The Family of Continuous Misfortune [An Encanto Fanfiction]

Chapter 8

Dolores M.: Ow! Less noise, mamí, por favor. It hurts!

Pepa ignored the request, as she barely heard it. Pacing back and forth as she tried to collect her thoughts. Camilo backed himself into the corner of the room. Antonio next to him. Félix was standing still near Pepa. Holding his head with his eyes still wide.

Finally, Pepa calmed enough to remove the thunder, but it began to snow. And there was still wind.

Then, she looked at Dolores, her expression softened, and she went over to her. Pulling her into a tight hug. It was clear then that none of the anger was directed towards her.

Bruno had indeed told them that Dolores would have a problem relating to the man she would love. But this... Pepa couldn't think of anything but her urge to comfort her daughter. Her only daughter. Her oldest child.

Pepa M.: Ay, mi Vida... how did this happen...?

Dolores swallowed.

Dolores M.: Don't be mad at Mariano, mamí. He was doing his best to help.—

Pepa M.: He was going to propose to your cousin!

Dolores M.: Because Abuela didn't let him explain that he wanted to propose to me!—

The door opened. Alma stepped in, eyes narrowed into a stern glare.

Alma M.: What on earth happened back there? Pepa! What was that about?

Pepa shrank back under her mother's tone.

Pepa M.: Lo siento, Mamá. But it's Dolores! She and Mariano were together before, and now Camilo found out that she's—

Pepa didn't need to finish. Alma's eyes went wide. The room quiet enough for Julieta's voice to be heard outside.

—Julieta M.: Isabela!

Alma M.: Dolores? Is this true?

Dolores could only nod. Abuela lost her ability to stand for a moment.

Alma M.: Dolores, how many times have we told you to be careful?

Dolores flinched and shut her eyes as Abuela's voice evolved into a yell.

Dolores M.: I'm sorry, Abuela. We didn't mean...

Alma M.: Of course you didn't! But look where we are now!

Pepa stepped in. Instantly sensing her daughter's distress and seeking to fix it.

Pepa M.: Mamá, she's been hard enough on herself. That's not good for her.

Alma M.: You know what else is not good for her? This!

Félix went over to his oldest, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

Félix M.: There there, Cariña. I'm here to help you.

Dolores tensed up, tears finally slid down her cheeks. She turned and hugged her father tightly. Pepa noticing and the winds becoming more intense.

Pepa M.: Now look what you did! Dolores, don't feel guilty. This wasn't your fault.

Alma M.: She could have at least told Isabela that she was seeing her future husband!

Pepa M.: He didn't even propose.

Alma M.: He was going to propose!

Antonio M.: To Dolores!

Everyone turned to look at Antonio.

Antonio M.: He wanted to propose to Dolores. They've known this for a while.