Chapter 9 (A/N: I forgot to ask this at the end of the last chapter, do you think Mirabel should stay with Marcos in his mansion or should she return to live with her family in Casita?)

Manuelmusical14: Thx.

NeverLander852: That's nice, and maybe.

Ainmals1: Okay, and thx and yes.

Hc94436: They'll do that towards the end.

As the days turned into a week, Mirabel enjoyed herself. She spent time with Marcos, Angela, and Valentina. With Marcos they went on walks in the city, he showed off his magic tricks which were improving, and talked.

With Angela and Valentina they went shopping, and talked about other topics. And while she was enjoying herself, she thought about her family. How were they doing without her?

In Encanto things at Casita weren't exactly going well. Without Mirabel around, things seemed to be different and not a good kind of different. Small cracks continued to appear in the walls, floors, and even in the windows.

And gifts continued to fade. Luisa was having trouble lifting heavy objects, Julieta's cooking wasn't able to heal people as fast anymore, and even little Antonio began having trouble talking to his new animal friends.

Everyone was starting to get worried, especially Alma. She called a meeting one morning in order to talk everything out. Once everyone was together they began venting their worries.

"My weather is going out of control. I can barely make rainbows anymore and my rainstorms are only drizzles." Pepa told.

"I can't transform as easily anymore." Camillo piped up.

"I'm having trouble hearing." Dolores said.

"Everybody, cálmate." Alma urged.

"What's going on Abuela?" Isabela wanted to know.

"Obviously something is wrong with our bonds with the community. We must work harder and try and gain the strength of your gifts back."

It sounded like a good plan to the Madrigals. They all got up, and went off to do their jobs and try to regain their gifts back. Alma then went up to the picture of her late husband.

"What is going on, mi amor?" she asked the photo.

At the Herrera mansion, Lorenzo and Esteban were watching a scene from the window of their study. They saw Mirabel and Marcos being together in the garden.

"Marcos' magic is getting stronger." observed Esteban.

"Si, and the two seem to be growing closer." Lorenzo added.

"Does this mean..."

"Almost, hermano. But it will be time soon."

Out in the garden, Marcos was practicing his magic with Mirabel watching.

"And now, I'll transform this garden into a babbling brook." he announced.

"You can do it, Marcos." Mirabel encouraged.

He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. Then he opened them again said the magic words, and waved his wand. And right before their very eyes, the ground started to fill with water and some hanging plants turned into a waterfall.

"Wow. your magic's really coming along, Marcos." Mirabel complimented.

She walked over to the waterfall, and touched the water. It felt nice and cool.

"Gracias, Mirabel." Marcos replied.

He then used another spell to put the garden back the way it was.

"My magic's been getting a lot better since you came Mirabel. I guess you really are helping me."

Mirabel blushed a little.

"Well it feels nice to actually be helpful for once."

The two then just stared at each other for moment.

"Well... we should get back inside now." Marcos finally said.

"Si, we should." agreed Mirabel.

And they walked in together.

Meanwhile, the Madrigals still having difficulties with their gifts. Isabela tried to grow some flowers, but they just didn't seem perfect enough.

"Que? My flowers are always perfect." she said to herself.

Alma walked by, and saw the scene.

"Everything all right, Isabela?" she asked.

Isabela quickly got herself together, and managed to produce some better looking flowers.

"Si, Abuela. Everything's fine."

"Good. We can't have any more mishaps."

And she went on. She quickly breathed a sigh of relief, but then her flowers wilted. Luisa was working out, trying to regain her strength. She ran in place on her running area in front of her door, while lifting weights.

She was trying her best, but she found it difficult.

"Keep going, Luisa." Alma instructed.

"(Pants), yes Abuela." Luisa replied.

As she walked on, she saw Bruno walking to his room.

"Bruno." "Si, Mama?"

"You may not want to give anyone any visions today." Bruno looked confused.

"We want to keep the people calm and they don't need to be scared by any bad visions."

"Yes, Mama."

In the kitchen, Julieta was whipping up lots of dishes.

"Oh, if only I could know if Mirabel is okay. Then I could fully focus." she told herself.

Augustin saw his wife's state, and tried to comfort her.

"I'm sure Mirabel's fine, Julieta." he comforted, as he put his hands on her shoulders.

"(Sighs), I just wish I could know that for sure."

He then hugged her.

Back with Mirabel, she was relaxing on her bed. The last few days had been so nice and even relaxing. She didn't have to worry about being in the shadow of her relatives, her abuela criticizing her, or the people pitying her.

In the mansion she could talk with Angela and Valentina about almost anything, and hanging out with Marcos made her so happy. Though she did have to admit, she was beginning to miss her family a little.

Like her parents, Antonio, Luisa, and even her other family members. Meanwhile, Marcos was in her room he was practicing. Suddenly, there was a knock at his door. Using his magic, he opened the door.

"Come in." Lorenzo and Esteban walked in.

"Marcos, we're glad to see your magic's improved." Lorenzo told him.

"Gracias."

"And we've noticed you and Mirabel have been getting closer lately." added Esteban.

Marcos blushed a little.

"Well she is a really nice girl. And pretty too."

The older brothers looked at each other and then back at their little brother.

"You know we're going out this evening to take care of some things in the city. So you and Mirabel will be by yourselves for dinner."

"Okay."

"So if you wanna do something nice go for it."

And then they left. That gave Marcos a great idea.

That's chapter 9, plz review