Chapter 31:

(Caleb POV)

- 2 weeks -

I looked over at Isabella as she secured the bag on her saddle and walked over to her, "Have everything you need?" She nodded her head, "Yeah, I'm all set." I looked back and saw my grandparents watching us. Ever since they figured out we weren't married like my Grandma had initially assumed they had been keeping a closer eye on us. The only time we ever got away from her was when we went into town or out by the docks.

I laughed a little to myself, "The watchdogs are still on us." She laughed a little to, "Yeah, but it is kind of endearing. Besides back in Encanto we had an entire town looking at us." I nodded my head, "Yeah but we had the alleyways and the shack." She snorted, "I never thought anyone would miss the shack." I smirked, "I'm not exactly sure I'll miss the shack." She blushed slightly. "Alright, well I had better go I don't want to be a day late or something and walk in on their war meeting" she laughed and I nodded my head.

She went to go on her horse but turned to face me, "I can't convince you to come back with me, can I?" I let out a breath as I looked around at Santa Marta and back at my grandparents, "I think that I need to be here for a while. I've been living with one purpose for so long, I guess I need to..." She smiled, "I get it. I had to do that to when..." It was my turn to smile, "I know." She wrapped her arms around me and whispered, "If you ever need to find me, you'll know where I am just follow the cacti I'm never far behind them." I kissed the side of her head, "Same here, if you ever need me."

We had, had the same discussion the past week. She knew that she had to go back and I knew that I needed to stay here for myself and despite both our efforts neither could convince the other. She went to turn and pull away, but I turned her head to me, "I think we can afford a little more collateral damage." I pulled her into a kiss before resting my forehead against hers, "Thank you for everything." She smiled, "Thank you too." I watched as she saddled up and began riding out of town.

I then turned to walk away when I saw a cactus pop up underneath my foot. I smiled as I turned to her and saw her looking back at me she nodded her head and continued to ride away. I walked over to my Grandpa and saw my Grandma shaking her head, "What?" She walked inside, "More and more like your father every day." I turned to my Grandpa, "What?" He sighed, "She says your father learned it from me. Trust me you are going to want to hear it from your Grandma."

We went inside and she had huffed herself upstairs to her room. When she was here I had given Isabella the old/new guest bedroom, I had taken my old room and my Grandparents were in the room that used to be my Mama's sewing room. When they rebuilt the house they had the original plans for all of the rooms, but none of us felt like touching that it was Mama and Papa's and none of us were ready to go into an even rebuilt version of it. I knocked on the door, but was told to go away. I sighed and went out into the garden smiling at the row of cacti that stood in the back. I was going to miss Isabella, but a part of me knew that I was going to see her again.

(Isabella POV)

- 1 week later

I didn't want to let him go. I didn't want to leave without him. I didn't want to have to explain everything we went to when I got back home, but I knew that all of these things were ride back to Encanto was met with little to no resistance as I stayed in a shelter I would make at night and the food I was able to make along with what I packed seemed to be pretty good. I have also been growing a subtle trail of cacti along the way so it doesn't take Caleb another 4 years to find this place I mused to myself. I was getting closer and was able to retract some of the trees I grew and found Caleb's markings.

I was able to clear the path through the ravine making it easier for the horse as I reached the jungle I was rushed with the familiar feelings of being back here. I easily maneuvered through the trees and made my way back to Casita. As the doors to Casita opened I saw my family all gathered in the dinning room. I looked over at them and cleared my throat bringing all of their faces to me, "I'm home." Before they can come closer to me or begin asking me questions I let out a breath, "I've had a long trip. I'm going to go to bed, I'll answer all of your questions tomorrow."

I looked towards Casita and it grew me a set of stars that led me up to my room. I opened the door and used a vine to swing me over to bed where I let myself collapse. Exhaustion overtook me as everything began to set in. I hope that Caleb was alright along with the other soldiers. I felt myself missing him already, but I couldn't think about that. I just returned to my family... I'm home.

- a few days later -

I woke up before everyone else and went downstairs quickly started making breakfast for everyone in the house before going to leave. I opened the door but it suddenly closed, "C'mon Casita." "Trying to slip out again," I turned and saw Mirabel standing there. "Isabella," she started but I just shook my head, "Mirabel, please I just can't be in the house right now." She shook her head, "Isabella you need to talk to us, you can't just keep everything to yourself." "Mirabel, I'm back. I came home. I told you guys everything that happened, Please just let me go out to the fields." "Isabella we need to talk," I sighed as I saw everyone began to murmur. I looked up at the sky, "Mirabel please."

I then saw the adults making their way to the stars and then the kids running down as well. Daniela, Laura and Pedro ran over to me, "Tía Isabella." They called as they wrapped my legs in a hug. I knelt down and hugged them back, "Hey guys." Laura looked up at me, "Where did you go? No one is telling us." I smiled at her, "I just needed to help Caleb, you remember Caleb right?" She nodded her head, "Well you see he found out some things about his past and we needed to deal with it, but he was able to find his Abuelos and he now he gets to know them" They all nodded their heads and I looked up and saw the adults, "I'm going to go. Breakfast is in the kitchen."

I went out to the abandoned fields and began working on growing fruits and vegetables. They weren't perfect but with each attempt they were getting better. No one in town approached or bothered me, I guess that me disappearing with an outsider for a month ruined my reputation to an extent. All I wanted to do was be alone most days and no one seemed willing to fight it. As the sun was setting over the mountain I ran towards the jungle and to my favorite tree. I grew a branch higher than before and made myself a new platform as I watched the sunset over the land beyond Encanto.

I made my way home and saw my family at the dinner table. I made myself a plate and went up to my room not really speaking to anyone. I finished and brought my plate into the kitchen before beginning to wash the dishes, "Isabella?" I turned and looked at her, "Hi Mama." I went back to scrubbing. "Isabella, what has been going on?" She asked, but we both knew she knew the answer. I let out a breath, "What do you guys want from me? I'm giving you as much as I'm able to." She let out a breath, "Why didn't Caleb come with you?" I began scrubbing the plates harder, "Because he needed time with his family and after everything he has been through he deserves to have that time." She looked confused, "Why didn't you stay with him?" I let out a shaky breath, "You know why I couldn't do that. I promised Tío Felix a month and I was back within a month." "But now..." she started but I shook my head, "I can't Mama." She gave me a sad smile, "Mija we just want you to be happy."

I let out a breath, "Mama, I'm almost 31 years old you don't need to worry about me like this anymore. I'll be more present if that's what you guys want, but that is pretty much all I have to give right now." I went to walk away when she let out a breath, "Your Papa moved out from his family home when he was 18." I turned back to face her, "It was different circumstances but, like you said you are an adult." I shook my head, "You know I can't do that." "Why not?" She asked. I let out a long breath, "There is a lot this family and town are willing to forgive me for, but no one would ever forgive me for abandoning Encanto, especially Abuela." I dropped the plates into the soapy water and went upstairs and into my room.