It was Isabela's 5th birthday when Pepa was having one of her worst pregnancies.
The storms had been raging inside her room for months. Pepa hardly came out, and when she did she was usually soaking wet with dark shadows under her eyes.
Abuela could see that her daughter was trying, but she also knew with bitter resignation that snow would fall again soon.
Abuela felt guilty about pressuring Pepa for another child, but she had been so excited after Julieta had her second child, and she had wanted the same for Pepa. She didn't know it was going to be this difficult.
But today, Abuela decided, just for today, they must make it about Isabela. Abuela wanted today to be perfect for her sweet granddaughter.
"Pepa!" Abuela knocked on her daughter's door. "It's time for lunch."
"I can't, mama!" Came a frustrated cry from inside the room.
Abuela knocked again, this time sharper.
"Just one day." Abuela reasoned. "We talked about this. Today, you will think of Isabela."
Thunder crashed from inside the room and water leaked out from under the closed door.
"I am thinking of Isabela, mama!" Pepa shouted. "You think she's gonna want a hurricane on her birthday!?"
"She will want her family on her birthday." Abuela kept her voice calm. "You and Felix are part of her family. Now... Come out. And no more clouds."
Across the hall, Augustin knelt down and kissed Isabela's cheek. Dolores stood next to them, her little hand holding onto the edge of Augustin's shirt as she silently watched what was happening at her parent's door.
"We are so proud of you." Augustin said adoringly to Isabella. Julieta stood beside them, holding little Luisa in her arms.
There was a sudden crack of thunder and a flash of lightning from behind the door of Pepa's room, followed by the sounds of shouting and rainfall. Luisa started to cry, burying her face against her mama's shoulder.
Julieta glanced over at Pepa's room in concern, before putting on a brave face and turning back to the children.
"I tell you what, I'm so hungry!" Julieta smiled, trying to lift the mood. "What do you say we all race downstairs to the kitchen and find something to eat, hm?"
The children looked up at Julieta and nodded. Isabela smiled adoringly at her mama.
"Ready?" Julieta said dramatically. "Last one there's a smashed papaya!"
"Ok, mami!" Isabella beamed, turning and running towards the stairs.
As Isabela passed one of the doors, something amazing happened. It glowed golden. Isabela stopped, staring at the door in wonder.
"Look!" Dolores whispered, tugging Augustin's shirt and watching her older cousin.
Julieta and Augustin gasped, recognising what this meant.
Slowly, Isabela approached the golden door. As she got closer, the glow spread and sparkled. The door handle began to glow with the letter I.
"Mama..." Julieta called out to Abuela, not taking her eyes off her daughter. "You really have to see this."
Abuela turned and gasped, leaving Pepa's door and heading over in amazement.
Isabela looked back at her parents, who nodded in encouragement.
"Go on." Augustin said with a smile. "It's for you. Go inside."
With papa's encouragement, Isabela grabbed the doorknob. Magic flowed up the door to create a sparkling and glowing picture of Isabela, surrounded by flowers. In her hand, a Flor de Mayo appeared. She gasped, looking at the flower in surprise before turning back to her parents. Julieta gestured for her to go inside.
