It's near evening by the time Héctor finally decides to leave. He walks home in silence, holding Coco in his arms as he tries to decide how to discuss the topic with Imelda without her making scene. Thankfully there's hardly anyone out at this hour, so Héctor manages to make it home without anyone getting in the way of his thought process. Coco looks up at him sleepily as they continue their walk.
"We'll be home in a few minutes, Coco," Héctor mutters, reading her expression. He adjusts his holding position so she can rest her head on his shoulder. Héctor himself is starting to feel weary with the stress of delivering the news to Imelda.
When the two of them finally reach the front door, Héctor draws in a nervous breath. Then he pushes the door open, immediately greeted by Imelda standing in front of him, her arms crossed with that familiar frown-- almost a scowl-- on her face.
It takes all of Héctor's strength to restrain himself from shuddering.
Instead he half smiles at her. "Hola, mi amor," he says to her.
Imelda uncrosses her arms and her glre fades as she gestures for Héctor to come inside, closing the door behind him. He doesn't look at her as he steps into the hallway, waiting for her to speak.
Finally she does. "Did you two have fun?" she asks, her voice calm and her face oddly relaxed considering how she was staring him down earlier.
Héctor nods. "Coco liked the mansion," he says as he glances down at his daughter breifly. She's sleeping contendedly in his arms, her head still resting on him and her mouth hanging open.
Imelda looks at Coco and laughs softly. "I think she tired herself out," she jokes.
Héctor giggles with her, never looking away from her face as he calms down. He suddenly remembers what he has to tell her, and his nervousneess takes hold of him again.
"I have to tell you something," he starts as Imelda edges past him to sit down.
She stares at him, raising her eyebrows. "What is it?"
Héctor stiffens as he sits down next to her, setting Coco in between the two of them so she can lay down. Then he regards her again.
He fidgets with his hands and says, "Ernesto wants to take a trip around Mexico so we can perform our songs for others."
Imelda laughs as she looks away from him. "Good. He'll be away for a few days. He can show off his talents somewhere else."
A shiver goes up Héctor's spine as he shakes his head. "It's not just Ernesto who's leaving."
Imelda stares at him and frowns. "Someone's going with him?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
Héctor swallows. "Me."
The house falls eerily silent except for Coco's fluttering breaths. The temperature seems to have dropped-- or is that just Héctor's nerves?
Imelda glares at him. "What? Héctor Rivera, you better be joking."
Héctor rubs the back of his neck. "I wish I could say I was, Imelda."
Imelda stands up and peers at him. "You can't just leave. Not when you have a familia to take care of. What about Coco? What about me?"
Though she's clearly trying to hide it, Héctor can hear the crack of emotion in her voice, and he stands up as well.
"Ernesto and I won't be gone that long."
Imelda gives him an icy stare.
Héctor squeezes her hand lightly. "Just for two months."
Any chance of smoothing things over is out the window as Imelda slaps his hand away. "So you want to leave me and Coco alone for two whole months? Just to chase a musical fantasy?" She glares at him, and her tone is frigid.
Héctor gives her a stern look. "It's not a fantasy, Imelda. Trust me. This will make our lives a lot better. We'll be famous and rich. This can help us."
"Help us how?" Imelda's hands squeeze to fists. "What's wrong with living like this? You have your family, Héctor. Isn't that enough?"
"Ernesto thinks this'll help us."
Imelda's glare seems to deepen and her voice lowers to a snarl. "So that's who it's really for? Your so-called Superhero? I get it. Ernesto gives you an opportunity and you take it, just because you two are friends."
Héctor can't help raising his voice. "Leave him out of this, Imelda. This has nothing to do with him."
Imelda steps closer to him and leans in. "What do I always say? It's not about Ernesto. You made a promise to me that you would never leave my side."
It feels like the air is squeezing him; every word hurts his throat as he speaks. "I'm not leaving forever, Imelda. Please. Just listen to me. Let me do this. I hate it when you make a big deal like this." His voice has grown hoarse with desperation.
Imelda scoffs. "You don't want me to make a big deal, you shouldn't be saying things like this. This is absolutely loco, Héctor. I don't want you to go."
Héctor heaves in a shaky breath. It's like his next words don't belong to him.
"Well, I have to."
Imelda gapes at him for a moment, and before Héctor can get his thoughts in order, a hand connects with the side of his face hard. Héctor staggers back, falling onto the ground in shock.
Imelda's eyes are wide with rage. "You are making the wrong decision, Héctor!"
Héctor stares at her, his voice soft but firm. "Imelda, I'm not going to force you to approve, but I'm doing this. It's all for you and Coco. Ernesto already has train tickets ready. Just trust me. This'll work. I know it."
At that moment, he hears Coco's voice behind him. "Papá?"
Héctor turns toward her and picks her up, turning to Imelda again. "We leave soon anyways, Imelda. I'm going with him."
He carries Coco to her room without another word.
