14. Chapter 14

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Dolores sat up rubbing her eyes with a groan looking over to her clock to see it was morning. When did she fall asleep? Slight movement beside reminded her she was not alone "Mirabel?" she called softly gently shaking the girls shoulder just to just a quiet groan in response. Might as well let her sleep not like she can go anywhere right now anyway. Mind made up she pulled the blanket that had slipped down some back over her cousin and got of the bed. She was still wearing her clothing from yesterday so all she had to do was fix up her hair. Quickly pulling her hair into it's usual style she quietly closed the door acting like it was just a normal morning.

"Buenos dias, hija." Pepa smiled meeting her daughter at top of the stairs "Everything better today?".

"Sí Mamá." Dolores smiled "You just know it is, I have those days."

Pepa wrapped her arm around Dolores as they made their way outside where breakfast was once again being served "Of course I do, mi corazón. I think we have to go on another walk soon and bring your papá and hermanos with us this time. What do you say?".

"That would be great I look forward to it." Dolores moving up to stand next to Félix "Morning, Papá."

"Good morning, Lolo." Félix planted a kiss on his daughters cheek "Grab your plate and grab a seat. Your Abuela called a meeting this morning."

Great...with a sigh she dished up her breakfast and took the seat between Camilo and Antonio smiling at each of them as she began to eat.

Alma did a quick headcount after making sure everyone was seated she began to speak "We must discuss what to do with Mirabel she is getting bolder by the day. Any suggestions?"

"Just...leave her alone?" Camilo suggested shrinking when Alma shot him a glare "You asked for suggestions."

Pepa took a deep breath before speaking "What kind of suggestions are you wanting? No one can enter or leave the Encanto so not sure what you expect us to do? Kill her? You have something wrong in your head if you think anyone here would do that."

"Of course I'm not suggesting to kill her, what would give you an idea like that? I will not and do not support murder in cold blood." Alma snapped back "But we must prepare for any move she might make."

If only you knew you already too late...Dolores thought to herself smugly "What can she do? She doesn't have a gift, she is blind and she's only fifteen years old." taking on a ruder tone "What's she going to do? No really I would love to know your theory, Abuela."

The whole family turned and stare at Dolores in shock, never would they of thought it would be Dolores to get snarky with Alma.

"Do not take that tone with me, Dolores or I'll-"

Something in Dolores snapped the years of mental strain her gift brought and the years of living in the background boiled over "You'll what? Throw me out into the barn with her? You already disowned one nieta, why not go for another? In fact why not get rid all of us and just keep your favourite Princesa Perfecta Isabela over there." she gestured towards Isabela "Oh wait, you need us to be your tools nevermind."

"HOW DARE YOU!" Isabela shrieked.

"Dolores, what is wrong with you?" Pepa was looking over her daughter with concern "Did something happen?" a drizzle began to fall as she started muttering under her breath "Clear skies..clear skies..."

"Mirabel happened. Ever since Mirabel spoke to her the night of the gift ceremony she has been like this. I feared something like this would happen.." Alma closed her eyes taking deep breaths to calm herself..well much as she could "Dolores, tell me everything Mirabel has said to you."

Dolores looked Alma dead in the eyes "No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said no, there's nothing that's any of your business to tell."

Anger filled Alma's face as she watched Dolores defy her and turn back to her food. Mirabel's laughter rang in her head taunting her. Glancing around the table she saw both Camilo and Antonio snickering, Luisa was hiding a smile behind a hand and Julieta didn't even try to hide the grin on her face. Alma turned to face Julieta "Do you see what Mirabel is doing? She's ruining Dolores." a crash of thunder made her face her other daughter "Pepa-the cloud."

Julieta just shrugged "Well I wish I could say I raised her better, but I wasn't allowed to raise her so don't blame me."

Dolores stood up glaring at Alma "Ruining me? No I have just decided from now on I'll be living my life for me, not for you. I am a grown woman, if people want to know something about someone they can ask them themselves from now on." having finished her food she pushed herself away from the table and began walking off.

"Dolores, I have not yet excused you." Alma called after her.

"I don't care." Dolores snapped back.

Pepa watched her daughter leave "I'll..go talk with her." she picked up her plate to take her breakfast with her.

"I haven't excused you either, Pepa-" Alma began.

"Oh, drop it Mamá."

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Dolores entered her room grabbing a cushion and screaming into it in frustration, dropping it she walked towards her bed where the now awake Mirabel lay staring unseeing up at the room "Morning, Mirabel" realising now she didn't bring any food "I'm sorry I was going to bring you breakfast but Abuela is just...ugh."

"Eh not the first time I skipped a meal don't worry yourself. What happened with Abuela?"

"She's afraid of what you're going to do."

Mirabel chuckled "Is that so?"

Dolores sat on the bed "She ain't happy with me, told her I'm no longer living for her but myself. She wanted to know what you were saying but I refuse to tell her."

"She's going to realise you're working with me sooner or later."

"I don't care, I'm not ashamed of it. You deserve a better life, we all deserve better but you have had it the hardest-" Dolores froze when her door opened and Pepa emerged. Dolores glanced at Mirabel in panic there was no where for her to hide and it was too late anyway. The same panic reflected on Mirabel's face.

"Dolores can we talk-" Pepa stopped in shock seeing Mirabel laying there "Mirabel? What on earth-"

"Mamá let me explain." Dolores watched as Pepa's eyes when from Mirabel to Dolores and back again.

"Hola, Tía Pepa." Mirabel raised her hand in a little wave "Don't worry I'll be gone soon."

Pepa turned back to Dolores shock holding back any anger "Dolores...what is going on?"

Dolores took a deep breath "I made a promise to Tía Julieta that I would look after Mirabel. I brought her here yesterday to bathe and have a proper meal only we lost track of time so I had to hide her here over night. I insisted so don't blame her blame me. Mirabel doesn't want to hurt this family, she loves this family way more than we deserve after everything we done to her." tears formed in her eyes "Punish me all you want, but please Mamá don't take it out on Mirabel she has suffered enough."

Pepa stared at her distraught daughter before turning back to Mirabel who had returned her blind gaze to the roof face expressionless. Pepa sat down next to her sobrina biting her lip sucking in a breath "You're so thin."

"So everyone says." Mirabel responded "I eat what I can when I can."

Pepa looked down at the plate still in her hands and something came over it, call it a mother's instinct shoving the plate into a surprised Dolore's hands she pulled an even more surprised Mirabel into her lap before taking the plate back off Dolores and feeding Mirabel like a baby "Eat."

"She can feed herself, Mamá." Dolores said as she sat next to them.

Pepa glanced at her daughter than back at Mirabel who was squirming in her grasp sliding her off her lap and putting the plate into Mirabel's "Oh, sorry." she placed the fork into Mirabel's hand "It's a mothering thing." she smiled only for it to turn into a frown as she watched Mirabel struggle just to find the food "Dolores..where is her.."

Dolores gasped "Her glasses how could I forget." jumping up and grabbing the glasses from where she left them "Sorry, Mirabel."

"To be fair, I been sitting here this whole time and not saying anything but I was seeing how long it took you to notice." Mirabel chuckled "Have to amuse myself somehow Oh and gracias Tía."

Watching Mirabel happily eat for a moment Dolores turned her attention to Pepa "Please understand I have to do this, Mamá. I can't leave her alone to just die. How much longer do you really think she was going to last like that? Living off our leftovers and scraps?"

Pepa took Dolores's hands "Is that all you're doing? Just looking after her? Or is there more to this story?"

"I can't..."

"Dolores, tell me what's going on." Pepa pleaded "Por favor, mi amor. I know threre's more to this with your recent behaviour..." Pepa looked over as the door swung open sighing in relief when it was just her sister "Julieta, I suppose you knew about this." she pointed a thumb over at Mirabel.

Julieta nodded nervously "I knew she was here this whole time." she dropped Mirabel's now clean clothing on on the table beside the door before walking over "Dolores has been taking care of Mirabel wonderfully, I can't thank her enough." turning her attention to her daughter "How are you feeling today, mi mariposa?"

"After a bath, proper meal and good nights sleep in a real bed, haven't felt this good in years." Mirabel smiled "Tía Pepa gave me breakfast."

"Pepa..." Julieta turned to her sister a desperate look on her face "I know what you're thinking but please don't tell Mamá. Please as your sister, from one mother to another."

"I.." Pepa shook her head eyes darting from Julieta, Dolores and Mirabel and back she was caught in a mess and she knew it. First option was to not say anything, keep the trust of her sister and daughter but let Mirabel have a chance to get even closer. Other option was stop whatever Mirabel was doing but lose the trust of her sister and daughter. "I..I won't tell." oh Pepa hoped she was making the right choice.

"Oh gracias Pepa, gracias." Julieta hugged Pepa "I promise you won't regret this."

Pepa turned her head to gaze at Mirabel who return her gaze with a small smile and little wave "I sure hope not..." she took a breath "But I want the full story. Now Dolores. What is with the sudden attitude change?"

Dolores looked at Mirabel "Because of the way she is treated. And..."

"I'll tell her Dolores." Mirabel interrupted and cleared her throat "But first tell me, Tía are you happy?"

"Of course I'm happy! I got my husband and my children. I got my gift-"

"But does your gift make you happy?" Mirabel mused "Does anyone ever wonder why you're feeling that way or do they just see the weather? They say 'Pepa you have a cloud' but they ever ask why you have a cloud? Or do they just complain how the weather change inconveniences them?"

Pepa's eyes rose "Well...no..your Abuela will just tell me to stop before I cause a flood."

"So Abuela cares more about a possible flood than the reason you're upset?"

"I guess.."

Mirabel nodded in understanding "Mamá, Dolores do you mind? I want to have a one on one chat with Tía Pepa."

Julieta and Pepa looked confused while Dolores nodded, she knew what Mirabel was doing here "Of course, prima." looping her arm through Julieta's "Come along Tía."

Pepa could only watch as her daughter led a confused Julieta away "Mirabel? What is going on? Is this some sort of trick?"

"Trick? No no, not at all. But if it makes you feel better." Mirabel took off her glasses and tossed them gently behind her on the bed "Now I'm fully blind, can't do anything even if I wanted too. I just want to talk, that's all."

"Talk about what?"

"You. You know I observe a lot." Mirabel began "And how I couldn't help but notice how everyone is always trying to manipulate your emotions to suit themselves. They need rain? You're forced to make yourself upset. They need sun? Too bad how you actually feel, suck it up and be happy. They don't care how you feel."

Pepa rubbed at her braid as she always did when anxious a habit she picked up in childhood "Clear skies...clear skies...clear skies.."

"Everything okay?" Mirabel could feel herself getting soaking wet "I don't need to be able to see to know you're upset, what's wrong? I didn't upset you did I?"

"No no it's not you."

Mirabel tilted her head "Do you want to tell me? It'll stay between us I promise." she offered her hand "Or if you just want to sit here and let it out, that's fine too."

Pepa glanced at the hand of her estranged niece, their encounter the night of Antonio's ceremony still fresh in her mind. I should try make peace...for Dolores and Julieta if anything...but she is up to something I know she is with a deep breath she took Mirabel's hand in her own.

"You know what, Tía Pepa? I think you care more about me than you're letting on. Why else would you have me on your lap hand feeding me? I know why you screamed at me, why you called me a monster, a demon and thought I was there to ruin Antonio's night. You're frightened for your children. I'm the tainted Madrigal right? Or am I just tainted? I don't know if I'm even still considered a Madrigal at this point." pausing to take a breath "I know Abuela told you to hate me, she told everyone that. Am I the monster though? She was the one who locked up a small child because she was embarrassed of her. Who leaves a five year old in the house by themselves? Abuela does apparently."

Pepa couldn't look at Mirabel the guilt of knowing she stood back and watched her mother do everything in her power to crush Mirabel's spirit. Taking part in demonising the girl herself but she couldn't help but feel there was more to this. The vision...

Mirabel shook her head "That's fine if you don't want to talk to me. Understandable. But you should know it's okay to show your emotions. Don't keep them bottled up. Oh and what's with you watering the farmers crops everyday?"

"Crops need water, Mirabel."

"And that's your responsibility? They have legs and hands don't they? They can do it themselves. What do they think farmers outside of the Encanto do?" Mirabel let out a heavy sigh "Don't give me the 'it's my duty to serve to serve the community' speech. I know what Abuela says, and isn't it funny how for someone who always preaches about serving the community she doesn't do anything herself? If she wants crops watered everyday I know where she can find a watering can."

"You think I enjoy having to do all that? You think I like having to keep my emotions locked up? I don't. I want to laugh and sing and cry just like everyone else. But I can't cause all I hear is 'Pepa you have a cloud. Pepa you'll flood the house. Pepa the sun is too hot. Pepa it's too windy.'"

"Stop worrying about it then. You are human, you are allowed to feel human emotions. Say no to watering the crops, if they want to be farmers they gotta put in the work themselves. You could literally destroy this whole town with a hurricane, I doubt anyone will stand up to you..and if anyone does you could just zap them with a lightning bolt." Mirabel laughed at the image "And with that you you should know I'm definitely no threat to you, you could blow me away with a gust of wind."

Pepa squeezed Mirabel's hand "Ever since I got my gift..I been told to keep in it."

"Enough of that. Be who you want to be. Let your true feelings be known. Let it in, let it out, let it rain, let it snow, let it go." Mirabel threw her free hand in the air "Why should you have to earn a gift you never asked for? It was forced upon you. It's okay to be fed up Tía Pepa, live your life. You're more than just the woman who can control the weather. "

Pepa didn't say anything just pulled Mirabel into a hug, Pepa rubbing Mirabel's back muttering something she couldn't pick up.

What has Abuela done to this family? Mirabel thought rage filling her well if she wants me to be her villain I'll be her villain. She only has herself to blame.

Dolores slowly entered the room curious to as what was happening coming to a pause seeing her mother and cousin in an embrace. She clenched her hands together letting out a squeak as a smile spread across her face she's not sure what Mirabel said to Pepa but whatever it was seemed to get to her. "Mamá? Mirabel? Everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." Pepa smiled over at Dolores "We just had a chat that is all." she looked back at Mirabel "It's making me think about things differently." the cloud had now disappeared "But I got Mirabel all wet.."

"Oh don't worry about it. It's just like a shower." Mirabel flicked her hand dismissively "Just remember you don't need to hold back. if you never need to just vent and let it out you can come to me." she felt around for her glasses.

Pepa reached across the bed picking up the glasses and putting them on Mirabel's face "And you remember next time you don't need to blind yourself, you said it yourself I could just blow you away in a gust of wind."

"Next time? So you would like to speak with me again?"

"I guess...I would like to know what Dolores sees in you that the rest of us don't."

Mirabal and Dolores glanced at exchanging satisfied smiles before Mirabel turned back to Pepa "And I hope you see it."

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"Well that didn't go exactly as planned but could of gone a whole lot worse." Mirabel was on her back relaxing on a haybale back in her own clothing "If Abuela knew I was sleeping just down the hall from her oh the whole town would hear it."

"Do you care about what Abuela thinks?" Dolores asked sitting on the ground leaning against the haybale.

"No. In fact watching Alma Madrigal humiliate herself in front of everyone in town would bring me the utmost pleasure. Just like hearing about you finally standing up for yourself."

"I just snapped...I couldn't take it anymore."

"And you shouldn't take it." Mirabel sat up carefully lowering herself to the floor to sit next to Dolores "You were right, you are a grown woman."

Dolores glanced around at her surroundings "Have you spoken to Luisa again?"

"No, but I will. Right now I been working on another little plan..you want Mariano for yourself right?"

"Yes...but he is going to marry Isabela." a sad sigh escaped Dolores's lips.

Mirabel chuckled "Not if I have anything to do with it, you'll get your happy ending. I promise Dolores."

Dolores turned her head to see the smile spreading across Mirabel's face "...what are you going to do?"

The smile just got wider "You'll see...just let me know as soon as the date is set. And from the whispers around town that's going to be soon. You'll get your man."

"You'll ruin your own sisters proposal?"

Mirabel laughed "Isabela is Abuela's little puppet." she picked up a stray piece of hay and began chewing on it "I seen her face when Abuela will bring it up, I don't think she wants to marry the man at all. Of you all Abuela has the tightest grip on her, Isabela is her little shadow. Which will make it more satisfying when I get into her head. What a joyful day it will be, Señorita Perfecta Isabela under MY influence."

"How you planning on doing that anyway?"

"I have my ways Dolores. I know how to fight my battle without lifting a finger, my words are my weapon you see. Just look at what happened with Tía Pepa this morning, went from looking like she wanted to throw me out the door herself to hugging me." Mirabel threw the piece of hay across the barn "Made her think about how Abuela and her gift control every aspect of her life. Told her it's okay to express how she is feeling. If anyone has a problem with it they can suck it up, she doesn't have to live to please them or Abuela."

"You know..I never really thought about how miserable Mamá's gift made her..I guess since it's the only way I ever known her it seemed normal to me." Dolores buried her face in her hands "I never thought about just how much she was holding back her true feelings."

"I guess some things take an outsiders perspective."

"I suppose." Dolores stood up "I better go, Antonio doesn't have school tomorrow I'll bring him to see you."

Mirabel smiled "That would be lovely, just tell him not to bring his jaguar with him." she pointed to the donkeys behind "Makes them nervous you know."

Dolores laughed "Of course I understand, no jaguars but you might be hanging out with a toucan or capybara."

"As long as it doesn't have sharp pointy teeth made to rip flesh."

"Goodbye, Mirabel."

"Adios, Dolores." Mirabel watched her leave before standing up and plopping herself down on her pile of blankets a grin on her face. She owed Dolores so much she really did. If making sure Mariano married her instead would make her happy, she would see to it. Mirabel couldn't express how pleased she was with how her plan was unfolding, better than she could ever hope. Now with Dolores working with her directly the downfall of Alma Madrigal was guaranteed. Wrapping her arms around her knees she began to chuckle almost madly "Oh, Abuela. I'm learning all your tricks I can hurt you from inside. It's too late for the both of us, I'm living in the hell you put me in. I'm going to make you suffer. You think you're safe inside the Casita walls? You created what I have became..now it's time to pay the consequence."

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Dolores has had enough of Alma's crap.Mirabel and Dolores get bustedMirabel has a talk with PepaAnd Mirabel has another bout of insanity

And Mirabel totally stole Bruno's line.

Not really happy with this chapter, I just feel like I could of done better. But if you lovely readers like it than I done my job.Mirabel is slowly starting to lose her mind completely but thankfully she has an emotional support Dolores to help keep her grounded.

Also been working on a one shot idea I had for a while on the side, not sure if I'll post it before or after chapter 15 of this.

Review responses

World'snumber1scaredycat: The bonding scenes between Dolores and Mirabel are my favourite to write, they just have such a cute friendship no one would suspect they were plotting revenge.

Z-King: All in due time my friend

KaliAnn: It was a long time coming, I don't know why it took me 13 chapters to have Julieta stand up but I got there in the end.

FlowerChild23: At this moment Dolores is the only one that knows what is really going on. Though Julieta and now Pepa have suspicions.

Anonymous Reader: Me too my friend, me too.

Wishfull-star: Thank you for reading, and stay safe yourself..crazy world out there.