Well, here it is! The highly-anticipated (not really) epilogue. Please enjoy!

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Rosa felt very accomplished.

It had taken months upon months, but she had finally managed to convince almost everyone in Santa Cecilia that Imelda was the true artist behind De Paula's success. At first, no one believed her. Heck, she had almost gotten arrested for stealing the violin! But, the evidence that Mamá Coco's journal was substantial.

In the end, it had been proven that Imelda wrote all of De Paula's songs and now it was all anyone could talk about. She hadn't told anyone outside of her family about going to the Land of the Dead, not even her friends at school. It was a secret she would keep close to her heart.

Right now, Rosa was with her younger brothers in the ofrenda room. "That's your Papá Julio," she told them, pointing to the man's picture. "He's Abuelita's papá. And that's your Tía Victoria. She's Abuelita's sister." She noticed her brothers looking particularly bored. "Hey, you two, these aren't just pictures. They're our family."

"And they're counting on us to remember them," added Miguel from next to her, the newest addition to the Rivera family on his hip.

Socorro "Coco" Rivera had been born eight months prior. She was Miguel's younger sister who he loved fiercely. Rosa adored her as well and the three of them would often take trips to Mariachi Plaza.

Abuelita walked up beside Rosa, caressing her cheek. She sighed, placing Mamá Coco's photo on the ofrenda. Rosa hugged her grandmother, willing herself not to cry.

Mamá Coco had died a few months ago, just before Socorro had been born. Every night until then, Rosa had sang Remember Me for her great grandmother before she went off to bed. The old woman had died peacefully in her sleep, the last thing she had heard was her great granddaughter playing her childhood lullaby.

"She's with her parents now, Abuelita," Rosa promised. "She's happy."

Abuelita practically clung to her. "I know, mija," she said. "I know."

OoOoOo

Meanwhile, in the Land of the Dead, Imelda was preparing to go through the scanner once more. She felt a pit on anxiety in her metaphorical stomach, remembering the countless times she had tried this. How many times had she been rejected? How many times was she condemned to never seeing or even knowing her descendants?

Even though her beloved daughter had come to them and informed them- after a tearful and heartfelt reunion- that Rosa had, in fact, put Imelda's photo on the Rivera ofrenda, she couldn't help but be skeptical. She couldn't help the feeling that something could go wrong.

"Next!" called the clerk.

Say that I'm crazy,
Or call me a fool

Imelda took a deep breath, walking forward. She didn't smile (she didn't want to get her hopes up) and looked into the camera. She was thoroughly surprised, however, when the machine chimed positive.

The clerk looked positively elated for her. "Enjoy your visit, Imelda!"

Imelda couldn't help it, she grinned bigger than she ever had in her life (and in her death). "Gracias, Señora." For the first time, she stepped through the gates and towards the bridge.

The first one to greet her was Héctor. He beamed at her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pecking her on her lips. It had taken months, but they were finally on their way to rekindling the love they had once shared. They weren't there yet- probably wouldn't be for a few more years- but they were at a good place at the moment.

But last night it seemed,
That I dreamed about you

"iMamá!"

"Coco!" exclaimed Imelda in joy, hugging her daughter close. The moment they had met again had been the happiest of her life. She had waited ninety six long years to be reunited with her only child and that day had finally come.

"Te amo," she told her daughter, peppering her face with kisses. "¡Te amo mucho!"

Coco grinned. "I love you too, Mamá." She linked arms with her mother, who then linked arms with her father. "Venga, everyone else is probably on the bridge already."

When I opened my mouth,
What came out was a song

The family trekked towards the bridge where the other Rivera's were, in fact, waiting for them. Imelda looked down at her (newly acquired) shoes as they bridge glowed gold under her. It was really working. She was really going to see the Land of the Living for the first time in almost a century.

And you knew every word,
And we all sang along

Coco joined hands with Rosita while Héctor took Victoria's hand and the family walked across the bridge, towards the Land of the Living. No one said it, but they were all anxious to see one family member in particular.

To a melody played,
On the strings of our souls
And a rhythm that rattled us,
Down to the bone

Our love for each other,
Will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón

OoOoOo

Back in the Land of the Living, Día De Los Muertos had begun. The Rivera's, as always, were celebrating with ferocity. There were mountains of food set out, the ofrenda was packed with offerings, and everyone was having a good time. Just the same as the years previous.

The only difference this year was that the household was bustling with music. In the center was Rosa, dressed in a red mariachi dress, her violin tucked under her chest. She was playing and singing her heart out, her family surrounding her. She was joined by Miguel and Abel, each playing the guitar and accordion respectively.

Ay mi familia,
Oiga me gente
Canten al coro,
Let it be known

Unknown to the living Rivera's, their deceased family members were watching on proudly. Especially Imelda and Héctor, who were engaged in their own dance. Imelda, who was practically beaming at her great-great granddaughter, interrupted the dance to grab her violin's spirit and play along with the girl.

Our love for each other,
Will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón

As for Rosa, she had never been happier.

This was all she had ever dreamed of. She had always known that music would bring her family closer together. She was so unbelievably elated that she had the opportunity to share her love of music with them.

Ay mi familiar,
Oiga me gente
Canten al coro,
Let it be known

The Rivera's- deceased and living- joined a circle at the center of the backyard, everyone surrounding Rosa as she played. Abel and Miguel accompanied her music well, she noticed. She made a mental not to perform with them more.

Our love for each other,,
Will live on forever
In every beat of my proud corazón

As Rosa finished, she was hoisted up by her father and uncle. Behind them, fireworks exploded in the night sky.

OoOoOo

Later, Rosa found herself in the ofrenda room. She admired each and every one of the pictured on it, having gained a new appreciation of them. Behind her, Imelda, Coco, and Héctor watched, pride shining in their eyes. They all loved her undoubtedly, even more so than usual after what had transpired the year before.

"I… I don't know if you guys are here or not," Rosa suddenly spoke, facing away from them. "Heck, I don't even know if I saved Imelda in time or not. But I'm holding out hope." She had been so disappointed that she hadn't been able to see any skeletons when the sun had set. She had hoped that for all her time in the Land of the Dead, there would have been some side effect. Maybe a cool power acquired from it.

But nothing. She didn't even know if her deceased family was there.

Imelda sighed in disappointment. "I thought that all her time being with us would have enabled her to see us," she confessed to her daughter and husband.

"It's… probably for the best," decided Héctor. "We don't want any… side effects. Unwanted or otherwise." Coco nodded in agreement.

Rosa chuckled, drawing their attention once more. "You know, I could probably snag something off the ofrenda," she pointed out. "That might be able to send me back."

Imelda glared daggers at her. "Rosa Marigold Rivera, you will do nothing of the kind!" she snapped, knowing full and well that her great-great granddaughter couldn't hear her.

"But I don't think you guys would be very happy with me if I did," Rosa added, as if able to feel her great-great grandmother's ire. "So, I won't." Her eyes glinted mischievously behind her magenta glasses. "For now, at least. I can't help it that I miss you."

Coco smiled sadly at her. "Oh, mija, we miss you too." She couldn't help but feel that the girl's love of music was due to her. When Rosa and Miguel were babies, she used to sing them Remember Me to keep them from fussing. She hadn't thought they were paying attention, just lulled to sleep by the soothing sound. Now that her memories were back, Coco realized that her great grandchildren were, in fact, watching her like hawks.

And she wouldn't have it any other way.

Rosa kissed the tips of her finger before pressing it to each family member's photo. "I love you guys," she told them, hoping with all her heart that they could hear her. "And I'll never let any of you be forgotten." She took out her phone. "See? I even took pictured of you photos so that way, if they get damaged, we can print new ones."

Héctor grinned at her. "That's my chamaca," he said fondly. "Such a thinker."

Imelda titled her head. "What is that thing?" she asked, gesturing to the phone.

"It's called a cellphone, Mamá," Coco informed her mother. "It's like a telephone, only it doesn't need a wire to call. It's kind of like a smaller version of computers."

Imelda made a face. "So, it's a mini devil-box?" she asked in horror. Coco giggled and Héctor chortled. It had been established that the musician didn't do well with modern technology.

"Something like that, mi amor," answered Héctor.

"Sometimes, I think that everything was just a dream," Rosa suddenly confessed, drawing their attention back to her. "That I somehow hit my head in De Paula's tomb and everything that happened was just in my head." She sighed. "But then I remember that I didn't come back with Miguel's hoodie. And the photo Imelda gave me as the same one that Mamá Coco had in her journal. So, I'm still sure it happened."

Imelda nodded. "Good, chiquita," she praised. "Keep making those connections." She grimaced. "Pleas don't forget us."

Héctor put his hands on her shoulders. "She won't," he assured her. "You know Rosa, she's stubborn."

Rosa glanced out the window. "The sun's going to be coming up soon," she noticed. "You guys might want to get going soon, if you're still here, that." She sighed in frustration. "Dios, I hate this." Imelda, Héctor, and Coco all gathered the girl into a group hug. Even though she couldn't see them, they hoped that she could feel the love they all had for her.

Héctor was the first to pull away. "She's right," he agreed reluctantly. "We only have about thirty minutes to get back across the bridge."

"You two go ahead," insisted Imelda. "I... just want a few more minutes with her." They nodded and left her alone with her great-great granddaughter, who she was now directly in front of her. "Thank you so much, mija. I am honored to have you as a great-great granddaughter." She kissed her on the crown of her head. "I love you."

Once Imelda left and the sun was up, Rosa sighed and smiled wistfully. "Until next year, mi familia."

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Yes, I know this chapter was shot, but I didn't want to stretch it out more than I already was. Anyway, I hope you liked it and please review!