Author's note: Lydia Marin is an Encanto OC made by my friend lintushadowart ! Check out her Instagram! She is an amazing artist!

2. Mothers

"Okay. That's enough for today, everyone. Class dismissed," Hanna called out. The students hurriedly picked up their bags and belongings, eager to go home for the afternoon. They lined up to head out the door while Hanna walked over to her desk to reorganize her things.

"See you at home, Tia Hanna!" Rosita said. She was one of the last students to walk out of the classroom.

"Bye, Rosie," said Hanna. "Don't forget you have a vocal lesson with Lia today."

"I won't," said Rosita. But then she stopped to notice that Hanna was rummaging through her desk anxiously. "Did you lose something?"

Hanna sighed a little and said, "It seems I can't find the sheet music for tomorrow's lesson."

Rosita closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she said, "There's some sheet music in Ms. Lydia's room. Maybe it's yours."

Hanna looked up at her with a smile. "Well then, I'll go take a look," she said. "Thanks, Rosie."

Rosita nodded and skipped out of the room with her bag on her shoulder.

Hanna walked down the hall of the school and stopped to enter the classroom at the far end. The homeroom teacher, Lydia Marin sat at her desk, already grading her students' homework.

Lydia was a beautiful woman, with dark skin and golden-blonde hair. Her eyes were baby blue, and she wore a pink dress she had proudly made herself. Lydia's family ran their own fabric shop in the Encanto, and she would often be seen making clothes in the shop when she was not teaching her classes. Hanna was secretly envious of how well Amalia, Mirabel, and Lydia could make such beautiful dresses together when she could barely make a stitch. Nevertheless, she enjoyed Lydia's company very much for she was always so kind.

"Excuse me," Hanna said politely.

Lydia looked up from her papers and smiled. "Oh! Hola," she said. "You dropped this in the hallway."

She picked up some piano sheet music from her desk and handed it to Hanna.

"Thanks, Lydia," said Hanna, gratefully. "What would I do without you?"

"Aww, don't worry about it," said Lydia. "By the way, congratulations again on your daughter's blessing."

"Oh. Thank you very much. She is…very happy with her Gift," Hanna said. But then she looked down at her sheet music, lost in thought.

Lydia took notice. "Everything ok?" she asked.

Hanna looked up. "Um…yes. It's fine," she said. But then she took a moment to sit on one of the empty chairs. "Although…I have to say" she added. "I don't know how I feel about Ingrid going out of her way to… help so many people all the time. I mean… don't get me wrong, it's wonderful that she wants to. But at the same time, she's still just a little girl! I would hate for her to push herself too hard when it's unnecessary."

Lydia looked at Hanna sympathetically.

"But she is having fun. Right?" she said. "And besides, kids her age have tons of energy! It must go somewhere. You know… I would tell you not to worry too much…but I also know as her mother, it is something you're gonna do regardless."

"Yeah," said Hanna. "I suppose."

Lydia studied her expression, placed her marking pencil down, and asked, "Are you worried about Ingrid exhausting herself? Or about YOU pushing her too hard?"

Hanna hesitated for a moment. "Oh," she said, "Well…maybe both …I do constantly worry about whether I'm a good mother to her or not. Seeing as how my parents were to me…"

Lydia got up from her desk to stand at Hanna's side. "Hey. You're an entirely different person from them," she said reassuringly. "Ingrid is a joy to have around. And it's because she has a wonderful family who loves her. And two great parents. That means you! You're a great mom."

"You think?" Hanna asked.

"I know!" said Lydia. "You're doing just fine. So, try being a little more confident."

Hanna smiled at her and gave a little nod. "I really appreciate the support. Thanks," she said.

"No problem," Lydia said. She then grinned and added, "And… even though Camilo is just a little mischievous, he is a good dad. You can tell him I said that."

Hanna chuckled. "Okay," she said in agreement. "Well, I'll let you get back to work."

"Alright," said Lydia, kindly. "Have a nice day, Hanna."

"You too, Lydia," said Hanna.

And she exited the classroom.

Meanwhile, in the town square, Ingrid was walking along the streets all by herself. She was wearing a pale yellow dress with a bright orange corset-like vest over it, making her outfit almost look like a dirndl. The vest she wore had stars all over it. Ingrid's long, wavy hair was tied in low pigtails with ribbons of bright red and orange and she had on a pair of orange slip-on shoes. She walked with her head high and her hair rippling in the breeze. Some of the people watched her as she passed them.

"Oh look! There's Camilo's daughter!" said one old man.

"She looks like her mama! Doesn't she?" said a woman.

"Nah! I think she looks more like her papa!" said another woman.

"Indeed, she definitely looks like both of her parents!" said a younger man.

Ingrid kept walking, paying no mind to the gossip that was circling around her. Today, she was out on a mission, keeping her eyes wide open, listening for a certain sound. She searched and searched. Was there anyone out there at all who could use a little help from her magic?

And finally, she heard exactly what she was hoping for. The loud cries of an infant.

She followed the sound to a nearby house and found a young woman who had recently become a mom, struggling to get her baby to stop crying.

Ingrid approached her. "Hola, Senora," she said politely.

The mom looked down at Ingrid a little surprised. "Oh, I'm sorry. Can I help you, sweety?" she asked, a little exhausted.

"Actually," Ingrid said with a grin. "I was hoping I could help YOU. I can get your baby to calm down."

The mother said nothing for a moment and the baby continued to cry loudly.

"No, no! It's fine! You really don't have to!" said the mom, taking in the little girl before her.

"It's ok!" said Ingrid, reassuringly. "I can handle it!"

She reached out with both hands in the air. The mom hesitated at first, but eventually, she slipped her baby into Ingrid's tiny arms. As soon as the baby was settled there, he stopped crying almost immediately. His eyes grew heavy, and he went right to sleep. Ingrid smiled down at him and gently rocked him in her arms.

"There, there," Ingrid said in a soothing voice.

The mom's eyes widened. "Well!" she said. "Would you look at that?"

She then looked at Ingrid. "That is just amazing!" she added. "And you're just a baby yourself!"

Ingrid smiled shyly, still cradling the sleeping baby. "My papa helped babies all the time when he was little like me. He told me."

"And if I remember correctly," said the mom. "Your father is Camilo Madrigal. Right?"

"Yes," Ingrid replied.

The mom smiled at her. "I knew it. I could see it in your eyes," she said. "You know? He was my babysitter back in the day."

"Really?" Ingrid asked, enthusiastically.

"He sure was," said the mom.

The two of them continued to talk happily about Camilo and the rest of the Madrigal family for a few minutes. They kept their voices hushed so as not to wake up the baby.

"I remember how your papa would keep all the kids in the village entertained with his shape-shifting abilities. Even back when he was a teenager," said the mom. "He could make just about anybody laugh with his jokes."

Ingrid giggled. "Yeah," she said. "My papa is so silly."

"Hey! Who are you calling silly?" said a voice from nearby. Ingrid turned to see Hanna had left the school and was now standing there with a smirk.

"Mama!" Ingrid said softly.

Hanna approached the house.

"It's time to come home now," she said.

"Ah, mom!" Ingrid pouted. "Five more minutes! Please?"

But Hanna wasn't having it. "I don't think so, young lady," she said, shaking her head. "Now, come on. Give the baby back to this woman and let's go. Your family needs you at home, especially your Abuela Pepa. We don't need her tearing up the house with a tornado again all because she can't find you."

Ingrid had no argument. She reluctantly handed the sleeping baby back to the mother who smiled and said, "You can come back here anytime you like. Okay, darling?"

Ingrid smiled back. "Yeah! Okay!" she said.

She waved goodbye and went over to take Hanna's hand. Then the two of them started to head towards Casita.

Hanna looked down at her daughter as they walked along the trail. "You really like helping with your Gift, Inga?" she asked.

"Yes!" Ingrid replied excitedly. "I do, Mama! I wanna help everybody! And I'll be the best babysitter ever! Even better than Papa! You'll see!"

Hanna chuckled a little at Ingrid's enthusiasm. But then, Ingrid stopped walking to let out a yawn and blinked owlishly. She had become very tired before she even knew it.

Hanna noticed immediately and picked her up in her arms. The second she did so, Ingrid's hands found the back of Hanna's neck and her head rested comfortably on Hanna's shoulder. Hanna smiled adoringly and said to herself, "Tons of energy, huh?" And she carried Ingrid the rest of the way home.

When Hanna reached the front of their magical home, she was met with Pepa who looked like she was waiting for her expectantly.

"Your favorite tranquilizer is finally home," Hanna said to her, jokingly.

"Thank you! I'll take her!" said Pepa. As she carefully took Ingrid in her arms, a rainbow formed over her head. "Come, mi vida," she said to her granddaughter who blinked sleepily at her. "Come spend some quality time with your Abuela before dinner."

When Hanna was on her own again, she let out a sigh and stepped through the doors herself.

"Mi amor!" said an all-to-familiar voice. Hanna looked up to see Camilo coming up to her. He smiled adoringly, with his eyes full of love, and gently cupped her face to kiss her passionately on the lips. When they broke apart for air, Camilo sighed and said, "Can you tell me how I got so lucky to have you as my wife?"

Hanna blushed a little. "I'm the one who is lucky to have you," she said.

Camilo was just about to argue with her statement but decided it was pointless. Instead, he merely took her hand in his and led her up the stairs.

"Come relax with me for a while, mi vida," he said. "I'm really tired after a long day and I'm sure you are too."

Hanna nodded in agreement and followed him up the stairs to their room. They were just about to head inside when suddenly they heard a tiny 'Hmph' from nearby. And then another, and then another.

Dolores was standing as rigid as a board, her eyes wide and her hands over her large stomach.

"My water broke," she whispered.