Days And Nights (Book of Life and Maya and the Three One Shots)

Death And Promises

Manolo reveals to Maria how he died.

The wedding celebration was in full swing as they extended into the night. 

As much as Manolo was over the moon that he married Maria, there was something eating away at him. He hadn't told anyone about how he died, but he knew he had to soon, and he knew just who to tell first. 

"Maria?" He asked her, "Can we talk? Alone?"

Maria was a little confused, but she knew it must've been serious, "Uh, yeah. Of course."

Manolo brought them away from the reception, inside the church by the door. 

"Is everything ok?" Maria asked.

"Yes, I just…" Manolo took a deep breath, "Maria, about my… death, there's something you should know."

Manolo told Maria everything. He told her that he was blamed for her death and was kicked out of town, and when he went back, he encountered Xibalba. This part of the story was hard for him to tell, but he forced himself to say that he let Xibalba's snake bite him.

"What?" Maria asked in disbelief. 

There was a tense silence, which was soon broken by Maria’s anger, "What were you- what were you thinking? A sketchy man offers to kill you and you take it? How could you be so stupid?!" Maria shoved him a few times, but her hits had zero strength, "And for what?!" She slumped against Manolo’s chest, shedding a few tears, "And for what?"

Manolo said nothing for a few seconds, listening to Maria's silent sobs. They weren't married for a full day, and he already messed up. 

"I can't tell you how sorry I am." Manolo finally said, "I thought the one good thing I had left was taken from me. Xibalba knew that and he tricked me into… I wasn't thinking straight. All I thought about was being with you again. But you were alive…" Tears filled his eyes as he held her, "I'm sorry for hurting you… for everything."

Maria looked up at Manolo, seeing the pain and regret on her husband's face. She began to understand what he might’ve been thinking; after being shunned by the town for doing the right thing, he lost the woman he loved. He felt like no one else cared about him and was tricked into thinking the only way back to her was death.

She sighed, her anger disappearing instantly as she hugged him, "I'm sorry I yelled. I can't say I wouldn't do the same. You were hurt and manipulated, Manolo. To be fair, in a way, it brought us together, but either way, what you did was stupid. I forgive you, mi amor, and I love you. We all do."

Manolo let out a sigh of relief. He still felt awful for what happened and he still had to tell Joaquin eventually, but at least his wife understood. 

Maria placed a hand on his cheek, "Manolo, promise me you'll never do anything like that again."

"I promise I won't." Manolo said.

"If anything happens to either of us, we won't let ourselves be so consumed by grief. We continue to live our lives, ok?"

"Of course."

"Here's to the both of us." Maria pulled him down into a quick, soft kiss. After a moment of silence, she said with a blush, "It's getting late. You wanna… get out of here? Be alone for the night?"

Manolo’s face turned red, "O-Oh, uh… yeah, definitely."

Before they left, they went back to the reception to say goodbye to Manolo’s family, knowing they'd be gone by time tomorrow.

"You did good, little Sanchez." Carmelo said.

"Farwell, Manolo." Jorge said.

"I'm so proud of you, mijo." Luis said. 

"You two be good to each other." Carmen said, hugging him and Maria.

"Mijo." Carlos said, "I'm sorry again for not being a better father."

"Papa-" Manolo was about to say. 

"Manolo, all I ask of you is to be well and to not make my mistakes with your children. Be better than I ever was."

Manolo’s eyes welled up as he hugged his father tightly, "You weren't perfect, but you did your best. I love you, Papa."

His whole family, including Maria, came together in a group hug.

"We'll visit every Day of the Dead." Maria promised. 

"I know you will." Carmen smiled. 

"Don't wait too long for children, now." Anita said, making everyone laugh. 

Manolo said one more goodbye to his family before bidding farewell to the gods. As they left for Maria’s house, Maria noticed her husband was choking back tears. She placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled reassuringly when he looked at her. Manolo took her hand in his and softly kissed her knuckles. 

The newlyweds begin their new life together based on a promise they'll never break.