Alma walked slowly through casita, glancing through one of the front windows towards the village down below and smiled. She imaged each and every person down there just beginning to rise, pulling themselves from their dreams and preparing to start their days content and happy.

And safe.

There were children down there that would never know what war was. That would never know what it was like to see your home burned down. Your friends with tears in their eyes as they fled the only lands they had ever none. Their loved ones cut down, the screams, the betrayal as-

No. No, she refused to think of it. It made her head throb and her heart clench at the mere thought of it. No. Far better to let that past be just that: the past. It was pushed aside in an instant, banished away yet again even though recently the memories kept coming to her, wanting to be remembered.

She passed by each door that belonged to her family, smiling as she looked at them. Pepa's, who Alma knew was preparing for the start of the day. The fields needed to be watered, winds blown just right to cool the workers, and the skies cleared of clouds. Her daughter going out with a smile on her face to aid all of them down belong, content and secure.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

"I never really thought about how they treat me," Pepa admitted to Felix as she sat on the bed, him across from her. Their legs were stretched out and each had one of their partner''s feet in their hands, rubbing and massaging it. When one danced as much as they did even a good night's sleep couldn't always get rid of the tightness in their soles. If they didn't help each other they would be limping all the way down the stairs. "Everyone else? Oh, I'll fight them. But somewhere along the way I just accepted that they were going to be rude to me and make a thousand demands."

"I noticed," Felix admitted.

"You did?"

"Why do you think I stopped going down to play darts with Diego? Or that I only did lawn bowling for a year with Richardo? Those fools… they thought that just because they enjoy talking bad about their esposas that I would sit by and let them badmouth you." He shook his head and though he was smiling she knew it wasn't a nice grin. "No… I merely nodded and then wished them a good day and left. Made sure never to see them again if I could help it."

"You… didn't need to do that." It hurt to think that Felix had cut himself off from his friends just for her.

"Yes, I did." And he said it like it was the most casual thing in the world.

Pepa switched to his left foot, not trusting herself to speak at that moment.

~MC~MC~MC~

Julieta's room probably only had Agustin in it as Alma knew that her eldest daughter would be up already, cooking away a storm. Every ache, pain, and injury disappeared within seconds when Julieta was around and she understood that was the most important thing in the world. And Agustin… well, he would find something to keep himself busy. He was good like that, understanding that his place was supporting the family.

~MC~MC~MC~

"There," Julieta said as she entered the bedroom, having just ducked back into her room before her mama walked by, "I made a quick breakfast and left it to cool in the kitchen. People might not be happy it isn't a grand affair but I want to be ready for today."

"No one will mind," Agustin assured her. "And if they do… well, maybe they should try cooking for once. It's not like we need to be healed after we wake up."

"It would be nice if someone else took over breakfast." She flopped down on the bed while Agustin continued to dress. "I would like one day where I could just sleep in!"

"I'd suggest today but I know this is important to you."

Julieta sat up, slightly softly. It had been a week since Mirabel had returned and Julieta's duties to the village had kept her from having any one on one time with her youngest. Today though was going to be different; mama had agreed that Julieta should go with Mirabel to her fitting with Senora Perez, to make sure that Mirabel chose clothing that would suit her. Mirabel, to her relief, had actually mentioned the night before after one of Bruno's telanovas that she was looking forward to it too and Julieta planned to make a whole day of it. They would shop and they would return and Mirabel would help her in the kitchen and they'd talk about everything she'd done.

All that Julieta had missed.

"And you will be fine with Isabella?" she asked.

Agustin nodded. They'd talked about it and decided that Agustin should try spending a bit of time with their eldest after the harsh truths she had revealed about the family and the village. They were both worried that she was taking on too much and Agustin wanted to pin her down and have another talk with her. Today she had to go make flowers to help the bees anyway so there was a nice overlap.

And if it reminded her that he was her father and she WOULD show him respect…

"Well," Julieta said, "here is to hopefully a good day."

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Dolores would be up soon and Alma made a mental note to check in with her and discuss changing what she kept an ear out for. With Bruno and Mirabel proving that the outside world could breach the valley without traveling through the hidden mountain paths they needed to be all the more careful about keeping themselves a secret. Perhaps ask her to make trips along the edge of the valley, to listen for any potential threats? Yes, she would do that in a heartbeat. Good sweet Dolores, who understood how important it was to remain forever vigilant.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Dolores had long finished taking her bath (she couldn't shower, not unless she wanted the sound of the water hitting her skin to destroy her ear drums) and let the water drain away but she just sat there on the bathroom floor, a towel wrapped around her shoulders but still dripping wet, eyes staring at her toes as she wrapped her arms around her legs. Even though the room blotted out the sound of the outside world it couldn't stop her memories of what she had heard the other day…

"You aren't off to play another prank, are you Camilo?"

"Shhh! Say that a little bit louder, why don't you Mirabel?"

"What? There is no one around."

"Oh yes there is. Snitch Madrigal is always listening."

"Snitch… Dolores? You think she i… oh, come on Camilo, she isn't listening in to our conversations."

"Yes she is. That's her entire job. Abuela has her listen to all of us and the moment she hears something that will get us in trouble she scurries to her and spills it all. My hermana will stab you in the back the first chance she gets."

"No… I don't believe that. Dolores loves this family and she loves you. She would never-"

"You don't know her, Mira. Not like I do. Anything to make abuela look at her as worthy of the family name. She wants to catch us, don't ever doubt that."

Dolores knew that she and her brother weren't that close. It couldn't be helped; she was quiet and liked silence and he was born to dart about and draw attention.

But… the mere fact that he thought that she would be so horrible? That she would spy on him? That she wasn't merely listening but actively hoping that she could get him into trouble?

And to make matters worse, listening in after that… everyone thought the same thing! Luisa, Isabella… even Antonio. Her baby brother thought she was more concerned with pleasing their judgmental abuela that being a good hermana…

How was it that Mirabel was the only person to realize that she'd rather hack off her ears than hurt her family?

Dolores trembled as her eyes slowly inched towards her razor… before forcing herself to get up.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Camilo. Before Mirabel had returned home he was the one she worried the most about. That boy… he had far too much energy, something she blamed on Felix entirely, and would need to be properly managed as he got older. Alma was already thinking about marriages for him; a strong wife that would rein in his impulses and help him mellow out. Because right now he was just a goof ball that took nothing seriously. No… he needed a good marriage so he could be guided on how to help the village long after abuela was gone.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

"Mirabel… I want to go with you," Camilo muttered to his reflection. "No… hey Mira, you think maybe I could join you guys for a few months, just to see the world?" He shook his head. "No no… oh, hey Mirabel… I was just hiding in your bag because-" He growled and fought the urge to slam his head against the wall.

He hadn't realized it till Mirabel had shown up… but Camilo had to get out of the valley. He had to LEAVE. Because if he didn't… he was afraid of what would happen.

And besides… they couldn't exile you if you left first. You didn't have to see them turn their backs on you if you turned first.

You didn't have to lose your family if you walked away.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Isabella… oh, Isabella. Her entire hope for the future. Alma knew she wouldn't live forever but Isabella… she would be able to guide the family after she was gone, to carry on her legacy. She was so strong and sure and confident… the perfect heir.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Isabella laid in the corner of her room, face puffy and red from her tears. She couldn't even REMEMBER the nightmare she'd had, only that she hadn't done enough and her family was hurt. Just like the nightmares she could remember: casita crumbling, the candle burnt out, the valley overrun… all her fault because she wasn't STRONG ENOUGH!

"Stop… stop it…" she moaned, grabbing her head so hard her nails dug into her scalp, leaving bloody rivers that rain down her head. "Stop crying you s-stupid baby! Stop it!"

But she couldn't. She couldn't stop sobbing.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Little Antonio. She knew there were people that worried about the miracle but he would prove the magic was alive. It had taken a lot of convincing to get Pepa to have another child, as she had wanted to stop with Camilo, but it was important that they have a child gain a gift now. They hadn't been able to wait for Isabella to have kids… no, Antonio would be the proof that Mirabel was just a fluke. Antonio… he would prove the family was STRONG!

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Antonio looked over the letter Mirabel had sent him and smiled. It was a response to his letter he'd sent her, which had taken him two days to write because it was still hard for him to spell; his family didn't even know he had taught himself to read and write because they were so busy and he wanted to be able to ask Mirabel a question. They thought he'd just sent her a picture.

Of course they didn't know a lot of what he did. His mama and papa were always busy and while Camilo and Luisa tried to be there they had duties too. He knew many though abuela was taking care of him and she was… but often he was left on his own. With no one to talk to…

Except Mira.

He reread her letter, which was wearing thin due to how many times he'd looked it over.

'Antonio, even if you don't get a gift I will still love you.'

He smiled and hugged his pillow tightly, planning to do the same to his sobrina when he saw her at breakfast.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

"You know, I'm a bit upset with you," Luisa said, causing Alma to look down and see her and Mirabel come into casita after their exercising. They were an utter mess; drenched in sweat, their pants (because OF COURSE Mirabel had convinced Luisa to begin wearing pants while they worked out and she was sure that soon Luisa would try to do the same when she went down to the village; Alma would have to put her foot down soon) caked in dust, hair tired back in frizzy messes. She was sure they stank to Heaven and they were being far too loud as they walked through casita.

"Oh?" Mirabel asked. "What did I do?"

"You send that letter about how you and your party were camped out right outside that dragon's lair filled with walking corpses-"

"Which is unusual because dragons loathe necromancy."

"- and then your next letter was how you were coming here! You didn't tell us what happened."

"I died," Mirabel deadpanned before laughing. "What? You set yourself up for that."

"Hmmm."

"I'm kidding!" Mirabel said, patting her sister's back. "Come on, I'll tell you all about what happened while we soak."

Alma ducked away before her granddaughters saw her; she hated that she was made to feel like an intruder in her own home but right now she needed to gather her thoughts before she saw them, lest she say something that she would regret. Because there were so many choice words she wanted to tell her wayward nieta.

She had to fix this. She had to get Mirabel under control. Get her to understand that all she was doing was hurting herself and her family by acting out as she did.

And then she would be as happy as the rest of her family was.

~MC~GF~MC~GF~

Chaos Notes: (to the tune of "We Don't Talk about Bruno") The Madrigals need therapy, yes yes yes/They need lots of therapy…