Welcome to the (growing) family Madrigal

Evidently, Mirabel had given her family too much credit.

Again.

Because here they were, the day of Antonios birthday, and here she was, three months pregnant, and not one person had noticed.

Now in her family's defence, when she said no one, she meant no one. Nobody in the Encanto had noticed, or if they had, hadn't said anything for whatever reason. At least she could make the argument her family was busy aiding the town and preparing for tonight, what was everyone else's excuse?

Well actually, she might know one. Her appetite had begun to increase recently, although she'd yet to develop any especially weird cravings, and some people might've been under the assumption she was stress eating due to Antonios birthday.

She suspected this because her Mother had taken her aside and gently told her in a roundabout way that eating her feelings wasn't healthy.

She'd almost laughed in her face.

Julieta was just trying to help, she knew that, and to her credit she had noticed something was going on with her. She'd just gotten it wrong and Mirabel would've corrected her if Abuela hadn't arrived and ushered Julieta away.

Actually, Mirabel was surprised no one had similar suspicions about her morning sickness, which sucked by the way. Of course she'd done a fairly good job of hiding it if she said so herself. She'd only been caught once so far by Luisa who'd thought she had the flu and, bless her heart, proceeded to fret over her.

She'd gently carried her back to bed and fetched her some water and their Mothers food. Which also couldn't cure morning sickness but thankfully took the edge off. It'd been nice, truthfully, having her big sister fuss over her. It would've been the perfect opportunity to tell Lusia she was going to be a Tia, and it nearly was, until Abuela remind Luisa she had work to do, shooing her off.

Then there was Dolores. She hadn't said anything that suggested she knew about the baby, but Mirabel was sure she must by now. Even if she'd hid the morning sickness from view, no doubt Deloris had heard. She kept giving Mirabel her Mothers food every chance she got, so she at least knew she was ill.

Mirabel had tried confronting her again a few times, but for once Deloris wasn't cracking. The few times it looked like she might, Abuela would tell her to stop distracting her cousin and send them both off.

…She was starting to notice a pattern.

Maybe she was giving her family enough credit. Maybe the problem wasn't with them…

No, she wasn't going to entertain those thoughts, not today at least.

Today was about her precious Primo.

Mirabel hummed as she put her blouse on, taking a moment to gently run her fingers over her stomach with a warm smile. She wasn't showing yet, but she could feel a slight curve. She'd already had to let her clothes out a little, so it wouldn't be much longer.

If the entire Encanto still couldn't figure out she was pregnant by then, she'd eat her accordion.

"Are you excited for your Primos birthday mi dulce bebe? I know I am" she whispered softly as she stroked her stomach. She'd been anxious about the baby at first, but now she was starting to get excited.

Would they look more like her or Lorenzo? Would they be a boy or a girl? She'd yet to think up a girl's name, and she was torn between naming them in memory of their Father or her Abuelo if she had a son. Good thing she still had time.

Now fully dressed, Mirabel gently patted her stomach with a nod "lets go do our best!" Ready for the day, she left the nursery and made her way to the kitchen. "Moring Abuelo" she greeted the portrait of Pedro as she did every morning. Normally, she'd be sliding down the stairs, but she wasn't going to take any chances with her baby if she didn't have to.

Mirabel resumed her humming as she and Casita got the breakfast table prepared. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a few kids running up to Casita. Mirabel smiled as she instantly recognized Juancho, Alejandra, and Cecilia. These three in particular seemed especially found of her.

"Hey!" Juancho called out once they approached the window "when's the magic gift happing?!"

"My cousins' ceremony is tonight" she answered casually, she was used to these kinds of questions. They weren't the first kids to ask her about her family, they wouldn't be the last.

"What's his gift?!" Alejandra cried, just as excited.

"We're gonna find out."

"What's your gift?!"

"Whose asking?" She replied slyly.

"US!" All three chimed.

Mirabel chuckled "well us, I can't just talk about myself. I'm only part of the amazing Madrigals."

"Who are all the amazing Madrigals?!"

Mirabel shook her head playfully "ah, you're not gonna leave me alone, are you?" She asked with a smirk. Well, might as well give them what they want "Casita, help me out..."

"MIRABEL!"

Mirabel flinched at the sound of Abuela's sharp call, turning to face her. By now she was surrounded by kids begging to know what her gift was. They were all fairly young, so it made sense if they didn't remember or know yet. Didn't make talking about it any easier. "What are you doing?" Abuela asked, staring at her with a dumfounded expression. On the bright side she didn't look or sound mad.

"Uh-"

"She was about to tell us about her super awesome gift!" Alejandra blurted out at the top of her lungs, pointing at her. Mirabel froze, really hoping that didn't make Abuela mad.

"Oh" Dolores spoke up before Abuela could respond "Mirabel didn't get one" she answered bluntly. With a shrug and squeak, she scurried off to continue helping with the preparations. Abuela, seemingly satisfied, followed suite.

Mirabel wasn't sure if it was good or bad that Deloris had responded before Abuela could, but as the children all turned to look at her, she decided it was bad. "You didn't get a gift?" A girl asked, sounding sad and shocked that such a thing was possible.

Worse, she sounded disappointed.

"Well-"

"Mirabel!" Her head shot up to see Senor Osvaldo coming over with a big basket. "Delivery. I gave you the special, since you're the only Madrigal kid without a gift" he said cheerfully, all but tossing the overflowing basket into her arms. She just barley moved her body in time to avoid it hitting her stomach "I call it the not-special…special since, uh…you have no gift!" He said proudly with a smile.

Mirabel clenched her teeth as she forced a smile on her face. She knew he was trying to be nice, or assumed he was, but could he really not hear himself? "Thanks" she managed as politely as she could.

Senor Osvaldo nodded, completely oblivious. "Oh and tell Antonio good luck" he added as he was leaving "last gift ceremony was a bummer! Last being yours, that-that did not work" he chuckled as he walked off. Oh, he was so lucky she'd been craving sweets and these candies looked amazing to her right now.

"If I was you, I'd be really sad" the girl continued, now just pitying her.

Mirabel wasn't bothered though because she knew better. "Well actually" she said softly as she crouched down with a sly smile "I do have a gift" she whispered "or I will anyway."

The children's eyes lit up "what is it?" A boy asked in awe.

"I don't know" she shrugged playfully "my gift hasn't gotten here yet." The kids looked between each other in confusion, not understanding what she meant. "You see, my gift isn't the same as the ones my family has, its a special gift, I have to wait for it" she explained dramatically, without giving anything away.

"How come you gotta wait?" Another girl asked.

"I'll explain later" she promised "after the party, its too crazy right now." That and she refused to take any attention away from Antonio. Especially if the reaction ended up being a negative one. There would be plenty of time to share her news.

…Assuming anyone besides the kids would listen.

"Hola Mirabel" another, more gentle voice called out. Adjusting her grip on the basket, Mirabel stood to see Senora Delgado approaching with a smile and wave. "Let me take that for you, dear, you shouldn't be carrying something so heavy" she said as she took the basket from her.

Mirabel smiled "gracias, Senora Delgado."

"Mirabel sweetie, I told you. Call me Inez" she said with a smile as they walked into Casita.

Senor Osvaldo watched, scratching his head in confusion. Wouldn't it make more sense for Mirabel to carry the basket? True, she wasn't Luisa, but she was young and fairly strong. Why would she need Senora Delgado to carry that for her?

Most of the Encanto had noticed the widow had grown closer to the young Madrigal recently. Some believed she was trying to fill the void left by her sons death, and he was beginning to think they were on to something.

"You're not wearing black today" Mirabel said as they made their way in, just now noticing her black shawl was nowhere to be seen.

Senora Delgado smiled sadly "it seemed appropriate" she admitted "I could practically hear Lorenzo's scolding me, telling me to take a break from mourning to celebrate Antionio's big day."

"He would do that" Mirabel agreed with a sad smile of her own. The children quickly ran off once they were inside, Mirabel and Senora Delgado did their best to avoid bumping into the many people coming and going. Including Luisa, who offered them both a quick hello as she passed.

They especially tried to avoid Pepa's building storm as she paced anxiously, muttering to herself. "Tia's been especially apprehensive these last few days" Mirabel confessed with a sigh "I hope she'll be able to relax a little after tonight."

Senora Delgado shook her head sympathetically "pobre querida, it can't be easy having such a gift. I don't know how she does it, goodness knows I couldn't." She set the basket down on the kitchen counter, accepting some candy once Mirabel broke open a jar.

"Hola Inez" Julieta greeted as she and Agustin entered. The two went to return the greeting and nearly chocked at the sight of Agustin's swollen face and hands.

"Bee sting?" Mirabel asked.

"Bee sting" her Father nodded. Mirabel shook her head, offering him a candy as her Mother got to work "how are you feeling Mirabel? Luisa told me you were feeling sick earlier this week" he asked gently.

"I'm feeling pretty good, Dad" she assured him. It was true, the morning sickness was starting to die down. At the very least, it wasn't giving her grief today, thank goodness.

"And…about the ceremony?" Julieta asked carefully, looking at her with worry as she gave her husband some food, healing him instantly.

Mirabel sighed "I think I'm doing pretty good" she confessed. It was true, she'd been expecting to feel more anxious for Antonios ceremony, but she was surprisingly calm right now.

"Just don't feel like you have to overdo it" Julieta told her daughter gently, taking her hands into hers "I know today must be hard for you. So if you need anything at all, even just to talk, your Papa and I are here."

Mirabel smiled gratefully, when she wasn't trying too hard, she never failed to say the right thing. She was gonna be a great Abuela.

"I know Mama" Mirabel patted her hand before taking off "I'm gonna do some decorating then go find Antonio, I've got something for him." Julieta sighed as she watched her youngest disappear, wringing her hands from stress. Her husband joined her side, looking just as concerned.

"Don't you worry about Mirabel too much, she's a strong girl" Senora Delgado assured them "she's told me herself how excited she is for her Primo to get his gift, I have no doubt she'll get through today."

The couple smiled as Julieta sighed "I just wish I could do more for her. Its like every time I have a minuet to spare, Mama drags me off again."

"Alma's…complicated" Senora Delgado said with a wince "but she's always thought highly of you, Julieta. I'm sure if anyone can reason with her, its you." She could only hope that was as true as it was reassuring. She couldn't pretend she knew exactly what Alma had been through, but she felt like she had a bit of a better understanding after her own losses.

She just feared what more Alma might lose before she saw the flaws in her design.

Especially if the cost was her great-grandchild.

Mirabel sighed as she shut the door to the nursery. She'd just narrowly avoided Abuela on the way up and could still hear her Mother asking Abuela to go easy on her. Needles to say, it didn't sound like she was high on Abuela's priority list, not that she was all that surprised. She could also hear voices calling for Antonio, who'd disappeared.

Or so they thought.

Grabbing the present from her desk, Mirabel sat on her bed with a hum "everyone's looking for you" she said softly to the seemingly empty room. When she got no response, she dangled the box above the space between the bed and floor "this present will self destruct if you don't take it in three…two…on-oh!" She gasped with a small giggle as the gift was snatched from her hand.

A few seconds later, Antonio crawled out from under the bed and sat next to her, holding the present close. He'd rather stay hidden, but he knew Mirabel would come after him if he did and that might not be good for the baby.

"Nervous?" She asked gently, he stayed silent, gaze down cased. "You have nothing to worry about. Your gonna get your gift, and your gonna open that door, and it is going to be the coolest thing ever. I know it" she assured him.

"…What if it doesn't work?" He finally whispered.

Mirabel wanted so badly to tell him otherwise, but after her own ceremony, it felt like a cruel empty promise. "Well…" she began, choosing her words very carefully "…in that impossible scenario, you'd stay here in the nursery" she placed a hand on her stomach with a warm smile "with us. And we'd get all to ourselves."

Antonio smiled and put his own hand on her stomach. He'd been so excided about the baby ever since she'd told him, it was all he talked about when they were alone "can you feel them yet?"

"Nah, still too little. But I'll let you know when I do, pinky swear."

Antonio grinned before his face fell "I wish you could have a door."

Mirabel smiled "I don't need a door" she said confidently as she put her arm around him "not when I have the two of you. Alas" she sighed dramatically "I am going to miss having the worlds greatest roommate" she said as she patted the present.

"Until the baby" Antonio reminded her.

She chuckled "until the baby." Antonio took the lid off the box, his face lighting up as he picked up the stuffed jaguar. "I know you're an animal guy, and I made this so you always have something to snuggle in your cool new room" Mirabel explained, holding him close.

She was really going to miss him, but it was better he leaves her behind then get left behind.

"…Can you walk to my door with me?" He'd been wanting to ask her for awhile now, but couldn't find the courage. He knew how hard today would be for her already, but he wasn't sure he could do this alone.

Everyone kept talking about how worried they were his ceremony would fail too, but Antonio didn't care if he ended up like Mirabel. What was wrong with being like Mirabel? His siblings and Luisa all thought she was great; he'd heard them say so himself! He was pretty sure Isabela thought so too, even if she tried to hide it for some reason.

"Y-you don't have too" he began quickly "I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked-"

Mirabel squeezed him again "I don't blame you for being afraid" she assured him "and I bet the baby would be more then happy to help." Her hand returned to her stomach "I'm sure they're cheering their Primo on right now, maybe they'll even bring you good luck."

Antonio giggled, unable to hide his relief. He knew how hard it must've been for her to say yes and wanted her to know how much he appreciated it. He'd have to find a way to thank her properly when this was all over.

Mirabel couldn't pretend she was thrilled about taking that walk again, but she wasn't about to leave Antoino in his time of need. It was kind of her fault there was so much pressure on him, the least she could do was make sure he knew no matter the outcome, she would always be there for him.

If she had to, she would do the same for her child.

The quiet moment was interrupted by Casita nudging a clock over to them. Guess they were officially out of time.

"Okay" she said with a deep breath and gave the most confidant smile she could "you ready?" Antonio matched her smile with a nod, he was as ready as he was going to be, and that would have to be good enough.

Before he could move, Mirabel pulled him into another hug. "Sorry, gotta get one more squeeze" she giggled, Antonio giggling as well, enjoying every second. Casita began tapping a floorboard impatiently, breaking up the moment "okay, okay, we're going!" She laughed as they got up.

Neither of them paid any attention as Abuela recited her usual speech. Mirabel touched her stomach as she thought about her child's future ceremony. Would anyone make a big deal of it, given that it was her baby?

Would they even bother to celebrate?

"Mirabel" Antonios whispered "no matter what happens, lets promise to celebrate the baby's fifth birthday together. Okay?"

Mirabel stared at him in astonishment before snorting in amusement "are you sure you haven't already gotten your gift to read minds?" She teased, ruffling his hair as he laughed.

"Tonight" Abuela's voice suddenly caught their attention "we come together once more as another steps into the light to make us proud."

This was it.

Antonio gulped quietly as Casita set up the pathway and shown spotlights onto him and Mirabel. She'd waited until her Tia, Tio, and Primos had left before coming to stand at his side, taking his hand which he was now squeezing tightly.

The change in atmosphere was almost immediate.

She could see the looks of confusion on everyone's faces, fair, she was sure no one had been expecting her to be there with him. They probably hadn't even been expecting her to be at the party at all. Which she could also understand. A couple of people looked anxious, but she couldn't place why, or didn't want to at the very least.

Then there was her family.

They looked confused too, but she could see the panic in hers and Antonios parents' eyes. Isabella looked annoyed, what else was new, although not as annoyed as usual, which was interesting. Luisa, Dolores, and Camilo where harder to place.

The only one she couldn't bring herself to look at was Abuela.

She caught it briefly and was relieved not to see any anger.

Didn't mean she might not get an earful later.

Her saving grace was Senora Delgado. The older woman was smiling warmly at them, almost encouragingly. It was enough for Mirabel to get herself to move, holding her head high and forcing down all those overwhelming feelings.

Let them think whatever they wanted. This wasn't about them or her; this was about Antonio. He wanted her here. He needed her for just a little while longer, and she wasn't going to fail him.

"Let's get you to your door" she told him softly. With a nod from him, they began the far too long walk.

Mirabel could hear a few whispers as they passed, but she ignored them. It was hard enough to stay calm with the awful memories of her own failed ceremony resurfacing.

She couldn't break, she needed to remain strong, for both their sakes.

Suddenly, those memories faded away.

In their place, she saw a small child. She couldn't make out if they were a boy or a girl, but they were about Antonios age and were wearing white just like he was now.

The child was walking down this very same path with a nervous but excited smile. Eyes locked on the shimmering door ahead. Meeting her own from where she stood waiting with a proud, encouraging smile that promised no matter what happened, she would never stop loving them.

Little hands touched the candle so gently, making the same promise as so many before them had. Those same little hands reached out and touched the waiting doorknob, and there was an eruption of golden light as the new door appeared. The child's picture printed on the front.

Her child.

Mirabel made the rest of the walk with a smile.

Now I truly, truly apricate how much everyone is enjoying this story, but please try to be patient with updates. I want the chapters to be as good as possible, and I have other stories I want to work on as well.

Seriously though, thank you all very much for the nice comments. I can't remember if I said it in the last chapter, I was so blown away by the number of favs and follows that are ever growing, but I am indeed grateful.

Until next time.