candles to guide you home (Encanto AU)

five

Mirabel grips her mothers hand tightly. She steps back at the door and shakes her head. She stammers to make words out of her nervousness.

"Mama, I, I'm not ready," she says. She pulls away and hugs herself with her arms. Mirabel looks down at their daughter who eyes her with similar worry.

"I left, I ran and I abandoned our family. I can't do this. Not now, I'm not ready. Not yet. I don't think I can face everyone without feeling awful," she explains. She feels Sofia wrap her arms around her. She sighs, leaning her hand in her daughters head.

"Mi amor, look at me," Julieta says, "we have never thought wrong about you. We've only missed you. All these years..it's been worry. Now you're here and you're safe and you're healthy. That's all we've ever wanted. You never abandoned us, Mirabel. We abandoned you. Its your time to come home, really home."

Mirabel looks down at Sofia. She looks away before taking Sofia's hand and nodding. Julieta gives her a comforting smile and takes her free hand to lead the way.

They walk down the stairs where Pepa is waiting. She sends the three a knowing look. Sofia quietly steps back and Pepa lowers herself to stand by her while Julieta takes Mirabel's hands and urges her forward in tiny steps.

"Are you all here?" Julieta says, stepping into the kitchen.

"Yes mamá..we've been waiting here. What do you need to tell us?" Isabela asks. The others look up with a bit of impatience and exhaustion from the long day.

"It's better if I show you," Julieta says. She gently pulls Mirabel forward.

She steps into the kitchen and slowly brings her eyes up. She leans back into Julieta, but beings up her hand in a little wave.

The family seated at the table doesn't say anything. They stare at her, their eyes and mouths blank in utter shock. Antonio is the only one who smiles back at her.

Only one person moves from the table. He places his hands on the surface for support as he moves toward them.

He grabs her hands and pulls her in a tight, wordless hug.

"Corazon," he whispers, holding her head close.

"Papi," Mirabel whispers. She sinks into his embrace.

She hears chairs scrape against the floor as more family members walk over. She feels more arms around her and she lets out an unexpected laugh.

Mirabel opens her eyes to find everyone hugging her and stepping away.

"Hermana," Isabela says. She pulls her i in and Luisa joins them. Mirabel's eyes widen at the hug from her sisters. They didn't exactly leave on a perfect note, but they didn't seem to say much about it. Or care about it at all.

Dolores and Camilo rest their hands on her shoulders.

"We're glad you're finally home," they tell her. Mirabel winces at the sight of a much older Camilo. Her images of her  family were severely outdated.

They stand around her and she looks around breathlessly. She can't believe she's there and surrounded by everyone she's missed for a whole decade. She even cracks a little grin when she sees her tío Bruno standing to the side.

"Tío," she mutters happily.

"We're both home now," he says calmly. She nods, biting her lip.

She turns around and peeks past the door frame. Mirabel waves her hand and Pepa approaches with the little girl. Sofia is now even more shy. She immediately runs up to her Mamá and lifts up her arms. Mirabel gladly lifts her into her arms. She kisses her cheek and pushes back her curls.