Note:

Wow, it has been quite some time since I've had the energy to write let alone the inspiration.

Thanks for sticking with me and checking back in/rereading my story!

I am appreciative of every comment and kudos/likes that you leave.

Even though this is a super short chapter, I hope you enjoy this long-awaited update!

Construction on the Madrigal family house went by much faster than the family expected once, suddenly, the whole town seemed to step forward all at once to step up, step in, and help out. The knowledge that the rumors held so much truth in them - the knowledge that Alma Madrigal really had been the root cause of the family crumpling and crashing down - was what spurred most of the townspeople to abandon her side to help their benefactors.

There were, of course, still some who grumbled, thinking the family was too soft because Alma was a truly wonderful matriarch in their eyes. Those were the ones who benefitted the most from the gifts - who took the most advantage of the precious family. The greedy and lazy ones to whom everything was handed to on a silver platter.

This event divided the town right in half- or rather in quarters. One-fourth of the town was shunted off to the side, somehow already all living next to each other. Sharing in their anger at the family who kicked out their matriarch, who replaced and refused to help her or them by extension. The others, the rest of the three-fourths, all joined in recognizing the pain they had contributed to, recognizing that they too held some blame, recognizing that they needed to step up and change in a way that made them self-sufficient again and allowed the hurt family to heal.

The loss of gifts, the loss of Casita, and the loss of the leash that Alma held so tightly led to the family blossoming right before everyone's eyes. It was as if they were trying to discover who they really were, who they really wanted to be. It was the first time they were allowed to make their own choices, and it was with timid steps that they moved forward, Augustin and Felix leading them gently by the hand towards the freedoms they had longed to for so long.

Luisa trailed after her father like a lost puppy on his way to the library.

Isabela dug her fingers straight into the dirt with her mother as they planted their first garden together.

Antonio ran and played with the other children after school, his mother following after him like a worried mother hen.

Dolores continued to stay by Mariano's side, often shadowed by her father when Mariano was well enough to leave his home and the pair began taking romantic walks to help regain his strength. Her father watched, eagled eyed, acting as a protective chaperone while giving space. He knew his daughter was safe with this man, but the father in him was nervous to let them be alone, without him or Senora Guzman to chaperone just yet.

Camilo tentatively rejoined his classmates, who welcomed him back with open arms, and dragged Mirabel along with him. He convinced her to join him trying out for a class play, which he was thrilled to be a part of as just Camilo. He could act just for fun instead of a burdensome responsibility for someone else, shouldering their work and not getting any credit.

The family was beginning to heal, well and truly heal. And by the time the last tile was put into place, they were starting to become more sure, less timid. It was finally time to move home and move forward.