You are a madrigal

Part 13

The man in red stood up to face her with shock in his eyes. He gave her a smile and looked her over to see what time has done to the woman he once loved. "Wow, you look amazing, the color suits you." She shook her head and laughed still in shock." I could say the same for you, time has been kind to you, the stubble looks really nice."

They hugged before pulling away. "Gracias"

Dolores tilted her head to the side and continued to look him over. "What are you doing back? I thought I'd never seen you again." Alex grinned at her and scratched at the back of his head.

"Yea well, you know I was one to keep my promises, Lola. I told you I would at least try, and now here I am."

Dolores gave him a smile in return. After he left, she was so busy with the pregnancy and later trying to take care of Antonio properly, that she kind of forgot she made him promise. But she never forgot him. "Well I'm definitely glad you are back. Just in time for the ceremony actually..." Her heart sped up at the thought. Alex would finally get to meet Toni.

The man's eyes showed in recognition at the upcoming event and nodded his head. "That's right, the town was buzzing about the newest madrigal getting a gift today. He's your youngest brother right?"

Her eyes widened and she felt her heart drop in her chest. What would he say if she told him the truth? What if Alex was upset with her because of it? Dolores avoided eye contact with him, thinking at that moment the river looked more interesting. "Uh-Well, I..."

Before she could continue she stared blankly at the ground as she heard. "I know mama but now I can't find Antonio. What do you want from me?!" Her eyes widened as she looked back up.

"Hablando de la ultima incorporacion, It seems he is hiding from my parents... I should go help find him before the ceremony starts." Dolores turned and left without another word back to Casita, leaving a confused Alex behind her.

She reprimanded herself for her actions as she finally got there. She couldn't believe Alex was back and she was very happy that he was, but how was she going to tell him he had a son when not even Antonio knew she was his mother. She groaned and started fiddling with her top. This was becoming more complicated than she hoped.

When she heard Mirabel in the nursery with Toni, she let out a sigh. Okay, Antonio is fine, there was nothing to worry about. She looked around at the decorations and everything was looking pretty nice. Antonio's banner hung above his door. Flowers were hung up on the pillars. Casita even had a few streamers hanging up. "Looking great, Casita."

The house waved the kitchen doors as a thank you to the compliment. She found Felix and Pepa in the living room. "Antonio is fine, he's upstairs with Mira." Her mother nodded her head and looked at her with a smile. "Today's the day, are you excited?" Dolores gave her a smile and nodded her head.

"Toni will have fun and that's all I really care about. I don't need a door telling me how special he is." Pepa turned to Felix and shared a knowing look before looking back at their daughter. "That's the sound of a proud mother...." The younger woman groaned and shook her head

"Mama, We talked about this."

Her mother walked up to her and gave her a hug. "I know I know. Pero mirate, mija, look at how Tonito has changed you. You can tell the same lie for years on end for all I care, but the way that you feel when Antonio accomplishes new things. When he comes to you about his trouble and you know the perfect way to ease him. The way you look at him when he tells you he loves you. No one can ever take that feeling away from you. Even if you don't acknowledge it. Yes, me and your Papa took that role but you raised that boy upstairs, he looks up to you. And you love him just as I love you and Camilo." Pepa stepped back and gave her a smile as she moved a loose hair behind her ear.

"Even if it was just that once, he called you 'mama'. Deep down he knows who you are. That boy will forever be your son, Lola. You just have to accept it now, and maybe if you told him the truth, he would accept it too. You don't need to tell him everything, no one is asking that of you. Just tell him what he needs to know. That you are his mama and couldn't have asked more than to be a part of his life the way you are. "

Dolores gave her a smile as her mother caressed her cheek and sighed before giving her a nod. "Okay. I'll tell him. Just not right now. It's his ceremony after all, and then Isa's proposal is in two weeks. And.." She looked away from her parents before looking back up and glancing at the both of them. They gave her a concerned look and she finally said what was on her mind. "Alejandro came back. I'm not sure when but he's here. He's coming to the ceremony."

Her parents' eyes widened before looking at each other, before back to Dolores as Felix spoke. "...Do you plan on telling him about Antonio?" she shrugged and moved her hands to wrap around her arms. "It's only fair if I do. I just... I hope he won't be too upset. He's been gone for 6 years."

Felix and Pepa gave her a reassuring smile before coming to hug her. "Whatever you choose to do, we are with you ,mi amor. Cada paso del camino. " She gave them a smile before hearing Casita rolling Antonio and Mirabel around upstairs. "He's on his way down, let's meet him there."

When they left the room, they saw Camilo already waiting out front for them. They had waited a few minutes as the last of the guests arrived and Antonio came into view with Mirabel right behind him.

Dolores placed her hands over her chest and smiled. He looked dashing, he was in his ceremonial outfit, and his hair was as wild as ever. She was trying not to cry. Pepa, feeling the same way, had a light rain cloud over her head that Felix had to push away before Antonio got wet.

Camilo transformed into a smaller version of Felix and knelt down before giving the little boy a bright smile " You are making your papi proud." Dolores ignored the stinging in her heart at her brother's words as he and Felix bicker back and forth. Before long, Dolores could hear her Abuela starting the ceremony.

"It's time.." She gave him a smile and fixed his hair before she left and met with her parents up the stairs. Pepa and Felix stood behind Abuela as she stood on the other side with Camilo.

Abuela gives her speech and she sees Antonio at the end of the corridor with his hand fiddling with his shirt. She could hear how fast his heart was beating, he was scared. Dolores felt her heart tug at the boy's expression before he looked behind him to where she knew her youngest cousin stood. "I need you.."

Mirabel takes his awaiting hand and brings him all the way up. When the younger girl glanced at her as she let go of Antonio's hand she smiled in 'Thank you' as he placed his hands on the candle. He looked at her for a second and she gave him a barely noticeable nod and he grabbed the door causing a flash of light to appear.

Then all of a sudden a toucan flew to the boy's arm.