Chapter 5

Bruno's Vision

After breakfast, Mirabel rushed to continue to help with Dolores's wedding dress. Valentina had come over to help out, as she loved making dresses. The dress was mostly done, but the two girls were adding embroidery full of Dolores's wedding flowers, and settle soundwaves and music notes. Settle things that represented Dolores and things that she likes.

"I feel like I should be doing something." Dolores admitted.

"Don't worry about us." Mirabel said. "Worry about the other wedding plans."

"We're helping with the dress so you don't have to worry about it." Valentina said. "I'm more worried about that door in that corner…" She gestured to a corner in the room. "It wasn't here last time I was in this room."

"I'm not sure what it is either." Dolores admitted. "Papi said he will explain when Mariano comes over."

"Tio Felix…he knows what it is?!" Mirabel asked.

"I guess so." Dolores said. "Oh, and by the way, I know you're just as worried about Camilo as I am, so…"

"You have an idea?" Mirabel asked.

"Maybe you should ask Tio Bruno."

Mirabel hesitated. "I could…but I don't know if I should ask for a vision for this one…"

"You may not need to." Dolores said. "When I was younger, I remember Tio Bruno was always good at talking to us, and giving us advice…you're more like him than you know. He was always making sure Luisa was drinking water, encouraging Isa to grow new things, and for me…he would always give me good advice. Maybe you need that from him. In fact, why don't you take a break? He's in Antonio's room."

"Wha…right now?" Mirabel asked.

"I'll be fine." Valentina added. "I think it's a good idea."

"Um…all right." Mirabel set her sewing supplies aside and left the room. She walked through the Casita and into Antonio's room.

"Rosa says she wants a different ending for season two." She could hear Antonio's voice. They were sitting in the clearing. Sometimes the rats would insist that Antonio translate when they wanted to tell Bruno something. It would happen once a day, and it became a routine for Bruno and Antonio.

"And Carlos worries that you're not getting enough sleep." Antonio continued and Mirabel approached them.

"Oh…" Bruno said.

"And Juanita…" Antonio picked up the rat, and listened as she squeaked at him. "She's sounds like Tia Julieta…"

"Huh?" Bruno titled his head.

"She says you need to remember to eat…" Antonio replied.

"Uh…hey…" Mirabel said, walking up to them.

"Oh, hola!" Bruno greeted.

"I'm sorry to interrupt…" Mirabel said.

"Nonsense! You can join us!" Bruno reassured. "Antonio is just helping my rats. I guess I need to take better care of myself."

"Ah," Mirabel giggled as she sat down to join her uncle and cousin.

"So, what brings you here?" Bruno asked.

"I…I wanted to ask you…" Mirabel hesitated.

"For a vision?" Bruno finished. "Is this about your gift ceremony? I know you must feel under pressure. Abuela and I were talking about this last night. She's doing her best to not make you feel-"

"It's not just that…it's just…I'm worried about Camilo." Mirabel said. "And if I have to be the next Candleholder, I want to make sure I'm helping my family…"

"Oh, I see…" Bruno said.

"You know what? I shouldn't be exploiting you like this…" Mirabel said, standing up and turning to leave. "I need to learn to be a better problem solver…"

"Mirabel, sit back down." Bruno said, standing up as well. "If you want to be a good problem solver, then you shouldn't be afraid to ask your family for help- it's how you saved the house." He stood and pulled a small bag of sand out of his pocket. Mirabel sat next to Antonio.

"As you go through life you'll see, there is so much that we don't understand." Bruno began, pouring a small circle around Mirabel and Antonio. "And the only thing we know, is things don't always go, the way we planned." His eyes began to glow green. "But you'll see every day, that we'll never turn away when it seems all your dreams come undone…We will stand by your side, filled with hope and filled with pride! We are more than we are, we are one!" His vision began to form, and Mirabel saw multiple images of her family, looking at her proudly.

"If there's so much I must be, can I still just be me, the way I am?" Mirabel asked. "Can I trust in my own heart, or am I just one part of some big plan?"

"Even those who are gone are with us as we go on. Your journey has only begun." Bruno continued. "Tears of pain, tears of joy. One thing nothing can destroy…is our pride, deep inside we are one! We are one, you and I. We are like the earth and sky. One family under the sun! All the wisdom to lead, all the courage that you need. You will find when you see…we are one!"

They saw many images of the family's future. They saw Dolores and Mariano starting their family. Isabela and Luisa both getting married. Mirabel was holding the candle and leading a child to a door. Antonio had grown and was becoming stronger and taller. Even Bruno saw himself, with an unknown woman, and two small figures running after them.

The vision faded, and they heard a voice from Antonio's door.

"Curiouser and curiouser…" It was Bianca, holding Ariana's hand. "Oh, sorry for barging in. I came over with Mariano- in case anyone needed to discuss wedding business. I was wondering if the ring bearer had time to play with the flower girl."

"Oh yeah!" Antonio leaped up, rushing over to Ariana. "We can play! I can introduce you to my friends!" The two five-year-olds took off.

"So, what's going on in here?" Bianca asked Mirabel.

"Tio Bruno was just showing me a vision." Mirabel replied. "I feel a little better now, but how do I help Camilo?"

"I know you'll do great, and that your future is bright." Bruno replied. "Now to help Camilo." The sand picked up again, and Camilo's image appeared. "To help Camilo…oh look! Someone is with him."

"Is it me?" Mirabel asked. "Do I have to hug him too?"

"It looks like an embrace to me." Bruno said.

"But it's not Mirabel!" Bianca said. "Her hair is too long!"

"Good eye, Senora!" Bruno said. "It's almost clear. Camilo needs to embrace…"

The image cleared. The girl stepped back and Mirabel gasped.

"VALENTINA?!" Mirabel shouted.

The image faded, and Bruno was now holding a plate of glass. Camilo and Valentina were still embracing.

"Oh, your friend! That's great!" Bruno said, but his smile vanished at Mirabel's horrified face. "Oh…it's not great?"

"Hold on." Bianca said, taking the plate. "What's going on, why is this bad?"

"It's a long story." Mirabel explained. "But…Tina hates Camilo!"

"What happened?" Bianca asked.

"After my first ceremony…Camilo and I grew apart. And Tina hated him for it…" Mirabel trailed off. Bianca nodded.

"I think I know what needs to happen." Bianca said. "You can try to meddle in this, but it looks like these two need to have a discussion. Maybe there needs to be forgiveness and healing. And it looks like they'll need to do that on their own…"

Mirabel took a deep breath. "Either way, I'll have to let Tina know…she's going to be wondering what Bruno said…oh, and thanks, Tio!" Mirabel gave her uncle a hug before leaving Antonio's room.

"Well, I better get back to the kitchen." Bianca said. "They'll probably want to talk about some plans for the wedding."

"Thanks for helping out, by the way." Bruno said, walking with Bianca out of Antonio's room.