Disclaimer: I don't own Coco

Hi! So regarding my absense, school has started back up again. I'm in a Med program to be a Medical Assistant and that's been taking up some time but, not to worry this story will have a conclusion!


"There is, you see a ghost is a soul who cannot move on, who can no longer feel anything. They become trapped in their own minds, forced to live through the event that killed them over and over, wandering the Earth for eternity. A ghost, is a being with no heart." Said Xibalba, when Miguel slowly raised his hand. " Si, Miguel?"

" But no one in the Land of the Dead has hearts either." Said Miguel in confusion.

" Literally no, figuratively yes. We do not have our organs, we have no lungs but we can still breathe, we have no stomachs but we can still eat, we have no noses but we can still smell. we don't have our literal hearts, but we can still love." Said Xibalba, casting a glance to the portrait of himself and La Catrina up on the fireplace. " What will save him, is an act of true love."

" True love?" Asked Miguel.

" Si, el amor is something so good, so pure, so..transcendent not even mi hermosa Catrina can stop it. Death cannot stop love, it can only delay it a little while. " Said Xibalba, making Ernesto's eyes widenbecause that had been what Victoria said to him before. That first night at the bell, death couldn't stop true love but only delay it. Even so, if it was an act of true love he needed well..he had some work to do. " An act of true love, will save you."

" Is there a time limit?" Asked Hector.

" You must do it before Dia de Muertos ends, or you will be a ghost forever. " Said Xibalba, and the three of them shared a look.

" Are you sure it'll work?" Asked Miguel uncertaintly, Xibalba knelt before him and placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder.

" Miguel, I am old...very, very old. I have seen many things in my lifetime, and have done some things I am not proud of..but one thing I am sure of, is that love is the strongest power in any world. True love is deep, it is good, patient, kind, true love can break the barrier between the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead, why you even performed one last year. Your act of true love was to salvage your great-grandmother's memory, and save him." Explained Xibalba motioning towards Hector, before patting his head and standing. " You'll understand someday."

Miguel looked up at the ancient skeleton, he honestly didn't really understand, he was only a thirteen year old kid after all. But, he did understand the gist of it, because true love had to mean when you cared about someone very much. Just like he cared about his family, and how he was able to use Remember Me to awaken Mama Coco's memory. Still, he smiled up at Xibalba graciously.

" Gracias, Xibalba." Said Miguel, Xibalba looked down at the little boy...no one had ever been actually satisfied after asking something of him...and he couldn't help them. Most people wanted an easy fix, but not this kid. He smiled and shook his head, before patting Miguel once more.

" Ya, pues ya, but you know my help does not come for free. I gave that potion to the skeleton because of a deal, he helps me make Catrina happy and I give him the potion. I helped you and now you help me. What can I do to make mi amada Catrina happy?" Asked Xibalba, folding his arms over his ribcage. Miguel looked at hi strangely, because wasn't he the one going on about true love, and how strong it was and...that's it!

" Have you ever tried music?" Asked Miguel, causing the deity to lift an eyebrow.

" Proceed." Said Xibalba.

" You could sing her a song! One about how she makes you feel, I mean that stuff you said about true love? Maybe, work it into a song to let her know how special she is and how she makes you happy. Music is something that brings people together." Said Miguel with a sure smile, Xibalba buddled it in his head. He'd tried everything else, candy, gifts, flowers...he hadn't tried music.

" It is how I got Imelda to fall in love with me." Said Hector proudly.

" You know what? I'll try it, gracias Miguel you may all go now. But, you know, once you're here permanently which won't be for a long time, but once you are then feel free to stop by anytime." Said Xibalba, before flying off. Miguel smiled, and Hector turned to his great-great grandson with a smile. It wasn't just anyone who could befriend an immortal, ancient, deity...all just with some kind words. Once they made it back, Imelda immediately embraced Hector and Miguel tightly.

" Are you alright? What happened?" She asked, immediately looking them over.

" We're fine Mama Imelda, but Xibalba told us everything." Explained Miguel.

" Si, Antonio gave Ernesto a drink that would turn him into a fantasma. He has until Dia de Muertos." Explained Hector.

" But, that's only three days away!" Said Imelda in horror.

" He said an act of true love could save him." Said Miguel, Imelda knitted her brow, they looked up as Victoria stepped out and the other four glanced at her. Victoria paused and blinked in surprise.

" Miguel? What are you doing here and why is everyone staring at me like that?" Asked Victoria.

" Well, -"

"Nothing, go back inside mija." Said Imelda, Victoria obliged, and she immediately turned around to face the other three. " You will not pressure her, for one. Two, I absolutely forbid this, she is our granddaughter and Ernesto is old enough to be her grandfather. She helped him out of the bell, and showed him kindness but there is no way this relationship will continue. "

" Wait Ernesto and...Tia Victoria?" Asked Miguel, before scrunching his face up in disgust. " Ew!"

" As if she would want anything to do with me, considering what I did to your family." Said Ernesto folding his arms, and looking away.

" Ok fine, but that's our last option. But...what act of true love could help?" Asked Hector curiously.

"...I don't know." Said Imelda, Miguel yawned and she smiled softly before going over and picking up a flower petal from the ground. " Miguel, you may go home now."

The flower petal began to glow, and she pressed it against Miguel who was sent back home. To Hector's utter relief, he didn't know what he would have done if that hadn't worked. He and Imelda returned back inside, though Ernesto followed. Honestly,Dia de Muertos was approaching and he needed to woo Victoria. This was the only way he would get his Act of True Love and be saved. But how? No, he had to be confident, he'd wooed countless other women...but none like her...except he knew of someone who could help. Once he was back in his room, he willed himself back to the Land of the living making Miguel cry out.

" Stop that!" Exclaimed Miguel, as he started walking to his room.

" Like I can help it. Miguel, how do I woo your tia Victoria?" Asked Ernesto.

" I don't know, I'm only 13 I've never even talked to another girl before." Said Miguel incredulously.

" Is there not a girl you like in your school?" Asked Ernesto, Miguel paused for a second before slowly rubbing his arm and looking away shyly. Ernesto smirked teasingly. "Is there?"

" Well...I do think this girl named Christina is really pretty. "Said Miguel, before shaking his head. " But she doesn't like me like that."

" Well, what would you do to make her like you?" Asked Ernesto, who couldn't believe he was getting relationship advise from a thirteen year old. Miguel paused for a second, and mulled it over.

" I mean, give her stuff she likes. Nice things like, candy, Christina loves Duvalines but only the strawberry vanilla kind, she hates the chocolate ones. Or flowers, or or um...something she likes. Like for example, Christina's birthday is coming up and I'm going to buy her this movie she really likes. So, you could give Tia Victoria Candy, Flowers, or just things she likes." Explained Miguel with a smile. When you talk don't talk about yourself? Ooh! Maybe dancing and music? Everyone loves dancing."

" Well, I suppose this could work." Said Ernesto.

" So, if you and Tia Victoria get together...does that make you my tio?" Asked Miguel curiously.

" Si." Said Ernesto simply, prompting another disgusted look fro Miguel. " Get over it."

"That's another thing, you have to be nice." Said Miguel, "Girls don't like jerks."

" Yes,yes,yes fine." He replied, before glowing green. He groaned, and held his head and immediately Miguel looked at him in concern. The former singer's bones became almost translucent, and it was almost like Miguel could see through him. Weakly he groaned, and looked up at Miguel. " I need her."

" Come on." Said Miguel in determination, he motioned Ernesto to hide behind the wall before entering his grandmother's room.

" Hola Mama Elena, I just came to tell you goodnight." Said Miguel with a smile.

" Ay Miguel, mi angelito precioso." Said Elena, hugging her grandson and greeting him with various kisses. Ernesto snickered behind the wall, making Miguel narrow his eyes slightly before turning to his grandma.

"Mama Elena, I was thinking that we could have some things on the ofrenda that the familia likes. Like, Mama Coco's favorite drink or Papa Julio's favorite type of Jam, or even just Mama Imelda and Papa Hector's favorite songs." Said Miguel.

" Ay Miguel that's a wonderful idea!" Exclaimed Elena.

" Great! I was just wondering, what does Tia Victoria like?" Asked Miguel,

"Victoria? You want to start with her?" Asked Elena curiously.

" Yeah! We could go from the youngest and work our way up." Said Miguel, which technically isn't a lie. Elena smiled softly, having no reason not to trust Miguel after all. " What kind of things does she like?"

" Victoria has always been very bookish. I remember she was never without a book in her hand, and sometimes she used to read at the dinner table even though Mama Imelda said not to. She also used to love dancing..even though Mama Imelda had forbade it. She used to wear socks on her feet and would play music in her mind, so she wouldn't get caught." Explained Elena with a soft chuckle.

" Why didn't I think of that?" Mumbled Miguel, thinking back to the times he'd been caught.

"What was that?"

"Nada." Said Miguel innocently.

" When Victoria was a little girl, she also loved to make stories of her own. She played with dolls all the time, inventing stories and playing games. One day, Mama was very ill, and Victoria had entertained her with a puppet show. It made mama feel so good. She also used to love reading out loud and playing dress up...I think she wanted to be an actress sometimes." Said Imelda softly.

" Well why didn't she?" Asked Miguel curiously, as he sat on the bed.

" She chose to stay at the zapateria, Mama Imelda told her not to pursue acting. She told her that she didn't want Victoria to leave her family behind for fame, as her husband...or rather like she believed her husband had. Vico was very strong, on the outside, she told Mama Imelda that she understood, but when she was by herself...she cried. Of course, she just let that dream go. Because she had found a new dream." Said Elena, as she sat beside Miguel and took his hands in hers. He felt so bad for Tia Victoria, whose life had been ruined because Ernesto had hurt Mama Imelda and Papa Hector. If Ernesto had left Hector alone and let him come home, Victoria could have lived her dream.

" What was it?" He asked.

" She met a man named Armando, and well she loved him very much, he was a friend of Papa Franco's and well..we thought it was a wonderful thing. But well...I had your papa, tio, y tia...and Victoria was unable to have any children. She became very...sad and angry, and hurt. She was angry at me, angry at Armando, but mostly she was angry with herself. Armando left her, and well...not long after she grew very...very sick. I think her heart just couldn't take it anymore, and she died of a broken heart." Said Elena sadly. Miguel hugged his grandmother tightly, and sniffed trying not to cry. Ernesto heard enough, and returned to the Land of the Dead. His alebrijes yipped when they saw him.

The next day, he headed down to breakfast, a plan in mind. He would mend Victoria's broken heart.

" Someone's in a good mood." Teased Victoria slightly, as she served herself some food.

" Because I am in a good mood." He replied with a wink making her shake her head. " Say, why don't you and I do the deliveries today?"

" Are you sure?" She asked tentatively.

" What's the worst that could happen?" He asked curiously.

"Considering that fight yesterday?" She replied, still if he wanted to do this then it had to mean something right? " Alright."

Later, at the zapateria, everyone else got to work, and Victoria and Ernesto got the boxes to go deliver them. Albeit the remaining Riveras looked at them oddly. Hector, Julio, and Imelda both looked a little disapproving however Coco smiled. It was a little strange but, well they were probably just friends. Ernesto looked up to where his old home used to be, and he immediately took Victoria's hand and led her away.

" Um...where are we going?" She asked in confusion.

"My house." He replied simply.

" Que? Why?"

" I have a gift for you...and it's not what you're thinking." He replied realizing how it could be construed this way. " You got me out from under the bell and gave me a chance, so today...I will show you gratitude. "

"How?" She asked, folding her arms over her chest.

" You'll see." Said Ernesto with a smirk, she rolled her eyes affectionately and shook her head. Well, as long as they continued to do deliveries of course. Even so, she would humor him. She followed began to walk with him, and it was silent for a moment. Victoria gasped with glee, and immediately almost like a little girl went over to a street performer who was making a marionette dance.

"Mira, que Lindo!" She gushed, with a smile.

Truthfully, Ernesto thought the puppet was creepy, but Victoria was smiling with girlish glee at watching it dance. It was almost adorable in a way. Once it was over, everyone clapped and they proceeded to continue walking.

" Sorry, I've always loved puppets and dolls, I used to play with them all the time and make up stories with them." She explained with a small shy smile.

" You have a very ghigh tolerance for puppets then." He replied making her chuckle.

" Oh, are you afraid of dolls?" She asked.

" Dolls no, puppets? Depends, and I say that is a healthy fear." He replied, making her giggle.

" I'm sorry, the great Ernesto de la Cruz, finds puppets creepy?" She asked, making him scoff.

" Oye, if you saw one in the middle of the night you would think so too." He replied, causing her to lift her brow.

" I did have them in my room in the middle of the night." She replied, causing him to chuckle and clear his throat. She shook her head, and looked up at him, even though they had shared very personal stories from their lives, she actually knew nothing of him. Which was ironic, considering the whole, 'you don't know someone unless you really know them' speech she gave him. He was tall, and quite handsome and..wait did she just think he was handsome? She shook her head and began walking farther.

" We need to make a delivery."

" Ah si, si of course." He replied, as she looked over the list, trying to see where the person's address was and if they were close boy. She stepped forward, and after a few paces accidentally bumped into someone.

" Disculpame."

"Igual...mente..." Said a Voice that Victoria hadn't expected to hear in a long, long time. She slowly looked up, and even the other skeleton was surprised at the sight of her. He was as tall as she was, with sleek black hair and a thick mustache. "Victoria."

" Armando." Said Victoria, and Ernesto immediately looked at the other man and he ad to fight his urge to strike the man then and there. " Excuse me, I have some place I need to be."

" Si, si um...I'm glad your family has been reunited." He said with a smile.

" Gracias." She said politely, not even bothering to look at him.

"Victo-"

" I have places to be Armando, and if you'll excuse me I'm busy and I don't want to talk with you right now. Excuse me." Said Victoria, brushing past her ex husband and walking with her arms folded and her head bowed. Ernesto stepped forward and glared at the man, who was surprised to see him there.

" The only reason I have not pummeled you into the ground, is because I promised her family I would not fight. Come near her again, and I can't be sure I'll uphold that promise." Said Ernesto.

" S-s-si senor De la Cruz, i-it's just...I wanted to apologize, and surely if you can get a second chance from the Riveras after what you did, perhaps I...I can." He said meekly. " I was wr-wrong y Santa Maria please don't hurt me."

" She will forgive you, when she wants to but I suspect that won't be for a long, long, long time. Hector had the excuse of being murdered, for why he couldn't be there for his family. You have none. " Said Ernesto, brushing past him, and walking after Victoria who was on a nearby bench. She took a deep breath and sighed when Ernesto sat by her. " I am sorry."

" Don't." She replied, " I just...don't want to talk about him...or to even acknowledge his presence."

Theres that part of Imelda he thinks, because it's so much like how Imelda didn't want to acknowledge Hector for what she thought he did. Something that well, had made him wince as he recalled last night. Still, he would respect her wishes. He stood and extended his hand to her, wordlessly she looked up at him and he smiled genuinely. She smiled back, and took his hand.