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foreveranevilregal · 2 years

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Can you please do a where Julieta sees that loads of the birth control was taken but Pepa didn't take that much, so they get suspicious of their girls and it turns out to be Dolores or Isabela.

Sure! I love this idea, and I hope I did it justice. It's a bit long; I seem to be incapable of writing shorter things anymore. Enjoy!

Julieta came home after a surprisingly light day of healing. Either people hadn’t gotten hurt as much, or they’d learned to get by without her gift during the months when their Casita was being rebuilt. Finding herself with unexpected free time, she decided to take stock of her inventory of healing supplies and see if she needed more of anything.

She sorted through her various herbs, hung in bunches around the kitchen or stored in jars in her little cupboard. Methodically, she went through each herb, writing down how much she had left in her notebook. Soon, cramped but neat handwriting littered the pages. The amounts of each herb were about what she expected for the time of year. She’d been keeping track of her supplies since she was a teenager, and she had discovered there were trends to when certain herbs would be used more frequently. Winter colds required different remedies from spring allergies. But many stayed relatively constant.

When she reached the herbs used for feminine ailments, she found a surprise. Her stock of contraceptive herbs had been nearly depleted. Sure, the tea needed to be drunk every day, and Julieta had, of course, kept track of which women she’d given some, but it didn’t explain the unexpected shortage she faced. Someone must have been helping herself to her supplies, but who?

She racked her brain for the people she knew used her remedies. Most of them were outside her family (except Pepa) and stopped by regularly to pick up some more herbs as needed. Julieta never gave out too much at once, wanting to minimize the risk of someone accidentally drinking too much and getting hurt. But here she was, with about three months’ worth less herbs than she expected to have.

Julieta frowned. She’d have enough to get through the month but would need to grow some more to keep up with demand. Normally, she preferred to grow her plants herself. Something about tending her plants from a seed to a full-grown plant made the experience extra gratifying. Plus, she enjoyed getting her hands dirty; scooping out dirt to nestle in the seedlings, breathing in the earthy scent, even getting dirt under her fingernails didn’t bother her. It was all proof of her hard work that would go on to help people.

However, she didn’t have that luxury now. As much as she hated to do this, she’d have to ask Isabela for help. It didn’t seem fair to use her daughter’s gifts in this way, but…this was to help other people, right? So that made it okay.

Wait. Isabela… Isabela was the right age to use contraception. And she’d have easy access to it too, living here and knowing where it was stored. Surely she wouldn’t need it though… she wasn’t even seeing anyone, as far as Julieta knew.

As far as she knew. Julieta sank into a chair, feeling faint. It wasn’t so much the idea of Isabela using the herbs that upset her as much as her taking them on her own. Isabela was an adult, and she was allowed to partake in adult activities. In fact, Julieta should be glad that Isa was being responsible and taking precautions, even if it meant bypassing her in the process.

Logically, she knew all of this. But part of her still hurt. She tried to let her girls know she was here for them when they needed her, but if Isabela had decided to circumvent her mother to get her hands on the birth control, had she succeeded? Had she managed to build up that trust with her children, if they were hiding such important life decisions from her?

Julieta sighed, rubbing her temples. She had done everything she could think of. She’d given the girls the talk after they entered puberty. Made sure they got an accurate, objective version of the facts from her instead of hearing exaggerations from others. She had never shied away from any awkward conversations, letting her girls know she was a safe person for them to go to. Yet Isa still didn’t trust her.

If it was even Isa taking the herbs, she reminded herself. You don’t know it was her. Indulging herself in one last sigh, she got up. Wallowing in self-pity wasn’t going to fix anything. Time to actually do something about the problem.

She knocked on Isabela’s door tentatively, clutching her little notebook in her hand. The door creaked open to reveal Isabela pruning some of her plants.

Julieta smiled at the sight. Before, Isabela had relied fully on her gift to care for her plants, but after losing it temporarily, she’d really taken to the more hands-on approach. Julieta stepped inside the room, announcing her presence. “Isa, it’s me, can I come in?”

Isabela looked up from the plant she had been working on. “Of course, mamá.” She set down her shears, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. “Is everything okay? You look stressed.”

“Oh, uh, yes…everything is fine.” Julieta swallowed.

“You don’t look fine.” Isabela scrutinized her. “Seriously, what’s wrong?”

Julieta sighed. “I need your help. Someone’s been taking some of my herbs and I’m running out. I need you to help me grow some more, quickly, so I have enough to give everyone.”

“Okay…which herbs do you need?” Isabela walked over to Julieta.

“These ones here.” Julieta handed her the notebook, opened to the page listing what she used for contraception.

Isabela peered down at the page and nodded. “I can do that. I can have these ready by the end of the day.”

Julieta let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, mija. I really appreciate your help.” She leaned in to hug her daughter.

“Of course, mamá. Glad I can help.” Her voice was cheerful, but she tensed up in the hug, tipping Julieta off.

This was it. Gathering her nerve, Julieta spoke up. “Isa…” Julieta placed a hand on her shoulder. “You know you can talk to me, right?”

“Yes…” Isabela’s voice lilted up towards the end.

“About anything,” Julieta emphasized.

“Yes, mamá, I know,” Isabela replied impatiently, rolling her eyes.

The gesture reminded Julieta so much of Pepa. It was remarkable how much of her sister she saw in her daughter. “So if you ever need anything, you can ask,” she continued.

“Thanks, mamá.” Isabela sounded confused. “But I already know all that. Why are you telling me again?”

Julieta closed her eyes. She had to drop the pretense. “Isa, the herbs I need you to grow… they’re all used for contraception. You know, birth control,” she clarified. “Someone’s been taking my herbs and that’s why I’m out.” She paused, waiting for Isabela to catch the insinuation.

“Oh…” Isabela gnawed her lip nervously. “And, uh, you think it was me?”

“Listen, it’s absolutely fine if you do need it. In fact, I’m proud of you for taking precautions and being responsible.” Julieta took Isabela’s hands in her own, beaming at her.

“Um, mamá…it wasn’t me.” Isabela admitted, averting her eyes.

“It wasn’t?” Julieta was perplexed. “Who else could it possibly be? You’re the only person I can think of who might need it.”

Isabela hesitated, an unsure expression flitting across her face, then recovered. “Well, I don’t need it, but if I ever do, I’ll be sure to let you know.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Hope you figure who’s been taking your herbs though.”

Julieta wasn’t fooled. “Isabela…do you know who’s been taking my herbs?” The question was gentle but firm.

Isabela gnawed on her lower lip, staying silent.

“You know, but you won’t tell me,” Julieta deduced.

Isabela gave a small nod and did not elaborate.

Julieta pursed her lips. “I see I’m not going to get any information out of you.”

She shook her head. “I’ll start growing those plants, mamá. They should be ready by tonight.”

Julieta watched as her daughter returned to her gardening. Knowing she was being dismissed, she left her room and went back down to the kitchen.

Pepa was leaning against the counter, sipping something out of a mug.

“Hola, hermana,” Julieta greeted her hurriedly, bustling around the kitchen.

“Hola…” Pepa said serenely, her eyes following Julieta as she zigzagged across the kitchen. “You look busy,” she noted.

Julieta stopped in her tracks. Truthfully, she wasn’t even doing anything, but she was so full of nervous energy that she had to get it out somehow. She forced herself to take a deep breath and face Pepa. “And you look like you’re enjoying your tea.”

A soft smile lit up Pepa’s face. “I am.” She brought the mug up to her face to take another sip.

Julieta couldn’t help but return her smile. “It’s not the special tea, is it?” She dared to ask.

Pepa shook her head. “No, just regular tea.”

“Oh. Okay.” Julieta exhaled hard.

Pepa eyed her warily. “Why do you ask?”

“Are you still drinking the special tea?”

Pepa laughed. “Of course. Three children is definitely enough at my age.”

Julieta nodded, wringing her hands. “And you’re still drinking it the way you’re supposed to?” Maybe if Pepa had started going through the change, she would think she’d need extra.

Pepa gave her a bewildered look. “Yes, Julieta. Same way I’ve been drinking it for years.”

There went her last hope. “Okay, make sure you don’t drink any extra.”

“Why on earth would I drink extra?”

Julieta shrugged weakly. “Well, I went through the change last year and I know I was tempted to do anything to make it stop.” She forced a laugh.

Pepa shot her a withering look. “I’m not stupid, Julieta. I know not to mess around with your herbs.”

Julieta’s lips pulled into a tight smile. “Good. I just wanted to check.”

Pepa frowned, setting down her mug. “You’re being weird, Juli. Why are you being weird?”

She started wringing her hands again, feeling her short nails dig into her palms. “Someone’s been taking my herbs.”

Pepa’s eyes widened at the revelation. “And you thought it was me?”

“I hoped it was you,” Julieta corrected her. “Because the alternative…”

“Alternative?” Pepa’s features screwed up in thought.

“Think about it, Pepa. It has to be someone who’s had easy access. Not like people in town would break and enter just for that.”

“I might have, as a teenager,” Pepa pointed out chuckling. “If I knew someone in town had a remedy that would allow me to sleep with my boyfriend without any risk of getting pregnant, I’d definitely consider it. Lucky you’re my sister and I could go to you without feeling embarrassed.”

“Mhm” Julieta crossed her arms, unconvinced. “Need I remind you, Pepa, you also started off taking them without telling me?”

Pepa had the decency to look guilty. “Okay, okay, but that’s only because I knew I could get to your supplies easily. It all worked out in the end.”

“Which brings us back to people who have easy access… There are five women living in the house. It’s not you, me, or mamá.”

Pepa snorted. “Can you imagine mamá drinking that disgusting tea?”

“No, because she’s too old to need it,” Julieta replied patiently. “Focus, Pepa.”

“Sorry, sorry.” Pepa held up her hands in defeat. “So that just leaves us with…Isabela and Dolores?”

“Yes,” Julieta confirmed. “And it’s not Isa.” At Pepa’s surprised look, she elaborated, “I already asked her.”

“Right, because daughters never lie to their mothers.” Pepa rolled her eyes.

Julieta considered the point. “She was being honest. A mother can tell. But she was acting cagey. I think she knows who it is. And logically, that only leaves us with one option…”

“Dolores?” It was Pepa’s turn to cross her arms. “No, no, no, she would have told me.”

“Right, because daughters always tell their mothers everything,” Julieta echoed teasingly. “Just like you told mamá.”

Pepa deflated at the reminder. “I know mamá and I didn’t have the best relationship when I was younger, but that’s only because I didn’t feel like I could go to her with things like this. She was so rigid; she wouldn’t have understood. I always let my children know they can come to me, even in awkward situations. Especially in awkward situations,” she emphasized.

Julieta smiled sympathetically. Her spiel sounded very familiar.

Pepa kept going. “I never hid anything from them. I mean, they grew up with their papá and me, how could I? We’ve always been…affectionate.” She ran her fingers over her braid nervously. “They grew up knowing that was normal. When we gave Dolores and Camilo the talk, we were very thorough.”

“I’m sure you were,” Julieta reassured her, though inwardly she shuddered. She and Pepa had two very different ideas of “thorough”.

“Why wouldn’t she trust me?” Pepa asked quietly, shrinking into herself.

They’d reached the crux of the matter.

“Pepa,” Julieta took her hands in her own, “it’s not about trust. Of course Dolores trusts you. Maybe she needs some time. The herbs just went missing, so she can’t have taken them that long ago. It’s probably all very new for her. She just needs to process. Then I’m sure you’ll be the first person she tells.”

Her reassurances didn’t quell the storm clouds brewing above Pepa’s head. “Well I’m still hoping it was someone else.”

Julieta made a disbelieving noise. “You’d rather someone break into our house than your daughter keep a secret from you?”

“Yes,” Pepa sulked.

She clearly wasn’t thinking straight. “How about I make you some more tea and then you go read your book for a little while?” Julieta suggested.

Pepa offered her a wan smile. “I’d like that. I was just getting to the good part too.”

Julieta put the kettle on again and added some calming herbs to a new mug. Pepa didn’t need her help calming down quite as often anymore, but she needed it today. Understandably so; this was a big development. She’d have to check on Dolores later…

However, her plan was derailed by the chaos of the evening. From having to help prepare dinner, to finally getting to spend some time with her wonderful husband and daughters, she didn’t get a minute alone to go talk to Dolores. Fortunately, Isabela was able to grow the herbs, so after her girls went to bed, Julieta went downstairs to hang them up in the kitchen to dry.

Upon entering the kitchen, she found Dolores muttering to herself by the sink and shaking something that rustled into a mug. Before she could pour the water in, Julieta went over.

“Hola, sobrina.” She gestured towards the mug. “Do you need some help with that?”

Dolores squeaked, startling. She scattered the handful of herbs she was holding on the counter in shock. “Tía. I wasn’t expecting you here.”

“You didn’t hear me coming? Must have been very focused on that tea.” Julieta picked up a dried clump to examine it.

“I…uh…” Dolores replied eloquently. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. Squeaking once more, she turned her attention to picking up the scattered herbs and gathering them into a pile. She furrowed her brow in thought, then added another small handful to the mug. “Yeah, just making some tea.”

“Easy.” Julieta put her hand on Dolores’ wrist, stopping her. “You don’t want to add too much.”

Dolores looked at her resignedly. “You already know, don’t you?”

Julieta cracked a knowing smile. “What kind of tea you’re making? Sí, querida.”

Dolores sighed. “I should have known you’d figure it out.”

Julieta couldn’t stifle the laugh that bubbled up. “You took several months’ worth of herbs- depleting my stock, I might add.” She fixed her with a look. “You don’t need nearly as much as you think. You just need to let them steep for long enough.”

Dolores looked away guiltily. “Sorry, tía. I just wanted to make sure I’d have enough. I can’t risk anything bad happening.”

“I understand, Lola. But you don’t need to go about this by yourself. I’m here to help you. So is your mamá. We care about you and want to know what’s going on in your life.”

“You’re right,” she conceded. “I had a talk with mamá. It was…awkward, but I think it helped, overall.” She smiled faintly.

“Good. Your mamá only wants what’s best for you.”

“I know, tía, but…it felt strange talking about that part of my life with her. I’m an adult now. I don’t really want my mamá to know about it.”

“I understand where you’re coming from. And you don’t have to tell her everything.” Pepa probably wouldn’t want to hear all of it, Julieta thought to herself. “But this is an important decision, and it means a lot to her to be involved in your life.”

“I guess…” Dolores shrugged noncommittally.

“But I just want to say, even though I’m not thrilled about you doing this behind my back, I am proud of you for being responsible and taking care of yourself.” Julieta gave her a smile to soften her stern words. “It shows a lot of maturity and strength.”

“Thanks, tía.” Dolores cleared her throat and waved towards the mug. “Okay, how do I make this?”

“Your mamá didn’t explain it to you?” Julieta was surprised.

“She did, but…” Dolores hesitated. “You’re the healer. I want to make sure I’m doing it right.”

Julieta’s eyes glimmered. “I don’t think you give her enough credit sometimes. You can trust her, you know. She knows how this works.”

Dolores assumed a doubtful expression. “Does she?”

Julieta surmised that Pepa hadn’t shared her own experiences with Dolores then. She wasn’t about to break that trust. “She, ah, grew up watching me use my gift,” Julieta improvised. “She picked up some knowledge over those years. Believe me, you can trust her.”

Dolores kept her eyes on the mug, not responding to her words. “Is this too much, then?” She chased the dried herbs around her mug with a spoon.

“Just a bit.” Julieta scooped some out. “There.” Then Julieta showed her how to brew the tea. “You want to let the water cool down a bit. If you scald the herbs, it lowers their potency.”

Dolores listened attentively. “Is there anything else I should know?”

“I think your mamá probably covered all of it. Pay attention to your cycle, drink your tea every day, and know that it can take up to a couple weeks to be fully effective, so be careful till then.” Her eyes locked on Dolores’ meaningfully. “Here.” She poured some water into the mug and stirred the herbs around. “Let that steep about ten minutes, then you can drink it.”

“Thank you, tía.” Dolores accepted the mug gratefully.

Julieta hugged her. “Remember, we’re here for you.”

“I know. Thank you.” Dolores peeled herself away, still looked slightly embarrassed.

“Hey, you don’t need to feel embarrassed, okay?” Julieta placed her hands on Dolores’ shoulders. “I’m sure your mamá already told you that.”

Dolores gave a small nod, holding her mug tightly to her chest. “Buenas noches, tía.” She scurried out of the room.

Julieta made herself some regular tea, watching her sobrina run up the stairs. They grew up so fast. “Buenas noches, Dolores.”

#julieta madrigal #isabela madrigal #pepa madrigal #dolores madrigal #julieta and isabela #julieta and dolores #pepa and julieta #we're gonna pretend julieta and pepa had a more modern perspective on contraception #debating whether to write out pepa's conversation with dolores too #poor dolores #asks #Anonymous #writing answered prompts #writing encanto #foreveranevilregal writes

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