𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘶 | 𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗹

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 16

Encanto, Colombia
1949

The late morning sun was bright, shining down on the casita as breakfast was just finished and the family was either cleaning or out already in the town. A couple laughs echoed through the kitchen as Julieta and Elena chatted with one another, cleaning and cooking. "It's certainly a new feeling but it's something I've always wanted. Though, not as much different as having my wonderful nieces and nephews" Elena smiled as she kneaded some dough on the counter. "Bruno seems to be having the time of his life though, hm?" Julieta turned to her, wiping her hands clean on her apron as a couple Arepas cooked on the stove top. Elena smiled again and nodded. "It warms my heart to see him like that with her. Speaking of which though, where are those two?" Julieta shrugged as Elena finished and let the dough rest, wiping her hands clean before two figures walked into the kitchen. "Elena, mi amour..?" Bruno's voice echoed as both woman turned to him, a younger girl in his arms. Both were covered in dirt and sticks, a couple small scratches too. "Ay Bruno, how?" Elena sighed at the sight of her small family and rubbed the temple of her forehead. "Julieta?"

"Already on it" she could only chuckle as she prepared a plate for her injured brother and niece as Elena just shook her head at the messy pair, who were amused with the whole situation. "Eat. And after, go get cleaned up." Elena placed a plate of food in front of her husband and daughter, giving them a stern look.

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The fields near the casita was calming as the wind blew through the long grass ever so gracefully, like it was trying to dance for the whole world to see. She couldn't help but smile as she picked important herbs and berries for her sister-in-law, who had asked her politely to do so and because she loved her so much, she happily obliged.

She hummed and picked through the grass for a while, the sun beaming down happily on her and the earth as the wind danced through her hair and dress, it certainly was a beautiful sight she would note for a future art piece. She would throw around names for it as well as she continued to pick through the grass swaying about. "Hello beautiful" a voice behind her caused her to turn around and observe the man just a few feet away from her. "Glad to see your cleaned up. Where's Carina?" Elena continued to do her job, turning her back to her husband in slight annoyance. "She's cleaned up and with her cousins, amor, don't worry." He approached her as she stood up straight again, placing a few herbs in a basket she had with her and turned to look back to him, her face straight. "Are you mad at me, amor?" Bruno asked as he smiled softly to her, a soft chuckle following. She avoided the question. "I'm a bit occupied at the moment, mi vida"

He lifted his hand and caressed her cheek. "Don't be upset, Elena. She's okay, we're okay. We were having fun and accidentally got a bit dirty. She'll get a scratch and bruise here and there, don't worry amor"
Elena sighed at her husbands words, she knew they were true but something still just worried her. Motherly instincts perhaps. "You're right, I'm sorry I didn't mean to be upset. It's all just new and worrying." Bruno caressed her cheek again with his thumb as he stared into his wife's eyes. "It's new for both of us, but I'm willing to go through the journey together, through thick and thin" he smiled at her as he kissed her lips gently, a small smile then creeping onto her lips as he rested his forehead onto hers. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment. "I am actually pretty busy though so I will need some time" Elena smiled. "It can wait" "Can it though?" "Yes, it can". He took the basket from Elena's hands and placed into onto the ground, the woven basket getting lost in the long grass as he took hold of his wife's hands and twirled her around, causing a giggle out of Elena. "Bruno! I have to get these herbs for you sister!" She shouted as she laughed in his embrace, dancing around with him in the field. "Oh, she can wait!" He smiled as he picked her up by the waist and lifted her up gently. She laughed again as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "This makes me feel like we're young again". Elena smiled as she was placed back down but still in her husbands embrace, almost in a slow dancing position.

"We're forever young at heart" Bruno replied as he ran his fingers through her long hair. "Your hair was a lot shorter way back when. I'm glad you grew it out". Elena smiled at the thought of them young again, young love. She looked into his eyes, older and wiser but still the same pair she fell in love with so long ago. She could still see an image of his face from the first time they confessed, he was so handsome. Though that's memories would be missed, she would continue to cherish the new ones they could create together now. She smiled again but more brightly as Bruno broke her from her thoughts with a kiss on the cheek. "There's that beautiful smile" he whispered.

"Tia Elena!" A shout from across the field caught the attention of both as they turned their heads to the direction of Isabela's shout, a smile on her face as she held hands with Carina before pushing her over to them with vines, the young girl giggling as Bruno and Elena smiled at her. She was dirty yet again but was certainly more on the colourful side. Bruno picked her up as Isabela approached them. "Hello my darling, you're a lot more colourful than I remember". Elena smiled as Isabela giggled. "We may have had a little friendly flower fight" she fist bumped Carina as she nodded and laughed. "Well, no matter, we can get you cleaned up again. We should all head back to the casita anyways, I have some ingredients for your mother so she can prepare a delicious dinner" Elena smiled as she picked up her basket again. Carina was placed back down onto the ground and ran along with Isa towards home as Bruno waited for Elena, grabbing hold of her hand as they began to walk through the field. Carina tripped in the long grass but got right back up and giggled as she began to run with Isabela again, Elena shaking her head. "Stop hurting yourself, amor! Your tia can only make so much arepas in a day!"