Gabriela's POV:

Europe is so beautiful! Everywhere I look there are new sites, and the churches . . . now I know what mama meant. I can't believe four years went by so fast, but I'll be happy to go back home, writing letters just isn't enough. But the only thing that I'm not so enthusiastic about is seeing Jaquelina; I was hoping that she'd grow out of all this competition for Fernando's heart and that we're rivals. But it was nice to get letters from him; he seems to have grown up quite a bit. It was nice of him to apologize, and at first I had a hard time writing him back, but after learning that forgiveness is the first step, it was easy to become good friends with him, and we have so much in common. I'm actually excited to see him, but I don't want Jaquelina thinking I'm in love with him, and he hasn't said he has any feelings for me. So it should go swimmingly.

Narrator's POV:

Everyone was up early, making sure San Angel was ready and waiting for the return of Gabriela and to see how she's grown, but the one most excited to see her was Fernando, and the one least excited was Jaquelina. No matter how hard she tried, Fernando just wasn't interested, and every time she tried to get close to him, he said he was busy either reading a letter from Gabriela, or responding to her letters. She was sick of it, and knowing that there had to be a way to get Gabriela out of the way in order for Jaquelina to sneak her way into Fernando's heart.

"I can't believe she's coming home today!" Maria skipped around the house as she cleaned every nook and cranny.

"Yes, it went by so fast." Manolo sighed as he strummed his guitar.

"Hmm, I can't wait to see her." Fernando cleaned off the countertop as a knock was heard from the front door.

"It's her!" Fernando jumped up as Manolo and Maria ran over toward the door and opened it.

"Hola." A young woman emerged; her dark hair curled loosely framing her beautiful diamond shaped face, her teeth white as pearls, her mocha skin slightly darker from the sun, and her light brown eyes shone brilliantly. She had a lovely hourglass figure and wore a lavender dress with frilly sleeves and simple black heels.

"Mija!" Maria and Manolo hugged their daughter tightly as they all began to shed tears of joy.

"Fernando!" Gabriela looked up to see a handsome young man before her. His dark midnight hair was longer and brushed back, his skin slightly tanner, and his dark ruby eyes were much more inviting. He was no longer skinny, but well built, and his face thinned, no longer retaining its previous round shape.

"Gabriela." He breathed out as his heart skipped a beat when she went over to hug him.

"It's so good to see you." She kissed him on the cheek as his face reddened.

"Yea." Was all he could get out. Suddenly the doorknob seemed to be raddling as three hard knocks could be heard echoing throughout the house.

"Who could that be?" Maria wasn't expecting anyone else, suddenly a familiar voice was heard.
"It's me." It was Jaquelina.

"Come in." Manolo opened the door.

"Oh wonderful to see you!" She approached Gabriela and hugged her, as she seemed a little shocked at seeing her old friend after so long.

"Jaquelina, I didn't expect to see you here today." Maria said rather bluntly.

"It's good to see you." Gabriela hugged Jaquelina as they walked over to the table to sit, talk, and eat.

"Oh it was wonderful in Europe; it was like a dream. It was a little lonely at times, but there was so much to do there, and the sisters taught me so much. You were right mama, the library was wonderful, and the museums and churches were lovely. I hope to go back someday." Gabriela sighed as they asked her several questions, all of them having a wonderful time, all but Jaquelina, who played with her brown-black hair, braiding it and unbraiding it. Every so often, she'd roll her caramel-hazel eyes and she'd tap her well-manicured nails on the table. Then she'd play with her pink skirt, or the ruffles on her white shirt, until Fernando asked her what was wrong.

"Oh nothing, I just thought we could go on a little adventure." She smiled.

"That sounds like fun." Gabriela smiled as she looked over at her parents for approval.

"Just be back by supper." Her mother smiled.

"Fine." Manolo nodded.

"I'll come too." Fernando stood as they all walked out the door and towards the graveyard.

"Alright, let's play a game. Truth or Dare anyone?" Jaquelina looked at Fernando and Gabriela.

"Sure." Gabriela shruged, but she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.

"I guess." Fernando put his hands in his pockets, feeling a small object in one of them.

"Fernando first." Jaquelina insisted as she began circling him.

"Dare." He said without a second thought.

"I dare you to become mortal." Jaquelina smiled devilishly.

"What?" Gabriela was clearly confused.

"You heard me, and Fernando knows he'll never go back on his word." Jaquelina went up to Fernando, both hands on his sturdy shoulders as she whispered something into his ear. He looked rather sullen as he agreed to it; a bright blue light glowed around him as he fell on his knees.

"Fernando what have you done!?" Gabriela ran over to him, checking on him.

"He's fine." Jaquelina waved her hand.

"Now it's your turn." Jaquelina smiled at Gabriela, who was now trembling.

"Truth." She said, her voice shaking slightly.

"Oh, what happened to our brave young girl?" Jaquelina teased as she neared Gabriela.

"What would you do if Fernando's mortal life was at stake? Would you risk anything to save him?" Jaquelina asked as Gabriela's eyes grew large, tears beginning to form.

"I'd do anything to save him." Gabriela said flatly.

"Good, then how about this, I won't kill him, if he'll marry me." Jaquelina's smile became twisted and demonic as Gabriela agreed to it, Fernando sat there silently.

"Alright Fernando, the ring?" Jaquelina looked over at Fernando as he pulled the black box out of his pocket; placing the ring on Jaquelina's ring finger as she laughed in conquest.

"Now Gabriela, do me a favor and don't bother coming, you'll only get in the way. Unless you really want to watch the love of your life getting married to your best friend, then feel free to sit in the back of the chapel." Jaquelina took Fernando away as they disappeared, suddenly everything was dark.

"My, what a mess." A kind feminine voice emerged from behind Gabriela.

"Who's there?" She turned around in a defensive stance.

"Don't worry mija, I won't hurt you, I am La Muerte, and I'm here to help you. Fernando is my son, and I'm sure his father Xibalba had quite a lot to do with all this. It's that necklace that Jaquelina is wearing, you get rid of the necklace, and everything will return to the way it was." La Muerte placed a gentle hand on Gabriela's back.

"And Fernando will become immortal again?" Gabriela looked at La Muerte with a small smile, a few tears streaming down her face.

"No, that cannot be undone, but he will be able to live in the Land of the Remember, since his father and I have a say in that. But he will remain mortal nonetheless." La Muerte seemed a bit sad, but she knew that Gabriela felt the same sadness as she did.

"Alright, I'll get that necklace." Gabriela stood as she ran back home, finding the house to be empty, there was a note on the table.

Jaquelina and Fernando are getting married by dusk, hurry mija!

It was her father's writing, Gabriela wasted no time running to the church, pushing the doors open and running towards Jaquelina, who was more than half-way down the isle. Her long train flowing behind her, if she wasn't in the middle of such a disaster, she'd be happy for her friend. But this girl wasn't Jaquelina; this girl wasn't Gabriela's best friend. As Gabriela finally reached Jaquelina, she turned her around and yanked off the necklace in one swift motion as she threw it to the ground and smashed it, a bright green light glowing as Jaquelina was thrown to the ground, and Fernando was running towards Gabriela to protect her. As the light dimmed, Jaquelina slowly rose, holding her head in pain.

"What happened?" Jaquelina looked at Gabriela who was protected by Fernando, suddenly she remembered, looking down at her dress, then the ring on her finger.

"I'm so sorry!" Jaquelina went over to her friends, tears streaming down her face as Gabriela embraced her without a second thought; Fernando too joined the group hug.

"I forgive you mi amiga." Gabriela softly stroked her best friend's head as all three stood; everyone applauded them as they all laughed.

"Here, this belongs to you." Jaquelina handed Gabriela the ring.

"Gracias, but I want this done properly." Gabriela handed Fernando the ring as he smiled and went down on one knee.

"Gabriela, mi amor, will you marry me?" Fernando held the ring to Gabriela as she nodded her head rapidly and Fernando placed the ring on her finger as he stood.

"Yes! Claro que si!" She jumped into his arms as he twirled her around.

"I'm so happy for you two!" Jaquelina hugged them both.

"I have a cousin." Gabriela teased.

"Maybe I'll meet him at your wedding?" Jaquelina nodded her head as the three went off to plan the wedding, since Jaquelina was to be the maid of honor.

"You look so beautiful!" Was all anyone could say when they saw Gabriela. Her dark black hair was in a messy bun and slightly curled, her light brown eyes shinning and the makeup accented her beauty. Her veil was covering her face and created a long train behind her, her lace dress had a small train, and it was tight and well fitted to her curved body complimenting her mocha skin. Her heels clacked on the floor as they headed for the church, her father at her right side, tears of joy streaming down his face.

"Papa, hold it together." She giggled as he agreed, her mother gave her one last kiss before going in, suddenly the music began to play as the doors were opened and Manolo walked his daughter down the isle. Gabriela looked around, seeing all their friends and family gathered around, even La Muerte and Xibalba were there. She spotted Jaquelina in her caramel maid of honor dress, bringing out her eyes. She looked to the other side, seeing her cousin giving her a quick smile, only to look back at Jaquelina, and she back at him. He was a handsome young man; he looked as if he could be Fernando's brother, but with blue eyes rather than red. And then she looked at her future husband, standing tall and proud in his tuxedo, his midnight hair brushed back and his red eyes somewhat teary, she felt small tears streaming down her cheeks as she was finally reciting her vows with him.

"I do." They both said as they kissed and the party began!

"You were right Gabriela, I really like your cousin." Jaquelina giggled as she went off to dance with Alejandro. Gabriela began laughing as he looked up to see her husband standing behind her.
"May I have this dace?" Fernando asked as she nodded her head and they danced all night long.

END