* Inspired by 'i will be here (don't you cry)' written by vexing_imogen on Archive of Our Own, and the FF story 'An Unescapable Fate' written by The Lilac Elf of Lothlorien - Encanto AU.

-December 11, somewhere in the 1950s. In the country of Colombia in South America. -

Mirabel Madrigal exhaled deeply as she looked upon the large colorful and beautiful town in the valley upon a cliff point, the town of Encanto, and there, Casita, the very home she had left two years ago...

"You okay, my granddaughter?", asked a gentle, warm voice next to her, and Mirabel nodded, "Yeah...I'm just nervous and scared...Mostly scared...I ran away, Abuelo Pedro...Would they be upset?", looking at her grandfather, the man who almost sacrificed everything to save his wife, children, and the people, only to be nearly cut down and taken to be a prisoner.

Mirabel still couldn't believe that in her impulsive desire to just be free without people telling her that everything's going to be okay, with all the pressure from her own family, and the arguments...She somehow ended up in a town, a town going through rough times, and she learned many needed lessons, yet she was hesitant and scared to return back, and then she discovered the perpetrators behind the terrible acts in the town.

She went into their base of operations, and there, she found a place, a basement of people who were held away in leverage towards the people in the town, and then she found Pedro...She nursed him, fed him, took care of him all those months, and it was a miracle that he wasn't a bag of bones like many stories she heard about in town.

Mirabel had somehow convinced the people of the town to stop the criminals, and now the town's recovering better than ever, along with Pedro, and now, after a journey of a few days, she is home, and bringing Pedro to reunite with his wife to boot...

Pedro smiled reassuringly, "My mariposa, you are brave, kind, strong, and yes, it may be strange to be compared to our family on their Gifts, but Mirabel, you are a Gift on your own. You are always searching for ways to help in your own way, through comfort, an ear leaning to just listen, and love. It may not be as physical compared to the others, but it still shows.".

Mirabel smiled, "I know, Abuelo...What about you? This must be scary for you...", and Pedro chuckled, "Terrifying, but I have a good feeling, and besides, I have lots of stories to catch up on, and plenty of time to spend my golden years with my wife and learn how to be a father if I'm just a bit over 50 years late. Good thing I had practice of being a grandfather with you, dear Mirabel.", with a smile.

Giggling, Mirabel smiled, "True. Let's go home.", with a deep breath, and Pedro nodded, "Sounds good to me.", following his youngest granddaughter's lead. He still can't believe that he's a grandfather, and that his daughters became mothers. He doesn't blame Bruno for being the bachelor uncle and such.

As they got to Encanto, people saw them, and gasps surround them as they recognize Mirabel, "She's back! Mirabel!", and Mirabel smiled radiantly as she saw the faces of the kids, and Pedro chuckled, "I know you wouldn't want to hear it, but I told you so...".

Mirabel rolled her eyes amusedly, "Abuelo!", as the town cheered, and the church bell was heard before a sobbing scream, "Mirabel!", was heard, and Mirabel looked to see her mama running, and Mirabel called out, "Mami!", tears in her eyes, and they collided into a reunion, their arms squeezing each other as they hugged.

Pedro looked in awe and relief, along with a bit of sadness, that he has missed out on his children's lives, and Julieta...Mirabel's mother...and his eldest daughter out of the triplets.

Julieta cried as she pulled back slightly, kissing her daughter's face, "Oh, I thought I lost you, Mirabel! And look at you...You've grown...Two years...Thank the Lord that you're safe!".

Mirabel gave a tearful smile, "I missed you, Mami...But I was so scared, and I thought the others would hate me for losing the miracle and Casita...What happened for it to come back?".

"Lots of talking...Your grandmother truly had a lot of pain and she mourned for you when she realized that you were right...Casita had felt all the insecurities and the pain of mental, physical, and spiritual from all the family...It took so much apologizing...And now, our Gifts has returned back, but with a will to turn them off and on.", Julieta replied softly.

Mirabel looked relieved, "Thank goodness! I'm so sorry I ran away, Mami, but I just...", and Julieta stroked her cheeks, "Shh..It's okay, Mirabel, it will never be your fault...You brought us back together, and we have searched for you...I was so upset at your grandmother...I would have never blamed you for not wanting to come back...What has changed your mind?".

Mirabel smiled warmly, "Someone I'd never thought to see ever in my life.", before letting go of her mother, and reached out a hand, "Abuelo?", and Pedro smiled, walking forward, taking his granddaughter's hand, looking at Julieta who gasped, her hands over her mouth, tears streaming down her cheek.

Pedro spoke gently, "I'm home, mija.", and Julieta whispered, "P-Papi?", as Pedro nodded softly with a familiar, warm smile.

Julieta reached out to stroke his cheek, and she sobbed as she realized that Pedro is flesh and bone, and hugged him gently, "Papi!", and Pedro rubbed her back, "Oh, I missed you so, Julieta...".

"Papi...How...", Julieta whispered before gasping softly as she saw the sign of a jagged scar just peeking out of his shirt, and Pedro replied, "It's a long story to the scar, dear mija...I'll explain it all at the family dinner table...Right now, I am anxious to see your mother...It has been so long...".

Julieta widened her eyes, and nodded tearfully, "Yes! Come, Papi, Mirabel, let's go home.", and Mirabel nodded with a wide smile as they walked through the town. They made it to Encanto, and incredibly, the family was too overjoyed not to notice Pedro yet as they called out Mirabel's name, "Mira! Mirabel! You're home! We missed you!".

Mirabel sobbed happily, "Papi, Antonio, Isabela, Luisa, Dolores, Tio Bruno, Tio Felix, Tia Pepa!", relishing in the huge family hug, tears falling down her cheeks, before realizing that someone was missing, and she looked around before seeing her Abuela Alma who is staring at Pedro in shock and disbelief.

Alma whispered shakily, "P-Pedro?", tears in her eyes, and Pedro gently reached a hand, softly cradling her cheek, smiling softly, "Mirabel brought me home, mi amor. I never, ever forgot my love for you, Alma, and never thought to marry again. Do you forgive me for being just over 50 years late?".

"Pedro...I've always loved you, and always will...And I would never be mad at you for being late...It's a miracle you're alive...How? I thought you were slain at the river when the mountains came from the candle and all...", Alma spoke softly.

Pedro replied, "A long story, but I won't ever leave you, not again...I missed you so much, mi amor...", leaning in to kiss her, and Alma let him, her heart beating as she missed this, and the family widened their eyes as they held each other in their long-awaited kiss, looking like the young adults they were for a single moment, yet when that moment ended, they are clearly still very much in love.

"Shall we have a family meal? I'm famished after walking almost all the morning.", Pedro smiled warmly as they then pulled back for air, and Alma smiled so brightly, the first time the family truly saw her genuinely do, and they realized that today is full of miracles, and they are glad to count their blessings, and went to join the matriarch and her husband to eat a meal together for the very first time.