Little(s) : Mirabel Madrigal (age : 3 years)
Caretaker(s) : Mariano Guzmán

Plot : Mariano comes over to visit Dolores, but comes across a small, yet sweet surprise from her prima Mirabel
Request for : Alphameenz

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Mariano was walking towards Casita, to meet with his beloved Dolores. It was few months since they started dating and, ever since she talked him into slowing down, their relationships were a bliss. Even Bruno Madrigal, everyone called 'a seer of bad prophecies', promised them a long, happy life, with children of their own. (He never told them, how many and genders, through)

Julieta let Mariano in almost instantly, only to find out that Dolores was on mother/daughter time with Pepa. But they were supposed to be back I few minutes, so she suggested he'd stick around for a bit.

Meanwhile on it, Mariano decided to return Luisa a book, she gave him the other day. With allowance granted, the young man up to Luisa's room, knocking at her door.

"Yeah? Who's there?" The voice called from the other side.

"Luisa? It's me, Mariano. I'm here to return you the book, I borrowed."

It took a second for Luisa to come and open the door. She smiled down at the man, before noticing the book.

"You finished it already?"

"I couldn't put it down from moment, I took it." The man chuckled, rubbing back of his head. "You have a great taste in books! This was amazing!"

Luisa smiled, blushing, as she took the book in her arms.

"Ah, you're just saying!"

"Well, I do mean it. I really enjoyed it"

The two talked for a bit, before Luisa went back to her room, to put the book noise on it's place. And then, Mariano heard a small noise from other door.

Mirabel? He thought to himself.

Walking to the door, Mariano studied it for a second, before slightly knocking.

"Come in!" The voice of young girl called.

Mariano slowly opened the door, peaking in to see Mirabel on the floor.

The girl wore a different dress, than what she normally would, that one looked more like one fitting a child, along side with socks. There was a box of crayons, all of which were dumped on the floor, coloring book, a teddy bear, pacifier and sippy cup.

Through it was a bit unusual, Mariano payed no mind or mean thought. Mirabel's room always looked more as for a small child, than a teenager, that often confused the other villagers, but to him? She was just embracing her inner child, having fun from simpler times. That was what he hoped more people would do.

Mariano smiled, as Mirabel looked at him, confused.

"Oh, hey there, Mirabel! What are you doing here?"

"Coloring"

"Ooh! You don't mind if I look?" Mariano asked, kneeling down to be on same level as the girl was. Standing too tall would scare a small child. And scaring Mirabel was the last thing, he wanted.

"I didn't finish yet!" Mirabel put the coloring book away. "But... wanna color with me?" She looked up, her eyes seemed to sparkle hopefully.

"Why, of course!" Mariano said, a gentle smile on his face.

The two spent about half an hour, coloring, chatting and telling jokes to each other. It wasn't until Mirabel grew bored of coloring. Mariano noticed it, before starting to think what would make her smile again.

And then, he got an idea.

"Mirabel, would you like me to read for you?"

The girl gasped, nodding rapidly, giggling.

"Yes! Yes, yes! Please! Story! Story!" Mirabel smiled, clapping her hands.

"Alright. Let's put these away first, okay? It wouldn't be nice if somebody triped over them, right?"

Mirabel quickly put her coloring supplies away, grabbing her teddy, sippy cup and pacifier, before climbing on Mariano's knees, who already got a book for her. Younger of two giggled, before Mariano started reading the book for her.

"Butterfly!" The girl squeaked, poking a page, making the man chuckle.

"Yes, Mira! Butterfly! What a clever girl~"

Then, they head a small giggle from the door, when Mirabel smiled, getting off Mariano and running towards the door.

"Dolly!" Mirabel nearly yelled, jumping onto her cousin, who hugged her.

"Hola, Mirabel. I hope I didn't interrupt anything?" Dolores asked, lifting the girl onto her hip.

"Oh, no, no!" Mariano smiled, standing up. "I just found her in here and this little one asked me to play with her! I just couldn't say 'no' to these cute eyes~"

Dolores chuckled, nodding. "I'm glad to see, you're okay with Mirabel's regression..."

"Regression?" Mariano asked, looking at his girlfriend. "What is that?"

"Oh, well... it's like... embracing your inner child, or baby. Letting yourself embrace the old memories, let them fill your head... to fall into them, I guess." Dolores then looked at Mirabel, who was carefree playing with ham of her dress. "I suppose Mirabel would be the best to explain it. When she's back to her 'big self'"

"Ay, she doesn't have to explain anything. She's just... wants to be a child again, do I get it right?" Dolores nodded to him. "Then it's enough for me. I'm not here to judge her for anything. She can be whatever she wants to be and not ashamed of it"

Dolores couldn't help the smile growing.

"Thank you... thank you for accepting mí primita"

"Oh, Dolores. How could I not? She's so sweet~."

Mirabel giggled again, as she reached for Mariano and he took her in his arms.

"Mariano! Will you come and play with me again?"

"Of course, Little one. Whenever you want me to play with you, just call and I'll be there in a flash!"

Dolores smiled, watching fondly at the scene. She was so happy that her boyfriend accepted her baby cousin.