AUTHOR'S NOTES: Not much to say about this chapter except... WHO LIKES WARM FUZZIES?

Chapter 3: The Miracle Is You

-During the rebuild, Agustin was astounded by how much Mirabel tried to take care of the family. It was the first time he really saw everything that his daughter did to compensate for not having a Gift.

"Isa, I had a great idea! You and I should set up a greenhouse behind the casita?"

"Luisa, why don't you take a break from the construction and go help Mama with the cooking station? She was really impressed with you when you pitched in at breakfast this morning."

"Tio Bruno? Antonio really misses all of his animal friends. I bet he'd love hanging out with your rats while you and I work on the house."

"Morning, Mama! Luisa, Bruno and I decided to take care of breakfast so you could sleep in this morning."

"Camilo, Tio Bruno is really struggling with his anxiety today. Why don't you ask him to help you with that telenovela you're working on?"

Over and over, Agustin watched and heard his youngest daughter pitching in and offering to help the family with the reconstruction of La Casita Madrigal and their family itself.

Mirabel was the first one up in the morning - even before Julieta - and the last one to go to bed at night. She'd been working nonstop since the town had rallied to help the Madrigals restore their home, and as much as Agustin was impressed by his little girl's can-do attitude, constant energy, and optimism... it worried him deeply.

He'd seen this act many times in the past but now he could recognize it for what it truly was: an act. Mirabel was tired physically, mentally, and emotionally, but she couldn't let herself rest because the family was counting on her.

How often had he seen his daughter take on tasks alone so that others didn't have to worry about getting things done?

Was this because Mirabel wanted to take care of the family, or...?

No, Agustin decided as he continued to watch his daughter throughout the next few days.

Mirabel didn't work herself harder than Luisa while trying to be as perfect as Isabela to help the family... she did it because she was trying to act as though helping the family was her Gift.

After dinner at the Guzman home that evening, Agustin took Mirabel aside, studying her as though he'd never seen her before.

"Papi? Are you okay?" Mirabel probed, looking concerned. "I know you've been left out of the construction, but I bet Bruno would be happy to have help with - "

"Mira... I need you to stop," Agustin stated, simply, backtracking as Mirabel looked stricken. No doubt she was remembering Abuela yelling the same thing at her the night the house fell. "Okay, 'stop' is the wrong word." Cupping her face in his hands, he smiled warmly, tears welling up in his eyes. "Mirabel, you don't need to take care of everyone. Having you for a daughter is the greatest gift I could ever have. And I understand now that all the times you've been working like mad... that was you trying to make up for not having magic."

It was a funny thing about strength, Mirabel realized, suddenly, as she threw her arms around her father, hugging him tightly as she began to cry. It was easy to project as long as you kept busy... But once you take a break, the façade just shatters, leaving you with all the pieces you'd so carefully put together.

As though he could read her mind, Agustin pulled back a bit, withdrawing his handkerchief and giving it to dry her eyes and blow her nose. "You've held us together long enough, Miraboo," he soothed, smiling tenderly. "Take some time to rest. Let the family take care of you, okay?"

Sniffling, Mirabel nodded before hugging her father once more.