Miguel and his parents sail on a ship. Javier Carlos Madrigal grabs a tray of cups and brings them to his wife and son.
Taking a mug, Javier asked, "It's nice to be on this adventure, isn't it?"
"Especially since we're all together," Blanca says, as they both hug Miguel.
"Yeah," Miguel drinks his hot chocolate and spots a ship in the distance. He points ahead, "Look, a ship!"
Javier looks through a telescope and spots the flag on the boat means... "Pirates!"
The ship fires a cannonball; Javier grabs two swords and turns to his son, "Miguel! Stay at the helm, we'll deal with the pirates," Blanca takes a sword. "Don't worry, Hijo, we'll be back." She kisses his head, then swings to the ship.
Javier and Blanca board the enemy ship, and they fight off the pirates. During the fight, the ship fired more cannonballs. Smoke fills the air. Then silence.
"Mom? Dad?" Miguel asked. The sky cleared, leaving an empty ocean but no sign of his parents or the pirates. "Mami! Papi! Come back!... Come back!"
Miguel wakes up and gasps. After realizing he was dreaming, he cries. Miguel then rips out a calendar page, revealing today's date. He then takes out a picture of his parents. After a while, someone knocks. "Come in," he said, lying back down.
"Morning, Miguelito," said Angelina, as she enters holding a tray with food. "Hi, Auntie," he greeted with tears in his eyes. "Oh, baby what's happened?" she says as she places the tray down and cradles him in her lap with her arms around him.
Michael sniffles, "I'm okay I just had a bad dream."
Angelina wipes his eyes with a tissue and kisses his forehead, "I have a pretty good idea of who was in it huh?" he nods. "By I brought you some breakfast," she says as he looks at his favorite foods on the tray.
"Thanks. That's nice of you tía," he climbs off her lap as he goes back under his sheets. "Do you want me to leave the tray and you can... eat it later?" She asked, holding the tray up, aware he was having a rough start on a very difficult day for him. "Uh, sure," he replied to his concerned aunt.
"Okay then," Angie places the tray back on the table, "If you need me or the others, we'll... we'll be around," she brushes his hair out of his eyes.
"Okay," he sighs. Angelina kisses his forehead and proceeds to the door. "I'll be back to check on you," she says and closes the door.
Angelina looks down shaking her head, "Pobrecito," she heads downstairs to the dining room and is greeted by her family. All of them were curious about how Miguel is doing thus far.
"How is he?" asked Ignácio, "He's talking, but we need to see if he ate any of his food later," she sighs slumping into the chair. "I wish we could do more."
Acacia, sensing her husband and Cuánda's distress, spoke, "Today going to be hard for all of us. But everything will work out, we know they'll return, just like your dad predicted," she says. However, everyone was still unsure. "Right?"
"My visions tend to be vague. I saw Javier but Blanca... who knows?" Bruno explained, not liking his gift right now but he had to try. He offered to have another vision, but his children objected.
"Papá no. Gracias, but your sessions can take a lot out of you," Ignácio said putting a hand on Bruno's shoulder. "And your health is imperative," he concluded, imploring his father not to push himself. "We need you at your best especially now."
"He's right Bruno, Miguel needs all of us for him, especially today," Maria said. Everyone agreed with her.
"What is today?" asked Camilo, unaware of the situation.
"Today is the day they left," said Dolores, making Camilo's eyes widen. "Oh," face-palming at his blunt nature.
"You didn't know. Besides we're all trying to get through this together," Angelina said, trying to cheer up her mischievous primo. "All of us, we're determined to find them no matter what. But right now, we need to help Miguel," she said and everyone smiled in hope.
At the boarding house stoop, Luna is watching a toy ship. She is bummed because today is Miguel's parents' anniversary. It's a tough time for everyone. Especially since they have to explain it to visiting relatives. Her classmates came by.
"Hey, Luuuluuuu!"
Gerald: "Come on, man, we're all heading to Dinoland!"
Helga: "It's half-price day!"
Chavo: "Yeah, and they finally fixed the Tyrannoscare-us Rex roller coaster! We're all getting in line!"
Everyone except Luna cheers.
Luna: "No thanks."
(The gang is surprised by what Luna said)
"What?"
"But it's a half-price day! What are you waiting for? Four-eyes-get-in-free day?"
"I think I'm gonna hang out at home today. Have fun, you guys."
"Huh, well, you're a barrel of laughs. Okay, fine, loser. Be that way. Come on, let's get to Dinoland before the ride breaks down again!"
"So long, Lu-ser!"
(Everyone except Gerald leaves)
"Hey, Lu, are you okay?"
"Yeah..."
"You sure?"
"Well, it's just that today is the anniversary of Miguel's parents leaving... and never returning."
"I'm sorry, Luna. Hey, never mind what those guys said. They're just goofin', they don't know what's going on with you."
"I know. It's just that... I wanna be here with my family today, that's all."
"You sure you don't want company?"
"No thanks," she assured. "Go on, Gerald. Have fun at Dinoland. Ride one for me, okay?"
"Okay. Catch you later, Luna."
After Gerald leaves, Helga somehow left the gang and hides behind a car "Ohh, Luna, how could I mock you, on the saddest of anniversaries? How I long to recant my cruel words. Oh, your poor, parentless cousin, waiting for something that cannot be. As you keep your silent vigil, I shall stand by you, never abandoning you." The car moves, "Whoa!" The car speeds away, making her fall into the mud. She gets up to see Luna looking at her and sticks her tongue out at Luna.
~Sunset Arms boarding house Rooftop~
Luna flies a toy plane and shows Miguel, Antonio, Layla, and Gabriela how to fly it. Afterward, they all stepped back inside Zano's room and looked at pictures of their parents. This made them unhappy, so they all stepped outside to sit on the stoop. Miguel saw a happy kid with his parents. After the happy family left Miguel gets angry and walks upstairs. All the kids followed him to see what was wrong.
In the process of marching to his room, he passes by the adults. Angelina and Ignácio look worried while Miguel takes everything off his bulletin board and Ignácio comes upstairs to his room.
"Hey, buddy. What's going on?" He asked worried about his upset nephew.
"I'm packing up my parents' stuff," Miguel said adding more stuff.
"Really? What for?" Angie asked not liking where this was heading.
"So, I can put it in the attic where it belongs!" He answered, walking past his uncle not wanting to hear anything.
"Whaa--" Before either twin could protest, Miguel unfolds the ladder to the attic and Ignácio follows after him. "Oh, I know you're hurting, Miguel. Your Tíos and I are sad, too. But you can't lose hope. You saw Dad's vision."
"I'm tired! I don't wanna think about my parents anymore. I'm sick of hoping for them to come back!" he yells then cries. Ignácio hugs the distressed little boy trying to calm him down. Miguel's tears run down his face.
"I understand, but you can't give up on your memories, Miguel; that's what's important. You should celebrate them." Ignácio said, but Miguel pushes away from his uncle and took off his hat. Making Ignácio gasp.
"I don't wanna hear any more stories about my parents," Miguel said and threw his hat into the box. As he places it on a shelf, something drops. "What's this?"
"Looks like some kind of journal," Ignácio answered, already knowing who it belonged to. 'Let's hope this helps,' thought the pyromancer.
"Tío, it's my dad's..." Miguel shows him the book.
"Let me see." looks at it "Holy-, Miguelito! You're right!" Then he gets an idea. "Well, it's too bad you don't want to hear any more stories, so I'll just-" Miguel grabs the journal and puts his hat back on.
In the living room, everyone (Dolores) heard what Ignácio and Miguel had found in the attic. As the two came down the stairs the rest of the family gathered in the living room curious about what Javier wrote. They are also glad to see a relieved Ignácio and an energetic Miguel.
"I can't believe we found this!" said Miguel, as Ignácio sat beside his family.
"Well, your dad must've written this stuff when we were in San Lorenzo," said Chico. Happy that his missing sister's son is out of the dumps.
"That's in Central America. Tía Cia read about it to us," Miguel said, making Acacia smile at the boy's recollection. "That's right sweetie."
"And don't forget about all the stories we've told you, and your cousins" Zita added, happy to see the life back in her nephew.
"Yeah!" Layla and Gabriela nodded in agreement.
"I know I can't wait to find out what happened!" said Luna.
"And which parts Grandpapí made up?" Zano asked, looking forward to finding out what happened in San Lorenzo for real.
Grandpapí was insulted. "Made up?!" He asked offended by his grandson's cynicism, "What are you talking about? Every story I told you is true, and this journal will prove it!" Grabs the journal and sits down to read it with Miguel next to him.
"Well, let's read it. I made sandwiches," said Maria, walking in with a plate of sandwiches for everyone.
Miguel grabs one, "Great, I'm starving!" (while chewing on a sandwich) "Well, come on, Grandpapí, read it! What does it say? What does it say?!"
"All right, all right. Calm down," he told the buzzing boy. "Chew a bit before swallowing," (avoids the crumbs) "and don't spill on the journal! It's a precious family relic," he warns him while dusting the crumbs off. "Okay, here we go!" (reads) "Today I met the woman I'm going to marry." The romantics in the room were touched by Javier's declaration. "Aww, that's sweet. Hope he's writing about your mom, Miguel," Grandpapi joked, but only a few laughed.
Luna and Zano exclaimed, "Grandpa!"
"Por favor, stick to the story," Mateó implored knowing how the old man likes to exaggerate.
"All right," complied General Posada. "Killjoys," He said under his breath.
~San Lorenzo~
(narrating) "We met when we stumbled into a research party. I went hiking with my brother and sister. Along with our friend Mateo and our new acquaintances Chico, Acacia, and Zita. Among the group was my old college friend Eduardo who also joined us. He's an anthropologist born and raised in San Lorenzo. Then I fell behind the group."
Javier stops walking as he sees a woman in another group. Dreamily staring at her, he slipped off the ledge and fell down the cliff.
Javier screams in pain, "Ow!" Blanca comes running, "Hi. I'm Javier." He lends a hand, but cracks his arm after the fall, "Ow!" Blanca gasps, kneels, and grabs his arm. "I'm Blanca."
Grandpapi narrates, "Blanca. What a beautiful name." Interrupting the story while talking to Miguel, "You know what that means, hombrecito?"
"No,"
"I was hoping you would." continues narrating, "She's a doctor and a botanist. She's also Chico's sister."
"I'm here studying the local plant life, looking for cures for jungle diseases. I want to bring healthcare to all people, no matter where they live," Blanca says while bandaging J.C.
(narrating) "She's amazing. So smart and brave. I told her about my anthropology project, and how I'm studying local culture while helping communities improve their way of life. Hope she's impressed. She joined us on our journey.
(Javier hits his head on a branch) "Ow."
The group now consisted of Angelina, Mateo, Ignácio, Acacia, Javier, and Blanca following Eduardo on a mountain path.
"Hey look at that cloud. It looks like a boat, a schooner I believe," Javier said, pointing at a cloud.
"Millions of miles into the jungle and he thinks about clouds. My friend you are a true romantic. the ladies must go crazy for you," joked Eduardo.
"What? No, besides who would put up with my- WOAH!" J.C. missed a step and slid down getting hurt along the way.
"JAVIER!" Angelina exclaimed, worried about her youngest twin's well-being.
"I got him, Angel," said Blanca as she gracefully checked on him. "Where does it hurt?" she questioned.
"Only a few scratches, OW! And a broken rib" winced Javier.
"It's amazing how you always get injured when walking even though you can fly."
"Well, I try not to use my powers in public unless it's an emergency."
"So, this would count as a," she asked while examining his injuries.
"Accident," he replied, wincing. She smiled at how nervous he was but also at how he didn't abuse his powers. The rest of the group saw the interaction and knew this trip would help them grow as a group.
(narrating) "Hmm. Maybe she thinks I'm a goof. Oh, well, call me a romantic, but I think we're meant for each other."
Grandpapi continued narrating, "Today we hiked to the highest point in the area. There's a spectacular view from the top of the cliffs."
"Who told you about this trail, anyway?" Blanca asked a tired Javier, who uses Estefan as a hiking stick, "Eduardo," He replied while Estefan patted him on the back.
"Yeah, how come he didn't come with us?" His sister Angie asked wondering why the expert decided to stay behind.
"He said it was something you only want to do once," Javier explained to his friends, but that just made everyone more irritated by him. "Oh, uh-huh. I'm punching him when we get back," said Blanca as she hit her fist in her hand.
"If we get back," Chico said, stopping from chugging his canteen. The ground below them collapses and they fall into rapids.
Luckily, we all came up for air and avoided rocks.
"Everyone okay?" I asked, worried about the ramifications. "We're fine J.C.!"
"Never better! What's that roaring noise?" Blanca asked as we turned to see the edge of a waterfall coming into view.
"Oh, man!" Mateo said as everyone swam for their lives.
(narrating) It was Sapote Falls! We swam away from the cataract as hard as we could, but the current proved too strong. I used my powers to pull us all away but we were too spread out and the pressure caused us to collide with each other.
"I'm gonna punch him when we get back!" Blanca said.
"Get in line!" Angie added. Trying to swim back.
"Acacia!" shouted Ignacio.
"Ignacio!" she said back. They swim towards each other.
"I love you!" Ignacio said holding her as they fell down the waterfall and into a net.
Suddenly, Blanca wondered, confused about what happened and why none of them looked like pancakes.
"Somebody saved us!" Zita noted. Everyone was trying to see if there was anyone around.
"Who?" A loud noise caught their attention but the mysterious savior ran away before they could investigate.
"Hey, wait! Hold on! Espérate! we want to thank you!" Javier said as the group ran to catch up with them.
(narrating) Our mysterious savior had vanished. But then, Acacia saw his calling card on the wall. It was the symbol of the elusive Green-Eyed People; the original inhabitants of San Lorenzo. Thought to be a lost civilization like the Mayans, and the subject of many incredible stories, but no outsider had seen.
~Sunset Arms boarding house~
(reading) "The Green Eyes saved our lives. We vowed to thank them somehow, to pay them back with a good deed of our own." The general stopped letting out a "Woooh!" as he fanned himself with the book.
This chapter was a revelation to everyone. The older adults were more concerned and relieved about what the group experienced.
"Dang that is epic!" exclaimed Camilo. "You guys went on so many adventures!"
"Yeah, I can't believe your powers weren't working," Mirabel said, amazed but curious. "Did that ever happen before?"
Angie replied, "Kind of," as she answered her prima's question. "When I was a kid my wings got soaked and when I tried flying with them," ~PFFT,~ "No good."
"My powers are pretty self-explanatory," Ignácio said, not explaining further. "Lucky for us the green eyes came when they did."
"I'll say. By the way, you're all grounded," Bruno joked, making them laugh.
"This is so cool! You told us stories about the Green-Eyed People." Miguel said to his tíos and tías.
"Ah yes, the mysterious Green-Eyed People," Chico said and bit into his sandwich. "Almost as mysterious as this sandwich." (to Maria) "What's in this, ma?" Chico asked looking at the strange sandwich.
"Oh, peanut butter and soy. It's an old family recipe," Maria told her son-in-law while eating her soup.
Chico spits out the sandwich, and Abner, Chuy the pigs' grandson, comes running and eats it. "Oh, Abner! Stop acting like a pig." He drops the remaining sandwiches to the floor.
"Grandpa, can we get back to the story?" Luna asked her grandfather, wanting to hear more about the green eyes.
"The butler did it. Oops! Gave away the ending!" he laughed.
"The story about the Green-Eyed People!" Zano said, getting just as irritated as his sister and Miguel.
Grandpapi thought, "Ah, yes, the Green-Eyed People... Aren't they the people who installed our air conditioning?" He asked, making everyone stare at him. "You know, I don't trust them. I think they took the change I had in the cookie jar!"
Maria being literal, "No, Papi. You're thinking of Oskar," she explained to her elderly father. "Oh, am I?" Grandpapi rethinks.
"Can we please get back to the journal?" Miguel asked Grandpapi, wanting to hear more about his parents.
"Okay, but first I have to whiz like a racehorse." cracks his back, "Anyone need anything from the kitchen while I'm gone?"
"We're all right," Zano said as his grandfather left.
"Anyone in favor of narrating until he returns, say I, "Zano asked while raising his hand.
"Ay!!!" everyone replied in unison.
"I'll do it," Ignácio said, opening the journal and noticing the date. "This entry is something I know you'll enjoy."
(Ignácio Narrates) After our near-death experience at the waterfall, Acacia and Ignácio realized life was too short and decided to wed. All our friends and co-workers were there. Acacia and Zita's family made it too. Her parents and her grandparents. Her older brother Alejó with his wife Rosita, her brother Luis and the recently married Chico and Zita. And her little brother and sister were there as well. Everyone was excited for the happy couple but it was a bittersweet event.
Ignácio looks forlorn as he gets ready in front of the mirror. "Que Pasa?" I asked, worried about my hermano.
"Nothing. It's just..." Ignacio said. "I always thought Papa would be here to give me advice on my wedding day," he confessed, with his head down. "I wish he was here. I wish our whole family was here even... Abuela."
"I know we miss them too," we hugged. "Papi would be so proud of you for finding love but he wouldn't want you to be upset about his absence," I assured him, as I placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll see him again someday, this I swear!" After reassuring my hermano we took our places at the altar waiting for the bride.
~(Present)~
"He's right I am proud of you Nacito," Bruno said, making his son smile. "Both of you," he turns to his daughter. "Since the day you three were born, you've always been my greatest gift." He looks at his grandchildren. "And now you each have your own." All three of Bruno's Nietos smiled.
"He's right," Alma agreed. Julieta held her hand. "And I'm sorry I pushed you," she said in Angie's direction. "I wanted all of you to have someone who would take care of you and support you," she said, recalling her past actions. "But I never asked if you were in love," she added. "That is the most meaningful part and I almost let it happen to your cousins," she added, looking at Dolores and Isa who understood she was remorseful.
"We forgave you a long time ago," Angie said, trying to clear the air. "We always wanted to find love and have kids, Abuela. But not till we were older. Remember you had them at 25," she stated, ensuring Alma got the message to avoid repeating.
"I know. Your tías were 29 when your primas were born," Alma added, then looked at her son. "But he was younger than us when he had you three," Bruno stared awkwardly as he sipped his soup to avoid the conversation. "I'm not his mother, that's on you," Angie said, making everyone laugh.
"Okay okay. Nacio, keep reading," Angie tells her brother as he continues the story.
According to the journal, the groomsmen and bridesmaids came down the aisle first. The best man and maid. Next Acacia's baby sister Lulu, is the flower girl, and her brother Zano is the ring bearer. Manolo Sanchez walked Acacia down the aisle. By the look on my brother's face, I could tell his cold feet had melted. The ceremony proceeded wonderfully and they were happy. I wonder which in our group will tie the knot next. As the party carried on I couldn't get the green eyes out of my head. I talked to Blanca to see if she had any insight.
"Well there's not much I can tell you," she replied, just as clueless as him. "All I know is that they're a hidden civilization like my village except they all have green eyes and rarely interact with outsiders."
"Well, it would be nice to thank them in person for saving us."
"I'm sure you'll find a way," she assured.
After a minute of silently looking down, I look up to ask her, "So do you want to dance?"
"Sure, but with whom?" she asked coyly. "With me?" I sweated. "Oh well, I don't know."
"Well, it's just that we've known each other for a while now. So, I'm sure dancing would be fun," he said.
"C'mon let's go!" Blanca dragged Javier back to the party and danced the night away with him.
"The next day I heard about an ancient temple. I didn't want to disturb the sleeping guests so I left by myself but I was surprised to see Blanca awake and heading to the same temple."
Javier and Blanca enter the temple together. Blanca sees the markings on the wall and they look familiar. "Hey look at this."
"Oh, okay, I can read this," he said and begins reading the symbols in the cave. "This temple is dedicated to the sacred... spider?" (gasps) Spiders fell on the couple and they ran out of the temple trying to get the arachnids off.
J.C. screamed, getting almost all the spiders off, saying, "I hate spiders, I hate spiders, I hate spiders!"
"Me too! Oh, but I like you," she confessed and he smiled at her. She kisses him, then notices a spider on his back and flicks it away before he notices it.
~Present~
(Sound of toilet flushing) "Aah! Don't go in there for a while." Grandpapi announced, making Ignácio stand up for him to sit. "Okay, back to your father's amazing journal. Let's see, where were we?" Ignácio gave him the journal, "Ah!" He said taking the book to read as Miguel laughed.
~San Lorenzo~
(narrating) Monday: busy day. Just as Acacia and Ignácio were about to leave for their honeymoon, Eduardo informed us that an evil river pirate, La Sombra, had stolen a sacred relic called The Corazón from the Green-Eyes.
"That's awful, but why tell us?" Angie asked, "I thought they didn't trust outsiders."
"The Green eyes feel you eight are trustworthy to tell you," Eduardo explained, then looked at the newlyweds. "You two just got married. The green eyes will understand if you stay back," he assured, but the newlyweds weren't so sure.
"Honestly back at the falls, we could have gotten out of that situation ourselves. So we weren't exactly in real danger," said Ignácio, though not out of ungratefulness just common logic.
"However, they still risked exposing their civilization to save us when they thought we were," Acacia countered. "Kindness like that deserves acknowledgment," added Acacia as her new husband Ignacio smiled in confirmation.
We figured returning this precious artifact would be the perfect opportunity to pay the Green Eyes back. So, we tracked down La Sombra.
Running through the jungle away from the pirates, not using their powers to avoid exposing their secrets, Mateo whips a branch over a waterfall. The others copied him. Javier looked at Blanca and said, "Hold on." They swung to the other side of the ledge to join the rest of the group.
"NO! You meddling do-gooder gringos! I'll get the Corazón back if it's the last thing I do!!" The defeated river pirate cried.
As they got closer, Javier tripped and dropped the wrapped artifact. Seeing the glow some of the group members walked to get a closer look. But then Javier covered it again. "Wait, Espera! Don't look! They say it's too sacred." With that settled, the group understood and headed out to return the stolen item.
(narrating) "After days of searching in the remote interior of San Lorenzo, we came to a forested valley not found on any map. There, the Green Eyes built one of their stone shrines that marked the borders of their ancient realm."
"Is this where they will pick it up?" Zita asked. "This is where they told Eduardo," Acacia said. They placed The Corazón on the shrine.
"Well maybe this time we'll be able to thank them in person," Chico noted.
"What was that?" Mateó asked, hearing an odd sound. We turned around and saw nothing. It vanished and left a small object behind.
"It's gone!" Angie exclaimed.
"What but how?" Ignácio questioned. "We didn't even see who-"
"Guys look!" Blanca said holding up a trinket with the symbol of the green eyes.
"They were here!" J.C. exclaimed in joy.
"So what does it mean?" asked Chico, referring to the small token.
"It means that they trust us and are now our allies," said Mateo but Angie shook her head smiling, "No. It means we're friends." She hugged Mateo making him smile.
(narrating) The Green Eyes were so grateful for the return of their precious Corazón, that they accepted us as members of their family.
~Sunset arms living room~
(continuing previous narration) "I even hoped they would invite us to their hidden city. But they're still too secretive."
"Their hidden city? Where's that?" asked Antonio. The only hidden city he knew was Encanto.
"I don't know, Tonito. That's why they call it "the hidden city", it's hidden, see? Can I continue?" Grandpapi asked.
"Read on," Zano said.
"It was a wonder that none of us could see them when we got their corizon back but it was still an honor to return the favor. After that week-long adventure, Acacia and Ignácio started their honeymoon. Chico and Zita returned home. While Angelina and Mateó patrolled for crime in Central America. During that time, it was just me and Blanca. We got closer and became official. When we all gathered together I decided to..." (to himself) "ask Blanca to be my wife but I didn't get to. She had asked me and I said yes!"
"Oh! This is good. Hoho, you'll like this. Your dad just asked your mom to marry him," he told Miguel.
"Wow! And she said, "Yes, right?" Miguel concluded.
"Let's see... She said, "No thank you," The end. Roll credits." He teased.
"Grandpa!" Luna and Raul groaned while face-palming. Zano grabbed the book and handed it to Zita's husband, "Chico, take over," he says. "Grandpa you're benched, go take your medication," Zano orders the old man.
"Fine," he said, getting water. "But you'll be back," he assured, knowing his family couldn't resist his tales.
"Okay, Blanca asked J.C. and he said yes," Chico started. "And the wedding was set for the following month, which brings us to our next chapter. "It was an idyllic, tranquil day..." Grandpapi interrupted. "Jolly old England!"
"Eager crowds packed London streets. Your mother arrived in a horse-drawn carriage. The diamonds in her tiara sparkled. Your father, resplendent with his gold-tip sword, escorted her into Saint Paul's Cathedral, where he-"
Maria interrupted him, "Papi!" (back to the present) "That was the royal wedding in England, you crazy dehydrated Bobo! Now drink your water and stop interrupting the story!" she sits on Manolo's lap.
Chico coughs before he resumes, "It was an idyllic, tranquil day in the rainforest of San Lorenzo."
~San Lorenzo/Wedding~
(Chico continuing previous narration) "My classmates and friends came from around the world and gathered at an ancient Mayan temple. We waited nervously for the arrival of the most anticipated person of them all - the reason we were all assembled, the focus of the whole event, my beloved, and talented... Brother-in-law - Chico!
(The whole camera screen pans to Chico who is in the story)
Miguel annoyed yelled, "Tío!"
"Chico," Zita scolded her goofy husband. "How could you?"
Chico, breaking the fourth wall. "Heh-heh. Just seeing if you're paying attention."
Now I understood what Ignácio was feeling, but I couldn't dwell on the past. The ceremony was held in a village near a temple. I was nervous. I fought many villains and faced numerous perils. But marriage was a serious commitment. But when I saw Blanca, dressed in the wedding garb of her people, as her father escorted her down the aisle all doubts ended.
Blanca arrives on a boat in her wedding dress. The flower girl releases butterflies to fly around, as her father escorts the bride to the groom.
A sigh escaped Javier's lips as he presented her with the flowers, "Wow. You look amazing."
"You're not so terrible yourself." She told him.
The groom and bride walk up to the altar.
(narrating) The ceremony began, and as we exchanged our vows, Eduardo translated for those unfamiliar with the local dialect. "Oh god! I remember this headache."
The local priest reads a scroll in an unknown South American dialect "... Javier Carlos" (continues speaking) "... Blanca." (Speaks for a long time)
Eduardo: "Do you, Javier Carlos, take Blanca to be your wife?"
"I do," he answers smiling at his bride.
The Local Priest claps for a local to bring him an oversized scroll, 'The Hell!'. He reads until nightfall. Everyone at the wedding had fallen asleep from speech.
"Do you, Blanca, take Javier as your husband?" Eduardo translated, still sounding tired from the long reading.
Blanca and J.C. get up from the floor, "I do."
Local Priest: "Chak-a Mat-a." Thank God he's done.
Eduardo: "By the power invested in me, as an ordained minister of the glorious Republic of San Lorenzo, I now pronounce you, Mr. and Mrs.-
(The story was interrupted by an off-screen belch)
~Sunset Arms boarding house (Back in the present)~
Maria: "Papi! I told you to go easy on the frijoles!
Grandpapi: "Oh! Sorry!"
~San Lorenzo/Wedding~
"Iglesias-Madrigal! You may now kiss the bride."
The bride and groom passionately kiss, but then the ground shakes, "Oh, I can feel the earth moving under my feet," Javier said, blissfully unaware. "I know. I felt it, too." They kissed again.
Eduardo grabs the priest as the guests scream, "Take cover amigos! We're having a temblor! An earthquake!" Everyone does as he said and escorts the elderly and children to safety.
Many stone structures collapse.
After it was over everything was in disarray but no one was hurt.
"Oh well. At least the cake is okay." Blanca said putting a positive spin on the situation.
Grandpapi: "It's more than okay," Emerges from the cake, "It's delicious!"
(Later that night during the reception...)
Despite Mother Nature's surprise visit, the reception continued into the wee hours. It was quite a time.
Maria does a conga line with the other guests, "Woo-woo! Woo-woo! Here comes the party train!" (laughs)
J.C. and Blanca dance as husband and wife.
(narrating) "Even the Green-Eyed People showed up. Of course, none of us saw them."
"Guys you have to see this!" Ignacio shouted as everyone gathered by the river.
Following the commotion, the couple saw people gathered around something floating in the water.
Javier: "What is it?"
Blanca sees a baby jaguar wrapped up in a blanket in a basket floating in the water. "It's a Jaguar cub. From the Green-Eyed People." She picks it up and maternally cradles the kit.
"Oh, I've heard about this. It's a tradition meant to bring good luck," Javier said, petting the black cub held by his bride.
"Too bad we didn't get the cat before the earthquake," Eduardo joked.
Angie laughed, "If that were the case our aunt would have wanted one on her wedding day."
"But isn't it dangerous? Won't the mother come looking for them?" asked Ignácio.
"That's why they only give orphaned or abandoned cubs to couples," Javier replied calming everyone down.
"So, no worries," said Angelina as she petted the cute cub.
Grandpapi wearing a barbecue hat and wheeling a barbecue grill. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's fire up the grill!" (opens the grill)
(The kitten fearfully meows at the thought) Blanca instinctively protects the cub, "No, no, we can't eat him! He's a gift!" (then affectionately looks at the now smiling kitten) "And he's cute!"
The old general grumbles (madly) "Not that cute." (Puts the lid back on and leaves as he takes off his hat)
"I wanna keep him. As a pet. What do you think, Javi?" She asked her partner. "I think it's an excellent idea."
"Great. We'll call him Carlos." J.C. takes a better look at the cub, "On second thought, why don't we call her Chapa?" Javier suggested.
Blanca laughs at her small error.
~Sunset Arms boarding house Back to the present~
Miguel was captivated by the story. "So, Chapa was a wedding present for my parents?"
"That's right," Chico confirmed.
"A wedding present from the Green-Eyed People?" Miguel asked again. "Correct."
Miguel, appalled and alarmed directed his questions to the former general, "And you were gonna eat him!?" He asked pointing at General Posada who saw everyone looking just as shocked at that revelation.
"Hey, I couldn't help it! He looked tasty!" Chapa leaves in indignation, "A-And the only thing I had to eat all day was that darn cake. Those are empty calories, hijos. Empty!"
Raul: "Grandpapi, that's crazy!"
"Oh, you sound just like Zano. Besides, we were all crazy back then! It was the style in those days."
"Well, heck, some of us are still crazy!" Maria said, doing a handstand.
Zita: "Oh, easy there, mama! You just ate a huge hoagie."
"So, what happened next?" Miguel asked his maternal uncle.
Chico: "Ah, let's see... wedding, earthquake, reception, cub... Aha! Here we are!" he continues reading, "Later that night, after all the guests left, we returned to our hut. It was the hottest night the jungle ever had... oh, there was..." (mumbles and closes the journal) "Okay, kids, time for bed!" He proclaimed while jumping out of his chair and trying to change the subject. The adults agreed with him and understood what was happening.
"But it's only six o'clock!" Miguel argues.
"Six o'clock? It's dinner time!" Chico said, "Why don't you order some Chinese? Food, that is!" He told his nephew, pushing the confused boy out of the room.
"Dude, how can you be hungry? We just ate a whole platter of sandwiches," Luna questioned.
"Don't question him, Luna," her older sister said. "He's older and knows what's appropriate. Now please help Miguel order some Chinese," Zita said, turning to the other children. "Take the younger kids with you too. Go!"
"Okay... fine. We'll order Chinese" Luna said, and the other kids followed her at Zita's request.
As they are out of earshot Chico tears out the page he was reading and puts it in his pocket. "Whew! I thought they'd never leave."
"What's wrong with that entry?" Mirabel asked confused by everyone's reaction.
"It explains how Miguel was made," Zano said, earning a slap on the back of his head from Acacia. Which confused Mirabel more. "You lost me..." (after a moment) "You found me." She cringed, "EW!" Zano laughed at her reaction. "Why would he write that?"
"The wedding night is something you never want to forget," Maria said. "I remember when."
"Mom No!" Zano said, not wanting to hear about his mother's wedding night. "I think we get the point," His older siblings nodded their heads in agreement.
After avoiding that awkward situation everyone ate their orders. The Madrigals enjoyed the tasty food but still felt Julieta's cooking was better.
"Uh, excuse me do you think we can get back to the journal now?" asked Miguel.
"Wait a minute. First, I have to read my fortune. He-hey, not bad. Things are looking up!"
"Grandpapi. The journal."
"Okay, okay, I'm on it. Ooh, their honeymoon. "Today we arrived in exotic Rio de Janeiro..."
"Wait. I thought you told me they spent their honeymoon in San Fransokyo?"
"No that was Angie and Mateo's honeymoon."
"But you said-"
"Wasn't me," he denied.
"Okay, fine. They arrived in exotic Rio de Janeiro."
"Thank you!"
~Rio~
(narrating) We spent the first day of our honeymoon strolling around the inner harbor. At sunset, we rode the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain. Eduardo says there's a stunning view from the top, but it's the kind of thing you only do once.
"Thanks for coming up here, Blanca," Javier said "I know the last time we took Ed's advice..." Suddenly the wire of a cable car snaps.
"J.C., we need to do something quick!"
"I got an idea." They ran into another car. "If I can catch the door handle, I can pull the other car close enough for everyone to jump across." (climbs to the car roof) "With your help, of course."
Blanca smiled, "Of course." She stopped the car and Javier whipped the door open. "Nice shot."
(to the passengers) "Okay, come on. You are doing great. One more." (to a boy) "Come on, you can do it."
Rio Boy: "No, I can't!"
Blanca: "Please, take my hand."
Rio Lady: "Do what the nice lady says, honey."
Rio Boy: "I can't. I'm too scared!" (cable car breaks again) "No!"
Not having any options left, "Well, I guess I'll just have to come and get you my-oh!" (the cable car is about to slip off the rope, so Blanca does what she needs to do to rescue the boy) "Here I am." the boys rush towards her, "Good. Now, put your arms around my neck and hold on..." (the boy does so tightly) "Tight!" Blanca successfully gets to the other car.
Rio Lady: "Oh, thank you. Thank you so much."
Blanca: "No problem."
(The cable car breaks, taking Blanca with it)
Javier jumps shouting, "Blanca!" and falls on top of the car. "Oh!" She cringes at her husband's faceplant.
She helps him up and sees his bruises. "The honeymoon's not over yet," he said.
"If we don't get off this thing, we'll be smashed to pieces!"
"I know, that's why we got to jump!"
"Ah! I was afraid you would say that."
"We'll do it on three. Okay, THREE!!" They jump into the water below.
Cut to Blanca in a swimming pool, coming out and sitting down next to an injured J.C.
Blanca: (takes a drink) "Thanks handsome. Hey, remind me never to take another travel suggestion from your old buddy Eduardo."
They spent the rest of their honeymoon relaxing and soon left to attend Mateo and Angie's wedding. They were even invited to join them on their honeymoon and the same thing happened again. Thanks to another one of Eduardo's travel suggestions.
The couples were relaxing at the pool when a familiar voice caught their attention.
"My friends! There you are! I've been looking all over for you two!" Eduardo exclaimed in relief but also worry.
"How did you get here?" asked Angie.
Eduardo: "I was sent by the Green-Eyed People." He explained. "I'm sorry to interrupt your trip, but they're in terrible trouble, amigos! They wanted me to give you this." He holds up a message.
Javier (reading in pain) "It says they've been struck by a mysterious disease... that many have perished... and they need us to come to them right away-Ow!"
"Blanca, they need your medical expertise! As far as I know, you are the only people they trust."
Blanca holds Javier's hand, "Then we'd better go." He painfully says, "Mmm-hmm."
~Sunset Arms boarding house~ (Back to the present)
"Your parents and Eduardo left and took off for the San Lorenzo jungle, and we'll get to the rest of that story right after I hit the restroom!" The old man rushes out.
Zano: "Again?"
"Never get old, Zano! Never get old!"
Zano sighs and turns to Miguel, "So hombrecito, are you enjoying the journal so far?" he asked.
"Yeah I feel like I'm getting to know them," Miguel said, happy but still sad.
Bruno was happy to hear his grandson learning more about Javier. "I'm glad Miguelito."
Seeing her grandfather's tablet, Lala asked, curiously, "Did your vision say we would see them in San Lorenzo?".
"I'm not sure Lala. All I know is that we will reunite," He answered, "And this one vision, I'm glad will come true, vague or not."
"I still wish we knew when," Gabi said, nodding in agreement. "Me too kid, but at least we know it'll happen," Bruno said, making the three kids smile.
To be continued...
