The next morning, the only thing Hector and Imelda could do was to wait if Senor Cliff Garland could talk to his friend, Rodrigo Amez if he can meet Ernesto for a music recording deal. Ernesto wasn't the only one with a sleepless night, and it wasn't because of Coco this time. The guilt of taking away his friend's dream was eating him alive.

"Have some coffee, Hector," Imelda offered a freshly brewed beverage.

"Thanks, amore," Hector sipped without looking at Imelda. Imelda, sensing his guilt, pulled up a chair.

"Don't you dare think you owe Ernesto anything," Imelda was stern, but loving.

"Imelda, I do," rebuffed Hector. "Ernesto and I…we are like brothers. You know how I was an orphan. Ernesto sneaked me in and out of his house. He didn't care his parents thought low of me. He snuck me food and water and shelter. Heck, I owe him my life." Imelda sighed and rubbed his shoulder. "And now I have ruined our friendship for good."

"That's his problem, not yours," frowned Imelda. "Honestly, he doesn't think of me or Coco at all."

"You kidding?" Hector turned back to Imelda. "He always talks about you!" Imelda was shocked, but almost immediately hardened herself.

"Well, he needs to stop and get over me," Imelda was harsh. "I chose you, not him. And nothing can change that." Hector fiddled his fingers.

"Do you think he has always hated me since that day?" whispered Hector, nervously. "I stole his girl."

"We weren't even official," Imelda chuckled and sat down. "And again, his problem, not yours." Imelda was leaning forward to kiss Hector when there was a knock on the door and the two sprung up.

"It's him!" cried Hector and he pounced on Garland.

"Well, what did he say?!" Hector was so nervous that he shook the man. Garland cleared his throat.

"Well, Rodrigo is interested!" Garland smiled warmly. Hector and Imelda looked at each other and sighed with relief.

"Gracias, Senor Garland, gracias!" Hector pulled in Garland for a huge hug, which he easily pulled away from. "Oh, sorry! Sorry!" Hector let go, knowing that he wasn't amused.

"Don't do that again," Garland said dryly, fixing his clothes.

"So, when can my husband and Ernesto see this Rodrigo character?" asked Imelda.

"Well, he's booked today. But, he can see Hector and Ernesto tomorrow."

"Okay, so Jalisco is a two-hour drive, so we'll make it a day trip!" decided Imelda.

"No, no, mi amore," Hector rejected, taking her hands. "It must only be me and Ernesto." Imelda nodded, understanding. "But, you can help me run errands today for the trip."

Hector was surprised that Ernesto not only forgave him, but also actually agreed to watch Coco while they go out for the afternoon. Hector was relieved that he and Ernesto are still the best of friends. But, Imelda, always sharp, had her guard up.

"Are you sure that it's all right to let Ernesto watch over Coco?" she whispered to Hector as they head to the door.

"Are you kidding, Imelda? Look at them," said Hector, smiling at Ernesto who was spinning a very delighted Coco.

"A boo boo boo boo," cooed Ernesto, shaking Coco up and down as she laughed, kicking the air. (AUTHOR'S NOTE: Come on, Ernesto may be fake, but this is still adorable as hell. Happy New Year and carry on!) Even Imelda couldn't hide a big smile. "They need the bonding."

"If you insist, mi amore," sighed Imelda, closing the door. Little did she know that Ernesto was watching them leave.

"Okay, my little one," said Ernesto, putting Coco down. "Let's have a little snack."

"Me no hungry," frowned Coco, waving her little arms around. "Up, up!" She started to whine. It took every inch for Ernesto to not slap the tod. Can't wait to get rid of this brat.

"Okay, fine," muttered Ernesto, picking Coco up. "Want a cookie?"

"Yeah!" gasped Coco.

"I'll give you the biggest cookie ever if you sit quiet and be a good girl!" Ernesto promised, putting her in a high chair. Coco patted her mouth and cheekily smiled at him. Ernesto smirked at her innocence. He had to admit that she's adorable, but her charms won't get her out of death.

Just his luck, he saw a new package of cookies. Hector and Imelda will think the cookies are bad. No one will expect a thing. Ernesto took out poison out of his pocket and poured it all over the cookies. But, to at least give a bit of kindness to the baby, he did find the biggest cookie to give to her.

He walked to the dining room to find her sing out "the Mama y Papa song" the best that she can.

"The way you guessing! Nodding yessing!" she squeaked, playing with her braid. "Blessing poco loco!" Coco, realizing that Ernesto was watching, gasped and bit her lip as if she was not talking.

"Now, were you talking?" smiled Ernesto, playfully and waving the cookie.

"No, singing," she responded sassily.

"Well, how can I say no to that beautiful singing?" Ernesto grinned, showing the cookie.

"Gracias," she giggled. Ernesto darkly smiled at her as she was eating the cookie.

"Like it, Coco?" he asked, almost innocently.

"Mm-hmm," she nodded with a mouth full.

"Keep eating it," Ernesto patted her head.

As Ernesto put the poison back in his pocket, it didn't take long to hear Coco coughing. He smiled, satisfied at himself. Like shooting fish in a barrel. Now, he just has to pretend to be innocent.

Ernesto leisurely walked in to find Coco, looking woozy with a tone of blue on her face.

"Oh, Coco," he soothed. "You don't look well. Was the cookie bad?"

"Tummy ache," she cried out, dropping the cookie. "Ow, ow!"

"Maybe I should give you-"

A knock on the door interrupted Ernesto from his act and he growled to himself. But then, he realized: A witness is what he needs. Ernesto rubbed his hair to mess it up and opened the door. It was Hector and Imelda's older neighbor, Senorita Amelia.

"Hola, Ernesto. Is Imelda-?"

"Amelia, thank the Lord that you're here!" Ernesto was frantic, shaking her. "Something is wrong with little Coco!" Ernesto was impressed with himself. If only I have a movie to show off my acting talents. Right, Hector?

"What do yo-" Amelia gasped in horror as she saw Coco fading from consciousness. She was pale as a ghost. "Coco!" Ernesto had to cover his mouth to hide his smile.

"Papa!" Coco managed to cry out. "Papa!" Amelia whisked her off her chair and into her arms.

"Oh my goodness!" cried Amelia.

"You go to the hospital!" Ernesto commended. "I'll find Hector and Imelda!"

"Hurry, Ernesto!" yell Amelia, running with a now-fading Coco.

Ernesto considered not trying to find Hector and Imelda. Maybe he could run away for a fresh start. But, it would make him look guilty. He must look innocent. Ernesto looked for them everywhere in Santa Clara for ten minutes when he found them on the plaza, talking to a mariachi.

"Hector! Imelda!" he screamed out in a panic. The couple jumped.

"Oh, Ernesto! You scared-" Hector started to say when he noticed that Ernesto was frazzled.

"Ernesto, what is it?" Hector cried out.

"Coco!" Imelda gasped. "Is she okay?"

Ernesto waited in the emergency room. He wanted to be in the room "to support his best friend and goddaughter," but Hector and Imelda wanted to be alone with Coco. Perhaps they should be alone. After all, they are saying their goodbyes to Coco.

"Senor de la Cruz?" asked a voice. He looked up to see a nurse. It was time to turn on the act.

"Enfermera," whimpered Ernesto. "Is my goddaughter going to be fine?"

"Well, actually…" said the nurse.

"Oh no!" Ernesto pretended to break down. He decided to grab her legs for effect. "How long does she have to live?!"

"Senor de la Cruz, Senor de la Cruz!" calmed the nurse. "Coco will be just fine!"

"What?!" Ernesto screamed out. No way!

"Si," smiled the nurse. "It was just food poison. The doctors gave her some medicine. It cleared the toxics out."

"But, but," stammered Ernesto, who was in complete shock. "This is impossible!"

"Miracles exist," shrugged the nurse. "You have to thank the Lord." Ernesto was speechless. "You can visit her anytime if you want." Ernesto plotted on the chair, in anger and confusion. He literally poisoned the girl. How could she be all right?!

Coco went home that night and the first thing Imelda did was throwing out the cookies.

"That devil baker!" she cursed. "Almost killed my girl! I'm going to march up to him and-"

"Imelda, there are children present," Hector warned, stroking a tired Coco.

"Bad cookies!" scorned Coco, wagging her finger at the cookies.

"That's right, Coco!" smiled Hector. "No more bad cookies. Now, come on. Time to prepare for bed. You need your rest for your day with Mama." Imelda looked at him with horror.

"What do you mean 'You need your rest for your day with Mama?!'" yelled Imelda after Hector put Coco to bed. "Our daughter was fighting for her life and you're still going to Jalisco?!" Hector looked down in shame.

"I know, Imelda!" he said, sadly. "I don't -"

Immediately, Hector went through one of the worst things you can experience: A boot to the face by Imelda.

At the beginning of the road trip the very next morning, Ernesto did nothing, but stare at Hector's swollen cheek.

"She was that mad, huh?" questioned Ernesto, awkwardly.

"Si," Hector said, plainly. Hector stopped the car and rubbed his aching back.

"Slept on the couch and everything?" smirked Ernesto.

"I don't want to talk about," frowned Hector, starting the car again.

It was silent for a while.

"I don't get something," Ernesto was being honest this time. "Socorro, your only child, nearly died yesterday and yet, here you are taking me to some random music producer. Why?"

"Honestly, I want to be at home right now. I need to be with my girl at this time," Hector was still grumpy, but he softened up. "But, I've been pulling you off for too long. You deserve all of the happiness and fame in the world." Hector patted a sentimental Ernesto on the shoulder. "Thank you for being such a good friend."

And for the first time ever, Ernesto started to feel a new uncomfortable feeling….guilt.