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For almost 20 years, Bruno has been in absolute despair after losing his niece to a vision that he had; Oh how he wishes time could change and how he could see her again, his darling Mariposa .
How he wishes time could change and how he could hold her in his arms just once.
When they didn't find her after all those years having no idea where she had gone to, his heart had a gaping hole inside of it that would no longer be repaired; she was his daughter– true that she wasn’t biologically, but the connection was there truly and inevitably. It would never change anything; he would still love her– even if she was truly gone.
He never gave up hope that she was still alive and he would die until the day someone told him to stop.
Oh, how much he wanted to burn the Encanto down, it was no longer his home, it was no longer the place he once knew but rather the place that drifted everything he had away; His ‘daughter’ was gone. In reality, she was his niece. But the connection felt much stronger than an uncle and niece relationship; it felt like he was her second father rather than an uncle.
She was the only thing that made him whole again, that made him want to live; Now he had nothing, just plain and simple as that. he refused to think anything else, she was his little blessing and they were inseparable but time does change things, and it doesn't always mean happily ever after ever exists – like in the fairy tales and books that he used to read to her.
But that was before he had left, before she had grown up, she was only five; only small, his darling butterfly, only lost when he wasn’t around. It seemed as though now going back over the memories made it hurt more; the last time he ever saw her was when she was fifteen. That was the exact moment on the day after his nephew's ceremony that she had made the decision to find out what was wrong with magic .
She risked her life to save everyone else, Meanwhile he was too cowardly to come out of the walls and help her stand up to his own mother when it came to how much pressure she’d put the family under.
After all these years he hoped she was alive.
Wherever she was, he prayed she was okay.
He had never given up hope, aside from Antonio he was the only other one in the family who seemed to believe that she was alive.
If she was, was she happy?
That he wished he knew, if only he could just know.
When he went down for dinner that evening, he didn’t talk, he just smiled a small but grateful smile for the food given.
Giving some rather avoidant looks towards his family.
Partly unforgivingly, to his mother’s portrait – who always used to sit at the head of the table, while the rest hoped to make conversation with some degree of openness.
All he could think about was Mira, her birthday was in three days and he wanted to celebrate with Antonio, Julie and Gus but it seemed impossible since no one had bothered to talk about her in years.
Every time Antonio or Bruno tried, the rest of them would just immediately shut down at the sound of her name.
He wanted to talk about her.
He wanted to reminisce.
He couldn’t stand it any longer, he was going to talk about her whether they liked it or not.
“I miss her smile, it would always shine the brightest”. He started
Antonio perked up as he joined. “I miss her laugh and how she used to sing without a care in the world”.
Then Isabela and Dolores joined. “Her dancing and teasing.”
“I remember when she dumped Camilo in the fountain for cheating at hakeysack”. Mariano chuckled
Even the kids seemed to laugh at these antidotes of stories around the table.
“Really? Luis piped, looking towards his mother
“To this day your tio Camilo can’t even think about looking at a fountain.”
“In my defense, I didn’t know she’d do that.” Camilo puffed
“You’ve always been good at cheating tio.” Sophia winked at her uncle
The whole table chorused in chuckles and giggles.
“Do you think there’s a way to find her Tio?” Antonio asked
“Belive me mono, I’ve tried”.
“Not a sign?”
Bruno shook his head towards his sister and brother, he knew how much they missed their Mira, their girl and it made his heart drop.
Just then a green light pulsed through the room, having no idea what it was Bruno must have assumed It was by an extension of his powers.
Pepa grew concerned as a cloud loomed over head, as Felix held her hand from underneath the table.
“Hermano, is this you?” Augustin asked
He shook his head. “I’m not sure.”
The light then expanded to a portal like vision and the family all looked shocked by what they saw.
The vision showed Mira, alive and well in her now early thirties holding a baby in her arms, as a man came and kissed her passionately before glancing down at the baby and gently kissing his forehead.
Then it shifted to two girls in the kitchen, a little closer in age laughing and talking as they taste tested what looked like some soup before plating it up.
The man then gently lifted the baby out of Mira’s arms and put him in his bassinet, before sitting on her lap and cuddling with her.
“Jealous are we Migue?” She questioned
“You know I am, Our little Teto has your attention and not that I don’t love it when he’s with you; it’s when he spends a little too much.”
“Like father, like son.”
Miguel smiled as he cuddled into her as he tucked a curl behind her ear and kissed her forehead.
“You are crazy Miguel Emilio Rivera.”
The musician smiled. “So is my beautiful Mira, yet you don’t see me complaining.”
She chuckled when she was covered in sweet loving kisses, meanwhile the girls had come back with the soup as they put it on the table as they laughed at their parents' antics.
Miguel then gestured for his girls and they joined in the hug.
The little family melted under the embrace, loving the time spent in this moment.
The vision then closed and Bruno caught it quickly so it wouldn’t smash and he looked at it with tears in his eyes.
She was alive.
She was happy.
She had a family who she loved and they loved her in return.
Julieta and Augustin were speechless and in tears as they had seen their daughter and how happy she was, with her family and with a man she loves.
They have grandchildren.
They couldn’t believe it.
They had a son in law, this was her life and she was happy. Bruno was all the more relieved and brought to tears when he saw the vision, to know that she was alive and happy was all he could ever hope for.
As for the rest, Pepa had a cloud over her head from crying as Felix was in pure shock, Isabela and Luisa looked like they were gonna faint over the fact they had nieces and a nephew.
Antonio looked like he was about to cry at seeing this,his hermana and his second mamá looked so happy and glowing; he couldn’t be happier for her.
Suddenly another vision showed, Mira and her husband were in the kitchen dancing and laughing together.
“You won’t stop will you?” Mirabel laughed
“Don’t count on it, mi hermosa Mira”.
They watched him as he had his arms wrapped around her waist as he placed cheeky kisses on her neck and shoulders.
She melted into him as he held her, as he went over to the bassinet to pick up their son as he then joined his wife, Mira melted when she saw them.
“Well, would you look at that? Our lion cub is up.”
Héctor reached out for his mother and she melted.
“Seems so.” Miguel handed him to his beautiful wife. “Come here mi amor.”
As the vision ended, Bruno melted, his mariposa was a mother and wife – not only that she was safe and loved just like she always deserved.
The rest looked quite taken aback, all but Antonio who was just overjoyed to see that his prima hermana was alive and had a life of her own.
Their miracle was happy and although they knew she wasn’t here, Bruno was relieved to know that she had a life of her own and not bending over backwards for a family who didn’t love her; no she broke free of those chains long ago.
They lost her due to their own faults, but at least he knows now and so do they.
One day he’ll see his mariposa again.
But for now his worries can be put to rest, and he’ll keep those visions, not just as a reminder, but also a memory to be kept forever and always.
Until he can see her again.