My Mirabel~ Papa Bruno Au

Part two

Two years later~ Mirabel is 9

"Tia?" I tugged on Juliettas dress. She was making food in the kitchen for dinner.

"What's up Mirabel?" She didn't dislike me like the others. She and Augustine were the ones telling the others to stop being mean to me.

"Why did my dad leave?" She stopped what she was doing and looked down at me.

"We... don't talk about your dad, cariña. We don't talk about Bruno."

"Why not?"

"One day, Mirabel, we'll tell you. Or maybe he will himself. But not now." I heard the voices of my older cousins, Luisa and Isa, and Tia went quiet. "Now go play, dinner will be ready soon." I left the kitchen, avoiding my cousins, and went to my room.

I closed the door and caught a glance of my self in my mirror. I turned and looked in the reflection.

"Hm..." I mumbled. I moved my dress around a little. It seemed... bland. Abuela wanted everything pristine and perfect, clean professional.

I heard the dresser move beside me, scooting closer across the floor. There was a small box on the top of it that wasn't there when I left my room earlier. I picked it up and opened the clasp on the side, revealing the contents.

It was a sewing kit for embroidery. Where did this come from? Did the house give it to me? Maybe it felt bad...

I looked in the mirror again. My dress could use some color.. and I know how to sew. Plus it might help pass the time..

Just one question, where on earth did the house get this?

Later...

I held up my dress in front of me, looking at what I made. A few butterflies, flowers. I even added a small rat where people wouldn't be able to see. I smiled. The brightness of the patterns made me happy.

It also took up some time. It was already time for dinner. I threw my dress back on and went to the dining room.

"Mirabel, what happened to your dress?" Isabella asked me when I walked in. She was putting the plates down.

"I added some stuff..." I looked down at my handiwork again as smiled, then looked back at her. She was looking at my dress. She sighed.

"It looks... nice." She turned and continued putting down the plates again.

"Thanks- Isa." I was shocked at her. Even if it was only barely nice, it still was.

Weird.

A year later...

"Julietta!" Pepa whispered to Tia. They were around the corner and I was a little ways behind Tia. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but... there I was..

"Sis? Is everything okay?" Julietta asked. I think she was on her way to the kitchen to make food. Pepa hesitated.

"I'm pregnant." I had to cover my mouth to keep from gasping. "I mean- I-I'm not certain, but I have the symptoms and I feel the same way I felt for Camillo and Dolores."

"Oh my gosh, Pepa!! That's incredible!" I couldn't see, but I think they hugged. Then I heard sprinkling. "Are you not excited?"

"Of course I am!" She sounded strained.

"Then why is it raining?"

"... I'm worried about the house... what if it happens again? What if there was more to what he saw... what if it was about a new baby..." I had a strange feeling they were talking about my dad.

"Pepa, everything will be fine. I'm sure mom will be happy to continue the miracle. Have you told Felix yet?"

"No, you're the first to know..."

"Well, everyone will be ecstatic. Come on, I'm making dinner." I heard their footsteps going in the direction of the kitchen and I could finally breath again. Another baby? I should feel excited, so why did I just feel scared?

8 months later...

"Kids, this is Antonio Madrigal. The newest member of our family." Tia Pepa said with a smile as she showed us the baby, Felix by her side. Everyone burst with excitement, chatter, and even crying, as they took turns holding the baby.

I was excited to have another person in the nursery with me. Company was nice, even if it was a baby that I'd have to help take care of. I didn't care if I'd barely be able to sleep for a little while.

I noticed that Abuela seemed slightly anxious and I could figure out why. This was the first baby after me, meaning the first ceremony after mine failed. She was scared the new baby would have the same fate.

After some of the celebration died down, I went back to my room. It was still early so I couldn't go to bed, and Antonio would sleep in Pepa and Felix's room for the first few nights.

I flopped down on my bed and sighed. I didn't even get to hold him yet. I was still excited, of course, just tired and... scared. For the same reasons that Abuela was.

I turned on my side, towards my bedside table, and on my bedside table, and one of the Tamales from last nights dinner was sitting there on a plate. I sat up and grabbed the plate. Who could have given this to me? Everyone was with Pepa, together, or in town all day. I went to my room right after the baby was born and was there before. Was it the house giving me something again? This doesn't make sense... did the house feel bad for me again? It's the only explanation...

At least, that's what I thought.