Last time

Mirabel snorted, amused while Dolores chuckled. They could see their family at the distance, and both sighed*

Mirabel:I'm already so drained. What are the chances of having a normal dinner?

*Dolores unfortunately had to take off her earmuff and hides them on mirabel's Satchel. Dolores touched her forehead, feeling a headache coming.

Dolores: slim.

Now

*The two families sat down and started eating, Julieta looked at her mother, looking like she aged 5 years from this morning. She knows it wrong, but Julieta couldn't help but feel a sick sense of smugness that alma had to deal with all the crap Julieta has to deal with.*

Julieta:So mami, how was the stand?

Alma: horrible

*Alma said, taking a deep breath before pinching the bridge of her nose, letting the air out through her mouth*

Alma:I...I owe you a deep apology, Julieta, for...so many things, but the biggest one is not believing in you or trusting your judgment. The people I had to serve were just horrible! I had no idea thats what you had to live with every day

Dolores;how could you? You always just told Aunty that she was exaggerating

*Dolores said with a slight anger in her tone, having to sit next to Alma. Alma just sighed and nodded*

Alma:Yes, I was a fool. But things are gonna change, I assure you, just like I can promise you'll see that in this instance I was in the right with your marriage Dolores

Dolores:Oh...

*Dolores looked to her side, Mirabel placed her hand on top of hers and just shook her head no. Dolores took a breath and just ate in silence*

April:marriage? That's the first I've heard of Dolores madrigal getting married

Alma:Ah, yes, she's the next to be wed. But we're keeping it quiet until after Isabela's marriage with Mariano, that's the marriage that the encanto and its people need to concentrate their time on

*Isabela smiled as Alma gave her a smiling nod, even if the smallest speck inside her mind was screaming against the whole thing. It was sadly too small to be heard*

April:I see, Mariano is such a wonderful man, I'm sure you'll make each other very happy.

Alma:I completely agree, I can't think of anyone better for Mariano than you, Isabela, though I don't think that changes my views on your actions

*Alma said sternly, Isabela flinched and nodded, looking down on the ground. While under the table, Mirabel intertwined her hand with Dolores and gave it a squeeze to give her some support. Since Mirabel could tell that those words harmed Dolores deeply. Dolores gave Mirabel a small smile of appreciation, and they kept eating, Mirabel was so busy making sure Dolores was ok that she failed to notice Antonio scowling at them*

Antonio"Mami used to pay all her attention on me, Dolores is trying to steal her away"

*Antonio thought, since he was too young to understand how complicated the relationship between Dolores and Mirabel truly was, and how both of them were just trying to make the best of it*

Felix:So April, Daniel, where's the rest of the family?

Daniel:In their own homes, enjoying their foods?

*Daniel said, confused. April placed her hand on Daniel's arm and took over*

April:we get that your family all live together, and that's fine, but ours left the nest decades ago, though they still come to visit every Sunday

Pepa:they live in different homes.....

*Pepa muttered softly to herself, but Dolores heard it, and she couldn't help but share the dream of her mother. She loved Casita really she did, but sometimes she just wishes to have more space away from her family*

Camilo:abuela, how longer will I and Isabela be punished?

Alma:Until I see that both of you are remorseful of your actions and never do them again

*Alma said with a serious expression on her face, looking at Antonio with bruises all over his body from both donkeys and Agustín. Isabela's eyes started to twitch Ib fear of being trapped for months with those damn demon donkeys*

Isabela:b.. but abuela, it'll hurt my image and, more importantly, the family's image if the flower of the encanto is seen working with the donkeys and having....there excrement on me.

Dolores:I disagree completely. I think it'll do just the opposite abuela

* Everyone looked at Dolores, who took a sip of her wine, Mirabel pursed her lips a little, seeing Dolores drinking wine again after having a glass at lunch*

Mirabel:we have to talk about your wine intake some other time. Lolo

*Mirabel whispered so only she could hear, Mirabel got a small nod as confirmation, and she returned to eating*

Dolores:think about it abuela, if Isabela works with the donkeys, it'll show that the "flower" of the encanto isn't scared of doing the work, if it means she's helping the community. It'll actually make her look better towards the community

Alma:Hmm, I do see both your points, but I'm leaning more towards Dolores. The punishment stands. Hopefully, it'll help humble you a little, Isabela, and to teach you a lesson of harming a family member

*alma said in a stern tone. Under the table, Isabela was holding her thigh so hard her nails were starting to draw out blood. But on top of the table, Isabela just gave the same perfect smile and nodded, once alma looked another direction, Isabela gave the nastiest glare filled with hatred towards Dolores. Dolores just smirked, looking at Isabela smugly. She faked stretched and gave Isabela the middle finger without anyone, but Isabela noticing. The fork Isabela had started to bent before she looked down and kept eating frustrated*

Julieta:s..so Mirabel, uh, what are you doing tomorrow?

Mirabel:Hm? Oh, one second, please excuse my rudeness in advance for putting a book on the table

*Mirabel said with a smile to the Irizarry couple. Mirabel pushed her food aside and took a book out of her satchel. She placed the book on the table and started flipping through the pages*

Mirabel:Tuesday, Tuesday, Tuesday, ah, here we go. Tomorrow, I'll be helping the Jenkins family and their business. Arthur's son is still being well a huge ingrate, so I'm helping him in James place

Alma:Why do you call James an ingrate?

*Mirabel scowled, and Dolores couldn't help but touch her inflated chipmunk cheek. Naturally, Mirabel slapped her finger away, making Dolores chuckle*

Mirabel:ejem because he doesn't want to learn the family trait, he would rather spend his time chasing anything with a skirt

Alma:Oh, how awful of that boy. Hopefully, he'll grow out of that nasty habit

*Alma said with a huff, even though at the back of her mind she was reminded that Pedro was the same when they were teenagers*

Mirabel: Thankfully, he only goes for older women, so me and Luisa are safe from his gaze, but I would still keep an eye out. But uh yeah, helping the Jenkins

* Just as Julieta was about to jump into the conversation and ask to join her daughter, her sister jumped in before her*

Pepa:What's with the book?

Mirabel:Hm? Oh, it's my schedule. Well, kinda half schedule half journal. Since so many people ask for my help I needed to get organized so I wouldn't forget something or become overwhelmed, the journal part of the book is where I write about what happened to me that day doing the job

*Julieta looked at the book and got one of those ideas that on paper sounds like a good idea*

Julieta: "If I can get that book, I can read it and learn more about Mirabel."

*......Again, on paper, it sounds like a good idea, and Julieta is a bit desperate to form a stronger connection with her youngest*

April:ah kinda reminds me of you alma, didn't you used to keep a journal when you were a little girl?

Alma:uff, that feels like a lifetime ago. It was a good thing to use when I needed to vent out my feelings, I truly recommend anyone to have one

*Alma thought thinking of that thing, it's been decades since she thought of her old journal, she can't even remember what she wrote in there*

Camilo:What happened to it?

Alma:same thing that happened with everything else I once owned. The warlords burned it with the house your abuelo built for us

*Alma said with a sigh that wasn't sad but definitely was resentful towards that war that cost not just her but everyone of her generation that made home in the encanto so much*

Mirabel:Then why don't you make a new journal?

Alma:Oh honey, it's a nice idea, but I'm too old for that kind of things, my hand would start hurting after 5 minutes

*Alma, April, and Daniel all shared an amused look since being of the same age they understood that not even Julieta's cooking can make the pain of your bones growing old*

Julieta:Then they must've been hell on earth for your arms doing my job

Alma; completely, they felt like they were gonna fall off. I still need to find a way to make your job better so that the  actual sick and injured people can get the food and not the drunk and lazy

*Alma said eating a bit aggressively over the memory of what she had to live through that day, overall the conversation changed and Julieta was left sulking since now there wasn't a way to ask to join Mirabel without it sounding forced*

* After having dinner with Alma friend's family, we see everyone going to their rooms. Julieta looked at mirabel, this time determined to ask her daughter to join her tomorrow food be damned. Sadly for her, the universe had other plans*

Alma: Julieta, please wait a moment, I need to talk to you real quick

Julieta:hay mami please, I have to wake up in a few hours to make breakfast

Alma;I know, that's what I want to talk about

*Julieta bit down on her lower lip and looked at Mirabel again just as she closed the door to her's and Dolores's room. With a small sigh, she looked at her mother*

Julieta;fine, what do you want to talk about, mom?

Alma:it's about the food you'll be making tomorrow....

*Julieta sighed and turned around to look at her mother, who looked just as tired as Julieta normally looks every day, Julieta was expecting alma to say something along the lines of making more food*

Alma:I need you to only make half as much food as you normally make.

Julieta:Only half?

*Julieta said, looking at her mother, alma. "You can always do more for the encanto" madrigal. She was looking at this woman more than surprised. Alma just nodded*

Alma:Tomorrow I'll take care of your job again, I'll take Luisa with me and we'll make sure people understand that your food is for the people who need it

Alma: "How dare these people use my family's trust like that for so many years!. Argh, how was I so blind for so long!?"

*Alma thought in a tired and very bittered tone, her aching bones only growing her resentment for the people of the town*

Julieta:If you're sure. Guess I'll set my alarm at 5 AM instead of 3:30

*Julieta said with a smile to have some semblance of a full night's rest. Alma smile got a little smaller as she looked at her daughter with a raised eyebrow*

Alma:You have to wake up at 3:30m...?

Julieta:i have to feed what's basically 2/3 of the encanto. I can't make that much food at 5 am. and be ready to serve at 8 Mami

*Another thing to add to the ever increasing pit of regret she was feeling. She forced a smile and patted Julieta on her shoulder*

Alma:Yes, well good, that's all I had to say. Have a good night, Julieta. i love you

Julieta:i.... I love you too Mami good night

*Julieta said as they went to their respected rooms. for alma, she was getting alien feeling, since it's been so long since she had said that to someone in her family*

Alma:I've said it before. I know I have. When was the last time I told any of them I love you?

*Alma thought as she got ready for bed. The more she thought of it, the more she got her answer even if it was one she hated*

Alma:Bruno... he was the last one I said it to...

*Alma said her tone filled with sadness that she only allows herself to feel when she's alone about her only son. With a sigh, she looked at the candle*

Alma;hay predro. Wherever he is, make sure Bruno is ok, Bruno wherever you are. I love you, my son....

*Alma said before putting her nightgown and going to sleep. What she didn't know was that Bruno was crawling his way through the walls and heard the whole thing. He was deeply touched to the point that a tear started to fall from his face. It's been decades since Bruno heard anyone say anything remotely positive about him, and for it to come from his mother, it meant all the more*

Bruno:I...I love you too, Mami...

*Bruno whispered softly before going back to find his rat*

Bruno"ratatin, where are you? The show can't go one without you!"

Meanwhile, with Dolores and Mirabel

*We see them both getting ready for bed, Dolores was busy putting cream on her arms while Mirabel was already ready reading a book in bed*

Dolores:You know, if you want, I can share my creams with you

Mirabel;huh? Why would I want that?

*Mirabel placed a page holder on her book and placed it on the nightstand before giving Dolores her full attention*

Dolores:Oh well, I've seen your skin and how, and I don't mean any offense when I say this. How fucked up it is. It's filled with small scratches and scars. How did you get so many?

Mirabel:oh that, it's nothing, just falling a lot, I got my dad's clumsiness hahaha

*Mirabel said giving a fake laugh and more importantly for Dolores the fake smile. Dolores frowned slightly and sighed*

Dolores; I'm gonna take a wild guess that Camilo had a role to play huh?

Mirabel:w... what? Camilo? No no no I just tripped honest!

*Mirabel said her tone getting more desperate. Dolores frowned only deepened as she finished putting on the cream and looked at Mirabel*

Dolores:Mirabel, even with the earmuff I can tell the slight change of tone in your voice. Please don't lie to me, I want to be a person you can trust, I won't tell anyone, I won't judge you, i will just be a supportive person

Mirabel:...o..ok so some of them were Camilo and his friends....well actually most of them...

*Mirabel said rubbing her arm at the memories. Dolores felt bad for Mirabel for a number of reasons, the biggest one is that she never paid attention. She sighed and walked up to her giving her a small hug*

Dolores:I'm sorry I couldn't protect you...

Mirabel;protect me? Dolores, that wasn't your job. I'm your cousin not your sibling. Thank God too, can you imagine alma making you marry Camilo?

*Dolores shuttered in disgust making Mirabel give out a soft giggle*

Dolores:good distraction Mira. But I'm not gonna let you move the conversation. It doesn't matter if your not my siblings you matter. And I'm not talking about Alma's crazy plan of us being couple. Your my family you matter to me, I should've heard what was happening to you

Mirabel:but you didn't, Dolores I'm telling you it's fine. I'm used to this family not noticing me

*Dolores wanted to say more but the look Mirabel gave her told her she didn't want to  keep talking about this*

Dolores:fine fine, I'll let it it go for now at least since it's so late. But what about the creams?

Mirabel:I'm good, to be alive is to have scars. I would rather have my skin like this then have perfect skin like Isabela

*Mirabel said letting go of the embrace and going back to her book. Dolores sighed and went back to her routine putting on a green clay mask. Mirabel glanced at her curious*

Mirabel: actually, I never knew you used all those products

Dolores:I make them myself actually, it's...kinda like a hobbie of mine

*Dolores said a bit Shyly since she hasn't shared this with anybody. Mirabel again placed his book away and jumped to the other side of the bed to be closer to Dolores*

Mirabel:you make this stuff?

Dolores:I..k.. kinda? There's only so much I can do with my gift so I went and did things to entertained myself, things that I could do In my room without alma or Camilo finding out and bothering me about it.and well this is what sticked. I know it's kinda weird, but there safe and they really do work

*Mirabel got up and grabbed one of the jars that had Dolores's concoctions looking at it up and down, even giving it a sniff*

Mirabel;hm..... smells good, I want to try it

Dolores:wait really?!

*Dolores whipped her head looking at Mirabel genuinely existed to have someone else test her products. She grabbed Mirabel's hands and Mirabel could practically see the stars in Dolores eyes*

Dolores;oh my God yes! Oh uh what should we do first ? Uh oh I know! How about

*Dolores kept rambling on as she got up and started waking around the room grabbing different jars. Mirabel sat down and just enjoyed the view of Dolores running around like a chicken with her head cut off, she has never seen shy quiet Dolores so exited to do something. Dolores placed the jars on the table and looked at Mirabel with the biggest smile with the biggest smile Mirabel thinks she's ever seen on Dolores face*

Dolores:you are gonna love this!

To be continued or 7 chapters ahead on Patreon

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