The Love After Life (for KingCrowley)

[SpicyPepper]

Miguel was a sweet, loving boy of the Rivera family, though he could be rambunctious, mischievous, and able to find himself on the receiving end of la chancla or other implements more times than he would like to admit. He loved his family, living and dead, and that love he only appreciated ever more after that fateful night on Dia de los Muertos when he found himself cursed and only able to get back to the land of the living with a blessing.

Now that the ban of music had been lifted once he got back home and had Coco remember her Papa, one of his favorite things to do was to play Hector’s prized guitar. He played whenever he had a chance and was always practicing, hoping to be as good as the famous Rivera musician someday. He played Papa Hector’s guitar numerous time over the course of the months he had been back from his adventure, but it was only when he was taking a peaceful moment playing for his ancestors’ graves in the cemetery that he noticed something ...something unusual.

A marigold bridge.

It looked just like it did on Dia de Los Muertos, a bridge of cascading orange gold petals leading to the land of the dead, though no one was on it either going to or from the two worlds. The boy wandered closer, setting down his guitar to touch the bridge, but as soon as he set the instrument on the ground, the bridge vanished as if it had never been.

Ah, so the guitar is the key...

It took a few weeks to get his plan into motion. He planned on surprising his dead family with an extended visit while telling his living family that he would really like to go to camp. The discussions were filled with lots of ‘Pleeeaassseee, can I go?’ and ‘It’s not forever, Mama,’ and ‘Si, si, of course I’ll behave, I always behave.’ That last sentence usually got a couple chuckles and shakes of a few heads from his family.

But eventually the pleading, begging, and telling them that he was selected for an all paid pass to the camp from an essay he did at school, (‘I didn’t mention this during the school year? I thought for sure I had, Papa...) he was finally able to go.

On the day he was to set out he packed his backpack full of things he would need for month vacation in the Land of the Dead (maybe even more if he wrote to his parents that his stay would be extended!) clothes, Papa Hector’s guitar, a handheld video game set, junk food (which may or may not have took up the bulk of his backpack), and other various items were all the essentials. As it was finally time to leave, he gave everyone a tight hug, all exchanging words of love, and only groaned inwardly of the kisses he was smothered with by his abuelita, all the while insuring her that he would be good and send letters. He gave one dimpled smile back over his shoulder as he walked off seemingly towards the bus station, Dante walking at his heels.

The short walk to the cemetery was full of excited anticipation, and as soon as they got there, Miguel quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching before taking out his guitar, strumming a few notes and imagining the bridge before it appeared right before his eyes.

“Ready, Boy?” Miguel smiled down at his beloved dog.

Dante barked, his tongue falling out of his mouth as he did so.

Miguel gave a laugh at that. “That’s what I thought.” He said, taking his first step onto the bridge which flowed brightly beneath his steps. The duo made their way over the bridge, easily making it past the point of entry since no one was suppose to be coming or going until Dia de Los Muertos. He pulled up his hood and kept his head low, not wanting to be the center of attention as he was last time he was here...there were a few things he didn’t want to repeat since last he was here.

Like seeing Ernesto.

A shiver went up his spine just at the thought, and he quickly pushed those thoughts off to the side, wanting to forget those parts completely. Instead, he focused on finding his family and how surprised they will be to see him!

“Alright, Dante, you’re my spirit guide...now..guide.” Miguel looked down to his not so furry friend.

Dante, who had since dawned his colorful look since crossing over, only cocked his head to the side and sat, scratching behind his ear.

“You’ve been at their house before!” Miguel threw up his hands and groaned. “I guess you may be an alebrije now..bit you’re still just Dante.” He said, though affection for the animal was clear in his voice. The young boy looked up towards the city, giving a small sigh as he headed for all the lights and sounds of a bustling, busy place.

It was hours later and Miguel had still been on his feet walking through the Land of the Dead (and a night of little sleep due to excitement was certainly not helping). He gave a yawn, but kept going, the chocolate bar that substituted as lunch giving him a small sugar high. “I’m sure we must be getting close..” He said, though no hope was left in his voice after hours of saying that same phrase. He was almost ready to give himself up and ask someone of the street where the heck he was when he looked up to a street sign, squinting through tired eyes to see what it said.

“Rivera?” Miguel gave a hum. Surely there were lots of Riveras in this world, and many other famous ones to name this street after, but as Miguel glanced down on side of the street, and then the other, a giant shoe sign caught his eye. “Dante, this has to be it!” The boy said, fatigue forgotten and excitement quickly returning as he ran to the building, knocking (nearly pounding) on the door.

The door opened and a bright smiled appeared on his young face, throwing himself at the skeleton now in front of him, hugging him tight.

“Papa Hector!”

[KingCrowley]

Luisa and Enrique were understandably reluctant when Miguel asked if he could take part in a month long camping trip out of the blue, they didn't peg their son as dishonest though and didn't think to go down to the school and have it confirmed, or ask any of Miguel's friends about it. Or maybe they were both too busy with baby Socorro to remember to do those things? Either way Miguel had managed to get by his parents and they both confirmed that he could go. On the morning Miguel was ready to leave, his Abuelita made a fuss of him, kissing his face and telling him to have a good time and to be good.

"We'll see you soon mijo." Luisa smiled, pressing a kiss to her son's forehead.

"Si, behave yourself Miguel." Enrique encouraged before ruffling Miguel's hair. "And have a good time mijo." Miguel's parents had always been very loving and they tried to support Miguel in every endeavour but since they had Socorro, a lot of things had slipped by in Miguel's favour. The family all said their goodbyes and watched Miguel head for the bus stop before going back inside their home to continue making shoes for their living.

In the land of the dead, the Rivera family had no idea their Miguelito would be visiting them and crossing back over to their world. There would be questions and scoldings but the family would of course be happy to see their little Miguel.

"Ay dios mio, Héctor you idiota." Imelda laughed, shaking her head as her husband danced around the kitchen, holding his guitar and singing to her as he usually did.

"The loco that you make me. It is just un poco crazy." Héctor sang to his wife, strumming the guitar with his skeletal hand. Despite her seeming as though this annoyed her, he could see a smile forming on her beautiful white face. He twirled around his wife, serenading her with his charm and voice, as he usually did.

"You're just un poco loco." Imelda sang back to her husband, laughing in delight as his dancing and twirling seemed to get more enthusiastic, the skeleton's rib cage bounced upside down on the table, and his head was being juggled in his skeletal hands, throwing it up and landing it on top of his spine. Imelda couldn't resist her husband's charm and charisma no matter how hard she tried to ignore it or dismiss it.

"Papa!" A young skeleton girl ran into the kitchen and she giggled in delight when she was swept up by her Father, and brought into a loving hug. This little girl was Coco, since she had two photos on the Ofrenda, she could either take the form of an old woman skeleton in her last photo, or a little girl skeleton from the photo of her, her Mama and her Papa. Of course she chose the one that had more energy and seemed the most natural while living with both parents.

"Haha Coco!" Héctor beamed, twirling his little girl around in one arm while playing his guitar with the other, "You are un poco loco mija." he grinned at her, pressing loving kisses to her skull.
Héctor Rivera was finally happy. He had his little girl and his wife, and his familia around him, he was no longer the scruffy looking skeleton on the verge of being forgotten, and that was all thanks to his great great grandson, Miguel. He thought about Miguel all the time, and he hoped the boy knew he'd managed to save him, that he was happy and didn't end up being eternally forgotten.

Though when he thought about Miguel, phantom pains of heart ache started acting up. He missed his Miguelito and wished he didn't have to wait until the boy's death to see him again. Then again, he would never, ever want Miguel to die young or anything like that. He often talked to Imelda about how he felt, and she would assure him by saying they could still see Miguel on Dia de los muertos----but that wasn't enough for Héctor.

"Si mi amor, but he cannot see me. I can't hug him or play guitar with him." would always be his answer.

"Bravo Papa!" Coco clapped her little hands together as her Papa finished playing the song he'd wrote for Imelda all those years ago. The deceased Rivera took a bow, taking off his straw hat, and he moved his guitar to mount it on the wall. Then, the doorbell rang.

Imelda stood but Héctor stopped her, "Probably an adoring fan mi amor, I'll deal with it." he grinned and Imelda just snorted. The skeleton man half limped to the front door and then opened it, "Si, si, it is I, the amazing musician Héctor Rivera." he greeted before his jaw fell completely open, and his great great grandson wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug.

"M-M-Miguel?" he was at a loss for words, and his arms automatically cradled the young boy to his ribs. "Mijo---" he couldn't believe his eyes, he took them right out of their sockets and cleaned them on his purple jacket before putting them back, it definitely was Miguel. "W-What---how---did you get here---?" then a thought dawned on him.

"Ay dios mio! Mijo, are----are you dead?" he asked.

[SpicyPepper]

It seems that luck was on his side for this whole camping venture he came up with. Miguel was glad his parents let him go without much questioning, even though he did feel a bit guilty about it. But maybe, if one thought about it, it was ...almost like camping? Er, perhaps he wouldn’t think about that too much now, he had better things to do.

“I love you, Mama.” Miguel smiled, hugging her close before doing the same to his father. “I always behave.” He said, giving that winning Rivera smile up towards his Papa before releasing him from the embrace, waving to all of his family as he walked away.

Once at the Rivera residence in the Land of the Dead, his tiredness disappeared and was replaced by that adorable boyish smile. The pounding excitement in his chest matched the footsteps he could hear coming towards the door after that doorbell rang, and he let out a happy/relieved laugh once that familiar skeletal face answer the door.

Miguel hadn’t been too late, Hector didn’t die a final death.

He embraced the surprised man, rubbing his face into that now less ragged purple jacket. “You made it! I-I wasn’t too late!”

The boy stood back, watching with a bit of satisfaction at how surprised Hector seemed to be, even going so far as to clean his eyeballs. “Dead? What, no..” Miguel took down his hood that was shading most of his face. “See? Dimple.” He pointed to his inherited one dimple from the Rivera side of the family that would not be there if he was just bones.

“I just wanted to see you again, and make sure that you weren’t..” The boy’s voice trailed off a bit, sadness showing in his eyes as he thought of what might have happened had Coco not remembered Hector in time. He gave a sigh, shaking off that thought before the bright smile returned to his face once again. “But we have lots of time now, a whole month! Maybe more!” He cheerfully said, making his way past a still shocked Hector into the house.

“You can show me around, we can play some games I brought, and we can play music together, just like at the plaza like last time!” Miguel said, nearly jittering with excitement, hardly letting have the elder Rivera adjust to the surprise of finding his great great grandson right on his front doorstep.

“We can even-“ The boy looked over, now just noticing they weren’t the only ones in the room. “Oh..hola, Mama Imelda.” He smiled at her politely before looking to the small girl skeleton. “Hola...do...do I know you?”

[KingCrowley]

"Ay---good point." Héctor mumbled when his grandson told him that he still had a dimple, and of course flesh, so he couldn't be dead, but then---how did he get to the land of the dead? It had been Dia de los muertos the last time, and Miguel had stolen from the dead---well, him. These circumstances were completely different. "But mijo, how did you--" before Héctor could ask, his grandson told him how he had wanted to see him again, that he wanted to make sure he wasn't forgotten, as when he'd left the skeleton had been on the floor, a painful orange light flickering through his bones as he started being forgotten.

"Ay mijo." he sighed softly, his phantom heart swelling. It was painful to know his Miguel had been wondering this all that time. "I wish there had been some way I could have shown you, I played alongside you last Dia de muertos when you sang that wonderful song for your familia." he explained. Héctor then looked confused when Miguel said he was here for a whole month, "What?" he asked but before he could ask Miguel anything, the kid headed inside quickly, "Esperame chamaco!" he called out, shutting the door and hurrying after him.

"Mi amor, what is taking so--" Imelda stopped dead when she saw her great great grandson standing in front of her, "M-Miguel?" she asked, frowning. "What are you doing here mijo?" she gave him a stern look, skeletal arms crossed over her rib cage. "What did you do now?"

Coco gasped and jumped up in delight at seeing Miguel. "Mijo!" she beamed and then realized why he was so confused. In a flash of orange light, she took the form Miguel was more familiar with and brought him into a hug, "Mijo it's me, your Mama Coco!" she said, kissing his forehead and cheek.

"I think you have some explaining to do, chamaco." Héctor pointed out, his own tone a little stern.

[SpicyPepper]

“You were there? You heard my song?” Miguel smiled up at his ancestor. “I made it for you.” He said before shuffling past Héctor and into the large Rivera home.

“A whole month.” The living boy repeated as if Héctor was hard of hearing. “Sorry, forgot you were over one hundred years old, you must be going deaf.” He couldn’t help but giggle at that.

When Mama Imelda came into the room, Miguel gave his best offended look when she asked what he did this time. “Nothing, Mama Imelda, honest! No curses this time.” He mimicked her crossed arms.

He watched as the little girl was consumed by a flash of golden light, being replaced with a much more familiar older woman. “M-Mama Coco?” Miguel’s voice wavered a bit as the now elderly skeleton hugged and kissed him. “I...I missed you.” He wrapped his arms around her after a moment, hugging her back.

The stern tone Héctor took Miguel by surprise. Shouldn’t he be happy to see him? Shouldn’t they all be happy to see him? Then why was he getting so many firm tones and looks?

“But I..I got here in an honest way this time.” Miguel couldn’t then help but wince at his own words. Honest might not be the best description considering how much lying he had to do to get here, but it’s not like he could come out and tell his living family where he was really going, as if they would believe him anyways, it was just better this way.

“It’s just..when I play Papa Héctor’s guitar at the cemetery I can cross over! I don’t think anyone here can see it or maybe they just didn’t notice, but I came to see all of you.” Miguel gave his best puppy dog eyes. “I thought we could spend time with one another..as a family.” He turned to Héctor, thinking he would be the most susceptible to his cute charm. “Can’t I stay? Mi familia back at home knows I’ll be gone for at least a month.”

[KingCrowley]

Imelda and Héctor exchanged looks when Miguel told them that he got to the land of the dead in an honest fashion this time, that when he played his Papa's guitar at the cemetery, he could cross over the marigold petal bridge. Neither of them knew what to make of that, but it was Héctor who melted at the sight of those big, brown puppy dog eyes. A month---a whole month with his great, great grandson, it was like a blessing. He knew though, that his wife Imelda would have the final say---as she usually did.

"Ah what harm is it gonna do, mi amor?" Héctor grinned and headed over to Miguel, putting a skeletal hand on his shoulder, "Miguel just wanted to see his familia and his muy guapo grandpa!" he chuckled.

Imelda sighed and looked between her husband and grandson, "Ay yai yai, fine he can stay." she agreed, "But!" she held up a skeletal finger, "You don't go off anywhere on your own mijo." she gave him her condition, it was only one rule and she was sure Miguel would know better than to break it. She then smiled and brought him into a hug, "It's so good to see you again, mijo." she told him earnestly.

"AIIII YEEHAYYY!" Héctor let out an excited grito and beamed, "Venga Chamaco! We have music to catch up on!"

[SpicyPepper]

Miguel stood there as his great great grandparents exchanged looks, seemingly surprised that he got there an honest way. He couldn’t help but smirk a bit, pride showing on the boy’s face. There was nothing to worry about. No curses, no bones showing through the skin of his fingertips, no blessings by sunrise, no nothing!

Now that he had a moment to stand back from Héctor, he could also note just how much he had changed since last he saw of him... when he so weak, on the verge of being forgotten. The bones of the skeleton not only shown several shades lighter, but the painful cracks and breaks on his bones seemed to have started to heal as well. His gait seemed better, his hair was much less of a mess (of course that could just be Mama Imelda grooming it for him), and he also was sporting a well mended outfit along with a pair of Rivera shoes.

Héctor also gained a certain sparkle in his eye that Miguel couldn’t recall being there before.

“Si.” Miguel smiled up as Héctor walked over to him, putting a hand over the skeleton’s hand on his shoulder. “I wanted to see you all again..” he smiled softly, then snorting at the skeletal man’s comment about he being so handsome. “Oh si, si, that too.”

Miguel knew that it was unlikely Imelda would say no to him staying, but he waited on baited breath anyway, a breath that he finally exhaled as a soft laugh when she finally broke, giving the words he wanted to hear.

The boy looked up at Imelda’s specific point on him staying close and not going off by himself. Of course he’d be able to follow that rule! He’d stick by their side no problem; he’d show them just how well behaved he could be. “Yes, of course, Mama Imelda. I came to see all, so why would I wonder off away from you?” He gave a grin, showing off that famous one dimple.

As Miguel was enveloped in Imelda’s skeletal arms, he wrapped his arms around her rib cage, hugging her tight. “Missed you, Mama Imelda.” He buried his face in her dress, soaking up the tender moment for a bit until Héctor’s exited grito broke through the room, rattling a few plates in the cupboards which got him a slight glare from his wife.

Miguel laughed and he gave one of his own. “Ayiieee!” He shouted out and grabbed his guitar. “Can we go to the square to sing?” He asked, grinned widely when Héctor liked the idea.

“Let’s go!” The boy shouted and ran out past his great great grandfather and out the door, only to run back in a moment later.

“Bye, Mama Imelda!” Miguel kissed her cheek bone. “Bye, Mama Coco!” He gave his great grandmother the same treatment before grabbing Héctor’s arm, showing he remembered Imelda’s words of not going off by himself, and running back out the door.

“So any new songs, Papa Héctor?” Miguel let go of his ancestor’s arm after running down the street a ways to adjust the guitar on his back. “You already heard my song for you on Dia de Los Muertos, but I’ve been working on a few more. Been trying to practice my guitar everyday too!”

[KingCrowley]

"Ay! Héctor what have I said about your estupido gritos?!" Imelda snapped at her husband when his grito alone rattled the plates in their kitchen. She wasn't too harsh about it though because she knew her husband was just excited to have his grandson back in the land of the dead. He and Héctor shared the most profound bond. The woman just shook her head, stifling a laugh when Miguel gave a little grito of his own, of course his hadn't been quite so loud and none of the china got ruined. "Ay yai, yai, what am I going to do with the both of you?" she asked with a shake of her head.

Héctor laughed and nodded when his grandson asked his question, "Si, si! I thought you'd never ask, chamaco!" he told him and then watched as the boy sped off. "Adios mi amor!" he kissed his wife and then hugged his daughter before following after Miguel, and he chuckled when the boy ran back in, showing his Mama Imelda and Mama Coco one last bit of affection before he went off to play. He was proud of his grandson for always being so family oriented. "Wuaahhh!" Héctor yelled suddenly when Miguel pulled him excitedly by the arm and out of the house, "Ay, Ay, esperame chamaco!" he called out, holding onto his hat as he tried to keep pace with the excited child.

"Ay." he chuckled, flexing his arm when Miguel let go of it and then asked him if he had any new songs, "I've been working on a few, chamaco, but your Mama Imelda hasn't allowed me much time to play in the plaza recently." he explained and smiled when Miguel brought up the song he sang last Dia de muertos. "Si, si! It was perfecto!" he complimented and put a skeletal hand on his head, ruffling his black hair.

"Maybe we could come up with a new one together while you're here, si?"

[SpicyPepper]

Miguel couldn’t help but giggle at Mama Imelda’s scolding to her husband. Papa Héctor gave the best gritos, and thankfully she wasn’t too serious with her reprimand. Once out of the house, the excitable boy did slow down a bit with his run, just to make sure his Papa Héctor’s arm didn’t completely pop out again. That had certainly been a surprise the first time it happened.

“Why don’t you get much time to go the plaza anymore?” Miguel looked over as he slowed to a walking pace (much to Héctor’s relief) down the street. Now with all the well deserved fame Héctor was getting in both the living and the world of the dead, the boy thought he would be singing and playing even more. The people loved him and surely there would be a mass desire to have concerts from the great musician who had such an untimely death. Though Héctor did voice his opinion on performing in front of audiences last time Miguel was here on their way to Shantytown, the boy figured later that Héctor simply didn’t like performing during that time in exile because music was what split his family apart to begin with. It must have brought back too many painful memories.

Of course, nothing is more important than family, Miguel learned that long ago. So perhaps after nearly one hundred years of exile from the Riveras, he and Imelda just wanted to have the extra time as a breather, to enjoy the afterlife with his family he so dearly missed.

Or maybe that time was dedicated to making out with Mama Imelda. Miguel very much hoped it wasn’t the latter.

“Papa Héctor..” Miguel giggled as his hair was ruffled and lightly batted at his skeletal hand. “I’d love to make a new song with you!” He grinned up at him. “I bet we can do it before I have to leave, we’ll have to start right away.” He said, his eyes drifting to the plaza ahead. It was lit up with dazzling colorful lights and lots of skeletons walked about, shopping and listening to whomever wanting to go onstage and perform.

“Think we can do Poco Loco?” Miguel glanced over with a grin, but his reflection in a nearby window quickly caught his attention. Can’t have a living boy be seen running around again, it caused quite a stir last time, it would surely do so again. “Oh! Papa Héctor...” He reached into his bag, pushing around comics and candy bars until he found two jars of shoe polish. “Could you paint my face again?”