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Isabela aimlessly walked down the dirt path, Antonio's little hand in hers. She was especially grateful how the path led her far away from her family's Casi- no, not that. Not anymore.
It might've been rebuilt to replicate its former glory, but it's merely a casa. Just a casa.
Isabela couldn't believe it had been a full year since the day that the Madrigal Casita fell, taking the magic with it.
If it had just been the powers, Isabela knew it wouldn't be an easy adjustment, but at least it wouldn't be an impossible one. Instead, that day took something even greater.
Vivid memories flashed through her mind, replaying how Mirabel, Isabela's youngest sister- the one offspring who lacked a magic gift of her own, and had been unfairly blamed for its weakening- ran into the chaos to save its source, snuffing out her life as the great house fell down.
She thought back to all of the times her sister had acted as her verbal punching bag. Some of the memories that resurfaced made Isabela's stomach churn with guilt.
"What is your problem?! Can't you just stay out of my way already?" Isabela had hissed at her one time - when? She didn't remember that, or the exact conflict that occured.
The memory might've been from a long time ago, but what she remembered now, clear as day, was the vivid pain etched on her sister's expression at her next words.
"Look, you're a burden enough as it is, I don't need you making it worse." She had paused, witnessing the heartbreak visible on Mirabel's face, who turned and left without a word. Even then, seeing the sadness in her sister's expression, Isabela knew those words were from a place of her own anxieties and insecurities, and had gone too far with them, but she couldn't care enough to truly regret it.
Now, she wasn't sure if she could regret saying words like that any more than she did.
Isabela shook her head, guilt creating a heavy tightness in her chest. She turned around, trying to tune out the thoughts and memories with her current surroundings.
Forest greenery surrounded the path, while toucans and other small animals chattered eagerly, scurrying down to the forest floor. Antonio eyed them longingly, and Isabela knew how much he wished he could still understand whatever they were saying.
She turned her head towards the bushes, where varying colors of flora and fauna pleasantly contrasted the earthiness of the dirt path.
If it hadn't reminded her so much of her former abilities, maybe it would've been much more comforting.
Still… It was beautiful, nonetheless.
She continued walking until she picked up the faint sounds of rushing water. Before she knew it, a chill, from deep within her soul, wracked her frame with a quick shudder. She instinctively pulled the black shawl closer over her shoulders- as if it would suddenly provide the warmth and comfort that had been absent in her life this past year.
The closer she got, the chillier she became. She could've convinced herself that it was just the unseasonably cold weather or the breeze so close to the water, but she'd be lying.
Then- she saw it.
Isabela clutched the small bag strung around her, her breath catching in her chest as her throat grew tighter. Tears blurred her vision, but there was no mistaking the small grave for anything other than what it resembled.
A small tug on her sleeve had her coming back, looking down at her youngest primo.
"I have another one here…" Antonio's voice was small and he held out a small, teal butterfly plushie. "She always liked the blue ones most. Um, c-can you…"
Isabela smiled and took the small plush, rubbing his small hands between her own. "Of course I will. She'll love it, Toñito."
Antonio shrugged and smiled softly, but there was no mistaking the deep look of sadness in his eyes. They had lost their positive glow, and she knew she was the same.
Isabela gave him a small hug and ventured to the gravestone on the river's edge, where she could make out her sister's name etched onto it in fine cursive. A collection of flowers, stuffed animals, and a singular candle were propped up against its stony surface.
She held the butterfly plush at her hip. As she got closer to it, Isabela absentmindedly brushed a hand over the cold stone and adjusted the candle. She sat down in front of it.
"H-hey, Mira…" Isabela said rather awkwardly. She tried to ignore the guilt clawing at her insides. "I… I know you probably don't want to hear what more I have to say. I just… wish I had said this sooner."
A part of her hoped that Mirabel's spirit was here, listening to her make proper amends for the years of verbal abuse she had endured from her.
She sniffled. "I… really miss you, Mira. Me, Mamí, Papí, we all do, " her voice cracked. She shuddered as tears began to dot the earth below her. "So, so much."
Isabela placed the butterfly plush at the center of the stone. "You like butterflies, yeah? Antonio told me all about how you embroidered them onto everything you made."
She paused and briefly turned towards the trees where Antonio was sitting, just before continuing. "It's… it hasn't been easy on him especially, y'know." Her voice shook as she hastily wiped a few wayward tears away. "Some nights, I'd hear him waking up after a bad dream, crying out for you. Most of the time, it'd be up to Mamá or Tía - or other times, just me - who'd have to remind him that you wouldn't be coming back."
Her breath shook. "You wouldn't believe how much we… how much we just want you to come back to us. You leaving… it's just-" she growled into her hands. "It's been too much." Isabela took a few shaking breaths, steadying herself before continuing.
"I love you, Mira… so much. I'm so sorry I hadn't said it sooner- and, and that you felt so undeserving of it from us all."
Isabela pulled the bag into her lap and opened it, revealing its singular content: a tiny cactus.
"Remember the day I made this little guy?" Isabela chuckled lightly. "I really meant it when I said I owed it all to you. Maybe… maybe you'll consider it a decent gift, wherever you are."
She placed the cactus near the stone, right next to the butterfly, and stood up. Antonio walked up next to her, holding Isabela's arm tight as he leaned into her.
"I miss her," he whispered.
Isabela tightened her hold. "I know, Toñito. I do too."
Antonio took something out of his pocket, and placed a slightly crumpled wildflower at the base of his butterfly plush. "I love you, prima."
He sniffled and pulled at her sleeve again. Isabela crouched down, wiping a few of his tears away and turned to the gravestone.
"I love you," she whispered once more.
Maybe it was just a trick of the light - but Isabela caught a glimpse of what looked to be a teal butterfly - a lot like the color of Antonio's plush- fluttering down from the sky.
It landed on the singular candle, lingering on the wick for just a little bit, before fluttering towards the butterfly plush. It landed on its left wing and eagerly flapped its own teal ones. Just as quickly, the butterfly eagerly flew around Antonio, who giggled in response. When he slowly extended a lone hand, the butterfly crawled onto his fingers and along his arm - its little antennae nearly brushing his face.
Antonio's eyes widened and he gasped shakily. "U-uh-huh. I... I understand you," he said, eyes shining bright - much brighter than Isabela had seen in her little cousin's eyes for a long time.
"Okay." Isabela couldn't help but chuckle a little, viewing the sheer concentration Antonio held in their quiet conversation. "I'll tell her. Thank you -" he smiled as the butterfly flew off from his hand. "T-thank you so much."
Finally, the little creature landed on the cactus. It remained still for a moment, turning towards Isabela and gliding towards her. Isabela stumbled back a little as the butterfly crawled on her index finger, leaving a comforting warmth in its wake.
"I…" she hesitated a little, as if she was waiting for the insect to say something.
"She wants you to say it again." Isabela turned to Antonio, who was gently grabbing her arm and staring up at her. "She wants to hear what you just said at the stone."
She? Also... how did he know what it was saying?
Indeed, the little insect flapped its tiny wings as if to say...
Please, say that again...
"I… I love you," she said quietly, feeling just a little bit awkward.
The butterfly remained completely still… before flapping its wings once more in response as it took off back towards the heavens, joining another butterfly - this one with wings and a body that shined with golden light.
Isabela caught herself staring at its flight, when Antonio gasped.
"Isa- Isa!" He grabbed her arm. "Look! Your cactus!" His eyes shined as he smiled greatly.
Sure enough, Isa looked down, and what surprised her was the cactus - rather plain before - had a few new flowers on it that hadn't been there. But they weren't the typical roses or flor de mayo she had once been famous for growing.
No, they were jagged and colorful with yellows, greens, and oranges, a beautiful display- not planned to be perfect or symmetrical.
And the candle - well, a faint glow began to form from its wick. Then a pop, quickly followed by a sparkle, until...
A bright flame, forming from what easily could've been dismissed as a mere image, was burning bright along the candle's wick, throwing a beautiful golden light over the quiet color of the memorial.
For the first time in a long time, Isabela let herself feel hopeful. Maybe… just maybe… there was still a chance that everything would be okay.
On the path back home, Isabela turned to the sky and mouthed one last "I love you."