AN: Just wanted to say thank you for the reviews.
It's nice just getting to write a fluff piece ones in a while, and well. I love Hectors view on music. As a musician myself (pianist.) I always absolutely hated the notion that your music or other art is worthless if you're not famouse. The usual Hollywood story. So I am SO happy this movie took a different spin and showcased... Music may even have even more value if you're not famouse but is made for those who matters to you. Also you know, just small scenes showcases the true value of music. So yeah, just because you're not famouse, just because it's not your job... It doesn't make music, or any art! (fanfiction on this site included.) Value less! Hell, blowing it all up and out of proportions Ernesto style can even take away value. So kids... Do your art, what-ever art form it is, not to get famouse, but because you love it! And write me some more reviews they sustain me.
Also yay I get to write lyrics in this fic lol XD
Thanks again, have a good day.
The Rivera family all made the very best and wisest of decisions not to go out in the garden after Tia had given them a fair warning.
The two skeletons left alone out there were kissing, giggling, holding each other close and were all in all behaving like two newly in love high school sweet hearts. If Imelda ever realized someone had seen her that person would be sure to get a shoe in the head.
Then Imelda grabbed Hectors bone hands and pulled him inside, before heading towards her own bedroom.
"What? Back there already?" Hector asked amused.
Imelda send him one smirk as they reached the door, she opened it up and then pushed Hector inside. "Stay in there, you are not allowed to leave the room before I come get you!"
"Huh?" Hector blinked confused. "Okay.. For how long am I supposed to be in here?" he asked.
Imelda shrugged. "A few hours you can handle that right?" she asked.
"Hours?!" Hector asked. "What am I supposed to do for all that time?"
"Take a nap." Imelda suggested.
"I've just slept for five days, I don't think I can sleep anymore. Beside I feel full of energy!" Hector stated standing up one one leg as he grinned. "I could just dance and sing for days and days!" he stated making a launch for Imelda with outstretched arms looking like he intended to grab her.
Imedla promptly put a stop to that though, by putting a hand on his face and pushed him right back into the room. "No." she simply stated before she frowned thoughtfully. "Just a second I think I got it." Imelda stated as she turned around and then left. Hector blinked as he poked his head out of the door looking after Imelda, shortly after she came back now carrying a brown guitar… Hector recognized it immediately, it was the guitar from the day before! Oscar had carried it home! Now he remembered!
"Here you go!" Imelda simply threw the guitar into Hectors arms making him stumble back by the force. "Now don't let me hear another complaint from you, and don't try to excuse yourself by saying you need to go to the bathroom. I know dead people don't need to use the bathroom!"
"Awww." Hector complained. Then looked at the guitar in his hands and he smiled amused. "Do you know… I actually stopped playing to." he admitted. "And I had forgotten just… how nice it feels to just play for the people you care about."
"You not playing… Seems wrong somehow." Imelda had to admit.
"I did play sometimes." Hector admitted as he sat down on the bed. "When people in Shantytown kept pestering me."
"Don't lie, you actually wanted to play for them." Imelda commented and Hector send her a wry smile.
"Well… it always hurt in the beginning." Hector commented brushing his fingers over the strings. "When the memories hit. But then as I started to actually play… And the song takes over. The memories could take a backseat for a while and everyone got to be just in the moment." he stated as he finger played on the guitar. "I need to go visit them soon. I'm so happy I can stay here now, but they have been like family to me for so long. I hope they don't think I just abandoned them with no word."
"Oh." Imelda realized. "Erh.. Well listen!" she then held up a hand. "Let's go tomorrow! We'll bring food and drinks and you can tell them all you need to!"
"We?" Hector asked in a blink.
"I'm not letting you out of my sight!" Imelda huffed with her hands on her hips.
Hector looked at her. "Imelda… I'm not just going to take off and leave."
"I know that." Imelda stated in a huff. "How-ever, you nearly experienced the final death and then you slept for five days! Who knows what other unforeseen things are going to happen?" she asked. "So you stay here until I come get you, then tomorrow we'll go. Comprende?" she asked.
Hector nodded. "Comprende." he assured.
And finally Imelda. "Now get some rest and remember."
"Yes I know, dead people don't need to use the bathroom can't use that excuse anymore." Hector stated laying down on the bed with the guitar still in his arms as he drummed the strings. "What if I get thirsty?" he then asked.
"you idiot." Imelda rolled her eyes only for Hector to grin as he started to sing.
"Her eyes they are filled with thunder.
Her words are sharp as knifes.
Her fist is precies
And she is cold as ice.
I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Stop it." Imelda asked, if she had been alive she would clearly have been blushing.
Hector though proved himself to be as encourage able as ever as he opened his mouth for a second verse, and he probably would have continued for an eternity if Imelda hadn't stepped out and closed the door.
Only to hear a loud voice on the other side.
"SHE SLAMS THE DOOR IN MY FACE
AM I SUCH A DISGRACE?
I AM CRAZY ABOUT THIS WOMAN!"
Imelda couldn't help it, she had to keep back a snort, but still the laugh escaped her, then finally she managed to leave as she amused shook her head.
She though had to stop and collect herself for a good couple of minutes before she dared to go out in the kitchen and face the rest of the family. She was not ready to let them catch her with such a big smile on her face.
She wasn't completely spared though as she accidentally ended up humming for herself, the simple little melody Hector had just sung and everyone looked questionable at her… Only to get the death stare and everyone wisely returned to their own chores.
When finally it was time to get Hector he had given up on the guitar and seemed like he had decided on that nap regardless. Yet he perched up the head by the sight of Imelda. "Come on then." Imelda asked.
Hector blinked as he sat up, then finally stood up. "I have no idea what is going on." he admitted.
"Good! Then you didn't cheat. Come on." Imelda repeated taking Hectors arm as she lead him out, and then back outside in the garden except now it was changed!
The sun had set leaving the land of the dead in semi darkness, but now the garden was lithe up with lanterns hanging from all the trees. A big table had been placed in the centre and on it was arranged a great feast.
Tacos, three types of meat, fresh salsa, bean soup. Anything you could need and around the table stood the entire deceased Rivera family at each their chair, two empty chairs left. One for Imelda and one for…. Hector took in a big breath.
"Normally, we have a meal like this to welcome a family member who just crossed over." Imelda then informed. "The meaning is still the same though I think, it's a welcome to the family." she stated.
Stunned Hector looked at Imelda, then at the rest of the skeletons around the table. He grabbed his hat and took it off as he swallowed.
"Sit down." Imelda then asked.
"At the… family table?" Hector asked making Imelda give him that look. "Ah, of course I." he stepped forward, then touched the chair assigned for him, letting his fingers glide across the chair back then he glanced up. "Listen I… Some of you I know, the others I don't even know the name of. Still, I want you all to know I really…. I really really appreciate this." he stated and suddenly his voice broke. "I'm sorry." he swallowed. "I know I lost my chance of knowing any of you in life, but I am so happy, you would allow me to get to know you in death. To be a part of…" and he stopped unable to continue as suddenly he cried and he had to grab his face to keep back the sobs."I'm sorry." he stated.
"It's okay, take it easy." Imelda then assured gently putting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm the one who made sure that you would feel unwelcome before. I want to make it up to you now." she stated.
And Hector smiled as he laid a hands un top of hers on the shoulder.
Then Julio grabbed his glass and raised it up. "A cheer! For our Papa Hector!" he stated.
And everyone else grabbed their glasses as well raising them up as they all shouted. "For Papa Hector!"
Hector smiled as he looked at all of them, his eyes still wet. "Thank you." he breathed as Imelda pulled out his chair for him. "Oh thank you Imelda." he stated as he sat down as if he was the lady and not the other way around. Imelda sitting down next to him.
"all right then, let's go through introductions." she smiled. "You of course already know my brothers. Oscar and Felipe." she nodded at two twins. "You knew each other in life."
Hector smiled as he waved at them. "It's good to see you again, we need to catch up."
"Yes we do indeed!" Oscar stated.
"So let's ditch the girls one of these days and go drink some tequila!" Felipe replied. "Just like the old days."
Hector chuckled amused. "It's a deal." he stated.
"I heard you already used most of the day talking to Victoria." Imelda then continued. "So you know she's Coco's oldest daughter."
"Hallo." Victoria smiled waving at him.
Shyly did Hector raise his own hand to wave back as he replied with a quiet. "Hallo."
"The gentleman next to her is Julio. Victoria's father and of course, Coco's husband." Imelda then informed gesturing at a shorter man next to Victoria.
"It's good to finally meet you!" Julio grinned. "Believe it or not, Coco actually told me about you. Even if it was only in secret. We need to talk to one of these days, man to man! Father in law to son in law!"
"Oh I agree, I would be honored." Hector stated pressing a hand against his chest as he bowed his head.
"And lastly, this is Rosita. Julios sister." Imelda stated. "Even though she is only related by marriage, she is still a dear part of the family."
"Coco was always like the sister I never had!" Rosita beamed, the skeleton looked plump and extremely kind spirited. "We met in elementary school and stuck tight ever since, for years my brother had a crush on her to but didn't dare to say anything."
"ROSITA!" Julio exclaimed embarrassed only for Rosita to chuckle amused.
"Coco also let me get my first job at the shoe workshop when I needed it." Rosita then admitted. "And I liked it so much I stayed there. I was so happy when Julio and Coco finally got married so I could be a real part of the family to." she fully admitted. "I suppose what I want to say is, I have a little bit of an idea of what you're going through."
"It's nice to meet you Rosita." Hector kindly nodded at her. "I'm looking forward to spend time with you to. Clearly you're a very important part of this familia, you mean a lot to everyone here, I can see it in their eyes." he stated.
And Rosita beamed. "They mean a lot to me." she then replied. "I can't wait to get to learn to know you probably!"
Hector smiled as he leaned back in the chair.
"Now then! Time to eat!" Imelda stated. "There's plenty where this came from, so don't hold back."
Hector just sat there smiling happily as the family started to grab food and put it on the plate making Imelda look at him. "Well then?" she asked. "Eat something, we spend hours making this for you you know!"
"Just a moment." Hector then asked. "I just… Need to take everything in." he said, then exhaled. "Okay then, what should I taste first?" he asked Imelda.
"I hate to admit it, but the things Rosita cooks are always the best." Imelda admitted. "I don't know how she does it, she just seems to have a gift when it comes to food. Not that my own is bad!" she huffed. "She just… You know."
"I get it." Hector nodded amused. "Just tell me…. did Oscar and Felipe cook any of this? I just want to know what I should definitely avoid." he whispered.
"As if I am letting them anywhere near a kitchen after what used to happen." Imelda rolled her eyes. "You can relax, they were tasked with decorating the garden. Not making food."
"That's good enough for me!" Hector beamed finally reaching for a taco and filling.
Of course skeletons didn't need to eat, they didn't even feel hunger. Eating just tasted good and felt good.
Also as Imelda informed Hector, it was a great way for the family to gather around the table ones each day so even though food was basically just a luxury in this world, they liked to keep up the habit.
And the effect of the food and drinking could absolutely not be denied as the good mood spread among the family members.
At first Hector didn't speak much, to nervous to open his mouth and make a bad impression, but as time went on and some toquilla shots had been downed, his tongue sure seemed to find new life as he replied to questions and laughed. Asking a few himself.
Finally after the meal was over and the items taken off the table, there was now cold beer, lemonade and even more tequila for the family. One of the actual advantages of not having children around.
Of course logically speaking skeletons shouldn't be able to become drunk… But somehow it was possible anyway. Though it differed a lot from skeleton to skeleton how easily they were effected and many speculated if a skeleton being drunk was my due to remembering how being drunk felt and not actually being genuinely drunk.
Which was great as far as Hector was concerned. It meant no hangovers! Unless you wanted to remember how it felt to have a hangover but why on earth would anyone ever want to remember that?
Then of course the inventible question came up, Hector had spend a good while speculating whom would ask it first and was somehow not actually to surprised that it was Rosita. She was the one whom seemed the most laid back and eager to exsperience new things.
"Wont you play us a song Papa Hector?" Rosita finally asked. "I must admit, I only heard you that one time. And well, since then. I just couldn't wait to hear you play again."
Hector smiled at Rosita. "I'll sing any song for my familia when-ever they want." he stated firmly.
"I'll go get the guitar." Imelda stated as she stood up and walked into the house, soon returning with the guitar which Hector accepted and started to tune the strings.
"So, does anyone have any requests?" he asked.
There was a silence then Hector glanced at them.
"We… we haven't really listened to music." Victoria then admitted. "At all, I don't know any songs."
"Me neither." Rosita admitted. "Will you teach me a song papa Hector?"
"Nothing would please me more." Hector stated warmly. "Oh I got an idea. Imelda! The little flower girl!"
"What?" Imelda asked. "Oh no! No-no-no!"
Confused the family looked at Imelda. "The little flower girl is a song?" Rosita asked.
"Yup, I wrote it for Imelda while I still courted her. That is, I wrote it for her voice. She's the one who has to sing it." Hector stated.
That made them all turn to Imelda.
Imelda looked at them. "Oh no! It's been to long, I barely even remember the lyrics I…"
"You did fine on the huge stage with thousands of people watching you." Hector pointed out as he drummed the strings and then nodded satisfied. "And now it's just your familia, no one is going to mind if you forget a line or two or all of them."
"Hush you." Imelda muttered giving Hector a light slap on the shoulder and Hector chuckled.
Then everyones eyes were still on Imelda and Rosita ask. "Sing for us Mama Imelda."
"I want to hear it to, sing." Julio asked.
Wide-eyed Imelda looked at them then at Hector whom caught her eyes and smiled lightly. "Sing." he asked as he made the first chord and then started to play.
Imelda sighed deeply but then finally looked up and started to sing.
At first the family looked stunned at her, then everyone settled in comfortable positions as they merely listened and it was clear that as Imelda was singing she became more and more comfortable to, before her voice raised up and she spread out her arms hitting the high notes with a passion as Hector played the guitar, his eyes filled with adoration as they never left her for a second.
And then as the final note had been song, Imelda stood back. The entire family looking wide-eyed at her, Hector smiling as he looked at her.
And then all the listeners started to clap as Imelda smiled embarrased stepping backwards, pulling a renegade strain of hair back.
"You still got it." Hector acknowledged.
"Heh, it does feel good." Imelda admitted and then the songs and singing continued.
Hector taught the family plenty of songs they could sing. He instructed Rosita on how to make the appropriate dance steps and then grabbed her hand and swung her around making her laugh whole heartedly. Victoria was very timid standing back, but was then finally couched into singing and as it turned out, she already had a number in mind which Hector had played earlier, and as she finally got to sing it was clear how her joy grew. Felipe and Oscar got to show off singing their own version of Poco Loco, a song originally written for two people to sing, Hector and Ernesto, but Hector had always found it hillarious to see genuine identical twins do it.
He showed them all how to loosen up and made them mimic his movements and for all of that time there was only pure joy among the family.
Somehow, it felt like there really had been missing something very important for all of this time, but now the void had finally been filled and everyone could feel it. Not one person was in doubt Hector just belonged there and everything he brought was very important.
Everything that had been lacking from their lives… and deaths. His joyful laughter, his insane running around, his cheerful songs, his easy go lucky attitude and of course…. The unconditional love he had for this family.
All of which was evident from the look in his eyes and his bright smile. He sure was one happy skeleton.
