Summary: So it was day 25 of Encantober - the prompt for that day was generational trauma. Think of the worst-case scenario and try to make it happen. I decided I wanted to know what Isabela was thinking at that fun and oh so awkward breakfast scene...

Hope For the Worst

"First, an announcement," Abuela said as she glowered at Mirabel. "I've spoken to the Guzmáns about Mariano's proposal to Isabela." Abuela came up behind her then and Isabela cringed inside as she turned her head as Abuela cupped her chin to have her face her. Keep smiling…keep smiling…

"Dolores, do we have a date?" Abuela asked and Isa could hear the happy anticipation that made her want to cry all the while thinking…please say no…please say no…

"Tonight. He wants five babies." Dolores said in a flat emotionless tone.

Isa felt a moment of terror…FIVE?…Isa felt the flowers sprout, but she forced herself to replaster that fake smile on her face.

"Wonderful!" Abuela said excitedly, but Isa noted that her Abuela plucked out the white daisy, casting it aside as she said, "Such a fine young man," She absently straightened Isabela's posture and continued," with our perfect Isabela will bring a new generation of magical blessings and make both of our families stronger."

Isa held the pose just a little longer and turned to make sure Abuela had moved away, only to notice Camilo had shifted into Mariano. Being the jerk that he is, he was making kissing gestures at her. Strangling him with vines would probably not be the best response, so she flipped her hand using her gift to stuff his mouth with flower petals. That at least shut him up.

"Okay. Our community is counting on us," Abuela said then intoned, "La Familia Madrigal!"

Everyone responded in kind, and Isa was no exception. She got up from the table lost in her private hell when Mirabel, not paying attention and moving too quickly smacked right into her.

"Sorry," Mirabel said moving past her.

"What is your problem?" Isa asked angrily but realized Mirabel likely did not hear her as she ran from the patio after Luisa shouting, "Hey! Luisa, hold up!"

Stupid Mirabel, she just gets to leave, and I have to stay here and do dishes. She moved around the table taking half eaten plates of food and dumping them into a pail. It looks like the pigs are gonna have an awesome breakfast she thought. Dolores was watching her with sad eyes and though Isa wanted to find out what was bothering her, she and her prima had not been on good terms since Abuela announced her intention of having Isabela marry Mariano. She thought then of her half-forgotten promise to stay away from Mariano…but they were only ten at the time and Mariano was an even bigger dork than he was now. Isa stopped in her thoughts; she probably shouldn't be thinking of her future husband that way.

Her husband…the thought made her cringe and she accidentally knocked over a juice glass. The contents flowed into Dolores's lap, before Isa could apologize, her prima got up then and left the table. Isa righted the glass and took the armload of dishes to the kitchen.

Her mother was there packing up the last of the food she'd spent several hours prior to breakfast preparing. She looked up and cocked her head seeing Isa's not happy expression. Isabela realized she was frowning and smiled, it was hard to hold on to though.

"You okay?" her mother asked covering one of her baskets.

Isabela could only muster a nod as she placed the dishes in the wash water. Her mother picked up an apron and came around the table to her. Isa was staring out the window when her mother turned her toward her and asked again as she put the apron over Isa head, "You okay, mi vida?"

At that moment Isa desperately wanted to ask her if she had to do this. Tell her mother she did not want to get married, did not love Mariano, did not want five babies…but most of all she did not want to be shut out like Mirabel. But instead, she said, "I'm okay, Mamá. Just a little nervous about tonight."

Her mother sighed and nodded, Isa was hoping she wouldn't believe her, but she'd done too good of a job making her mother believe otherwise. Too good a job making Abuela think she wanted this to turn back now. She was trapped. She would always be trapped while Mirabel would be free. She wondered if it were possible to lose her Gift, then she could be free too.

"I can stay and help for a bit," her mother said, but Isa shook her head.

"No, I'm fine, just preproposal jitters," Isa said with a small nervous laugh. She was not sure why she kept repeating that lie. Her mother reached around and gathered the apron strings, tying them gently.

"Okay, Isabee, I'll see you when I get home." Her mother picked up the two baskets she prepared and left the kitchen.

Isa turned back toward the sink and started washing. Casita flipped a tile and she looked at it. The tile was one that she and Mirabel had made before her gift ceremony. The tiny plaque said Isabee loves Humm and there was a picture of a pair of bees on a daisy. A small smile crept onto her face. There was only one thing standing between her and potential oblivion. Abuela would want tonight to be perfect, but with Mira there, there was no chance of that happening. Since her sister was already acting even more chaotic than usual, she would just need to tell Mirabel not to say anything, not a sound. And on that hopeful thought Isa decided she could face the upcoming dinner, and hope for the worst.