Summary: Well, just gotta get everyone out of the house...Oof - there they go.

Chapter 32: Meetings

Julieta watched Isabela leave the table and sighed. Agustín whispered his worry, and Julieta nodded as she looked over at her mother. Isabela's erratic behavior had finally come to a head at breakfast. On one hand, Isabela seemed genuinely happy that her little sister had finally found her place in the family. On the other, it was at the expense of Isabela's. The cuts and scratches on Isabela's arms had become very concerning. Troubling enough that even Isabela's Abuela Valentina had pulled Julieta aside one evening after dinner to mention it to her and Agustín. Prior to the magic coming back, when asked, Isabela would claim they were from working in the fields. But Julieta knew they too tiny and straight for that to have been the reason. They also tended to show up, after any conversation with Julieta's mother. She'd made actual progress with her sister's and the three of them spent hours talking about the things they wanted to do in the future. Now that her Gift was involved, they were appearing more frequently and getting deeper. Isabela would barely notice it happening, but it was clear they were self-inflicted.

Isabela's behavior was undoubtedly part of what was making Mirabel so nervous. She seemed unwilling to confront her older sister, so was still too easy a target when Isabela got like that. Mirabel wanted more than anything for her big sister to be proud of her. Luisa, still caught in the middle, was often forced to mediate the nonsense and arguments that would start. The way Mirabel looked when Casita started tossing Isabela about showed her anger and frustration. When Julieta made a few remarks to her eldest regarding her attitude, they were met with little to no response. Today, Isabela had gone out of her way to be rude to her sister and was petty at the expense of a small child.

Issa needed to find better outlets while searching for her place in their new family dynamic. The fact that her mother had said nothing, seemed to snap Isabela out of it. And it was obvious, she was not getting what she thought she needed from her Abuela. Isabela was still stuck, wanting to be seen as she was, but at the same time not wanting it.

Julieta could see Isabela wanted to forgive her Abuela, but it was clear she wouldn't be able to move forward without some sort of intervention from her mother. It did not help that Issa was avoiding her with vigor. When her mother left the table, Julieta hoped it was to talk to her nieta.

Once her family dispersed after breakfast, Julieta sat at the dining room table drinking coffee with just a touch of chocolate, thinking about that meeting and worrying about her kids. She felt like their world was falling back into that loop of dysfunction that had been so harmful before. She'd noticed the little cacti that had appeared on Mira's inner door. Was it possible Isabela misunderstood the door's purpose and was trying to protect her sister from her Abuela? It would explain some things, and it would be so like her daughter to never realize that she and Gus had already taken steps to ensure that what happened to her would not happen to her sister. Issa's love/hate relationship with her Abuela even before the magic returned was unfortunate, but Isabela was an adult now, so this was something she would have to decide for herself. Julieta picked up her spoon and tapped it gently on the table.

Pepa came in from the kitchen and smiled broadly as she put a plate of cookies in front of her. "You need to taste these," Pepa said with a flourish.

"Polvorosas?" Julieta asked, and Pepa nodded as she pushed the plate a little closer. "They smell divine, Pepi," Julieta said as she picked one up. She took a bite and was delighted. "These are delicious, Pepi. You've mastered the cookie baking, for sure."

"You're not just saying that?" Pepa asked, leaning in.

Julieta nodded and took another bite and said, "Of course not. You really have a knack for this, I see where Camilo inherited his baking skills," Julieta said, taking another.

"That is unlikely, but I do appreciate the thought. I just want to make cookies with Antonio. Have a little fun in the kitchen with my baby boy."

"Yes, baking with our kids was always something I enjoyed." Julieta must have been frowning because Pepa set aside the cookies and poured herself a cup of coffee. She noticed the chocolate and sat down beside her. Julieta only put chocolate in her coffee when she was stressed. Pepa was one of the few people that knew that and said as she put a hand over hers, "Are you okay, hermana?"

Julieta sighed, "No. I'm just hoping Mamá will talk to Isabela."

"That was quite a show this morning," Pepa said, sitting back, "Good to know Casita has Mirabel's back."

Bruno came into the dining room carrying a bag that had the vision tablet and his sketches peeking out from the top. He set it on the table with a small thud and sat down. Pepa immediately pushed the plate of cookies to him and said, "Try one."

Bruno looked to Julieta, Pepa was never much of a cook, or more rightly she was never encouraged to cook. Random rain was never the best for baking, but Julieta was more than happy to have Pepa in the kitchen with her. She nodded to her brother, and Bruno picked up one of the cookies and took a tentative bite. "What do you know, they're pretty good, Pep." He then took a bigger bite.

Pepa smiled proudly and said while pointing to the bag, "So, Bruno, how did Mamá pull you into this?"

"She did not pull," Bruno said and finished the cookie and waggled a finger at her, "she asked."

"Oh, and you said yes?" Pepa had a look of pure disbelief. "You're not worried how they'll take the news about the people in the mountains?"

Bruno sat back in the chair looking at the bag and tapping the table with his fingertips and asked, "Honestly?"

Both Julieta and Pepa nodded.

"It's been so long since I've had to deal with it that I'm not certain how I feel about it. But you had it right, Pep. New miracle, new beginning. If my Gift is going to be useful to this family, then I can't hide myself away anymore." Bruno was rubbing his hands on his pant legs, stopping only to pick at some imaginary lint. "I mean, there's the nervousness I always feel when I have to talk to actual people outside the family, but…"

"But what Bruno?"

"Even though this," and he pointed to the bag, "is not great news, and before the breaking would have brought me nothing but grief… Now it's like, like rebuilding Casita and our family…" Bruno paused and tapped the table a little harder. "What I'm trying to say is I think we can handle it."

Julieta smiled and gave his hand a squeeze. Over the past year, Bruno was slowly giving himself permission to be happy. There was that hiccup when the magic revived, and Julieta truly did worry that he would vanish again. Only this time there were no mountains to stop him disappearing forever. While still somewhat jealous of his relationship with her youngest, she knew that Mirabel was the only reason Bruno was here at all. Those two were so alike. There came a muffled squeak from his shirt pocket that Bruno absently patted. Juli wondered which of his rats were with him, probably Tino, since Fura was still with Paola. Their Mamá came into the room then and said, "I see you're ready, Bruno. Shall we go?"

"We're not waiting for Mirabel and Isabela?" he asked as he picked up another cookie.

"No, Issa is still in her room getting ready. I sent Mirabel to fetch her. I'm sure they'll catch up."

He handed the cookie to her and said, "You need to try this. It's pretty tasty."

Alma took the cookie and had a small bite. She smiled and said, "Yes, these are excellent. Did you make these Pepita?"

Pepa looked almost ready to cry as she nodded and Bruno said, "Yep, Pep just made them."

Their mother looked at her daughter and said, "They are very delicious, may I have another?"

Pepa held up the plate and their mother took another. "Okay, Bruno, time to go." Bruno looked at Julieta and winked. He pulled another cookie off the plate and stood as he pocketed the cookie. The rat inside made a delighted sound and their mother looked about to say something, but instead patted his arm and took another bite of her cookie as Bruno picked up the bag, and together they left the kitchen for the front door.

So different, Julieta thought. She sometimes wondered how their lives would have been different if their Mamá had been able to find healing sooner. There was a gentle clatter of tiles near the window, and Julieta took a deep breath.

"What did Casita say?" Pepa asked, the bare whisper of a cloud forming.

"Isabee loves Humm."

"You gonna tell me what that means or make me guess?"

Julieta turned to her sister and said, "Mamá's found a way to take that first step with Issa."

Pepa smiled, and the cloud dissipated, and she said, "Thank goodness for that."

Isabela came in then with Mirabel and Julieta smiled seeing the new clothes. Pepa was sitting with her mouth hanging open. The outfit Isabela was wearing had been made as a surprise while everyone was stuck at home. Agustín felt Isabela needed a change of more than just the color of her dress. When Gus and his father had finished it, Julieta and her husband talked over whether to just give them to her or hold off. They decided not to let Issa find them until she actually spoke with her Abuela. However, much Isabela said she didn't care what her Abuela thought, it was very apparent she felt somewhat lost without the direction her Abuela previously provided.

Mirabel was looking tense but hopeful, and Julieta hoped she would find a way to relax a little before they got to the meeting.

"You two should get a move on, or you'll be late," Julieta said.

"We are going, I just got some scratches that need to be healed first," Issa said and rolled up her sleeves.

Julieta came around the table and gently traced the cuts. Isabela seemed surprised that Julieta did not ask that obvious question as she reached for the small plate of cookies on the table. She let her gift flow into one and handed it to her daughter. Issa ate it and the scratches and cuts disappeared. Isabela rolled down her sleeves and said as she redid the buttons, "Thanks, Mamá. Probably gonna lay off the vine sleeves for a while."

Julieta smiled and nodded. Issa never like explaining what was going on in her head, and Julieta hoped this really was a turning point for her oldest. With luck, she would finally be able to move forward, and Issa smiled when Julieta smoothed her hair behind her ear and gave Issa a kiss on the cheek.

"You ready Mira?" Isabela asked, turning toward her sister.

"No, but you'll be with me, so hopefully I won't make a complete fool of myself in front of the whole town."

Isabela laughed as she turned her sister toward the door, giving her a gentle shove, "That's the spirit Hermanita."

Julieta watched them go, then turned back to find Pepa was right next to her, and Julieta took a step back. "What?"

"Where did Issa get those clothes?"

"Gus and his father made them."

Pepa nodded and leaned into her sister, saying, "You think I could get something like that?"

Julieta tilted her head and said, "Probably, you should ask him."

"Can't you ask him for me?"

"She could, but since I'm right here…" said a voice from the door. The sisters turned and Julieta smiled. Agustín walked over, gave Julieta a hug before he sat at the table with a sigh, pouring himself some coffee. The sisters returned to the table and Julieta poured herself more coffee and dropped a piece of chocolate in it as Pepa poured herself some.

Camilo poked his head in from the kitchen and said, "Tía, are there any leftover arepas? Oooo, and the cookies, can I have some of those too?"

"Camilo," Pepa said, "Second, second breakfast, mi amor?"

"Studying makes me hungry."

Julieta watched Pepa roll her eyes and her sister said, "No to the cookies, I made those for our guest. Left over arepas are in the basket on the sideboard." Camilo eyed the basket as he stepped all the way in and flipped back the towel. He managed to pick up a good half dozen arepas and shrugged at the look on their faces. Then he winked and promptly disappeared the way he had come. "Oi, those cookies are still out," Pepa said getting up, "Guess I better deliver them before…" there was a clatter of tiles in the kitchen and Pepa growled, a storm cloud forming as she stalked off.

Julieta looked at her husband and noticed the blue daisy on Agustín's lapel, pointed at it and said, "That's new."

"Yes, Isabela says it's for a new beginning," he said and smiled at it.

"That's a relief," Julieta said, "She did seem a lot calmer when she and Mirabel left for the meeting."

"When she came up to thank me for the clothes, she looked almost happy and did not sound stressed at all."

Julieta picked up another cookie and took a bite, then said, "She finally let me heal those cuts on her arms. Agustín, there were so many. At least she'll have fewer scars."

"One more for the club of the perfectly imperfect Madrigals," Agustín said with a chuckle. Julieta smirked and laid her head on Agustín's arm. He reached around and pulled her closer. "There is one other thing."

"Oh?"

"Isabela would like to have lunch with us today after the meeting, she says, to discuss some things."

The clock chimed and Julieta got up and said, "You best get going, I told Pepa I'd walk with her."

"Okay, I'll see you there," Agustín said and downed the rest of his coffee and headed out the door.

Pepa returned to the kitchen and together the sisters left.

Hermanas

Mirabel left Casita feeling a bit better about the morning. At least Issa wasn't mad at her. As she always did, she turned and waved to Casita. Isabela turned with her and waved as well. She'd never done that before that Mirabel knew of, and it made her curious again as to how well Isabela understood Casita. Mirabel realized she in many ways underestimated her sister, and knew Isabela probably understood Casita a lot better than Mirabel assumed. It really hadn't occurred to her that Isabela knew what Casita was saying. It wasn't something Isabela ever did in front of anyone. But then Issa was the one Abuela was training to take over her place before the breaking. Isabela was also the oldest grandchild, and Mirabel felt somewhat sad, realizing that she still took Isabela's feelings for granted. While Isabela claimed she was delighted she was free of her role as señorita perfecta, that didn't mean she didn't want to lead. It really hadn't occurred to Mirabel how that loss of status had truly affected her sister. Her gloomy thoughts were interrupted when Issa asked, "Mira, botany is the study of plants, right?"

That's random, Mirabel thought, then said, "Yeah, that and how they work together in their environment."

"Oh, then that makes sense," Isabela said.

"What makes sense?"

"Abuela came to my room earlier to talk about me possibly going with Luisa to Bogotá."

Mirabel stopped and so did Isabela.

"You're leaving too?"

"Maybe. Haven't decided about that yet," Issa said and nudged Mirabel forward again.

Mirabel nodded but continued on. While she didn't want her sisters to leave the Encanto, she knew she could never hold them back. Being a vet was something Luisa had decided on over nine months ago and had her heart set on that goal. Isabela had made it no secret that she was planning to travel, but now if Issa was going to college too… Mirabel was genuinely torn. She could see how it would be better for both of her sisters to go to school together. The outside seemed particularly frightening, and she'd be here, by herself, again.

Isabela reached over and unraveled her fingers as she took her sister's hand. She'd noticed that Mirabel had unconsciously knotted them up in front of herself again. Isabela gave her hand a squeeze and said, "It's not happening anytime soon. We're going to have to deal with the folks on the mountain first. But I didn't want you to find out from anyone but me."

They walked a little further in silence, and Mirabel said, "Issa?"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"I guess, just being you and helping me learn all this. Gotta say you're much better at it than me."

Issa's expression was thoughtful as she said, "You know, it might not be a bad idea if you went to college too. You're more than smart enough, and you can get some experience dealing with the outside. See what's out there that could help the Encanto in the future. Look how many people came just this past year. You're probably gonna need that eventually."

Mirabel had never actually considered leaving the Encanto, and the thought made her a little tense. "You think?" she asked as they turned off the main road onto the side street that led to the meeting room at the back of the Church.

"Contrary to popular belief," Issa replied as she waved a hand at her head, "I do think."

Mirabel snickered and Isabela grinned. They reached the door to the meeting room and Isabela stopped her from opening it and said, "Okay. Lesson one, it's likely there will only be Señora Guzmán, Old Arturo, and Dr. González in there right now. Make sure you look them in the eye when you talk to them and smile, Mira." Mirabel tried to smile, and her sister said, "You look like you're about to commit a crime," and Mira let the toothy smile drop, nodded and smiled again, only this time she didn't show her teeth and Isabela sighed and said, "Well now you look like someone just perpetrated a crime against you. Relax, hermanita, smile like you do when you're waving to Casita." Mira did and Issa said, "Excellent, hold that thought. Okay, here we go." And Isabela opened the door, and motioned for Mirabel to lead the way as they stepped in.

Bruno sat at a table at the furthest side of the meeting room, hood pulled up and gently tapping the surface of the vision as he waited for the sponty to pass. This was the first one today, and while he hoped it would be the last, he knew better. The ringing sound his fingernails elicited from the completed vision were very soothing to him. Once the sponty ended, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle of whatever it was that Julieta was supplying. He smelled the blueberries and mint mixture before taking a quick swallow. Hands no longer shaking, he replaced the stopper and put it away. Bruno's primary purpose for being here was to watch the people and gauge their reactions, not just to him, but to the news that soon there could be trouble. He pulled out the sketchbook and rapidly roughed out a drawing, then closed it and set it on the table.

After a moment, he pulled off his hood and noticed his mother watching him with concern. It brought back long forgotten memories of when his mother accepted his idiosyncrasies for what they were. Coping mechanisms, he'd come to rely on to deal with the fear of what he might see in his next vision. As he got older and grew wearier of the day-to-day effort of just staying alive. His mother's need for him to 'act' more grown up made him grow sullen and bitter. He just wanted his mother to accept his twitchy, broken self just as he was and still feel proud. He gave her a small smile and a thumbs up. Her worried expression lessened as she smiled and nodded, reluctantly she returned her attention to the young man in front of her. He had also been watching Bruno with interest, but returned his attention to 'Doña' Alma Madrigal when she began speaking to him. The young man was not tall, probably half a head shorter than Bruno, wore dark rimmed glasses atop a hawkish nose that were almost too big for his face. He stood straight though and spoke to his mother with confidence that did not come off as arrogant. Something his mother always responded to. His clothes were not the usual either. He wore a collared short-sleeved shirt under an open vest that had several pockets. Most of those had small boxes in them. His short pants stopped just above his knees and no shoes, those he had left near the door. At the moment all Bruno could remember was that he'd come with the first batch of newcomers from Bogotá.

Something about him was familiar though, but what was his name? His mother had introduced him, but Bruno had truthfully not been paying much attention. He did know this person led the group that had been watching the river pass. Normally, he wouldn't care, but that one had also been the focus of Bruno's sponty. Bruno sat and rolled the pencil on the table. The name still wasn't coming to him, so he focused on Mariano, who was here with his mother. Bruno would have never thought Mariano the type to be interested in this sort of thing. Dolores seemed to think he was perfect for it. Bruno kind of dismissed that since she and Mariano were dating, but had to admit, Mariano was a natural. Like the other fellow, he spoke with confidence and deferred to his mother. He could see why Mamá would want him to marry into the family.

Old Arturo was speaking with Señora Guzmán and González, pulling answers out of her about how things were going with the wedding plans. Occasionally, Mariano would whisper something to the open air, and Bruno realized he must be speaking to his sobrina. That was a remarkable new side of Dolores's Gift, it was a shame she had to remain in Casita for it to work. He wondered if she could speak to more than one person at once, or if it was limited to just one at a time.

Mariano looked suddenly concerned as he excused himself and went over to speak with Bruno's Mamá. His mother broke off her conversation with the young man and she and Mariano went a short way away. His mother looked startled for a moment, but then appeared to be listening to someone, but Mariano was not talking. She responded to the open air as Mariano had. Maybe something was happening with the folks on the mountain. He opened his sketchbook again and flipped through the last few pages and added a few things to the background. Bruno tapped the vision with his free hand, listening to the soft ring of it as he added details.

He looked up when the door opened. Mirabel and Isabela came in and Bruno smiled, seeing his sobrina was now walking confidently about in the new outfit Gus had made for her. Women in pants… Issa was sure to start a fashion trend. While Bruno had suggested the color, he wondered how long it would take Isabela to change it. Mirabel looked nervous as a cat, looking around at the people already assembled for the meeting. Isabela leaned in and said something to her sister that made Mirabel smile and she relaxed. Issa gave Mirabel a gentle shove toward the table he was sitting at. The young man her mother had been speaking to, turned to see who had come in and went still. He took a step back, bumped into a chair, and had to look away or fall over. This was enough to break the spell, and Bruno noticed the young man sat down, still watching his sobrina as she passed by. Isabela really was a strikingly beautiful woman and Bruno thought, tread lightly, my friend.

Mariano's eyebrows went up watching the other fellow as he watched Isabela. A small smile crossed his lips and he nodded and waved to the sisters when they noticed him. Mariano immediately returned his attention to their Abuela, but the exchange did not go unnoticed by the young man, who looked thoughtful but continued to watch Isabela and Mirabel as they came over to the table where he was sitting. They sat down next to him, and Isabela looked around the room, and she raised an eyebrow when her eyes stopped for a moment on the young man who was still staring at her.

Mirabel noticed none of this, instead she was examining his sketchbook that was still turned to his most recent effort. As she was scrutinizing the page, she blinked, and her eyes flicked to the young man. He was no longer staring at Isabela but had joined the Doctor, Señora Guzmán and Old Arturo, who were listening intently to what he was telling them. Mirabel adjusted her glasses then pulled him closer with his ruana and asked in a whispered voice, "Is that him?"

Bruno glanced at the sketch, it was incomplete, and the figures did not have faces, but Mirabel seemed to see more in his sketches than anyone else did. She'd found him one afternoon before dinner, sketching out the scenes the spontys were showing him. Bruno had told her then he'd taken to sketching what he saw in his spontys, so he wouldn't forget something. When Bruno nodded, Mirabel sat back and said just as quietly, "Why would Bubo Márquez show up in your sponty with Paola?"

"I think I've mentioned this before," Bruno said as he closed the book, "I don't know."

Mirabel gave him the side eye and laughed, but it was clear she was seeing something that would probably become obvious soon enough. Seeing everyone was there, his mother and the rest came to sit around the table. Bruno waited for his mother to finish her introductions, then at her request pulled out the sketches, the vision tablet he left in the bag for now. Bruno started passing them one page at a time to those at the table that had not seen them. Bubo paused and looked a long time at the sketch of the angry man and Fernando. He also spent time looking at the sketch of the older woman. Once all the sketches were returned to him, Bruno brought out the vision tablet. He turned it toward them, and Señora Guzmán gasped. The Doctor and old Arturo's gentle face showed actual anger. Mariano's was all concern. Bubo, however, was now looking out the only window at the mountains, his expression unreadable. Señora Guzmán looked at his mother and said, "We must do everything we can to help these children. We've all heard the stories about the unrest on the outside."

"Yes," old Arturo agreed. He turned to Bruno and asked, "Bruno, have your visions told you where they are on the mountain?"

Bruno blinked at the question but answered, "No, nothing that specific."

"It's good that your Gift has given us some time to prepare," the Doctor said with a nod.

Bruno decided he liked the Doctor and was a little astonished that he said his Gift was good. Encouraged, he said, "We have not been idle with this. We are gathering as much information as we can, so we can do what's best."

Mariano offered then, "Dolores told me this morning there are at least five more children with the women in Bruno's vision. She thinks the larger group is made up of at least twenty-five people."

Bruno's mother said, "There is one other thing you all need to know. Last night, while we were investigating, Camilo found one of the children and brought them to Casita. Mira will be looking after her, as she seems most comfortable with her."

Mirabel spoke up then, "The child's name is Paola. She's probably seven or eight. Right now, she's with Antonio. If you do happen to see her, please don't ask her any questions about this until we have a chance to get her settled in. She's already skittish, and we don't want to frighten her further."

"Señor Madrigal, I got the impression that the people in the sketches are pursuing the women in the vision tablet," Bubo said then asked, "Do we know why?"

"No. Presently, it's all speculation."

His mother added, "All we know for certain is they are all headed toward our valley, so we will need to address this now."

There were nods all round and Bubo cleared his throat and asked, "Señor Madrigal, do you have a sketch of Paola?"

Bruno was starting to see why this one had been the focus of his earlier sponty. He nodded and opened the sketchbook to the page with the smiling child. Bubo took the small book, and it was clear he knew who this child was. Who they were before someone named them 'Paola'. Bubo frowned for a moment, then returned the sketchbook, and said, "I think I know who the leader of the other group is."

"Please, Señor, tell us what you know," Bruno's mother said.

"His name is José," Bubo paused then added, "José Márquez, and he is my Tío."