Finally Grown Up (Aged up Camilo and Y/n story)

Chapter 2-The Twins Ceremony

The next morning is hectic. Dolores and Mariano are running around, chasing the twins trying to get them into their dresses for the ceremony. Luisa is moving around chairs and tables, whilst Isabella decorates the walls and pillars with bright flowers and vines. A delicious aroma wafts from the kitchen, where Felix, Pepa and Julieta are beginning to cook the enormous amount of food needed for the evening. "Camilo can you grab that for me," I say as I walk inside, carrying an overflowing basket of various decorations. Camilo, who was sweeping the inner courtyard, leans his broom against the wall and runs over to pick up the string of bandanas that had fallen out of the basket. "Gracias, mi vida," I say, grinning as he wraps the decorative string around his neck like a scarf. "Very handsome, you look very colourful," His face has a childish grin across it.

"I can take this," He says, stretching out his arms. "I'm ok, I got it," I reply, reshuffling my grip on the basket. "If you're sure, amor," He shrugs, giving me a quick kiss before returning to finish sweeping the floor. "Ah, gracias Y/n, just place that in the living room, I'll take care of it later," Mirabel says, rushing up to me. "Yes Ma'am," I say jokingly, heading towards the living room. A few minutes later I'm standing at the foot of the stairs, looking up. Two new doors stand side by side, emitting a bright golden glow. "They're cool aren't they," Camilo says, coming up behind me and resting his hands on my shoulders. "I wonder what the gifts will be..." I say, still gazing up at the doors. "We'll find out soon." Camilo replies, leaning forward to kiss my cheek. "Abuela needs us outside," He adds, taking my hand and walking outside.

Later that evening...

Casita looks amazing, illuminated by hundreds of lanterns, burning brightly. Dolores is straightening out the twins' dresses whilst Mariano fixes bows onto the back of their heads. "You girls know what to do, si?" Dolores asks them, crouching down to their level. "Yes mama, we know." They say in unison, grinning from ear to ear. "Estupenda." Dolores says, kissing each of them on the cheek.

I can see a stream of people making their way through the village, holding lanterns and sparklers. Camilo, Antonio and I are standing outside, waiting to greet the guests. "Hola senor! Senora, welcome," Camilo greets the first guests as they filter into Casita. "Bienvenidas!" I say, smiling at the villagers. Antonio jumps up and down, high fiving his friends excitedly. After the last guest has arrived, Camilo slips his hand into mine and we head inside to the crowded casita.

The music from the band fills the atmosphere, and the buzz of conversation is lively. After a couple of minutes of chatting with various guests, Camilo and I make our way over to the hidden room, in which Dolores and Mariano are preparing the twins. "Tio!" They exclaim excitedly as we push through the thick velvet curtains that conceals the room. "You two look muy bonitas!" He smiles, crouching down to embrace the both of them. "You girls excited?" I ask. And they nod their heads vigorously. "Nervous?" I ask Dolores, noticing her ringing her hands together. "Just a little..." She says looking anxiously at her daughters. "It's going to be great, mi amor," Mariano tells her, rubbing her arm soothingly. She smiles weakley, her eyebrows furrowed with worry.

"Oh Abuela says it's time, quickly girls come here." Dolores squeaks, beckoning for Natalia and Valentina. "We will be waiting at your door," She tells them, straightening out the hems of their dresses one last time. "Alright sobrinas, you got this!" Camilo says, kissing each of their foreheads. I follow Camilo Mariano and Dolores out of the room, and Camilo and I join the rest of the Madrigals at the foot of the grand staircase. Dolores and Mariano meet Abuela at the top of the stairs, next to the two glowing doors. In Abuelas hands is the candle, burning brightly as usual.

"Welcome everyone! This family has been able to use our gifts to help and serve this loving community for many, many years, and today we welcome 2 new members to step into the light, and make this comunidad stronger!" Abuela's words are met with excited applause from the whole room. Spotlights turn on and point towards the velvet curtains at the end of a long run way created by the parted crowd. The curtains separate and reveal Valentina and Natalia, in beautiful matching white dresses. I clap excitedly for them as they walk down the long aisle.

Everybody watches intentently as the twins approach Abuela. "Who wants to go first?" She asks, smiling kindly down at the girls. "I'm 5 minutes older! I should go first!" Natalia exclaims excitedly. Valentina shrugs, still beaming. "Now, Natalia Madrigal, do you pledge to use your gift to honour our miracle? Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?" Abuela says as Natalia places her hands on the candle. Her eyes light up, illuminated by the light of the single flame. "Si." She says determinedly. Alma gestures to the first of the 2 doors. Camilo squeezes my hand, and I look towards him, our eyes meeting. A wide smile is plastered on his face, and I can see the anticipation and excitement behind his wide eyes. The whole room holds its breath as Natalia places her small hand on the golden door knob.

Like a blazing explosion, the glowing light of the door intensifies. I hear Camilo gasp beside me, and we all stare at the door as the blinding glow dims. After a moment of nothing, Natalia disappears. I look at Camilo, slightly confused. Next second Natalia reappears, a huge grin on her face. Applause and joyous laughter fills the room as people begin to realize what has happened. "Her gift is invisibility!" I exclaim excitedly. "Si! Si, mi amor!" Camilo agrees, clapping ecstatically. "Fantástica!" Abuela says, hugging her granddaughter. "Now, Valentina, do you promise to use your gift to honor our miracle? Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?" She says, after Valentina had finished hugging her sister. "Si, Abuela, I do," She says, placing her hands on the candle. The crowd quietens down as, just like Natalia's door, Valentina's begins to glow brightly. Again the room goes silent.

As the glow dims slightly, the two twins become 3, and then 4, and then 6 and then back to just 2. "Cloning?" Camilo suggests now grinning. Dolores and Mariano embrace their daughters, planting kisses all over their smiling faces. I wrap my arm around Camilo's as the crowd claps. "That could be us someday," he shouts over the noise. "Mhm," I say, only half hearing him. "Come on, let's go!" I say, running up the stairs. The rest of the Madrigals begin to climb the stairs behind us. I take in the view of the two new doors. Natalia's depicts her, surrounded by mist to signify her illusionist gift of invisibility, and Valentina's shows her in the centre, with multiple copies of herself standing behind her. It's beautiful. We hug the twins and congratulate Dolores and Mariano, before we all head back down to the crowd, who are applauding and cheering.

Later that evening...

By the end of the night everyone is exhausted. The villagers eventually filter out and Antonio, Natalia and Valentina have been put to bed. "Ready for bed, mi vida?" Camilo asks as we clear away the last few glasses from the side tables. "Si, my feet are killing me." I say, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Great, cause same." He yawns. We say goodnight to the rest of the family, before returning to Camilo's room, falling asleep instantly after the long, exciting night.