Chapter Text
Mirabel smiled softly to herself as she picked up the candle. She could hardly believe that Dolores’ hijo was already turning five. The first niño of the next generation to get their Gift.
Time really seemed to have flown by.
She smoothed down her yellow skirt and fixed her orange bow before stepping out of her room. The courtyard was filled with her excited family.
Her mamá was crying on one side, under her own little cloud while her papá held an umbrella up for her and comforted her. Her Tia was still setting the tables with food and chasing Tio Agustin away so he didn’t knock anything over.
Tio Bruno had resigned himself to being a jungle-gym to Camilo’s two-year-old twin girls while her hermano only cackled at the sight, his wife watching in exasperation.
Isabela was helping with the last of the decorations while Luisa chased after her four-year-old hija. The little girl definitely got her energy from her papá.
Antonio, now fourteen, was riding around the courtyard on Parce. He was just as excited as everyone else since he’d never seen a ceremony except for his own.
Abuela sat off to the side, watching all the activity with a smile.
And then were was little Carlos, named after their Abuelo on papá’s side. Dolores had tears in her eyes as she fussed over her hijo and Mariano was beaming proudly like he had been all week.
Mirabel smiled at the sight of her sobrino, all dressed up and ready for his ceremony. He’d been excited for this for weeks.
She caught Camilo’s eye first and he grinned up at her as she headed for the stairs, candle in hand.
She still remembered the shock of finding the magical candle in her bedroom the morning of her twentieth birthday. She’d spent a good ten minutes freaking out over it before her mamá came to fetch her for breakfast.
She’d been shocked at the sight too before smiling, tears appearing in her eyes.
Ay mija, you’re growing up. You’ve finally grown into your Gift.”
And in that moment, it just clicked. Her mamá had swept her up in a hug and the sight of the candle sitting in her window didn’t scare her anymore.
The family had reacted with both shock and excitement to the news. Camilo and Dolores had hugged her tightly while Antonio ran around them in circles. Isabela and Luisa had teared up over her growing up.
Surprisingly, her papá had been the one to start crying over his ‘little girl’ growing up.
Abuela hadn’t seemed to know what to think but in the end, she’d just given Mirabel a small, wistful smile and nodded her head.
Mirabel had taken care of the candle over the last four years, watching the golden flame dance every night before falling asleep.
It felt like something she’d been missing for years had finally arrived and she felt whole in a way she never had before.
She dreamt of golden flames and a golden spirit often now and she knew one day those vague dreams would grow more clear and she’d learn about the other abilities of being the candle holder.
For now though, her job was to guide the next Madrigal into receiving his Gift. Everyone smiled at her when they spotted her heading down the stairs. Carlos grinned and ran up to her.
“Tia Mira!” he called excitedly. “Is it time yet? Is it?!”
She laughed and reached down to ruffle his hair.
“Sí,” she told him fondly. “It’s time.”
He cheered and ran back to his parents. The candle warmed in her hands and she looked up at where the newest door was glowing. Casita had expanded as the family did and so had the nursery with four niños in residence.
The trend of more girls than boys had continued, much to Carlos’ dismay.
Everyone rushed to their places as Dolores and Mariano led Carlos to the foot of the stairs that had shifted to lead up to the glowing door.
There were no more massive parties for the entire village. This was a private family event and it was better this way.
Mirabel climbed up to the door first before turning and nodding at them. The candle almost seemed to vibrate with energy, like it was just as excited as they were.
Carlos seemed to grow a little nervous as he climbed the stairs with his parents, eyes on the door. Mirabel kneeled down next to him as Dolores and Mariano stepped to the side.
He stared up at her with wide eyes and she couldn’t help but remember another little boy staring up at her with trepidation and a little fear.
It seemed so long ago.
“You got this,” she whispered, getting a small smile from him.
Mirabel held the candle out and Carlos hesitantly reached out to touch it, looking awed as it shone brighter with magic.
“What’s the most important thing to a Madrigal?” she asked quietly.
“Family,” Carlos answered immediately and Mirabel smiled.
“And that’s always the biggest Gift. Never forget that okay?”
He nodded seriously and then turned to the door. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and reached for the doorknob.
The candle burned brightly and Mirabel smiled as the door shone like the sun.
Her family had fallen apart once. But it had come together stronger than ever. They’d learned from their mistakes and the next generation wouldn’t suffer the same way they did.
She heard Carlos laugh and looked up as Casita celebrated the first Gift of the next generation.
They’d be just fine.