In Another Life

Come Home

To say Maria and Manolo weren't enjoying themselves on their honeymoon would be pure dishonesty.

The two became closer in the two weeks they had to themselves, even befriending another couple who've been married for a few years on vacation.

Looking back, they were glad to have taken Joaquin's advice. Had they not, they may not have had the chance to be alone to have the intimacy they wanted and needed.

It was their last night in the capital city. The couple had just seen a singer that was performing at the hotel they were staying in with their new friends, Rosa and Emilio. After the show, it was nearing midnight and the two couples had decided to retire for the night.

Rosa had asked Maria to stop by her and Emilio's room, wanting to give her a gift before parting ways. Manolo bid his goodbye to the couple and went up to his and Maria's room.

Manolo was in his pajamas sitting on the balcony floor of the hotel room, strumming his guitar, looking at the full moon in the starry sky.

Zatz and Maya were sitting on the roof just above him, listening to him playing. While they raise and set the sun and moon all over the world, they spend most of their time in their home land. It didn't feel right being away from it for too long.

Maya and Zatz have also found themselves watching over their mortal counterparts more than usual. It was interesting and heartwarming to see the bits and pieces that were themselves and parts that were the mortals' own.

Maya was sitting in between Zatz's legs, his arms wrapped around her with his hands on her large abdomen, creating a cozy space for his wife and unborn children.

She chuckled when she felt the babies move, "They like his music."

"He is good, isn't he?" Zatz said.

Maya turned to look at her husband with a mischievous grin, "You know, you could try-"

"Don't even think about it."

Maya playfully scrunched her face at him. They turned their attention back to the young man as he began to sing, the love, gentleness and passion can be heard in his voice.

Manolo: Hello world, hope you're listening

Forgive me if I'm young or speaking out of turn

But there's someone I've been missing

I think that they could be the better half of me

They're in the wrong place tryin' to make it right

But I'm tired of justifying

So, I say to you

Come home, come home

'Cause I've been waiting for ya for so long, for so long

And right now there's a war between the vanities

But all I see is you and me

And the fight for you is all I've ever known

So come home

"That was beautiful."

Manolo jumped at the sudden sound of his wife's voice, plucking a few strings to make a distorted noise.

Maria laughed at her husband's reaction as she walked to join him outside, already in her nightgown.

"How long have you been standing there?" He asked, setting his guitar aside.

"Not long." Maria said, "I didn't want to disturb you playing, so I just snuck in."

Maria handed Manolo the small chocolate the hotel gave to newlywed guests as she ate hers.