When a Butterfly Flaps its Wings | Encanto Fanfic

Alma

Alma Madrigal was a proud woman. She led the Encanto and her family alone for fifty years. Everyone looked toward her for guidance and safety. Alma was there for everything, big and small, to lead and attend to the people of the Encanto.

She dedicated her whole life to helping others. Because, surely, that could be the only way to earn the Miracle Pedro died for.

But nothing was enough. Nothing would ever be enough.

Not her work. Not her children's work. And not their children's work.

If they stopped for even a moment, they could lose the protection of the Miracle. And then what? Without the gifts, how could she protect her family?

Except, she hadn't protected her family. Had she? Looking at the remains of her home, she knew she had made a mistake.

In her desperation to keep her family safe, she pushed them until they had cracked under the pressure of her expectation.

To keep herself safe from the agonizing pain of losing someone else, she pushed her family away.

And in the process, she hurt her family and broke their home.

And now, its remains lay broken in front of her. A testament to her failures.

In the middle of the remains was Mirabel, covered in dust but, blessedly, unharmed.

Bruno ran towards her, frantically checking her over before burying her in a hug. "What were you thinking?!"

Mirabel looked devastated as she held up the remains of the candle. "I failed Bruno... The Miracle, it's gone."

Bruno gently grabbed the remains out of her hands before throwing it far away. "Who cares about the stupid Miracle. You could've died, Mirabel! Never do that again, please."

"But-"

"No buts. You're more important than some dumb candle, Mirabel."

"But Bruno, it's all my fault..."

"No Mirabel," Alma said as she knelt down beside Mirabel. She looked around at the devastated faces of her family -every single one of which she had failed- and knew the truth. "It's all my fault."

"Abuela?" Mirabel whispered, eyes wide.

"I've hurt you all in so many ways," Alma said, gently cradling Mirabel's face in her hand. She wished she could go back and change everything. "And I am so sorry."

Alma took a deep, shuddery breath as she and Mirabel hugged. There was no way Alma could ever make up for her failure.

"Mamá..." Bruno breathed, disbelieving. Alma looked at her son, really looked at him, and felt her heart break. She could recognize that look in his eyes.

She saw it in the mirror every day since Pedro died.

Mirabel pulled away before gently pushing Alma towards her son.

Alma swallowed heavily, preparing herself.

"Bruno, I've failed you," Alma said, tearfully. "I should've protected you. My inaction led to..."

Bruno was shaking.

"I'm so sorry Bruno."

"Mamá!" Bruno sobbed, launching himself into her arms. Alma wrapped him up tight, determined to keep him safe this time.

"I'm so scared all the time," Bruno confessed, a small whisper on her shoulder. "I'm so scared, mamá."

She had wished her children would never have to feel this.

Another failure to add to the pile.

"I know mi amor." She soothed, "It's going to be okay. I'm here."

The moment was broken by the sound of a large crowd walking up to the house.

Alma gave Bruno a kiss on the forehead and stood up.

"Doña Alma," Andrés Guzmán said, "We've come to make sure everyone is okay. And offer our help, of course."

"Excuse me?" Alma said calmly, slowly walking toward Andrés.

"We can help you rebuild the house." He continued charismatically.

Alma punched the man and broke his nose. She wiped her hand clean as he screamed in pain.

"I don't care why you have come here. How dare you have the nerve to show your face to me after what you did to my son?"

The man glared at her, holding his gushing nose. The crowd flinched back as Alma stepped forward.

"No. I do not need your help, nor want your help, rebuilding the house." Alma said. She looked back at her daughters, asking silently for permission.

They nodded.

"In fact, there will be no rebuilding. We will be leaving the Encanto."

The crowd burst into gasps and murmurs.

"You can't just leave!" Andrés hissed. "What will the Encanto do without you?"

"Figure it out yourselves."

Alma Madrigal was a proud woman. But of everything she was proud of, her family was at the top of the list.

And she would be damned if she failed them again.

A/N: AAAAAAAAAAAH. I've been waiting for this chapter for so long. One more chapter left. I hope you guys like the direction I'm taking with this. I really didn't think rebuilding in the Encanto would make sense, and they can't exactly kick out the entire Encanto giftless. Leaving was the only thing that made sense to me.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I hope it was at least a little satisfying. Thanks for everything my lovely readers, see you soon for the conclusion :)