𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦

iv

"Your power's the second coolest for now!"

The entire house was decorated. Streamers hung from the ceiling. Flowers of all colours and varieties bloomed from the windows along they huge walls. The tiny but radiant candle stood at the top of everything on a windowsill, its flame visible to all below. Casita moved itself, hanging the hats of guests, grilling corn at the side and making sure the dessert table remain untouched by the tempted children. Luisa and Elena went around, helping in serving the snacks, sharing a laugh on catching the tanned handsome man, Mariano staring in an awestruck at the dancing Isabel in the centre. The eldest Madrigal child looked to their direction, forming a pink flower crown for Elena who giggled and mouth a thanks. Just because her best friend did not get along with Isabel didn't mean that she couldn't. She just had enough wisdom to never mention the other while hanging out with either one of the sisters. A child laughed with his friend as the two tried climbing up the stairs only for Casita to slide them down.

"Look at you! All grown up." Pepi bent down to pat her son's cheek, her husband gasping and trying to blow away the dark grey cloud above her head and pulled her aside.

"Pepi, amor, you're gonna get him all wet."

Elena came to them offering Camilo a sweet which he gladly popped inside his mouth. A mischievous smirk formed on his face and he spun around, morphing into a dark-skinned man with flashy yellow clothes. His dad.

He bent down on one knee and squished his younger brother's face. "You are making your papa proud!" He imitated his father but Elena could tell that the tone was slightly off.

It seemed that Felix had noticed as well. "I don't sound like that." He stated with a hint of offence. His son got up, placing his hands on either hips and imitating him in a more playful, mocking tone.

"I don't sound like that."

Dolores tilted her head to a side to allow her to hear through the loud chatters. "Abuela says it's time."

They all looked down at that's smiling proudly at the nervous yet extremely excited boy, unaware of Mirabel watching encouragingly from a distance. 

"We'll be waiting at your door." Pepe said, her voice much softer than her usual panicked tone. Her son nodded, smiling at Elena patting his back and glancing down the doll within his grasp.

"Okay, okay." Felix gestured his hands elsewhere, "Vamo, vamo, vamo." He called for them to go.

Elena waited by Camilo's side as he cheered up his brother for one last time. "Okay, okay. Vamo, vamo, vamo." He imitated in a much more squeaky tone than his father. A laugh left her mouth when Felix rolled his eyes and grabbed his son by both sides, picking him off the ground. "All right, I'm done!" The fake Felix squeaked out in Camilo's original voice calling for his girlfriend to stand by him which she did trying to control her ongoing laughter.