Our Little Sunflower (An Encanto Story)

Chapter 16: Catching Up with Tiá Valentina

"So they've been the ones that have taken care of you when there was nothing else?" Valentina asked and Celestia nodded. "Yeah. Isa always loves to dote on me." Isabela rubbed the back of her neck. "Oh it's just what big sisters do." Celestia decide to give her a walk around the area while everyone pitched in to help give Valentina a new house. "Come on Tiá. There's so much to see." She grinned. Valentina follows her little sobrina around, listening to what she had to say. "All the members of my family have been blessed with wonderful gifts. Except Mirabel, which we still don't understand."

"I see. What is everyone's gifts exactly?" Valentina asked as they went to the bridge. "Tiá Pepa's emotions control the weather, My momma makes food that can heal, Tió Bruno can see into the future. People are still trying to make amends after how they treated him." Celestia sits down near the river, watching it flow gracefully. Valentina chuckled and ran her hand in the water. "You know me and your dad used to go to the river all the time and just watched the fish swim by." She adjusted her head bow and black poncho she always had on. "Go on."

"Dolores can hear a lot of what people are saying at this exact moment. Camilo can shape shift into different people. Antonio can talk to animals. Then there's us. Luisa has strength, and Isabela can grow different types of flowers and plants." Celestia finished off. "What about you? What's your gift?" Valentina asked as Celestia laid her head in her lap. "I have speed like no other. I was supposed to have my special gift on my birthday but I didn't want to hog all the attention from people before Antonio." Valentina chuckled and fixed Celestia's braids. "You and me both kid, i made celebrations of what I did about the family spending time all together and what we accomplished."

(Flashback: 2 months ago.)

Today was April 16th. Celestia's fifth birthday. Mirabel woke up and looked at her little sister. "Hey Hermana pequeña. Time to get up." Celestia rubbed her eyes, as she did struggle to sleep from something on her mind. "Today is your gift ceremony. Aren't you excited?" Celestia nodded. "Yeah, Mira, but something really bothers me. I feel like I'm gonna hog all the attention from everyone." Mirabel looked at her with a frown. "Aww, are you a little nervous?" She brought her in for a hug. "Come in, gotta bring in one final squeeze before you get your own room." She gets up and goes to see if there was anything she could do to help with the ceremony. It was still early and no decorations were up just yet

Abuela came in with the candle, looking at her. "Hola little starlight, I wanted to tell you the story of the miracle." Celestia sat up straight, and looked at the candle. "It's really beautiful Abuela." Abuela brought her close. "It is.. but it wasn't always this detailed.. when my children were born, we had to flee our home. Away from people that were hurting others. Traveling in a group. Then Abuelo Pedro died.." Celestia gave her a sweet little hug. "I'm sorry about your loss.. at least he's up with the two people that tried to come here for safety but the illness they had that took them out." Abuela looked at her. "Yeah. And then, a beautiful glow. A miracle was given to us in our time of need. And our casita came alive to shelter us."

"Tonight Celestia, the people call you The Miracle Child. This candle will give you a gift of your own." Abuela told her with a smile filled with joy. "To give you a boost in life." Celestia twiddled her thumbs. "Is something wrong? Do you feel like you're not ready?" Celestia shakes her head no. "No, Abuela. I am ready. I just don't want to feel like I'm hogging all the attention away from other people. Can't I share the day with Antonio when he turns five next month? He's not that far behind." Abuela thought about it. "Hmm.. what do you think casita?" The opening window in the nursery opened up and then the tile and wood made a thumbs up. "I'll take that as a yes. Okay Celestia. You can wait a little bit longer."

Celestia thanked her and watched her go and tell everyone that her ceremony will be shared with Antonio. Everyone began making preparations for a regular birthday party instead. Celestia felt a bit better that she would share the moment later on

(End)

Celestia brought Valentina to Fernando's house and knocked on the door. Fernando was already there. "Celestia!" The two of them were happy to see each other. "Oh. Hola Señorita." Fernando greeted Valentina and she blushed. "Well aren't you just a little sweetheart." They both came inside. "I'm Celestia's father's sister. Ms. Sanchez.." Fernando sat on his bed. "That's so cool. I'm Fernando. I'm Celestia's friend." "Yeah. He loves gardening." Celestia told her and Fernando shows Valentina the documentation of all the plants he discovered in his book about plants.

"You do have some good potential kid. I can see it very clear." Valentina encouraged him, and Fernando felt more confident. "Thank you so much." He goes out to explore and Celestia left the house. Valentina looks and sees that the people were finished making the house for her. "There you go. We hope you like it here in Encanto." Valentina goes inside and settled in, ready to call this place, home.