Astrologist

Chapter 13- After

There was a big party after our wedding. We danced around in flowers and stars. I loved being under the moon and felt my energy become endless. My powers felt limitless, like I wasn't controlled by boundaries or limited energy.

Bruno honestly looked young again. The bags under his eyes disappeared slowly. He trimmed his beard. It reminded me of a young Bruno, the one I had a crush on for so many years.

Months later, I was surprised I was fertile.

Being fifty-one and fertile is almost a miracle. But I was. I was going to have a baby boy. I found out about a month in, when I realized I wasn't getting fat because of food. Julieta made sure the arepas she made boosted my and the baby's health. Every night, a toast was made to the wellness of my child.

Two years later, Alma Madrigal died of natural causes that not even Julieta could fix.

Three years after the tragedy, Juan stood in front of the door. Mirabel was in charge of the ceremonies, ever since Alma's door became Mirabel's. He touched the doorknob, and it glowed brightly. Everyone cheered.

"Mom! I can hear people whispering," Juan shouted.

"We're not whispering, sweetie," I said, concerned.

"Someone just called you hija," Juan said, pointing behind me. He then grinned. "Grandma!"

My eyes widened in shock. My son could see the dead. He was hugging the air. People still celebrated downstairs. Mirabel hugged her cousin tightly. She was thrilled for him, despite how much of a change this was.

Juan could see dead people. The realization came to me as I put my son to bed. He was seeing our parents and other people wandering around Encanto in the afterlife. Juan was smiling at the other side of the bed. A chill ran over my arm.

"Grandma's hugging you around the waist," Juan explained.

I hugged where her arms would be. I brushed aside a curly piece of Juan's hair and kissed his forehead. He giggled. I didn't know if he was laughing at me or a spirit. Either way, I smiled at the wonderful person I created.

"Good night, Juan. Get some sleep," I said, closing the door behind me.

"The kid is so happy," Bruno said. He was already in bed when I walked in.

"For the first time in fifteen years, I could talk to my mother. I heard him have a thirty-minute conversation with your dad," I explained. "He's going to be amazing."

"I couldn't agree more," Bruno said. "Now come over here and cuddle me."

"Bossy," I teased as I changed into my nightgown.

I finally crawled into bed. The room, as promised, was filled with cool colors. The observatory was still the ceiling, but it was in Bruno's styled room. The spiral wasn't there anymore. Zodiac signs were there. It combined the two of us to support our needs. And I couldn't be more grateful for the combination.

Bruno always had this firm hold on me at the beginning of the night. Like he was afraid I would leave. Eventually, it would soften into our backs to each other, but connecting. But on the nights that the day was rough, we would both wake up warm and fuzzy in each other's holds.

Some nights, I didn't sleep at all. Bruno would sleep on my chest as I read prophecies. Eventually, he would seduce me into sleep, but I mostly liked to watch the future unfold in someone's eyes. Maybe it was getting married. Having a kid.

Or maybe something simple as reuniting with your best friend after fifteen years.