Falling Sand (Encanto fanfic)

Birthdays

Uhm, so, writing this almost left me in tears. It really made me realize just how messed up Bruno's relationship with his family must have been, and still kinda is. So, yeah. Read at your own risk.

In honor of my little brother's birthday:)

Dolores's POV

    "So--" Camilo took a bite of his arepa--"vha' 're ve doin' for our parents' 'irthday?"

     "Please chew with your mouth closed." Isabela requested, scrunching her nose as she dusted off stray arepa crumbs from her dress. 

     "We could make them dinner." Antonio suggested, eyeing a cactus under Isa's bed that was a unique shade of blue.

     "We tried that two years ago, and almost burned down the whole house. Remember?" Luisa piped in, pulling back Antonio's hand when he reached out to touch the plant. 

     "And, I'm pretty sure we gave Tío Félix food poisoning." Mirabel added with a wince. 

     "Maybe we could make them some new clothes or something." Camilo proposed, finishing up his arepa. 

     "Does anyone here besides Mirabel know how to sew and embroider though?" I asked, knowing I was helpless with a needle.

     There was silence, as we all looked at each other hopefully. 

      "Well, there goes that idea." Isa muttered, frowning.

     "Maybe a picnic!" Mirabel said.

     "That was last year's gift." I refuted, giving her a lopsided grin. 

      "Right." Mirabel pursed her lips, appearing to be deep in thought. 

     "Ooh! I've got it!" Antonio shouted. "How about a surprise party?!"

     Everybody perked up at that idea. 

     "That just might work." Camilo rubbed his chin. "A few of us can keep them out of the house for the day, while the rest of us get the decorations ready, and sneak in food from the town."

     "We could probably even get some of our parents' friends from town to come too!" Isa added, grinning. 

     "And I can help Abuela make a cake!" Mirabel offered.

     Everyone started excitedly planning out who was going to do what. I was about to join in, when I frowned, remembering that we weren't just planning a party for our parents this year. 

     "Guys, I'm not so sure this is such a great idea." 

     I winced as they turned to me, their faces falling. "It's just, it's Bruno's birthday too, ya know? And I don't think he's a very big fan of crowds." 

     "But Pepa told me that Bruno used to love parties." Isa argued. 

     I blinked in surprise. "She did?"

     Isa nodded, flipping her hair. The other kids cheered back up, beginning their party-planning again with renewed enthusiasm. 

     "I guess, if Mom said..." I mumbled, still not entirely convinced. 

     Shrugging, I joined the conversation, saying that I could gather some green decorations. 

     I can't wait to make this Bruno's best birthday yet. 

Bruno's POV

     Something's going on with the kids. I'm not sure what, but it's definitely something. I thought, narrowing my eyes at my nieces, who were whispering across from me at the table. As soon as they noticed I was looking their way, their eyes widened, and they quickly stuffed their mouths with food.