A/N: Grab some snacks and a warm drink, and join the family once more as Isabela steps up to share her take on a popular nursery rhyme.
Genre: Drama, I guess. There's technically romance, and no one dies, which is a refreshing change. Luisa will be pleased about that.
Bonus points and mad respect for anyone who can figure out 'Bobo's' real name ;) (Answer is at the end)
Leave Them Alone and They'll Come Home
"Mirabel, could you wash the banana leaves next? How are the potatoes coming along Bruno?"
"Almost done."
"Great, then pass the basket to Félix. Félix, they need to be diced really small, okay?"
"You got it!"
"Agustín, don't pile them on top of each other. They'll stick together... Casita, can you extend the bench, please? ...Thanks!"
Julieta was hurriedly giving orders as she and the 'unceptionals' scrambled to cook enough food for twelve, while also preparing extra for breakfast the following morning.
Bruno pushed a load of potato peelings onto the floor and the Casita dutifully bumped them towards the corner to join a neat pile of scraps that would be scooped up later.
"Can't I chop them? You said I'm good at it."
"I said you're neat! Sorry, Bruno. Félix is just faster."
"But…"
"It doesn't need to be perfect! Here, take the leaves off these," Julieta said, handing Bruno an armful of fresh corn. "If you get finished before Félix, you can give him hand, okay?"
A similar scene repeated every day, and the non-gifted family members worked alongside Julieta like a well-oiled machine. Despite only being back with the family for a few months and not exactly being known for his prowess in the kitchen, Bruno was already quite accustomed to the routine and was a valued member of the team.
The kitchen was large, but with half the family in there, it could quickly become crowded if people didn't stay at their designated stations. Although their roles would switch depending on what Julieta needed, she played to their strengths so they each had jobs they did more often than others. The only role that never changed was Agustín's. He wasn't allowed near knives or hot surfaces so was always on dough duty. It's difficult to injure yourself with flour. Not impossible, but difficult.
Once the food was peacefully cooking, Julieta would take a short break while the others cleaned the kitchen. Mirabel and Bruno would then set the table before sitting together in the dining room, keeping an eye on the food to ensure that nothing burns or boils over. Mirabel always looked forward to that part of the day. It was her chance to have her uncle all to herself. She never knew if the conversation would be weird, surreal, amusing or unexpectedly deep, but whichever way it went, it was always fascinating and brought them ever closer.
Their conversation came to an end when Isabela appeared to decorate the dinner table with flowers, and Julieta returned to the kitchen with Félix and Agustín. It was time for dinner once more in the Madrigal household.
.
That night...
As midnight approached, the Madrigals gathered in the vision cave for another story. That is, all but two of them. Julieta and Agustín had yet to arrive with the last of the snacks, so the family members were idly chatting amongst themselves.
"Hmm, let me see. I'd have said telekinesis, but Abuela already picked that, so... I guess I'd like the ability to make anything I draw come to life!"
Isabela gasped. "What? I've seen some of your drawings Mirabel, that would be terrifying."
"I'd get to choose which ones, surely?"
"In my experience, our gifts like to make life as awkward as possible," said Bruno. "I doubt you could so much as write a shopping list without an infestation of tiny letters scurrying around the Casita."
Mirabel scoffed. "That was the old miracle. I think those days are over."
Bruno shrugged dismissively but didn't argue.
"Well, Abuela, Tío Félix and I told you ours. What would everyone else want?"
"Ehm, we have gifts, Mirabel," said Camilo with a smirk.
"I mean if you could have any gift at all. What would it be?"
Bruno and Pepa answered immediately.
"Julieta's!" they both said together.
"Mamá's? Why?"
"We always said that, right Bruno?" said Pepa. Bruno nodded. "While our gifts were giving us a hard time, she always seemed perfectly happy with hers. Every one of us has had our gift backfire in some way, right? But our sister's never did. Not once."
That point had been playing on Mirabel's mind for a while. "I'm not so sure about that," she said.
"What do you mean?" asked Pepa.
"Well, we all agreed, didn't we, that from now on you'll only use your gifts to help the community until lunch. After 2 pm, you're done, and anything else can wait." Everyone nodded in agreement. They very much appreciated this new arrangement. "But where's Mamá now?" Her family looked around, confused. "In the kitchen, as ever. Every day she prepares three whole meals for twelve of us, and when she's not doing that, she's making yet more food so she can heal people. The rest of you get to take the afternoons off and relax, but Mamá? When does she ever get a break?"
The cave went silent as Mirabel's family members looked around sheepishly. The thought had clearly never occurred to them. But then, why would it? Julieta seemed to enjoy taking care of her family and never complained.
"It's gone awfully quiet in here. You weren't talking about me, were you?" Julieta said with a chuckle as she and Agustín entered carrying plates of snacks, and started placing them down around the circle.
"We were, actually," Bruno blurted.
"What? I was joking. Why were you talking about me?"
Pepa answered. "Mirabel was just pointing out that you never get a break from your gift."
"She's right too," agreed Bruno. "If you're not in the kitchen, you're at the plaza handing out food."
Julieta placed a plate of buñuelos at Bruno's feet then took up her usual position beside him, closely followed by Agustín.
"Oh? But that's fine," she said, picking up a buñuelo and handing it to Bruno with a warm smile. "I love cooking for you all."
"Maybe you do," said Mirabel. "But if the miracle had really wanted the best for you, shouldn't it have given you the ability to heal by touch? That way, you'd only need to cook for us, not half the town."
Julieta thought about what her daughter said, but before she could answer, Bruno took her words.
"She has a point!" he said, waving a half-eaten buñuelo.
The room then went quiet.
"If everyone's ready to start, I have a story!" Isabela announced, breaking the awkward silence.
"You do? Great. Let's hear it!" Mirabel beamed.
And with that, it was time for another tale.
.
"'Hate' is a terrible word, but 'desire' is not much better. Either can have dire consequences and sometimes, neither is quite as they seem.
"Bo-Peep's entire existence revolved around sheep. For as long as she could remember, she knew her life would always be defined by them. She was a shepherdess and a talented one at that. She had never lost a single sheep. Well, except for that one time she lost her entire flock, but they DID all come home, wagging their tails behind them.
"People in the nearby town called her 'beautiful', and men would attempt to charm her, but it was pointless. Bo-Peep was destined to marry into a prestigious shepherding family and strengthen her family's dynasty. Not that she cared. She had assisted in enough lambings to know that love wasn't a necessary prerequisite for a successful relationship. No, a pairing was a matter of convenience. A business transaction. An exchange of goods or services. Anything else just muddied the water really.
"The loveless marriage she could tolerate. But a life with sheep? The thought was repugnant. She had rather liked them once. The frolicking lambs were especially endearing, but now as she approached her twenty-second birthday, she was sick of sheep. In fact, she detested them.
.
"On this particular evening, Bo-Peep was especially despondent about her life of sheep. It was the summer festival which meant the town was alive with music, food and entertainment. From her vantage point on the hill, Bo-Peep could clearly see the colours of the flowers and bunting that lined the streets. Now and then, the tantalising smell of freshly baked goods would reach her nostrils as it was whipped up and carried on the breeze, and whenever the band paused between songs, she would hear the exotic pipes of the steam-powered carousel that had visited for the occasion.
"Bo-Peep had never seen a carousel before and was unlikely to see one any time soon. News had spread from nearby towns that sheep had been going missing from the hills, and as her parents were old and frail, that left Bo-Peep to tend the flock alone.
"She looked out longingly over the valley and tickled one of her two sheepdogs, Buzz, behind the ear. Buzz's ears pricked and he raised his head as a familiar girl approached, closely followed by a bleating lamb.
"'Mary?'
"'Hey Sis. We're heading to the festival. Won't you join us?' her younger sister asked.
"'"We"'?'
"'Me and Snowdrop, silly.'
"'I do wish you wouldn't keep naming them,' Bo-Peep snarled. 'They're just dumb animals.'
"Bo-Peep never understood Mary's infatuation with sheep. From around the age of five, Mary would pick one of the lambs that needed to be hand reared and give it a name. She usually went for the one with the whitest fleece, except for the year a ewe bore a completely black lamb. Enamoured by its striking appearance, Mary had chosen that one as her special companion. The lamb she chose would follow her everywhere she went, even to school. Until, when the next spring came around, the sheep would take its place in the flock and she would pick a new lamb. This ridiculous process had repeated itself a full ten times, which meant ten dumb sheep with stupid names.
"Bo-Peep watched with a sigh as the other nine sheep gleefully trotted towards the sound of Mary's voice.
"'Lily, Tulip and Rose. Fushia, Bluebell and Daisy. Poppy, Pansy and…' Mary paused as she looked around, then spotted a very old-looking ewe that slowly followed the others, with laboured steps. 'Petunia!' she called out with glee.' You're all here!' She was now surrounded by sheep, all wagging their tails with delight.
"'I can't go into town,' Bo-Peep explained sorrowfully. 'Someone needs to stay and watch the flock.'
"'Can't you leave them for an hour or so? I mean, what can possibly go wrong in that time? Besides, Woody and Buzz can watch over them, right?'
"Bo-Peep truly wanted to join her sister and ride the carousel, but a job is a job. Sheep were her duty and so she would remain on the hillside and watch the festivities from afar.
.
"As the sun began to set, the lights from the town became unbearably enticing, and the haunting melody of the pipes continued to taunt her, reminding her of what she was missing.
"The sheep started collecting together tightly into several small groups and one or two lay down. Bo-Peep recognised that another day of shepherding was drawing to a close. The festival, however, was far from over. If anything, the music had become louder still.
"She went into her cabin with Woody and Buzz at her side and threw some more wood on the fire. With any luck, she would be able to get a little rest, although she kept the door open in case anything disturbed the sheep.
"'Psst!'
"Bo-Peep was suddenly surprised by a voice at the door.
"'Hello?' she said curiously. 'Can I help you?'
"There was an unfamiliar but strangely handsome young man standing in the doorway. His dark hair was a little unkempt and his sandals were worn to threads in places, but he had deep brown eyes that seemed to hold endless wisdom and a playful smile that hinted of untold adventures. Bo-Peep had never met anyone who had roused such strong feelings upon first glance. Whatever spell this was, she was falling for it fast.
"'I was just passing by on my way to the festival,' he began. His velvety voice carried an exotic accent. 'And I couldn't help but wonder what a charming young lady such as yourself, was doing up on this boring hill when there is so much excitement to be had below.'
"'Oh? Well… I'm a shepherdess. It's my job to tend this flock and keep them safe,' Bo-Peep explained.
"'Keep them safe? With all due respect, miss, there hasn't been a wolf or leopard spotted in these parts for years, and if it's rustlers you're worried about, I happen to know that they've already been through here. They're long gone now. Trust me, I know the business of sheep.'
"Bo-Peep was both impressed and surprised by his knowledge. 'You're in the sheep business?' she asked.
"'Sure am, miss.'
"Bo-Peep blushed. This charming young man was from a shepherding family?
"'Oh, please, call me Bo,' she said.
"'Bo? You're Bo-Peep? The most talented and, forgive me for saying, beautiful, shepherdess in the land?'
"Bo-Peep nodded shyly.
"'Then I am deeply charmed to meet you miss, I mean, Bo,' he said with a bow.
"Bo-Peep giggled. 'Now you're just flattering me. I'm really just an ordinary girl who happened to be born into sheep…'
"'Not just sheep, the finest shepherding family on these hills, if I'm to understand it.' He straightened up. 'And now I know who you are, I'm afraid I must insist that you accompany me to the festival. You won't regret it.'
"He reached out his hand and his expression almost seemed to sparkle. There was a flutter somewhere deep inside Bo-Peep that she had never felt before. She wanted to fall into those dark eyes and didn't care if she drowned. But alas, as much as she desired it, she knew she could not leave Poppy and Pansy and… whatever stupid names her sister had given the sheep.
"'I'm really sorry,' she said, desperately trying to stop the tears that she could feel gathering at the corners of her eyes. 'But I really must stay and tend my flock.'
"The stranger smiled once more, and this one seemed to pass through Bo-Peep's body like a shockwave, vibrating every organ as it passed. The wave had barely reached her toes when he suddenly took her hand and another, larger wave struck her.
"'Bo, trust me. The threat to your sheep is minuscule. Do you have a hog?'
"'I have ham if that'll do?'
"'Then put plenty wood on the fire and start roasting the ham. If anyone comes by they will see the light and smoke from your cabin, and smell the meat. They'll assume someone is home. Leave the door open too. That way, your dogs can chase off any intruding animals.
"'I… I don't… I don't even know your name,' Bo-Peep stuttered. She was terribly conflicted.
"The stranger seemed a little flustered by her question. 'My name? Oh… My name is Bo.'
"'Bo? But that's my name.'
"He let go of her hand. 'I didn't say "Bo". Of course that's your name. Why would I be called Bo?' he chuckled nervously. 'I said my name's... Bobo.'
"She raised a curious eyebrow at this. 'Bobo? Your parents actually called you "Bobo"?' she asked, very much doubting it.
"'Course they did. I'm not from 'round here. It's a perfectly common name where I'm from.'
"Bo-Peep was quite sure she'd heard him say 'Bo' but it had been a long day, so she didn't question it any further.
"'Okay then "Bobo", you've convinced me. I'll come, but only for an hour. Just long enough to ride the carousel and try some street food.'
"Bobo smiled and took her hand once more. 'I promise you won't regret this,' he said, and Bo-Peep felt sure he was right. It was already the best night of Bo-Peep's life, and it was only just getting started.'
.
"The atmosphere in town was electric. It seemed to Bo-Peep that the population had somehow doubled, as though people had travelled from nearby towns and villages for the spectacle. Bo-Peep had wanted to head straight to the carousel, but there were so many distractions along the way that they had to keep stopping.
"The first such distraction came in the form of a man in what looked like bright blue and yellow oversized pyjamas with his face painted white and the end of his nose painted red. He wore a large double-skinned drum on his chest and banged it on both sides with round-headed sticks.
"Bong, Bong, Bong. 'Come one, come all to Palfi's amazing spectacle of humour.' Bong, bong, bong 'Starting in five minutes.' Bong, bong, bong. 'You won't want to miss it.'
"He was right. Bo-Peep didn't want to miss it. She insisted that she and Bobo join the line of eager spectators that were following Palfi to the location of his show like rats to the Pied Piper.
"They were led to the end of a side street where Palfi had set up a crude wooden stage. They then watched in wonder as this strange man told jokes and performed magic tricks. He would pretend to get his trick wrong, only to have it turn out even more spectacular than planned. Like when a child from the crowd picked a card and he guessed it wrong, only to later have a balloon burst while trying to blow it through a ring of fire, having declared to the audience that it was a magical, unbreakable balloon. Something fluttered down from the explosion of latex and when Palfi picked it up, he turned to the child and said, 'I think this is yours, kid.' The crowd went wild when the child confirmed that it was indeed his card.
"The next distraction was the most peculiar confectionery Bo-Peep had ever seen. A man was spinning heated sugar in a strange drum-like device and it created fine strands. He then gathered up the strands with a stick and it looked a lot like sheep's wool having been washed prior to carding. Bobo kindly offered to buy some to share, and so they sat together on a grassy patch by the roadside tearing off handfuls of the sweet substance and giggling as they told one another amusing stories from their lives.
"'You said you're in the sheep business?' Bo-Peep asked while they enjoyed their fluffy sweet treat. 'Does that mean you're a shepherd too?'
"'Not exactly.'
"'Oh?' Bo-Peep was disappointed to hear that. She so badly wanted him to be in the running for her future husband.
"'My family trade in sheep though, so I have a lot of contacts in the shepherding world. Why do you ask?'
"'No reason.' Bo-Peep lied, hoping that her parents would deem him 'shepherd adjacent' enough to be worthy of Bo-Peep's hand.
.
"They finished their candy sheep's wool and then finally reached the carousel. Bo-Peep was ecstatic as she beheld the intricately painted horses for the first time. Although not the size of a real horse, they were much larger than she had imagined. The horses on the outside were especially grand, with room for two riders, while those nearest the central column were smaller, presumably for children. Their smooth saddles were bright, crimson red and trimmed in the richest gold, and they had real leather reins. Each was carved in a dynamic pose as though frozen in a moment of intense drama. Some had their necks curved gently forward as they looked towards the floor, while others had their heads thrust back, their eyes wide and mouths open as though bellowing out a whinny. No two horses were the same, and each had a different name painted on its neck. Bo-Peep chose a shiny black horse with white socks and a kind face.
"She gestured to the horse beside hers, encouraging Bobo to climb on, but was instead surprised by the feeling of his hand on her waist as he climbed into the saddle behind her.
"'Room for one more?' he asked playfully.
"'Bo-Peep felt an involuntary suck of air enter her throat and shuddered as she tried to speak.
"'Mmm-hmm,' she squeaked.
"She read the name on her horse's neck, 'Poppy.' She rolled her eyes as she recognised the name of one of her sister's pet sheep.
"'Why do people insist on naming animals?' she remarked, more to herself than to Bobo.
"'For the same reason we name ourselves,' Bobo replied, his breath tickling the skin of Bo-Peep's neck that was exposed between her braids. 'Animals have feelings and personalities too, and it's much easier to relate to someone when you know their name.'
"Bo-Peep wasn't sure she agreed with the sentiment, but before she could reply, the circular platform began to rotate and she felt her horse slowly rise. She squeezed her thighs around the wooden torso and tightened her grip on the twisted pole from which her mount was suspended as Bobo's arms wrapped more firmly around her.
"The sensation was amazing. The melody of the pipes flooded her mind as she felt her body being thrust up and forward before sinking down, rolling back and then circling forward once more, all while Bobo's warm arms continued to grip her waist. After watching the colours of the world spinning by, Bo-Peep closed her eyes and lost herself in the feeling. All thoughts of sheep and the drudgery of her shepherding life faded away and she was consumed by the moment.
"Round and round they went, and Bo-Peep hoped the moment would never end. But of course, nothing can last forever, and soon the music stopped and her attention returned once more to the real world.
"Bobo hopped down first and then held out his hand to help Bo-Peep off the horse.
"'I should get back,' Bo-Peep said gloomily. She really didn't want to.
"'No!' Bobo hastily answered. 'Stay a little longer. Why don't we visit the tavern? I bet it's been a while since you kicked back and let down your hair.
"'Bo-Peep wasn't much of a drinker, she didn't really understand the appeal, but the thought of spending more time with Bobo was too enticing to refuse. Besides, as Bobo said, the sheep would be fine.
"'Okay, but just the one!'
.
"The sound of chattering voices almost drowned out the piano when Bo-Peep and Bobo entered the tavern. There was little room to move due to the influx of visitors for the festival, but they managed to find a table for two in a quiet corner. Bobo went to the bar and bought two beers.
"'That's enormous!' Bo-Peep exclaimed when he placed the drink on the table.
"'I'm sure you can handle it,' Bobo grinned. He then raised his glass and waited for Bo-Peep to knock hers against it. "To a perfect evening, with a perfect lady!"
"'Oh, I'm not perfect,' Bo-Peep protested. 'I'm not sure I'd want to be either.'
"Bo-Peep realised she still knew very little about Bobo, and the more time she spent with him, the more she found herself fantasising about a future together. She desired him so badly, that she would even tolerate a life of sheep to be with him.
"'Where are you from, Bobo?' she eventually asked, although she feared the answer.
"'Me? Oh, well… my family travel a lot. I said we trade in sheep, and, well… that means travelling from farm to farm.'
"'Does it?' Bo-Peep knew the sheep business well, and she had never had a tradesman call at her farm. 'I'm not sure I understand. Don't you just trade at fairs?'
"'No, no. That might be how it's done here, but my family travel far. Really, really far. Across the sea on boats. In other lands, things are done differently. A sheep is worth a lot of money in some parts of the world.'
"Bo-Peep felt an ache in her chest. 'So, you won't be here forever?' she asked, though she didn't really want to know the answer.
"'I'm afraid not. By sunrise tomorrow, I'll be gone.'
"'But…' she knew better, but couldn't help herself. 'I really like you. Is there nothing that could make you stay?'
"Bobo looked thoughtful. 'I like you too, Bo. But I don't belong on the hills. Where I'm from, there are no hills. Only a vast limestone coastline. That's where I need to be.'
"'Then take me with you!'
"Bobo laughed. 'The legendary Bo-Peep, leaving her flock for a life on the sea? I've heard everything now.'
"'I HATE sheep!' Bo-Peep yelled, then instantly gasped at the sound of her words. She had never said that aloud before.
"Bobo looked mildly amused. He drained his beer and then after a long pause, he finally said, 'Look, let me go and speak to my family. Maybe there's something we can do.'
"Bo-Peep clapped her hands and cheered. 'You'd do that? For me?'
"'Sure, why not.' Bobo rose to his feet, but when Bo-Peep attempted to follow he held out his hand to stop her. 'No… you wait here and enjoy your beer. I'll be right back.'
"An hour passed and Bobo had not yet reappeared. Bo-Peep began to feel anxious but trusted that he would return soon. Her beer was long since finished, but she fiddled idly with the handle of the glass as she stared longingly at the empty seat, daydreaming about the charming man that would soon return to it.
"More time passed, and the landlord rang the bell for last orders. The tavern had been slowly emptying over the previous hour or so, and now only a dozen patrons remained. Soon their beers were drained and they set off to their homes.
"Bo-Peep's heart skipped as a shadow appeared at the table, but her excitement quickly changed to disappointment when she saw that it was just the landlord.
"'I'm terribly sorry miss, but I need to lock up. Wait, aren't you Bo-Peep? Whatever are you doing down here at such an hour?'
"'I'm with a friend. He stepped out to speak to his family, but I guess it's taking longer than he expected….'
"'That guy with the scruffy clothes? Who sort of smells like sheep pee? I don't think he'll be coming back now. Besides, shouldn't you be watching over your sheep? There's rustlers about you know.'
"'Oh that was weeks ago. They've long since moved on,' Bo-Peep reassured him, repeating what Bobo had told her.
"'They most certainly have not. Only last night, almost an entire flock vanished from the hills just beyond yours. With so many visitors to the town, it's impossible to say who these rustlers are, but they could be right in front of our noses!'
"The landlord's words had barely registered before Bo-Peep scrambled to her feet. Without a single word, she fled from the tavern and hurried towards her hill. The light from the fire in her cabin had gone out, and she could hear her dogs' muffled barking.
"As she neared her cabin, she realised there was no sign of the curled-up balls of wool, huddling together in groups to sleep. The door to the hut that she had left open, was now closed, and her two dogs were locked inside. She flung open the door and the dogs rushed towards her. Her eyes then fell upon a note on the table.
"She read the note;
"Thanks for a wonderful evening. And for the sheep.
No hard feelings.
Lots of love, Bobo
(not my real name, of course).
"She then noticed the remnants of ham on the floor. He'd even made her cook the decoy.
"Bo-Peep's knees buckled and she slumped to the ground. She had been duped, lied to, used, and her young heart was crushed.
"'This is what you get,' she yelled into the darkness, 'when you put your own selfish desires before your duty! I deserved this! I deserved this!'
"'And with that, Bo-Peep swore she would never follow her heart again. She would do as her family wished. She would marry some dumb shepherd and live out the rest of her days surrounded by sheep. She would be miserable, but she would never have her heart broken again.'
.
"Isa!"
Isabela felt her sister's hand on her arm.
"You don't really believe that, do you?" Mirabel asked. "That it's wrong to follow your heart?"
"Well… I…"
"You know, this is a new miracle. It's MY miracle. And I promise I won't ever, ever, ask you to be anything besides who you truly are," Mirabel explained, looking her sister deep in the eye.
"Then let's hope I can figure out who that is."
Mirabel glanced over to Bruno and recalled his and Isabela's silly antics over the past few months. He had been awkward and quiet at first, clinging to his sisters or Mirabel like a lost puppy, or else choosing to be alone. Yet within days of the Casita being rebuilt, he seemed such a natural part of the family that it felt as though he'd never left. Isabela's refusal to let him sit by himself for too long and the silly games she encouraged him to play, surely helped to make him feel accepted, and he seemed to have a similar effect on her.
"I think you're doing just fine," Mirabel smiled and then with a playful glint in her eye she added, "I don't think your story is quite finished, is it?"
"I…" Isabela looked around the room. Each of her family members had a tragic tale. If their stories had simply ended at their darkest moment, the reader wouldn't have known the happy ending that would one day follow. Mirabel was right. The story wasn't over. Not really. Isabela had no idea what would happen next but agreed to continue and see where the story went.
.
"Just then, Bo-Peep heard Mary's voice calling from the house across the hill. Bo-Peep left the cabin and saw her sister hurrying over with Snowdrop trotting closely behind her. Mary had no doubt been alerted by her sister's pained yelling.
"'What happened?' she asked when she reached the cabin. 'Where are the sheep?'
"'They've been stolen,' Bo-Peep sobbed. 'I was tricked by a horrible man, and I've lost everything. All for one short night of freedom.'
"Mary sat on the grass and encouraged Bo-Peep to join her. Snowdrop lay sleepily at their side. Mary's shocked expression faded to compassion, as she took her sister's hands.
"'You left the hill?'
"Bo-Peep nodded. 'I wanted to ride the carousel so badly, and then… and then this strange man appeared and... I dunno Mary, I thought I loved him.
"'But you're to marry a shepherd, right?'
"'He said he was in the sheep business, so a part of me hoped that would be enough.' Bo-Peep looked intensely at her younger sister. 'I don't want to marry a shepherd, Mary. If I'm honest, I don't really want to marry at all.'
"'Then don't. Who says you have to?'
"'Mom, Dad… the entire town. Everybody expects me to. They say I'm beautiful. Talented with sheep. The most perfect bride for a man of good shepherding stock. I'm to marry, to pass on my skills to a new generation of shepherds and…'
"'And be completely miserable for the rest of your life?'
"Bo-Peep was surprised by this comment. She had never told Mary any of this, but it seemed as though she understood exactly how she felt.
"'I hate sheep,' Bo-Peep admitted. 'I'm almost jealous of the way you befriend them. To me, they're just dumb animals.'
"Mary stroked Snowdrop thoughtfully then said, 'This is the tenth lamb I've helped raise Every last one has been completely different. Just like people. Rose liked to nibble on my elbow, Petunia would sit on command like the dogs, Poppy was always investigating her surroundings for something to play with, and Daisy loved to be picked up and carried. Even when she got too heavy, she would try to climb into my arms.'
"'And now they're gone.' Bo-Peep said, and at the realisation of what she'd done, tears began to fall.
"'Bo?' Mary wiped away a tear from Bo-Peep's cheek with her finger. 'They're not all gone.'
"Bo-Peep looked at little Snowdrop. Sure, there was one sheep remaining, but they couldn't repopulate the hills with a single lamb. Before she could say this, Mary had climbed to her feet and turning towards the farmhouse, she placed fingers in her mouth and gave a loud whistle.
"The sound was answered with bleating as several sheep filed out through the farmhouse door. One… three… seven… nine… It was all of Mary's lambs. Eleven… fourteen… No, it wasn't only the lambs. There were other sheep there too. Bo-Peep continued to count them until twenty ewes and a ram had joined them on the hill.
"'Mary!'
"Her sister smiled. 'They were scared, so my friends did what they always do when they're frightened; they came to me. Then in the confusion, some of the other sheep followed them too. I was too sleepy to look for you, so decided just to let them stay in the house until morning.'
"Bo-Peep hugged her sister tightly. She had never been so thankful for Mary's love of sheep. Then, when she opened her eyes, she noticed one of Mary's companions looking up at them thoughtfully, as though it recognised the emotions of the scene.
"'Lily?' she said.
"'That's right!' Mary gasped, amazed that her sister remembered the sheep's name.
"'And that's Tulip and Rose,' Bo-Peep continued, surprising herself. 'Then there's Fushia, Bluebell and Daisy. Poppy, Pansy and…' she looked for the very old-looking ewe that was Mary's first ever lamb, 'and Petunia!'
"Bo-Peep then turned to Mary. 'You know, I don't think I do hate sheep. I think I hated what they represent.'
"'A life you neither want nor asked for?'
"Bo-Peep nodded.
"'Well, hate's like that sometimes. Sometimes what we think is hate, is really just love that's become muddied by other emotions. Fear, hurt, disappointment…'
"'Regret?'
"'Yeah. But once you clear all that away, you realise it was really just love all along.'
"Bo-Peep stroked Snowdrop's soft head tenderly. Her sister was right, but she still didn't want a life of sheep.
"'I wish I didn't have to spend my life on these hills, married to a man I don't love.'
"'Then change your story! Teach me to tend the sheep. I'll continue our family's legacy. I adore sheep. They're all I want.'
"'But…'
"'And if you don't want to get married, then don't.'
"'But I have to.'
"'You don't though. Who said that everyone has to fall in love in order to be happy? There are more types of love in this world than romance, and there are more ways to find happiness than marriage. Show the world what real happiness is, Bo. Show them that even beautiful young women can be complete on their own. Leave the marriage and the sheep to me.'
"Bo-Peep looked at what remained of her flock, and her eye fell on Poppy. Poppy had been the only lamb to be born completely black. Her fleece always fetched a higher price and so naturally, the family had hoped to breed her and produce more black sheep. However, no matter what they did or how many rams they introduced to her, Poppy never showed the slightest interest. She never produced a single lamb, much to Bo-Peep's frustration.
"'I'd be just like Poppy,' Bo-Peep remarked.
"'Good!'
"'People will say I'm odd and whisper about me for not living up to their expectations.'
"'So let them. You'll be happy, and nothing matters more than that.'
"And Bo-Peep was. She lived happily ever after, on her terms. Exactly as she wished."
.
Mirabel smiled proudly at her sister. "That was a perfect ending!"
"It was a great story," Dolores agreed. "But what happened to the flowerpot people? I was looking forward to all the 'flobbadob'."
"You speak Oddle Poddle?" Isabela gasped.
"Your made-up language has a name?"
"'Course it does," Bruno answered. "And it's not made up."
"It's Oddle Poddle," explained Isabela sagely, without adding any new information.
"Spanish edition," added Bruno.
"'Spanish edition'? How many versions are there?"
"Wherever there are flowers, there's Oddle Poddle, Dolores."
Mirabel laughed. Yup. Isabela was doing just fine.
A/N: Bobo was inspired by 'Bubo' who was cut from the movie in early production and had been intended as Isabela's secret boyfriend. Bobo means 'fool' in Spanish.