Blue Flames and Black Candles

Goodbye Seems Too Permanent

It had been a few months since Mirabel had moved out. Unsurprisingly, her siblings followed soon after her. Her parents stayed in Casita, but visited her often at the cottage. Luiza and Isabela had their own rooms that they actually got to decorate this time, instead of having a room magically made for them. Pepa, Felix, and the cousins also visited as often as they could, missing having the three girls in Casita.

Bruno bounced between Tas's casita, the cottage, and Casita; sleeping on the couch or in the walls. He tried to spend as much time with everyone as possible. Tas also bounced between his casita and the cottage, Adella often visiting with him. Life was finally going well.

"Mirabel, we're heading up to Casita, Mama said she needed to tell us something."

"Ok, let me grab my shoes and I'll come with you," Mira grabbed her shoes from where they had been resting next to the couch where she had been knitting. The three girls started the walk to Casita. "Do you know why she wanted to talk to us?"

"I'm not quite sure, but it might be something to do with Abuela. Last time I was there, she was pretty sick," Luiza seemed worried, though not nearly as much as she used to. She had calmed down considerably while living with Mirabel.

"I may not like her all that much, but I hope she's alright."

They made it to Casita easily, having only stopped when Wisp dive bombed them before perching on Mirabel's shoulder. They entered Casita and were ushered into the kitchen where the others were. All of the cousins looked worried and more than a little upset. Pepa had a rain cloud hovering over her as Felix attempted to console her. The scene did not reassure the girls.

"What's wrong? Is anyone hurt?" Isabela asked, worry etched into her face.

"It's your Abuela. She, she's not doing very well. She wants to talk to Mirabel, alone."

"No way! She treated Mira terribly, why should she-"

"I'll go talk to her," Mirabel knew this could go very badly, but she would rather not let the last worlds between the two to be the fight they had before she left. "Let's get this over with."

Mira took a deep breath before leaving the kitchen and walking up the stairs. Wisp knocked his head against her chin in an attempt to cheer her up. She knocked on Abuela's door, waited for the response, and stepped inside. The room was dark, lit only by the miracle candle, and Abuela lay on her bed, a cold compress on her forehead.

"Hey Abuela, how are you feeling?"

"Mirabel? Mirabel, we need to talk."

"Alright, then talk."

Before Abuela could start whatever she was going to say, a coughing fit cut her off. The woman had really gotten sick. They had been worried when Julieta's food couldn't heal her. The village doctor, who wasn't used to actually having patients, told them that she probably wouldn't get better. There was a very large chance for Abuela to not make it through the next two days.

"Mirabel, I can't apologize for wanting to keep the miracle burning. I want what is best for this family. So I must ask that you and your sisters back. The Casita has been gaining cracks and the miracle has been flickering."

"Abuela, is this really what you want the last thing you say to me to be? Seriously? If Isa and Luiza decide to move back in, then that will be their decision! I want to live my life without having to worry about how every choice I make reflects on the family! I want to live in my cottage, I want to continue my courtship with Tas, and I want to live my life!"

"Look, I refuse to fight with you right now. You don't want to apologize to me, fine. But do not demand things of me! If I move back in, it will be because I miss having my family so close! Currently, I want to live in my own house! If the miracle goes out, then I will gladly welcome the others into my home, but until then I am content to stay where I am. And you're going to have to accept that."

Abuela couldn't respond as another fit took over her body. Mira stepped out of the room, head held high. She would tell the others to go talk to her. She had made her peace, whether Abuela wanted to accept it or not.

"Hey. Why don't you two go talk to her. I'll help with Tia Pepa," Mirabel smiled weakly at her sisters, who hesitated before going upstairs. Mira walked up to Pepa, grabbed her hand and led her to sit down. "I know it hurts Tia, but you'll flood the encanto at this rate. Come on, I'll help you calm down."

Mirabel sat with her Tia, just allowing the woman to let her emotions. Eventually, Luiza and Isabela came back and told the cousins to go up and talk with Abuela. The two seemed shaken up as they sat down at the table, both pale. After the cousins came back it was time for Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno to go see Abuela. The kitchen was mostly quiet, except for the small sniffles of Antonio and Luiza.

A pained wail echoed down the stairwell and into the kitchen followed by the sounds of the storm outside picking up to a violent tempest. Antonio started bawling the second he heard his mama's scream. The others were trying to keep it together, but were failing rather badly. Even Mirabel lowered her head out of respect. Augustin and Felix had booked it out of the kitchen and to their wives.

The family followed the normal traditions following the death of a family member. The village was practically flooded the day they laid Abuela to rest as Pepa couldn't stop her tears, to be fair none of them could. For a month, the family mourned. The village didn't ask for their help, understanding the need for time and space. After that month, they slowly began their healing, though it wasn't linear and it didn't always make sense.

At times Pepa would turn to ask Abuela a question before breaking down, realising the woman wasn't there. Dolores still expected to hear Abuela's morning prayers and sharp knocks on the others' doors. Camilo refused to shift into Abuela, not after the last time his mama asked and he had to hold her as she cried. Antonio would ask Felix when she was coming home and would race up to Casita to try to catch a glimpse at the woman. Bruno began to give visions again, though he always had someone with him to act as a buffer.

Julieta would set the table with an extra place and would make extra food, continuing to do so even after realizing what she was doing. Isabela wore a pink and purple may flower in her hair to symbolize Abuela. Luiza refused to walk past the woman's room, taking an alternate route instead. And Mirabel, she would sit in that room next to the miracle candle, reading a book out loud, just like they used to do when she first learned to read.

Tas and Adella helped piece the family back together. They gave them unending support and a shoulder to cry on. Bruno and Mirabel more often than not stay at their casita. The family was slowly coming to terms with the death of Abuela.

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It was a little over a year later that they had another celebration: Dolores's birthday. They had a party for each birthday, including the triplets, Augustin, Felix, Tas, and Adella. They wanted to celebrate every year they had together. And it was finally Mirabel's turn.