Antonio's Ceremony

An hour had passed, and the guests had arrived. The place was lively, and chatter from nearby conversations filled the entire house.

Antonio was busy changing into his uniform, and as soon as he had finished, he opened the door. There, you and Mirabel stood waiting for him outside.

"Looking sharp, hombrecito." A laugh escaped your lips as you held out your fist. "You ready?" You asked him.

He nodded his head and gave you a smile, pounding it. Holding out your hand for him to take, he gently grabbed it. The three of you then walked down the stairs, his family waiting for him there near the red flower curtain.

Camilo looked up and saw you, a smile immediately making its way to his face.

Tío Félix laughed as he spotted his son, all nice and dressed up. "There you are."

Antonio let go of your hand and went to his family.

"Look at you! All grown up." Tía Pepa smiled, a rain cloud forming above her head.

Tío Félix fanned the cloud away. "Pepi, amor, you're gonna get him all wet." He cradled her in place as they both admired their son.

Camilo shape-shifted into a much smaller version of his father and imitated him. "You are making your papá proud."

"I don't sound like that." His father disagreed.

"I don't sound like that." Camilo mocked.

You snickered lightly, so they didn't hear you, but Camilo had caught you laughing anyhow. His heart melted when you did.

Dolores raised her ear, listening to the words being spoken beyond the walls. "Abuela says it's time."

Antonio's family turned toward him.

"We'll be waiting at your door." Tía Pepa told Antonio.

"Okay, okay. Vamo, vamo, vamo." Tío Félix rushed.

Imitating his father, Camilo mimicked his exact actions and said, "Okay, okay. Vamo, vamo, vamo" before his father grabbed him.

"All right, I'm done!" Camilo whispered in his normal voice as his father snatched him away.

You and Mirabel stood to the side of the curtain, hearing the drums play. On the other side of the curtain, Abuela sighed, holding the magical candle.

Turning around to face the crowd, she smiled. "Fifty years ago, in our darkest moment, this candle blessed us with a miracle. And the greatest honor of our family had been to use our blessings to serve this beloved community. Tonight, we come together once more as another steps into the light to make us proud."

It was Antonio's time to shine as the drums played again. The curtains opened, and the crowd cheered. The tiles flipped over, displaying a red carpet-like pathway leading to the stairs.

The lights had readjusted, so they acted as a spotlight, shining brightly on him. Antonio, with fear in his eyes, stood there, observing the amount of people in the crowd.

You and Mirabel watched from the side as Abuela made it to the very top of the stairs where Antonio's supposed door was.

The cheering slowly faded, and Antonio remained standing there. The tiles underneath his feet lifted, telling him to go, but he only continued to stand there.

He turned his head, now looking and you and Mirabel. He held out his hand and looked at the both of you, wanting for one of you guys to go with him.

Looking at Mirabel, you looked back at Antonio and gave him an apologetic look, shaking your head. "Sorry, buddy."

Still holding out his hand, he then looked towards Mirabel, hoping she would go with him.

Mirabel looked at him and then at the crowd. "I can't." She whispered.

"I need you." Antonio whispered back.

Mirabel turned her head to look at you and you slightly shrugged, gesturing for her to go to Antonio. Nodding, she took a deep breath and hesitantly stepped out into the light. She stepped up and held Antonio's hand, the both of them now standing there in the spotlight.

The people in the crowd exclaimed and the eyes of many widened.

"Come on, let's get you to your door." Mirabel said, slightly shaking his hand.

Holding himself close to Mirabel, she breathed deeply before taking a step forward. The memories came flooding back into her mind as she walked down the familiar pathway.

Walking up the stairs and making it to the top, she stepped to the side and let Antonio step up to his door. Her mind was being engulfed in these memories she had from many years ago.

The confusion she felt when the glowing door had disappeared right in front of her. The look of horror and shock that replaced the hope and pride Abuela had.

She listened as Abuela whispered the same words she whispered to her on that very day to Antonio. "Will you use your gift to honor our miracle? Will you serve this community and strengthen our home?"

Bringing down the candle for Antonio to hold, he placed his hands on the candle and hesitantly gave her a nod. He removed his hands, and Abuela moved out of the way for Antonio to open his door.

Taking a deep breath, Antonio reached out for the doorknob. The same look of hope and anticipation was now on Abuela's face as she had on the day of Mirabel's ceremony.

Grabbing onto the doorknob, the door materialized, glowing as it did. From behind the curtain, you leaned against the wall, sliding down in pain. Your headache seemed to worsen as Antonio's door had formed and solidified.

You squeezed your eyes shut. The pain became too much to even bear. Tears welled up in your eyes, the only thing present being the never-ending throbbing pain.

From up on the breezeway in front of Antonio's door, a toucan had flown and landed on his arm. Antonio's eyes widened as he turned to face the animal. It tilted its head, squawking and chittering at him. He gasped, understanding everything it was saying.

"Uh-huh. Uh-huh. I understand you." He said.

The bird squawked again, in which Antonio responded, "Of course they can come!"

He giggled as the bird switched from his right to his left arm. The toucan let out a loud call, and soon enough, a bunch of other animals made their way into the house.

Abuela sighed in relief as the door had finished forming and smiled.

"We have a new gift!" She announced, turning towards the crowd.

Everyone cheered and applauded, the fireworks exploding and bursting in the air.

Opening his door, Antonio, the animals, and the people from the crowd made their way through. And as they did, the interior of his room formed as they walked.

Antonio stared in awe as the sight of his room was not a room, but a giant jungle with a huge treehouse in the center.

"It's bigger on the inside?" A child exclaimed.

A jaguar came sprinting into Antonio's room, picking him up as they traveled to and up the tree. The jaguar jumped from branch to branch, finally stopping at the very top.

Antonio went flying off its back, falling straight down, but landed in a giant hammock.

Bouncing off and falling back down, he landed on a slide-like ramp. As he made it towards the bottom, he held onto a snake's body that was wrapped around a branch and swung into the air.

The jaguar had returned, and it caught Antonio as it ran back down the tree and to the crowd of people. They all cheered for him, throwing in a handful of compliments for him as well.

Abuela knelt down in front of Antonio, holding his face. "I knew you could do it! A Gift just as special as you."

She then gasped. "We need a picture! Everyone! Come, come, come! It's a great night! It's a perfect night!"

The entire Madrigal family stood together in a group, preparing to pose for the camera. Everyone except... Mirabel.

"Everyone, together! La Familia Madrigal!"

~Meanwhile, with (Y/N)~

As you laid there in pain, confusion struck you when you saw a bunch of animals rushing into the house. That reminded you. You needed to give Antonio his present.

Standing up, you held onto the wall and first made sure you were comfortable doing so. As soon as you did, you immediately sprinted up the stairs and to the nursery.

On the second floor, you were able to see Antonio, Mirabel, and everybody else surrounding the door.

You swiftly, but stealthily, made your way to the nursery door. Opening it and slipping in, you closed the door and turned on the light.

"Phew." You exhaled, grabbing a box from underneath your bed and bringing it out.

"I hope I didn't keep you under there for too long, buddy." The box was a fairly big box, and it had many holes cut out in the lid.

Taking it off, you saw the jaguar cub sleeping in the middle of the box. You had bought the cub earlier when you were helping in the town.

~Flashback~

Deciding to take a quick break from helping around, you went and looked around in the town market.

Observing each merchant shop, one particular shop seemed to have caught your eye. The vendor booth that caught your attention appeared to be selling animals of all sorts.

In one cage, you watched as a jaguar cub struggled to play, let alone move around in its tight cage.

You thought of purchasing it, thinking it would make a great present for Antonio. You also didn't like the idea of the poor animal having to endure staying in a cramped cage. So, that's what you did.

After buying it, you brought it home and hid it under your bed in the nursery. Then, you went back out to continue the rest of the work you needed to do in the town.

~~~

Petting the small, sleeping animal, it seemed to sense your being, and woke up. Upon waking up, it played with your hand.

A small smile painted your face. "Hey, buddy, you're awake. Ready to meet your new owner?" You asked, smiling at the tiny animal.

"Alright, just hold on a bit, okay?" You placed the lid back on carefully and picked up the box.

Opening the door and turning off the lights, you exited the room.

Looking at Antonio's room, you saw that he and the rest of the others weren't there anymore. Only a crowd remained surrounding the entrance to Antonio's room.

Moving carefully with the box in hand, you made your way over to Antonio's new room, squeezing through the crowd.

Entering the room, the interior took your breath away. His room wasn't just any ordinary room, but it was a jungle with a huge treehouse straight across from the door.

Spotting Mirabel, you walked up to her. "Hey, Mirabel." You said, kind of out of breath.

"Oh, hey, (Y/N)! Where were you this entire time?" She asked you, noticing the box in your hands.

"Grabbing Antonio's present." You lifted the box you were holding for her to see clearly.

"Ah." She turned back to look in the tree's direction.

"Where's Antonio?" You questioned, looking in the direction she was.

"Abducted by a jaguar." She shrugged, laughing lightly.

"I see." You laughed along with her.

You were about to say something else when you felt a tap on your shoulder. Looking over to the side, you saw the one and only, Camilo Madrigal.

"Hey, boo." He greeted, flashing you a smile.

Flustered, you tried to respond but just completely died.

"'Boo'?" You questioned, chuckling.

"Yeah, you've got your nickname for me. I've got mine." He wrapped an arm around your shoulder, holding you close to him.

"What, 'Camille'? ''Milo'? Makes my nicknames for you seem kind of lame, doesn't it?" You asked, leaning your head on his shoulder.

Camilo tensed up, but then somewhat relaxed. "I'm cool with it," he shrugged. "Unless you wanna change it."

You thought about it for a second before an idea popped into your head.

"Alright, then. Instead of Camille or 'Milo, how about I call you..." You lifted your head and turned it so that you were facing him. "Mine?"