El Milagro || C. Madrigal

PROLOGUE

It was a peaceful morning in a small village of Colombia. The morning birds' chirping can be heard from the windowsill as a small 7 year old girl lay on her bed, snuggled in her blankets.

Knock knock knock

"Mi hija, are you awake?" a soft voice said from the other side of the door.

The young girl stirred from the sound but is still fast asleep. The person outside the room slowly opened the door and silently walked in, seeing that the little girl was still in bed, they chucked. The little girl stirred once again, this time taking a small peek at the one who came in her bedroom, but closed her eyes again upon seeing who they were. Slowly approaching her was her beloved Abuela, Elisa Esperanza.

"Now, now, Valentina. I think you might be forgetting what today is supposed to be." Abuela Elisa said in a hushed voice, gently sitting on her grandchild's cushions. She then proceeded to gently pat little Valentine's head, trying to get the sleepiness out from the child. Valentina proceeded to finally, yet slowly, open her eyes and yawn. She sat up looking at her Abuela and proceeded to give her a soft smile.

"Buenos Díaz, Abuela."

"Buenos Díaz to you too, mi hija. Time to get up. We have to prepare for your special day." Abuela Elisa replied to the child, smiling back to her.

Valentine slightly turned her head to the side where another, already organized bed, laid. She turned her head back, facing her Abuela once again before opening her mouth to speak.

"Hermano's already up?" Valentine asked, slowly getting out her comfortable bed, her Abuela standing back up still facing the child. "Yes amor, though not too long ago." Abuela Elisa replied as she slowly turned around and started to walk back to the door.

Turning her head slowly to the side, she said once again, "We'll wait for you downstairs. Your Mami already made breakfast for you, so try to hurry up and head straight down after you freshen up, okay?

"Okay, Abuela." Valentina said softly. Her Abuela just smiled and nodded, finally getting out of the room and closing the door.

Not long after, Valentina was already dressed out of her night clothes and is now wearing her favorite Navy Blue and White dress. She quickly put on her shoes, opened the door and headed downstairs to where the rest of her Familia is. She passed by the living room kissing Abuelo Manuel's cheek, who was sitting quietly on the couch with closed eyes. She muttered a quick greeting before continuing her way to their kitchen.

Before she could even enter, she could already smell the Changua that her mami made. As she walked in the kitchen, she immediately scanned the room. There, her Mother was getting a serving of the food she made. Sensing someone entering, her mami, Veronica, turned around and smiled brightly at her daughter.

"Mi Amor, you're finally awake. Happy Birthday!" Valentina's mom said happily, as she gently placed the Changua serving she was holding on the counter, walking towards her child and hugged her.

"Ah there you are! Buenos Díaz and happy birthday, hija!" another voice said. Valentina tilted her head looking towards the person who just walked in the kitchen. Her father, Hernando, stopped beside her and her mother, then proceeded to join in the hug. The little girl giggled as both parents kissed one one each side of their daughter's cheek before letting go.

Hernando gently placed his hand on the child's head, "Come on, Gabriel is almost done eating his breakfast. You should go and eat yours so we could head out." he stated as he ruffled the little girl's head.

The girl nodded, as she walked towards their dining table that was connected to their kitchen, she noticed her twin brother sitting on one of the chairs. Seeing this, Valentina's smile widened and rushed to sit beside her brother.

Noticing that his sister was finally up, Gabriel grinned waving towards her. "Hola V! Happy Birthday!" he said before slightly wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"Happy Birthday to you too mi hermano." Valentine replied as she got comfortable on her seat. Their mother walked in and placed her daughter's breakfast in front of her.

"Vamo, after you finish breakfast we can finally go to that store you've been meaning to visit." Veronica gently said while smiling down to her children. The twins nodded while grins plastered their faces.

Time passed and it was already around late afternoon. As promised, after eating breakfast, Hernando, Veronica and the twins got out and went to the places they were planning to go within their village. After buying gifts for their children, the couple decided to head back home to celebrate their kids' birthday with the rest of the family, who was preparing for the celebration while the four of them went out.

Once they arrived home, Hermano opened the door to their house, followed by Veronica and finally the twins. As they stepped into their home, Valentina and Gabriel were immediately surprised to see their beloved house was decorated in colorful banners and frills inside. A chorus of "Happy Birthdays" were heard as people that were hiding from their hiding spots got out with cheerful smiles on their faces.

The twins stood side by side with each other, their cheeks practically hurting from all the smiling, thanked their tia, tio and cousins. Valentina noticed her Abuela was beside her Abuelo on the sofa, smiling at them. The rest of the day was celebrated with the whole family singing, playing fun games for the kids, eating and opening presents. Night quickly flew by, and it was finally night time. After the celebration, before heading to their separate rooms, they cleaned up together and finally said their goodbyes.

In their bedroom, Valentina sat on her bed reading the newly bought book that her brother gave to her as a gift. While Gabriel was trying to organize his gifts beside his bed. A knock was heard in the middle of the silence, Gabriel and Valentina looked up to see who it was. The door slowly opened revealing their Abuela.

"Hola mi amores, I see you both aren't asleep yet," their Abuela started as she walked in the room and sat on Valentina's bed. The twins had their full attention on her as she continued, "that's good. I still had to give both of you your presents." She said smiling towards her grandchildren, who in return, smiled back.

Gabriel got closer, "What did you get for us Abuela?" he said excitedly, slightly jumping up and down. Valentina decided to get closer as well, now sitting close beside her Abuela on her Bed.

Abuela Elisa chuckled softly as she got something out from her pocket. She first faced Gabriel reaching her hand out for Gabriel.

"Mi hijo, here..." she said as she placed an item on her grandson's small hand. "It's from me and your Abuelo Manuel. He gave this to me when we were still younger. I want you to have it." The boy looked at the item that he held. It was a necklace. It had a thick black ribbon with a Light Blue gem in the middle.

His eyes sparkled as he looked back at his Abuela, "Thank you so much!" he said as he hugged and kissed her cheek. They both released their hug, Gabriel now sitting on the floor. Abuela Elisa then faced Valentina. "Mi hija." She started as she slightly outstretched her arm towards her granddaughter, holding a Dark Maroon colored cloth that Valentina didn't notice her Abuela was holding coming in. With a curious gaze, she held the item and unfolding it. Doing this, she noticed that it was a ruana that have a plain Dark Maroon color with swirly-like stitches on the edges. It also had Green designs hanging off all around the edges

"I made it especially for you, Valentina." Abuela said, "I know it seems a little big for you right now, but you'll still grow. I want you to use it as long as possible." she finished, combing her fingers gently on the little girl's hair.

The elder got startled as she was suddenly engulfed in a hug by the girl. She hummed as she wrapped her frail arms around her granddaughter.

"Thank you Abuela. I'll cherish this forever." Valentina softly said as she slowly let go of her Abuela and kissed her cheek.

"I'm glad you both liked it. Now, time for bed." Abuela Elisa said as she stood up. Gabriel lazily got on his bed and laid down, whereas Valentina was already getting comfortable in her blanket.

Their Abuela reached their door, before stepping out she turned her attention back to the twins, smiling softly.

"Sweet dreams amores. Happy Birthday." she said in a whisper, seeing that her grandchildren with closed eyes, sound asleep, Gabriel already snoring softly. She hummed once again, finally but gently closing the door.