I always thought it a shame Mirabel didn't have any actual resolution to her failed door ceremony. Even got to relive it while supporting Antonio.

I apologize in advance for the POV jumping - I can't help that there are so many kids and whatnot in this household lol

A Proper Ceremony

Luisa handed Bruno his rat, telling him he might want to consider feeding her a little less. Bruno held Fura up and looked at her closely. She squeaked, pulling at his eyebrow. She never liked being this close to someone's face. "Sorry, sorry," he said placing her on his shoulder. He knew he tended to spoil the lot of them, but they were so very convincing as they feigned hunger.

He pushed his shaking hands into his pockets. The spontys were not letting up today and he'd taken most of the drafts Juli had made for him. If he asked for more, she'd want to know, no, she'd know why.

He glanced about and since no one was looking he swung his legs over the wall and let himself drop out of sight. He walked to the back of the house and Casita clattered some tiles at him and opened the shutters leading to the main living area. Bruno looked at the window and thought, What now, casita? He hopped on to the windowsill and looked around. No one was about so he dropped inside. Everything was quiet. He started up the stairs and stopped on the landing.

"Ah," Agustín said as he stood up, "How's it going Bruno."

Bruno sighed, "It's going fine."

"Do you have a minute?"

"Juli didn't send you?" Bruno asked. Agustín's eyebrows went up, but he shook his head. "Then I guess I do, hermano. What can I do for you?" Bruno said as he continued up the stairs.

"I need a favor."

Bruno paused again then turned around stopping Agustín on the steps, "What kind of favor?"

"Well, it's really more I need to get your opinion on something."

Bruno tilted his head, not the response he was expecting, so he followed Agustín as he moved in the direction of Mirabel's room. He opened the door and indicated Bruno should go in. He did and Agustín followed and shut the door. Bruno was looking around comparing it in his head to the way the room used to look when Agustín tapped his shoulder. Bruno turned and took an involuntary step back from the door. Something to his left caught his eye and he turned and took another step back. His eyes went back and forth between the two. He looked again at the door. He really didn't understand Casita well enough to ask the house specific questions so when he blinked and noticed the butterfly at the top was drooping. He looked closer. Nothing changed until he blinked again. Now it was not. He was certain his mother had asked Casita to create this, but he was not overly sure as to why.

"So, what do you think?"

"I think," he said very carefully, "I don't know what to think."

He watched the butterfly on the bottom and it was resting on the fingers *blink* now it was just above the hand *blink* now it was back resting on the fingers. Bruno thought then of the way his mother had said the things she said at the impromptu meeting and he realized she was doing it again. Pulling attention away from the actual problem and focusing it on herself. But this time it wasn't aimed at appearances, it was to keep Mirabel on a steady course. She was doing her best to keep Mira from being overwhelmed as she herself had been so long ago. "Gus, I mean I can maybe guess it's purpose but…"

"But…"

"It occurred to me that this door is like a gauge."

"For what?"

"Mirabel's readiness?"

Agustín nodded, "I thought something similar, given that front door."

"Are you alright with all this hermano?"

"Some of it, though I don't really think I've ever had much choice in the matter. Mira has always been driven. It was her confidence that was lacking…but something is bothering her. This time it's not as obvious as not having a Gift. She won't say what or maybe she doesn't know herself. So, I guess we're back to watching and waiting. Slow and steady wins the race," Agustín said and ran a hand through his hair. But there was a note of bitterness when he said, "Bruno, it's literally been less than one day and I now have to add into this the potential for people to just randomly accost her."

Agustín's gaze drifted to Bruno's hands. He put his own on Bruno's shoulder, "Have they been coming all day?"

Bruno nodded and rubbed the base of his neck. Bruno pulled out the last bottle and downed it. His shakiness under control, he handed the empty bottles to Agustín and said, "tell Juli the blueberry mint one is the best, even helps a little with the headache. The chocolate not as good as I was hoping, maybe add mint to that one too? And just no to the lemon."

"Got it," Agustín said as he put the bottles in his right vest pocket. Reaching into the left he pulled out another small bundle and passed it to him. Bruno hefted it as they left Mira's room. He'd forgotten what it was like to have people around him that noticed and cared. At first, he'd kept mostly to himself after the breaking. Choosing to be alone and away from his siblings and their families. That was probably a mistake but he'd been alone for a long time, alone in a crowded casita, even before he made the decision to leave.

Mirabel, even if she didn't know it had pulled him back from his self-imposed exile with her silken threads of kindness. Never pulling too hard, but definitely not letting go. As they were walking back toward the other side of hall, Bruno caught himself as he almost turned on the stairs to go to the tower when he remembered it wasn't there anymore. For the twenty years he'd occupied that space, he never liked being there, away from his sisters, away from everyone. He smiled as he looked back at the hallway where his door now stood. He really didn't need or want to hide from his family anymore.

They paused when they heard Isa's loud laughter and the doorbell chime made them both look down in the plaza and Casita opened the door to reveal a sheepish looking Mariano and his mother. She swept in, for once not seeming to feel the need for her usual rigid politeness and hugged Dolores. She moved on to hug both Pepa and Félix to a lesser degree. Bruno didn't think he'd ever seen that woman happy, but there it was. So many things were changing. He hoped Pepa was doing okay with it, but one look at the rainbow mixed shower over Casita, strangely visible in the fading light of the day told him what he needed to know. Weirdly at peace with how his world was working for once, Bruno said, "Looks like there's a wedding in our future."

Agustín barked a laugh and the two of them headed down the stairs to join the chaos.

Isa watched her father and Tío Bruno coming into the plaza from the stairs and were heading toward the crowd of people in the plaza. Her father looked at ease and Tío's hands weren't trembling anymore. Abuela and Señora Guzman were both talking and smiling as everyone came into the dining room and settled around the table. There was almost as much excitement as there was at breakfast. Her mother made Camilo blush as she complimented him on how delicious his tres leches birthday cakes looked decked out with various flowers and fruits. Luisa was talking to their father and she looked very excited. Their Dad was wearing a melancholy smile and Isa decided Luisa was talking about leaving for school. Her mother and Tía Pepa had their heads together speaking softly. Probably catching up on the day's events. Dolores who was sitting next to her was smiling like an idiot all through the meal talking to her Tío Félix and Mariano. Poor guy was wearing a nervous smile while talking to his future father and brother-in-law but seemed to be holding his own. Mirabel and Antonio were giggling about something happening under the table.

Her Tío Bruno nudged her elbow, and said, "Isa-bee, you awake in there?" he asked holding a bowl, "Crème?"

She took the bowl and glanced at her still full plate of food. She put a small dollop on her plate and set the bowl down.

"You could have just said no, Isa-bee," her Tío said. Isa looked over to see her Tío examining the tiny white dot on her plate. There were a pair of tiny eyes looking at her from beneath his hair that her Tío absently held a small piece of corn up to. The rat there, snatched it then squeaked in what she assumed was thanks and moved back out of sight. She glanced over at his plate; it was just as full as hers.

"Guess we're not hungry?" she said gesturing toward his uneaten dinner.

"Fair, but you should try your sister's coffee mole," he said and dipped the already half eaten arepa deep into the dark sauce, "I think Mirabel made it with you in mind. It'll wake you up for sure."

It was no secret that Isa loved her some coffee, so she reached for an arepa and dunked it. She took a small bite smiled and immediately dipped it again and took another. She tapped arepas with her Tío and dug right in. Once the arepa was gone she ate the rice along with the rich sauce it had been plated with. She looked up and saw Mirabel smiling, obviously glad she was enjoying the food.

Supper was done and the table was cleared of dishes to make room for the cakes. Seating was rearranged as Abuela insisted the triplets sit next to one another. Camilo placed a cake in front of each while every one else sang a happy birthday song to them. Even Dolores was singing as Mariano gently covered her ears for her. Yeah, that couple would do well, Isa thought. Camilo cut the cakes so everyone could have a small piece of each and to Isa's surprise they were all delicious. Each having a slightly different and distinctive taste. That boy was full of surprises. Camilo reveled in the praise of so many happy cake eaters. Tía Pepa squished his face and covered it in kisses, his father shaking his hand and patting him on the back. Mirabel had collected the new dishes and headed into the kitchen.

After a few minutes Isa nodded to her mother and went into the kitchen to help. Mirabel was quietly talking to Casita as she set a plate in the rinse water, "Are you feeling well today?" there was an answering clatter of tiles and Mirabel smiled. "I'm sorry it took so long to complete you." The house clattered a little more vigorously and Mirabel answered "I know, I was just worried you'd think we'd forgotten you." This time a cabinet door wobbled and the tiles near the window shook a bit and Mira said, "I know, I just worry sometimes."

Isa cleared her throat and Mirabel turned mid dish and smiled. "Hey Isa, wanna dry some plates."

"You read my mind hermanita," Isa said as she picked up one of the dishcloths on the counter and after drying several in silence, she said, "So was that David Ortiz you were with earlier?"

Mirabel fumbled with the plate she was setting in the rinse water, "Yes, he was helping Camilo today with his theater project."

"And…"

"And nothing, he just asked to walk me home."

"Oh, that was sweet of him, so you gonna see him again?" Isa hip bumped her and Mirabel turned very red.

"Isa, stop it," Mirabel said and splashed some of the wash water at her. Isa took the mug she was holding and tossed some rinse water at Mira just as Luisa stepped into the kitchen. Mira had ducked and Luisa got a face full of water. Luisa kept her face still as she slowly approached them. They took a few steps away from the sink and Luisa suddenly scooped up water in both hands hitting her sisters squarely in the face with it.

"Oh, it's on," Isa cried and immediately started launching flowers at her sisters. Mirabel ducked and Casita shielded her from the worst of it. Luisa had a large pot lid in hand, effectively blocking the foliage. Isa changed tactics by tossing dye bombs at them. Mira caught one and tossed it back hitting Isa squarely in the back of the head. All three were shouting and laughing until they heard from the doorway, "Nietas!"

Everyone stopped moving at once, Abuela stood there looking stern, but failed to hold on to it when there was a distinct clatter of the pot lid hitting the floor. Abuela was biting her lip to hide the smile that crept in and after a moment, burst out laughing. She was laughing so hard, she couldn't say anything to their mother who came in and took one look around at her kitchen and said waving her hands as she turned away with Abuela, "Just clean it up."

Luisa picked up the pot lid and all three started laughing as they set about straightening the kitchen. "So, when we're done, you gonna show me your room?" Isa asked as she dried the last of the dishes and Luisa put them away.

Mirabel brightened considerably and said, "Yeah, it's not as impressive as yours of course but it sure is nice."

"I can hardly wait to see it," Isa said but was not surprised that Mirabel downplayed what Casita had done for her room. The outside of that door needed more decoration than just the jacarandas she grown. Her ulterior motive for being here was to keep Mira in the kitchen while the family finished their surprise. Of course, destroying her mother's kitchen was not part of the plan so it was not a surprise to see Camilo and Antonio sitting in the doorway watching them clean, Parce laying in front of them.

"I want to see it too!" Antonio exclaimed. Camilo nodded in agreement.

"Looks like we're done," Isa said with her hands on her hips.

Mirabel was surprised that everyone would even want to see her room. Isa pulled Mirabel into the plaza to find Casita had made a set of stairs leading to her door. Casita brightened the lighting around it and she approached it with caution. There were far more things on it than there had been there this morning. Luisa and Isa were already crying, Mariano, who had his arms around both Dolores and his mother was sniffling. Tío Bruno, Tía Pepa and Tío Félix were standing behind her Abuela. Mirabel was then joined by her mother and father, who were standing on both sides of the door. Each moved closer and put a hand on either shoulder, her mother saying, "Mirabel, you never got to have a proper ceremony. So, we decided it would be appropriate to add some suitable flair to your door."

Casita clattered the tiles above it and Mira reached out and touched Isa's jacarandas again. She felt the same warm tingle she'd felt the night before. Then, one by one, she touched each of the small pictures drawn by the rest of her family. It was probably her imagination but she thought the colors became more vibrant in that moment. She felt the warmth from those as well and just like last night the feeling lingered in her fingertips as she turned the knob. She backed in beckoning to her parents and everyone else to follow. Antonio was the first to enter on Parce, he was smiling broadly and while it would have seemed the room would be too small for such a large group of people, it was not. Her family flowed around her like a river, looking at all the things Casita had placed there, just for her. Someone looked up at the ceiling noticing the clouds as they skittered in the early evening moonlight.

Mirabel noticed that Abuela's door was not visible and briefly wondered why. She'd think about that later she decided as she was pulled to a corner by Luisa to explain what a particular item sitting on one of the shelves was for. After that the family did a tour of all the rooms trooping around until all had been visited. Tío Bruno's room was the one she'd most wanted to see. Mirabel let out a sigh of relief at the complete lack of stairs and poked her head into the small room near the alcove. This was nice, she thought, as she looked up to early evening sky. She found Dolores' room to be one of her favorites, next to Luisa's, so many beautiful flowers. Mariano's mother kept him in the hallway while they were in Dolores' room. Isa's room was still just, wow. Camilo admitted he'd fallen asleep almost as soon as he'd open his door, so he was surprised to discover the small library of various plays and sketches in his room. He rubbed his hands together and laughed a little manically and the family left him behind, busy counting those books.

The group moved on to Antonio's room and everyone was amazed at the second tree. Isa was studying all the plants in Antonio's room. Moving from place to place, ignoring everyone else. There was a screech as one of the eagles that had arrived the previous night flew down and landed near Antonio. The wing span made the bird look even bigger and it blew up dust as it landed. It was as enormous as Parce and though the harpy eagle towered over Antonio, it was in no way threatening to him. "Her name is Nadia. She says it's nice to meet you all." Parce let out a low growl and Nadia responded sounding slightly disappointed, "Parce was telling her that the rats around Casita are off limits Tío."

"Thank you for that, Tonito," Tío Bruno said as he pet a terrified Fura who was sheltering in his pocket.

Once back out in the hallway, Senora Guzman said, "Well, I think it's time for Mariano and I to go. Thank you, Alma, for your hospitality tonight considering we came unannounced."

"We were happy to have you," Alma said as they made their way downstairs to the door. Mariano turned to wave to Dolores, who was watching him from the upstairs hallway. He whispered something and Dolores, turned an extraordinary shade of red. Tía Pepa of course noticed, and elbowed her daughter, while waggling a finger at Mariano. He also blushed, that thankfully went unnoticed by his mother.

Mirabel pat Casita's closest wall and thought a little guiltily that it was a perfect night to be a Madrigal.