Summary:

The Álvarezes lose the light of their home. Gabriela copes with her grief. Bruno loses sleep over his own guilt.

-o-o-

Written in both Gabriela's and Bruno's POV.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"I am so sorry for your loss."

I manage a small nod as Señor Osvaldo offers his condolences to my family. People are lining up outside our casa to pay their respects to Mamá, despite the rain that's been pouring the entire day. I look up into the sky, wondering if the weather is Pepa's doing. I don't blame her if she's the reason for the rain, because the dreariness matches what I've been feeling these past few days since Mamá passed away. She fell really ill a few weeks ago, and Dolores, such a sweet child, delivered something for her, but she refused to eat Julieta's cooking. It was hard to watch Mamá grow weaker, and I couldn't even understand why. Her death wasn't quite sudden, but it was unexpected to me.

I pull the black shawl around my shoulders a little closer. I feel cold. Julián notices and pulls me away from the crowd. "Hermana, maybe you should stay inside? It's too cold out here with the rain. Papá and I can manage."

I shake my head. "No. I don't want to stay inside. Too…many memories." My brother looks at me with tears in his eyes, and sighs. "I know what you mean, Gabriela, but I also can't let you get sick. I don't think Papá and I would ever forgive ourselves if something happens to you too."

"Please, I don't think a little rain would be that bad."

Julián's about to argue but stops when we both hear whispers among the crowd. To our surprise, Señora Alma arrives, with Isabela in tow behind her.

"Señor Mauricio, lamentamos mucho su pérdida," Señora Alma murmurs as she clasps Papá's hands in hers. "Our family would like to express our deepest condolences." Isabela walks over to me and conjures a bouquet of lilies. "For Señora Elena." She whispers, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

I hug Isabela, trying hard not to cry. I've already cried too much and it makes me look ghastly. "Gracias, Isa. I'll make sure to leave this at mi Mamá's grave and tell her it's from you."

"I am sorry about the rain," Señora Alma continues, nodding at Isabela who quickly walks over to her side. "Pepa's been inconsolable since she heard the news."

Papá shakes his head. "Está bien, Señora. We understand her feelings. My children and I are grateful that your family cares so much about my…" He chokes. Julián immediately rushes to his side and comforts him. "Pá, it's okay. Deep breath in, deep breath out."

Señora Alma turns to look at me, regret in her eyes. "No, my family could've done something, anything, to save her life. Julieta could've healed her…Bruno could've seen her fate and warned the family…" I feel my heart do a little squeeze at the mere mention of Bruno's name. "...this could have all been prevented…"

"Señora Alma, please, it's no one's fault." I put on a brave face and take the older woman's hands in mine. "We've known this day would come sooner or later, and I know even then we cannot delay the inevitable. La Familia Madrigal is not to blame. Mamá would be devastated to hear that if someone says otherwise," I say, a little pointedly, not to the Señora but to the people in line. I get uncomfortable looks from the rest of the townsfolk.

Puedo escucharlos a todos, idiotas.

Señora Alma blinks at me and nods. "Gracias, mija. You're always too kind. Your mother would be so proud of you, for being strong for your family. I know I would be if I had you as a daughter." She turns to Papá, who's now calmed down enough to gather his bearings. "Always know that La Casa Madrigal is open to your family. You are forever welcome in our home."

Papá nods as Señora Alma and Isabela prepare to leave. "Muchísimas gracias, Señora. For everything."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Gabriela, mi princesa, are you holding up okay?" Papá asks me as we prepare to retire for the night. The day's events drained me so much after Señora Alma and Isabela left that I felt so dizzy and almost fainted. It gave Julián a really good excuse to force me to stay inside for the rest of the afternoon.

"I should be the one asking you that," I deadpan as I clear the table, wincing at the nickname Papá just called me by. "You're the one who just lost the love of his life, and you're asking me if I'm holding up okay?"

He sighs, peering into his teacup. Lucía came by earlier to help and even prepared some tea for Papá. It's the least I can do, she said. My future sister-in-law, already taking good care of the family. I sigh. I feel bad for her and my brother. They had to move their wedding date because of Mamá 's death.

"She's indeed mi vida, mi amor, but she's also your Mamá. I know you and Julián are also hurting. I've always known this day would come, when I married her," Papá says, swirling his tea. "Elitta, I know we've kept a lot of secrets, your Mamá and I, but…it was for your sakes."

I prickle at that. It's the first time I've ever felt so frustrated at being kept in the dark, despite my gift. I slam a hand on the table, tears that I've been holding back all day streaming down my face. "Secrets? Please, Papá. You and I both know that there's no secret I don't know, save for this. How were you both even able to keep this from me? Knowing…knowing I could see EVERYTHING that's going on in your heads?"

Papá shakes his head, undisturbed by my outburst like he already expected it. "Lo siento, Elitta. You were too young to understand the reality of the situation then. Your mother has been sick even before you were born. Even before Julián was born."

"Do…do you know what her last words to me were, Pá?" I swipe away my tears, gritting my teeth. He frowns and shakes his head. "Whatever your Mamá said, I know it would be different from her last thoughts."

I stare at him, wide-eyed and breathing heavily. He gets up to leave the table and places a kind hand on my shoulder. "What you've done earlier, for Señora Alma, for the Madrigals…I understand it was your Mamá's request. During her last days, I know she made sure to focus just on our family. She never told me anything else, but I trust her judgment." I watch as Papá shuffles out of the room, shoulders straight as if trying to pull himself together. "Your mother was a strong woman who loved her family, Elitta. It's not any easier, but I'm happy that I met her. I'm happy I have you and Julián. Nothing will ever change that."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

I toss and turn all night, trying to force myself to sleep. Mamá's last words play over and over in my head.

Siempre serás mi bebé pase lo que pase, en la vida o en la muerte. Te quiero hija mia. Por los siglos de los siglos.

I cover my face with my pillow and scream. I scream until my voice grows hoarse, but it doesn't mute out the next words that come to mind.

Do not blame the Madrigals for my fate. Bruno had known and came to warn me.

I'm crying now, the thought of Bruno, his mess of curls and tired eyes, coming over to tell my mother the news of her demise. He must've been as helpless then as I am now.

Bruno no es malo. I had promised him I would never tell, but I think you deserve the truth. El dolor es el precio que pagamos por el amor. He paid that price for you the day he knocked on our door. Remember that, Gabriela.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"How is she?" I ask Dolores, who's cupping her ears and squinting to concentrate. She shushes me. "Give me a moment, Tío."

I slump down next to my niece. "I'm sorry I woke you up for this, Dolores." I haven't slept well in days, ever since we heard the news of Señora Elena's passing. I feel guilty for dragging Dolores into this, but I want to know if Gabriela or her family are okay, despite Mamá and Isabela telling us earlier that they seem to be coping a whole lot better.

She frowns at me and shakes her head, rolling her eyes at my apology. "I don't mind, Tío Bruno. You're not the only one worried too…but I know Mamá wouldn't be pleased if she catches us both. You know she and Papá have their hands full with Camilo." I shiver, knowing Pepa isn't exactly in the best mood since she gave birth to my nephew.

"I know. And I wouldn't want to get you into trouble too, but…"

Dolores' eyes widen and she waves a hand at me to stop talking. "Shh, Tío! I can hear her. It's like…muffled screams. I think she's screaming into her pillow."

I turn frantic. "Is she okay?" I immediately stand up, but Dolores pulls me down by the corner of my ruana. "¡Ay!"

"Calm down, Tío Bruno!" Dolores hisses. I blink at the six-year-old in front of me. "You can't go over there."

"But…"

"No buts, Tío. Just give Tía Gabriela time to grieve." I'm about to argue with my niece when Agustín suddenly runs out of Julieta's room, almost falling over on me and Dolores.

"Agustín, hermanito, are you okay?" I ask, turning him to look at me so Dolores can escape back to her room. Agustín is a lot less strict, but he's like any other father. He'd scold Dolores for being up if he sees her, even if it's my fault she's up at this hour. Dolores squeaks in worry at Agustín's reaction but I shake my head and point my lips back towards her room, urging her to go in and leave him with me. She nods in understanding before she closes her door. I turn my attention back to Agustín. He looks pale.

"Mamá, call Mamá," Agustín mutters, his eyes wide, urgency in his tone. It suddenly hits me why he's rushing out in the dead of night.

"I'll wake Má up. You go get the midwife." Agustín scrambles to his feet and rushes out of the casa. "Casita, can you prepare the basin and water?" I ask Casita, who clinks its tiles in agreement and promptly leads me to Mamá's door.

I don't think I'll have any sleep tonight either.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):

Lamentamos mucho su pérdida- We are very sorry for your loss
Puedo escucharlos a todos, idiotas- I can hear all of you, idiots. Shame on the townsfolk for thinking bad things about the Madrigals!
Muchísimas gracias- Many thanks
Siempre serás mi bebé pase lo que pase, en la vida o en la muerte. Te quiero hija mia. Por los siglos de los siglos.- You will always be my baby no matter what, in life or in death. I love you, my daughter. Forever and ever.
No es malo- not bad (Elena in this context is telling Gabriela that Bruno is not a bad person as people think he is)
El dolor es el precio que pagamos por el amor- Pain is the price we pay for love. Elena says this to remind Gabriela that in love comes pain and vice-versa. It's also her way of giving her blessing on Gabriela and Bruno's future relationship.