AN - I think this is a bit of a more "satisfying" ending. I realized the other chapter was harsh so, here you go! Still short but... oh well!:)
A scream...
A gunshot...
Imelda woke up. Feeling pure adrenaline shoot through her. The aftermath of what happened shook her still.
It was 2 in the morning.
As she laid back onto her pillow, sighing, she turned her head to the left to look at the empty spot next to her. Staring at the vacant side of the bed, made her feel lonely.
Getting up to put on her robe, she exited the bedroom, making her way across the hall and quietly pushed the door open to Coco's room.
Sure enough, her daughter was sound asleep.
She has adjusted well ever since she's been back home, but still jumps at the sound of a door slamming or a loud bang. Imelda knelt down next to the sleeping Coco and gently stroked her cheek. She stirred, but nothing more. "I love you, Coco", Imelda whispered.
After a quick kiss on her forehead, Imelda retreated to the door and closed it.
Imelda had a newfound likeness to the dead of night. It gave her time to think. She especially enjoyed the cool breeze on their small porch, where she could stare at the stars and feel nothing but serene tranquility.
She opened the sliding door and wasn't shocked in the slightest. "I thought you'd be here", she said as a matter of factly, walking a few steps forward to her husband's side as he too gazed up at the stars. As he leaned against the wooden railing, he smiled at the sight of her, kissing her beautiful lips as she rested against him.
"I can't stop thinking about it, Imelda. No matter how hard I try, I just can't."
"I know, Hector", said Imelda, bringing a hand up to the middle of his back. "But remember it's not your fault."
Hector let out an exasperated grunt. "But it kind of is. I'm supposed to be the responsible one. How could I have not seen this coming? I'm supposed to be the one to keep mi familia safe..."
"You couldn't have known what he was going to do", said Imelda. Her voice was becoming shaky. She was obviously trying her best not to cry. It made her feel weak whenever she let someone see her cry. "It wasn't your fault", she repeated.
He looked at her, hard. "All I know is", he began, turning towards her, pulling her close as he brought a hand up to her face to stroke some hair out of her eyes. "if anything happened to you or Coco... I'd die..."
She placed her hands on the front of his shirt and pulled him down to her so that his lips once again met hers.
Ever since he got back and had moments like this with Imelda, he cherished her. He loved the sight of her, her eyes, the smell of her, her touch, her heartbeat. Her.
"Even so, it wouldn't have been the first time you left...", whispered Imelda the minute they stopped to gasp for air.
"Imelda-"
She shushed him as she gazed affectionately into his eyes. Hector knew he broke her heart when he left. But he would do his best to make it up to her.
"I promise you, mi amor, I'll never leave you again", whispered Hector passionately. He smiled as he realized just how precious these moments were to him.
He smiled bigger at the thought of spending the rest of his life this way, surrounded by his loved ones.