Breaking Expectations (Luisa Madrigal x OC) - ON HOLD

Prologue

A/N: Please read the Welcome! and The Batalla Family chapters if you hadn't already because have a total of six OCs so you might get confused if you don't check it out.

Catalina's eyes were closed as Abuela Lavanda said, "Abre los ojos... open your eyes..."

The glow of the flickering candle Abuela was holding, cast dancing streams of light along the walls, ceilings, and floor. Catalina hesitantly opened one eye before opening the other. She stared in awe at the candle's flickering glow and asked, "This is where our magic comes from?"

Looking at Catalina's awe-struck face Abuela smiled and replied, "Mm-hmm, this candle holds the miracle given to our familia and the Madrigals."

Her brown eyes, full of life and strength turned bronze in the candlelight, shifted up to meet her Abuela's eyes, "How did we get a miracle?" she asked.

Abuela pulls Catalina onto her lap and says, "Long ago, when my baby had just been born and Abuela Alma's three babies had been born, your Abuelos Pedro, Alma, Sebastián, and I were forced to flee our home. And though many joined us, hoping to find a new home we could not escape the dangers, and your Abuelo and Abuelo Pedro were lost. But in our darkest moment... we were given a miracle." She gestured to the candle she held in her hands.

"The candle became a magical flame that could never go out and it blessed us with a refuge in which to live. A place of wonder..." she took one hand off of the candle and gestured around the room. 

"An Encanto..." Catalina gasped.

"An Encanto," Abuela confirmed with a smile and tapped Catalina's nose playfully. She continue on, "The miracle grew... and our house, our casita itself, came alive to shelter us. When our children came of age, the miracle blessed each with a magic gift to help us. And when their children came of age..." she motioned for Catalina to finish her sentence.

"They got magic too," she said excitedly.

Abuela ran her hand through Catalina's dark brown hair and replied, "That's right... and together our familias gifts have made our new home... a paradise."

Smiling lovingly at Catalina's wonder Abuela announced, "Tonight, this candle will give you your gift, mi nieta. Strengthen our community, strengthen our home. Make your family proud." 

Looking at her Abuela with pride, she replied, "I will make my family proud. I will be strong for you and everyone else Abuela!"

Fireworks the color of honey exploded in the sky as Casita knocks a clock towards them, reminding them that it's time to start the ceremony. With a laugh, Abuela exclaims, "Yes, yes, Casita, we're going."

Casita brings Catalina her shoes. She giggles, then helps Abuela to the door, holding her hand, being both excited and nervous she asks "What do you think my gift will be?"

Abuela opens the door and starts to lead Catalina downstairs and replies, "You are a wonder, Catalina Batalla. Whatever your gift will be, it will be just as strong as your spirit."

After Abuela led her to a room closed off by curtains and she sat there for a good five minutes listening to her Abuelas talk about the history of the Miricle and how it built Encanto. When she heard her Abuela start talking about why everyone was gathered here today, she stood up with a shaky breath and walked over to the main curtain. In a gust of wind, the curtains parted so she could walk through the crowd of townspeople. Holding her head high with pride, she walked determinedly down the aisle and up the stairs. When she makes it to her Abuelas, her parents give her proud smiles. Abuela Alma says, "Will you use your gift to honor our miracle? Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?"

"Yes, Abuela Alma. I will make our families proud," Catalina says with a determined smile.

Catalina gently touches the candle and reaches for her doorknob. Gold light shines from the door as she pulls her hand away from it, her door is covered in details of her lifting weights and buildings. She goes to hug her dad and almost crushes him from it. 

"Oops, lo siento papa!" she exclaims as she pulls away. 

Abuela Lavanda exclaims, "We have a new gift!"