Safe and sound ( C. Madrigal )

She will be loved

When the time came for the Madrigals to return home, Camilo asked you to join him, and you agreed because you had no family left there except for the memories of your late mother. You left the orphanage in Ana's hands.

you're leaving with no regrets.

" Sleep, mi amor. I'll wake you up when we get there. " You rested your head on his shoulder as he kissed your hand and wrapped a blanket around your body, you had been restless for the last several hours, juggling documents. It severely drained your energy.

( Camilo's )

" mamí, is everything ready? " I whispered as quietly as possible for Y/n not to hear.

" Yes mijo, mamí's got it all covered. " she smiled and cupped my cheek. I glance at Dolores behind me giving her a ' do-not-spoil-the-surprise-or-ill-tell-mami-you-snuck-out-to-meet-mariano ' look and she gulped making me smirk.

I shifted my body gently to find a comfortable position, my hand not leaving hers. I melted into my seat and played with the ends of her hair.

" Pretty. " I whispered and kissed her cheek.

.......

( Y/n's )

The vehicle pulled up, and the sound of the doors opening startled me awake. I rubbed my eyes while Camilo massaged my shoulders and kissed my forehead. As I glanced out the window, it was already sundown, and I noticed that the townspeople had all been dressed up and heading into the Casita, which confused me.

" What's the occasion? " I asked Camilo as we walked towards the Casita, my eyes half-closed and my hair entangled. He just shrugged and held my hand. Casita dragged me inside as we reached the front door, and I no longer felt Camilo alongside me. As it was pitch black, I couldn't help but panic. My hard breathing is also the only thing heard in the hall till the yellow fairy lights slowly flickered on, revealing the Madrigals and villagers gathered around the table in the middle, singing happy birthday.

Mirabel and Antonio approach me as I gave them a questioning look and they stood on both sides of me, holding my hands. " Happy birthday Hermana. " Antonio giggled, It's my birthday? Mirabel tugged on my arm, gesturing me to walk with them. I held both of their hands tightly.

" Make a wish amor. " tío Agustin pat my back gently as I paused for a moment before blowing the candle and they cheered. As Isabela pulled me to her room, where the other Madrigals gathered, the hall filled with lively music and the people conversing. Before I could say anything, they all pulled me into a group hug.

" Happy birthday to Camilo's princesa. " Dolores nudged my elbow and I just laughed, they won't stop teasing me anytime soon. Isabela, as always, didn't like how tangled my hair was, so she styled it while Mirabel handed me a white box with a gold ribbon tied around it. They surrounded me, eager for me to open it. When I opened it, it was a white silk off-the-shoulder dress with embroidered sunflowers on the front. I just smiled and I'm at a loss for words.

" Oh you have to wear that tonight. " Luisa ruffled my hair making Isabela groan and they chased each other around the room.

.....

We went downstairs to entertain the visitors once we completed getting dressed, playing with the children, listening to old tales from the elders, and accepting advice from the grownups. Antonio pulled me to the dancefloor asking me to dance with him, well, how can I say no to this little guy? As we danced, butterflies flew across the room making me giggle and carry Antonio.

" Tonito, it's my turn. " Camilo says approaching us, his hair was tied in a bun, he looked the same as he was at the dance but his vest was color white matching my dress. I bit my lip and let Antonio down and watched as he ran with his animal friends.

" Hey. " He took my hand in his and squeezed it, drawing my attention to him. My face was red, and I avoided my gaze. " Querida? What's wrong? " he pulled my chin gently to face him and he cupped my cheek.

" Nothing, you look handsome. " I smiled awkwardly, earning a cute little chuckle from him and he kissed my nose. " I didn't know you'd be that flustered mi amor. "

He then dragged me upstairs to his room, it was my first time here, and I couldn't help but be amazed. So I sat on his bed, tracing the chameleon stitches on his yellow sheets, he smiled as he sifted through his belongings, looking for something. He then handed me a brown box as he sat down beside me, gesturing for me to open it. He kissed my cheek as I opened it.

" A camera? "

" Yep, mamí told me that taking pictures of the moments you hold dearly in your heart are like souvenirs you keep after that memorable experience. Let's make new memories and capture them. " He explains and asks me to sit on my lap, as he hugs my form and softly rubs my back. I love this man so much. I had an idea, so I sat beside him and held the camera up, directing at both of us.

" Smile! " He rested his chin on my shoulder as we both smiled for the camera.

my favorite core memory.