Fly High, Butterfly

Chapter 1

Mirabel frowned, Dolores and Mariano's engagement party was tonight and Bruno was nowhere to be found. Pepa was already in a tizzy, rain clouds forming above as she paced around, Felix following after comfortingly. Julieta was in the kitchen whipping up a storm of food, her papi, Agustin, was helping Camilo and Isabella with the flowers, Antonio was instructing his animal friends to help as well, Dolores was setting up the table, and Luisa was setting up the table outdoors.

All accounted for except for Bruno.

She paused when she heard Casita move it's tiles in the dinning room, and she smiled fondly as she leaned against the table. He must of been feeling more overstimulated than usual if he resorted to such an unoriginal hiding place.

"Hm. I wonder where tio Bruno could be. Is he possibly under the table?".

"Bruno no es aquí under the table." The voice replied "only Hernando.".

"Ahh. I see. Well can Hernando tell Bruno it's almost time for the party?" Mirabel asked.

"Bruno does not want to go.".

Mirabel sighed softly before crouching to get under the table face her uncle "why doesn't Bruno want to go?".

The hooded figure shook his head, "no one likes him. They all call him 'Bruno mala suerte'.".

"oh. Well, I'll be there the whole time. So will the rest of la familia. No one will hurt him. Not with us around. Bruno doesn't have to be scared."Mirabel put a hand on his shoulder and smiled.

He was silent for a moment, weighing the options, and Mirabel seized her chance, "I mean Hernando, you can come, unless you're afraid too?".

His head shot up "Hernando is not scared of anything!"He crossed his arms proudly.

"Sí, now Abuela, mama and tia Pepa are very worried about Bruno, how about you help me tell them he's not feeling well and you're coming in his stead?".

She held her hand out, but he paused "pero...what if he doesn't like me? What if he's heard the stories of Bruno and hates him? He'll hate me too!".

"Oh! No no, Mariano is a very good man. He will like you and he will like Bruno for sure. He's not the smartest man but under all of those good looks Mariano is not capable of hatred. Isabella broke his nose by accident twice with her powers then broke off her engagement and he hasn't held a grudge against her, in fact I heard he's marrying her cousin." Mirabel said the last part dramatically causing him to laugh "so is Bruno going to join us, or is it just you and me, Hernando?".

He nodded and took her hand, "sí...I'm coming.", she waited patiently as he did his ritual of knocking and throwing salt then sugar over his shoulder, and carefully avoiding cracks as he followed Mirabel towards the door, holding her hand for comfort.

Casita was getting impatient, rattling the floor near them, making Mirabel laugh as it pushed them out "Sí, sí Casita! We're going!".

Everyone was waiting patiently as they approached, chatting amicably to each other.

"I'm sorry to say that too Bruno won't be joining us.".

Everyone tensed, Abuela's eyes darted up to Mirabel, all except for Dolores and Mariano who had been quietly talking, let their shoulders sag in relief when they saw the figure next to her, and at Mirabels nod began to join in.

"Such a shame. Mariano here says he has been waiting to meet him. Oh well. Hernando will do I suppose." Isabella sighed dramatically as she fainted into her sisters arms. Luisa laughed and caught her with one arm, rolling her eyes at her, "hola Hernando." waving with her free arm to Hernando, who returned it with a chuckle.