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Throughout the town, excitement continued to grow. People celebrated with songs, fireworks, and candles they carried as they made their way to the Casa Madrigal. It was a big night. It had been ten years since there was a gift ceremony, and the last one hadn't gone well. The entire town was hopeful for a successful night.
As the crowd arrived, every member of the Madrigal family had a role. Luisa took their guests'donkeys and hauled them to the appropriate area. At the front door, Camilo changed his size so he could look each person in the eye as he shook their hands and welcomed them. Once they were inside, the house took the people's jackets and hats as they moved toward the archway. Isabela showered each guest with flower petals. Unbeknownst to her, Mariano watched her adoringly. The townspeople gushed with amazement at the beautifully decorated magical house.
At the top of the stairs, Antonio's door glowed and sparkled. As children sprung up the stairs to see it closer, the stairs would transform into a slide, sending the thrilled children down to the first floor over and over again.
Mirabel walked Antonio to the foyer where his ceremony would begin. As soon as his family caught sight of him, they rushed over.
“Papito! There you are. Ready for the big show?” Tío Felix asked.
“Look at you, all grown up,” Tía Pepa said, tearing up and causing a storm cloud.
“Amor, you're going to get him all wet,” Tío Felix said.
Camilo morphed into Tío Felix. “You make your papá proud,” Camilo said, trying to impersonate his dad.
“I don't sound like that,” Tío Felix complained.
“‘I don't sound like that,' ” Camilo mocked.
Dolores tilted her head as if hearing something from afar and then stepped forward. “Abuela says it's time.”
Tía Pepa bent down to Antonio and kissed him. “Here we go, Tonito! We'll be waiting at your door!”
“Okay, vamos!” Tío Felix yelled excitedly.
“‘Okay, vamo —'” Camilo, still disguised as his father, started to repeat before Tío Felix yanked him away.
Drums began to play. Abuela Alma entered the courtyard. Holding the magical candle, she addressed the crowd of family and townspeople.
“Fifty years ago, in our darkest moment, this candle blessed us with a miracle,” Abuela said.“And the greatest honor of our family has 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.”
The crowd cheered, and a curtain opened to reveal Antonio, standing alone. He looked afraid to move. A hush took over the house when Antonio didn't step forward. The house tried to encourage him, but he didn't budge. All eyes were on him as he stood frozen. He turned to Mirabel and held out his hand. Mirabel's heart sank. She knew Abuela would not approve. Plus, she couldn't help but think of her own gift ceremony. Her failure. What if that rubbed off on Antonio? She glanced over at Abuela holding the candle and then back to Antonio. She was torn on what to do.
“I can't...” she whispered to him.
“I need you,” Antonio whispered back.
Mirabel wondered if she should do it. Did she have the strength to step up and face the reminder of the worst night of her life? Did she have the courage to help her primo, knowing Abuela would not approve? Mirabel felt a glimmer of determination surge through her. If Antonio needed her, she was going to help him! She was going to walk him down the aisle so he could get his gift!
“Come on,” Mirabel said to Antonio, taking his outstretched hand. “Let's get you to your door.”Antonio held her hand tightly as they walked. In the crowd, everyone panicked seeing Mirabel and Antonio. The last time she made this journey, it was a failure for the familia.
With every step closer to the door, Mirabel felt the pain of her own failed gift ceremony. She thought back to the night: She reached out for the knob of a glowing door. Upon touching it, she was supposed to have been filled with magical light, but instead, the door's glow vanished! It left her without any special gift! From that point on, Abuela looked at her differently, and everyone's expectation of Mirabel changed. Mirabel looked at herself differently, too.
Doing her best to shove the painful memories away, she focused on walking Antonio toward his magic door. Once there, she handed him off to Abuela.
“Will you use your gift to serve this community?”Abuela asked Antonio. “Will you earn the miracle and make us proud?”
Antonio shyly nodded, and Abuela gestured for him to put his hand on the doorknob.
For a second, Mirabel saw worry in Antonio's eyes, but when he touched the doorknob, his whole body lit up. He was filled with magic! Just then, a toucan landed on Antonio's arm. It chirped and flapped its wings.
Antonio's eyes widened, and he smiled. “Uhhuh, uh-huh, I can understand you,” he said excitedly. “Of course they can come!”
Suddenly, dozens of animals flocked to him as his door transformed into a menagerie. Antonio could communicate with animals! Abuela was overjoyed that he had received his gift. She let out a huge sigh of relief and faced the guests.
“We have a new gift!” she announced. The crowd cheered, and more fireworks lit up the sky.
Antonio opened his door to find that his room was an enormous rainforest, full of animals and foliage. A jaguar scooped Antonio up onto its back and raced through the room as the boy laughed with delight.
“Wepa, Antonio!” cheered Tío Felix, watching his son and the jaguar whip around the rainforest.“Vaya, vaya!”
“You want to go where?” Antonio asked the jaguar. The jaguar dashed up a tree trunk, tossing Antonio in the air. “Whooooooaaa!”Antonio shouted with joy. He bounced across hammocks of coatis and skated on the surface of a river using a snake as a rope. He was having the time of his life!
After the wild ride, the jaguar and Antonio stopped in front of the family. While everyone celebrated, the jaguar playfully leapt on Agustín, knocking him over. Abuela pulled Antonio in for an embrace.
“I knew you could do it...a gift just as special as you!” she gushed.
Still at the threshold of the door, Mirabel stood back and watched her family celebrate. A mix of emotions took over. On one hand, she was so happy for Antonio, and on the other, she felt so alone and unworthy. She wondered if having a special gift was the only way to make her family proud. Was she even really a part of this family if she didn't have a special gift?
“We need a picture!” Abuela called out.“Family, come, come, come! It's a great night, a perfect night.” The family quickly gathered close for a family picture. “Everyone say—”
“La Familia Madrigal!” the family shouted. No one noticed that Mirabel had not made it into the shot. She was on the outside corner. An outsider in her own family again. She walked away.