The Heart of Camilo (A Camilo Madrigal x Reader Fem Y/N Story)

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*Camilo*

After all the fear and tension of the previous week, it seemed too good to be true that everything was suddenly okay. Y/N lived with us now, her father was gone, she was sitting two seats away from me at dinner, laughing and talking with my family. She was happy and relaxed, so no reason to think her gift would suddenly go crazy. I felt ridiculously happy, finding myself grinning as my default state. I knew I must look like an idiot, but I couldn't help it. I leaned across Mirabel, who was sitting between us, as promised, to talk to Y/N for the 10th time, "I don't mean to brag, but I can eat five empanadas in under five minutes. Want to see?" I asked, grinning and reaching for the large plate full of them.

Y/N laughed and grinned at me, but Mirabel said, "Ew, Camilo, nobody wants to see that. And stop squishing me!" She shoved me back away from her.

"Hey, you chose our seats and yours," I laughed. "Next time, let me sit where I want to sit." I leaned over and grinned widely at Y/N, who was shaking her head at me, holding back a laugh with her hand over her mouth.

"Camilo, please, people are eating," Isabella said from across the table, but her smile didn't match the irritation in her voice.

"I have a few announcements," Abuela said, and the table went quiet to listen. "Firstly, Isabella, Mariano will be coming tomorrow to eat dinner with us. It will be nice for you and him to get some time to talk and we can discuss when the proposal can be."

"That ... that sounds lovely," Isabella said, her smile fixed. I transformed into Mariano and made kissing noises at her. She narrowed her eyes at me and then returned to her meal.

"Camilo, enough, don't shift at the table," Abuela said. "And speaking of you, Senorita Lopez asked for you to babysit after school for the next week because you are so good with her daughter. Her mother has come down with something and she needs the extra support."

I sighed, but didn't dare complain. "No problem, Abuela, Cecelia is the best."

"Perfect. And of course, Y/N, now that you are staying with us, I hope you know you will be expected to help out," Abuela turned to her.

"Of course!" Y/N said enthusiastically. "I'd love to help, just tell me what I need to do."

"She can help me babysit," I offered. "Cecelia loves Y/N."

All the adults at the table gave me a look.

"What?" I asked. "It's true." I grinned. My cousins rolled their eyes.

"No, Camilo, you and Y/N won't be assigned the same chore," Abuela said. "As if that was not already obvious." She shook her head and adjusted her shawl. "Y/N, I know you have some experience with farming, so I would like you to be available for support for the farmers, providing assistance if they need it once you are done with school. Your father has already been escorted out of town," she continued, seeing my brows furrow and mouth open to protest. "You won't need to worry about running into him."

I didn't like that. Couldn't she do something a little closer to home, just in case he tried coming back? But then I remembered her gift. If her father showed up, there wouldn't be a problem. I smiled at her. "You'll do great," I said to Y/N, leaning across Mirabel again, who once again groaned and shoved me back.

"Of course she will," my mother said, reaching out and grabbing Y/N's hand and squeezing it. My parents both smiled at me, and then reached to hold each other's hands. I wasn't sure what I was doing that was making them so happy, but who cared? I grinned back.