The Love of my Life (Hector and Imelda fanfiction)

Promise

TWO YEARS LATER

"Imelda, mi vida?" asked Héctor one night as the two of them laid in bed at night.

"Hmm," Imelda said, half asleep.

"Ernesto invited me to go on a trip with him today." 

"When?" 

"He wants to leave in two weeks. He said if I go I can take the next two weeks off." 

"That sounds amazing, mi amor. Have fun," said Imelda.

Héctor badly wanted to leave out the last part, but he couldn't do that to Imelda.

"One more thing." 

"What?" 

"The trip would be pretty long." 

"How long? A month or two?" 

"Well," said Héctor. "Ernesto says a year or two."

This woke Imelda up. 

"What?" 

"Yes." 

"You want to miss your daughter's and wife's birthdays, our anniversary, and countless other events to go on some trip with a wannabe guitarist?" 

"I know it'll be hard, mí amor." 

Imelda didn't know what to say. Her fifteen or sixteen-year-old self would've wanted to beat the crap out of her husband with a shoe if he'd suggested that. Although Imelda was still like that with other people, she remembered what Ernesto had said. Even though it wasn't true, Imelda hadn't forgotten. 

"Héctor, you know I'll miss you, and that's because I love you so much. But, because I love you that much, I want you to be happy. If you want to take a trip with your best friend, you do it, okay?" said Imelda.

Héctor couldn't believe Imelda was so easily convinced. "Thank you, mí amor." 

********************

The next night, Héctor was sitting in bed writing. 

"Writing? I thought you were on a break!" Imelda said.

"I am. This isn't for Ernesto, it's for Coco," said Héctor, not looking up from his page.

"I haven't told her yet. She's going to be devastated." 

"I don't see why. She has you, and you're the better parent," said Héctor. 

"That may be true, but for some reason, you're her favorite," Imelda said. 

"It's because I'm nicer," Héctor pointed out. 

"That may be true, but we can't both be nice."

"You'll have to do both while I'm gone," Héctor said. "Are you sure you'll be able to handle it alone?" 

No. thought Imelda. She was honestly terrified. She had no idea how to raise Coco without Héctor and letting Héctor go was one of the hardest things she'd ever done. "Of course I can." 

"Write me a letter if you need me, and I'll be back as soon as I can." 

"Héctor, I told you I can do it!" 

"I know, and I have lots of faith in you, but you'd be just as worried if you were leaving me alone with Coco," said Héctor. The twins had moved out about two months ago, so Imelda and Coco were going to be alone. 

"I think I'd be more worried. You're quite the pushover."

Héctor looked down at his page. Perfect. "I'll go put Coco to bed. I think I'm going to tell her." 

"Alright," said Imelda. "Good luck." 

When Héctor got to Coco's room, she was already in bed. 

"Papá!" said Coco. 

"Guess what?" asked Héctor. "I wrote a new song for you." 

Coco sat up. "I wanna hear it!" 

Héctor grabbed his guitar and started to play, already knowing the song by heart. 

"Remember me
Though I have to say goodbye
Remember me
Don't let it make you cry
For even if I'm far away, I hold you in my heart
I sing a secret song to you each night we are apart
Remember me
Though I have to travel far
Remember me
Each time you hear a sad guitar
 Know that I'm with you the only way that I can be

Until you're in my arms again
Remember me"

Coco was smiling. "That's good, Papá!" 

"Thank you! Now, I have to tell you something." 

"What?" 

"I'm going to go on a trip with Ernesto. We're going to go far away, and we'll probably be gone for a long time. You and Mamá are going to stay here, and I'm going to write you letters." 

"How long will you be gone for?" Coco asked.

"A year or two, probably. But every night, I want you to sing this song when that clock over there says nine. And no matter where I am, I'll be singing it too." 

"Alright. You promise you'll do it every night?" asked Coco.

"I promise," said Héctor. 

"Did you tell Mamá?" asked Coco. Héctor nodded. "Was she really upset?" 

"No. Mamá understood."

"I understand too. I'll miss you," said Coco. 

"I'll miss you too." said Héctor. "Goodnight, Coco." 

"Goodnight, Papá!"