Bruno's Daughter

Chapter 25

Third Person POV:

 Si, after a long journey, the magic is finally stable once more. Bruno was back where he belonged. Delores and Isabella were with the men they loved. And Kristi's relationship with Andres was finally approved of. She didn't have to hide it anymore. But, there was one thing she did hide, day after day. Night after night.

 She loved Bruno. She knew that deep down. But, she felt angry. Why did he leave her? Did he not love her? Why wasn't he there for her all those years? Why? 

 All those questions burned in her mind. She never spoke about it out loud though. She tried to keep her feelings inside. When she was with Bruno alone, it was awkward and quiet. Neither one could find anything to say. When they were in the presence of other people, things were slightly easer. For Kristi anyway. 

 Bruno was still getting used to being amongst other people. He was still getting used to the fact people weren't hating on him. He was used to people not liking him. He was used to being alone. But, what he wasn't used to, was things being awkward with his own daughter. The two had always been so close when she was little. They spent a lot of time together. 

 Bruno now, sat in his room, which had been simplified in the re-design after Casita had been rebuilt. He sat on his bed, looking at his picture. 

 When he escaped Casita when it was cracking and crumbling, he brought with him the little drawing his daughter had made for him. He kept it near him all those years, giving him hope he'd see her again one day without having to look through a crack in the wall. Giving him hope he could hold her in his arms once more. His little angel.

 That drawing meant a lot to him over the years. It was just a simple child's drawing. But to a man like Bruno Madrigal, it was more than that. He had lost his only friends in a tragic accident. But then, he adopted his daughter. 

 Bruno looked up, remembering the day he entered the orphanage in Encanto. He smiled as he thought back to that day.

 *Flashback*

 Bruno was in his room, sitting with his back against the wall in his vision cave, his hood up. He had been feeling so down ever since the death of his best friends, Carmen and her husband, Juan. He painfully thought back to the day of the funeral. Every time he did, however, his mind always flashed to the little dark haired girl. 

 The girl was only a year old. Barely out of diapers. She didn't understand what was going on. Bruno remembered watching as Kristi left with the head of the orphanage.

 Bruno frowned a little before standing up and leaving his room. He left the Casita, hoping he wouldn't regret doing what he was about to do. He made his way to the small orphanage.

 "Senor Bruno, hello," a woman's voice caught his attention when he had entered.

 "Hola, Senorita Gonzales. How are you today?" he asked slowly. He was always nervous around people. The young woman sat behind a desk, looking at him and giving him a small smile.

 "I am doing well. What can I do for you?" the young woman asked him. 

 "I want to adopt a child." he answered.

 "Oh...Well, I'm not sure if-"

 "Uno!" a tiny, familiar voice reached Bruno's ears. He smiled brightly when his gaze caught sight of the little girl he had grown to care about so much.

 "Kristi!" he smiled at her, crouching down and holding out his arms for her. The little girl excitedly ran to him. The two hugged each other tight. Senorita Gonzales watched them, astonished.

 "We were beginning to think she couldn't speak...She-she just ran right up to you..." the young woman said, her eyes wide. Bruno looked up at her, Kristi still in his arms, refusing to leave. "She hasn't said a word since she got here....She's been so sad....She won't let anyone hold her. But she let you hold her..."

 "I've known her since she was born.." Bruno said quietly with a shrug, ruffling the young girl's hair. She giggled before lightly tugging at a piece of his hair. "Ah! Haha! Kristi, you little rascal!" Bruno laughed. He then looked over at Senorita Gonzales. "I would like to adopt Kristi." he told her.

 She nodded. Though she was one of those townsfolk who didn't care much for him, she knew somehow he was right for this little girl. "Well, it's against my better judgement, but alright. Fill out these papers, please." 

 Bruno nodded and stood up, still holding the girl. He took the papers and sat down. "Why don't you go play for a while?" he suggested to Kristi, who shook her head furiously.

 "No! Uno!" 

 Bruno smiled before nodding. "Alright then." With that, he began to fill out the paperwork. When he finished, he handed the young woman the paperwork. 

 She looked it over carefully before looking up at him. "Congratulations, Senor Bruno. You are now the father of Kristi Lorenzo." 

 Bruno was so excited he hugged the woman. "Gracias, senorita! This means a lot to both of us," he exclaimed. 

 "You're welcome, senor. I think I understand. I see how Kristi is with you. She's different with you than she is when you aren't here. It's a good different." Senorita Gonzales smiled at him. 

 Kristi took her hand and smiled at her. "Uno!" 

 Maria Gonzales chuckled. "Yes, Kristi. You're welcome too. I know you both will be very happy."

 Bruno left the orphanage with Kristi, his little daughter. He didn't have any experience being a father, but he had experience taking care of little kids. He'd helped his sisters with their little ones. Although some may have thought Bruno Madrigal to be crazy, and some felt bad for the little girl, seeing as he adopted her, Bruno didn't care. He and Kristi left there so very happy. They knew they'd always have each other. And deep down, Bruno knew he would never regret his choice to adopt the little girl.

 "Papa, love!" Kristi said suddenly, as the two walked hand-in-hand.

 Bruno smiled down at her before kneeling down and hugging her. "I love you too, my little angel."