Days And Nights (Book of Life and Maya and the Three One Shots)

Nothing Will Change

Celina and Cecilia become nervous of changes coming to their family and Manolo reassures them that nothing will change.

Celina and Cecilia were somewhat of trouble makers, some townsfolk say they have their mother's rebellious spirit. The two occasionally fight, but other than that, they're very close, two peas in a pod.

The girls were also very close with their parents, who'd tell them epic stories and sing them songs. While both girls have been scolded by their parents from time to time, they still loved them all the same. Plus, they had Chuy to play with as much as they pleased.

It was enough. It felt as though nothing would change.

Until today, that is. 

Manolo and Maria had sat Celina and Cecilia down in the living room. They were both grinning, as though they could barely contain their happiness. 

"Girls, your mother and I have some very big news." Manolo said.

"What is it?" Celina asked. 

Manolo and Maria glanced at each other with a smile as they held hands.

"We're going to have another baby." Maria finally said.

Celina and Cecilia stayed quiet for a second, trying to comprehend the news given to them.

"What do you mean?" Cecilia asked.

"In a couple of months, you're going to have a new brother or sister." Maria explained.

"Really?" Celina asked.

"Yes." Manolo said, "We know this is very sudden and a lot for you both, but-"

Celina and Cecilia jumped from their seats, tackling their parents in a hug. While caught off guard, Manolo and Maria were quick to hug their daughters back.

"We're glad you're happy about this." Maria said.

They were happy with this. Their parents were happy, so that means they should be happy.

Right?

...

Two nights later, Celina and Cecilia were ready for bed. The questions they had about the new baby had been answered in a way they could understand.

They had come to the conclusion that the baby was going to be a lot of work and take a lot of attention from them. They didn't want to make their parents unhappy, so they kept their second thoughts to themselves. 

"They said the baby won't be here for a long time." Celina said.

"But what's going to happen to us when it gets here?" Cecilia asked, "They're going to forget about us."

"Are you sure?"

"Sure about what?"

They jumped at the sound of their father's voice, hiding under the covers of their bed.

Manolo came into the room to kiss his daughters goodnight, but seeing them react to his presence like this told him that something was wrong.

He silently walked into their bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. He gently pulled the covers off them, exposing their shell-shocked faces.

"I heard you talking." He gently said, "Is there something going on?"

Celina and Cecilia stayed silent, doing their best not to make eye contact with him.

"You don't have to be scared. I promise you can tell me anything."

Feeling their father's eyes on them, Celina and Cecilia looked back at him for a brief moment. Manolo was looking at them with a soft expression, waiting for an answer.