Thank you Paulus Fiction Universe, katmar1994, and DisneyFan2002 for reviewing! It means a lot to me! And thank you SailorSedna052, Izi Wilson, DisneyFan2002, katmar1994, and Willow Lark for favoriting! I plan to update this story everyweekend, so I have time to work on the chapters throughout the week. Enjoy this chapter!
Roxana spent a majority of her time in the hospital crying. Extremely loud crying. She cried and yelled at the doctors and nurses. Many attempts were made to make Roxana stop crying, but they didn't work. Roxana only seemed to be happy around her parents, especially her mamá. But Roxana did keep quiet for a good amount of time when she had a pacifier in her mouth.
After spending the first four days of her life in the hospital, Roxana and her parents left. Roxana looked at the car as she was held by Calista. Calista smiled at her daughter and tickled her stomach.
"You're an observant one, aren't you, Roxy?" Calista asked her daughter. Roxana only cooed in response.
Miguel finished setting up the car seat for Roxana. "All set! Here we go, Roxana." Miguel said as Calista put Roxana in her car seat. She looked at her parents curiously before looking at her hands.
Miguel drove the way home. Soon they arrived at the Rivera residence. The new parents got out of the car and Calista got Roxana out of her car seat. Roxana cooed at her mother happily.
Miguel and Calista went inside the house where many family members were preparing for Dìa de Los Muertos, when their deceased family members can visit them from the Land of the Dead.
Miguel makes sure that the ofrenda is set up with the family photos. After what happened when he was twelve, he didn't want any of the family to be forgotten or unable to cross the marigold bridge.
Calista brought Roxana into the nursery, which was partly incomplete due to Roxana being born a week early. All the nursery was missing was the decorations, but they could put them up later. Gently, Calista put her daughter in the crib. Roxana whimpered.
"Shh, no baby, it's okay, mamí is going to come back, alright? I love you." Calista said before leaving to help prepare for the holiday.
Roxana stared at the ceiling of her room. There was nothing she could do, she could only lay there and stare. Not fun at all. Could I get out of here? Roxana thought before attempting to get up. She moved a little bit, but didn't get up. Nope. What am I supposed to do while I wait? Where's mama? Mama? MAMA!
Roxana cried for her mother. She no longer wanted to be alone, she wants the nice woman who she is supposed to call mom. Seconds later Calista came into the room. "Aw, mi angelito, don't cry, I'm here." She said gently as she picked up Roxana.
Calista hugged her daughter before feeding her. The crying stopped She burped Roxana. Roxana was now a happy baby again. Shaking her head while smiling, Calista carried Roxana to the living room where a corner was blocked off with a baby gate. Within the gate there was some baby toys, a few blankets, basic baby stuff. Roxana was placed in the small area made just for her.
She reached her arms out to her mother as she left. No! Don't leave me he-What's that? Roxana crawled over to a stuffed animal. She hugged it. The toy was a small pink bunny with white polka dots, a pink ribbon tied around its neck, and had a note attached to it saying Welcome to the Family, Roxana!
Roxana hugged the toy tighter. This thing is nice! What was I crying about earlier? Roxana then started to play with her new bunny and another stuffed animal. This is fun! She made the toys move around a little, but to her they were jumping and running. I'm starting to like it here! The rest of her family hustled about, checking everything and making sure things were ready for tomorrow. The noise in the background was soothing to the baby girl.
Roxana entertained herself for hours until her mother picked her up. Wait! My toy! WAIT! Roxana started to cry and reached out for her bunny. Calista put the pieces together and gave her daughter the bunny. And with that, Roxana went to sleep happy that evening.
It was the day of the dead! Everybody was excited during breakfast, except for Roxana, who was too young to understand the importance of the day. Elena was making sure everything was ready for her dead family. The offerings were almost all on the ofrenda. The feast wasn't as complete, but they had all day to finish it. The cempasúchil petals were ready to be used.
Miguel tried to pick up his daughter, but she started to whimper. Why are you picking me up? What about Mamá? Miguel gently put his daughter back in her high chair, frowning. "Don't worry, mijo, give her time. You'll be able to pick her up eventually." Miguel's mom, Luisa, told him.
"When you were first born you wouldn't let your father pick you up until you were a couple months old." Luisa told her son. "Really?" Miguel asked in disbelief. Luisa nodded. "Roxana seems to take after you." Luisa said while ruffling her son's hair.
"Mama!" He exclaimed. Luisa chuckled before going to help the others. Miguel smiled while fixing his hair.
"Miguel! Are you going to practice with us or not?" Miguel's prima, Rosa, said. Her hands were on her hips and she was tapping her foot impatiently. Miguel rolled his eyes. "Sí, sí! I was just busy! Gosh, Rosa, can you be even more impatient?"
Rosa playfully shoved her primo in response. "Not my fault you take forever." Rosa said. Miguel stuck his tongue out at her. "Hey, how is Anthony anyway?" Miguel asked. Anthony was Rosa's two-year old son. Anthony was not actually Rosa's son, but her step son. Carlos' wife died unfortunately after giving birth to Anthony. But Rosa loves Anthony like her own son.
Anthony was not currently at the Rivera residence. Instead, he was away at his father, Carlos' house. Carlos promised that he would sell the apartment he was living in as soon as possible to live with his wife, but that was proving to be difficult.
"He's fine. Carlos is taking care of him while he tries to sell his apartment." Rosa responded. The two of them met Abel in the courtyard and the three began to practice their music.
Dìa de Los Muertos has begun and everything was set for the deceased Rivera's. The living Rivera's were laughing and talking, telling stories of their ancestors. Roxana watched everybody laugh and talk in her high chair. Her father was tuning the white guitar, the one that first belonged to Héctor Rivera. Roxana's mother was setting the table with Carmen and Elena.
The dead Rivera's came soon after sunset. Joyful music was playing, delicious food was out, and people were having a great time. The dead family adored the newest member of the Rivera family, not knowing about Roxana's right eye. They could manly see her back, since she was being held by her mother, but when they did see her face her eyes were closed.
"She's a real treasure, isn't she?" Said Rosita, absolutely excited about the baby. The dead Rivera's nodded in agreement. Hector was the most excited. Roxana reminded Hector of Coco when she was just born. He walked up to Roxana when she was in her high chair again. She was looking at something at the right, so he couldn't see her right eye.
"Hello, mija! I'm your Papa Hector! And you are just the cutest thing!" Hector smiled at Roxana. Roxana then looked right at Hector. Hector gasped. He leaned back, before leaning closer. Roxana giggled and grabbed one of Hector's fingers. She giggled again before letting go. The rest of the dead family gathered around Roxana.
"Do you know what this means?" Oscar asked. The family nodded.
"She can see us." Imelda answered. The deceased Rivera's looked at the baby, who was starting to fall asleep in her chair. Calista quickly came over and picked up her baby. Calista then put her daughter to bed.
Finally, the sun set and Dìa de Los Muertos was over. The dead families were back in the Land of the Dead, putting away their offerings and talking about their family. The Rivera's in the Land of the Dead were discussing Roxana's ability to see them. They talked about how maybe as Roxana grows up she'll be able to talk to them on Dìa de Los Muertos
