A person like Coco should have at least two special names, Héctor decided. She's his daughter, so why not? Besides, Héctor didn't think Coco would ever tell him to stop. She, just like him, isn't all that demanding. Not like Ernesto or Ceci. So even if she got annoyed by the names, Héctor knew that there was almost no chance she'd voice any complaints.

Two days after her first birthday, Héctor started using them. He didn't have any trouble coming up with them, either.

He decided that preciosa and angelita were the perfect names for Coco. She seemed to approve of them, too. Every time he used one of them around her, she either smiled up at him or burst into a fit of giggles. Imelda always joked that maybe one day Coco would follow in his footsteps and give nicknames to her friends when she got older.

And every time Héctor looked at his daughter, face lit up in joy after Héctor teased her with his special names, it was hard not to believe Imelda's statement.

Ernesto always groaned whenever he heard one of Coco's names used. He stood in the hallway with his arms crossed tightly and a disapproving frown on his face. "First me, then Ceci, then Imelda, and now your daughter." He rolled his eyes. "Ay, Héctor..."

Héctor looked from Coco to Ernesto and sighed. "What's wrong with me using my special names, Ernesto? Besides, Coco doesn't care."

"The rest of the world will."

Here we go again, Héctor thought to himself. He picked Coco up in his arms and strided over to Ernesto.

"Just because you don't like it doesn't mean no one else does." Héctor gestured to Coco, who was gaping at Ernesto with wide eyes. "And if someone doesn't like it , that their problem. Okay, Superhero?"

Ernesto's eyes blazed with irritation. "Don't call me Superhero," he thundered, then stomped out of the front door.

Besides Ernesto, no one seemed to mind or even notice the way Héctor teased Coco. Héctor has heard plenty of parents in Santa Cecillia come up with words of affection for their children. Why would they stop him? Even Imelda used the names from time to time.

It was the only time someone besides Héctor used one of his nicknames.

Coco responded to them both equally. Her joyful squealing and giggling touched the walls of the hacienda, and her smile and eyes wide with adoration swirled in Héctor's heart every time he looked at her. Why would he stop teasing her when she loved it so much?


Translations:

Preciosa-- Precious, precious one

Angelita-- little angel

A/N: Just in case you didn't know the meanings, there they are.