito."

"De nada. Now come on, let's get ready for our wedding."

Bruno took a deep breath. This was it. Any minute now he'll walk out and the ceremony will begin. He can hear all the guests in the other room, eagerly waiting for the wedding to start.

Footsteps behind him made him turn to see all his nieces and nephews approaching him. Isabela brushed hair out of his face; Luisa patted him on the back, knocking him forward. Dolores caught him and helped steady him. She smiled kindly at him and touched his arm.

Mirabel, Camilo, and young Antonio stood back a ways. Bruno walked over to them. "What's up?" he asked.

Mirabel shook her head. "We're just happy for you. Right, guys?" She glanced at her primos, and the two boys nodded. But Bruno could see that something was on their minds.

"Whatever is wrong, you can tell me," he told them. "I'm your tío after all."

The three kids exchanged a look and it was Antonio who blurted out," We're just worried about Hernando becoming part of the family!"

Bruno stared at the little boy. "What do you mean, Toñito?"

"What my hermano means is," said Camilo," none of us know Hernando that well, and we're a little worried he won't fit in with the family."

Bruno frowned. He never thought about that. The whole family seemed so welcoming to his friend that he didn't stop to consider that the youngest members might have doubts that Hernando belonged with them. After all, Mirabel and Camilo were less than two years old when Hernando stopped coming around, and Antonio wasn't even thought of at the time.

"Mi hijo," he said, speaking to Camilo, but then he turned to look at Antonio, before looking up and locking eyes with Mirabel. "You and Camilo are too young to remember Hernando, but believe me, he is the nicest, kindest guy you will ever meet. He helped me many times in the past, and… Well, just believe me, okay? He's a wonderful guy."

Mirabel looked past him, and Bruno turned to see his friend standing behind him. He had a huge grin on his face and Bruno blushed, embarrassed that Hernando heard all that.

"Mi Ratóncito, I think you're wonderful, too," he said, stepping forward and hugging him.

Then he turned to Bruno's niece and nephews. "I know we don't really know each other," he said," but I hope I can get to know you– every single one of you." He turned to where the oldest kids stood, and gestured for them to join them. "I hope to be accepted into this family and help out whenever I can. And it would help me out very much if you gave me a chance to show you that I can be helpful."

"Sounds good to me," Luisa said, smiling, and Isabela nodded in agreement, while Dolores wrapped her arms around Hernando.

Bruno's friend turned to the other kids, and Antonio ran to him and hugged him. Hernando smiled and patted his back. He looked to Camilo and Mirabel, who hesitated another moment before both agreeing to give him a chance.

Hernando shifted positions as best as he could with Antonio and Dolores clinging to him. His face was turning red from embarrassment. Bruno smiled, happy that the kids were willing to accept him after all.

Someone clearing their throat made them all turn to see Alm standing there. "It's time," she announced, giving the scene a curious look, but then she shrugged and walked away.

"Okay, everyone go find your seat," Hernando said, and all the kids wished the men luck and left.

Soon it was just Bruno and his Prometido. Hernando smiled at him and kissed him before leaving too. Bruno took a deep breath, which caught in his throat when the music started.

"This is it," he whispered to himself. He took a shaky step forward, then paused and took a steady breath, before walking out. All eyes turned to him and he suddenly felt weak in the knees. But when he looked up and saw the man he loved waiting for him, he continued to walk until he stood beside him in front of the priest.

"Dear friends and family of the Grooms," the priest began, glancing around the crowd. "We welcome and thank you for being part of this important occasion. We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of Bruno Madrigal and Hernando Lopez. Every one of us has a deep desire to love and to be loved."

Bruno listened very carefully, and when it was time to say his vows, he was very nervous, but as he looked deep within Hernando's eyes, he found himself calming as he said that he has loved Hernando for many years now, and he never thought this day would come, but it was finally here, and they can finally start a life together. Hernando said his own vows, promising to always be there for Bruno and help him and the rest of his family whenever he can.

"Do you, Bruno, take Hernando to be your wedded husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love him faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?"

Bruno took a deep breath. "I do," he said clearly.

The priest nodded and turned to Hernando, asking him the same question, and Hernando said "I do" instantly.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may now kiss."

Hernando stepped forward and kissed Bruno. They separated and stood facing the crowd that exploded in cheers. Hernando pulled him through the crowd and they stopped in the other room.

"It's official now!" Hernando said, smiling.

Bruno blushed.

"You're cute when you blushed." Hernando nudged him playfully, and Bruno blushed harder.

"Felicidades a los dos! Congratulations, both of you!"

They turned to see Bruno's mother joining them. "Muchas gracias!" Hernando looked very happy. Then he paused and said," Can I ask you something?"

Alm nodded.

"What made you change your mind?" Hernando asked. "I mean, for years you were against us even dating. Now you seem just as happy as us that we got married. I… I don't understand…"

Bruno glanced at Hernando. He's been wondering the exact same thing ever since he found his mother and Mirabel near that river. Since then, Alm has had a complete change of heart.

Alm sighed. "I realized the only thing that mattered was my children and their children. It's about the person, not their gift or magic. And I finally saw how happy you two made each other, and I couldn't stand in your way anymore. You two belong together, and I'm sorry I kept you apart for so long."

"Thank you, that means a lot," Hernando said, and he hesitated, before running forward and hugging her. She seemed startled at first, but finally gave in and hugged her new son-in-law.

"Now come. We must celebrate!" Alm turned and left, joining the party in the other room.

"Come on, Bruno, let's join the others."

"Wait, Hernando."

Hernando looked at him. "What?"

"I wasn't sure if I should go ahead and say this. I thought about telling my mother, but I wanted to tell you first, and you can decide if we go ahead and tell everyone."

"Is something wrong, mi amor?"

"No. No, nothing at all."

"Then what did you want to tell me?" Hernando asked.

"We're going to have kids!" Bruno blurted out.

"Kids? Bruno, you do realize we're both guys, right? We can't have–"

"No, I know that." Bruno rolled his eyes, half playfully, half impatient. "We can adopt, and we will."

Hernando started to get excited. "When?"

"I'm not exactly sure, but I feel like it's going to be soon. Real soon."

Hernando pulled him into a hug. "Oh, Bruno, this is great news. You'll be a wonderful father."

"You too." Bruno kissed him, and they stood there in each other's arms for a while, until they finally joined the others at the party. Bruno didn't know when, but he knew one day soon he'll meet the kids that will become his, and he felt that he could hardly contain himself.

The End!

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