At the river about 33 years ago.

Bruno's Pov

One day I was sitting by the river sulking. I had just come from a date that mama had set up for me but it didn't go well. I was afraid to return home.

"Are you okay?" Said a voice. I looked up from my hands and saw a woman with raven hair and pale skin.

When she looked at me there was no pity or insincerity or even disgust. But curiosity and concern though I was still nervous.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll just go,"

She looked at me "Why you were here first? I was just curious" she asked in confusion.

"I just got back from a date and it didn't go well,"

Oh, now I see why you're upset," she said in realization. "You were dumped," She's blunt that's for sure.

"Well yeah, but that's not why I'm upset. I never really spoke with this person before."

"So why-?"

"My mother had arranged it,"

"Oh, so you're embarrassed,"

"Not exactly. My sisters are dating and thanks to a prediction of mine she knows that there going to be their husbands however what she didn't see in the tablets were me and my spouse so she has been trying to set me up on these dates cause she doesn't want me to be left out."

"Huh? Well, I'm not one to judge but why don't you just tell her to let you find your partner?"

"You forget I'm the family weirdo. Bad luck Bruno. No one likes my predictions, especially if they're hard to hear. Aside from my sisters and pet rats, I have no friends let alone a crush,"

"Honestly, humans are so sensitive. If they can't handle a little bad news then I think you dodged a bullet,"

"Oh really? how so?"

"The people that will marry your sisters do you get along with them,"

"Well yeah, Augustín and Félix have been very civil around me even when my sisters aren't around,"

"And I bet they're okay with your sister's powers too. Right?"

"Yes, Félix doesn't even mind that Pepa can shoot him with lightning he likes her that much. Julieta's gift is healing but she has a habit of working too much. Fortunately, Agustín understands and values whatever time they can have together,"

"Then by that logic, you should be able to find at least one decent person who is willing to get to know you for yourself not your gift,"

"Thank you, for your kind words. It helped,"

"No problem, you seem nice, a little dramatic, but I understand that you are under a lot of pressure,"

"Still thank you..." What's her name? "Lo Siento, I'm not used to this but what is your name again?"

"I didn't throw it in the first place. I'm Mica and your?"

"Oh, Bruno Madrigal the fortune teller,"

She grabbed my hand and shook it "It's nice to meet you, Bruno," she said with a smile and we just stared at each other.


From that day on we became friends. I learned later she was Mrs. Apuch's niece. We would meet up at the river. Spend hours talking and telling stories. Playing cards and games she made up. She was the first none rat friend I made in a long time and I was so grateful for her. Before I knew it I was falling for her but I was too shy to leap. I tried to see what the future held for us but nothing ever came. But one day during one of our walks she grabbed my arm and kissed me. We became a couple. Months passed and when I finally introduced her to the family they were surprised. Mama was suspicious since she wasn't familiar with Mica until Señora Apuch assured her that her niece was harmless. We got married and then on August 1, we had our children. I couldn't believe it. Me a father. Not just to one baby but three. Triplets. We had two sons Javier Carlos and Ignacio Madrigal, and a daughter Angelina. Everyone was so excited, especially mama she made sure that everything was perfect for their homecoming. Even the townspeople were excited although a bit nervous. Since they didn't know what powers my children would receive. We didn't know if the miracle would bless them with a gift. I checked but nothing. We didn't care as long as they were happy and healthy. During the first four years, I was so nervous about raising them. I was lost but whenever I looked at their peaceful faces when they went to sleep that made all the nerves worth it. On their fifth birthday, they received their doors. Javier could levitate objects, Angelina received wings to help her fly and Ignacio could control fire. The one thing they all had in common was that they could fly and they loved doing it together.


In the living room

"What else did they like?" asked Antonio

"JC loved to hear stories, especially about magic, Mica's stories about magic inspired him to research more about it,"

"He was quite the bookworm, and very inquisitive but shy," said Julieta.

"Ignácio's sense of adventure knew no bounds, though sometimes his adventures would get him in trouble," said Pepa.

"Remember when they were playing monster hunter and captured Agustín instead," chuckled Félix.

"Oh, how could I forget? those ropes did not help my bee stings" Agustín cringed at the memory with a smile.

"and Angelina she had this light in her that made everyone better," I claimed with pride remembering the days my children were here growing up.

"And the instruments in the room belong to them?"

"Sí Toñito, they loved music. When they were born Casita filled the nursery with music to celebrate their arrival, and every night when they went to sleep," said Mama with a smile as she remembers the day they were born.

"We weren't sure where it came from since we didn't have a gramophone yet. But that inspired them to learn to play," I turn to a picture of them playing music Angelina on piano, Ignácio on guitar, and Javier with his flute. "They loved dancing and making the children smile,"

"Angie was quite the student who always wanted to practice any time she could," Said Agustín remembering teaching his niece and nephews.

"You taught them how to play?" Asked Antonio.

"Only instruments that I knew how to play. Ignácio learned the guitar from Señora Rica, the old music teacher," said Agustín

"It was me and Pepa that taught them how to dance," said Félix "they were so excited and happy,"

"But Ignacio was quite the dancer. so much passion and fire in every step he learned," said Pepa remembering her only sobrinos and eldest sobrina. I remember those days Pepa was less anxious back then I guess dancing helped ease her nerves plus the kids liked when she had a cloud always claimed how fluffy it was.

"What did they use their powers for?" Asked Antonio.

"As soon as they got a better grasp of their powers, Javier's chores were similar to Luisa's tasks, but Angelina would help too along with delivering packages and messages," I said. "She always looked for any chance to use her wings,"

"What about Ignácio?" He asked. That's a topic both familiar and uneasy.

"Igancio would usually help everyone else with their chores and babysit with his siblings," Mama said with a smile but still held a little pain.

"How come?"

"Well, Ignácio was very helpful with cooking, in case the stove was broken or something needed reheating. during the cold winter when Pepa's powers weren't strong enough he would help keep everyone warm,"

"And he made jewelry and figurines out of my tablets. Helped with storage and kept bad visions out of plain sight," I said.

"I sense there's more to this isn't there?" Asked Mirabel. The room got quiet as we recalled the town's behavior towards Ignácio.

"Yes, Ignacio was more outgoing and adventurous than I was growing up. Which I was glad for. But when I walked with them into town, they saw how the people were nervous around me. Then one day someone I gave a prediction to came up to me yelling and blaming me with tears in their eyes. the kids were holding onto me scared. before I could speak Ignácio punched them," I looked down in shame on that day, I failed to protect my children from my burdens. "The person wasn't hurt but they were shocked that a four-year-old would attack them and when they saw the angry tears rushing down not one face but three. They said sorry, walked away and I took us back home,"

"Sounds to me Ignácio was in the right," said Camilo, and the rest of the children agreed. But the rest of us were contemplating.

"There's more to it, after I found out what happened I tried to fix this but there was a disagreement," said mama with regret.

"Really with who?" Asked Mirabel.

"Mica and Abeula," said Dolores we all looked shocked half because she knew. Others because they weren't even born yet.

"What!?" Shouted Mirabel.

"Someone argued with Abeula before!?" Exclaimed Luisa.

"Who won?" Said, Camilo.

"Camilo!"

"I'm not the only one who wants to know," the others nodded at his statement.

"Everyone please one at a time! It's not that surprising. I had many disagreements with Mica even before she became part of the family,"

"Why? I know you two would argue but you always seemed to get along. I think?," asked Isabela.

"Mica proved that she loved Bruno and our family but unlike your father's she was..."

"A stranger?"

"Yes, and No, Agustín family is outside the Encantó remember,"

"She made your boy a man," teased Pepa.

"Against my wishes. That wasn't the main issue," she sighed "she challenged my authority and disregard my orders,"

"Really?" Said Mirabel

"Sí, that girl always had to have the last word. I was warned about daughters-in-law and how they have a way of taking over. She always felt she knew better,"

"She was right about most things mama," said Julieta.

"I know but this time was different," mama said as she looked at the picture of us on the triplets' birthday. "I was about to confront Bruno with Ignácio's reaction and help them with their apologies," said Alma.

"¿Que? But Abeula the person,"

"I know but remember back then I felt our duty to the Encanto came before our personal feelings. I thought I was doing the right thing trying to keep the peace,"

"But Tía Mica didn't?" Said Dolores. This made mama sigh as she recalls that day with remorse.