"Where are you taking me?" Mirabel asked
"You'll find out". Miguel smiled
Miguel led her to the roof he holding her hand all the way so she wouldn't fall she laughed at his antics and the games he played, But this wasn't a game this was serious and Mirabel understood that this was precious to him that she could except because she loved him.
He led her to the old shoemaker sign and lifted to reveal a secret attic behind the wall, He let Mirabel go first as he gently smiled and let go of her hand.
"Ladies first ". Miguel said
"Gracias Señor". Mirabel replies
She went through and found the most beautiful sight it looked like an altar or an ' Ofrenda' as Miguel called it and it had every single photo of his family and some friends of his.
"Watch your step here don't wanting you tripping ". Miguel chuckled
"I am not a China doll Miguel ". She huffed
"Okay Mi Amor just checking making sure". Miguel raised his hands
"I appreciate it". She smiled
She looked around in wonder and amazement at the sight and he loved her smile as she looked around. It was filled with orange flowers surrounding the photos and burnt candle wax probably from being lit up previously.
"It's amazing isn't it?" Miguel smiled
"It's beautiful ". Mirabel sighed
He nodded for her to sit and then handed her a photo when she looked at it is was her Abuela Daphne and Her Abuelo Pablo, for a second she wondered how he got his hands on it. It was a photo of their wedding day with her Abuela smiling the biggest smile and her Abuelo with his head on her shoulder.
"Where did you get this?" She asked
"Your sisters they showed me the box and I thought it might be a nice surprise to put them on the ofrenda since you were so close to them". He exclaimed
She gasped as she looked between the photo and the photos already up there, She felt like crying it had been a while since she had seen them. They were the only ones apart from some members of her family that cared for her no matter if she got a gift or not. They loved her like their own and treated her with kindness and respect granted she was their granddaughter but still. Every time she went over to see them she would be smoothed in kisses and hugs; when they passed it felt like there was a hole in her heart like it would never be fixed again and she would never be okay again, and then Tio Bruno came back and she knew things were changing for the better slowly but surely.
Miguel could see how much she was holding in her tears and went to hug her never letting go unless she wanted him to.
"Lo siento Mi vida". Miguel apologises
"What for?" She cried
"For this I just thought you might need it". Miguel shook his head
"Are you kidding this is the best gift anyone's ever given me". Mirabel replies
Mirabel gently put down the photo and went to hug him he embraced the hug and seeing him do something as sweet and as meaningful as this shows how much he loves her.
"I wanted to be sure ". Miguel smiled
"Of what?" Mirabel coaxed
"That they have a spot on the ofrenda They are Family now and family is remembered no matter what and you are my love and my family so I thought it only right ". Miguel replied
"Oh Miguel that's so sweet". Mirabel placed a hand over her heart
Miguel smiled happy to see her happy.
She gently placed the photo of her Abuelo and Abuela on the right side Careful to place it so that it wouldn't fall and break the glass.
"There perfect ". Mirabel replies
"It looks good Mi Diosa ". Miguel reassures
Mirabel then scooted back so she could get a good look at the photos with Miguel by her side as she smiled.
"Who are these people?" Mirabel pointed to the bottom row of photos
"Oh those are friends of my family some of them are close to the final death so that's why I put them up so that fewer are forgotten, it started when Papá Héctor came back from the final death and since then I've kept their photos up so they can cross over ". Miguel explains
"Oh I see". Mirabel replies
"Well that's very sweet ". She smiles
"What is the final death?" She asked
"It's when people don't put up photos and pass down the stories and they start to shimmer cause their memories don't last long and the memories have to be passed down by those who knew them in life if they don't they face the final death not knowing where they go they sort of just fade into the abyss". Miguel replies
"That's so sad those poor souls". Mirabel sighed
"I know that's why we try to remember as much as we can and pass down the stories so they don't get forgotten ". Miguel adds
"It kind of reminds of a tradition we have in Columbia ". Mirabel chuckled
"Oh?" He coaxed
"We have Dia de las valites we light candles and they float on the river each candle represents a soul of a person remembered and that way we always remember them watching over us". Mirabel explains
"That sounds beautiful ". Miguel sighed
"Oh it is I always light a candle for my Abuelo and Abuela that way I know that they are there watching over me". Mirabel smiled
"You must have been close to them then". Miguel replies
"Si, I told them everything and they loved me more then life itself with or without a gift they were the only ones apart from Mamá, Papá, Antonio and Tio Bruno who actually cared for me and loved me for who I am. They were always proud of me no matter what I did I think I was favourited by them more them my own sisters, We used ride and sew drink hot choclate by the fire when it was winter and they would tell me stories of Papá or make up some to entertain me, When I wasn't around they would send me a bunch of letters from their travels or what they were up to and I would spend hours reading them". Mirabel reminisces
"They sound amazing ". Miguel smiles
Mirabel smiles and chuckled remembering all the memories she had of just the three of them and smiles at the thoughts.
"You know Mi abuela grew up here she was a seamstress and she fell in love with Mi Abuelo he was a musician and they told me stories of growing up here and how when Abuela wasn't around he said she had the most beautiful voice he'd ever heard, He never met anyone like her he swore he blushed every time she saw her". Mirabel replies
"Now look I am falling for their granddaughter and she is beautiful in every way ". Miguel said honestly
"Stop it". She lightly slapped his arm
"I don't think I can". He smirked
"So what made them move away?" He asked
"They wanted to explore the world so they moved to Columbia they spent all their days laughing and exploring when they discovered the Encanto his wife and him thought it was beautiful and luckily My Abuela let them stay so they set up the residents there, Mi abuela was pregnant at the time with Papá and let's just say the rest is history ". Mirabel replies
"Do you how your parents met?" Miguel asked
"Well you know Mi Papá is clumsy and accident prone as he always needed help healing so he would stop by Mamá's food stall and while he was getting healed they would spend hours talking to each other, All the boys were jealous since she was the most gifted and most beautiful girl in town but obviously she had eyes only for Mi Papá needless to say the rest is history ". She finished
"That's so sweet". Miguel sighed
"I know". She sighed
"Wait is your Abuelo Pablo Rojas?" Miguel asked
"Si". She nodded
Something clicked in Miguel's head and Mirabel was very confused as she didn't know what was going on.
"I can't believe it". Miguel shook his head
"What?" She coaxed
"How estupido can I be, Your Abuelo was friends with Mamá Imelda and Papá Héctor he grew up in the same orphanage as him and they would spend hours talking and laughing and singing". Miguel exclaimed
"I had no idea". Mirabel's face lit up
Miguel smiled at the realisation and chuckled to himself at the antics he just pulled in his head. He then grabbed Mirabel's hand gently and led her out the exit without saying a word.
Miguel laid down on the roof and Mirabel soon followed and they looked up at the stars together holding hands and smiling.
She cuddles close to him as they watch the stars and smile, he didn't want this to end he held her tight . She was happy as she kisses his cheek gently smiling.
"Gracias for this". Mirabel whispered
"Anything for you Mi Amor I am always here if you need me". Miguel said
It was a very lovely night indeed, Knowing that they'll be together in thier hearts and love each other always and forever.