though I {have} to say good-bye {Tag: Imelda, Coco}

[Deleted]

The young musico and father wearing his blue mariachi suit winced slightly with a bite of his lower lip as he turned the keys in the lock to his home. Héctor was 40 minutes late to dinner after he promised that he'd be on time this time around.. though he'd swear it was 30 minutes late....ah, who was he kidding? He knew that he shouldn't be late to dinner at all. His forehead creased with worry as he uttered a soft prayer under his breath in hopes that.. maybe Imelda wasn't paying attention to the time or something! Anything. Perhaps he should be more concerned with the other news he was carrying after talking with Ernesto and their next gig that they had. This time it was even further than the last, which pained him to think about leaving his family longer than even now. At least the one he just came from was only an hour away from Santa Cecilia compared to this next one that he had to go to. Either way, arriving late was not working to his favor of telling Imelda the news. 

As soon as he opened the door and stepped into the house, Héctor rubbed his face in efforts to wipe away his exhaustion so that his family wouldn't see how tired he was. The musician did love his job, he loved doing what he did, but he put a lot of effort into his music: into composing, into the practices, and into the synchronization with Ernesto. He cared about the time and work spent into perfecting their performances in the rehearsals and making sure Ernesto would put as much care into it as he would. That was not even discussing the actual performance itself, the lights that cause you to sweat out there while you're dancing, playing guitar, singing harmonics, just putting on a show. The audience could easily energize you into such an adrenaline rush, but after the performance? Especially ones that were further away with means of traveling by train than a walking distance? Well, he was only human. It was draining. It was fine, it was still worth it. He'll just rest when he's dead.  

Come on. Shake it off, shake it off.

Similar to what he'd do to relax before performances, the young musician shook off the exhaustion and the nerves. He'd never want his family to see him tired. It was best if they just thought he didn't have any hard times or exhausting days, that things were just light and easy for them all the time. Imelda was already doing more than enough without having to have that over her head, he'd rather take on that pressure. 

Unfortunately, his current situation with being late and the news he had to share kind of made him not as happy as he probably could be. "I'm home.." Héctor uttered that so casually, so quietly, never to realize how much he was taking that for granted. The very first thing Héctor always did was take off his sombrero that was hung on his back by its string around his neck with a flicker of annoyance on his angular face, before a small smile of relief would form on his lips by his signature birthmark as he hung it on the coat hanger. If anyone knew him well enough, they would understand that Héctor actually hated wearing that thing. Héctor was always quick to take off his mariachi hat whenever possible and leave it on a chair or table if he didn't have a place to get rid of it hang it. Sometimes, he'd even settle for holding it by the rims with a few of his fingers in one hand while he held his briefcase instead of letting it hang by his neck. He had no idea how Ernesto and all the guys could deal with wearing these things. Wearing that mariachi hat always made him sweaty, even if it was always colder in Mexico at night like it was now as he was entering his home for dinner. He'd rather take in the nice chilly breeze through his hair at night. It was the reason why he'd never wear it even in pictures; not unless he had to, which was only in performances. Why did these mariachi sombreros have to be so..grueso? Why couldn't they be like those simple hats that the boaters would wear? Of course, a musician hating to wear a mariachi hat? That was a little bit unheard of, and perhaps not the kind of thing that he'd care to say aloud in public, but he'd definitely complain about it to anyone close enough to him that pointed such an obvious thing out after observing him long enough. 

A soft sigh escaped the lips of the tall musician as he proceeded to take off his large leather shoes right by the door so that he wouldn't ruin the floor, since the least he could do was not ruin Imelda's floor while he was already late and bearing some tough news. With his eyelids hovering halfway over his brown orbs, he longingly wanted to go to the couch in the living room. He wanted so badly to just collapse on the couch, but it was dinner time and it was time to spend with his family. With the 4 hour trip that he'd have to make for the next gig, he wanted to try to get through his exhaustion and make the best of his time with his family now before he'd have to say goodbye again. Although he knew that he had to, he really wasn't looking forward to leaving so far away. 

[Mamá Imelda]

Héctor just had no idea what his being late truly cost and did! Imelda thought again as she plotted and planned up how to keep majority of the food warm on into Forty minutes after Héctor had promised he and Ernesto would be back in town from one of their gigs.

They had traveled an hour out, so fifteen minutes she gave him. Fine. Thirty was sort of bad. Forty was on into said hour of travel time! And showed a complete lack of planning! And she had schedules to keep here; Coco could not be kept up past her bed time, or everything would be throw into disorder, never-mind trying to get the girl to sleep without her papá here to sing to her, when she had not been told he would be gone overnight!

Eating was bad enough.

Imelda was only working with her and Héctor's portion of food. Coco's remained untouched on her plate, except Imelda adding more in the shuffle as enticement. The soft foods her daughter was good with on her own.

"Coco...", Imelda struggled to keep her frustration at Héctor out of her voice, as she turned from trying to see what the stove could do about the soup without actually trying to recook it, "Eat...I'm sure your Papá will be here soon". She swallowed her thought even of he had better!

Of course Imelda knew half of her annoyance was a worry on why he might be late.

Héctor had just promised to be better about tours, so...

The sound of the door interrupted and assuaged all of Imelda's fears, so all of her annoyance took that place too! Especially as Héctor's call proved it was him, not that there was any doubt. Coco was overjoyed, of course. Imelda still paused to turn and slap the rag she held on the counter, venting a bit, before moving the pot back.

She didn't want to make this difficult but...well a part of her did! She moved to the doorway of the kitchen, leaning against it, arms crossed as Coco greeted her papá. A small unsure look came over her face as she scanned Héctor, thinking she might detect a hint of the fatigue she knew enough to know he kept hidden, or tried. He succeeded in that even she didn't know the full extent.

She'd wiped it away, and went back to expectantly stern by the time Héctor noticed her, hopefully. "I take it the show ran long?", she tried to make it sound casual, but her tone carried that even so that was no excuse. She just planned to be a bit stubborn so that Héctor caught what he'd done wrong, though he no doubt did; she wasn't the fully mad she was about to be.

"Well, you can eat with Coco so that I can get her to bed, she hardly touched her food. I, of course, know I told you the time over and over so I ate...but the rest of it's in there for you...and...I suppose I'll finish off the soup while you eat". Since she hadn't eaten as much as she pretended she had, and she had missed him.

[Coco Rivera]

Mamá never let Coco all out play with her food; and even now she didn't, but Coco wasn't really playing so much as moving it to hide that she was trying to keep it on her plate. Papá wasn't back yet. And Mamá was muttering about it. She hadn't really eaten either, moving the rest of the food to the stove so it would be warm, but keeping Coco's own plate, and giving her a bit more even so she wouldn't have to move it back no doubt.

Coco licked her fork to maybe look more like eating and went back to concentrating on what she was doing.

Let's see...her potatoes almost made a tree shape...

There was something kind of fun in Coco's mind about similar words and that she was playing with her papas as she waited for Papá!

That was the point. Coco wasn't just being bad or playing with her food, she was trying to save it so she could eat with Papá when he got back. And Mamá. It seemed wrong not to.

Mamá turned, noticing and seeing through her plan, telling her to eat. Telling her Papá would probably be here soon. Coco hoped so, she didn't know how much more stalling she could...

She and Mamá noticed the sound of the door, but only Coco rushed from the table. "Papá...Papá!", Coco could only confidently say so many words, though she followed along in their song with Papá very well! Her parents' titles were two of her best! And they teased each-other sometimes about who's came first when she first started talking!

Coco herself didn't remember.

Papá was taking off his shoes, by the door, like Mamá liked, so he didn't get dirt in the house. He probably scooped her up too, but Coco all but leapt up to give him a hug! Mamá followed her, talking in that very serious voice, about dinner and what she'd saved for him. Coco didn't hear any other hidden meanings in it, or Mamá's full annoyance at him.

"¡Sí! Ve-veee", Coco tried to tell him to come, hopping down and taking his hand and trying to lead him to the kitchen. Her waiting had worked! They could all eat together now!

[Deleted]

As soon as the 20-year old musician placed his briefcase that held his guitar on the ground by the wall, he heard the words that he never knew would one day echo through all his memories of Coco, which would repeat themselves over and over again in his mind:  

"Papá...Papá!"

"Coco!" The slender father in his mariachi traje de charro instantly drew a smile upon catching sight of his little daughter and uttered an adoring laugh when Coco tried to jump up to hug him, instantly catching her and holding her up into both of his arms to embrace her from his tall height. He glanced over and then noticed the stern look Imelda gave him. Ay..She noticed the time. He never realized that his tardiness would affect the schedule of the family though. 

"I take it the show ran long?"

Uy. She was really not happy. Well, the people pleasing Héctor was always 3 times nicer to people that were annoyed with him. "Hola, mi amor!" Héctor greeted his wife enthusiastically with a sheepish smile on his straight white teeth. He always acted like he had no idea people were annoyed with him. He did know though. He knew Imelda pretty well with just the tone in her voice, and the musician had an ear for intonations. With the nervous and apologetic smiles he wore, it was obvious that he knew that he made a mistake. He wasn't about to address it right away though. "Ahh..you know how the audience is!" Hector shrugged it off with a sheepish chuckle, hoping Imelda would just settle for that as an answer. It was best if she just thought it was the show being long because the show was so great. If only he hadn't kept it to himself and simply said that after using the money he received to pay for the bills, he was helping Ernesto to promote themselves for more gigs afterwards. Ernesto knew that he had a family at home to get to, it's not like Ernesto would delay him on purpose and for no reason! In his mind, however, he just thought that having a great show was better than saying the stressful things. He had no idea that keeping such things to himself were doing him more harm than good.  

"Well, you can eat with Coco so that I can get her to bed, she hardly touched her food. I, of course, know I told you the time over and over so I ate...but the rest of it's in there for you...and...I suppose I'll finish off the soup while you eat"

"Oh, Coco..." Héctor frowned slightly at her in his arms. It would have seemed that he was disappointed in her for not eating her food, but he was actually guilty that she was waiting for him, especially knowing that he was going on his first upcoming trip where he had to spend a day away from the home. He couldn't have Coco not eat while waiting for him on that day. Still, it was so sweet that she did it this time! "..you were waiting for me?!" He smiled adoringly at his little daughter in his arms and gave her a kiss on the forehead, taking this the completely opposite direction than was probably expected. If only he would give her more besitos or hug her more in his arms, but he next gently allowed Coco back down to the ground, "Okay. Good idea, mi amor!" He, of course, knew he was in trouble and was just trying to overly praise her to make her feel a little better about being annoyed with him. 

Much like Imelda's boldness, Coco's tiny hand instantly grabbed onto his large one and lead him to the kitchen. They were like hands from a muñequita in comparison to his, probably the size of one of his fingers if she were to try to fit her hand into one of his fingers; but the tiny tot acted as if she could drag the giant papá around any way she wanted, much like his petite wife could if she wanted. Héctor was a pushover for his two girls like that. "Ven! Ven!" Héctor repeated the words Coco said with a soft chuckle, finding her so cute the way she was dragging her papá away, "qué linda! (how cute!)" Oh, it was a good thing Coco was leading him to the kitchen. The tired father would not have gone as fast without her! 

When they finally arrived to the dinner table, Héctor helped his girls to a seat in his own gentlemanly fashion before sitting down himself. "Okay tesorito, it's time to eat. You ready?" He smiled at Coco, then cupped his chin to stroke his bearded goatee pensively as he looked over at her plate. "Okay, Coco.. a ver...You got to eat all of yourrrr...papita first!"  That wasn't a hard choice, there were more potatoes on there than anything else! He just liked to play around with Coco in this little game to get her to eat her food. "Now, it's your turn, Coco!"  With a little tickle, he gestured her to point to which food item he should start with on his plate. "Which one do I eat first?" Héctor glanced down at his plate with a curious smile, wondering what she was going to choose for him. Growing up in an orphanage, he liked to play games like this with the other kids when he wasn't entertaining himself with soccer or playing guitar. It was how he was taught how to take turns. Since Coco didn't have any brother or sister to learn how to take turns, he was teaching her in a similar way.  Plus, it was a way that could entertain Coco enough to eat her food. 

As soon as he made sure that his daughter was eating, Héctor flickered his eyes over to Imelda and glanced down at his plate pensively before turning his attention back on Coco. "You know, Coco, it's so important that you listen to your Mamá.." He began gently, before realizing that he kind of stepped into something that he didn't want to talk about just yet regarding the trip. "Because.." Because he wasn't going to be around for an entire day on that four hour trip, and he really needed to make sure Coco was going to eat without him when he wasn't going to arrive for that one day. In a similar fashion of trying to come up with a word in a song on the spot, the musician took only a second to glimpse over at Imelda, his expression betraying a slight look of concern on his crinkled forehead, before he shook it off and smiled again. "..It's her turn next, Coco! And she gets to say what is the next thing that we both have to eat!" Héctor grinned at his clever idea of making Imelda the one in charge of choosing what to eat for Coco and him. "Just like in lunch time, you know? If your Papá is not here, then it's your Mamá's turn!" It was better if Coco got used to playing the game this way if she was going to eat her food that one day that he would not be here. Héctor wasn't sure if he was being obvious that something was wrong, so he averted his gaze away from Imelda in hopes that he wasn't too suspicious and decided to stare directly at his food. His food looked so good.. if only he wasn't more tired than hungry, but it was a crime not to finish your plate. 

[Coco Rivera]

For the most part, Coco didn't really understand the talk her parents had. She got that they were talking about Papá being late, of course, and the why, but beyond that. She also didn't really care why he'd been late now that he was here. In that blessing/curse of young children, she always took how things were in this instant as how they would stay, and didn't have Mamá's worry about Next Time or Again.

She'd been worried when Papá was late because something might have happened, but now that he was here, he wouldn't ever not be here again.

It was why the little still small toddler always looked like she was puzzling things out whenever he did have to go away, even for a short while, her brain was coming to terms with the possibilities and reality again.

For the moment, she just hugged Papá, blinking up at him as Mamá told him she hadn't been eating.

"Oh, Coco.....you were waiting for me?!"

The small child chewed her fingers a bit as she waited to see if he was disappointed or not. He smiled and kissed her cheek though. Coco giggled, before hopping down to pull him along towards the kitchen; giggling again as he repeated her words with her!

Papá lifted her back up into her chair, next sitting with his own plate after helping Mamá.

It was such a small thing, but something Coco would also recall in years to come, and around culturally a lot of her later school friend's father's taking the Man of the House position and letting their wives serve them, Papá always acted like Mamá (and her) came first, and she would years later gravitate towards the same traits in a shy boy named Julio, who always put her first too.

But right now she was Two and Three-Fourths and eating potatoes! Because Papá pointed them out in their little game. In more complete opposite of what Mamá was no doubt going for, Coco was so glad she had waited now, so she could play this game! She took a big,compliant bite, grinning broadly to her Papá, before pointing to the same and his potatoes on his plate when he asked which he should eat.

"You know, Coco, it's so important that you listen to your Mamá..Because.."

Papá didn't finish the because, but Coco felt she understood, and she frowned, not because she was in trouble, but with the thought that she'd been bad. She would never like disappointing her mother, or feeling she was making anything harder on her; and moments like this would resurface later to remind Coco she could make things hard sometimes, acting like everything about how Papá did things was and had been good; even if it was hard to shake the thought.

"I-sara-Mamá", she muttered softly, and to prove it, ate a bit of some of her vegetables without the game!

[Mamá Imelda]

"Hola, mi amor!"

Just as Héctor knew her looks, Imelda knew that smile; and tone. He would no doubt try to charm his way out of her being annoyed at the time. Including with his comment back about the audience. Well, she'd opened up for that excuse, she supposed...

And she only saw it as such, not delving deeper into it, and unable to fully when Héctor kept it to himself.

"Oh, Coco.....you were waiting for me?!"

No...Héctor...!

She hadn't said it so he could encourage more of the same out of Coco! Which he would no doubt do with his comment and smile, Coco's own small smile back showing such.

"Okay. Good idea, mi amor!"

Imelda sighed, but tried to not ruin in on this time with her annoyance too much, though she was going to have to have words when Coco went to bed. Unfortunately not the ones she even now thought she would, not knowing of Héctor's news. She smiled slightly (and could never argue Coco's cuteness) as she watched their daughter drag her Papá to the kitchen; because Héctor let her of course!

She couldn't help but smile softly in response as Héctor got her chair for her, knowing he was trying, just as he tried to get Coco to eat. A bit slowly about it... with the game and all...but if it had results, Imelda wouldn't protest too much.

She just picked at her soup, hungry as she was, but so it wasn't apparent she'd lied slightly, but smiling as she watched Héctor and Coco, and until she was drawn in! Actually there was more to it than just that.

"Because..It's her turn next, Coco! And she gets to say what is the next thing that we both have to eat!"

That was so unrelated to the last bit that Imelda just knew he was avoiding something, and her suspicions flared. Coco wouldn't catch it of course, thankfully. Still, her quizzical look seemed to lightly call Héctor out a bit before she smiled and shook her head, "Oh don't drag me into this..."

Héctor wasn't without results though.

"I-sara-Mamá"

Imelda smiled to her daughter, not saying it was ok, so as to not give the wrong impression, "I know you didn't mean it, Mija".

"Just like in lunch time, you know? If your Papá is not here, then it's your Mamá's turn!"

Ok was Héctor trying to tell her something without telling her?! Even if that was addressed to Coco. It took all Imelda had not to ask at the table, and as Héctor's game worked and got Coco eating with half regularity. She still kept pausing for advice, and Imelda helped that along as best she could, finally being able to clear away Coco's empty plate, and her own bowl.

She felt horrible (but then it wasn't on account of her!) but it was now super close to Coco's bed time. So much so, she wasn't sure if there was time for the singing and playing Coco to sleep that she and Héctor usually did, though she knew she wouldn't get her to sleep with out anything.

"Alright, well I'm going to trust your Papá with putting you to bed, though don't take all night about it, Héctor", she gave a gentle reminder, "And sorry, Cariño, but I have to stay out here and tidy up".

<<I can do this reverse order again if it seems best for putting Coco to bed and then the beginnings of the talk>>

[Deleted]

If there was any sort of accomplishment for any parent at the end of the day, it was all about whether their child was all taken care of first before themselves. His little girl finishing her food was an accomplishment for Héctor after a long day, as was helping her to go to sleep. "Eso! Look, you finished all of your food, Coco!" Héctor praised his little girl with a pleased smile, before he stood up and finished the bowl of soup, practically drinking it down like it was a shot of tequila, before placing it in the sink. He hurried to eat his food because he knew he didn't have a lot of time with Coco's bedtime coming up, though he had a bad habit of rushing through his food while working on something else instead of just sitting down for a long while and enjoying the meal anyways. He was too busy always doing something! Whether it was quickly eating while working on songs, or stuffing it in his mouth while rushing to go to another gig.  

"Alright, well I'm going to trust your Papá with putting you to bed, though don't take all night about it, Héctor", she gave a gentle reminder, "And sorry, Cariño, but I have to stay out here and tidy up".

Imelda wasn't coming to sing Coco to sleep with him? The raven haired musician paused and tilted his eyebrows upwards with a slight crease in between his eyebrows as he gazed at Imelda before glimpsing over at Coco, realizing that he ruined her bedtime routine. There was guilt written all over that face. Well, he had to make this up somehow. At this moment, however, he had to focus on Coco, not wanting to waste time after hearing Imelda's reminder not to take all night about it. Héctor wasn't dumb enough to make Imelda have to repeat herself on this reminder. He was already starting to make her repeat herself when she spoke about getting home on time; he did not need another thing against him right now.  

With any hope, he'd focus on getting Coco to sleep on time. Imelda trusted him to do this at least. Fortunately, he knew of the perfect song to work on to get his little girl to fall asleep. "Okay, Coco.. Time for bed, cielito! Vente! (Come here, you!) " He helped her down the chair and then coaxed her to follow him to her bedroom, swiping his briefcase and his guitar case that he left by the door on the way over to her bedroom so that he could leave it in the room after he was done helping Coco to sleep. 

"And there's your muñequita.." Upon helping Coco get ready for bed, the tall musician knelt by her bed after giving her the doll close to her so that she could sleep. With his guitar over his bended knee, he ensured that the guitar was tuned with a turn of the knobs. "You wanna work on our secret song, Coco?"  Héctor smiled at her, referring to the lullaby he had played for her to sleep when Imelda was sick; he wasn't sure if she remembered since he hadn't played it since then. Still,he was including her as part of the work for the song. She was his inspiration for the melody, after all. As he began to strum the melody along with the chords, he paused with a furrow of his eyebrows when the song didn't sound right. "...no..a ver (let's see).. how does it go?" A sigh escaped his lips after a second try. He was too exhausted from the long day to remember the song he regrettably only played once. Reluctantly, the guitarist reached over with his long arms to pull up his red songbook from the briefcase. That time that he took all night that Imelda was referring to earlier? That was when he worked on the melody enough to write it down that night. A smile curved up on his lips when he read the music notes that he had written that day, before gently setting it down on the bed after he was done reviewing it. He remembered now. Once he found that missing note, he was able to flow to the rest of the song with ease. "There we go..this is how it went.." He mused, playing his guitar soothingly. "This one's for you, Coco.." He reminded her gently with a smile as he played his lullaby for his girl.  

Héctor didn't have any words to it yet. He had only played it once just to help Coco to sleep that one time, and he had to go to sleep by the time he finished writing down the melody on his songbook before Imelda would get upset for staying up all night. The Mexican songwriter could already hear the way the melody would play in his head though. "Mm..hmm...hm..hmmm..." He hummed along in tune with the melody of his guitar. "Though it's time to sleep, mi amor.." He lightly sung to the sweet tempo of the melody, wanting to cradle Coco to sleep with the crooning of his musical lyrics. His long eyelashes lowered down half-mast with a serene smile upon watching Coco's reaction to the music. Oh, she was going to miss his adorable little girl, not being able to help her to sleep, just like this, even for one day. "No llores por favor.." He sang softly with a breath escaping his lips, hoping Coco wouldn't especially cry when that day would come and she'd realize that he was not there that night. So troubled was his guilty heart for leaving his little girl for one night, he remained quiet as he strummed the chords and the melody without any words, until something lurched inside of him as he gazed at his sleepy little girl. "..Know that I'm with you the only way that I can be.." Those gentle words suddenly escaped his lips from the innermost core of his longing heart while he strummed, wanting her to know that he'd always want to be with her in any way possible. Instantly, he shut his mouth again with a concerned raise of his eyebrows, hoping she was too sleepy to hear or realize what was heard, not wanting her to think that he was leaving her so soon. He couldn't ruin the end of her day like that. He peered closely by her bed to gauge her reaction with the added hope that she thought he meant that he wanted to be with her even while she dreamed. That latter explanation wouldn't be wrong either way. Within a second of delay, he continued strumming along to the word-less melody to continue soothing her to a deep sleep, though in the back of his mind he began to think on the lyrics to what was initially his lullaby. 

(I made "sleepy" vague as in she could either have her eyes closed and be asleep, or fighting sleep lol Left it up to you at what point you want her to sleep)

[Coco Rivera]

"Eso! Look, you finished all of your food, Coco!"

While it would be easy to say Coco had noticed this accomplishment, she perhaps didn't as much as she otherwise would have without her Papá's praises! She clapped her little hands, pleased with herself, and pleased that Mamá and Papá would be pleased with her! She then watched Papá finish off the rest of the rest of his soup too!

"Es!", she tried to repeat back the praise, pointing to his empty bowl and clapping her hands again.

She didn't understand what Mamá's words meant, not really, since she didn't state that she wasn't coming, but Coco got that part of it both with Mamá's sorry, and as Papá glanced between her and Mamá surprised as well. Coco frowned, starting to reach her arms out towards Mamá to try to convince her...some way, but she wasn't watching.

The little toddler got her first taste of a different set up as Papá carried her to her room, but just him. No, no! They never mixed up this formula, Mamá and Papá always both sang and played for Coco's bed time! Like outside in the yard when Papá would play sometimes and she'd dance either by herself, with childish made up steps, or with Mamá, where the steps were more traditionally actual dance steps. And not that she didn't later try to mimic on her own as well.

"And there's your muñequita.."

Coco hugged her doll to her, still glancing to Papá confused about Mamá not being here!

"You wanna work on our secret song, Coco?"

This brightened her up a bit! Coco grinned, nodding, and then settling into the covers deeper. Oh right! She recalled, that time Mamá had been sick, Papá had worked on a secret song to cheer her up about it! Coco still wouldn't say there was anything good about one of her parents missing bedtime singing, but...it was a way to make the bad not so bad.

Papá started strumming, Coco listening intently. It did sound different at first, or she thought it did, but even Papá seemed to notice this, pulling out his songbook Coco always had the urge to flip through (carefully of course!) and even if she couldn't read a word of it yet. She was tempted to sit up and peer at the notes too, but she was supposed to be being good and going to sleep, so she stayed still.

Papá seemed to find it, and setting the book down, started in again.

"This one's for you, Coco.."

Coco grinned, showing all her little come-in baby teeth, before settling in to listen. Papá had put some words to it, just typical lullaby words, and under these Coco slowly drifted, her eyes closing. She was in that halfway state when the new lyrics seemed to drift in and over.

"No llores por favor..
..Know that I'm with you the only way that I can be.."

Noticing the newness almost brought Coco back out of her sleepy haze, just in curiosity, she was too sleepy to actually let the words fully make it in, but it was a small fight before she finally drifted off fully.

[Deleted]

As soon as Coco shut her little eyes, the tall musician smiled and finished his chord before gently holding the guitar by the neck as he knelt on his knee by his daughter's bedside. Héctor shut his eyes and gently kissed her forehead, before he quietly stood up, packed up his song book from her bed, and crept out of his daughter's bedroom. After he lightly closed the door behind him, he hoped that he didn't wake his daughter, and then placed his luggage into their bedroom only to find that Imelda must still be in the kitchen.



As soon as he returned back to the kitchen, Héctor smiled softly to himself when he saw Imelda from the back, washing the dishes. When he slowly walked up behind her, he wrapped his arms around Imelda while she cleaned the dishes. He sighed from exhaustion, resting one of his slender cheeks atop of her head, allowing her perfume to help him wind down from the long day. “Finally got her to sleep, mi amor..” He murmured obediently, closing his eyes for a second. He was so tired. “But it wasn’t the same performing without you,” He added, bringing his lips to her cheek to kiss it, just to let her know that the transition wasn’t at all as smooth. Perhaps if Imelda knew that she was greatly missed, it’d make the news he’d have to tell her a little bit… not as rough?



The young father’s smile faded a little pensively, realizing that he just missed an opportunity to perform with her before he would actually have to leave for an entire day without performing with her. Coco would have to deal with a single performance twice in a row now, one with him and then another with Imelda. It would be something he’d later on regret on missing out on the last chances he’d have to perform with Imelda again. For now, it was just something Héctor dreaded to venture to think about and much less talk about, the way he usually liked to avoid conflicts. Héctor knew he’d tell Imelda the news eventually tonight, but.. He was just delaying and dragging it out as long as possible. He just wanted to bask in this moment right now.

[Mamá Imelda]

Of course Imelda second guessed her decision to stay behind and not help with the nightly lullaby shortly after making it. And not even as much as she would later regret it, but Héctor's being late had thrown a wrench in everything and her hands were tied! She had to get the dishes cleared away. Imelda muttered a bit to herself as she scrubbed at a stubborn spot on a plate, though it was her husband's stubbornness, and always listening to Ernesto she was really directing her annoyance at.

Even after their talk! It was always the same, Ernesto started that silver-tongued convincing of his and Héctor just went along with it!

Imelda sighed, but let go of at least some of her frustrations.

She heard Héctor come back out from Coco's room, but didn't ask how it had gone, taking a bit more time to gather and collect her thoughts (and try to swallow down what she knew would come out as nagging). Héctor came up to embrace her from behind, and she expected the excuses to start in even then, but he just lingered in a way she was hard pressed to say wasn't nice and relaxing as well.

“Finally got her to sleep, mi amor..But it wasn’t the same performing without you,”

Imelda allowed the kiss to her cheek. More than that, took it in with a small close of her eyes as well, stopping her work, but sighed, trying to swallow her nagging again. "I know you didn't mean to be late...", she admitted with a sigh, allowing herself to settle back against him, "But I just worry that Ernesto had absolutely no consideration for the fact that you have responsibilities that have nothing to do with him", her complaints against his best friend were nothing new, and always with the same annoyance she tried to hide under joking also, but meant as well. She didn't want to always be putting down someone so important to Héctor, and who had been there for him for most of his life, Imelda admitted.

"I'd get him his own family, but all my friends are too good for that flirt", she smirked, before her smile fell as she turned to glance Héctor over again. She brushed some of his bangs aside, "I know you're tired, but...is there something else?", she asked with that penetrating gaze of hers, feeling she detected something he wasn't saying.

[Deleted]

"I know you didn't mean to be late..."

His prayers were answered. She wasn't angry at him for it. At least, not anymore. When Imelda came from an understanding point of view, Héctor sighed out of relief that she wasn’t still frustrated at him like he thought she was earlier. He would have kissed her more, but he blinked his eyes in surprise with his eyebrows knitted together in concern when he noticed that she just switched her frustration over at Ernesto with that next comment that she made. “Ay, Imelda..no digas eso (don't say that), mi amor..”  Héctor just wanted to bury his face in her hair, resting his forehead on her head as he closed his eyes with a frustrated sigh. There was no winning this one from either side. He would lose no matter what. Héctor hated being against Imelda, but he couldn't help but defend Ernesto, too. Why not? He was his best friend and practically family for him. Ernesto never did anything wrong on purpose. Why didn’t Imelda just see that? Only much later would Héctor would see that the criticisms that Imelda would make was only because she cared about him so much. If only he could tell husbands everywhere that if he could go back in time and take it all again from his wife, he would do it in a heartbeat.  

When Imelda turned in his arms to face him, Héctor was too absorbed in his thoughts about how he was going to share the news to really focus on the joke Imelda made about offering to help Ernesto with getting a family of his own but he was not deserving of her friends. Well, he took Imelda's comment like a joke and not that she'd actually mean it. That was how Héctor usually shrugged off the tension between Ernesto and Imelda anyways. He was too happy go lucky to really believe that any of it was real. "Ah, come on, you know Ernesto doesn't need help to have a family.." Héctor replied lowly with a sigh as he shifted his eyes off to the side with a small frown. He admitted that Ernesto was charming, at least; Ernesto's got muscles, greatest eyebrows..and he somehow just knew what to say all the time to the girls. Ernesto definitely didn't need anyone's help; he could seize his moment with anyone he wants. Yet, for Ernesto, the world was his family. Though his religious upbringing in the orphanage prevented him from serial dating like Ernesto, Héctor used to think the world was his family, too, at least until he met Imelda and had a family of his own.  “And he’s pretty much part of the family, mi amor..” Coco was already starting to work on repeating "Tío Ernesto" with her way of copying people's words, at least. His daughter only knew how to be cute and adorable though. Ay, it was killing him inside to think that he was going to miss an entire day without her and Imelda! 

"I know you're tired, but...is there something else?"

That woke him up. Imelda had caught him. His widened brown eyes could practically feel that penetrating gaze cutting right through his soul and letting all of his guilt be released. As Imelda gently stroked his bangs from his face, the tall musician smiled a little weakly as he moved his large hands onto each of her tanned arms, just inches passed her shoulders, his thumb stroking her skin a bit. It was almost humorous that he did this because it was as if he'd be doing that to his own arm in his own usual nervous way if it weren't for Imelda being in his arms right now.  “Well.... okay, Imelda.. I got some really good news! ..Ernesto helped us get an offer to do another performance!" He blurted with an enthusiastic grin, not being able to lie to Imelda. However, he decided to let it just... linger and share the details bit by bit. This was perhaps going to work against him considering that it made him look like he was happy with the news of leaving Coco for a day, but he wasn't considering that so much as thinking that it was just a chance at getting some income for his family doing what he loved. He hoped Imelda would understand not only that, but also see that Ernesto was a great help to them getting gigs like this! What would he do without him? 

[Mamá Imelda]

Imelda wasn't surprised in the least by Héctor's defense of Ernesto, nor did she answer it. It was the same wall of varying opinions on the more flashy musician any time he came up between them, and not to say they fought over her opinions on Héctor's best friend exactly. Only when it really caused problems or Ernesto was really "butting in" as Imelda was too polite, even with her bluntness, and in her time to call it.

If that small bit of being their for Héctor wasn't present in the man, Imelda wouldn't have tolerated him in her home at all! But even she couldn't claim full premonition on him and his truly selfish ways. His personality just grated on her.

"Ah, come on, you know Ernesto doesn't need help to have a family..And he’s pretty much part of the family, mi amor..”

For Héctor's sake, Imelda just hummed slightly in...half agreement.

At her perhaps too knowing question, Héctor fidgeted slightly in his embrace of her where as he would have fidgeted otherwise, Imelda caught the subtle difference, and yet just waited out his response, but slightly suspiciously given all of it. Then again, since they'd just talked about him being late, and here he was late again, it could just be all of that, Imelda admitted to herself.

“Well.... okay, Imelda.. I got some really good news! ..Ernesto helped us get an offer to do another performance!"

"That's great", while maybe lacking Héctor's enthusiasm (but then few could match that) Imelda still smiled genuinely. This whole plan of playing locally was what Héctor and Ernesto were working towards, and...well it did also pay the bills so plus plus if it worked! Imelda knew if things didn't work with this dream and Héctor had to find "normal work" the boredom of it would severely work on him.

Yet...the enthusiasm, while also genuine, was somewhat forced, beyond unspoken, Imelda detected in his tone. Or it was more that hesitant look hidden in his eyes as she scanned his face. Her suspicions heightened...

That and as she thought over what she knew of the neighbors in close enough rang of Santa Cecilia and just a bit out, but still within the day's travel...

No...but after they'd just talked about it, he wouldn't, and not even Ernesto would be so dumb as to try to convince Héctor to...

"I...wasn't aware of any local events...where...where is it?", Imelda kept her own tone neutral but suspicion showed itself in her features as she tried to remain fair and not jump to conclusions.

[Deleted]

Héctor beamed brightly upon hearing how happy Imelda was at hearing the news of his next performance. Just a few more mentions of how great Ernesto was would be sure to put even Imelda at ease about him. Ernesto wasn't bad at all. His best friend's charm enabled them to get a lot of performances in this way. He just knew what to say all the time to make everything work out for them! Unfortunately, Ernesto was starting to get gigs outside of Santa Cecilia, which probably meant that it was hard to get gigs in Santa Cecilia now. He hoped Imelda would understand.   

"I...wasn't aware of any local events...where...where is it?"

Imelda asked a question that made the musician's smile spread a little more widely in a nervous way. It wasn't surprising that Imelda kept an ear out for performances. Imelda was still a performer at heart and she always got things done when she used to perform with them. The only reason she couldn't now was because Coco was too small to be exposed to that kind of life, as was discussed. "Ah, I love that you're so al tanto (well-informed/on top of things) with everything, mi amor!" Though it was true, it was perhaps said a little too nervously in efforts to appeal to her while sharing this bad news. He just didn't want to upset her too much.

Though he was sorely tempted to get off topic, he knew better than to ignore Imelda's question. That did not mean that he was going to be specific. "..the performance..it's...eh, not really local?" His tone of voice heightened nervously when he told the truth. He decided to be as vague as possible in his attempts to slowly bring the truth out. Instantly, the twenty year old father tried to slide over to a new topic. "..Hey! Did you hear about Diego Rivera traveling out of France? Maybe he's coming back to Mexico, just like Ponce!" Diego Rivera was a well-renowned painter now, and he'd be excited to meet him! Oh, but the young musician would be star struck if he could meet a celebrity like Manuel Ponce in the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City! Then he'd ask Manuel Ponce all about his music, about his traveling to Europe and Cuba, and how that was like! Of course, he wouldn't travel all over the world anymore. He had Coco now. He'd wait until she was old enough to come with him!

[Mamá Imelda]

Héctor starting off with complimenting how informed she was did nothing but make Imelda's suspicions worse. Still...she awaited out and gave a fair shot and the benefit of the doubt that Héctor wasn't throwing everything they had talked about prior about priorities out the window...

"..the performance..it's...eh, not really local?"

What that actually meant--and logic that would state that not local meant outside of town--was still lost on Imelda for a few more moments in her utter disbelief. "¿Qué?...".

"..Hey! Did you hear about Diego Rivera traveling out of France? Maybe he's coming back to Mexico, just like Ponce!"

"Héctor...painters currently in France are the least of my concerns right now...", for breaking off, Imelda still semi-snapped her response, or cut him off at best, though it was unclear if he would have kept on going. Her arms crossed. "Not. Really. Local?". She let that sink in even more and pinched the bridge of her nose...and reminded herself that Coco was sleeping and with how small their house was it wouldn't do to wake her.

Then she faced Héctor again with her sternest look, but with angry betrayal behind it that he was also just telling her this as an already formed plan! He and Ernesto had just decided and that was that. Oh that...

If Imelda was annoyed at the flashy singer before!

"So you won't be here tomorrow either for dinner? Or possibly the next day! I should just tell Coco all the traditions like waiting on you don't matter because you might not be here?", there was still bite in all of her questions, which all three statements were still phrased as, but at the last something in Imelda's voice broke, though she was annoyed at herself for it doing so.

She'd just been contemplating even a full day without Héctor there her own self, but had also only been thinking about getting Coco to eat when Héctor wouldn't even be there as any sort of incentive, like he had this night, if late; but she suddenly realized this would leak on into the bedtime ritual of singing to her. One she had already missed one parent in, though Imelda wouldn't have let her if she had known.

Imelda was further angry at Héctor allowing her to skip that and not explaining this sooner, since he had apparently known since walking through the door!

With no other comments, she turned sharply back to the sink, shoulders tense with all the rest of what she wanted to say and yet couldn't even find a way to! "I see", she put all of her annoyance into those two words as well.

[Deleted]

"Héctor...painters currently in France are the least of my concerns right now..."

If the young musician was trying to say more about how well traveled his role-models were, Imelda's words caused him to promptly swallow the rest of his words from speaking them further with a giant gulp. His thick eyebrows rose over his widened brown eyes as he gazed at her expression. Perhaps that attempt to change the subject regarding meeting the traveling Mexican composer, Manuel Ponce, was not a great idea, in retrospect. The clever-but-desperate Héctor still always did try to slip away from these situations when he'd be caught; even if slipping away was futile, he'd always make the attempt anyway. No one can say that Héctor Rivera didn't try! "..Okay, mi amor!" He conceded nervously with a relenting grin to return back to the subject that Imelda wanted to talk about, which he.. also wanted to talk about eventually, but he knew better than to change the subject again.

"Not. Really. Local?"

The tall husband could only shoot at his petite wife a worried look on his tanned countenance, which was made apparent by the crinkled forehead along with his raised eyebrows over his widened eyes, as if he knew what was about to happen. Ay. This wasn't the way he wanted this to play out - though honestly, the passive man knew of no other way except to delay the inevitable. Still, it was important to try to talk his way through this so that Imelda wouldn't be so angry with him. "Eh, you see, it's -!" He began to nervously explain what exactly that meant with a sheepish grin sliding across his lips. However, he instantly quieted when she spoke again, and he was almost glad she did because perhaps mentioning that this was Ernesto's idea again was not a good idea. Maybe she somehow forgot about what he said about it earlier.

"So you won't be here tomorrow either for dinner? Or possibly the next day!"

"Ayy..!" Héctor flinched with a high pitched tone of voice and a hesitant smile when he was caught with a truth that he had to admit to, "..No, but-!" He reluctantly admitted that she was right about not being there tomorrow for dinner, then paused when Imelda even ventured to say that he'd be gone the next day! He rubbed his forearm nervously with a sheepish grin, trying to calm her down. "Imelda.. I-!"  He tried to interject, but he was too passive to interrupt Imelda from speaking all together, so he paused and listened to what Imelda had to say next. 

"I should just tell Coco all the traditions like waiting on you don't matter because you might not be here?",

"No! Ay, Imelda, not like that!" The twenty year old Héctor argued back lightly, if "argued" was any word for what was exclaimed in a gentle tone without an ounce of anger in his voice. It was more of a pleading for her not to do that with Coco. Saying that Coco shouldn't wait for him because it doesn't matter hurt him. The last thing he wanted was to keep Coco waiting, but he would never want to cease the tradition completely. Fortunately, he knew his wife well enough that she didn't mean it. If he was feeling hurt? Then Imelda was hurt even more than that. For as long as he knew her, despite how she tried to compose herself, Héctor learned that Imelda felt things twice as much more deeply, which was why he was always gentle with her even during these "arguments" and why he forgave her just as easily.

"Imelda.." The slender husband tried to talk to his wife to calming down again. "Mi amor, it's only for 1 day!" He explained gently, hoping that it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Hopefully, Imelda wouldn't recall that he promised something similar on a previous argument about being late to dinner - the last time being that he said "It was only 30 minutes!" He quickly tried to add more to that in hopes that she wouldn't think back on that. "After that, we'll be back to all our traditions..just like I never left!" He promised with an enthusiastic grin, though it would turn out to be a false promise with the way that Ernesto was looking for gigs, unbeknownst to him. 

"..Imelda, por favor (please).." The brave Héctor dared to gently place his large hand on Imelda's tense shoulders, despite anyone with a right mind knowing that it was not a good idea to do with Imelda's temper and being touched when she was upset. Oh, he was intimidated when Imelda would snap at him for sure, but he always tried anyways. Given that he still attempted to do the same when he would later help her out of the Frida Khalo dress or extended his hand out to help despite how mad she was at him, it was obvious he never really learned from that lesson either. "I'm not really good with goodbyes, you know?..and I don't want to leave like this.." Goodbyes were not Héctor's strong suit. The orphan rarely said them to his family or friends, if ever. Every time he'd go to work, he'd kiss his family and then head out through the door. He'd always say that he'd be right back for dinner, if anything. This time, he wasn't going to be back for dinner. He was going to be gone for a day. So, to have to say goodbye while they were both arguing was not what he wanted to do before he'd leave; it was just going to make it harder for him than it already was. 

[Mamá Imelda]

Imelda was able to get Héctor back on point easily enough, and much as she had a suspicion he had been trying to dodge with his latest story.

That worried smile discussion of the gig's locality caused did not help her feel better. Of course, she already knew the important bits, as proven when she went on, sort of not giving Héctor the chance the leap in and defend himself, though he hardly tried even when she did pause since her assumptions were all correct!

It was times like these where Héctor's passivity--while a good thing, born of respect few men felt they had to try to reach, and praised by her mother after she'd admitted to seeing him and brought him by to meet the family--nonetheless worked against him. He wouldn't interrupt her, and so her assumptions were given too much free-reign at times.

Of course, he would eventually correct, but it laid the ground-work for after he was gone, no longer around to correct, and her false assumptions were all Imelda had.

Her question over Coco had been rhetorical, she would never actually say such to her little girl, but she wanted Héctor to consider the consequences of what he was doing!

"Imelda..Mi amor, it's only for 1 day!"

Of course, the irony of that struck her, though she didn't point it out. She just huffed, turning aside again.

"After that, we'll be back to all our traditions..just like I never left!"

And if Ernesto wants you to go even farther out next time? Imelda knew she should ask this question out loud, but she was still processing all the rest of it, and quickly just becoming more and more frustrated! For all this, she didn't shrug aside as he came up and placed a hand at her shoulder, but she didn't turn either.

"I'm not really good with goodbyes, you know?..and I don't want to leave like this.."

She didn't want to either...but she also didn't want to leave him the impression he could just do this and take off whenever he felt like! Imelda let her thoughts battled about a bit more, then finally turned to look him square in the eye. "One day...", it was a question, though it might have also sounded like a command, "I have your promise? No matter what Ernesto says?". Imelda's voice wobbled a bit, though she didn't clarify why, and maybe he would just think it was the emotion of missing him. It was that and the frustrating power Héctor's best friend had over him to just up and make him agree to whatever he said. Like everything she said didn't matter!

With a sigh, Imelda relented a small bit. Like he said, and for the sake of not parting on bad terms. Though they'd have their share of that too. "Just don't forget us back here waiting on you". She was trying for a small joke. She didn't honestly think he'd ever let a gig stretch so long that that would be a true consideration. With her 'ultimatum' delivered, Imelda stepped over to hug Héctor.

[Deleted]

As soon as his beautiful wife turned to look at him, Héctor raised his thick, raven eyebrows upon catching her sharp gaze. "Sí, mi amor.." The passive husband reassured his wife sincerely. Hector noticed her bottom lip wobbling a bit and he drew a concerned look as he gently caressed her face as the tall musician peered down at her. "But what does this got to do with Ernesto, Imelda?" He asked gently with a curious raise of an eyebrow, wanting to understand where this came from. It's not like Ernesto ever had anything to do with him aside from playing music together. They both had the same ideas. At least, that was what he believed. The way Ernesto made it seem, Héctor never would've thought it was Ernesto's ideas. He felt like they were his ideas, too. 

Imelda tossing him that last joke only caused him to sigh. He decided to let that whole Ernesto thing go. She probably won't bring it up again. "Ey, come on..es un día, Imelda, and I promise to come right back!" He smiled warmly at her, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be fine. He wrapped his arms around her as soon as Imelda moved to embrace him, resting his bearded chin on the top of her head. He would have stayed embracing serenely like this, but he wanted to end the night on better terms. "Hey Imelda..Can I kiss you now?" The twenty year old father still sounded as boyish like when they first met while he grinned his white teeth sheepishly at her.  He didn't want to end the night not kissing his wife before he left! Little did the musician realize that it was only going to get worse from here.  

[Mamá Imelda]

Héctor asked for a bit more detail on what she meant, bringing up Ernesto in terms of the tour. Imelda debated for a bit, on how much of her actual concerns to tell, then answered. "I...just feel like he pushes you too hard sometimes, and...that you let him". That wasn't the whole story, or all she was worried about, but it would do for a way to answer. And it feels like Coco and I get put in second place sometimes...

No, even Imelda knew that was too harsh to actually say out-loud. It was just one of many things she should have said, to clear the air between them, and not have the trouble of assumptions that would later come up, but which she shied from...

"Hey Imelda..Can I kiss you now?"

She really shouldn't allow it, for the principle of the whole thing, but if he really was leaving for a whole day...

Leaning back, she gave him an un-amused look, but then sighed, "I guess...", she played coy even now, and in trying to put her anger behind her and end this on a good note as well.

[Deleted]

"I...just feel like he pushes you too hard sometimes, and...that you let him."

In retrospect, this should have been a warning for Héctor to have provided her with reassurance, yet the 20 year old musician simply laughed it off and his boyish nature that was so eager to prove himself as a hard working husband came out instead. "Ah, come on, mi amor! We both work hard to be serious musicians, you know? Sometimes, I got to push Ernesto to even practice in the rehearsals!" It was almost as if Ernesto didn't even like rehearsals! But maybe he was just thinking that because he was just tired of reminding him all the time. Perhaps this eagerness to prove himself came from Héctor always always trying to prove that he was a good husband ever since her father had expressed his doubts before they married; sadly, it would forever be the driving force that would convince him to listen to Ernesto in the first place. He truly thought that he and Ernesto were on the same page, so he didn't think he was being pushed around at all.

Imelda's unamused expression only caused him to grin even more, hoping perhaps that his charming grin would win his wife over enough to get a kiss. His smile only drew broadly in his triumph, not put off at all by his wife's coy attempts and leaned forward to kiss her gently as he enveloped her in his arms. He was going to miss her, and he wished in retrospect that all of his kisses with Imelda lasted a long time.

Sadly, Héctor's kiss for Imelda wasn't that long. It was something he'd only regret later on. "Ay.. I better go and pack.." He gently pulled away from her kiss with a pout of his lips, placing a large hand to rub his forehead in attempts to wipe the tiredness away while he trudged away to pack. As soon as he packed, he instantly knocked out with Imelda in his arms, which happened to be something he'd only miss when he'd soon face the days when he'd lose sleep without her.     

"Imeldaaaa! I need your help!" The musical composer called to his wife pleadingly for help the next morning, "Do you know where I put my tie? The yellow one?!" In a typical husband manner, he of course could never find the things right in front of him. He was rummaging through the closet frantically. "Ay! How does this happen at such a bad time!?" He buried his head in his sombrero with a groan before he lowered his hat and gestured to the foot of the bed. "It was right here, mi amor, y se volo! (It flew away!)" He was exaggerating due to the anxiety he felt for his first performance outside of Santa Cecilia. The last thing he wanted to do was look bad for their first big performance!

[Mamá Imelda]

Héctor claimed he was sometimes the one who had to push Ernesto, but Imelda was still not convinced, or...not convinced it was exactly even.

But then, maybe she was being unfair she admitted, a bit. If Héctor should have reassured, Imelda should have spoken this thought aloud and perhaps forced some of the reassurances out of him, but she didn't either.

She tried to remain stoic in the face of both his grin and kiss, but it had always been hard, and when Héctor had always been able to break down her defenses so well, due to her affection for him, even back early on and when they were courting. And how could she not kiss him back when he was about to be gone an entire day.

"Ay.. I better go and pack.."

With a slight frown, Imelda just nodded stiffly, some of that stubbornness coming back as, again, he was the one to suggest it and for being on schedule and all. For her and Coco he'd said, she reminded herself, and so just sighed and pushed down her feelings again. "I'll be right in". While he did that, Imelda tidied the kitchen a bit, just enough for the night and then went to bed herself.

She tried to retain some of that stubbornness, but couldn't help placing her own hands over his where they rested as he held her and as she drifted off.

As was often the case, and even with the plans for the day, she was the first to awaken the next morning. She turned, partly afraid Héctor had already left, though she knew he wouldn't do such without telling her and Coco, and not without breakfast also no doubt.

Hopefully...

Remaining firm for the sake of a point was a moot point with Héctor asleep still, and so she without hesitation kissed his forehead before getting up to start breakfast and the other chores.

"Imeldaaaa! I need your help!"

Drifted from their bedroom as she was halfway through the eggs. "Sólo un momento". She knew the kind of panic she was no doubt causing to stall even a moment, and it wasn't without purpose, the eggs would burn if she just left them now, so a moment or two more was needed to see them safely to the side of the stove and then Imelda walked in to see what the issue was.

"Do you know where I put my tie? The yellow one?!"

Followed by more frantic searching, no doubt because Ernesto was waiting.

"Ay! How does this happen at such a bad time!?"

"Héctor...", Imelda tried to break into his panic, but he kept on, not seeing what was right in front of him of course.

"It was right here, mi amor, y se volo!"

"Oh Héctor", Imelda sighed, "It hasn't either!". Maybe she should feel bad, "I knew it would get knocked off and lost there, so I put it on the dresser right there", she pointed to the dresser Héctor was searching, but the top flat surface. Honestly, if she could put it there, how could someone as tall as him miss it?

Imelda walked over and picked it up and yet, instead of handing it to him she brought it around his shoulders and began to tie it herself. She couldn't have said why. A last moment perhaps? Where she could be close but not look him in the eye, focused on her task as it were. Though she was sort of forced to as she finished up, "There", she gave a small smile, "Good thing this trip is only a day, I don't know how you'd survive long without me". She meant to try to just breeze past what still hung in the air about not being happy about this, but the statement made it come more into focus rather than alleviate the tension.

Imelda's smile feel and she cleared her throat, stepping back, "Well, you'd better come get some breakfast before you go".

{ooc: Just Imelda for the moment. I'll bring Coco back in when it seems she's needed, maybe when they enter the kitchen}