Chapter Text
Ch. 1 – A Birthday To Remember
On their fifth birthday, every Madrigal was shown the Candle and told Pedro’s story. They were then told to pick out their room in Casita, whichever felt right for them. It had been that way since the triplets’ birthday.
At age five, they were finally old enough to have their own rooms and not have to share or be with the grown-ups all the time. They were responsible enough to take care of their own little belongings and clothes and toys.
Abuela was very strict about making sure their ‘big-girl rooms’ were kept clean. They were big girls now, they should be able to keep their rooms clean. Abuela had tried explaining to Camilo about cleaning his room, but it never got through his head.
Little Mirabel Madrigal had just finished having the Candle story told to her and she was so honored to be part of Pedro’s familia. Abuela had even let her touch the Candle!
Camilo said she would get to, but Mira knew how protective she was of the blessed Candle. It had felt warm, loving, and...familiar.
Like a piece of herself slotted itself into place and she was at last complete. Their family was so kind and talented.
Isabela was a master gardener, even growing cacti in her tower room. Luisa loved exercising and weight lifting, along with giving and receiving makeovers. She was good at both, even at her young age of eight.
Dolores knew everything about music; only Mariano the idiot knew more. They frequently played together. Music and just playing like kids do. Neither were very good yet, but they knew a lot about it and no doubt their talent would grow.
Camilo was the best actor, along with her Tio Bruno. They put on plays the whole town enjoyed. Bruno usually only doing set pieces and some costume design. The town clapped and laughed and cheered them.
Was Mirabel good at anything like that? Anything that helped the town?
Sewing! Mirabel was good at sewing! She could sew really well now, almost never pricking herself! She really hoped one of her presents was sewing material.
She wanted a sewing machine like Adrina in town, but Mirabel wanted to learn by hand first. That way, in case electricity went out, she could still fix things.
Mirabel wondered whether she should pick the empty room next to Abuela. Abuela always helped her with harder projects when sewing. It was a nice room. She’d looked over a few empty rooms.
Mama had taken her and asked which one she might want to move into, since the nursery was no longer fit for her.
Part of her wanted the room by Tio Bruno so he wouldn’t be lonely, but the basement was kind of scary and creepy. It had so many rats Dolores wouldn’t even enter.
Maybe she would take the door next to the nursery. Luisa had chosen a room on the left of the nursery. The room to the right would be nice. She could be near Lulu and any future Madrigal, if she wasn’t the last bebe.
In the end, she chose the room next to the nursery. She wanted to be prepared, in case she ever got be someone’s hermana mayor. It could happen. Mama wasn’t that old! Neither was Tia Pepa!
At the moment, Mirabel was sitting on the nursery bed, waiting for Mama to call her for presents and cake. She was so bored. The Candle story and looking for a room had been fun. Waiting wasn’t fun.
Normally, they only had to wait a few minutes after the Candle story and room-searching for la familia to gather their presents and cake and then take them to the room they chose, helping decorate and set up things for the child.
The town wasn’t invited to the parties. They were familia only. Senora Guzman and her familia were the only non-Madrigals at the children’s parties.
Mirabel swung her legs back and forth on the small nursery bed, sighing. Camilo hadn’t even come in to prank her!
She was almost offended. Bruno hadn’t shown her the new rat bebes like he said he would. Abuela hadn’t bothered to look at her new creation, a scarf to replace Abuela’s icky black one.
What was wrong? Why was Mirabel stil waiting? Did Mama drop the cake? She rolled back on the bed, staring at the wall, pouting.
“Casita, what’s taking Mama so long? I’m bored!” She knocked on Casita gently, awaiting her Mami’s answer.
It’s a secret, mi Velita. You’ll find out soon. They’re talking about it right now. It’s nothing bad. You aren’t in trouble.
“Oh, that’s a relief. I bet they got me a sewing machine! I bet they did. I’m still gonna learn by hand!” Mirabel said stubbornly.
She sometimes wondered if others could hear Casita like she could. Sure, they talked to her, but never really seemed to have a conversation like Mira did. Or maybe they didn’t like Casita? No, she was the best.
It was why Mira called her Mami. When Julieta was sleeping, Casita took care of her. She remembered being younger and scared of a nightmare.
She had gotten up to either crawl into bed with Camilo for comfort or go see Mama, but Casita had started singing. It wasn’t with a voice, not really. It was in her head, and it was beautiful.
She had no idea what kind of melody or song, but it was wonderful. She’d felt so calm and happy that she got back in bed and fell asleep quickly.
She dreamed about Abuelo that night, talking to a feminine prism-thing. It was a good dream. Peaceful. Abuelo had been surprised. He’d even asked her what she was doing there since she was only three and ‘it’ hadn’t came yet.
The little girl wondered what ‘it’ was. Was it this? Her birthday present? Something wonderful or very expensive? It had to be, for everyone to still be talking about it.
A small creaking noise made Mirabel jump, falling off the bed onto her butt.
“Hey! You scared me! Who’s there?” She said suspiciously.
“Shhh! It’s me, your mellizo! C’mon, but be really quiet. I don’t think we’re supposed to hear any of this, but I felt you should. It’s about you.” Camilo grabbed her and pulled her out of the nursery, shushing her the entire time.
Mirabel clamped her mouth shut, biting her tongue to make sure she said nothing, no matter what. Even if she did see her shiny new sewing machine, she wouldn’t scream in joy!
The mellizos crept to the stairs, hiding behind a potted plant. They looked down at the courtyard, at the grown-ups talking. Abuela looked awed. Mama and Papa looked terrified. Tio Bruno was the only one smiling.
She couldn’t see Tia Pepa or Tio Felix. Isabela was arguing with Dolores, both girls and Luisa standing back a ways from the adults.
Something about...magic? Magic wasn’t real! Except Abuelo’s protection magic, but that was love magic.
Camilo and Mirabel strained to hear, which got easier as the voices got louder and angrier.