A/N: This is not the end of the story. It was going to be at first, but I have a MUCH better idea. I'm sorry if this chapter isn't as good as the others, but I will make it up to you with a bit of a twist in the next one. I don't know why but this seemed like such a cheesy way to end this fanfic for some reason. Anyway, the next chapter should come later today or early tomorrow. Enjoy this part for the time being. I have far better chapters in mind for the future of this story.

Papá refused to leave Coco's room for two days after that. He wouldn't let her be alone or uncomfortable. He sat on Julio's side of the bed when he wasn't in the room and talked with her, just like he used to do when she was younger. He played his guitar to accompany her whenever there was silence, playing whatever notes he thought of and blending them together in a way that gave Coco a wave of contentment despite her tiredness.

They reminisced about the few memories they had from when he was alive and with her. They joked about some of Papá's craziest times in the Land of the Dead. They talked about Ernesto and how it was still hard for either of them to believe what he did. Coco laughed when Papá told her about his adventure with Miguel and performing in the contest with him. He nodded knowingly when she told him how close the two of them had been and that he told her everything-- quite literally.

"Do you miss him sometimes?" Papá asked her, bringing his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them as he waited for her to answer.

Coco nodded. "Yes, I do." Just saying the words made her heart ache, even if she didn't have one anymore.

Papá leaned over and rested his head on her shoulder, not responding immidiately.

Coco looked at him. "What about you? Do you miss him?"

Papá closed his eyes and gave a small nod. "Almost every day." A faraway smile appeared on his face. "He's a lot like you now that I think about it."

Coco furrowed her brow as she stared at him. "What do you mean, Papá?"

But he merely yawned, shook his head against her and didn't answer, changing the subject and dismissing the question with a wave of his hand. Coco pretended not to notice and admired how much easier it was to talk now.

The day went on like that until Mamá gave a knock on the closed door and told Papá to let Coco have some time alone. Papá tried to protest, like Coco had predicted he would, but Mamá just crossed her arms and gave him her signature firm stare. Defeated, Papá rolled his eyes, stood up, and stormed out, clutching his guitar by the neck. He paused at the doorway to give Coco one last worried smile before walking out, Mamá closing the door behind her when she, too, exited.

Coco turned to stare out her bedroom window and watched the sun as it turned the sky a velvet purple. She was soon asleep, finding it easier to sleep since her head didn't ache as much anymore. She dreamt of Papá and their earliest memories together all night, the soft and wonderful tunes he'd played for her filling her mind and making the biggest smile she could manage work its way onto her face.

She felt better the next day. Much better. She didn't feel tired. Her head wasn't pounding. And when she tried to stand again, this time she wasn't shaking. The sun lit up her bedroom once again-- it didn't hurt her eyes as much as the last few times.

It was one of the best feelings she'd ever experienced, and when she walked down the stairs to greet her family, the emotions in their eyes, especially the relief in Papá's face mirrored her hapiness without her having to say anything.

Papá was the first one to wrap his arms around her, getting to his knees and embracing her as tight as she would let him. Soon the whole family joined him, and Coco practically felt herself being lifted off the ground. When they let go, Coco led the way to the kitchen, where she could see that the food has already been prepared and set out.

She sat down next to Papá and shared a warm smile with him as he took his seat as well, the sounds of overlapped talking and laughing filling the room as Coco cherished the fact that she was able to enjoy it without a headache and talk without a sore throat.