Here is another chapter. There will be the song Welcome from Brother Bear by Phil Collins. I do not own this song. Hope you all enjoy it.
The Twin's Birthday Party
Evening came to pass. The gardens and grounds of Milagro de Amor were becoming quite packed with so many guests. Much merriment took place in the nearest streets and all over the grasslands bordering the grand Casita which had yet to open to allow everyone inside.
Hand in hand, Mirabel and Juano walked past the crowds. Both wore gold and silver. Mirabel's dress was once again stitched in butterflies and Juano's poncho had silver spider web stitches along the outlines. They smiled at everyone who was having fun. Nearby Bruno and Gabriella played with their children. The party twins, Angelo in a white smart suit and Harmony in a red dress, received 'Happy Birthday's. Isandra performed acrobatic and dance routines in front of admirable audiences including Balthasar. Mirabel smirked watching him glance so romantically.
Juano noticed. "Looks like someone's in love with Isandra,"
"Boy is she gonna receive the teasing of a lifetime," cackled Mirabel. But as she smiled at her best friend performing so brilliantly, she felt a deep longing in her heart squeezing itself in her chest.
Juano noticed. "Hey. You okay?"
"Mm? Yeah, yeah I'm fine," Mirabel tried to be positive.
Juano cupped her cheek. "Please tell me,"
Mirabel sighed; she hated troubling him with her emotions. Though he meant well, she didn't want to be a burden. "I miss my family a bit. And I have a feeling that Isandra misses Camillo,"
Juano coiled his arm around her shoulders. "It's all right to feel this way,"
"No matter how much I hate everyone for how they treated us, I feel guilty for taking Isandra away,"
"We didn't take her. It was her choice and Gabriella's to come with us. And they seem to be very happy here,"
"I have a feeling that perhaps they feel this way,"
"Do you want to ask them?"
Mirabel shook her head. "Not today,"
Isandra ended her performance with a graceful landing on her palms and the audience clapped. So did Mirabel and Juano. Isandra bowed saying 'thank you' repetitively as they threw her flowers. Balthasar made a bouquet and he handed them to her. "For you,"
"Why thank you," she said, taking it gladly. "Enjoy the party everyone!" she bid.
"You were so amazing!" Balthasar complimented as they took a little walk together.
"Why thank you,"
"You have to tell me how you learnt how to do all those fancy tricks,"
"An old friend taught me," Isandra said. Her mind was on Camillo again.
"Well, that friend of yours was surely a natural artist. Where is he now?"
"Back where I'm originally from. I don't want to talk about it anymore," Isandra wiped a tear.
"Sorry Isandra," Balthasar apologised.
"It's okay. Oh hey, guys!" Isandra saw her best friend and boyfriend rushing over to them.
"Another five-star performance," praised Mirabel.
"Hiya Balthasar," Juano greeted. "Enjoying the party?"
"Yep. Twins enjoyed their day?" he asked.
"Sure did," said Mirabel. She turned her head and they saw Bruno and his family walking towards them. Pedro was creating snowflakes everywhere and the twins were jumping around for fun.
"Hello Mr and Mrs Madrigal," greeted Balthasar.
"Please just Bruno and Gaby," Gabriella asserted. "It's so good to have you join us Balthasar,"
"Thank you. Everyone's excited about tonight. First gift ceremony in five years,"
"Well let's just be happy that we're all here together," Bruno lifted the giggling Harmony onto his shoulders. He peered around at all the people having the time of their lives for a second time today. Such a city of joyful people was a utopia anyone could dream of. He began to sing.
There's nothing complicated
About the way we live
We're all here for each other, happy to give
Proud of who we are
Humble beneath the stars
The family and Balthasar stared up at the bright twinkling stars. Everyone began to join them.
We've everything we need
The moon, the sun
There is more than enough here for everyone
Bruno remembered the day they welcomed all the refugees to live on their land, growing a city of prosperity in the process.
Mirabel smiled at her tio. She then sang the next line.
All we have we share
She glanced passionately at Juano who took her hand. They sang together.
And all of us we care
So come on
The family and all the people sang together as they began dancing around in circles.
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our brotherly time
We're happy givin' and takin' to the friends we're makin'
There's nothing we won't do
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our happy to be time
This is our festival
Ya know the best of all
We're here to share it all
As the family walked through the crowds, Juano chanted out his heart's passion with more joy than he had felt since receiving his powers.
There's a bond between us nobody can explain
It's a celebration of life
We see our friends again
He cast balls of colourful lights in the air that coloured the air. He then looked at Mirabel, the girl of his dreams.
I'll be there for you
Mirabel was touched.
I know you'll be there for me too...
Her voice rose.
So come on!
The people danced once again and Bruno and Gabriella swung their twins around in the air. Pedro made colourful snowfall on them.
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our brotherly time
This is our festival
Ya know the best of all
We're here to share it all
Though the family were happy with all they had, they knew there were some people whom they wished were still with them. Bruno and Mirabel wondered about Pedro the first who gave his life to keep his family safe. Juano prayed for his dear mother who gave his life to save them.
Remembering loved ones departed
Someone dear to your heart
Finding love, and planning a future
Telling stories and laughing with friends
Precious moments you'll never forget
Mirabel felt her eyes wet up seeing everyone so happy together, seeing her family so happy together.
This has to be the most beautiful
The most peaceful place I've ever been to
It's nothing like I've ever seen before
This enjoyment they were feeling felt more magical than everything back where she used to live.
When I think how far I've come
I can't believe it... yet I see it
In them I see family
I see the way we used to be
Come on...
People exploded into dancing again and the Madrigals started to skip in enjoyment towards their home leading everyone behind them. They held hands swinging Pedro Jr. and the twins up in the air.
Welcome to our family time
Welcome to our brotherly time
We're happy giving and taking to the friends we're making
There is nothing we won't doWelcome to our family time
Welcome to our happy to be time
This is our festival
Ya know the best of all
We're here to share it...
They entered the house and the Madrigals spun around, lifting their arms to show the magical mansion where the tiles flipped and flopped, the objects danced around, colourful snow rained, rich balls of light floated around like spinning disco balls and the Miracle Candle upon a high table on the highest level glowed like a multicoloured firework.
We're here to share it all!
The Madrigals meant everything they said. They were here to share their miracle with everyone, the wonders of magic with all these people that lost everything they had. They were like one family of over three thousand people.
Everybody clapped and they entered inside to join them. Over a hundred people stood on the bottom floor but the rest had to stand outside thanks to Juano's ability to conjure images by bending light rays, they could watch them and observe what was going on outside. Mirabel and Juano took their places near the golden glowing door that the twins would open together.
Behind a curtained doorway, Bruno and Gabriela knelt in front of their children comforting them.
"Do you think we'll get gifts, Papi?" Harmony asked.
"Of course, you will crumpet," Bruno cupped her cheek. "And if you don't, which we're certain won't happen, you're perfect no matter what,"
"How?" Angelo asked.
"You know Cousin Mirabel…" Gabriela spoke up; their heads bobbed 'yes'. "When she went to her gift ceremony, she didn't get a gift. But she didn't it. Because she wasn't defined by her gift. Only by her kindness and her compassion for others,"
"Then how did she get a gift in the end?" Harmony asked, eyes wide with wonder.
"Because she was granted it by the current Miracle Candle we have now. But no matter we love her so much," Bruno sniffled as he cupped their cheeks. "Just like we'll love you no matter what. Are you two ready?"
They nodded.
Gabriella looked up to their brother. "Thank you for saying you'd walk them down,"
"Of course Mama," Pedro obliged. He held out his hands to his twins. "Ready you two?"
His twins nodded and they clasped his hands.
"See you out there guys," Bruno said. He and Gabriella walked out of the curtain and they quietly sneaked behind the crowd to join Mirabel, Juano and Isandra upstairs to stand by their sides. Mirabel held the magical candle. Its everlasting dominant glow mesmerized everyone who peered up at them.
Mirabel cleared her throat. "Thank you for coming everyone. Today is a special day for our young Angelo and Harmony. Like their brother Pedro, they will receive gifts from this miracle candle granted to us by love," As she spoke, she remembered the feeling of Juano's lips grazing hers as they stood at the river of memories and gifts outside the Encanto.
"But let us remind you what we said at Pedro's gift ceremony, it is not gifts that define who you are. It is how you treat others or how you are loved by them. Gift or not they are just as important as everyone in this family, in this Casita, in this city. Just like all of you,"
Everyone murmured in agreement.
"Without further ado…" they both chanted.
Juano cast a ball of light over the curtained doorway and it opened revealing Pedro with the twins. They looked nervous. Bruno and Gabriella felt tense. So did Mirabel and Juano. Looking at them so worried made Mirabel's lips shrivel. She saw Antonio all pale in his white suit standing there. Pedro was herself holding the twins' hands to comfort them.
Pedro glanced at his siblings. "We'll do it together," He loved his brother and sister so much; he would do anything for them. They managed a small simple smile and along the path of white tiles they walked. The white tiles led them through the audience of concerned guests.
Outside Juano's light rays showed all the guests the walking children. The children held hands.
The three walked up the stairs towards the twins' doors where their parents, cousins and Juano waited for them. Mirabel genuflected. The candle emitted warmth into the twins' faces. They stared into her kind compassionate eyes. Their mother's words echoed in their ears again. They could see that Mirabel was already perfect way before she was given her gift.
"With this candle on your fifth birthday, we grant a gift beyond anything you two can imagine. But we want you to remember this, no matter what gift you're given, no matter whether you are given a gift or not, you two are perfect just the way you are. The choice or not is yours,"
She held it forward giving the twins a choice. Harmony was the first to touch its uniquely decorated wax surface. The candle was soft and smooth. She let go. Then Angelo touched it. Mirabel stood back and allowed them to approach their door. They shared nervous glimpses and touched the knob together. Then the door glowed goldenly and two images of the twins appeared with sparks out of their heads. They had mind abilities.
Bruno and Gabriella shared happy smiles. Mirabel and Juano are side-hugged. Pedro and Isandra hugged the twins. The crowd exploded into peals of laughter both inside and outside the manor. This birthday celebration had just gotten better.
"Now…let us enter your amazing room!" Mirabel cheered for the twins who threw their arms around her neck and she kissed their cheeks. Suddenly something loud and powerful boomed outside. Lightning struck through the rooftop windows. Everyone screamed. The twins and Pedro sprinted into their parents' arms. Isandra called down to everyone. "Everyone! Just calm down! It's just a lightning storm!"
"There's a dark cloud hanging outside! It's green!" someone cried.
"What?" Isandra shared a horrified glance with Mirabel and Juano. Quickly the couple fled down the stairs through the hallway and outside. They saw everyone huddled together. They stared out towards the centre of town and they saw a dark green cloud brewing over the plaza. Lighting was sparking from within like a powerful flashing heartbeat. Every time the cloud boomed; the lighting stretched across the sky. Everyone was terrified though the lighting hadn't struck anything. It was beginning to spread across the sky very, very slowly.
"What's happening?" Mirabel dreaded.
Juano turned to her but his heart leapt against his chest. "The candle…"
"What?" Mirabel asked. She saw her boyfriend's frightened glance aimed at the object in her hands. She gasped. The bottom quarter had suddenly turned dark. And the flame was beginning to flicker and its glow wasn't so bright. She felt her breathing stop. Something awful was happening. "What…what's happening?"
"Maybe I could try something," Juano formed a ball of light in his hands. He made it surround the candle to engulf it in its light, to kill whatever dark force was corrupting it. But instantly the light ball exploded and he and Mirabel were thrown back from the impact. They landed on the grass and were helped up by their friends. They stared down at the candle still slightly black with its weakening flame. The green cloud still boomed over the city. Mirabel and Juano were terrified. What on earth was happening?
What did you all think of the song Welcome by Phil Collins? Also, why is there a green cloud above the city? Why is the candle turning dark? What does this mean? We'll have to wait and find out. See you all soon