Summary:

Gabriela gets invited to the Madrigal Triplet's 35th birthday celebration.

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Written in Gabriela's POV.

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I'm busy packing some of Mamá's belongings to put into storage when Papá suddenly walks in. It's been a few months since she passed and things have started to go back to a normal flow, though we're still in mourning. Papá and Julián have also started opening the shop again, though for alternate days at a time.

"Papá. You're home early," I start clearing the mess I've made. "Sorry. I thought to clean up here while you and Julián were out…"

He shakes his head. "Don't mind me, Elitta. I'm still going back to the store. I just thought I'd come home to give you this." He hands me an envelope, with the Madrigal family's mariposa insignia on it. "Isabela came by earlier and asked me to pass it along to you."

I blink. "What's this?" Papá shrugs. "She didn't say, but I think it's an invitation for something." I carefully open the envelope, and sure enough, written in elegant cursive: You are cordially invited to our 35th birthday celebration today at La Casa Madrigal.

"The triplets' birthday! I almost forgot about it." The handwriting looks like it's Julieta's. I mentally chide myself for forgetting such an important date, but I did have a lot on my plate that it slipped my mind.

"Is something wrong?" Papá looks at me with concern. I sigh. "I don't think I should go, Papá."

He gives me a quizzical look. "Now why on earth would you do that? Didn't you spend the last few weeks finishing up your gifts for them?"

"Pá, we're still in mourning." I shake my head at him. "It doesn't seem right to be going to a celebration." He sighs. "I understand what you mean, but based on the customs, we're not allowed to open the store either, and yet we are."

I huff. "That's different. It's our business."

"Ay, it's not any different. We sell music." He sits on the floor next to me. "Gabriela, I'm not forcing you to go. It's still your decision to make, but I wouldn't mind if you do. Your Mamá would also want you to live your life as freely as she did."

I bite the inside of my cheek. "Won't the people give me disapproving looks if I do?" Papá chuckles. "I doubt you'll let them. You've ripped them a new one when they thought badly of the Madrigals. I'm sure you can handle them on your own."

"The blasted idiotas." I roll my eyes as I recall the memory. "Fine, Pá, if you're okay with me going tonight, I'll go."

He nods. "Just be back before sunrise, okay?" I crinkle my nose at him. "Yo sé eso. I'm not staying over that late, Pá, but sure." Papá smiles as he gets up to leave. "Then, go get ready."

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

I'm nervous. I fidget with the packages I'm carrying containing each of the Madrigal triplets' birthday presents as I enter Casa Madrigal. I get some surprised stares and disapproving looks as Casita brings me inside, as I expected. My anxiety is slowly bubbling towards the surface. Do I look okay? I had decided to forgo my black shawl in favor of a purple dress for the occasion. It's not as somber, but at least it's still appropriate. I don't want to dampen the triplets' celebration with my mourning.

"This is a terrible idea," I mumble to no one in particular. I yelp in surprise when someone answers me. "What's a terrible idea?"

I turn to see Pepa snickering at my reaction. "Dios mio, Pepa, you scared me!"

"And nice to see you too, Gabriela," She laughs. "I almost thought you wouldn't come, because…you know?"

I shrug. "Well, Papá says it's okay. I didn't try to argue with him about it. Oh!" I hand over Pepa her gift. "For you. ¡Feliz cumpleaños!"

Her lip begins to tremble. "Oh, you. You shouldn't have!" I shake my head and hug her. "Calm down, you can cry later. We don't want the guests to get wet."

"Shush, you. I'm not going to cry…yet."

I laugh and immediately cover my mouth so as not to disturb the other guests. More stares. Pepa leers at the people looking in our direction. "Geez. Why is everyone staring at you for being here, anyway?"

I roll my eyes. "I'm supposed to be in mourning. You know? Customs."

"Ay, you can't mourn forever. I don't think Señora Elena would be pleased to see any of her family…ESPECIALLY you, not enjoying life."

"So Papá says. Anyway, where's the rest of the family?"

Pepa grins and grabs my hand. "They're by the garden. This way!" She leads me to the back where the rest of the family are. I wave hello to Félix and Agustín, who are busy entertaining guests while holding their respective newborns. Camilo and Mirabel seem uninterested in what's going on, but at least they're not crying.

"Gabriela, mija, I didn't expect you to come!" Señora Alma greets me with a kiss on my cheek. I smile at her and nod. Isabela and Luisa peek from behind their Abuela, surprise reflecting on their faces. "I thought you'd be…well…avoiding the celebrations."

"Well, mi Papá wouldn't have it, Señora." She nods. "I share the same sentiment. I'm glad you're here for my triplets. It wouldn't be a complete celebration without their closest friend." She looks around. "Speaking of which, where are Julieta and Brunito?"

Luisa blinks at Señora Alma. "Abuela, I think Mamá's in the kitchen, preparing the cake? Tío Bruno says he'll be down later."

Señora Alma sighs. "Ay, I told Julieta she could just leave the cake preparations to someone else…" She prepares to leave, but Pepa stops her mother. "I'll go get her Mamá, with Gabriela. No need to fret."

"Okay, Pepita, but please don't take too long."

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

"Julieta, Mamá's been looking for you!" Pepa calls out into the kitchen as we enter. Julieta looks up in confusion, before realizing it too late when Pepa immediately swipes powdered sugar on her face.

"Ay, Pepita!" Julieta cries. "You want to play it that way, huh?"

Pepa starts laughing as Julieta chases her sister around the kitchen. I shake my head at the two. "Óye, you two, I don't think Señora Alma would be pleased if she finds you both covered in powdered sugar."

"You're right, you're right." Pepa's still giggling. She hands a napkin to her sister. "Sorry, Julieta. I forgot that it's not any regular night."

Julieta rolls her eyes. "You'll still do this when you feel like it, and true to your tradition, you're still doing it on our birthday."

I eye them both. Julieta shakes her head. "Pepa liked to sneak in the kitchen and swipe some cake when we were children, so when I started guarding it, she'd always try to distract me by smudging powdered sugar on me."

"Is that why you're here?"

Pepa puts her hands on her hips. "Figures. Luisa actually thought you were making the cake."

"Ay, I had to distract my daughter long enough, no?"

"Speaking of cake…" I interject, handing Julieta her gift. "For you. ¡Feliz cumpleaños!" Julieta smiles. "Aw, Gabriela, thank you! What's in here?"

"I got one too!" Pepa waves her gift. I laugh. She's too adorable. "Well, if you want to open it now, I don't mind."

Julieta purses her lips. "Well, it isn't proper etiquette, but if the giver says so." They both quickly open the package and gasp at the same time. "Gabriela, you shouldn't have…" Julieta begins. I shake my head at her. "Yes, well, I wanted my gifts to be extra special."

"How long have you been preparing for this?" Pepa's face lights up as she examines her gift. It's a yellow headscarf, embroidered with little thunderbolts. She immediately ties her hair up, rainbows lighting up the room.

"About a few months. I've been working on it well before…you know."

"The design is so intricate. I knew you could sew, but I never expected something like this," Julieta says as she puts on the teal apron. I've embroidered a mortar and pestle on it. "Oh, it has pockets!"

"Well, yeah. So you can stop stuffing herbs in weird places. That way you'll always have what you need on hand."

"Thank you, Gabriela," Pepa starts to cry and drizzle. "And…this is why I gave you a headscarf." I giggle. "So your hair would stop limping onto your face." The two pull me in a tight hug, laughing when I groan from getting wet.

"So, what did you get for Bruno?" Pepa's smile turns playful. "Ay, I bet it's something extra, extra special!" I blush and look away. "N-no."

"Oh, she's blushing." Julieta grins. "Come on, spill."

"Wha-what am I going to spill?"

"Oh, Gabriela," Pepa shakes her head. Why do I feel like I'm being cornered here?"Gabriela, Gabriela. Don't think Julieta and I don't notice how mi mija calls you Tía."

"Or, our Brunito calling you mi princesa," Julieta adds. I cough. "I didn't know Dolores called me Tía. And you know Bruno's just teasing me with that nickname, it doesn't mean anything."

"But it does!" Pepa sing-songs. I eye the kitchen exit and tap my foot, hoping Casita doesn't block me. It's a split-second reaction, but I manage to avoid Pepa lunging towards me. "Nope! You can't open this, Pepa! It's for Bruno!"

"Come on, just a peek!"

"No!"

Julieta roars with laughter as I try to push Pepa away. I feel silly. It's like we're teenagers, not full-grown adults. "Okay, okay. Calm down. Pepa, let's leave Gabriela to give it to Bruno. I'm sure we'll find out whatever it is later when we blow out our candles on the cake."

Pepa lets go, laughing at my reaction. "Your face is so red like a tomato, Gabriela."

"Shut up." I frown at her. My heart's beating so fast. I thought for a second they'll find out I have a crush on their brother. "Where's Bruno, anyway?"

Pepa shrugs. "Luisa did say he's upstairs." Julieta sighs. "He must be sulking again." She turns to look at me. "Think you're okay to call him down here? If any one of us tries to drag him downstairs, he'll escape."

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Pepa laughs. "I doubt he'll escape when he sees you." I'm about to question what she meant by that but then clamp my mouth shut. My cheeks feel so hot. "Don't worry, Casita should lead the way for you."

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

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

Mariposa - butterfly
Idiotas - idiots
Yo sé eso - I know that