The Love of my Life (Hector and Imelda fanfiction)

The Flyers

Héctor, Imelda, and Coco spent the next two weeks not accepting visitors or leaving the house. Héctor made sure Imelda didn't have to do a thing, always being the one to get up and find out what was wrong when Coco was crying. Héctor and Imelda received lots of letters, most of Imelda's from the twins and most of Héctor's from Ernesto. They could only keep visitors at bay for those two weeks before writing people to tell them they were welcome to visit. 

The twins and Imelda's parents were the first visitors, followed by Ernesto, Imelda's extended family, and both Héctor and Imelda's friends. Soon, people they barely knew were showing up and wanting to visit Coco. 

Héctor and Imelda were too exhausted to really care about all the attention, but Coco seemed to enjoy it, rarely crying, even when strangers woke her up from naps. 

A month after Coco was born, Ernesto started nagging Héctor to return to songwriting and music. Héctor didn't complain. Since Coco had been born, there were countless things to write songs about. 

Héctor and Ernesto's music grew in popularity. Although they couldn't be described as famous, they were known by the residents of Santa Cecilia, and, although it was a small town, Ernesto was certainly happy. 

Héctor, on the other hand, didn't really care about fame. During long and boring days, he would think of Imelda and Coco, and they would cause him to smile. He didn't mind he and Ernesto playing his songs, but he cared more about making sure Imelda and Coco liked his music than any fans he had. 

Imelda and Coco were definitely fans of Héctor's music. Although Imelda loved Coco, her days felt even longer than Héctor's, and music always seemed to make Coco feel better. Although she wouldn't admit it to Héctor, it made her feel a lot better too. 

The increase in Héctor's popularity certainly didn't bother Imelda. More popularity meant more money, and money was never an easy thing for Héctor and Imelda. Imelda's parents probably would've been happy to loan them a bit of money, but Imelda wouldn't be caught dead asking anyone for help. 

The twins also resumed their daily visits, and while they were still mischievous, they seemed very much more mature. Imelda sometimes had to remind herself they were fourteen, and it made her feel old even though she was only nineteen herself. 

It was a week before Coco's first birthday when the first dispute between Héctor, Imelda, and Ernesto since Coco's birth arose. 

Imelda was shopping for food while Héctor was working when she noticed the flyer. 

Héctor Rivera and Ernesto de la Cruz! March 12, 1919! it read.

Imelda had to read the sign again to be sure she was reading it right. She couldn't believe Héctor would leave her and Coco alone on Coco's birthday! She quickly bought the food and went home, ripping a flyer from a tree and putting it in her pocket.

That night, Héctor returned and was not given a warm greeting from his wife. Instead, Imelda ignored his arrival. 

"Hola, mi vida!" Héctor said, thinking that Imelda might've been too busy with Coco to notice him. She continued ignoring his presence. 

"Imelda?" asked Héctor. Still, he received no reply. Coco, who was being held by Imelda, started to flail and look at Héctor as if trying to tell Imelda he was there. 

"P... Papá!" she said. 

"What?" asked Imelda, quickly setting Coco on the couch. 

"Papá!" Coco repeated. 

Imelda sighed. 

"Did you hear that?" Héctor asked excitedly.

"I sure did," Imelda said. Héctor was able to sense exasperation in her voice. 

"Are you alright?" asked Héctor. 

"No. I don't think our daughter's first word should be the name of somebody who forgets about her birthday," Imelda said, turning to look at Héctor angrily. 

"What? I know Coco's birthday! It's March 12th!" Héctor insisted. 

"Well, I think it's worse you remembered and didn't care," Imelda said, sitting on the couch next to her daughter. "Don't worry, Coco. I won't leave you alone on your birthday." 

"What on Earth are you talking about, Imelda?" asked Héctor. 

Imelda reached into our pocket and pulled out the flyer, throwing it at Héctor. 

"It's her first birthday, Héctor, and I'd like us to both be there. Obviously, that's not as important to you as it is to me."

Héctor read the flyer. "I know this sounds crazy, but I've never seen this flyer before."

"So you're telling me flyers with your name on them appeared all over the market today?" asked Imelda, obvious disbelief on her face. 

"I told you it sounds crazy. Ernesto must've made these. I've never talked to him about this date," said Héctor. "Of course I'd rather spend Coco's birthday with the two of you than Ernesto!" 

Imelda still didn't seem convinced, causing Héctor to sit down next to her. 

"Imelda, you are the love of my life. Since I met you when I was fifteen, I've known that I loved you more than anyone or anything else in this world. I would trade a year with Ernesto for a second with you, amor."

Imelda appeared to have been calmed by Héctor's statement. "I love you very much, and I'm sorry I got so upset. I just miss you when you're off with Ernesto all the time, and I was looking forward to Coco's birthday. I was thinking it could be a day where it's just our family." 

"You're absolutely right. I'll take down the flyers myself tomorrow," promised Héctor.