Narrator's POV:

She was a beautiful child with dark black hair and light brown eyes, mocha skin, and a smile that would melt your heart. And Maria never looked more beautiful, she had a glow about her that had been becoming more eminent for the past nine months, and Manolo couldn't have been more proud of another human being in his entire life.

"She's perfect." Manolo whispered over to Maria, though completely exhausted, couldn't have looked more ravishing.

"She is mi amor." Maria kissed her husband, then her newly born child. There was a knock at the door and Rosita and Joaquin came in, the child's godparents.

"Oh my goodness." Rosita put her hand over her lips as she began to cry tears of joy, her stomach was now filled with a bundle of joy of her own, and she was due any day now.

"She's gorgeous Manolo, Maria congratulations." Joaquin hugged Manolo and smiled at Maria.

"Thank you Joaquin, Rosita." Maria nodded at them as they all took turns holding the giggling child.

"What's her name?" The nurse walked in after knocking on the door.

"Gabriela." Both Maria and Manolo spoke up as they both looked at the nurse.

"Perfect." She smiled at them as she notated the name down.

"How precious." Rosita smiled as Joaquin walked over to her and embraced her.

"We should go; you need your rest." Joaquin said to Maria as Rosita nodded.

"Yes, sleep now. We'll let you catch up on your rest, and soon it'll also be my turn." Rosita smiled as she rubbed her stomach lovingly. They said their goodbyes as the nurse took the baby so that Maria could rest, as would the newborn child.

"Buenas noches mi amor." Manolo gave her a kiss as he watched over her as she slept.

"Aiiiii!" Rosita screamed as she lost her breath, breathing at a rapid pace as the doctor continued to tell her to push. Poor Joaquin felt as though his hand was going to be smashed to pieces as he patted her head, but she would only scream,
"Don't patronize me! This is all your doing after all!" As she continued to push and to her relief, four hours later, her daughter was born.

"She's just . . . perfect." Was the only word that came to Joaquin's mind.

"She is indeed, our little Jaquelina." Rosita held her for a moment as the nurse took her away to wash her, the baby's crying finally subsided when she was at her mother's side, having her first meal as Joaquin blushed, feeling a mixture of pride, adoration, and love.

"Jaquelina, this is your papa, Joaquin." Rosita handed the baby to Joaquin after she finished eating, at first his hands were shaking, but once Rosita told him to mind her head, he was fine. She was so small in his largess hands, her bright caramel-hazel eyes shown as her soft brown-black hair stood up slightly, she smiled as her cheeks turned a rosy pink color over her mocha skin. Joaquin felt as though his life was full with these two in his life, a loving wife and a beautiful daughter, he couldn't ask for more.

"Hola?" Manolo knocked on the door as he, Maria, and Gabriela came in. Gabriela was in her mother's arms as she waved them around giggling.

"Oh look Jaquelina, it's your godparents, and their daughter Gabriela, I'm sure the two of you will be great friends." Rosita said to Jaquelina as she looked around the room.

"She's beautiful." Maria said as she walked over to Rosita.

"Thank you." Rosita smiled as they introduced the two and they chatted, but Manolo said that Rosita needed rest, and Maria agreed as they soon left and Joaquin watched as the nurse took the child and Rosita soon fell asleep.

"Jaquelina, breakfast!" Rosita called out as she finished making juevos rancheros while Joaquin was having his morning coffee.

"Coming mama!" She called as she ran down the stairs, her small legs carrying her as fast as she could as she kissed her mother and father good morning as she sat down for breakfast.

"Alright, now don't forget to behave today, don't do anything too hectic while you're out with Gabriela." Rosita looked her in the eye, as she made sure her daughter understood well, as Jaquelina nodded her head.

"Good." Rosita nodded.

"I'm sure she'll be fine." Joaquin petted his daughter's head lovingly as she smiled. They continued on with breakfast as Rosita helped her daughter get ready for the day, dressing her in a yellow sundress with red and white, braiding her hair and putting ribbons in it.

"You're ready, don't forget what I told you." Rosita kissed her daughter as she saw her out; Gabriela was waiting on the other side of the door.

"Buenos dias senora." Gabriela greeted as Maria waved.

"Oh yes, buenos dias." Rosita greeted back as Maria came in to chat with her as the two girls ran off outside to search for adventure.

Gabriela was wearing a deep red dress as her long dark hair flowed freely in the wind, her eyes closed as she ran around, then they found themselves at the far end of town, finding a forgotten cemetery.

"Look at this!" Gabriela ventured in without a thought as Jaquelina was a bit hesitant, but followed being that she didn't want to be left alone.

"It's like no one comes here." Jaquelina looked a bit sad, as she realized no one had come to visit these graves.

"I know, it's a shame that these people aren't remembered." Gabriela looked at one of the graves, seeing the name Fernando written on it.

"He was our age." Gabriela brushed her small hand over the tombstone as a tear came rolling down her cheek. Suddenly the ground began to shake.

"What was that?" Jaquelina looked around nervously.

"I don't know." Gabriela ran over to her as they embraced in fear, waiting to see what would happen next, suddenly the had to jump back as the ground opened up and a small figure emerged from the tombstone.

"Huhhh! It's a zombie!" Jaquelina shrieked as Gabriela tried to get a better look.

"I'm not a zombie!" A boyish voice was heard as Gabriela walked forward, seeing an unfamiliar face appear.

"Who are you? What are you?" Gabriela asked, as she looked the small boy up and down, he was only two inches taller than her.

"I'm Fernando, I am the son of La Muerte and Xibalba." He stated matter-of-factly as the dirt around him slowly fell to the floor.

"Oh?" Gabriela asked as Jaquelina finally had the guts to emerge from behind a rock and walked slowly over to Gabriela.

"Yes, and who are you?" Fernando looked Gabriela up and down as the moonlight revealed his appearance, dark midnight hair and dark ruby red eyes shone as his light creamy skin reflected the brilliance of the moonlight, his hair was messy, un-brushed and untamed but it was handsome. He still possessed childlike qualities, a round face, and skinny body. His clothes were simple, a black shirt with a Dia de los Muertes skull on it and dark denim pants with black converse.

"I am Gabriela, my parents are Manolo and Maria Sanchez." She stated confidently.

"And the other girl?" Fernando disappeared and reappeared behind Gabriela, right in front of a terrified Jaqueline.

"J-Jaqueline, my mother and father are Joaquin and Rosita Mondragon." She stuttered out nervously.

"Ah, I see, and what are you two doing in a cemetery?" Fernando question as she circled them.

"Looking for adventure of course." Gabriela rolled her eyes, making it seem that the answer was obvious.

"Adventure eh?" Fernando questioned as he looked around clearly this would be entertaining.

"Then how about we make this interesting. How about a little wager?" He asked, looked at Gabriela straight in the eye.

"Like what? What will we get out of it?" Gabriela looked him up and down.

"The adventure of a lifetime." Fernando put his hand out, waiting for Gabriela's answer.