You are a madrigal

Part 19

For once in her life, Dolores couldn't hear anything. Her heart was beating so fast and the blood was rushing in her ears as she stood in front of casita. She turned and looked at Alex who gave her a concerned look. Antonio stood between them with his own worried expression. She looked down at him and gave him a small smile as she placed her hands on his face.

"Toni, when we get inside I want you to go upstairs. It might get loud, take your animal friends with you so you'll have company and when we are done talking I will come get you, okay?"

He gave her a nod as she looked back up and sighed as Alex grabbed her hand. "..let's go."

When they walked into Casita, their eyes were met with Pepa who was being held by Felix to help calm the storm. Camilo, Luisa, Isabela and Mirabel all stared at her with unease making her grip on Alex's hand tightened. She looked at Antonio who started back at her with big eyes before she nudged him to go up the stairs.

"I'll come get you later, I promise." Antonio spared both of his parents a passing glance before Mirabel grabbed onto his hand. Dolores gave her a thankful smile as she took him to his room.

When they were out of sight she took a deep breath and let go of Alex's hand as she glanced at the others before looking at her grandmother. Even if Dolores didn't hear the conversation that happened between her and Pepa, it was clear as day to see how upset she was with her.

She willed herself to keep her head up to look at the older woman. "Abuela... I ca-" The older woman held her hand up as she looked at Dolores with distaste. Her nostrils flared before she sighed and looked at the watch in her hands.

"...I need to go get the Guzman's for dinner. When they leave, you better have a good enough explanation as to what I just heard." Alma side eyed her granddaughter as well as Alex before she walked out the house. Dolores stood there and stared at where her Abuela had stood before she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"So instead of a little brother, I have a nephew..." her eyes turned over to Camilo as he spoke. She looked away for only a second and glanced over to Alex before looking back at him. Her lips pressed into a thin line and she began playing with her fingers. "Yea, pretty much. I was going to tell you all once I had everything figured out. Antonio didn't even know for a while and I... I just... there was a lot going on and I didn't-."

Before she could start rambling Camilo walked up and wrapped his arms around her. "You don't need to explain anything to me, Lola. I'm sure you had your reasons." Dolores' eyes softened and she brought her arms up to return his hug. Soon the others joined in and tears filled all their eyes. Dolores looked at all of them as they gave her soft smiles when they let go. "I'm so sorry about this."

Isa tilted her head and grabbed at her hands. "Prima, you don't need to apologize. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry. When I first saw Antonio I knew that there was something more behind what was happening. I knew something was wrong and I never bothered to ask."

Pepa walked in from the kitchen and went to hug her daughter. "Mija, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to tell them." Dolores smiled and hugged her mother tighter. "I know mama. I'm not upset with you. I should've listened the first time when you told me to tell them, I was being stubborn."

Felix came over and gave her a smile as he placed a hand on her cheek. "You were being cautious and logical about the situation. You were looking out for Antonio, no one can fault you for doing what you thought was right. " todavía te amamos, Paloma. " Dolores' smile became brighter as she looked over her parents. "I love you, too. All of you."