Chapter Text
Mirabel and Isabela were jumping for joy in the nursery. Today was the day. The twins were getting their gifts today. The first Madrigal grandchildren to recieve their gifts.
Needless to say, the five-year-olds were excited.
“Alright niñas. Tranquilos por favor.” Abuela’s words were stern but her grin gave away her own excitement. The first gift ceremony in thirty-four years would do that to a woman.
“Abuela, what gift do you think we will get?” Isa asked, sitting on the bed next to Abuela.
“Will we be able to heal like Mamá?” Mirabel asked.
“Will we see the future like Tío? Or control the weather like Tía?”
“Will we get something new? Like being super fast?”
“Or super smart?”
“Or super strong?”
“Or super cool?”
“You don't need to be super cool, Isa. You’re already really super pretty and awesome.”
“True. You can have super cool. I will be super smart since you’re extra, mega smart.”
Abuela chuckled. “You two remind of your mamá at her gift ceremony. So easily excited.”
“Nuh-uh, Mamá is sooooo quiet, Abuela. You must be thinking of Tía.”
“Sí, we have to be like Papi. He gets so excited that Mamá has to heal him.”
“True, true. But it's not a bad thing. It is okay to get excited for your new gifts.”
“Yay! New gifts.” The twins cheered.
Suddenly Casita bounced a clock over towards the three of them, indicating it was almost time for the ceremony to start.
“Sí, sí Casita. We’re coming.” The three of them started moving off the nursery bed.
“Abuela, what do you think our gifts will be?”
“I don’t know, muñeca. But what I do know is that you will both receive a gift, just as special as you. And it will make your family proud.”
“It will make our family proud.” The twins echoed.
With that mantra in their heads, the two made their way to their doors. Doors that would change their lives forever.
16 years later …
Mirabel walked along a path in the forest just outside of the Encanto. The sun was shining, but was not too hot for a Colombian autumn.
Mirabel loved these little walks. It was one of the few places where she could have a moment to herself. Casita was too loud at times and full of people, the nursery had no privacy, and the village itself was full of gossips that loved to compare her to the rest of her family, especially her older twin.
She followed the path until she made her way to the river. Excitedly she took off her shoes and dipped her toes in the water. The river was the furthest she was officially allowed to go on these trips, and as much as she wished to venture further, she knew Dolores would love the opportunity to snitch on her.
So dipping her feet into the cool water was the best she was going to get.
She laid back on the riverbank, staring at the midday sky. She saw various toucans and other birds flying, some coatis scurrying through the trees, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw capybaras approaching the water for a drink.
The sounds of the forest was the perfect distraction from the burdens of being Mirabel Ordinaria , especially the day of the Encanto’s fiftieth anniversary. Her entire family was pitching in to help.
Abuela was coordinating the whole event, showing off the family’s gifts and their continued commitment to the Encanto. She ensured that everyone was doing their part.
Everyone except for her.
Even though Mirabel was eager to help, Abuela’s only words to her was that she should ‘step aside’ and let her family do what they do best. She told Mirabel that if tonight went well, then Isabela would get engaged to Mariano and they would be the start of the next generation.
Hearing that, Mirabel sighed and walked off, passing by her various family members to end up where she is now: laying on the ground, feet in the river and staring at the sky.
She was tired. Tired of the rejection, the ignorance, the teasing, the bullying, but most of all the loneliness.
Her family did not have time for her. Hell, half of them seemed to outright dislike her. She had no friends and people seemed to make it a game to avoid her. The only ones that paid her any mind were the town’s children, but since they had their own families and friends to return to, it only temporarily alleviated the loneliness.
During moments like these, Mirabel wished she had a family of her own. She was twenty-one years old, and like her sister, she was of marrying age. Children were not her desire just yet, but she would eventually want a lot of hijos. At least five.
She could imagine returning home, after a day of being ignored by her family, and being greeted by her spouse and their children. They would want to hear about her day and she would want to hear about theirs. She would tell them how much she loves them and make sure they know they will always be enough. No gifts or special skills required.
At night, she would tuck her children in and tell them again how much she loves them. She would go to her room with her spouse and give them a kiss, telling them how much she loves them, while they tell her the same, falling asleep in each other's arms.
Mirabel smiled at such a life. Nothing fancy, but one where every member of the family was important and did not need to earn their place.
Unfortunately, she does not have a family like that, and the possibility of something close to that fantasy was practically zero.
Her own family ignored her, no one would even consider dating the town disappointment, and worst of all, she couldn’t have kids.
She gripped her stomach and sighed.
“Way to go Mirabel. You managed to ruin something else. This time, it was your own nature walk meant to relax you.”
She got up and headed back to town. Perhaps she will go to the fabric shop again and see Maria. She always wanted to try making stuffed animals. Maybe that would take her mind off things.
Mirabel walked through town, making her way past the villagers setting up last minute decorations. She saw her family all over, helping out. Maybe this time she could be of assistance.
She walked to her mother’s stand. “Need any help, Mamá? Papá?”
“No gracias Mirabel. Your father and I got this. Maybe check on one of your sisters?”
Mirabel smiled and then continued on her way, eventually running into Camilo entertaining the kids.
“Oh Camilo, need any help with the kids? Or decorating”
“Nah, prima. I got this. Thanks for the offer though.”
Dejected, she passed her younger cousin who was shifting into different townsfolk, making the children laugh. She passed the fields where Tía Pepa spent some of her day,
“Hola Tía Pepa, anything you ne—“
“No, no Mirabel. Félix is helping me. You can just keep doing … whatever it is you do.”
“Oh … okay.
She saw Pepa with a rainbow and Félix whispering sweet nothings to keep her mood up. She then saw her hermanita, Luisa, moving some things in the courtyard with their prima, Adelita, who was helping repair things Luisa moved.
“Hey Luisa,” then her little sister ran off to her next task, presumably not hearing Mirabel. “Okay, bye Luisa.”
“Sorry Mirabel, I better follow her. In case I need to fix something. Bye.”
Mirabel weakly waved as her sister and cousin ran off. She gave up on helping and continued with her original plan.
She passed the bakery and shops where they were either preparing for the larger crowds or closing early, until finally arriving at her destination: Creaciones de Carina. The fabric store was relatively new, being built by Maria's parents before they passed. It was beautiful, with bright green and pink walls and fun signs in the shape of various sewing implements like needles and thread.
She entered the store, beautifully designed dresses and suits welcoming her. Behind them were the fabric and other sewing materials lining the shelves and wall.
The shop was empty, well, emptier than usual. Despite being one of the few fabric shops in the Encanto, many people did not like the Carina's business practices which often including more modern fashion trends from the outside. Mirabel found the new fashion styles to be fascinating. She wonders if she would brave enough to where pants one day like Maria, maybe even shorts!
“We are about to close for the festival soon, so please make it qui— oh Mirabel, it's good to see you.”
“Good to see you too Maria. Just looking for some extra fabric and cotton. I’m thinking of trying to make plushies or something?”
“You are more than welcome,” the seamstress chuckled. Mirabel smiled before glancing through the fabric options, quickly settling on some yellow cloth.
“I will take this and a bag of cotton. How much?”
“Ay, don’t worry about it. It’s on the house. Between your help in the shop and your familia’s help in the Encanto, it is the least I can do. Especially on the town’s founding day.”
“Oh, um,” Mirabel stumbled on her words. Despite knowing Maria for about five years now, it still felt weird for people to do Mirabel a favor. “T-thanks a bunch, Maria!”
“No problema, chica. Just make something great with that, as you usually do.”
With that Mirabel was out of the store, her mood steadily improving. Seeing Maria always raised her spirits and sparked her creative mind. She started heading to Casita wanting to get a head start before the festival would demand her presence.
Unfortunately she ended up bumping into Dolores.
“Lo siento, Dolores, I-I was in a hurry.”
“Can’t imagine what could be the hurry, you don’t have any work to do. Hm.”
“Y-yeah, but I am trying a new sewing project. Gotta keep my skills sharp, heh heh…” Dolores eyed her knowingly.
“Whatever you tell yourself to feel better.”
“Hey, I may not have a gift, but I can sew. What would you have me do?”
“Honestly, I would like you to stay out of trouble.” Dolores grabbed the bridge of her nose annoyed. "And that means, not spending so much time with that outsider."
"Hey," Mirabel rebutted. "Maria has lived here for five years and she is one of the nicest people in the Encanto. You could learn a thing or two from her."
“Look, just head back to Casita. I don't want to have to keep babysitting you.”
“Oh please, I can take care of myself just fine, primita .”
“And yet, every time Abuela decides to give you a chance, you manage to mess it up, simplona .”
Mirabel frowned at the nickname. “Not true.”
“Remember mi hermana’s ceremony?” Mirabel grimaced remembering that night five years ago. “Those candle holders you made almost burned Casita down.”
“It’s not my fault Camilo decided to drink too much coffee and knocked one over.”
“My point stands. Take your toys, go back to the nursery, and—“
“Oh can it, chismosa . Don’t you have anything better to do than bothering my melliza?” Isabela appeared with scowl behind Dolores surprising her, a feat made more impressive since Dolores’s hearing prevented surprises.
“Whatever, I am going to see if Abuela needs help. Hm.” And she skittered away like a mouse.
Isabela and Mirabel watched her disappear in the crowd in front of the fabric store. Mirabel smiled at her twin, but Isabela still had some concern on her face.
“Ay Bel, what am I going to do with you? That was the third time this week.”
“I know Issy, it's just … it’s just … I don’t know.”
“At least stand up for yourself, Bel! I can’t be here watching your back at all times. We are twenty-one for Casita’s sake!” Isabela raised her voice.
“You’re right Issy. But everytime I think I will finally stand up for myself, people, especially Dolores, seem to say something that knocks me down again,” Mirabel sighed and hung her head. “And the worst part is … maybe they are right.”
“Hey, none of that,” Isabela’s tone softened as she placed a hand on her twin’s shoulder. “All those people are wrong. You are no less special than any other Madrigal. I mean, look at papi. The town loves him and he is the clumsiest person we met.”
“True,” Mirabel smiled at that. “But … it feels different. It’s like I don’t have a place here, y’know? Like despite you and mamá and papá supporting me, you are the only ones that do.”
“Hey that’s not—“
“It is true. And I love you guys, but if I wasn’t here, you guys would still have the rest of the family. But, if you guys weren’t here … then I would have no one.” Mirabel sighed deeply.
Isabela pulled her sister into a hug. “I, for one, would be very sad if you weren’t here. And I know the rest of the family feels the same,” Mirabel looked at her sister, eyebrow raised. “…even if they don’t show it.”
Mirabel hugged her sister back. “Thanks Issy.”
“Any time Bel.”
The sisters made their way to Casita, Isabela putting on her usual senorita perfecta act for the town. Mirabel liked to give her grief for it to which Isabela responded with roses in her mouth.
As they made their way to the entrance to Casita, Isabela was called to do … something. Mirabel was not sure.
“See you around, Bel.”
“Bye Issy, see at the festival. Maybe we will see Mariano there?”
“Y-yeah, he w-will probably be there. So excited.” She darted off before Mirabel could say anything.
Mirabel shrugged and went to her room.
Several hours passed and Mirabel’s plushie attempt was going … about as well as she expected. It was crude and ugly and the stitching was mismatched but considering her skill, it was pretty good for a first try.
“Hola mija, whatcha got there?” Her father asked, entering the nursery.
“Oh, just a new sewing project, papi. I was trying my hand at making a plushie. Pretty good for my first try, sí?”
“Yeah, that capybara isn’t half bad.”
Mirabel frowned. “It was supposed to be a jaguar…”
“Oh …” Agustín rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Well, next time will be better, right mija?”
“Whatever you say, pa.”
“Anyway, Abuela says it is almost time for the festival to start, which means it's time for the Madrigals to make their entrance.”
Mirabel nodded weakly and followed her father out of her room and to Casita’s front door. She saw the rest of the family there.
Pepa’s side of the family was trying to keep her calm, while Camilo played jokes on his sisters.
Her mama was comforting Bruno who had a fear of crowds (or just a fear of the town, considering his reputation).
Luisa and Isabela were talking to Abuela about something, although Abuela abruptly stopped when Mirabel entered.
“Mirabel,” Abuela’s voice cut through the chatter and inadvertently brought attention to Mirabel. “Glad you could finally join us.” She always had a way to make her feel like she did something wrong.
“Sí, Abuela.” Mirabel shrunk in on herself slightly.
“Anyway, we are going to make our way through the town as we do each year. As usual, stay behind your sisters and try not to cause any problems, understood?”
“Sí, Abuela.” Snickers from Dolores and Camilo could be heard, while her side of the family only offered sad smiles.
“Bien. Let’s go, vamos! ¡La Familia Madrigal!”
“¡La Familia Madrigal!”
The Madrigals walked through the town, Abuela holding a candle replica of their magic candle, Pepa and her family on her left, and Julieta and her family on her right. Bruno and Mirabel were carefully hidden in the back.
The villagers cheered at them and as they passed joined their little caravan.
Finally they made their way to the main courtyard of the village, where a small stage was set up (presumably by Luisa with some help from Adelita). The family got onto the stage, the crowd calmed and Abuela started speaking.
“Fifty years ago, in our darkest moment, our candle blessed us with a miracle, and the greatest honor of our family has been to use our blessings to serve this beloved community.
“Tonight, let us celebrate those blessings as our community continues to grow. Let the festival begin!”
The family scattered, attending to their duties as usual. Abuela turned to Mirabel with a stern look.
“In about three hours, your sister’s engagement will begin. I expect you to be here for it.”
“I will Abuela, no way will I miss my melliza’s engagement.”
“Regardless, this night has to go perfectly. Your sister will be the start of the next generation, which will be so good for the Encanto. Luisa, Dolores and Adelita are still too young to marry and since you unfortunately cannot have children …”
Abuela paused, noticing that Mirabel grimaced at the reminder. “…Since you cannot have children, it rests on Isabela. At least for now.”
“Yeah … I get it, Abuela.”
Abuela’s tone softened slightly. “Mirabel, try to understand that this is going to be good for your sister, your family and for your community. Don’t forget that.”
“I know, Abuela. I know.” Abuela nodded and walked away satisfied.
Mirabel looked at the forest, back at the party and then made her way out of town unnoticed. She needed a moment away before the engagement.
Mirabel wanders into the forest again, trying to find the river. It only took about twenty minutes earlier but that was during the light of day. It was now twilight and the path was getting harder and harder to see.
I hope I am not lost , Mirabel thought.
After several more minutes, she eventually heard running water. Excitedly, she rushed towards it and found herself in front of a different river, or at least a different part of the same river.
Mierda. This isn’t where I was this morning. She looked around and shrugged. It will do, as long as I make it back in an hour, I should be fine.
Mirabel sat down by the riverbank, thoughts from earlier today floating through her mind again.
No gracias Mirabel. Your father and I got this.
Just go do … whatever it is you do.
Every time Abuela decides to give you a chance, you manage to mess it up, simplona.
I cannot always be there to help you.
Take your toys and go back to the nursery.
Stay behind your sisters and try not to cause any problems.
Unfortunately, you cannot have children.
Mirabel hugged her knees and sighed. Maybe I should skip, not like anyone would miss me … but Issy would and I cannot do that to her.
Mirabel looked into the now night sky. Abuelo, what should I do? I just want to make the family proud of me. But how can I when I don’t have a place there?
Mirabel waited, but, unsurprisingly, no response came.
*SNAP*
Mirabel froze. Maybe coming out in the middle of the forest in the middle of the night was a bad idea.
*SNAP* *CRUNCH*
She slowly got onto her feet ready to run like the wind.
As the crunching sound got closer, she saw bushes and leaves were moving. Whatever was moving, was small at least.
Suddenly a body broke through the brush and fell off the small cliff on the opposing riverbank.
Mirabel inched closer, and saw that it was … a boy?
Strange, what is a kid doing all the way out here? Suddenly the boy started sniffling and Mirabel rushed to the boy’s side. As she got closer, she noticed that he could not be older than four and had several blood stains all over his ragged, yellow clothes.
Mierda. What happened?
“Niño, ¿qué pasó?” She asked while picking him off the ground.
The boy flinched, tears streaking down his face. “H-help!” His eyes were locked to the ground. “W-we were trying to find a place … a-a s-safe place, c-called C-canto? Canta?”
“Encanto?” Mirabel helped. The boy weakly nodded. “Well, I am from the Encanto. I can take you there, keep you safe. How does that sound, niño?”
The boy looked at her with big brown eyes that would melt anyone’s heart. “R-really?”
“Yes, really.”
The boy’s lip quirked. Mirabel smiled before she thought of something. “Were there other people with you?”
“Sí, they were over there.” The boy pointed through the bushes. Mirabel looked out but did not hear anything. “But then I got lost from the nice people …” the boy looked down, "and-and, I was chased by monsters, and then I got lost, and then scared, and then … and then …"
Mirabel looked down and then got an idea. “You are okay. You are fine now. Tell you what, hombrecito. Let me take you back to Encanto, and then me and my family will keep you safe, maybe even return you to my parents.”
The boy frowned. “I … I don’t … I don’t have parents.” He burst into tears. Mirabel picked him up and held him close. Almost instinctively, he grabbed her shoulders and wedged his head in the crook of Mirabel’s neck.
Mirabel bounced him slightly and rubbed circles in his back. Tears threatening to spill over the boy’s loss. As often as she wanted space from her family, she could never imagine losing her parents, especially at his age.
Mirabel slowly made her way to the village, reassuring the boy he would be safe with her and he was going to be taken care of. He calmed down slightly.
“I am so sorry, niño. If there was anything I could do to bring your parents back I would.” He seemed to cry harder into her shoulder. “I know nothing I say will make this feeling go away, but I can tell you this.” The crying boy nodded.
“I am taking you to a place. A magical place where you will be safe. The food there cures your boo-boos, and the weather is magically perfect.” The boy slowly looked up at Mirabel, intrigued. “There is a person who can lift a building and there is a person who can make the prettiest of flowers. I promise you, there is no safer place in the Encanto.”
“Can the Encanto give me a Mamá and Papá?” The boy looked longingly.
“Most definitely. There are probably plenty of people who love to adopt a cute kid like you.” She poked him in the cheek which earned a small giggle from him.
“Okay,” the boy’s crying stopped and he laid down on her shoulder. As Mirabel continued walking, she heard a yawn and chuckled.
“Tired?”
“…yeah…” he said sleepily.
“Oh, before you fall asleep, what’s your name? I am Mirabel, but you can call me Mira.”
The boy perked up slightly. “I am Antonio. And I am four-and-a-half years old,” he held out four fingers and smiled, although his eyes gave away his sadness. Mirabel’s heart broke hearing his age. A kid his age should not be alone.
“Nice to meet you, Antonio. We will be at the Encanto in a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay, Mira…” he yawned again, resting his head on her shoulder.
“Buenas noches, Antonio. Sweet dreams.”
“Buenas noches, Mira. You are the nicest person I ever met…” he yawned again before finally saying, “I hope you can be my Mamá…” Before she could respond, Mirabel heard small snores from the young boy.
Shaking off what Antonio said, she continued to walk out of the forest. Certainly there were better people in the Encanto who could raise him.
With that thought, she exited the forest and walked to the festival, ready to confront her family.