I Would Have You In My Dreams Forevermore (Bruno Madrigal x female reader)

What Ties Us Together Will Never Fray

After being kicked out of Casita, my life returned to what it was before I truly knew Bruno Madrigal. That is except for mi sobrinos, well, Bruno's sobrinos. Their visits made me still feel as if I were a part of la familia Madrigal. My sleep schedule was just as annoying as it was prior to falling in love with Bruno. My work did flourish in his absence though. That made me feel guilty.

The days were monotonous, except for lunch time for the kids. One by one they would trickle in and I would hand them a bag of food. Camilo always got extra because of how taxing it was changing his shape into others all the time.

I knew I used my love for the kids to mask the crushing guilt and grief within myself. Each of the kids were growing into beautiful individuals, and yet I watched and heard their struggles. After I had been forced to leave Dolores was the first of the kids to seek me out. As she had always done prior to me moving into Casita, she walked into my house and woke me.

"Tia?" She asked as I awoke, eyes puffy from falling asleep crying again.

"Dolores?" I asked my voice thick and confused asked.

"I still consider you a part of mi familia." She had told me. And I remember the tears that fell that day.

And then like clockwork Dolores began bringing the other kids over. Mirabel was the first to come visit with Dolores. It was bittersweet seeing her. She climbed into my bed and clutched me tight, her glasses becoming askew.

"You are still my tia, right?" She asked nervously.

"Oh, Mira. You know I am, you're my sobrina perfecta, and that will never change."

"Everyone is mad at me though." She said quietly and I wrapped her in a tight embrace.

"I couldn't ever be mad at you. So therefore not everyone is. I love you for you, not for some gift that is expected of you."

"Really?" She said wiping tears from her small face.

"Absolutely, now I think we should do what your Tio Bruno and I would do when he was upset."

"What's that?" She asked.

"We make empanadas." I picked her up off the bed and took her downstairs, setting her on my counter. As we worked the dough I felt the grief of not having Bruno by my side as I let cornmeal fly at Mirabel. Pushing it down, I allowed myself to get lost in the laughter and joy that Mirabel was experiencing.

We made a huge mess of the kitchen. And Mirabel had a bright smile on her face as I cleaned her up.

"Can I come over tomorrow?" She asked with a hopeful smile.

"You can come over whenever you want, my back door is always open for you."

"Gracias, tia!"

Mirabel and Dolores convinced Luisa to visit next and I was overjoyed that I had the three of them for company. Luisa tried to assist with chores, so I came up with a plan. Making a fake list of chores and setting it on the counter before they arrived, I waited. Luisa called for me from the backyard and I grinned as she laid in a hammock.

"Tia, how long do I lay in the hammock to test if it's strong enough?" She asked.

"Oh, long enough to test some things for lunch!" I said bringing her some food, and laughing internally at the fact that she was taking a much needed break.

That went on for some time before I had to get more creative with my "relaxation chores" for her.

Camilo was the next victim of the scheme Dolores set in motion. He showed up with Mirabel and awkwardly sat at my table looking around.