A Slow Burning Candle *Main story completed, additional scenes to be added*

Chapter 24: Secret

Chapter 24: Secret

Now that was news that the village was not expecting.

Dolores and Mariano however, that was highly anticipated. Given his insistence on love and Dolores' enthusiasm, it was only a matter of time before an elaborate wedding was in the cards for the first Madrigal grandchild who was to be married.

And while a few people had seen Luz and Bruno about town and were aware of the fact that they had been courting for the same amount of time, even more if they knew the whole story, it was still a surprise when Alma announced her son was engaged to the local maestra.

Bruno and Luz had ended up waiting about a week after the actual proposal to announce the news, letting the younger couple have their moment in the spotlight. Dolores, thankfully, took the news well and was just as congratulatory with them as they'd been with her.

It helped that Luz was not exactly a "big wedding" kind of person. She wasn't as introverted as her fiancé, but there was a bittersweet tone to the whole event for her. Outside of Carlos and Josefa, there was no one on her side of the aisle, as it were.

"I'm kind of surprised, honestly." Josefa sat down across from Luz, handing her a cup of café, "You never really seemed interested in boys back in school."

Luz nodded, giving a light laugh, "Well they were all the way across the courtyard in a different building."

"Yes, but you never snuck over with the rest of us girls to get a closer look."

The maestra shook her head, "I just wasn't the type."

"It's a bit odd, isn't it? I thought you'd never get married, and I was sure my dad was sending me to the convent right before Carlos arrived." Josefa took a drink of coffee, looking around the apartment, "Then I end up running away with this guy I just met, and I come here, where Luz, my old sensible friend from school." She shook her head, smiling, "Is now completely lovesick over a guy who disappeared one day!"

"Yeah."

"Oh, and by the way, the whole town is an Encanto." Josefa was staring at the wall, "It's just, so unbelievable at times."

"Me or the magic?" Luz raised an eyebrow.

"Both." Her friend paused, and she seemed to tense up suddenly, like she had forgotten something, "Not that you'd be in love, or getting married, but it is different from the Luz I grew up with."

On this point, she did have to agree. Maybe it was something about the town itself. She got a letter out of the blue and followed it far into the mountains without any good reason to do so.

Then, knowing the rules of her station, proceeded to fall for one of the only men in the town she couldn't have hidden from the Doña in a million years.

It was, for lack of a better word, fantastical. At least in her mind.

Ever since she'd come there, she'd noticed just how rare of a presence hers was in this place. How odd it was that Carlos left and could return. The town didn't seem to make itself apparent, and if her letter was any indication, one needed to be invited in.

Luz had never been one to hang all her hopes and dreams on fate, but as time went on, it suddenly felt more and more like she had always been meant to end up here.

The two women shared a short wistful moment, each considering the strange life path that had led them to this place.

"So, have you decided when the wedding is?"

There was a sigh, "Yes, in about four months."

"Four?" Josefa was surprised, "I'm surprised it wasn't next week the way you two have been carrying on."