Never the Same

Chapter 3: Happiness Never Fails

Camila Noceda couldn't believe it when she saw the two pink lines appear on the pregnancy test. She was going to be a mother! She felt a mixture of excitement and fear, knowing that her life was about to change forever.

That same day, she went to find Manny. She found him in their bedroom reading a book.

"Hey," she said, sitting down next to him.

"Hey, Hon," Manny said and smiled, and look at her.

"I have something to tell you," Camlia said, taking a deep breath.

"What is it?" Manny asked, his eyes filled with concern.

"I'm pregnant," Camila said, watching as Manny's face lit up with joy.

"Really? That's amazing!" he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. "We're going to be parents!"

Camila felt a wave of relief wash over her. Manny was thrilled, and she knew that he would be an amazing father.

Over the next few months, Camila and Manny prepared for the arrival of their baby. They went to doctor's appointments together and picked out names, which they did.

One day, as they were sitting in the nursery they had decorated for their baby, Camila turned to Manny with a serious look on her face.

"What's wrong?" Manny asked, sensing her unease.

"I'm scared," Camila admitted. "What if I'm not a good mother? What if I can't do this?"

Manny took her hand and looked her in the eye. "You're going to be an amazing mother, Mirabel. I do not doubt that. And I'll be here every step of the way, to help and support you."

Camila felt a rush of gratitude towards Manny. He was right. They were in this together, and she was not alone. But froze in realization.

"You called me Mirabel," Camila told him. He smiled and nodded

"It's your biological name, Miraposa," He told her but continued.

"You can't run from your past forever love because it will come back to you like a boomerang, fast and hard." He told her. Camila sigh.

"That's what I'm afraid of," She told him.

"Don't worry, I'll be here and so does our little one," He smiled. Another huge relief washed over me.

As the due date approached, Camila and Manny grew more and more excited. They couldn't wait to meet their little one and start their new life as a family. When the day finally arrived, Camila went into labor. Manny was by her side every step of the way, holding her hand and whispering words of encouragement. And when their baby was born, they both cried tears of joy.

"She's perfect," Manny said, looking down at their Daughter.

"She is," Camila agreed, smiling through her tears. "And we made her together."

Manny leaned over and kissed her, holding her and their daughter close. They were a family now, and nothing could ever change that. They had spent months preparing for her arrival, and now that she was finally here, they were overjoyed. As they held her in their arms for the first time, they knew they had to come up with the perfect name for their little bundle of joy.

One day, as they were sitting in their living room, Mirabel had a sudden inspiration. She thought,

"Before I left Encanto, Luisa and I had an okay relationship. What if I name my child after her?" No, not the first name, but the middle name? Yes, that could work! But what's her first name? Camila looked outside towards the stars.

"Huh, the stars are beautiful tonight with their lights shining." Thats it! "Light" in Spanish is Luz!

"What about Luz Lusia?" she asked Manny, a smile spreading across her face.

Manny looked at her, his eyes lighting up. "Luz Lusia? That's perfect! "It's beautiful and unique, just like our little girl."

And so it was settled. Manny and Mirabel decided to name their daughter Luz Lusia Noceda-Madrigal, a name that would forever be a symbol of their love and devotion to their precious daughter.

The Family of three came home with their daughter for the first time. As they put little Luz to bed, something came crashing down on Camila for the first time in a long time. Her family hasn't met Luz or Manny. What if they yell at her? What if they won't accept them? She still feels so guilty after all these years so she talks to her husband about her worries.

"I still feel guilty, Manny," Camila said to Manny as they walked to their bedroom.

"If only I had been able to save Casita and keep the magic alive."

Manny took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It wasn't your fault, Camila. We both know that. You did everything you could."

Camila looked up at Manny, grateful for his support. "I just wish I could forget the past and move on."

Manny smiled and leaned in to kiss her. "We'll make new memories together, Camila. Just you, me, and Luz, Together."

"Life can only be understood backward, but it must be lived forwards," he said as he hugged her from behind as they lay in bed to fall asleep in happiness.