Beautiful Bruises ~ Camilo Madrigal x Reader

Dominoes

"Just wait until everyone hears."

You held Camilo's hand with a death grip as you approached Casita, your heart racing.

"Aye, it'll be all right, Cariño," Camilo said soothingly, readjusting his hand. "Everyone loves you. You're already a part of the family - this will just make it more official, all right? I promise."

You nodded guiltily, feeling bad about how nervous you were. He had just gotten down on one knee for you - the least you could do was act excited.

But you were just so scared of what the family would think...

"(Y/N)! You're back!" Alvaro cried, running over to you and hugging your legs. Camilo's eyes lit up, and he beckoned the boy over to him hastily before leaning down to whisper in his ear. You only caught three words, but they were enough for you to know what was going on.

"...tell the family..."

"Camilo!" you scolded, watching in dismay as your nephew ran off. Camilo laughed happily, and you couldn't help but smile as he pulled you along after Alvaro. You had a feeling that everyone's reactions would be like dominoes falling into place. You watched as your nephew announced the proposal to his whole family, but your eyes were drawn mainly to Pepa.

Her delicate hands flew to her mouth as she watched him speak, bright green eyes quickly filling with tears. You fidgeted nervously as she looked up and met your gaze, tense shoulders relaxing when you noticed the bright smile on her face.

"I knew it!" Felix said cheerily as Pepa raced over and pulled you into a tight hug, arms shaking with laughter or tears - or maybe both. "That's my boy." He walked over and patted Camilo on the back, shooting you a cheesy wink. You laughed, heart aching as you thought of how things could have been with your mama and papa.

This is how it was supposed to be.

You dragged yourself back into the present before you could lose yourself to another hallucination. You were getting better at stopping them before they fully developed, but they often ruined perfect moments like these, and you were determined to chase this one away.

You pulled away from the hug and Pepa smiled warmly at you before glancing down at your feet. You did the same, revealing Isla and Ruby clinging to your legs. You grinned, reaching down to tousle Ruby's wavy hair. Similarly, Mateo, Alvaro, and Antonio were pestering Camilo with questions.

Mirabel approached you sneakily, tapping your shoulder and catching you by surprise. She pulled you into a tight hug, but when you looked over your shoulder, you saw a frowning Alma. Mirabel turned her head slightly, also catching sight of her, and quickly jerked you to the side in an attempt to hide her from view. Still, what was done was done. You tried your best to ignore the sinking feeling in your heart as Mirabel struggled to distract you.

"I'll make the most beautiful wedding dress!" she said excitedly, spinning you in a circle.

"Your outfits suck." Mirabel frowned as CJ approached, hands stuffed in his deep pockets. The boy had long since gotten over his crush on Lucía, but still seemed oblivious to the advances that Mariano's younger cousin made on him. The girl had stunning blue eyes and long blond hair, but CJ couldn't seem to care less.

"You're just jealous," you said, scowling at him. "You don't have a talent, CJ."

He snorted and rolled his eyes, but granted a small nod of the head to congratulate you before walking away once more. Mirabel gave you a final hug and then followed him over to Camilo as Jude approached you.

"Hey, Hermanita," he said softly, swiping at the tears gathering in his eyes. Isabela hovered behind him, handing you a beautiful bouquet of throned roses that poked your fingers lightly. You smiled and thanked her before turning to your brother.

"Oh, stop crying," you said with a snort, struggling to speak over the lump in your throat. Jude was the only family you had left, but you wouldn't trade him for two perfect parents - or the world. He wrapped his arms around you, and you relaxed into the embrace, inhaling the familiar smell of wood shavings from his workshop.

"It's about time he popped the question," Jude teased as he stepped back, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. "We're due for another wedding right about... now."

You grinned, pointing over to where Luisa stood next to a small man with short, wavy red hair.

"Looks like Luisa might be having one of her own soon," you commented sneakily. Jude grinned, wiping away his tears for the final time, and patted you on the shoulder.

Finally, Julieta approached with Agustine and Alma, who raised a greying eyebrow at you before strutting off.

Julieta noticed as your eyes trailed after her sadly, and she quickly came closer and took your hand.

"She's simply upset that you're getting married so young. She was expecting you to wait a few more years - she'll get over it soon enough, I promise." Your shoulders sagged with relief, and you hurriedly walked over to Camilo, who was still being pestered by children and adults alike.

He seemed to be searching the crowd, his forest eyes scanning people until they lit on you, and he smiled before opening his arms. You sank into the hug, allowing him to run a work-hardened hand through your hair as you fiddling with a coil of his.

"We're engaged now," he murmured into your hair, barely concealing the teasing in his voice as he tried to sound serious. "You ready to be a part of the family Madrigal?"

"That reminds me," you said quickly, pulling away to look at him. "Why did you never change your last name to Felix's?"

Camilo smiled, eyes turning faraway.

"Our last name actually used to be Madrigal-Ortíz, since Abuela insisted on keeping the Madrigal name afloat. Bruno never had children, so she made us keep Pedro's last name incorporated in ours. Papa didn't mind much, and then everyone got tired of saying Madrigal-Ortíz, so they just dropped the second part. Honestly, I don't think my father ever noticed."

You laughed lightly, and Camilo placed a teasing finger over his lips as Felix approached.

"So, kids... when's the wedding?"