Mystery masquerade
Chapter 1: Change of Plans
Dia de Los Muertos had come once again and things were being set up, last-minute touches were made to ofrendas and photos were polished; food was being put on tables and papiel picado was hung in the air with the Riveras it was no different.
"Luisa, hermana where are the tamales?" Gloria called
"On the left side in the kitchen ". She replied
Socorro was helping lay the marigolds out to a straight path with the twins helping out. While Miguel and Rosa were headed off to get the sugar skulls they had specially made, for each family member.
"Is that everything?" Miguel asked
"Si, you always do this you panic to make sure that everything is where it's supposed to be. I mean years ago you didn't even think about the holiday and now you're all over it like it's the next big thing like we haven't done this before ". Rosa sighed
"Some things change Prima". Miguel smiled
"Your heart definitely, here I thought it was made of stone". She joked
He bumped her out of annoyance and laughed as they walked back home, when they got back they had set the sugar skulls down on the table as Gloria checked them over.
"Good there here, I was worried you forgot them". Carmen sighed
"Since when did you turn into Mamá Elena ". Miguel laughed
"Be grateful Mijo you would know what she would do if she were here". Carmen reminded them
Miguel sighed at the thoughts of his Abuelita Elena taking charge of everything and making sure everything was perfect.
"Si". Miguel sighed
Socorro had just finished the marigolds and her last painting for the day when she saw her brother and hugged him tight as well as Rosa, Manny and Benny came in and smiled putting the last of the salsa on the table.
"I think Mamá Elena would be proud". Socorro smiled
"She would wouldn't she". Rosa said
"Let's close up the shop for tonight you know the rules". Berto replies
"Si". They cheered
Just then Mirabel knocked holding the last of her orders that she had made personally for her favourite family, ever since she came to Santa Cecilia she had made quite the life for herself leaving her old life behind.
"Hola, how's my favourite family?" Mirabel called
At the sound of Mirabel's voice, Socorro hugged her tightly and so did the twins; Miguel smiled at the sight and so did the rest of the family Mirabel was a very special person to them ever since she came. Mirabel had been part of the family for 4 years now and helped them through tough times like when Elena passed away and soon after Franco.
She was a Rivera by heart and strength and she had the boots to prove it, She was best friend Miguel and they would go on many adventures together. Dance until the sun goes down or spend time talking about the most random things.
Ever since she showed up in their lives it was like a whirlwind but a beautiful miracle that she was ever since she had been washed up on the river soaking wet; she could not be more grateful for the Riveras as they have helped her through everything trauma and all. They have given her something that she needed and wanted all of her life and they in turn have the most precious treasure they could ask for her.
"Mira we thought we wouldn't see you until tonight ". Luisa hugged her tight
"About that.." She drifts off
Miguel coaxed his head he always found Mirabel's words interesting and wondered where she wandered off to.
"I'm spending Dia de Muertos alone this year ". Mirabel replies
"Why?" The twins asked
As for the rest of the family, they were shaken that she had said such a thing she would always spend Dia de Los Muertos with them and it would always be something special and they would always have the greatest time together.
"I just can't with my visa being needed to be paid 2 weeks after and it's expensive, it's just a lot to handle right now if I don't do it soon I'm gonna head back to Columbia and get scolded ( no doubt for leaving) I'm just not in a good place right now that's all". Mirabel replies
Miguel felt broken that his love and best friend would be spending the holiday alone and that she wouldn't have him by his side, Socorro felt even more disappointed. Usually, that meant that they'd spend the night in the Plaza, that she would come and dance with her with the music and the festivities it was one of the best parts of the holiday just between sisters.
"Love if you need help with your visa why didn't you just ask?" Carmen questioned
Mirabel smiled and shrugged.
"I didn't want to bother you that's all ". She sighed
"You're so busy with holiday preparations and all I didn't want to add another thing to your list". She adds
"Mira you could just ask we'd be happy to help". Rosa hugged her tight smiling
She shook her head and moved away from the family a little bit knowing it would be better to just leave them be.
"No it's okay, I have to work anyway". Mirabel replies
She had left the hacienda running ashamed of herself and what she had done, Miguel running after her Cleary worried for her.
"Mira Wait, Wait slow down". He panted
She stopped and sighed and looked at Miguel with sadness and tears she looked like she was about to cry, He hugged her tightly and sighed right now he needed to help her and she needed the support she had collapsed onto the cobblestone weakened by tears. She knew she couldn't do this anymore and she was sick and tried of running; Miguel kissed her curls and sighed he would figure out a way to help her he just needed to find some answers.
"We'll find a way". He sighed
"How?" She questioned
To be honest Miguel had no idea how to fix this but he knew he had to try for her and even it meant he would have to find every search in the book.
"I don't know but your not going back there not if I can help it". He started determined
Mirabel was curled up against Miguel as they walked to her house, Miguel was determined not to let her go and that was a promise.
Mirabel slowly layed down on the bed as they enter the house as they had entered her room and he was determined to stay and make her feel okay, after all that was what best friends were for right and secretly let the love of his life go.
He had taken her glasses off as she slowly put her head on the pillow and Miguel smiled at the sight. Mirabel chuckled softly as he looked into those Amber eyes of hers his whole world was always going to be her.
"What?" She asked
"Nothing, I just am so happy right now". Miguel smiled
"Really?" She questioned unsure to believe him
He nodded and smiled as he sat down next to her she had her head on his lap smiling.
"Stay?" She asked
He wasn't going to deny her a thing and she was whole world he made sure she was no longer alone.
"Always". He whispered
"You're not alone you know that?" He adds
Mirabel hummed nodding. She slowly drifted off to sleep and Miguel smiled making sure she was comfortable he wasn't going to let anything bad happen to her.
"Mi Musico ". She sighed softly
Miguel smiled as he tucked her in with a blanket smiling not leaving her side not when she needed him the most.
"Always, Mira only yours". He nodded
She was the greatest thing that ever happened to him and he wasn't about to let that go as they fell asleep in each other's arms.
Finding a way is key right?