Okay, So Do You Remember The Breakfast Scene

Okay, so do you remember the breakfast scene

Luisa's carrying table outside to eat.

And then Abuela literally withing two seconds

Casita's moving the chairs to the table.

Now please, explain to me... Why Luisa had to carry it in the first place? I'm pretty sure that Casita was able to move the table as well. Do they just giving Luisa some random chores that don't even request her help?

Darkness

Luisa found it hard to sleep in such a dark nursery all alone, when dark shadows hover over her. But she knew that her hermana would never let any monster to hurt her

Luisa couldn't help but kept toss and turn nervously in bed. The nursery now became so quiet, when her hermana and prima left. Sure, it was mostly when Isabela left, Dolores always was pretty quiet kid, but at least she was here. Now there was only Luisa and the crushing walls of darkness surrounding her. She tried to hide under her blanket, but it was even darker. Luisa sobbed, but quickly wiped her eyes with her shaking sleeve.

She couldn't stand it, darkness was pressing on her shoulders, shadows merged into some kind of awful creatures that wanted to swallow Luisa whole, she heard their roars all over the room. The window shutters creaked, and Luisa fell off her bed, she heard her heart beating echoing in her ears. That's it. She couldn't stand it anymore. She fastly stood up on her feet and ran out of her room, slamming the door loudly. The Casita's hall was even darker, scarier, but Luisa rushed fast enough to unnotice it. Besides, Isabela's room was just next to green nursery door.

"ISABELA!" Luisa cried drumming against her hermana's door.

"Come in." She heard annoyed Isabela's voice, she rushed inside almost breaking down the door. Isabela wiped her eyes sleepy, then winced as she saw Luisa in tears. She immediately jumped off her bed, scratching her knee as she fell, but she didn't take another second to run to her hermanita. "Lu, what's wrong?!" She put her palm on Luisa's cheek for a second, before Luisa latched on to her.

"It's so dark and scary!" Luisa mummed, crying into Isabela's shirt. "And I think somebody is hiding in nursery!" She sobbed as Isabela gently pat her head. "Monsters!" Luisa's voice cracked hugging Isabela tighter

"Do you want me to fight with monster?" Isabela smiled at her hermana, slightly shaking.

Luisa shoke her head quickly, finally tearing her face, covered in tears and snot, off her hermana's shirt.  "They'll eat you!" Isabela let out a relief sigh, when Luisa asked a question, looking at her with wide open brown eyes. "Can I stay with you?"

Isabela bent a little to give her hermana a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Of course you can! I promise I won't let any monster hurt you."

Luisa's face was still tearful, but a big smile spread across it. She wiped her nose with her palm, finally letting go off her hermana. Isabela took her arm and slowly walked to her bed, that was suspended from the ceiling. Bed went down to them, Isabela help Luisa to get in there, she pulled up the blanket and carefully crawled under it. Isabela's bed was so fluffy, as if it was made out of clouds, the pillows were big and soft. Luisa felt blanket moving when Isabela lie next to her.

"Good night, Lu." Isabela smiled, patting her cheek. Luisa crawled closer and cuddled up to her hermana's chest, hugging her.

"Good night, Isa." She whispered as Isabela gently hugged her back. She knew that no matter what, her hermana would protect her from any awful creatures that was hiding in the darkness.

Okay, so it's been confirmed that Luisa is a buff isn't because of her gift, she just has this body type.

It's the best thing I read today!

Getting wiser

Growing up wasn't the easiest thing to do, Luisa learned it by herself. But even if she bends and buncles, she still wouldn't breaks.

Encanto junicorn prompts by @aetherdecember

Luisa gasped, jumping off her bed. Her hermana was already up, joyfully rummaging in the closet, trying to find what to wear today. Of course, she couldn't wear anything less than the greatest dress in the whole Encanto for today. Their prima-hermana groaned something, covering her ears with a pillow. Dolores was such a sleepy. Luisa giggled, pulling her by the sleeve. Dolores wiped her eyes, yawning.

"Morning, Lu." She sighed and finally turned to lie on her back. "You're so happy." 

The little girl smiled, but before she could explain what was happening, Isabela ran to Dolores, almost knocking Luisa off her path. "It's my gift ceremony!" She jumped on their prima's bed and screamed so loudly that Luisa covered her ears. Isabela shook Dolores by the shoulders, getting her to a sitting position. 

"Happy birthday!" She announced it happily, hugging Isabela, and tossing her messy hair back. Dolores's hair was very curly, even curlier than Luisa's. It was especially in contrast with her hermana's straight hair. Luisa really wondered, how Isabela always managed to have such a neat hairstyle, perfect just like she was. She told that it was a magic power that only hermanas mayores could have. 

"Let's go!" Luisa threw her hands into the air, pulling the older girls to the door. She couldn't wait to see what was going on today. 

Abuela walked in with a soft smile, directed at Isabela. The birthday girl immediately straightened up, raising her chin like a soldier. "Good morning, Isa." Abuela bent and put her hand on Isabela's shoulders. "You're grown up so much! You're almost adult!" There was some sort of weak sadness in her tone that Luisa couldn't understand. 

***

Luisa was so excited by this! She had never seen a gift ceremony before! Abuela said that it meant that Isabela was a big girl now and could help in the town just like Mama. Isa was so lucky; it was the best birthday present ever!

Today was very fun! Everyone was running around, carrying something, and trying to decorate the patio. Luisa even helped carry the holiday flags; they weren't even heavy, and carrying them was cool; she waved them as she marched across the room. Then she helped Mama knead the dough for the birthday cake, not forgetting to lick the spoon. Mami chuckled, covering her mouth with her fist, as she looked at the splattered dough on the table. Luisa might be the youngest in the family, but she would do anything she could to help on such an important day! But as time passed, there were fewer chores for Luisa to do, until she found herself completely bored.

Time was passing so slowly, and it excited her so much that she just couldn't wait to see how Isabela would use her bright new gift. But Papí said that they have to wait. How long?! Until tomorrow? She wasn't even sure what to do. Normally, Luisa would go and play outside, but she didn't want to miss the gift ceremony! And everyone was so busy, focusing on preparations, so there wasn't anyone to play with. Tío Bruno and Dolores seemed to have more free time than others, but both of them liked to sit still and do some nerdy things, while Luisa preferred to run around and discover the world. Tío Pepa was the funniest adult, but she was busy like everyone else. So Luisa was looking at the first floor through the fence, trying to understand what everyone was doing.

The patio was crowded, there were many people that Luisa saw in the village, a loud noise of foot-stomping, whisperings and awfully sounded creaking table legs were everywhere. It was pretty loud, Dolores probably would like it, she always existed to overhear a conversation. Casita was moving seats around. A small lamp blew into Luisa's head. What if she could use it to run without actually leaving the casita?

"Casita can run." Luisa begged the house Soon, the tiles under her feet started to move, slowly getting faster. Luisa was gigging as she tried to stand with a rhythm. Soon, she leaned against the fence, feeling that she was out of breath.

"Oh, here you are." Mami smiled, picking Luisa up. "It's time to go."

"Gift?" Luisa asked enthusiastically, trembling her hands in the air. She'll finally see how Isabela uses her powers! What's her gift? Luisa wanted to know already and wondered why they hadn't told her already. On the other hand, it probably would not be so exciting if she knew the results from the very beginning.

***

Luisa looked at her hermana at the end of the corridor. Her white dress was so shiny, and two well-made pigtails were falling on her chest. She held the hem of her dress, carefully stepping on the red tiles that led to the stairs. Dolores wrapped her arms around Luisa, pulling her closer. Was prima just as enchanted as she is? Tío Bruno was squatting, resting his chin on Dolores's head. Tía Pepa and Tío Felix wrapped their hands around Bruno's back. Mami and Papi were at the door, holding hands, as Isabela was walking upstairs. The silence was so tense that Luisa pursed her lips, looking at the door.

She was startled when the room flashed in the golden glow of the door. Isabela looked surprised, waving her hands at everyone, and then a small flower path grew in front of her. She winced and twisted her hand, creating a bouquet of sweet pink flowers. Isa's gift was so cool! Luisa shouted out happily, clapping her hands; everyone seemed so happy!

"Hey, it's time to see Isabela's room!" Tío Felix announced, pulling Bruno forward, Luisa beamed and rushed before everyone, wanting to see the cool new room as fast as it was possible.

Isabela's place was full of flowers in every shade of pink or lilac. Of course, it was Isa's favorite color; she always wore the same colored dress. She looked around, waving her hands to create even more beautiful plants. And Abuela looked so happy; she was staring at Isabela with such adoration that Luisa never saw it. Was it because of the flowers? She couldn't wait to have her gift; she would make Abuela so proud! Why should they receive gifts so late? Five years old is such an old age! (Don't tell this to Isabela.)

"Wo-ho!" Dolores swirled around the room, straightening her flower-covered skirt. Did Isabela do this?

Luisa pursed her lips and stamped her foot, getting her hermana's attention. "I want a flower dress!" Isabela giggled, covering her mouth with a palm, then turned around on her axis. Luisa winced when the buds swirled in a virge around her. She closed her eyes and sneezed. As she was about to wipe her face, she realized that her whole cloth was covered in pink roses. "Thank you!" She screamed, waving at Isabela, who already was creating beauty for another girl.

Abuela decided to make a picture, and Luisa couldn't be happier than now. Her hermana was standing in the middle with a freshly made flower crown, hugging Luisa, who was standing to her right, covered in pollen. Dolores was standing on the other side, holding hands with Isabela in their special way, Luisa often saw them doing it, and her hermanas said that it was a special twin gesture. She wondered if mami and tios had their own special way of holding hands. Grownups were standing behind them, Luisa saw with her side eye how Abuela bent a little, standing right behind Isabela, other adults were behind them.

"La Familia Madri..." Luisa sneezed when the pollen got into her nose, so they had to retake the picture because it should be perfect. A perfect photo for a perfect ceremony

It was a really fun night; people were dancing. Luisa tried some moves too but was soon distracted by the hanging vines that Isa created. She tried to climb one of them but ended up falling into a bunch of petals. Some of the flowers from her skirt were ripped off, ending up being forgotten in the pile. Isabela looked at her with a little grin, standing on the right hand of Abuela, showing her new abilities to everyone.

Luisa didn't remember how she fell asleep and was taken to bed, but she couldn't wait to bloom just like Isabela did.

Getting wiser

Chapter 2. Whimsical

When Dolores first said that Mami and Tía have a second heart beating inside of them, Luisa was very surprised; she didn't know that you could grow a second heart. Did it mean that one day she would have a second heart too? And Papi and Tío looked so happy like it was a real celebration, so Luisa guessed that it was a good thing to do. Only by the evening had Mami stood up by the table edge, announcing with a happy smile and slightly patting her stomach. "I and Pepa are pregnant!"

Luisa bit her lip, looking at Isabela, who was very happy, then bent to her and asked, whispering. "What does it mean?"

"We'll have a little sibling and cousin." Her hermana explained.

Luisa beamed and screamed way louder than she intended to. "I'll have a little brother?"

Papi chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Or sister."

Luisa crossed her arms, nodding confidently as she explained. "It can't be a girl; Mama already has two." If two kids are girls, the third should be the other way around. Otherwise, why would Tío Bruno be a boy? On the other hand, there was also Dolores. Luisa gasped, lifting her shoulders a little bit. "If Isa and Dolores are girls, does that mean that I'm a boy?" She pressed her palms to her cheeks in surprise, then sobbed when tears appeared in her eyes. "I don't want to be one!"

Grownups seemed surprised by this logic, immediately assuring that being a boy or girl didn't depend on the number of birth. Luisa thought that it made no sense but decided to let it be.

Soon, life had a completely new turn, things were changing without any time to proceed them. Tía Pepa was stormy most of the time; Luisa could swear that it was almost a hurricane a dozen times, and it meant that Luisa had to sit at home, which was extremely boring. And she didn't use to spend her day inside. Honestly, she was already annoyed by her future primo; why must they make Tía so emotional?

Mami was okay most of the time, but when hormones got to her too... Let's just say that being near two of them was dangerous for life.

At those moments, Luisa was hiding in her prima's room along with Isabela. Mostly because it was soundproofed. But, honestly, she was a bit scared of being in here.

Dolores's room was the quietest place in the whole Encanto, but at the same time, it was louder than anywhere else. Heartbeating, breathing, whispering of spikelets, rustling sheets — it all was screaming so much, bending the fear over Luisa. 

"I miss going outside." She whispered, tapping her foot, as the stone bounced off the water, splashing it around. Tía had a bad mood for almost a week, and now it was dangerous to not only go outside but to even stay outside of the protected magic room.

"You have a whole field with a river in here." Isabela sighed, crossing her arms.

"It's not the same." Luisa mummed, offended. Yes, Prima's room was cool, but it just wasn't enough. Luisa felt like it was too flat. Yes, she could run, but there were many other things to do. Like climbing trees, that wasn't there. And she missed her family too. Mamí and Tía were so mad, Luisa thought that they wanted babies. But now they just seemed to hate everything that was going on with this pregnancy. At the same time, Papí and Tío Felix were trying their best to prevent their wives from killing each other; at least Tío Bruno explained it like this. Was it normal to want to kill your sister when you are pregnant?

Luisa's fourth birthday was such a mess. Mami wanted to celebrate it like any other birthday, which made Luisa so happy. For some time, she was really scared that they wouldn't celebrate her birthday because of some stupid fight again. Well, there was another stupid fight that day. Besides, Mama was getting tired so easily that she barely started to make a cake until she fell into the armchair, resting her head on the back of it with tired breathing.

"Don't worry, Mi Amor." Luisa heard how Papi was calming Mami down, just when Luisa thought about the cake. "I'll handle it."

"I want to help too!" Isabela interrupted him. "I want to give my hermanita the best birthday cake!" She held her hands behind her back, looking up at their dad. Luisa shouted out in happiness, rushing to Isabela and almost knocking her off her feet as she pulled her into a hug. Isabela giggled awkwardly, slightly patting Luisa's spine. "Everything for my small hermanita." She promised.

Luisa looked away, pursing her lips in the offense. "I'm almost grown up! I'll be five in the next year."

Just a year to go before she would have her gift. Luisa couldn't wait to finally have it. On the other hand, it was probably good that she wouldn't have her ceremony this year. Luisa could only imagine what would happen if she got her gift while Mami or Tia were pregnant; what if Pepa would blow everyone away with the wind; or if Mami accidentally mixed up the recipes? The main goal is for the two of them to stop waiting for the babies before Well, Mama promised that her hermanito would be born before Isabela's birthday.

"But it's not now. And even then, you'll still be my  baby Hermanita. Isabela giggled as Luisa knocked her to the floor. "I bet even our hermanitos will be taller than you!" Luisa crossed her arms, looking away resentfully, chin up a little. Isabela wasn't even that tall compared to her.

"Quiet there, girls." Papi let out a short snort as he stood on the chair to reach for something on the top shelf. "Let's not fiii...." His voice was cut off by a gasp as he bent too much, off-balancing, forcing him to fall on the floor. Luisa winced as she heard a thump. "I'm fine." 

***

Luisa thought that her primito was strange. He was so small; Luisa never thought that people could be so little. And he was sleeping most of the time; Luisa found it quite boring. Didn't he want to discover this giant world around him? Most of the time he was either crying or sleeping. How did he even manage to keep so many tears? But it didn't diminish how cute he was. especially when he wasn't crying, waking Luisa up in the middle of the night. Seriously, Camilo, the night is time for sleep, not everyone could dream during the day like you!

Now Luisa couldn't wait to see her own little sibling. Sure, Camilo was cool. But she wanted to become a hermana mayor officially. Now she was the only girl in this family without a younger sibling. Days seemed to be passing so slowly... How long has she to wait? Her hermanito should already be born. Tío Felix said that Camilo was born earlier than he was supposed to be. God, why couldn't the other child be born early as well?

***

Luisa couldn't wait to hide in the sound-proofed room again. She ran all over the field, waving her hands, trying to get distracted from these thoughts. Soon she will meet her baby hermanito! This room was too small for Luisa, but she couldn't leave the casita. The closer she is to Mama, the faster she will meet the newest member of the family! And leaving was scary. Mami kept screaming, and from this noise, Luisa wanted to cry when heard it, but she didn't want to scare a newborn with her sobbing and tears.

"Isa, Lu, it's time." Papi's voice was as loud as thunder, echoing inside the room.

Luisa shuddered, then turned around and looked at Papa, who was standing in the doorway. Then she and her hermana stared at each other for a bit and both rushed forward, pushing each other to be the first one.

"I'm older!"

"And it's my first hermanito!"

****

Luisa gasped, pressing her hands to her cheeks and looking at her hermanita. She was so whimsically tiny—even smaller than Camilo. Luisa jumped on Mama's bed and clung to her hand to see the little girl better. Hermanita was sniffling softly, eyes closed.

"Meet our little Mirabel." Mami chuckled, ruffling Luisa's hair with her free hand.

Mirabel. It was such a beautiful name! Luisa took her skinny arm carefully, smiling widely. Now she has officially stopped being the youngest child.

Also, when Isabela said that the older siblings always have perfectly straight hair, she was totally lying. At least Luisa hadn't noticed any changes by now.

***

Little kids were strange. Luisa could confirm it. As a good older hermana, she made sure to take care of Mirabel, especially after she moved to nursery as well. Having company all day reminded Luisa about times when Isabela and Dolores lived here as well before getting their own doors. But her primo and hermanita were both too small and couldn't play with her. But it was okay; they'll grow up soon, and Luisa and her older hermanas would have other kids to play with!

So, right now she was trying her best to take care of Mirabel, even if most of the time it meant that she had to run for mami in the middle of the night because she couldn't calm down her hermanita. Luisa thought that it was unfair; after all, she was doing her best to help. What exactly is Mia different from her? On the other hand, it was the third child for Mami, the fifth if you count Tíos, so maybe she just was more experienced than Luisa.

Mirabel had big, curious eyes that were looking around carefully, trying to understand the world around her. She seemed to be way quieter than Camilo, but when he started to cry, they didn't have to wait long for Mira to join him. Was all of the baby talk that loud?

When Luisa asked Isabela about it, she just shrugged, pursing her lips. "I don't remember you or Dollie as babies." Both of them looked at the crib, where Mirabel was snoring in her sleep.

That day, the Club of Hermanas Mayores was officially created. The three older girls were talking about caring for Mirabel or Camilo. Luisa also spent a lot of time, trying to understand those two, which was uneasy because of how strange they were. Like, who could spend all day lying either in cribs or in mom's hands? Or why weren't two of them able to eat normal food? Sure, they didn't have teeth, but they surely could eat something like a puree. But when Luisa tried to feed Mirabel, her padres became so scared and said that she can't eat anything, except for milk. And she could drink only a special kind of milk. 

So, yeah, babies were whimsical.

Protector

When it was the time to tell Luisa the story of her Abuelo, Alma totally didn't expected her to ask why they were forced to leave their home. And she totally didn't expect Luisa to became so worried about it.

Alma gently knocked on the nursery green door with her free hand before coming in. Her nieta was sitting on her bed, tapping her feet on the floor. She turned her head, as she heard the sound of opening door.

"Abuela!" She smiled in all her teeth and jumped off her perfectly maded bed, trowing the blanket on the floor. "Today I will become a big girl!" She crossed her arms proudly, then pulled Alma's dress, leading her to the center of the room.

Alma put the candle on the nightstand then gigged weakly into her fist, patting her nieta. "Of course you will." She started to bend to put the blanket back, but Luisa was ahead of her, quickly throwing bedsheet where it supposed to be. Blanket lied with the bunch of lumps, so Alma fixed it, then sat and patted the spot next to her, asking Luisa to sit down. The little girl climbed on the bed, without taking her eyes off the candlelight. "This is the candle of the family Madrigal." Alma started her explanation, pointing on the wax with a butterfly pattern.

"Is it where is magic coming from?" Luisa asked, staring at Alma in spellbound with her big brown eyes.

She noded, letting out a weak sigh. "Yes, that's right." For a moment she kept silent, watching at the playful flame, before specifying. " Do you want to hear the story behind it?"

Luisa looked like she was about to shine in adoration. "Yes, please!" She clasped her fingers in front of her, begging to hear this story. Of course, Isabela and Dolores probably told her that Alma was going to tell a really fascinating story before her ceremony. But as it was put in the rules, they couldn't tell what exactly happened back then, thirty-six years ago. Honestly, Alma would prefer to explain it by herself, because she was there, she knew exactly what happened. Even if she would never tell the whole story, because it would just make everyone scared.

Alma looked away, glancing at the Camilo's and Mirabel's cribs "Many years ago, when my three babies were just born, your Abuelo Pedro and I were forced to leave our home...."

"Why?" Alma shuddered as Luisa cuted her off.

"What do you mean?" Alma reasked unsurely, looking down at her frowning nieta. Why their babies were born? Why there were three babies?

"Why did you have to run away?" Luisa bited her lip, pulling her knees closer, twisting the golden ribbon in her hair, strictly eyeing Alma.

She let out a harsh sigh, she wasn't expecting to hear this question from a five-years-old girl, neihter Isabela, nor Dolores were worried about this. "Bad people forced us to run away." She sighed harshly, leaning to the wall. "But they found your Abuelo." She did her best to not let her voice crack.

Luisa's upper lip trembled, her eyes, still wide opened, now quickly filled with tears. Alma froze for a moment, not knowing what to do when her nieta sobbed into her birthday white clothes. Yes, it wasn't what she expected by telling the story of Pedro's sacrifice.

"Luisa, mi dulce, you'll ruin your dress." Alma begged, pulling Luisa's head up, then she put a soft smile on her face. "What's wrong?" Luisa had to calm down before her ceremony, no one would like to see a child with flowing snot.

"What if.." Her nieta sobbed hiccupping. "What if bad people'll find us?" She squeezed her own hands. "Like Abuelo?"

Alma frozed for a moment, it was her biggest fear, buried deep under her skin after so many years, forgotten in the insomniac night when she was hugged her children to her chest, too scared that if she would let go of them they would leave her just like Pedro did. Fear that never stopped, no matter what. They had giant mountains around to protect them, but Alma could never stop thinking what would happen if they'll find the way inside. Sometimes she caughted herself climbing mountains to see if there were any cracks or ways to enter Encanto. At nights Alma leaned against her door, looking at the medallion with a photo of Pedro, praying him to protect their home.

Still, she put her hand on Luisa's shoulder, looking into her tearful eyes. "That's why we were given our miracle. It'll protect us from any threats." She promised, trying to look a confident, as possible, even if deep inside she wanted to cry as well, as she thought about it. It was Alma's care, she had to deal with it on her own. And Luisa was a child, right now her main priority is to use her gift for Encanto, helping her family.

"But what if something will happen?" Luisa trew her hands into the air. "If bad people will find us..." She squeezed her azure blanket. "Will they hurt Papi, or mami, or Mira, or..." She kept listing her entire family, fingering her fingers, her voice became more desperate with every name.

"Luisa." Alma ripped her off roaring, making Luisa wince. "The miracle will protect us." Her voice sounded way harsher than Alma intended, but she couldn't help it. Thoughts of what would happen quickly leaded her to the edge, she didn't want to think what would happen if the miracle would fail to protect them, she started to shake as she imagined her hijos y nietos lying and bleeding in the cold red river. Alma took a deep breath to calm herself down, clenching her wrinkled hands into fists so hard, that her knuckles turned white. "Lo siento, perdí la calma." She closed her eyes for a second. "Our magic'll protect us, prometo."

Luisa pursed her lips, still didn't seem to be assured. She lowered her head, whispering weakly. "O-okay." She looked at the candle again, fixing her bun, trying to not burst into tears again. "What's my gift?"

Alma gigged softly. "I don't know, but whatever your gift would be, it would be just as special, as you." She put her hand on her nieta's cheek. Luisa looked into her eyes, pursing her lips, before she smiled awkwardly a second before the alarm clock signaled that it was time for them to go.

****

Isabela said that this story was very cool and interesting. But the only thing that Luisa felt is how something really heavy pressed her to the ground. She knew that Abuela said that miracle would protect them, b-but... What if it wasn't enough? Would it mean that Luisa would never see her padres or hermanas again? What if evil people would take them as they took Abuelo. Luisa didn't know where Abuelo Pedro was, but she heard that no one ever would be able to find him. And it was so scary! Why did they have to be evil in the first place? Wouldn't it be easier if everyone would just become friends? Like in the Encanto! Even if Abuela promised that no one will hurt them, she looked so scared and sad when Luisa asked about it. Maybe she was upset that Luisa distrusted their magic, but Luisa's heart just was racing too fast.

Luisa smiled nervously as papi ruffled her hair. "Oh, my little girl is already so big." He whispered in adoration, patting her spine.

Luisa shrunk, looking down. She pursed her lips, thinking of what will happen if evil people would find them.

"Ohh, are you scared?" Isabela gigged softly, teasing Luisa. She looked down, ears tucked in. Then she winced as she realised that something appeared on her head. Luisa looked up and saw how mami and papi swooned with delight, Isa crossed her arms confidently. Luisa reached for her hair and groped something, that really felt like a flower. "It's from the nerves." Her hermana exclaimed proudly.

Part of Luisa that was worried about her gift lowered its tone, but the other voice, that appeared after the talk with Abuela became louder. Strict voice, screaming that if something will happen to Isa, she would be all alone, taken by strangers. Her hermana was so small, right now she was almost the same height with Luisa, and she didn't even mention her hermanita Mirabel, who was so tiny, that Luisa really wondered if babies are really supposed to be that small. She felt little tears falling down her face, immediately buried in her mami's dress. Everyone assured her that she would get an amazing gift. Luisa looked up to her family, thinking if her future gift could protect them. She wanted everyone to be safe, please, let them be safe! Luisa would never forgive herself if something would happen to her Abuela, mami, papi, tios, hermanas, primos. To anyone. They had to stay protected.

She kept repeating those words inside her head when she was staring at the abnormally long patio corridor.

****

Alma watched as Luisa touched the flower wreath on her head before walking forward. Her small, unsteady steps on the red tiles sounded too loud. Luisa walked unusually slowly, Alma could pay less attention to her than to her sisters, but she knew that Luisa always had a gushing energy, some even said that she was the most restless child that Encanto ever knew. And yet now she was unusually frightened, either because of the gift ceremony or because of their conversations. Alma really hoped that this was the first option. Magic would protect them, it has to protect them, it's why they were given a miracle at the first place. Alma didn't want to the what might happen if it would fail. She wouldn't admit that her nieta's worries touched her heart, making her heart beating way louder and faster that it should be. They couldn't repeat Pedro's fate. Please, don't let anyone be lost as he was.

Luisa shuffled her feet nervously as she stood in front of Alma, who winced as she was lost in her thoughts, them shesmiled tenderly, asking her nieta. "Will you use your gift to serve our community?"

Luisa bit her lip before furrowing her brows determinedly. "Yes." She promised as Alma lowered the candle into her hands.  This look in her eyes was somehow familiar, almost making her shrink in painful memories, she swallowed a nasty lump in her throat.

Luisa chuckled as the warmth of the candle touched her palms. Then she turned to her door, her movements became much more confident, maybe that was part of the magic. The patio lit up with a golden glow that emanated from the door as she touched the doorknob.

Alma flinched, jumping back as something fell from the sky. Was it... cobblestone? Why was it in the sky at all?"

"Luisa!" Julieta and Agustin screamed almost in sync as the stone was about to fall on their hija.

She looked up and raised her hand, catching a boulder that was twice her size, if not more, as if it were nothing. A glow from behind her flooded the door, creating the image of Luisa's lifting a barbell. Super strength?

"We have a new gift!" Alma announced proudly, placing her hand on her nieta's back. Surely, this gift would be one of the most, if not the most useful to help Encanto. The courtyard immediately erupted in applause, Luisa put down the stone and bent her arms at the elbows, looking at them adoration.

Then she turned to Alma, smiling broadly, raised her head and put her hand on her chest. "I will protect my family." She promised in a whisper, nodding confidently. Alma could not help feeling how tears of proud tenderness filled her eyes. Yes, Luisa was a five years old child, but seeing this determination in her eyes really made Alma believe her words somewhere deep inside.