Summary:

Julián and Lucía get married. Gabriela sings at their wedding and inadvertently reveals to the rest of Encanto of her relationship with Bruno. Bruno gets a vision of Gabriela's former flame. He makes a promise to Gabriela of the future.

-o-o-

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

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

"Gabriela," Lucía's eyes are shining as she nervously fidgets with the engagement ring on her finger. I carefully pin my future sister-in-law's mantilla onto her hair. It's my role to help the bride out with the last-minute preparations, given I'm her chosen godmother.

"Hmmm?" I hum, careful not to accidentally drop the hairpins I'm holding in my mouth. She continues to fidget as I nestle the last pin securely. "There. All done. What's on your mind?"

"I'm nervous. What…what if everything goes wrong?"

I blink at our reflection in the mirror. "Are you…getting cold feet?"

Lucía shakes her head. "No, not at all. I mean…" She bites her lip. "I can't wait to marry Julián, but…"

"...but…?"

"What if the wedding doesn't go as planned?"

I contemplate. "Does it matter if it doesn't go perfectly?" Lucía blinks up at me as I continue. "Are you worried about what the rest of the townsfolk would say?"

She frowns. I knew it.I shake my head. We're expected at the church soon and I don't need the bride running out on me. "Look, you don't need to worry about what other people say, okay? Today is your special day, and that's what matters right now. You're marrying the love of your life…even if that man is my brother," I roll my eyes and she laughs. "...and we can't wait to welcome you into the family."

Lucía sighs, trying hard not to tear up. "You always know what to say, Gabriela. I'm so glad I'm no longer an only child. I now have a sister."

Someone knocks on our door. I help Lucía up and smooth down the train behind her dress. "That's our cue. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

"You know, I can't wait to be the one doing this for you when you and Bruno get married," She teases. I immediately blush. "I think he'll cry when he sees you in a wedding dress."

"Maybe in the future, but for now, it's your turn," I try to calm myself down. Tears start to spring to my eyes. I wish Mamá is here to see this. She would've cried. "You look beautiful, by the way."

Lucía smiles at me. "Thank you, hermana. And you look beautiful too." She takes in my reaction and shakes her head. "Come on, no tears. Save it for later when we're at the church. I'm not yet married!"

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

The reception is lively. I'm standing in the corner trying to keep myself hidden from people's sight, watching the well-wishers congratulating the new couple. I was a little worried that I would ruin my best friend's wedding with my presence, but thankfully it went well. I don't know what made Julián think it was a good idea to have me as his godfather. I was taken aback by the request…but I obliged anyway. Maybe because I felt like I owed him for keeping a secret from Señor Mauricio of the time I stayed overnight in his sister's room.

"There you are," Gabriela appears beside me, holding a glass of wine. "I was wondering where my date went."

I chuckle. "Well, you found me," I observe her as she takes a sip. "The reception barely started, and you're already drinking?"

"It's just one glass, mi amor," She hums. "I'll need it."

I raise an eyebrow at her. "Why so?"

"You'll see."

"You know, I've never seen you cry as much as when Julián and Lucía were exchanging their vows." I tease. I recall the vision I gave Julián way back then. It was me who was comforting his sister after all.

Gabriela rolls her eyes at me. "I only had something in my eye, okay? It's not like I was crying because it was so beautiful."

"Sure," I smirk.

Gabriela pouts at me. "You better wipe that stupid smirk off your face, Bruno Madrigal."

"Oh, and what if I don't? What are you going to do? Hm?" I lean against the wall and pin her against it with my stare. Her eyes widen when I brush my lips against hers. She turns very red.

Someone coughs behind me and I straighten up immediately. "Sorry to interrupt…" Señor Mauricio clears his throat. I laugh nervously, rubbing my arm. I don't have my ruana to hide into today. "Gabriela, are you ready?"

Gabriela nods furiously and hands me her empty glass. "We're not finished, cariño." She hisses as she passes by me, following her father to the stage.

So that's why she needed the wine.

Señor Mauricio taps on the microphone. Everyone turns their attention to him. "Good evening everyone! I hope you're all enjoying the festivities, sí?"

The crowd murmurs and nods in agreement as Señor Mauricio delivers a short speech. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming today. Words cannot express the gratitude and happiness I feel in seeing Julián and his bride ringing in a new chapter in their lives as husband and wife. Mijo, your Mamá…bless her soul…and I, are proud of you. Take care and cherish every moment with your beloved."

Julián raises a glass at his Papá as he continues. "And Lucía, mija, your family–" Señor Mauricio waves to the baker and his wife, "–gained a son, as I have gained another daughter. May you both be very happy together. Welcome to our family. ¡Salud!"

"¡Salud!" People cheer as the couple kiss. "And on that note," Señor Mauricio says. "I'd like to invite the couple for their first dance." The crowd parts, giving way for Julián and Lucía. Señor Mauricio nods to the musicians with him and they all start playing a slow, romantic tune. I watch as Gabriela steps up to the microphone and takes a deep breath…

Tanto tiempo disfrutamos de este amor

Nuestras almas se acercaron tanto así

Que yo guardo tu sabor pero tú llvaras también

Sabor a mí

My jaw drops. I move forward towards the crowd, bewitched by her voice. Everyone watches her in awe. I hear whispers from some of the guests. As expected from the daughter of La Encantadora Mirabella…Señor Mauricio continues with the next verse, reminding me of the night I fell in love with Gabriela.

Sin negaras mi presencia en tu vivir

Bastaría con abrazarte y conversar

Tanta vida yo te di que por fuerza tienes ya

Sabor a mí

Gabriela smirks when she notices me and pulls the microphone off the stand. I gulp, aware of everyone's eyes on me as she walks in my direction. I glance over at Julián, and he and Lucía have an amused look on their faces. Gabriela pulls on my collar as she sings the next lines. My eyebrows disappear into my hairline in surprise and my cheeks burn red.

No pretendo ser tu dueña

No soy nada, yo no tengo vanidad

De mi vida doy lo bueno

Soy tan pobre, ¿qué otra cosa puedo dar?

She doesn't seem to mind the guests and plants a kiss on my cheek. I stand there, frozen in shock as she playfully pushes me to the side, her smile growing wider when she sees me all flustered. I hear surprised gasps from the audience, who all exchange knowing looks. Ay, this woman will be the death of me.

Pasarán más de mil años, muchos más

Yo no sé si tenga amor la eternidad

Pero allá tal como aquí, en la boca llevarás

Sabor a mí

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

"Bruno?" I call out as I weave through the dancing crowd to look for him. I nod at a few guests I pass by, who manage an awkward smile at me. After my performance, some were quick to ask questions about my relationship with Bruno. It didn't help either when Lucía picked his shoes from the pile earlier, which Julián teased me about because it meant Bruno would be the next one to get married. Ay, we've only been together for two weeks. We'll get there when we get there.

I manage to get myself outside as La Hora Loca begins. I've grown to tolerate the noise people's thoughts made over the years, but sometimes it still overwhelms me. I'm enjoying the breeze when someone suddenly appears beside me and I yelp. It's Bruno. "Gabriela, querida. It's just me."

"¡Cariño! You scared me!" I hiss.

He raises his hands in defense. "Lo siento, mi vida. What are you doing out here?"

"I was looking for you. You disappeared after you got your shoes back. Where did you go?"

Bruno shrugs. "I was hiding. Some people were asking me a lot of prying questions I didn't want to answer, but I saw you go outside so I followed you."

I blink at him. "You're not going to try to get back at me for my performance earlier, are you?"

He starts laughing. "I'll admit, you took me by surprise, but no. I think having people ask you about me as well is punishment enough."

"Shut up." I rub my temples.

Bruno takes notice. "Headache?"

I nod. "I thought I've gotten used to this by now, being around large crowds…"

He contemplates for a moment, then grabs my hand. "Come on. Let's go."

"What? Won't my family look for us both?"

Bruno shakes his head. "We won't go very far. I think you need a little bit of quiet time to clear your head, don't you?" I purse my lips as I follow him. "We can always tell them we left early. After all, they know the limits of your gift."

"Good point…" I shrug. "Wait. Where are you taking me?"

He shushes me. "Just the back. There's a courtyard. I noticed it earlier. There should be no one there."

The courtyard is a little romantic spot with a fountain in the middle and pretty lights. I breathe a sigh of relief when I see that there's no one but us two here. The night is cool and quiet. I can feel the pain from earlier easing itself up.

Bruno watches me. "Feeling a whole lot better?"

I manage a small smile. "Yeah. I can still hear the party from here, but it's a relief not to have to hear everyone, especially since they're all thinking about our relationship."

"Does it bother you?"

I turn to look at Bruno. He's leaning against a pillar, arms crossed. I can see he has some questions but is afraid to ask. I shake my head. "No. I don't mind. Though it looks like we overshadowed the bride and groom today. What about you?"

"I told you so, I'm a target."

I roll my eyes at Bruno. He sighs as he runs a hand through his hair. "I mind a little bit, yes. I didn't like the way they were all looking at you."

"So I've noticed."

He blinks at me. "What?"

"Cariño, I don't really care what they say."

Bruno frowns. "But I do."

I sigh. I lean myself against the wall next to him. "You know, this entire time, I thought witnessing a wedding would be difficult for me." I look down at my hands. "It's so long ago, I've almost forgotten it. I was once wearing an engagement ring. I was once a happy bride-to-be." I glance over at Bruno, whose expression is unreadable. "I thought, all of those nasty memories would come back up to the surface."

Bruno walks over to me and cups my face. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, mi amor."

I sigh. "I managed to get through it because you're here with me, Bruno."

"How so?"

"Because you're my good luck charm," I push myself upwards to kiss him and he sighs contentedly. "I feel safe with you, Bruno. And the others? They don't know anything about me and you. So I don't care what they think about us both."

Bruno runs a thumb on my bottom lip. "You know, you were amazing earlier. I've learned something new about you today. You captivated everyone."

"Hmm," I close my eyes. "I belong to a musical family. Of course, I know how to sing, though I'm not as good as Mamá."

"I'd bet Señora Elena is proud of you, either way."

I frown, the sadness at knowing she's not here to witness Julián getting married bubbles to the surface. "I miss her so much, Bruno."

Bruno pulls me into an embrace and rubs my back as I fight the urge to cry. "I know."

We stand like this for a while, his arms around me, my head on his chest. "Bruno?"

"Hm?"

I bury my face into his shirt. "I never thought I'd get to be happy like this. To be looking forward to a future with you."

"What do you mean?" Bruno asks, confused.

"You were thinking of asking me about my former flame, the one I was previously engaged to."

Bruno's arms around me tighten. "So you've read my mind, hm?"

"I know you don't like to ask, amor, but it's okay. I can tell you about him, little by little." He buries his nose in my hair as I recall the memory of that man, once so wonderful, but ended up my nightmare. I remind myself that Bruno's here. "He used to make me believe in fairy tales, the happily-ever-after. I thought our love was like mi Papá and Mamá. I thought it was too good to be true, and maybe it was when he said he loved me. I should've listened to my gut when he asked me to marry him…then maybe, I wouldn't be so broken like this."

Bruno's silent for a moment. "What was his name?" He whispers.

I swallow back down the bile that's coming up my throat. "It's Marco. Marco Rodríguez."

I hear Bruno mutter something. I look up at him and the expression on his face is a little scary. What's more jarring is the fact his eyes are glowing. "Bruno? Are you okay? What's going on…?"

A sudden gust of wind. I blink as the world around us swirls...then returns to normal. Bruno slumps down from where he's standing, taking me with him on the ground. "Bruno!"

He groans. "I'm alright." Bruno hands me a small, emerald green glass. "I suddenly got a vision the moment you told me his name."

My eyes widen as I observe the vision on my palm. It's indeed him. All the memories of that night come rushing back. ¡El bastardo! I feel hot tears coming and Bruno frowns, rubbing my shoulders. "You can throw away that vision if you want. I don't mind."

"What?" I realize I'm gripping the emerald too tightly.

"Gabriela, I don't know the specifics of what he's done, and I'm not asking you to tell me now, but I can see the pain on your face. From what you just shared, I assume he did something unforgivable. It hurts me that you've been carrying the burden all these years, yet he's having the time of his life without any remorse. If only I can travel back to the past or suddenly appear in front of him today to break his jaw for you, I would, but all we have right now is this stupid vision." Bruno points to the vision in my hands. "If you don't break it, querida, I'll do it for you." He's gritting his teeth. I've never seen Bruno angry before.

"No. I'll do it," I pick myself up and reach my hand out to him.

He shakes his head. "I just need a moment. Sorry if I scared you. I can't control when or where I get unwanted visions." He motions me to continue with what I'm doing.

I turn and hurl the glass as hard as I can. The echo of it shattering on the opposite wall vibrates through the surrounding mountains. Bruno whistles. "And I learned something new again. Note to self, don't make you angry."

"Ha. Ha." I sit down next to him. "Are you okay, Bruno?"

Bruno nods. "Just a little out of breath, but nothing I can't handle."

I kiss his left temple. "Lo siento, mi amor. I didn't know telling you his name would trigger you to have a vision."

"Don't worry, mi vida. It didn't. Sometimes it just happens," He pulls me to sit on his lap and I blush. "Hey, wait! What are you doing?"

Bruno grins and kisses me. I sigh into him as he deepens it. He hums, seemingly pleased with my soft moans. Ay, this man.

He pulls away and chuckles at my reaction. "Your face is red, mi vida." I open and close my mouth like a fish, gasping for air. The way he kisses me always leaves me breathless and wanting for more. Bruno kisses me again, and this time it's different. It's gentle and a little sweeter.

"Thanks for being honest with me, Gabriela," He whispers into my ear. "I know this won't make up for your past, but in our present and into the future, I promise to be with you, through the good or bad. Till death do us part."

I blink. "Are you…?"

Bruno leans his forehead against mine. "It's my vow to you. And someday, I will swear this in a church with our whole family in attendance." He rubs off a tear that escapes down my cheek. "Te amo tanto, Gabriela Álvarez. When the time is right and you are ready, I will ask you to marry me."

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

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

Mantilla - a silk or lace scarf worn by women that will cover their hair and shoulders.
Salud - health (In this context: Cheers!)
La Hora Loca - the crazy hour
El bastardo - the bastard

The following are the lyrics of Sabor a Mí by Eydie Gormé and Trío Los Panchos
Tanto tiempo disfrutamos de este amor - We enjoyed of this love for so long
Nuestras almas se acercaron tanto así - Our souls came together in such a way
Que yo guardo tu sabor pero tú llevas también - That I came to keep your flavor, but you also carry
Sabor a mí - A taste of me
Sin negaras mi presencia en tu vivir - If you would deny my presence in your life
Bastaría con abrazarte y conversar - It would be enough to embrace and talk
Tanta vida yo te di que por fuerza tienes ya - I gave you so much life that by necessity you already have
No pretendo ser tu dueña - I don't pretend to be your master
No soy nada, yo no tengo vanidad - I am nothing, I have no vanity
De mi vida doy lo bueno - Of my life I give only what is good
Soy tan pobre, ¿qué otra cosa puedo dar? - I am poor, what else could I give?
Pasarán más de mil años, muchos más - A thousand years will pass, many more
Yo no sé si tenga amor la eternidad - I don't know if eternity has any love
Pero allá tal como aquí, en la boca llevarás - Nevertheless then, just like now, you'll carry on your mouth