Chapter 2

Ideas and Impressions

Mirabel trod inside the kitchen, the house dancing its tiles in a greeting before bouncing the alarm clock on the table, which ticked as if mocking her.

"It's not that late, Casita."

The drawers made a harsh sound, wood rubbing on wood as if to voice a protest.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm fine. What could have happened anyway?"

She grabbed an arepa from a bowl, and plopped down on her chair, chewing unhurriedly.

Familiar steps echoed on the stairs. Then Julieta was in the kitchen, and her daughter smiled at her through a mouthful of food.

"Mi vida, where have you been? You know you're not…"

"…allowed to be outside after nightfall. Yes, Mamá, I know. Lo siento."

Julieta sat down, neatening Mirabel's curls with a hand as she continued to stare at the table, chewing absent-mindedly.

"Is something wrong, corazón?"

The girl took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"Mamá, what I'm about to ask you might sound very weird, but you'll have to trust me."

"I'm listening."

"Today I went to the orphanage, and Señora Castillo presented me to someone. His name is Carlos Serrano." She tried not to smile when saying his name. "He's new in Encanto and– Why are you looking at me like that?"

Julieta's eyes had widened, watching her cautiously.

"Go on. Finish what you started."

Determination escalated inside Mirabel. She had to do something about Carlos's situation. She couldn't stay passive while he suffered. Not when she could do something. Therefore she went on, telling her mother about the separated siblings, but not revealing what Carlos had begged her to keep private.

"And here's what I'm asking you. Do you think that maybe, I don't know, we could… um… adopt Rafael?"

Julieta was visibly stunned, trying to find her words.

"What I mean is that," Mirabel hastened to add, "Carlos is devastated that his little brother has to live at el orfanato, and that he can't get him out of there. So I was thinking… My point is that with us, little Rafael would have a home and the prospect of him being moved to another orphanage - although I don't see a reason for that - would be no more. Carlos will be able to take care of him eventually, but maybe we could do that in the meantime."

The healer had been listening intently, absorbing her daughter's words like a sponge. She entered a contemplative phase once Mirabel wrapped up her pleading.

"I know this sounds a little off, considering that I've barely met Carlos and everything, but… I really feel that we can do something good, Mamá!"

There was so much hope, so much light in her eyes that Julieta's heart almost broke.

"Corazón, that's very kind of you, but I don't think it's possible. Not that I don't want to, but how will the other kids at the orphanage feel if Rafael gets adopted by none other than the Madrigals? And he's only been here for a few days, while the other children have lived there for years."

Mirabel drummed her fingers on the table, pondering her words.

"Carlos doesn't even know us," Julieta carried on. "We might be magical, but we'll still be strangers in his - and Rafael's - eyes. Carlos will feel uncomfortable about letting his sibling get adopted not only by us, but by anybody, since you said they're new in Encanto."

"You're right, I didn't think about it that way."

Mirabel's eyes widened as if a bolt of inspiration had struck her. "But I can do something! This'll make them so joyous! It will be wonderful!"

She jolted from her chair, the movement so rough her glasses went askew.

"Gracias, Mamá!" She kissed her mother's cheek before darting on the stairs that Casita had just conjured for her, shutting the nursery door with a loud thud.

Still at the table, despite her tiny smile, Julieta sighed plaintively.

"Ay, mi hija… Always thinking about others, yet never about herself…"


When the next Thursday knocked on the door, light-heartedly and with developing eagerness after having buckled down day and night, Mirabel set out towards the orphanage earlier than usual, carrying two baskets with Julieta's food (that she'd helped her mamá prepare) and a big carton box that contained colourful wrapped-up presents, every one of them with a small sticker with every child's name.

After nearly tripping on the few stairs that led to the entrance, she pushed the door open with her elbow and shoulder. The laughs and chirpy chatter of the little ones covered the creaks of the wood planks as she walked. Upon reaching the lounge, several pairs of eyes shifted their focus to her. And amongst them…

Carlos.

He was here too.

Mirabel responded to his smile with her own bright one as he came to her side.

"¡Hola, Mirabel! Let me help you."

"Hi! Thanks! Can you take the baskets to the kitchen, por favor?"

"Sure!"

He went and returned lightning fast while she got bombarded with questions about the mysterious box. She even had to lift it above her head so that the taller kids wouldn't reach it.

"Settle down, amigos!" She knelt on the central carpet that was so puffy it tickled her feet and shins.

Carlos took a place on the floor, Rafael leaning over his shoulder.

Mirabel sent some loose strands over her head, playfully asking the kids, "What do you think is in here?"

"Candy!"

"Teddy bears!"

"Shoes!"

At the last reply, she raised her brows. "Wow, those are some high expectations!"

Giggles ran round the room, the children holding their breath as she opened the carton box, letting its insides slide onto the carpet.

"There's something for every one of you! Go ahead and search for your names."

The bliss on the children's faces was indefinable, their movements unbridled as they found their presents.

"Is there one for me too?" Rafael neared the Madrigal girl with big glassy eyes.

"Of course there is, cariño! Here, I think this is it."

She handed him a red package, his name shining in glitter ink on the small piece of paper glued upon it, which he opened just in time with the others. His eyes balled out at the sight of the shirt that was surprisingly his right size. The other children cheered as they put on their garments - ponchos, blouses, pants, skirts, all embroidered meticulously. Some rushed to the mirror; a few girls began capering right away to watch their skirts swing around.

"These are so beautiful!" One of them traced the painstaking patterns with her finger in wonder.

Mirabel laughed with them, her smile so big it hurt her cheeks. Her attention was diverted from the kids when Carlos perched himself at the foot of the chaise next to her.

"Thank you, Mirabel! I owe you."

"You owe me nothing! You're already going through enough as it is. I did this because I love crafting. If people like what I create, that's the biggest reward I could ever ask for."

She looked once more at the children who were still amazed at what they'd received.

"And making those in need happy makes me happy, so…"

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a tender smile. Her heart fluttered.

Rafael appeared out of thin air and encircled Mirabel's neck with his thin arms, holding her so tightly that she struggled to breathe, but she enfolded him nevertheless.

"Gracias, Mirabel!"

"My pleasure, cariño."

He pulled away to face his sibling, waving to his shirt. "Do you like it, hermano?"

Carlos felt the garment between his fingertips.

"Cotton," he remarked. "It looks really good on you, Rafi."

After another beam at the girl, the young boy took off at the call of one of his friends.

"How did you get everyone's sizes right?" Carlos queried curiously.

Mirabel's gaze was still fixed on Rafael's tittering face. "I studied what I saw them wear every time I came here. I'd been wanting to make some clothes for them for a long time, and I finally have. But honestly, I may or may not have gone with my gut a little bit, too."

She grinned a little sheepishly, but her worries waned when he commented, "That's good. It means you have a good eye for fashion."

He gave her a sidelong glance and a crooked smile.

She elevated a brow. He was so… confident in flirting with her. She'd seen Camilo try to flirt with girls before, yet, as extroverted as her older primo was, he couldn't come close to the poised self-assurance that Carlos was exuding with every inch of his being, starting with the hazel eyes that regarded her with undivided attention.

"Mi hermanito doesn't warm up to people that fast." He winked at his brother across the room, who responded with his own wink. Mirabel couldn't help observing how alike the simple gestures were.

Before she could say anything, the voice she recognized as belonging to Hugo called to her from his place in a corner, "Mira, Mira! Is it true that there will be a party in Encanto on the night of Año Nuevo?"

"¡Sí!"

Alondra twirled before the mirror. "So there will be candy, music and dancing?"

"As much as you can imagine, chiquita!"

Isla tapped her foot. "Do you think Señora Castillo will let us take part in it? Or at least see it?"

"If you're good kids and listen to her, I don't see why she wouldn't bring you along for a couple of hours. But that doesn't mean you'll be able to stay until the end."

Isla grinned. "Mirabel, will you dance this year?"

Mirabel's eyes enlarged, her limbs stiffening. She could feel the weight of the gazes of all the children, but most of all, she could feel Carlos's investigative eyes pin on her face.

She twisted a curl around her finger. "I… have been practising indeed, but… I don't know…"

The children's disappointed faces hurt her.

"But you dance so well!" Isla came beside her to take her hand that was very warm and had begun sweating, to Mirabel's dismay. "What do you have to lose if you try anyway? Especially since you've already prepared something."

The Madrigal squeezed her hand back. "You're right, sweetie. Tell you what, I promise I'll think about it, sí?"

Isla gave her a solemn look, crossing her arms, yet a spark of hope and delight glimmered beneath her green irises. "Okay!"

After she left, Mirabel continued staring in her lap, at the colourful sewn icons that represented her family members.

"What will you be dancing?" Carlos asked, the question awakening her to reality.

"I've been debating that a lot, and I still haven't made up my mind. I guess I'll see."

He nodded in understanding.

"Do you like dancing?" she queried rather timidly.

"Ever since I was little." He laid his head back on intertwined hands with a content smile. "My parents taught me everything I know, especially my father. I can't live without music, I can't bear not to be on stage every once in a while, yet I haven't decided who I wanna be yet. I have more pressing matters to deal with at the moment."

"Your parents sound like amazing people."

"They were. They truly were. My biggest supporters."

Only the chatter of the kids was heard until Carlos spoke, "So… your family is magical from what I've heard."

"Yep!" She had a nagging feeling as to where the conversation was heading.

She gave him a brief description of her family's gifts and the history of how they came to receive the miracle.

Mirabel wrung her hands. "I wish I had met my abuelo Pedro. Even for only a few minutes. Abuela hasn't told us much about him because it hurts her, but from what we know, he was a very selfless, kind and hard-working man."

"Condolences for your loss," he said sadly.

"Thank you."

"Your family is magical… Well, that's not something you hear every day. What about you? You didn't tell me about your gift."

Mirabel rubbed the back of her neck, pushing her glasses up. She braced herself to speak the words that had been dominating her life for almost a decade. Before she had the chance to open her mouth though, he perked up.

"Wait, no, don't tell me! I wanna guess." He held his chin thoughtfully, squinting. "It's… flying! No? Invisibility! Laser eyes? Um… Speed!"

"Carlos, please…"

"No, wait! I love reading comics, there's no way I can't guess. Telekinesis! Teleportation? Portal opening? Then…"

"I don't have a gift."

He went speechless, his eyes wide. Humiliation and self-consciousness overwhelmed Mirabel, just like she'd felt on the night of her ceremony.

Failed ceremony.

She tried to stay positive, pulling a practised smile. "But hey! No reason to pity me. This is what fate had in store for me, and I accepted it years ago. Maybe it's better this way, and my family and I just don't know it. I won't lie, it is hard sometimes, not being like them, but… I honestly believe that I do have something special to offer the world exactly like my family does. I'm still… figuring out what that is."

She was astonished to find herself speaking from her heart rather than from her brain - as she had done every time someone had asked the same question.

Carlos was staring at her, his countenance indefinite. She hoped he wouldn't have prejudice regarding her now that he knew the truth.

She inhaled. "Every time I feel like I can't measure up, I remember that life has a lot to offer, even when we don't see it. Our experiences make us stronger, they make us who we are." She sighed before a wave of determination lit her eyes. "Life goes on. Your journey shouldn't be put to a stop by a setback. There's no time to waste our existence fantasizing about what could've been;we should all live our lives looking ahead."

Even the children had ceased their boisterous fun to listen to her speech. An ear-splitting quietness ensued.

Mirabel realized how intense her gaze had become, how tight her chest and fists. She resumed her tranquil posture, chuckling.

"This got deep, didn't it?"

Carlos eased his back, resting against the small sofa. "It did."

He didn't question the reason why she was ungifted, unlike what she'd been more than prepared for. He brushed his side-parted bangs up, thinking. Contemplating.

She was stunned to find awe in his gaze.

"You know, Mirabel? You're something."

"You mean in a negative or positive way?"

His eyes already held the answer.

"I say the latter suits you."

She didn't want to admit that her heart had grown wings.

She grinned slyly, getting up. "You're flirting shamelessly!"

With that, she hurled a cushion in his face, which hit him at full speed.

He snickered impotently. "What did I do? I just told the truth! I meant it!"

"Niños, get him!" she ordered, starting for the hallway.

Soon enough, with Rafael at the lead, over a dozen children pounced on Carlos, who collapsed onto the floor, laughing loudly enough to scare the birds outside.

Before turning the corner, Mirabel peeked back.

A broad smile bloomed on her lips.


Mirabel stayed longer that day. She'd always found it hard to leave the orphanage behind, to leave the kids in her wake and return home feeling guilt-ridden because she had everything they did not.

Carlos and Rafael multiplied the forthcoming dolour she knew she'd face once stepping foot outside the orphanage. Seeing them laugh and play-fight with each other did bring rays of sunshine in her heart, but sorrow was aroused within her at the reminder that they were separated, that…

Why did she have so many things when others didn't? What had she done to deserve everything she had?

Out of the blue, the lack of gift didn't seem to loom over her like a threatening shadow, it was held back by…

Gratitude.

An indefinite amount of it.

Why should she mourn what she'd been promised yet not bestowed when she had all the people and things that she needed in her life?

Mirabel beamed, and a relief more powerful than ever before engulfed her.

"Mira!"

She was thrust out of her reverie when a breathless child banged the door to the wall.

"It's Isla! She fell through a hole in the tree in the backyard garden and can't get out. She fell through… We were playing and… and…"

He succumbed to the sobs he was unable to contain.

"What!?" Carlos burst, Mirabel being too shocked to speak.

They made eye-contact. As if on cue, they simultaneously rushed outside, a group of curious children on their trail.

Mirabel knew she could rescue Isla.

Another chance to prove her worth.

No matter how many chances you have, you'll never be able to–

No. Stop!

They needn't wait for her family to save the day. She was a Madrigal as well, and she was capable of great things, only in other ways compared to her familia. Her surprise for the kids stood as solid proof of that.

"Stay here! And somebody go ask for Julieta's food in the kitchen! Quickly!" she instructed the kids, who came to a halt on the short-trimmed grass before all of them dispersed to fulfil her command.

"I know that hollow," she then told Carlos, whom she noticed was itching to be helpful. "The oak is tall, but the cavity's not very deep."

"I could slide in and get her out," he offered.

She shook her head. "No. You stay up there," she pointed to the branch that was nearest to the recess, "and help me get down to the bottom. You're stronger than I am, so I'll give her to you and you'll pull her out."

"Are you sure it'll work?"

Concern and anxiety were crashing in his voice.

She didn't falter, "Yes."

They swarmed up, the thick branches not giving away under their weight; they made out Isla's figure curled up at the base of the cavity.

"Are you hurt, Isla?"

"I think I broke my ankle," came the whimpering reply.

The teenagers eyed one another for a moment that seemed to last an eternity. Silent acknowledgement.

Mirabel took Carlos's extended hands. A warm electric sensation ran from her palms throughout her body, but it wasn't thanks to the adrenaline setting her muscles on fire.

"You're sweating," he nervously chuckled.

She huffed. "I know, I know. No need to mention it. Hold my wrists if it's safer."

Carlos listened and lowered her into the wide empty space. Gradually.

His grip was deathly, and Mirabel had to bite her lip to keep from crying out to him.

"You can let me go now," she let him know once she realized she wouldn't be harmed by the distance between her feet and the wooden floor.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, just do it!"

Reluctantly, he eased his grasp. Her feet made a low thud at the impact; she knelt down beside Isla.

"Hey, sweetie. It's alright, we'll get you out of here safely."

The girl's tear-streaked face shone in the few rays of light that could protrude through the leaves above. "It hurts…"

Mirabel wiped her cheeks. "The worse it hurts, the deeper you should breathe. You'll be healed soon. Now hang on, okay?"

Still panting, Isla managed to smile and nod before Mirabel lifted her carefully by the waist and above her head.

"Give Carlos your hands! It's the only way he'll reach you."

The boy levered Isla, steadily holding her in his arms while solacing her. She was weeping by now, so he hastened to descend though not without being extra attentive on his way down.

Alondra was waiting at the foot of the oak with arepas in hands, her large eyes swimming in tears. Upon taking a bite, Isla's ankle returned to its normal position, and Carlos expelled a sigh, laying her down on the grass. In no time, he was back up, his arms outstretched to Mirabel.

"She's okay," he assured before she could ask the question. As he hauled her out, he completed, "The food worked very fast."

She grinned, relieved. "That's my mamá's doing. And I'll tell mi hermana Isabela to come and mend this tree."

Once on the ground, Isla pulled both her and Carlos close.

"Thank you! Thank you!" she cooed, smiling from ear to ear just as Señora Castillo approached them in a hurry.

"I heard what happened. Are you three alright?"

"We are now," voiced Carlos before turning to Mirabel. "We make a good team."

Her smile was contagious. "We do."


A/N: Thanks for reading and for your feedback!

Mirabel is still struggling with the lack of gift. She's already accepted the fact that she'll never have one, yet she can't help but sometimes wonder about it, despite the way she tries to comfort herself. I think that she'd try to find the true meaning and purpose of (her) life as well as enjoy it while simply being herself and hoping that she'd eventually be seen for who she is.

Also, some of Carlos's backstory. Here it is! Of course, more will be revealed later.

Hope you enjoyed!