"Gracias Lolo!" Six-year-old Mirabel said smiling brightly up at her prima, showing her missing front tooth, who had handed her a headband and pair of earrings she had needed.
"No problem Chica. It's almost breakfast time though so let's get you ready." Dolores said grinning at her baby prima. The thirteen-year-old had been the one Mirabel had hesitantly approached for help with her dress and outfit today and Dolores was more than happy to help.
"Do you think Tia will like it?" Mirabel asked and Dolores smiled as she helped her prima into the dress and then styled her hair into the desired look for today. After all, she was one of the ones with the most experience in this style. Only beaten out by her parents and maybe Abuela.
"I think Mama will love it. She'll probably give you a big hug and not let go of you all day!" Dolores said as she carefully styled the soft dark curls, taking extra care to not hurt her adorable prima by pulling too hard.
"She's been sad. I hope this makes her feel happy." Mirabel said and Dolores let out a little aww. Her Prima was so cute and cared about everyone so much.
"I'm sure it will little bell. There we go. Now for the final touch." Dolores carefully put two little earrings in her prima's ears and then slipped the headband on her head to finish the look.
"What do you think Lolo?" Mirabel asked smiling brightly as she gave a small twirl and Dolores let out another awww and small squeak. Her prima was far too cute.
"Oh you're adorable Bell. Now...let's get you down to the dining room." Dolores said holding her hand out for her prima who immediately took it with a bright smile and her missing tooth almost looked like a small gap between her teeth. Which just heightened the cuteness factor honestly.
"Breakfast is ready." Tia Julieta called and Dolores winced at the loud noise but was smiling as she walked with her little prima down the stairs. They had to go a little slow to keep Mirabel from tripping over the slightly too long dress but that was fine. If the little one asked Dolores would happily pick up and carry her to the dining room. It might be her only chance to pick up and hold her prima today.
"Sorry if we're a little late. Had to help Mirabel get ready." Dolores said as they were the last two to walk into the dining room.
"She's big enough to dress..." Abuela turned with a small frown towards the two and her voice trailed off as she stared from Dolores to Mirabel.
"Tia!" Mirabel happily bounded over to her tia, nearly tripping and face planting on the way, as everyone stared at her surprised.
"Look Tia I'm you!" Mirabel said beaming up at Pepa who was gaping slightly but there was a shiny look to her eyes.
"Oh Mira! You looks so cute! Where did you even get those earrings and my headband?" Pepa asked as she swooped Mirabel into her arms and smothered the girls face in kisses while she giggled.
"I asked to borrow them earlier Mama. Mirabel needed help getting them and wanted to surprise you." Dolores said as she walked over and sat next to her mother, ruffling Camilo's hair as she did so.
"And isn't that one of my old dresses? Where did you even get that?" Pepa asked smiling brightly down at Mirabel who was happily cuddled into the womans lap and seemed perfectly content to stay there. Isabela pouted slightly and Luisa was awwing over how cute her little sister was.
"I snuck into Abuela's room and got it. She keeps lots of things there." Mirabel said as if it were completely obvious and Abuela frowned.
"How did you even get into my room? And how did I not see you do this?" Abuela asked frowning seriously at Mirabel who shrugged a little.
"I asked Casita to open the door and he did. And you don't look at me anymore so it was easy." Mirabel said and Abuela winced at that and how bluntly it was said. Little kids held nothing back at all did they?
"How come you didn't dress like me or Luisa then?" Isabela asked and she was a little jealous that her hermanita seemed to prefer their tia to her.
"Cause Tia Pepa's been sad and now she's not." Mirabel said matter of factly and Pepa nearly started crying as she squeezed her sweet little sobrina.
"You are such a sweetheart Mira." Pepa murmured as she kissed the girls head and there was a small rainbow over her head as she held the glasses wearing girl.
"I wanna dress up as mama too." Camilo said pouting slightly that he wasn't dressed up like his mother.
"Ay, you can if you want to hijo." Felix said smiling brightly and he had one arm around Pepa as he beamed at her and then over at their son.
"Yes." Camilo gave a small fist pump in victory.
"I'm surprised you didn't dress up like mama though." Luisa said and Mirabel blinked.
"But Mama is old. I don't know how to look old." Mirabel said with all the innocent bluntness a six year old could give and her poor papa nearly choked as he heard that. Dolores snickered quietly and Julieta looked amused more than upset.
"You know your mami and I are the same age right Mira?" Pepa asked snickering as she glanced at her hermana.
"But Mami looks old. Tia Pepa doesn't." Mirabel said tilting her head slightly and Pepa grinned while Dolores was trying not to laugh.
"I think the reason I have so many grey hairs is because of you and your father, mi mariposa torpe." Julieta said dryly but she was smiling. She couldn't get mad at her baby girl. Not when she was just saying what she thought was the blunt truth. That and Julieta was a bit jealous of her hermana not having any grey hairs yet. But it didn't matter. She was sure Camilo would fix that in a year or so.
"I'm not sorry." Mirabel said beaming at her mother who sighed while Luisa was snickering now too and Isabela was trying not to laugh.
"If they're old I'd hate to see what I am." Abuela said dryly as she glanced at her youngest grandchild before looking away.
"Ancient! Like the dinos!" Mirabel said brightly and Pepa began to cackle in laughter at that, pressing kisses to Mirabel's face and head to try and hide her laughter. Abuela nearly choked and Felix was doing his best not to laugh as well. Agustine was just whistling innocently from his chair and Julieta didn't say a word as she looked away from her mama although she was smiling. Isabela gave a small snort but hurriedly covered it with a cough, Dolores was giggling, Luisa was trying not to laugh, and Camilo was cackling wildly.
"It's official. I'm keeping her. She's mine now hermana." Pepa said grinning widely when she managed to smother her laughter enough to look up at her sister.
"Pepa no kidnapping my daughter."
"It's not kidnapping it's surprise adoption."
"Pepa no!"
Mirabel just happily cuddled her Tia as they ate breakfast, glad that her Tia wasn't sad anymore and was happy again.
