Bittersweet (Isabela x Reader)

Chapter 15

"Everything must be perfect for my proposal."

"Mariano, if I hear you say perfect one more time, I will get Rico to kick you," you threatened.

You were working on a ring design for Encanto's residential pretty boy. A proposal ring to be specific as he was planning to pop the question. However, the trick was that he wasn't telling anyone else. Not even his own mother. You were being paid too much to ask questions but seeing as you were basically family to him at this point, you couldn't help but throw in your own opinions.

"Well, I'm sorry but I don't wanna mess this up."

"Ah. Right, I remember last time," you joked. "You got punched twice by Isa's flowers. But Dolores doesn't have those. Unless she genuinely decides to throw a right hook at you. Maybe you do have something to worry about"

"Ay! Don't say that!" he groaned, which you turned away from to hide your own snickers. "Maybe I should get Isabela's help on this... Your drawing is bad."

You chucked your pencil at him from across your living room. "Okay, smart guy. If you wanna keep this really on the down low, why don't you-"

"Could you keep it down over there?" You looked up at the ceiling where your room was supposed to be. "It's hard to concentrate on this."

Right, your girlfriend just got her first commission. Ever since Isabela started to paint, you had to encourage her to show them off. Of course, she was hesitant, but with your encouragement, she eventually came around to following it. The townspeople loved it and her hobby started to skyrocket. Just the other day, Isa had gotten her first request and you have never seen her get so excited. You offered your room to let her concentrate but now you were beginning to feel like you shouldn't because of your own work.

You rolled your eyes at her comment but Mariano could see that you were smiling. You have been doing that much more, and he thought it made you look radiating. No wonder Isa fell for you...

"How about we keep it simple?" he finally suggested. "It would be easier to match and for you to make. Besides, she would want it like that."

You shrugged and started to write down the note. "You're the boss."

After he had left once the rough draft was done, you had gone back up to your room, chuckling to yourself when you noticed Isa already putting her things away. It was sunset so dinner would be soon at her house.

As you walked to the Casita, Isabela held your arm as usual. You've lost track of time since you've dated. But that could be because the both of you knew each other forever.

"Do you think you can ask my mom to make some empanadas tomorrow?" Isabela asked you. "I wanna eat in the plaza while I paint."

You quirked a brow at her and laughed a bit. "But she's your mom?" you questioned. "Shouldn't you be the one asking her?"

"So? She likes you more." When you rolled your eyes, she pouted. "She does! Mi mamá likes you more!"

Your life together was mostly domestic. No outlandish adventures or crazy parties, but it was peaceful, which is what you need. Everyone greeted you like you were a part of their family. You helped set the table and were about to sit across from Isa, like usual, only for Alma to call you over.

"Come. I want to speak with you during dinner."

You quirked a brow at your girlfriend, who shrugged and gestured for you to go ahead. You nodded and picked up your plate to go sit with the matriarch. If you told your younger self that you would get along with Alma enough to sit with her for dinner, you wouldn't believe it, but here you were, peacefully indulging your dinner with the elderly Madrigal. She no longer stared at you with disapproval. Instead, she saw you as family. You were comfortable making small talk with one another, talking about work and the ever-growing village. Julieta sat across from you. When you looked down at your glass, swirling its content lazily, she nodded for Alma as a signal for something.

"So, how is everything with Isa?" the elder asked.

You hummed as you thought before finally saying with a lopsided grin, "We've been going really steadily. We aren't rushing too fast since we're both pretty young still. Besides, I'm still sobering up. It's been a few months since my last drink after all. I wouldn't want a relapse. ¿Por qué?"

"Just... curious."

You chuckled at that answer, rolling your eyes. "Sure. I know a lie when I hear one, Doña. Besides, Dolores isn't sitting with Isa, if that's what you're worried about."

She awkwardly laughed with Julieta. Though the middle-aged seemed a bit lighter than her mother's. "They've got you there, Mamá. Okay, we wanted to know about you and Isa because we were wondering if you wanted to marry her."

You honestly shouldn't have been drinking as Julieta was talking because it suddenly went down the wrong pipe, creating a coughing fit. The person next to you, Luisa, urgently patted your back to help you. Once you were better, you barely kept yourself together.

"Uhm... Señora Julieta, I don't think you would want me as an in-law," you said. "I mean, I'm flattered but..." You bit your tongue and glanced at your empty plate, unsure of what to say.

"Hey," Alma softly called out to get your attention. You looked up at her. "I don't mind your relationship anymore. You make Isabela happy. That's all I could ever ask for. I am giving you my blessing."

...

You were frozen, to put it lightly. All you did was stare with wide eyes and nod. The rest of the evening was a blur and you zoned back in when you were leaving the house. You felt a harsh pinch on the side of your stomach, earning your attacker a light yip from you. You glared at her.

"Ay! ¿Para qué fue eso?" You softly rubbed at the tender spot where Isa pinched you.

She huffed and crossed her arms. "You've been dozing off ever since Abuela and mi mamá had a talk with you. Is something wrong?"

"It's nothing to concern yourself with," you excused with an easy grin. "They just gave me something to... think about."

You watched her stare at you for a bit before heading inside, her following you in. You were still thinking about what Abuela had said.

Love isn't easy.

Emotions were like that.

But somehow, Isabela made it like that by just being herself. You thought about marriage. Alma had just given you her blessing and you didn't need to ask. Did Isa mention it when you weren't around?

Laying beside you, Isabela was asleep. She was peaceful and content underneath the covers. Her tranquil smile made your heart swell, and you thought about waking up to it. Everyday. You would see her happy. You smiled to yourself as your mind drifted.

You wouldn't mind that at all.