Chapter Text
Mirabel looked over at the docks in front of her. Aged wood with its characteristics of dents and cracks and barnacles. It was a lot smaller than the docks back over in Ian's village. She slowly moved down the steps off of the docks, clutching her bag tightly as she admired her surroundings. The dock's pier hovers over a gorgeous white sandy beach. Mirabel couldn't help but admire and grin. The Encanto was away from the beaches of Colombia. She's always wanted to see one. Now, she was here. On a beach and not looking at a painted picture. She smiled as her feet touched the sand. A chuckle coming from her lips as some of the sand managed to bury itself inside her shoe.
There were a lot of people on the beach currently. Tall and strong men and women, moving items onto or off of small boats. Mirabel smiled. Their clothes were similar to the ones she wore at home. The colors were absolutely beautiful, despite how simple they were. Vibrant and alive. The men and women moving packages off the ships that came, mostly likely from Ian's ship or one of the many others, while some of the others were preparing fishing lines. Mirabel noticed how kind and civil they were to one another. Working with smiles on their lips even if they weren't speaking. And those who were speaking were talking in a very calm and peaceful manner. With a quick little question on direction from some of the fisherman, Mirabel walked away from the beach into a simple dirt path that led her towards the closest village. This one was just as lively as the one outside of the mountains in Colombia. The cottages and homes more on the outskirts of the main village. A bit more private with what looked like a quick walk in order to get to your neighbors. Mirabel looked around with intrigue and glee. Shops were so close together in a friendly-looking way. Oranges and teals painted on the walls with vines and flowers against the ground and cobblestone path.
There was faint music playing from the town's main square as people from all shapes, sizes, ages and colors walked along. Doing their tasks and their jobs while they sung along to the song or joined into a short dance. Mirabel came to a stop as she noticed the flag in the corner of one of the shops. Painted beautifully. She smiled. "Puerto Rico." she said to herself, her fingers grazing against the walls of one of the places. "A fresh start." Mirabel moved a lock of curls out the way of her glasses and slowly continued down the path. More and more people passed her by. A couple of them seemed quite excited when Mirabel took the second to take notice of them. Smiles on their faces as they moved about the path. Mirabel couldn't help but notice a few frowns on the faces of some women. There was worry across their brows as they whispered to one another. Unconsciously and out of her youthful curiosity, Mirabel turned her route around and followed them away from the main path and towards one of the homes in the forest and on one of the semi-tall hills. As soon as she had stepped close to the home, she heard the loud sound of very emotional wailing. The two women that she had been following met eyes and cursed, rushing into the home. Mirabel didn't enter the house, but the front door was left open just a bit. A beautiful orange color with dents and cracks in the door sticking out from wear and weathering. Mirabel looked inside, seeing a group of people surrounding one. A woman was sitting down on the ground, her head in her hands and loud sobs racking from her lips.
"Oh my love! Please don't cry." called an older looking woman. The woman started crying louder. Mirabel looked to the side, seeing the crying woman dressed in a beautiful white dress. However, there were tears in the side and rips all over the place. Brown stains at the bottom.
"It's ruined mama! It's ruined!" she sobbed louder.
"Don't cry mi amor preciosa." an older man cried as well, seeing the woman so distraught. Mirabel instantly inhaled and cursed. Realizing that this was a wedding. And she shouldn't intrude on such a private matter when she was so upset. She hadn't been to a wedding before. The closest thing that she had gotten to one was Mariano and Isabela. But it was obviously from that moment inside of Casita with that water and the years of emotional turmoil that that would be a wedding no one would want her to attend. But she wanted her sister to have a happy day and she hoped that now that she was gone, her sister's wedding day was going to turn out as perfect as she was. As Mirabel turned on her heel, one of the women from before that she had followed noticed her lingering.
"Hey! Hey you!" she called, her voice a little deeper but sweet nonetheless.
Mirabel froze in her tracks. Slowly turning around. Everyone was now staring at her, including the bride. She gave an awkward smile. "Hi... I'm... I'm sorry I shouldn't-"
"Your dress." the bride called, standing up. Mirabel could see the extent of the dress's wounds. Rips at the bottom along with mud and dirt. "It's... It's really pretty." she said, trying to stop the sobs from her lips.
"Oh. Thank you." she said back. Mirabel looked over at her with a smile, trying to make up for her intrusion on her situation. "Are you okay?"
The bride nodded. "I just went on a walk to clear my head... and fell and now... my dress is... ruined. And my wedding is in a few hours!" she said, full on sobbing now.
"Please don't cry." the older man called again to her.
"Joaquin is going to be so disappointed! ¡Me va a odiar cuando camine por el pasillo así!" she said.
"No! No! No! It's... It's an easy fix!" Mirabel said with a smile. Hoping to cheer up this obviously upset and emotional woman.
Hearing that, she stopped her wails. "It-It is?"
Mirabel inhaled. "Do you guys have a sewing machine and white thread?" she said. "How long until the wedding?"
"She has a good three hours." the man said.
"Then I am completely confident that I can fix it for you!" she said so excitedly. She hadn't sewn clothing in a while. It would be fun to do it again. Especially for something of this magnitude.
The bride eyed Mirabel up and down, her eyes sparkling. "Really?!" she said, pulling her into a bone crushing hug. It was so tight that she felt her arms crack a bit. It reminded her of Luisa's hugs. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"It's a wedding day miracle!" the two women called in unison.
Mirabel smiled at her, happy that she was happy. She had left for a few moments and returned with the folded up and ruined dress. Everyone else expect her and the older woman left the home to continue their preparations. "What is your name by the way?" she asked.
"My name is Mirabel." she said to her with a smile as the bride pulled up a table and everything else she needed.
"That's a beautiful name! Sounds magical! Like you are to me right now." the bride called from her spot. "I'm Catalina. This is my mama, Isadora."
Isadora smiled, eyeing Mirabel's beauty along with the dress. "You did this to your dress? All by yourself?" she asked.
"Oh, yes. I did." she said, pushing her glasses back up onto her nose.
Catalina smiled. "It's gorgeous." she said. "I haven't seen you around here before."
"Oh. I just got here by boat." she said, sitting down at the table.
Catalina hummed in interest, still admiring the wash of color that Mirabel had on in just one dress. "Mama, can you go and check on the wedding please?" she asked. Isadora nodded, picking up her shoes at the door and leaving the home. Catalina smiled as Mirabel took the dress towards the basin and tried her best to rinse off the dirt before sewing. "I really appreciate you doing this for me. You don't have to-"
"No. I want to. Besides, it's your wedding day. It's going to be the most amazing and most beautiful day! And you deserve to look and feel your best." she said to her with a smile, taking a hold of the thread and slowly sewing the rips at the bottom first. Catalina watched her with awe and excitement.
"Mama tried to teach me how to sew when I was younger. I kind of regret being a kid and not caring. It seems like a wonderful skill to know." she said.
Mirabel nodded. "I taught myself. I spent a lot to days up in my room... and I... I had nothing else to do." she said.
Catalina raised her head. "Up in your room? What are some kind of damseled princess?" she tried to joke. "If I were you I would have shared this talent with my entire village! I mean, look at your dress alone! I am sure that if you did sell them, everyone in town would pay top dollar!"
No one really noticed her dresses before. Apart from Lupe. She would cheer when she entered for a new thread. Or happily compliment her newest dress. She would look at the work that the young girl did an congradulate and compliment. She would do it at first, try and share her dresses and her sewing. Adorning the dress with the beautiful flowers made from thread, identical to the ones that Isabela showered around their Casita. She'd sew and sew to create the candle and the lights that the magic flowed on her skirts as an homage. She was proud to showcase her family in her dresses. Her family, not so much. The flowers slowly stopped and she would just sew the flowers she read about. No more pinks and purples that were Isa's. No more candle and glowing shine and all of the yellow and gold thread stayed in Lupe's shop. She looked up at Catalina. "Do you really think that... that this is a gift?" she asked. No one else seemed to notice it. Unless it was magical... no one really noticed in the Casita.
Catalina chuckled at her. But when she looked over and saw her face and noticed Mirabel's seriousness towards the question. "Listen, I don't know what it was that kept you up in that room or who made you feel this way, but I think that you are strong and talented. This?" she said, motioning to the dress Mirabel had on. "This is a gift! But it's more than that. You were so quick and willing to help us that you followed my cousins here when you saw them in distress! That thing in your heart? That willingness to help and the kindhearted nature? That's something so cherishable and worth being rewarded and acknowledged." she said, moving her finger and pressing it to her chest where her heart would be.
Mirabel stopped sewing. Tears dripping down her eyes. She hadn't even realized she had been crying. "No one has... has been kind to me in a really long time. Not like you have or... or my friends back in Colombia. No one has actually sat and given me this kind of... this kind of generous aid. I've always just felt like a-"
Catalina reached forward. "No." she said. "If a bad word is going to come from your lips, I don't want to hear it. What comes from those lips should be blissful and joyous and should be your holding yourself up. That's what my papi told me since I was young. Even just know... when I... had my meltdown." she chuckled. "Mirabel, you are young and obviously skilled. Whoever put you down like that and made you feel like this, because I have a feeling that you weren't up in that room because you wanted to, they didn't deserve you. At all."
Mirabel smiled. "Thank you Catalina..."
"De nada amable extranjero." she said back. "How does a cup of juice sound while you work?"
Mirabel grinned back at her. "That would be great."
It had slowly turned from a bright and happy morning to a crisp, clear and tear filled evening. The navy blue sky had beautiful stars twinkling in it with only a few clouds in sight. There in the town's church, there was nothing but pure happiness radiating. Family members were all in delightful moods and cheerful as they spoke of the future for the couple. The walls were adored with flower braids, no doubt made by the bride and her wonderful family. Mirabel smiled wide when she took in the place around her. It was absolutely beautiful. She had never been able to attend a wedding before. She was sure that she went to one when she was an infant, but she couldn't remember it. Simple elegance is what she could do to describe the church and this wedding. "Oh, oh! Mirabel!"
She turned away from the entrance, seeing Isadora waving at her from the front of the church. She looked gorgeous in deep green. She rushed over, her gray hair shining more of a silver underneath of the candles inside the church. "Buenas noches señora." Mirabel said to her.
"I can not thank you enough for helping us." she said, taking a hold of her hands in hers and rubbing her knuckles happily. "You are an absolute godsend dear, a gift. Come, come sit with us."
"Oh, no. I shouldn't. I shouldn't." she said, shaking her head.
"Nonsense." one of the bridesmaids called with a smile, pushing her flowers into one hand and waving at her kindly as the doors to the church begun to open again.
"Vamos, joven regalo del cielo, siéntate. Aquí Mirabel, siéntate." Isadora said, sitting Mirabel down on her left and taking a hold of her husband's hand on her right. The doors to the church opened and Mirabel turned and watched the groom walk inside of the church. He was incredibly attractive. Black hair pulled back down behind his back and brushed down his shoulder. Mirabel couldn't help but chuckle at herself when he looked at him. He looked incredibly similar to Mariano. Like, extremely similar. High cheekbones, two moles above his eyebrow and upper lip. And his copper frames rested on his nose adorably. His guayabera highlighting his deep, caramel-toned skin. He walked to the front of the church with his groomsman. The man clapped his back happily, whispering a good affirmation to him. The doors opened once again and everyone stood up. Mirabel stood up, fixing her own glasses and looking over at the doors. The gasp that shook the room made Mirabel's heart flutter. The ruined dress from before was completely unrecognizable. But in a good way.
It was better.
Way better.
Her long dress had been fixed at the bottom, along with its train. However, even though it was a slightly different colored white, you could barely notice it. Adorning from the bottom hem, the train and high up to her thighs, the dress was covered in embroidered flowers. Roses and orchids made from the thread looked beautiful as they trailed their way up the gown. Catalina was a beautiful bride already. And now the dress elevated that natural beauty. On her bust was one single embroidered rose, that matched the mantilla she had on top of her head. Catalina smiled widely, seeing her fiance awaiting her at the front of the church. Her soon-to-be husband turned away for a moment, pulling off his glasses and wiping the tears in his eyes. Mirabel smiled. She looked so happy. He looked so happy. Everyone seemed so happy inside this room. The wedding was short and sweet. Catalina was just so happy and excited to be married. The two of them sealed their marriage with an amazing and beautiful kiss, earning a happy cheer from the crowd attending. Mirabel had to wipe the tears of Isadora with a happy grin. The couple and the crowd left the church and almost immediately, music began playing from outside. The town itself, even though they weren't close with the couple or probably didn't know them, were ready and happy to celebrate the newest union with them. The drums and the guitars began to play as Catalina was dipped by her husband into another kiss. He was sauve and Mirabel couldn't help but applaud his actions. The couple danced with one another happily. Mirabel watched them, clapping her hands to the beat of the song. Admiring the union. As she did, she couldn't help but see her sister in that dress. Imagining for a moment that this party before was back in the Encanto. That the bride and groom were big sister Isabela and Captain Mariano. Isabela would have made a beautiful bride. Everyone would have been so happy for her. Mirabel looked down. That was behind her now, literally and figuratively. Isabela's wedding will be better without her anyways. She exhaled, stepping back and turning away. She needed to find a place to rest. With some of the money, maybe she could get a room for the night.
"Hey! Hey, where are you going?"
Mirabel turned over, seeing Catalina rush to her, smoothing out the skirt of her dress with a smile. "Oh. I just wanted to give you all some privacy." she answered honestly.
"Nonsense! Come, come, come. Come and meet my husband." she said, taking her hand with a grin. "Joaquin! Love! Here, this is her! This is Mirabel!"
The groom, Joaquin smiled wide. He pulled Mirabel close in a huge hug automatically. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" he said.
"Woah! Hey! You're a hugger!" Mirabel cried, shocked that he was so open.
"Oh. I'm sorry!" he called, setting down. "You... you saved the wedding! I mean... I wouldn't have cared if my precious Catalina walked down in a pigskin-"
"Joaquin!"
"I wouldn't have amor, honestly." he said, pressing a kiss to her temple and brushing his thumb against her chin. Mirabel noticed how she melted under his touch. "But she was so distraught and upset and you did this! Made her smile. I'm so happy that you were able to make her happy. And this dress! I mean... I mean look at it! She shines in it! You're amazing young lady!"
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Mirabel said, crossing her hands together at the praise.
"No. Thank you." Catalina said, pressing a hand to her shoulder. "Mirabel... you deserve something for what you've done for me."
"No I-"
"You're not getting out of this no matter how hard you try." Joaquin said with a smile as Catalina handed him her wedding bouquet and took her arms, leading her away from the huge celebration. Mirabel protested the entire time, but to no avail. Catalina happily brought her in front of a shop, paint deep blue like the sky. Wiggling her eyebrows excitedly at Mirabel. She opened the door happily. She walked over, igniting some of the candles. Mirabel looked over admiring the place. The walls were painted the same color on the outside and the floor was a deep, warm-toned maroon wood. Catalina smiled, showcasing and showing off racks filled with beautiful fabrics, beads and needles and sewing machines.
"Woah." Mirabel said. "This place is beautiful."
"It's my mama's." Joaquin said from the door, adjusting the necklace he was wearing.
"Your mother's?" Mirabel repeated.
Catalina nodded happily. "That's why I was so worried about the dress." she told him with a smile, adjusting the mantilla on her and throwing it over her shoulder. "She had made it for me and I was so scared that she would hate me if I ruined it."
"She would never hate you." Joaquin added with a wink.
"And... you helping me was just a gift. My mama-in-law owns this place. Only me and her work here. And so I was thinking, since you just moved here to Puerto Rico and this village you can work here as well. There's a second floor that we rarely used and it used to be storage, but we can clean it out for you and have it be your very own little place! It would be perfect for you! And you wouldn't even have to pay for room and board!" Catalina said, clapping her hands together and jumping with her excited mood.
Mirabel looked around the place in front of her. The store was a dream come true. Everything about it was a dream come true. It was all she wished when it came to coming here. A fresh start. "I... I don't know what to say." Mirabel said to her, covering the bottom of her mouth with her hands.
"You don't have to say anything at all. Look at this talent of yours!" Catalina said with a smile, twirling as she showed off the flowers sewn onto her dress's train. "You need a place to show off that beautiful talent of yours! Please, Mirabel, stay! Work here! Por favor Mirabel, quédate."
"Yes. Por favor Mirabel, quédate." Joaquin agreed.
Mirabel grinned, looking over and seeing the beautiful setup before her. "I can really stay here?"
"For as long as you wish!" Catalina said with a smile, taking the young girl's hands in hers. "Please..."
Mirabel smiled. This shop was beautiful. And she knew that here she would be helpful. She knew here... no one would cast her aside. No one would ignore her. And she'd make someone deserving very proud. "Okay... okay I will. I'll stay! I'll stay! But only if you go back right now and enjoy your wedding reception."
Catalina nodded, hugging Mirabel quickly before rushing out the door. "I'm so glad!" she said. "I'm going, I'm going, I'm going!"
Joaquin chuckled, seeing his wife with such a gleeful look in her eye and pep in her step. "You really are amazing! I can't wait to see you more. Oh! And welcome to Puerto Rico."
Mirabel smiled as he left. Mirabel covered her face with her hands, seeing the beautiful fabric and threads. All for her to use to her heart's content. With a happy squeal and tears dripping down her cheek, she felt something. She found her place. She found her spot.
This was her new home.