#putt with honor

[thesecretingredientislove]

Screenshots from "Putt with Honor" I took but mainly focused on Johnson.

[kittyball23]

Could you make a fanfiction of when Poppy surprised Branch that she was expecting to have a baby? And they tell all their friends and family the news? How would Branch react? And how would their family and friends react to the news too? I always imagine that they're excited to become parents, and so do their loved ones!? Could you do that? I also love the idea that their little girl had blue eyes, like her father's, Branch, indigo hair, and I imagined she looked like her mother, Poppy.

Hi! I wanted to break this up into 2 parts, this first one will be the siblings’ reaction to the news - I think Branch’s deserves a separate oneshot (I can’t say when I’ll have it ready for, as I do have a couple other requests from my Inbox to fill, but I hope you enjoy!)

Taking the News (a Trolls fanfic)

“AAAIIIIIIIYYYYYYYAIIIII!!!!”

Viva’s excited scream burst through the air, the Putt Putt Queen leaping a good couple feet up in an uncontained joy. The energy only doubled once she landed, waving her hands wildly about and gushing while she paced about and spoke a mile a minute. “OMIGOSH, OMIGOSH, OMIGOSH, I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!” She zipped over to Poppy and gently patted at her belly.

“Hello in there! It’s your Auntie Viva! Oh, I just know you’re gonna be so itty, and bitty, and cutie-wootie just like your Mommy was! AND I’M SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU!”

The Pop Queen giggled at her sister. “Veevs, I’m only a couple months. I’m not even sure if they can hear you yet!”

Branch on the other hand differed on this viewpoint. “After that scream? Yeah, they probably did.” Viva grinned sheepishly when she noticed the blue Troll rub his ears.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Branch! It’s just that this is so, SO fantast-amazing!! Actually, it’s better than fantast-amazing! It’s fantast-AMAWESOME!” She squealed and bounced off to the side, expending her energy in one of the best ways she knew how - braiding! By the time her feet were back on the ground, it was Clay who was donning a brand-new French-braided hairstyle, topped off with little bows and glitter of all sorts of colors.

Clay groaned at how silly it looked. “Viva! Why me?” he whined.

Viva sprang to his side and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder. “Because you need to stop being a serious-boy grumpy-poo and get loose! My sis is gonna be a mom!! And your brother’s gonna be a dad!!” She celebrated by grabbing Clay in a tight hug and twirling him around.

When he was released, the lime-green-Troll found himself taking her advice, forgetting all about his hair and grinning broadly at Branch.

“Congrats, bro! I’m real proud of ya!” He fist-bumped the bashful blue Troll. Branch readied himself to reply, when he suddenly heard a sniffle. It came as no surprise that the Troll who had burst into tears was none other than Floyd.

“Oh, Branch, this is such a special thing! I’m honored to be an uncle, and I’m so happy for you…” He trailed off, a sob taking place where words failed him. He easily wept into Branch’s shoulder when his younger bro pulled him in for a hug.

“Thanks. I’m pretty psyched, too,” Branch agreed, smiling as he pictured their child. What would they look like? Perhaps they’d have his dark, indigo hair and sparkling blue eyes. Or they could be all Poppy, in gorgeous appearance and stunning personality. Or maybe their kid would inherit King Peppy’s orange skin tone, or Grandma Rosiepuff’s teal button nose. Branch’s head spun with all of the possibilities, each and every one perfect and plausible, until the reality of the situation weighed down on him. Being a father was a big responsibility. A flicker of doubt seemed to flash across his face right at that moment, which did not go unnoticed by Bruce.

The purple-haired Troll approached him and patted a hand on his back. “Hey, man, I know it can seem kinda scary at first - I know I was a little nervous for my first kid - but trust me, it becomes a breeze. And when it’s not, just call me for help! I got your back, bro.” He winked at Branch, making him feel a lot better. Bruce, after all, was an experienced dad, having fathered 13 kids of his own - all of who would become cousins to the new bundle of joy entering into his life.

John Dory suddenly swept in alongside them. “And me, too!”

Branch and Bruce gave him a curious look. “Wait… John, you’re a dad?”

JD’s jaw dropped. “Uh, yeah! You forgot? Man!” He strolled over to his caterbus, Rhonda, and patted her side lovingly. “It’s okay, girly,” he cooed, “they didn’t mean to forget about you, darling. Who’s the cutest caterbussy in the whole wide world? Huh? You are!”

Rhonda trilled in appreciation at John Dory’s sappy words, while Branch exchanged a look with his other brothers. While he wanted to point out that taking care of a caterbus was not all the same as it was taking care of a little Trolling, Branch couldn’t help but feel his own bout of appreciativeness towards his bro’s offer to help. Feeling playful, he grabbed JD with one arm and noogied him with the other, the pair of them laughing by the end of it.

Poppy and Viva in the meantime were having their own share of sisterly love, hugging and shrieking, and jumping up and down over the elation of it all.

“Ohhh, I can’t wait to tell everyone!” Poppy cried. “I’m gonna tell Bridget, and Biggie, and Mr. Dinkles, and Guy Diamond, and Satin and Chenille, and - “

“And Dad!” Viva cut in with a grin.

Poppy squealed. “Oh, my gosh!”

She and Viva shouted at the same time at the top of their lungs: “DAD’S GONNA FREAK!” Both girls burst into a fit of giggles just picturing the look on the elderly king’s face once the news hit him full force.

Viva bounced up and down once again and wrangled Poppy and the boys together.

“Aw, come here, guys! Group hug!” Arms enveloped Poppy and Branch from all sides in a flurry of limbs, letting the two happy parents know that they - along with their new kiddo - were indeed loved very dearly.

**********************************************************

A/N: Happy Thanksgiving!!

[vanillablankcanvas]

Clay's Promotion

It had been a long time since Clay had been in a crowd of so many Trolls.

The PuttPutt’s in addition to everyone in Pop village had resulted in a huge turnout for tonight's event.

And rightly so!

Today marked the day that the last of the Putt Putts had finally been moved back to Pop village.

They were one combined tribe.

One tribe, one leader.

If he was honest with himself, Clay was the tiniest bit bittersweet about it.

Of course, he was very grateful that everyone was alive, there was no longer a Bergen threat and that they could all be together again but…

At the same time…

The PuttPutt’s didn’t need him anymore…

Poppy was Queen.

And he respected her of course.

But…

He liked being in charge.

He liked keeping track of everyone’s needs.

Keeping them safe.

Helping solve their problems.

Balancing their checkbooks.

He liked…

…being needed.

It's been years since he was ‘Fun Boy’ Clay.

And it was apparently the end of his time as ‘Serious Mr’ Clay.

Who am I now?

Everyone had been called to gather around the main stage in the village.

“I know we’re excited to get this party started. We have so many things worth celebrating tonight! Life! Love! Music! Family!”

Everyone cheered louder with each of those matters to celebrate.

“That being said, there are some things I need to celebrate as well.”

She gestured over to Viva who was standing away from her.

“Viva, come on over”

Clay watched his co-leader zip across the stage with her usual excited energy.

“Viva. To me: a wonderful sister. To all of us: our princess. To many here: a savior.”

Satin and Chenille procured a blue sash that they hung and tied over Viva’s shoulder.

Poppy cleared her throat and straightened her back.

“In recognition of your bravery and your services to Pop Village, and the Putt Putt Trolls by extension, I give you the title of General Princess Viva.”

Poppy opened a small box, revealing a beautiful gold medal.

Viva watched as Poppy pinned the medal to the sash across her chest.

Once pinned, Viva held the medal in her hand in admiration.

Poppy took one of Viva’s hands and raised it high into the air.

The audience roared with cheer for Viva.

Viva stepped forward with tappy feet. Her hand shook out excitedly as she spoke.

“Thank you all sooooo so much! I’m honored and excited to be here for you all, however you need me.”

Viva scanned the crowd and locked eyes with Clay.

“But…there is one other Troll who deserves this just as much as I do. If not more!”

The crowd mumbled in their curiosity.

“Clay. Come up here.”

Huh?

In his confusion, Clay didn’t move.

It took a shove to the back from John Dory, for Clay’s feet to finally move on their own.

Once he was up on stage with them, he was guided to stand between Viva and Poppy.

Satin and Chenille pulled out a second sash from their hair and tied it on his shoulder the same as they did with Viva's.

However, for Clay, the twins both kissed either of his cheeks.

Clay was now even more confused.

Poppy pulled out a box similar to the one that had Viva's medal in it.

“Clay. Viva has already told me soooo so many stories about the sacrifices and hard work you put into looking after the Putt Putt’s. I'm also pretty sure there's more stories where that came from. From a lot more Trolls. We both agreed that your dedication deserved its own recognition.”

Clay blinked as Poppy opened the case to pull out the gold medal inside.

Is she saying…that's… for me?

“We went back and forth a couple of times about what your title should be. C hief, Sargent, Captain, Count ?”

My… title?!

“But in the end I think we nailed it!”

Poppy pinned the medal to the sash and lifted Clay’s hand to the crowd.

“In recognition of your bravery and your services to Pop Village, and the Putt Putt Trolls by extension, I give you the title of Sir Clay.”

Sir Clay.

The crowd jumped and screamed their cheers for Clay.

His brothers whistled and hollered over the crowd.

Poppy yelled over the crowd

“Okay, you've held it all in long enough. Let the celebration begin!”

Confetti cannons exploded and balloons seemed to appear out of nowhere as everyone ascended into party mode.

Clay held the gold medal in his hands.

He had seen this symbol a few times in old books. 

Four pointed leaves surrounding a sphere.

The Troll Tree

Viva held out her medal excitedly for Clay to see.

“LOOK CLAY WE MATCH!”

Clay smiled as they held their medals beside each other's.

“Sorry, sorry! I mean… Look SIR Clay, we match!”

Clay smiled to himself.

Sir Clay, I like the sound of that.

[blossoms-phan]

in honor of DAPG turning ten, what’s your DAPG video?? Why? What do you love about it, why does it resonate with you so much?

pass it on if ya like :)

ty for the question!! <3 gonna try not to name like 10 or think about this too hard since everyone is already answering it lol but we luvv u gaming channel

one of my faves will always be the first fnaf video - literally my childhood/preteenhood encompassed in one video i remember being soo excited for it as the same friend who introduced me to dnp got me into fnaf, the coffee spill/chair fall moment is just so iconic 😭

christmas shopper simulator - this is just one of those random ones I can quote from heart it’s so classic

jurassic putt golf with friends - this is MY dnpgames video I’ve claimed it idk what it is about it the gas leak is hitting hard or something it’s just endless silly banter and my go to background video I love it so much

any spooky week video!! i love the silly ones and real horror games, outlast is one of my favourite games I wish they played more of it but I also love the “creepy mind of phil lester” and the recent ones

final google feud and final (not) dvp battle duh

literally everything post hiatus, but I’ve particularly enjoyed all the board/card games they’ve been playing!! (ty relatable)

i lied I yapped fuck this post happy birthday dnpgames 🎈

[sammyhasspammy]

Switcheroo Au: Branch

Branch was born to the previous Queen and King of the Pop Trolls. His eldest brother, John Dory, was the current ruler of the trolls, and unfortunately, soon after his coronation, their grandmother, ex-Queen Rosiepuff, got eaten by a bergen. King JD realized that they couldn't keep living like this, so he hatched a plan to escape by digging tunnels under the tree in secret. During the escape, all the brothers make it, but their parents are lost in the process. The family is torn apart by the grief of the situation. Bruce, Clay, and Floyd run away, leaving John to raise Branch himself. The prince grew up to be the most fun-loving troll of Troll Village, always planning parties and helping every troll in need, even the ones that were "unhelpable" according to other trolls, like Poppy.

He never gave up on her, even after rejecting his party invitations hundreds- no, thousands of times. During the 20th celebration of their escape, he plans to host the biggest party troll kind has ever seen despite Poppy's protests. Unfortunately, things go awry when the bergen chefs, Chad and Todd, take several of their friends back to bergen town in hopes of regaining their honor. Branch goes out to save Smidge, the veterinarian; Chenille and Satin, the twin DJs; Suki, the fashion designer; Creek, the lovable one; Guy Diamond, the businessman; Darnell, the cool one; and Biggie, the serene one. Although Poppy thinks he'll fail, she joins him anyway. On their mission, they help Gristle, the scullery maid (butler?), win over Queen Bridget of the bergens. In an unexpected twist, Biggie sells out Troll Village to Chad and Todd. Despite this, they are able to free all of Troll Village while becoming friends with the bergens. John Dory, feeling as though he was inadequate as a king, partly because he blamed himself for losing their parents 20 years ago, now crowns Branch as king now that he is old enough to rule.

Sometime later, the trolls get an invitation from the rock queen Val Thundershock who plans to take over the world. With the help of some friends, they are able to defeat Queen Val while becoming friends with her and opening up the way for the troll tribes to live in harmony once more.

A month later, a stranger interrupts Queen Bridget and Gristle's wedding. The stranger turns out to be Poppy's father who came to inform Poppy that her sister, who she thought to be dead, was actually alive but captured by the duo Veneer and Velvet. Poppy is not confident in her and her father's ability to perform a family harmony, so she asks Branch and JD if they can perform the harmony. John reveals that they're not the only family they have, and Branch finds out that he has 3 other brothers he didn't know about. They go on an adventure to find them. The first stop is Floyd who now lives among the rock trolls and is in a band with Barb (Who is Val in this au), and Riff (Who is kinda like Blaze? idk yet), with Sid Fret (who is Demo) as their manager. Next is Bruce who found love with a giant puppet lady named Brandy (his backstory stays the same cause I can't... think of anything else, but feel free to recommend ideas!). They find Clay in an old abandoned golf course as one of the co-leaders of the putt-putt trolls. He is hesitant to go and almost forces his brothers to stay, but they escape and continue on their search to find Viva, hoping that the four of them can pull it off. Unfortunately, Poppy and Peppy have a fight that leads Poppy to run off and Branch joins her. They eventually make it to Mount Rageous to find that the other brothers and Peppy were also taken hostage. They try to save them without singing but fail to. Clay eventually catches up and tries to help, but it's clear that there's only one thing that'll save their families. Branch urges Poppy to take the lead in the family harmony because he never knew his brothers, but she knew her sister. She takes the lead and they are able to escape while putting Veneer and Velvet behind bars.

Brains storm post - Poppy - Viva

More content will be posted in my #switcheroo au tag! :D Feel free to send any questions or recommendations into my ask box!

Outfit Closeups

[sleep-nurse]

I do not hold those who back off from a battle highly, but since you have given fair and understandable reasons I do think we might still be acquaintances.

As to this new challenge you have offered in the form of an art fight or a clash of intelects I can agree to. I have been seeking for an opponent who could match me in physical ability that I have not even thought of such a confrontation.

I do ask that this will be putt of to the later half of the month of August as I have previously alluded to my travels to the fine country of Italy. might i suggest two weeks from now on the fifteenth?

Hope we can compare our strength in a fair battle even if blood will not be shed.

May we fight honorably in the forthcoming.

so can i just say ''who draws willow the most wins'' or something

[influencermagazineuk]

Rory McIlroy finished his terrible 2024 season with a thumping victory at the DP World Tour Championship. It also sealed his sixth Race to Dubai, quite a fitting tribute to his prolonged excellence and determination. Northern Irishman McIlroy found himself in an exciting head-to-head duel for the season-ending event with Rasmus Højgaard. As the tension mounted, McIlroy's crown for the Race to Dubai was confirmed since both players matched each other at 13 under par and five holes to play. Andrew Campbell, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons McIlroy played with stellar calmness, halving the 15th and then sinking a critical birdie putt on the 16th to take a lead over Højgaard. While Højgaard fought valiantly down the last, missing a birdie putt to win, McIlroy's victory was sealed by his two-shot advantage at the end of a double which crowned the end of the season. I feel so good," said McIlroy after the win, reflecting on how great it felt: "Personally difficult year and professionally too, challenges every single day. Here, it's the ultimate test--overcome it.". A top-11 finish on Sunday earned McIlroy the top spot on the season rankings after he outstripped South African Thriston Lawrence, who finished mid-field in Dubai. His win marks his third consecutive Race to Dubai title and goes a long way to indicate that McIlroy is one of the most dominant golfers on the DP World Tour. Winning his sixth Race to Dubai title pushed McIlroy to equal second place on the all-time list behind only Colin Montgomerie. Only Montgomerie, who won the tour eight times, stands above the duo. "To be named with Seve is an honor," McIlroy said. "He was a huge force for European golf and the Ryder Cup.". Inspired by this feat, McIlroy aimed for the feat of Montgomerie. To that end, he renewed his determination to keep on fighting for success and trophy wins and possibly win his seventh Race to Dubai title next year. It was a celebration of his tenacity, skills, and capacity to thrive under pressure at the DP World Tour Championship, where McIlroy played a resounding victory. Fans are keenly waiting to see these next moves by their favorite golf player as he constantly seems to break bounds for his potential. Read the full article

[agentomato]

Please don't skip my message 🍉🇵🇸 to our honorable people in the world My name is Abdul Rahman from Gaza.. I lost everything in life.. My wife was martyred and my child and I were injured by a missile that fell on us.. My life was completely destroyed and I was severely injured all over my body especially my legs.. The missile tore my wife apart while she was carrying our child.. I ask for your support to start my life anew and overcome the tragedy I am going through.. Please help me with any amount no matter how small to treat my injury and my child's injury and get out of the Gaza Strip and start a better life.. And spread my campaign and my story so that everyone can see it 🍉🍉🇵🇸🇵🇸

Vetted by 90-ghost

https://gofund.me/c810ba27

Puttting the link to the gofundme here too in case anyone seeing this can't copy the link

It's a legit gofundme, so please donate and/or spread this around!

[golfbloggercom]

Wildcats, Crimson Tide Lead After Opening Round of 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate

Wildcats, Crimson Tide Lead After Opening Round of 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate

Wildcats, Crimson Tide Lead After Opening Round of 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate (Above; Alabama’s Jack Mitchell lines up a putt) GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – The opening round of the third annual Folds of Honor Collegiate took place on Monday at American Dunes Golf Club. This year’s tournament has expanded to 15 men’s teams and 15 women’s teams to better reflect the Folds of Honor mission, with 57…

[thesecretingredientislove]

Context not identifamied

[kittyball23]

What do you think would happen if the Brozone brothers had a memorial service for their grandma?

I think the brothers would probably hold it at either Branch’s bunker, or Rosiepuff’s old pod where they used to live. They would then set up a little altar, with flowers, candles, and photographs of her, honoring her memory with a little speech (initiated by Branch).

Branch and Floyd would exhibit the most sorrow, since the memory of her death is still hard on Branch and he fears that he failed Floyd with his task to take care of her. Through tears, Floyd assures him that he isn't to blame for what happened, but does express that he misses her a lot.

Clay will probably have the most disbelief that she's gone. The way he explains it, he figured their Grandma would've escaped from the Troll Tree and then eventually pass from natural causes. Or, that if she had gotten separated from the main group in the tunnels, she would've eventually found her way to Putt Putt Village.

Bruce would wish that she could see her great-grandchildren, since there are qualities about them that remind him of her (aspects of her personality, her characteristics, likes and dislikes that are present in his kiddos)

And John Dory would harbor a lot of guilt, having known her the longest since he was the oldest, and feeling very bad for what happened. He'll take the opportunity to apologize to Branch again for their abandonment (the other bros pitching in to this as well), and Branch will of course forgive them.

All brothers will hug, and have a moment of silence, and then they will lighten the mood by sharing fond, happier memories of her and the times they shared together ❤ 

[advicefromthevoid]

HUSTLE & FLOW

originally published in 4/2023 issue of Hypersaturation Magazine

Q: To Whom It May Concern (The Void),

Life is changing rapidly around me. I feel like I have to rapidly change with it or I’ll soon be long forgotten about. How do I keep moving with the never-ending grind of life? Sometimes I just want to lay down and forget about the spinning nature of the Earth.

- PLS LET ME NAP, CLIFTON PARK NY

A: Sup Pls?

Oh, the trap of the grind. Hustle & grind flow, hustle mentality, really bad LinkedIn influencer posts telling us to get up at 5:00am so we can learn quantum physics or some shit before we go out and practice our golf putts. As a being that simply exists without purpose or reason, the grind is not a concept that I believe in. However, unfortunately, those with flesh vessels are forced to participate in capitalism for survival. The issue is not with you. Your value lies in the legacy you leave behind, the way you make those around you feel, the things you feel like you need to do to make yourself “remembered”... think about that statement. Do you want a statue erected (lol) in your honor as a testament to wars you’ve won, or do you want to be memorialized through the kindness of others towards each other? 

Anyway, take that nap. You only live once.

- YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD FLOATING VOID ORB

[horwathgolf]

The Role of a Miniature Golf Expert in Elevating Your Entertainment Business

The Role of a Miniature Golf Expert in Elevating Your Entertainment Business

Running an entertainment business of any kind can be challenging, given the fast-paced, ever-changing whims of the consumer marketplace. One of the best ways to expand your operations and grow potential revenue is by developing and introducing a miniature golf course.

Mini golf is a beloved, time-honored pastime that families enjoy. Given the variety of themes and technology you can introduce into this pastime, it allows you to easily add a new revenue stream that attracts clients and keeps previous customers highly engaged. The best way to do this is to collaborate with a team of miniature golf experts capable of transforming your entertainment business using a modern course design.

Understanding the Role of a Miniature Golf Expert

You wouldn’t hire a baker to build your house, just like you wouldn’t try to design a miniature golf course without an expert in the field. These professionals are designers, contractors, marketers, and social engagement geniuses.

Besides having specialized knowledge in the various details of course layout or crafting a thematic environment for your customers, there is also the application of the miniature golf course in your overall entertainment business structure. They can help guide you through introducing this new feature to the community and what advantages it brings to customers.

Then, there is dealing with the actual development process. A well-constructed miniature golf course must consider things like lighting, water elements, local ordinances, business regulations, and even the sun's course across the sky to lower your electric bills.

Enhancing Course Design and Themes

An experienced miniature golf expert is your best support to cultivate an immersive golfing world. They can guide you through the difference between open IPs and securing the rights for popular properties like TV shows, cartoons, movies, music, or other storylines. 

They understand firsthand that the best miniature golf courses worldwide tell engaging stories, so players feel involved from the first time they step onto your course to sinking that final putt on the last hole. This creative approach is what you need to attract your target audience. Those themed features are what you will see on the shared social media videos and photos that bolster your organic marketability.

Incorporating Technology and Innovation

To succeed in today’s miniature golf world, you need an expert who can bring in modern technology. This could be as simple as having a photogenic spot on your course where people can share Instagram-worthy photos of their families and friends or using GPS or Bluetooth-connected water and lighting features as a customer moves through your course.

Odds are you have already seen an indoor or outdoor course using incredible technology features that are widely shared online. That could be a specialized course that looks like a pinball machine with all the lights to make it more engaging or a glow-in-the-dark course with RFID lighting features demonstrating where you should set your ball for the first putt. It all comes down to technology.

Final Thoughts

The point is there are many moving parts to adding a mini golf course to your entertainment business. Everything from terrain to how to install the water pipes so that they are most efficient for various features comes into play. 

Hiring a miniature golf expert from our team at Horwath Golf is the best decision to move forward and ensure you get the quality advice and support you need to integrate this new business feature into your growing business. Contact us today, and let's get started!

[generalb]

It took me writing it out to realize that I love it when people in reblog chains cal out another’s url by puttting “tumblr user” in front of it. Lien it’s meant to make fun of it point it out but it just sounds like a complex debate and you’re honoring them by addressing their full title. Tumblr user furryballzthe2nd takes the stand

[influencermagazineuk]

Scottie Scheffler Triumphs in Dramatic Play-Off to Win Sixth PGA Tour Title of the Season

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler made history at the Travelers Championship, securing his sixth PGA Tour win of the season by edging out Tom Kim in a thrilling play-off. This achievement marks him as the first golfer since Arnold Palmer in 1962 to win six times on the PGA Tour before July. Reflecting on his victory, Scheffler shares his thoughts on the intense competition with his friend Tom Kim, his approach to not letting wins define him, and his excitement for representing Team USA at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Winning my sixth tournament this season feels incredibly special. It’s been an amazing journey, filled with memorable moments and hard-fought battles. Competing against Tom Kim, who is not just a formidable opponent but also a good friend, added a unique dimension to this victory. We’ve spent countless hours playing together, both at home in Dallas and on Tour, so it was both fun and challenging to face him in such a crucial moment. Titleist, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The final round was a rollercoaster of emotions. The putts seemed to hang on the edge, teasingly close, especially on the back nine. It was tough watching each one narrowly miss, but I kept my focus and stayed determined. When Tom made that incredible putt on the 18th hole to force a play-off, it was a testament to his skill and tenacity. Even though it hurt to see him make a bogey in the play-off, I was genuinely proud of his performance. Tom Kim is a fantastic player with a bright future ahead. At just 22, he’s already showing the right attitude and resilience needed to succeed on the Tour. I made sure to tell him how proud I am of him, and I know he’ll have many more victories to celebrate. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled about the opportunity to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, and Wyndham Clark. Representing Team USA on such a prestigious stage is an honor, and I’m eagerly anticipating the challenges and experiences that lie ahead. This season has been extraordinary, and while victories are meaningful, they don't define who I am. It’s the journey, the battles, and the camaraderie that truly make this experience so rewarding. Read the full article

[aeoneri]

Till Death Do Us Part

Summary:

A week of awkward, sweet, and even stressful moments before the big day.

– A “What We Don’t See” One-Shot. The story events happen immediately after the fourth one-shot, Your Past, My Present, Our Future up to the beginning of the final chapter of What We Don't See.

++++

Mirabel had her hands full. 

The expectant feeling was far greater than what she had experienced when Antonio turned five. Maybe because then, she had been delegated to the sidelines to avoid stepping on the family's toes. Mirabel had wished for her own miracle, and they were answered a few days after. The family was reunited with her Tío Bruno, the problems with the cracks acknowledged and faced, and she became the hero that mended the family back together. 

Change was new and unfamiliar, but this time she was the one pulling the reins. 

"Mi bebé, are you sure about this?" Julieta asked Mirabel after the rest of the family retired for the night. The tension and uncertainty from earlier in the day rendered everyone exhausted, though there was something good that came out of it all. 

"I'm positive, Mamá," Mirabel assured her with a grin. "It's the least I could do."

Julieta cracked a small smile at her daughter's enthusiasm. It had been a decade long wait, but the light at the end of the tunnel beamed brighter than before. It was as the planets aligned and the world became right again when Gabriela, their closest friend, returned, just as the last piece of Casa Madrigal was put into place. There weren’t enough tears of joy to shed before the two lovers broke the news in the presence of the people they love the most.

A wedding. The very one that they had so rightfully deserved.

It was the very definition of madness and insanity to have it held in a week’s time, but it wasn’t far off for the pair. Everyone knew they had always been the most unique Madrigal couple the whole of Encanto had ever seen. The thought made Julieta chuckle which earned her a curious glance from Mirabel. “Why are you laughing, Mamá? Did you think of something funny?”

“I did,“ Julieta mused, pulling Mirabel close into a hug which she returned as fiercely. “I was thinking about how short of a time we have to get everything ready. You’ll have a lot on your plate, Mira, and it’s crazy.”

“I don’t think it’s very much crazy as it is just wanting not to waste any more time? They have been planning this for years, haven't they?”

“Mmm, that’s true. But still, it’s a lot of work for just one person.”

Mirabel blinked up from her mother’s warm hands. “I’m just the coordinator who’ll wrangle all the details together. It’ll be a family affair after all, and I promise we’ll make it the best day of their lives.”

Julieta nodded with a faraway look in her eyes. “Just don’t push yourself too hard, ok?” 

“Don’t worry, Mamá, I won’t. I’m honored they’ve asked me to do this for them.” Mirabel replied sweetly, hoping it’ll ease her mother’s worries. “Anyway, it’s getting late. I’m going off to bed since I have an early morning tomorrow. What about you?”

“You go on ahead, mija. I still have some things to finish here.”

“Okay. ¡Buenas noches, Mamá!” 

“Buenas noches. Duerme bien, mi corazón.” Julieta replied, giving her youngest one last squeeze before watching Mirabel bound up the stairs to her room. For a brief moment Julieta swore she saw golden butterflies of light surrounding her, their shimmering wings fluttering about before disappearing into the night.

++++

The next few days were heavy with the flurry of activity. Each morning Mirabel left Casita right after breakfast, running a few quick errands before making her way to a small music shop nestled at the edge of the shopping district. She had been in the store many times before, often to buy new sheet music to learn or have her accordion tuned, but recently her visits had more to do with what the town dubbed as the “Wedding of the Century”.

“Buenos días, Tía!”

A woman with caramel skin and striking green eyes was quietly puttering about when Mirabel entered, greeting her with a wide smile. She beamed at the young teen, a radiant smile growing ever wider. “Oh, Mirabel!” Gabriela quickly motioned Mirabel to set her bag down and offered her a seat. “I wasn’t expecting you to come by so early today.”

“Oh, you know how it’s normal for the family to start the day bright and early.” Mirabel teased with an amused grin. “I almost forgot, this is for you!” She hands Gabriela the warm paper bag of pan de queso that she had stashed as a surprise. “The days have been quite hectic since there’s only five days till the wedding, so I thought to give you a nice pick-me-up.”

“Aw, thank you, Mirabel.” Gabriela gingerly opened the package, releasing the comforting scent into the air. “These look so inviting! Let me get you a cup of café and we can talk more about the details over some snacks.”

Once the coffee had been poured and served, the two began discussing the finer points of the upcoming nuptials. The centerpieces and decorations would be arranged by Isabela, who had agreed to decorate the church and the reception with beautiful flowers — provided they let her wing some unique plants in the mix.

“I promise there will be no carnivorous ones!” Isabela insisted. Mirabel feared that it would be the case, but the bride was willing to let her experiment. In the end, Mirabel had no choice but to begrudgingly agree.

Mirabel’s Tía Pepa had begun practicing controlling her tears to avoid raining down on her best friend’s special day, though Bruno looked horrified every time his sister looked his way with a grin that seemed like scheming. 

“I swear Pepa might get back at me for her ruined wedding.” Bruno would grumble in the middle of fitting for his guayabera. “She’s scheming, kid.”

It was likely, but Mirabel had planned back-ups upon back-ups just in case, one of which involved Luisa setting up a tent to shield everyone from an expected downpour.

Mirabel’s strongest sister was also the one who volunteered to create a new mantilla for their Tía Gabriela, which was a small but welcome surprise to everyone that Luisa had finally learned to embrace her softer side. Gabriela had seen the sample, and she cried at how beautiful it was with its intricate and delicate lacing.

“So, that’s what we’ve completed so far.” Mirabel concluded, their cups now empty and bellies a little bit full. “Dolores and Mariano are working on the program flow, which I am leaving them to do…” She made a face before continuing. “And Antonio said his animal friends would like to make a performance to start off the party after.”

“I’m sure Dolores and Mariano are taking this seriously, Mira.” Gabriela’s eyes twinkled. “And I can’t wait to see little Tonio and his friends dancing.” She clasped a hand under her chin and tapped on the list between them both. “So since those are settled, the items left on the list would be the serenade, which I know your Tío must be sweating with, the cake and the gold coins for the padre to bless.”

“I can get the last two arranged, Tía.” Mirabel winked. “Leave them to me.”

++++

Elsewhere, Bruno found himself struggling with preparing his serenata. Mirabel had done an excellent job with the wedding planning with the rest of the family and even a few townsfolk, but this one was something she couldn’t help him with. So he dragged his brother-in-laws to help him as a one, tiny favor.

They had been stuck at their wits end for hours.

“Why are you stressing out over this, hermano? The serenata should be the last thing on your to-do list.” Félix said, watching Bruno pace back and forth. “Most men would be worrying about their vows first.”

“But I’ve already completed my vows,” Bruno muttered in response. “Also, most men don’t feel the pressure of having to impress their brides…whose entire family are well-known musicians.”

Bruno’s deadpan tone broke Félix’s composure and he laughed so hard that his voice echoed throughout the house. “Ay, Bruno, you never cease to amaze me.” He wheezed. “Of course you’d have the vows ready.”

“Oye, I think his concerns are genuinely valid,” Agustín interjected, looking through his record collection for some ideas. “We didn’t get a chance to do the serenata the first time around.”

“Man, you’ll do great though.” Félix waved a hand nonchalantly. “Whatever you pick, I’m sure Gabriela would like it.”

Bruno scratched the back of his neck in frustration, his hand itching to throw salt and knock on every wooden surface known to man, but he refrained. “That’s the problem, though. I don’t know what to pick. I know she’ll enjoy whatever song we perform, but I just can’t shake the feeling of wanting this to be perfect. If my vows convey how I truly feel about her,” He selected his words thoughtfully while carefully taking out a piece of paper from his breast pocket. “The song has to do so, too.”

The paper was worn with multiple creases that seemed like it had been in his pockets for more than a decade. Bruno held it like it was the most fragile china. “I’ve had this for way longer, even before I asked her to marry me the first time around. I did change a few lines though, while I was hiding away, and added a new one when we both came back recently.”

Bruno looked wistful and Félix thought he could pull a fast one to take the sheet off Bruno’s hands. He reached out to grab it, but Bruno instinctively dodged from Félix’s grasp. “What the hell, Félix? Careful with that!”

“Come on, hermano. The easiest way for us to figure out the perfect song is if you read out your vows! What’s on it?”

“No way, Félix! For a romantic I thought you’d get the gist just as is. Anyway, you’ll hear it at the church in a few days.”

“Pepa is different from Gabriela, and therefore I can’t help you until we know what feelings you want to convey!”

“They’re both women!”

“Different women! Just a quick peek?”

Agustín watched in amusement as the two men became locked in what could only be described as an intricate dance. Every time Félix thought he had Bruno cornered, the lithe man would somehow slide his way out. Agustín’s eyes glanced over the wall clock, knowing that his daughter may come home soon unless he intervened.

“Miércoles, we won’t get anything done this way.” He coughed, making both Félix and Bruno stop their roughhousing to look at him. Finally catching their attention, Agustín proceeded with a possible solution to their conundrum. “Okay, okay, how about this? Bruno, maybe you can just share the essence of what’s on your vows with us? That way Félix and I could get the idea, and you don’t have to divulge everything. It’s a win-win.”

“The essence?” Bruno contemplated for a bit.

“As you said, Félix here is the resident romantic, and if you’re able to paint a picture for us he’d be able to decode it like the suave lover that he is.”

Félix grinned while the seer made a face. “I don’t want to think about what kind of suave lover he is around my sister. Alright, I’ll try to put my thoughts into it so I could wipe out that mental image.”

Bruno proceeded to tell them the thoughts that’s been on his mind, from the very first moment he laid his eyes on his beloved up to the day he had lost her. He poured his heart, no doubt stunning anyone within hearing range of his sheer devotion to the woman who he can’t wait to spend the rest of his days with.

There was a short moment of silence when Bruno finished, before Félix clapped, soft and slow. It became a full-fledged applause and there were tears in his eyes, like he just listened to the world’s best play. “That is so beautiful it’s making me cry,” He sobbed and shared a knowing look with Agustín. “Great idea, Gus. I think we have just the song in mind for that.”

++++

Camilo stared at the girls’ fussing about with a bored expression plastered on his face. He knew the wedding was in three days’ time, but he had plans with a few of his friends that afternoon to play futbol. He had hoped he would be granted leave after the backbreaking work Mirabel had put him through previously.

“What backbreaking work are you talking about? You were just eating cake!” Dolores argued, pinching her brother’s cheeks. “Imagine, Mariano caught you stuffing your face with Tía Julieta’s cooking!”

“Ouch!” Camilo groaned, rubbing his sore face after swatting his sister’s hands away. “You would think it was just me eating cake, but I had to stretch my stomach for it!” He retorted with a sullen expression. “I don’t have the same sweet-tooth as Señor Osvaldo.”

“That isn’t backbreaking. Lifting heavy objects is!”

“I lifted multiple trays for Tía! And helped Isa with her plants!”

“Don’t you drag me into this, Camilo!” Isabela rolled her eyes at her cousin, unamused. “We all know you sneaked away after I asked you to carry the small cactus pots in. And, you didn’t even comment properly on the look of the arrangement. At least Luisa had something to say.” 

“Well, I’m sorry for not being so useful to the conversation.” Camilo bristled. “I have no idea what flowers and plants look good together and whatnot. And, isn’t Tío Bruno allergic to them?”

“Pollen! He’s allergic to pollen!”

“Same thing.”

“No it’s not…you little…!”

“Okay, timeout.” Mirabel stopped Isabela from lunging towards Camilo and strangling him to death. “How about I make a deal with you?”

“What?” Dolores and Isabela screeched in unison.

Camilo ignored the two older girls and raised one eyebrow at Mirabel. “Hm, I’m interested. What’s in it for me?”

“I’ll take all of your chores for the next week if you help out with this one thing.” Mirabel offered, extending her hand. “No detours, then you’re free to do whatever.”

“Are you insane, Mirabel? It’s not worth it.” Dolores tried in vain to persuade her to not take the gamble. “You can’t possibly let him leave like that, can you? He’s just going to play futbol!”

Isabela nodded furiously. “Seconding the statement. He has a lot of unfinished work, and you’re already doing much more than the rest of us.”

“It’s okay, I’d rather take the chance.” Mirabel replied calmly. “I signed up for this. We don’t have enough time to put his usual shenanigans into the mix. So, what do you say, Milo? Do we have a deal?”

The contemplative look on Camilo’s face changed into a shit-eating grin. “Sweet. It’s a deal.” He shook Mirabel’s hand with such energy, making the rest suspicious of his intentions. “So, what do you want me to do?”

“A death sentence.” Isabela mumbled at the same time Dolores crossed her arms and clicked her tongue in disapprovement. Mirabel shrugged the disappointed expressions off and procured thirteen coins from the inside of her mochilla. She gingerly handed it off into Camilo’s open palms. 

“Okay?” He looked at her questioningly. “These are a bunch of coins. What am I supposed to do with this?” 

“Quite simple. Can you pass by the chapel and hand these off to Padre Flores?” She answered coolly. “It’s for Las Arras. You don’t have to do anything else after that. The padre will take care of the rest.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

His eyes turned into tiny slits. “Are you sure you’re not playing any tricks on me, prima? Because if you do, the deal’s off.”

“Nope.”

“So after that I’m free to go?”

“Absolutely.” Mirabel solemnly nodded. “Just, you know, be careful with them, okay? And it has to be delivered before six.”

“Okay then.” Camilo saluted, turning his back to walk out the door. “I’ll see you all later then.”

Before he could exit, Dolores gripped her brother’s arm tightly. “Go straight to the church first before doing whatever.” She hissed, tapping her ear as a threat. “We’ll know if you didn’t.”

In annoyance, Camilo haphazardly crammed the coins into his pockets. “Alright, alright!” He groaned as he shook his sister off. “Get the coins safe to the padre. Geez, Dolores, it’s like you think I’m doomed or something.”

The girls watched as Camilo ran off, leaping over the fence and disappearing into town. “He’s going to get himself into trouble, you know that, don’t you?” Isabela sighed. “For all we know he might scather the coins all over town and turn it into one, big, treasure hunt.”

“I have no doubt that that’s very likely.” Mirabel turned her attention back to her notepad. “But it’ll be his problem, not ours. He can handle it.”

“You seem so confident that it’ll happen.”

“Mirabel’s not far-off, though.” Dolores interjected with her doe eyes wide. “Maybe this will finally teach him a lesson.”

++++

The sun was starting to set when Camilo remembered the coins.

He had been a little spooked by his sister’s threat, knowing that she would most likely tattle him to their mother. Triggering lightning storms and getting grounded were enough to keep him on track for the first fifteen minutes, before he bumped into a friend who was on his way to the fields.

Then the threat was all but forgotten, and Camilo spent his entire afternoon playing with his friends, just as he had planned before everything else. Only with the ringing of the church bells to signal the approaching time jogged the memory of his quest. Saying a quick goodbye, he made his way quickly back into town, before realizing his pockets felt lighter than usual. His face paled when he reached his hand in and found them empty.

The urge to panic immediately kicked in and it took all of his energy to not break down in the middle of the road. “Okay, Camilo, don’t panic.” He chanted to himself as he retraced his steps. “You did not lose the valuable gold coins for your Tío’s wedding. It probably fell somewhere on the way and you would be able to find them as long as you recall where you’ve been. No one in town would dare take them or tell on you. Mamá isn’t going to ban you from leaving the house until you’re sixty.” Camilo patted his pockets down again, hoping it wasn’t a fluke. “Scratch that, I’m dead. Why did I forget that these pants needed to be mended?”

He was too busy worrying that he did not notice where he was going and bumped into someone, hard. “Hey!” They shouted. “Watch where you’re going…Camilo?”

Camilo froze. He knew that tone and the tell-tale rumble of thunder. He mentally kicked himself and tried to keep his cool, but failed miserably. “Mami, uh, hi!” He stammered. Why now, when he was in the middle of a crisis, would he bump into his mother? “Sorry, I wasn’t looking at where I was going. What are you doing here?”

Pepa stared at her son confusingly, the cloud above her head dissipating. “That’s an odd question. You know I went to run some errands this afternoon. Where are you going off in such a hurry? I taught you better to watch both ways when crossing…”

“It’s nothing!” Camilo felt the beads of sweat trickling down the side of his forehead. He knew he would be in a lot more trouble if his mother found out the truth right there and then. Camilo did not have enough time - the time for Angelus was fast approaching.  He needed to shake her off his back. “I, uh, also needed to run an errand.”

Pepa looked at him skeptically. Something was off, but she decided not to pry. “Alright then.” She said after a long while, turning on her heels to go about her way. “Do what you need to do right now and I’ll see you back home in a bit. You know you’re going to join your Tío to do the serenata happening later tonight, so please don’t be late.”

“Yes, I got it Ma, Will definitely be on time later!” Camilo was desperate at this point that he was sure his spirit was separating from his body. He sprinted away without another word, leaving poor Pepa wondering what the hell was happening.

++++

“You’d think something shiny would be so easy to find, but no.” Camilo huffed, clutching his chest. It had been an hour since he realized he lost the coins, and close to thirty minutes when he escaped a potential questioning from his mother. He had scoured every nook and cranny known to man, but with no luck. “Maybe I should just give up and face the consequences.”

The rest of the townsfolk passing by looked at him weird as he slapped his cheeks and gave himself another pep talk. “No, this is my chance to show everyone that I can be responsible. Plus, if I give up now, I’ll not only be grounded for the rest of my days, I’ll lose the opportunity to get Mirabel to do my chores for a week.” With renewed determination, Camilo went back to searching. “If I were a bunch of shiny, gold coins, where would I be…?”

“Excuse me, what are you doing?” 

Camilo turned to see three little kids staring at him. “Why are you crawling on your hands and feet on the ground?” One of the little girls asked. 

“Maybe he’s looking for something, Cecilia.” The other girl answered. “Did you lose something, Camilo?”

“I lost something the other day too!” The boy in their small group spoke. “I cried when I couldn’t find my favorite coffee cup, but it turned out that my Papá misplaced it somewhere.”

Cecilia rolled her eyes at the boy. “Juancho, I don’t think that's what Alejandra meant. Camilo isn’t searching for a coffee cup.”

“Woah there, you three.” Camilo raised his hands to placate the little ones. “No need to get all huffy at one another. I was just looking closer at the ground, that's all. It’s interesting.”

The trio turned to look at one another. “I don’t think it’s very good to lie.” Alejandra quipped. “My abuela says liars’ pants will catch fire.”

Camilo sighed, knowing that there was no point to trick them. “Fine, I did lose something. Something valuable.” He did not want to be embarrassed by a five year old. “I’ve been looking for a while and there’s not enough time.”

“Maybe we can help?” Juancho jumped up and down all excitedly. “I’m really good at finding things!”

“Like how you found your coffee cup?” Cecilia teased.

“My dad misplaced it!”

“Okay, okay. No arguing.” He pinched the bridge of his nose to get his thoughts in order, and an idea clicked. “I’ll agree to have you three help me out if you behave. What do you say to a treasure hunt?”

He had to cover his ears for a bit due to the high-pitched squealing. “A treasure hunt?” They screamed excitedly. “Like buried treasure?” 

“Not quite buried, but they are indeed shiny. They’re for the upcoming wedding.”

Juancho’s eyes grew big like saucers. “You mean for THE wedding?” He grabbed both Cecilia’s and Alejandra’s hands and dragged them off to start looking. “Then there’s no time to waste! Let’s go find it immediately, Camilo!”

++++

It was half past six when Camilo showed up at the church with the three in tow. He had gotten himself into his fair share of mess today which would not have happened had he followed through. Instead he and the little ones chased after donkeys and climbed trees and even fell into a pit just to get the coins back. Who knew that it could travel far when falling out of one’s pockets?

The padre didn’t look too pleased that the coins were a little muddy, but took them nonetheless. “I had been expecting you to come by earlier, Camilo.” Padre Flores chided gently. “But all is well and done now. I’ll let the Doña know that it has been delivered for blessing.”

Camilo felt like he missed something. “You’re not angry at me?”

“Heavens no!” The padre looked surprised. “Why would I be?”

The teen shifted on his heels and gestured to the trio apologetically. “I messed up, padre. My cousin made a deal with me, but I got distracted and didn’t hold up to my end of the bargain. If it weren’t for them I would’ve gone home empty handed and maybe in a lot more trouble.”

Camilo squeaked when the priest patted him gently on the shoulder, his tone full of understanding. “Son, we all make mistakes in life, but what is important is that we learned something from it. I hope you don’t take this lesson for granted.”

“I did learn something, I guess.” Camilo felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Padre Flores nodded as he straightened his cassock. “Thank you for your honesty. I am glad you’re setting a good example for them.”

“I’m not sure about that, but thanks?”

“It’ll take some time.” The priest laughed. “I’ll see you and your family soon for the wedding. Well then, I believe you better get going, we’re looking forward to Bruno’s serenata later tonight.”

“Ah, shoot! Mamá is going to kill me if I’m late!” Camilo groaned and took off back to Casita. “Thanks padre! And thanks for the help you three! I’ll play with you guys again sometime!”

++++

“You’re late.” Félix scolded his son when Camilo rushed through the door, panting and dripping with sweat. “Your Mamá had half a thought to ground you, but thankfully your sister persuaded her not to.”

Dolores smirked as she coolly handed her younger brother a towel to dry himself and his costume for tonight’s serenata. “What can I say? How else would you be able to keep up with your promises?”

Camilo’s face fell. “Please tell me you didn’t let Mami know.”

“Know what?” Félix asked, before Mirabel came calling for them to get themselves ready. “Nevermind. We can discuss whatever you both are talking about after the parties this week.”

The two siblings watched their father’s bouncing frame leave the room. “I’ll babysit Antonio for the next week if you don’t tell our parents about my mishap this afternoon.” Camilo whispered under his breath. “Deal?”

“If you add in helping me pick out outfits for my dates with Mariano and also not make a stupid face every time he's around, then we have a deal.” Dolores whispered back. “Consider it payment for telling the padre ahead of time that you’d be late.”

“When the heck did you even find the time to do that?” Camilo hissed. “Did you three know all this time I would mess up?”

“Ah, ah! Not at all. It was Mirabel who told me to call the padre up. She noticed you were wearing the pants that needed mending, and thought you’d realize it immediately, but I guess not.” Dolores covered her mouth to suppress a smile. “The deal should be off, but she said she’ll let it slide. Although, she did say she would hound you forever with it.”

“I would rather do the chores than have her rub my face with it.”

“Nah, that’s no fun though.” Mirabel poked her head by the door, startling Camilo. “Anyway, there you are. No time for chitchat, Milo, Tío’s ready to head off.”

++++

Gabriela was enjoying a quiet evening with her family when a knock at their door caught her attention. “Who could be here at this hour?” She bemused, slowly getting up from her seat to check. “You weren’t expecting any guests, were you, Papá? Julián?”

Mauricio and his son shook their heads, pretending to act as if nothing was out of the ordinary. “Nope.” They answered in unison, which she found odd.

In fact, everyone had been acting strange all day. 

Mirabel had dropped by earlier at the shop like she always did, but left as quickly as she came, simply dropping off a dress that she made with a note that read: wear this later . Then when Gabriela arrived home, she was flustered to see her sister-in-law cooking something up. She wouldn’t have thought much of it on any normal day, but Lucía was making more food enough to feed an army.

Then Julián had quickly ushered Juancho into the bedroom to change when her nephew arrived home all muddied. She had an inkling that something was up, but knowing her wedding was only two days away, thought nothing much of it.

Until she opened the door and found the Madrigal men dressed to the nines, down to the shoes up to the sombrero vueltiao on their heads. Félix stood there beaming with glee while Agustín and Camilo tipped their hats.

“What’s going on?” She squeaked, covering her face to calm her red cheeks. Gabriela fought the urge to burst into tears when Bruno appeared behind them, and started to sing.

Tus besos se llegaron a recrear aquí en mi boca

Llenando de ilusión y de pasión mi vida loca

Las horas más felices de mi amor fueron contigo

Por eso, es que mi alma siempre está, qué dulce alivio

Félix swayed along while strumming the tiple. Agustín masterfully crafted the melodies on the piano that funnily enough, Luisa was carrying. Camilo provided backup vocals while his Tío belted out the next line.  

Te puedo yo jurar, ante un altar, mi amor sincero

A todo el mundo le puedes contar que sí te quiero

Tus labios me enseñaron a sentir lo que es ternura

Y no me cansaré de bendecir tanta dulzura

Bruno took Gabriela’s hand and kissed it as he finished his song. “Te amo, mi sol, mi cielo, mi vida. I hope I did the song justice.” She was stunned into silence for a long time and everyone held their breath waiting for her response.

“I’m so sorry…” Bruno flustered when she began to cry. “I know I’m not much of a singer, but…”

“Oh, Bruno, no, no.” Gabriela shook her head, placing a hand on her beloved’s cheek. “I’m just…so…happy!”

“You are? But…?”

She leaned forward to give him a kiss, making the crowd that gathered outside to watch the serenata cheer with delight. “These are just tears of joy. I wasn’t expecting this surprise…”

Now it was Bruno’s turn to be embarrassed. “Heh, um, I didn’t have the chance to do it back then, you know? I thought that since it’s a new beginning, I’d do right by you this time.”

Gabriela knew all too well what he meant. Bruno gestured to the rest of his family. “A song couldn’t fully express what I feel, but I hope you know that I’ll always try to be the man worthy of you.”

They were about to share another kiss before Félix broke the moment. “Okay, lovebirds!” he whistled. “Sorry to intrude on your sweet atmosphere, but are we going to get this party started, or not?”

Right on cue, Mauricio and Julián appeared with their own instruments, signaling the start of the festivities. Bruno grinned sheepishly as he whispered into her ear. “Gabriela Álvarez, may I have this dance?”

++++

The night before the big day felt like a bundle of nerves twisting and turning in a million different ways. Gabriela knew just how much the entire Encanto banded together with Mirabel at the helm, to let her and Bruno have the moment they both longed for.

The thought of tomorrow consumed her so much that Gabriela found herself lying in bed, just staring at the ceiling. She had attempted to sleep multiple times throughout the night but without avail. 

“It’s probably just the pre-wedding jitters.” She told herself.

As the minutes ticked by, Gabriela’s mind began to wander. She started reminiscing about the past, about how her family came to live in the quiet, magical town that was hidden from the world. She remembered the chance meeting that happened by the river and the almost awkward dinner party a few nights after, to where she finally met the Madrigals and the mystery man who eventually stole her heart away.

She finally felt tired enough that her eyelids were starting to get heavy when a loud knock at her window startled her awake. 

“Mi amor? It’s me. Can you let me in?”

Gabriela almost fell off the bed. Bruno’s voice, though muffled by the glass, was clear. Wondering what he was doing at her house so late at night, she quickly unlatched the lock to let him in. “What are you doing here?” She hissed, squeezing her eyes shut. It was reminiscent of their early years together when he snuck out to see her. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

“I can’t sleep.” Bruno answered matter-of-factly. Gabriela could not see the expression on his face, and she didn’t dare to. “For someone so superstitious, I didn’t expect you to break the biggest rule of them all.” She whispered, covering her face with her hands to quell the temptation to peek. “Isn’t it bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other the night before their wedding?”

“They say it is, but I wanted to see you.”

“We’re getting married tomorrow.”

“I know, but I couldn’t wait that long.” Bruno murmured. “There I was, in my room, just thinking about you. All I could think about was you, and it drove me crazy that I just needed to go, so I got up and snuck out. I’m glad I came.”

The confession made Gabriela drop her guard and her hands fell to her sides, though she kept her eyes closed. “Bruno…”

She felt something soft brush her lips. It was brief, but it made her face heat up. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” He sighed, sounding every bit lovestruck. 

“Do you want to stay over?” The words spilled out of Gabriela’s mouth before she could even stop herself. “I mean, at least before…”

Bruno chuckled. “If you want me to. And just so we won’t get in trouble with Mirabel or the rest of the family, I promise to be out before morning.”

“Okay then.” Gabriela felt her heart skip a beat. She cautiously took a peep, and thankfully, the room was dark enough that she could not see anything but his curls. She gingerly reached for his hand and guided him to her bed. The butterflies in her stomach dissipated the moment his arms wrapped around her waist, and a wave of comfort washed over her once more.

“Gabriela?” 

“Hm?” 

“I love you.” He whispered in her ear, low and deep, laced with sleep. “Tomorrow will be the start of our forever.”

++++

The moment the church doors opened and she walked down the aisle, Bruno knew there was nothing else in the world that could compare to that feeling of bliss. He had his worries beforehand, but it all disappeared the moment he laid his eyes on her. He didn’t even care when he suddenly had a vision in the middle of the ceremony, because he saw the future, as he predicted years ago. 

When it came time to read their vows, Gabriela tried her best to hold back her tears as her beloved made his promise to her on the altar.

“I remember the day I first saw you.” Bruno began, his voice wavering with emotion. “And I thought to myself that you were an angel that had descended from the heavens. I fell in love with you, but I didn’t know until that day when the light danced around your eyes, with your smile so sweet as you followed the melody like you’ve known it a million times before.”

Recognition showed in her eyes as she listened to his words, and relieved the memories hidden in his heart.

“My beloved, as I stand here today, I am reminded how you are the gift that I never thought I needed, the one I’ve always thought I never deserved.”

“But you do, Bruno.” Gabriela whispered, her eyes shining. “And I needed you too.”

With trembling hands Bruno reached over and slipped the wedding band into Gabriela’s finger. “Gabriela, what we don’t see is the feeling in our hearts, the joy, the pain, the sorrow. I knew before we met that there would be something coming my way, even if I didn’t know when. And when you came into my life everything changed, for better or for worse, I would gladly live all of my lifetimes with you.”

“And I too would very much like that.” A tear finally escaped her cheek as she placed a ring into Bruno’s finger. “You came into my life without any warning, but everything fell into place. We had our fair share of laughter, of trouble, of years that felt like forever. Even then, it never changed how I feel about you. It made me realize that we may be flawed, but we are two people who brought out the best in each other.”

“You’re my kind of perfect, Gabriela. If you’ll have me, I’ll promise to be there surely as the day turns into night. I love you. All of you.”

“I promise to hold you, Bruno, to be by your side, through the good and the bad. All of your past, in my present, to our future. I love you too. All of you.”

There was not a dry eye in sight as the sounds of muffled sobs echoed throughout the church. Padre Flores cleared his throat, trying hard not to break down himself. He’d seen his fair share of emotional weddings, but this one took the cake. “Bruno Madrigal,” The padre questioned. “Do you take this woman, Gabriela Álvarez, to be your lawfully wedded wife, till death do you part?” 

“Till death do us part.” Bruno breathed. “I do.”

“Gabriela Álvarez, do you take this man, Bruno Madrigal, to be your lawfully wedded husband, till death do you part?”

Gabriela nodded, her composure now flooded with a stream of happy tears. “Till death do us part, Padre. I do take Bruno. I do. I do!”

The world drowned itself out even before the last words were pronounced, and they couldn't care less as Bruno and Gabriela kissed, finally, husband and wife.

++++

Two Months Later

“Ay, I’m feeling exhausted lately.” Gabriela muttered as Bruno flitted about, pacing nervously around the kitchen. “Bruno insisted that you take a closer look at me.”

Julieta shook her head and handed her an arepa and a cup of hot chocolate. “I’m no doctor, though, Ella.” She said, calling Gabriela by the nickname she and Pepa gave her as an official member of the Madrigal family. “But from the way I see you, you look like you’re practically glowing.”

“I am?”

The question hung in the air as Dolores looked up from her cup, listening into their conversation. “It’s more than that, Tía.” She tapped her ear. “You’re probably pregnant.”

“Wait, what?” Bruno skidded himself to a halt and turned around too quickly that both his wife and sister clicked their tongues disapprovingly. He had no time to worry about whiplash if it meant his prediction would be coming true. “Gabriela’s pregnant?”

“When did you last…?” Julieta asked as Gabriela’s eyes grew wider in realization. They both glanced down at Gabriela’s belly, which looked flat…or did it?

“I didn’t think much of it when I didn’t…” Gabriela gasped, her hands flying to cradle her abdomen. “I thought I was…” She and Bruno exchanged glances. It explained everything she had been feeling lately if she was.

Julieta didn’t wait for an answer. “Congratulations!” She clapped her hands in glee. “If Dolores can hear them, it must mean you are. Oh, wait till the rest of the family finds out! I should prepare something nice for dinner tonight to celebrate…though, I can’t let you have wine, Ella!”

“Bruno?” Gabriela blinked back as he knelt down to her side and kissed her belly. “Can you believe it? It’s happening!”

He gave her a sweet smile and reached out to squeeze her hands. “I’m just as shocked as you are. The vision is finally coming true!”

“A baby!”

“Ours.” Bruno stood up to plant a chaste kiss on her lips. “We’ll do our best to be the best parents for our baby.”

Dolores then snorted and everyone turned to look at her funny. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to break the happy vibe.” She waved a hand away. “But I thought it would be funny to let you know that it’s not just one baby. It’s babies.”

Bruno’s smile suddenly turned into one of panic. “Babies…?” He had not thought of the possibility of having more than one, knowing his and Gabriela’s age. His vision from years before and even two months ago only showed one. “Dolores, how many heartbeats do you hear…?”

His niece cocked her head to the side, concentrating hard. “Two…?” She hedged, before covering her mouth in surprise. “Oh, no, wait. Three! I hear three! You’re having triplets! Congratulations!”

“Three? Oh, then we must be quite lucky, don’t you think, Bruno?” Gabriela sighed dreamily, turning her head towards her husband before quickly scrambling off her chair where she sat. “Bruno? Bruno!”

The shock of suddenly being a father of not one, but THREE made Bruno faint. It was more than what he had hoped for, but soon the memory would be something he would never, ever, forget.

++++

Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text): Duerme bien - Sleep well Guayabera - a men's summer shirt Serenata - Serenade. Part of the common Colombian Wedding preparations where the groom surprises the bride with a song. Futbol - Football (or Soccer, in the US) Mochilla - Colombian woven bag made by the Wayúu women in the Guajira region of Colombia. Las Arras - wedding paraphernalia used in Christian wedding ceremonies in Latin America. It is made up of thirteen gold coins that is blessed by a priest and is given by the groom to the bride. Sombrero Vueltiao - a traditional hat from Colombia

The following are the lyrics of Contigo by Trío Los Panchos Tus besos se llegaron a recrear aquí en mi boca - Your kisses came to recreate here in my mouth Llenando de ilusión y de pasión mi vida loca - Filling my crazy life with illusion and passion Las horas más felices de mi amor fueron contigo - The happiest hours of my love were with you Por eso, es que mi alma siempre está, qué dulce alivio - That's why my soul is always there, what a sweet relief Te puedo yo jurar, ante un altar, mi amor sincero - I can swear to you, before an altar, my sincere love A todo el mundo le puedes contar que sí te quiero - You can tell everyone that I love you Tus labios me enseñaron a sentir lo que es ternura - Your lips taught me to feel what tenderness is Y no me cansaré de bendecir tanta dulzura - And I will not get tired of blessing so much sweetness

-- Research links for this chapter: Colombian Wedding Traditions

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