A.N: Hello everyone! This is TheCartoonGoddess here with yet another story. Let me tell you, it feels so good to post a story on here again. The reason I haven't been active for awhile is because I also have an Archive of Our Own account for over a year now, and since I started up that account I haven't been able to stop posting on it! ^^ But anyways, I'm back and with a new story. I hadn't seen "Coco" until September. I don't know why, I just never got around to seeing it. But when I finally did, I was blown away. This is probably my new second favorite PIXAR movies EVER! so naturally I had to write a fanfic for it! :D So yeah, this movie and its characters aren't mine, they belong to Disney/Pixar and Lee Unkrich. I only own my OCs. Blah blah blah! Anyways, please enjoy the story! ;)

XXX

Until now, I never realized how important memory can be for someone. How being remembered is so crucial to your very existence, how horrible it is to be completely forgotten.

I wouldn't know. I myself never had to go through anything like that nor did I ever see someone else go through it either, and for that I was thankful. But that all changed one year on the first of November, when I met down on his luck skeleton...and a living boy…

But before I get to that part, I must go back a few months before I met them.

Xxx

"Aldina, is that other dress ready yet?" Ceci turned to me,

", Se?ora Ceci. I just finished it." I replied happily, I stood up and showed off the dress that I had finished.

"?Perfecto! Put it with the others over there." Ceci gestured over to the large pile of folded up costumes on the far right side of the room. They heavily resembled traditional Mexican garb. They were made of brightly colored fabric and sparkled dazzlingly in the light of the warehouse sewing room. Ceci and I were hard at work getting all of the costumes done for Frida and her dancers. We had other projects that we knew needed to be finished sooner, but more costumes were requested for all of the dancers, and we needed to be absolutely certain that these costumes were going to be ready in time.

After all, Día de los Muertos was only a few months away.

I happily took my costume over to the pile. I looked at it one more time before folding it. I was rather pleased with my work. Sure, I was a pretty good seamstress when I was alive, but it seemed that when I started sewing with Se?ora Cecí, I got a whole lot better.

Hola, my name is Aldina Villero, my birth name is Alda, but I've always preferred to be called Aldina. And in case you haven't already caught on. Yes, I'm dead.

I died sometime back in the early 70s. 1970 to be more exact. I was about nineteen when it happened. I accidentally stood too close to the river and was pulled in by the currents and tragically drowned. I don't really like to talk about it too much, but I suppose it could've been much worse.

Honestly I wouldn't say that being dead is the best thing in the world, but it's okay. I've gotten used to it. When I first came to the Land of the Dead, it was all a little confusing. But that was about forty seven years ago. Since then I've sort of built a life here, if that makes any sense. Now I have a home, friends, a job working as a seamstress with Se?ora Ceci making costumes for those in the city who performed at shows, and of course, I also get to see my family on Día de Muertos. After the tragic river incident, my family has always put my photo up on this day to keep my memory alive. I am forever grateful for that. I learned upon arriving that memories are really important here. It's what this whole world is built and run on. I myself am so glad to be a part of Día de Muertos. I mean, it was great when I was alive, but it's just as nice now that I'm dead.

Little did I know that this year was going to be very different.

I folded the costume nice and neat and placed it in the pile with the others. I brushed my hands together to indicate another job well done. I needed to get started on the next dress. I strode across the room to grab another roll of the bright sparkly fabric when I heard some loud music coming from the next room. I looked out the doorway and saw a group of musicians playing their instruments pretty loudly. I recognized this group, they practiced here all the time. Although this time I noticed that they seemed more tense than usual.

"No! No! No! That was terrible!" One of the guys yelled, "?Abismal!" He was playing the violin. His band mates called him Gustavo. I think he and the others are okay. A little jerky at times, but they are talented, I'll give them that.

"?Otra vez!" He said,

"But Gustave, we've been practicing all day! We're exhausted!" One of the other band members complained, he played the trombone.

", muy agotado." One of the ladies cut in,

"Mira, mis amigos. Remember who we're opening for tonight. We need to be perfect." Gustave said encouragingly, "Let's take it from the top. Uno. Dos. Tres. Cuatro."

Then they started to play again. As I started measuring and marking parts of the fabric that we're going to be cut out for the next dress, I couldn't help but listen and get lost in the music that they were playing.

I do love music. More than anyone else. Well, if that's even possible considering how many people here also adore music. I can play a bit of the guitar and the piano, and while I can play both of those decently, I'm certainly no prodigy I'll tell you that much. No, I'm more skilled with my voice. My mother used to say that I sang before I could talk. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly seems plausible.

I listened intently as they continued to play. But then I started to wonder why they seemed so pressured to play perfectly. What musical artist would warrant such a flawless opening act?

"Hey, Ceci?" I spoke up,

Ceci stopped working on her dress and looked at me. "??"

"Uh..what is the band in there practicing for?" I asked,

"Oh, them? They're preparing for a live show that they're going to perform at. They're opening for Ernesto de la Cruz." She answered,

I quirked an eyebrow. "Ernesto de la Cruz? The famous musician?"

". He has a big charity benefit concert going on tonight. Most of the Land of the Dead is most likely going to be there. Waste of time if you ask me." Ceci huffed and went back to her sewing.

I then began to think. I kinda always wanted to see Ernesto de la Cruz in person. I heard stories about him when I was alive and even some here in the Land of the Dead. I had a few of his records growing up and let me just say that he was quite the musician and poet. I love all of his songs. He's just so talented, and not a bad looking guy either.

"Wow, really? I wish I could go to such a big event like that." I sulked,

Ceci looked at me funny. "Why would you want to go?" She asked,

"I like his music. Always have," I replied, "Sadly though I've never been able to see him perform. He was already dead when I was in the Living World, and I could never manage to see him here either."

Ceci just looked at me as I began cutting out the sleeves for the dress. I didn't say anything else.

She smirked. "Really? Then maybe you'll like to see this." She then held something out to me.

I looked up to see what she was holding. It was a ticket. It was silver in color and the words inscribed on it read:

"El beneficio de Ernesto de la Cruz"

My eyes widened at the ticket in front of me. I looked up at Ceci.

"?Santo cielo! Cecí, how did you get that!?" I asked,

"It was a gift from Ernesto after I mended one of his best suits. He tore a sleeve the day of a concert and was in a pinch. He was so grateful that he gifted it to me. I was just going to sell it to make a little extra dinero, but you can have it." She explained,

I froze up for a second. "Què?" I said in disbelief,

She smiled at me. "Go on, you've been working hard lately. You deserve a reward." She waved the ticket in front of my face.

My eyes followed the silver piece of paper. I slowly reached out and hesitantly took the ticket from her. I smiled down at it and then looked back up at Ceci.

"Are you absolutely sure, Ceci? Tickets like this aren't easy to come by." I said uncertainly, I wanted to make sure she was absolutely sure if she wanted me to have the ticket.

Ceci nodded. "Go on, go have fun at the show."

I was speechless. She didn't know how nice this act was. I instantly encased her in a tight hug.

"Muchas gracìas, Ceci." I said, "You don't know how happy this makes me."

Ceci smiled and hugged me back. "Hehe. No problem, querido. Go have yourself a good time."

Xxx

It turned out to be a crazy evening. The stadium was packed to the brim with excited skeletons who came to listen to high quality music. I sat nervously in the front row. I thought it was crazy that Ceci got a ticket for the show. What made it even crazier was that it was a FRONT ROW ticket. Ceci never told me that it was for a front row seat. This was all so much at once. Not only was I going to see one of my favorite musicians perform, but it was going to be up close too!

Of course Gustavo and his band went first. They were the opening act after all. They played their music loudly for everyone in the stadium to hear. Personally I think they did a very good job. All that practicing earlier paid off.

When they were finished the entire stadium applauded them. I clapped loudly for them and shouted praise. They smiled, took their bows, and then got offstage for the main event.

Suddenly the whole stadium went dark which served as a sharp contrast to the bright colorful lights of the surrounding city. Then a spotlight hit the stage. A voice came over the intercoms.

"Damas y caballeros, ni?os y ni?as. Dearly departed of all ages. Please put your manos together for the one, the only, Ernesto de la Cruz!"

The crowd went crazy as the lit portion of the stage rose up to reveal the musical genius himself.

Ernesto de la Cruz.

He stood there frozen and poised like a statue, his sombrero covering his face. His awesome guitar was positioned in his hands as if he was going to play it.

He looked up. His smoldering amber eyes lit up once the light hit them. I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I nervously started stroking some of my chocolate brown hair as he shot white smiles and flirtatious winks at the adoring crowd. Then he spoke.

"?Hola, mi familia!" He yelled, his smooth voice rang throughout the stadium.

The other dead people in the audience went nuts for Ernesto. I decided to maintain my dignity and just silently listen to him.

"May I just tell you all how good it feels to be here tonight?" He said in a sincere voice. He sounded very charismatic. No surprise there. Even on his old albums that I used to own, his tone of voice always had a slight charm to it.

The whole crowd just continued to cheer but the applause and numerous shouts of praise instantly quieted down when Ernesto strummed his guitar. It was made to look like that really awesome white one that he owned in life. You know, the one with a skull for the headstock and the light grey striped pattern along the sides. I loved that guitar a lot. I saw it a lot when looking at his shrine back in Santa Cecilia. It suited Ernesto.

...If only I had known the truth then...

"I must say that it is great to be out here tonight seeing all of your smiling faces, familia. Speaking of family, I once wrote a song about this very thing…" He lifted his guitar and started strumming a high spirited tune. The way that his fingers danced across the frets as his thumb strummed the strings was pure magic. A familiar tune sounded in the air. I knew this song well. Everybody else applauded in recognition of the tune.

Then Ernesto began to sing.

"Se?oritas y se?ores, buenos tardes, buenos noches. Buenos tardes, buenos noches, se?oritas y se?ores. To be here with you tonight, brings me joy! Qué alegría. For this music is my language and the world es mi familia…"

If I still had a heart in my chest, it would have completely melted right then. This man was increíble! He was even more charming and handsome in person! Everyone in the audience including myself just continued to be enchanted by his voice and words.

"For this music is my language and the world es mi familia. For this music is my language and the world..es mi familia!"

He stopped strumming and froze waiting for an applause, and that's exactly what he got. Every skeleton in the audience stood up from their seats to give him a standing ovation. I stood up clapping too. Flattered by our response, Ernesto got his guitar ready to play the next song. This song was more slow and sweet sounding.

"A feeling so close, you can reach out and touch it. I never knew I could want something so much, but it's true…"

As he continued to sing, he looked down at certain members in the audience, particularly those in the front row...and that's when it happened…

I found that he was looking at me, staring only at me. While he was singing. His gorgeous amber eyes looked right into mine. I just froze up unsure of what to do. One of my favorite singers of all time was looking at me. I don't know what I had done that made me stand out amongst all the other people in the crowd, but it happened. I had the strangest feeling that by staring he was secretly singing this song to me.

I honestly thought that I was gonna die a second time.

Ernesto then walked off towards center stage to finish his song. He played a few more of his songs after that one. Each one received more applause than the last. The night was slowly winding down and eventually it came time for his last song.

"Well mis amigos, it's been a wonderful night. Una noche encantadora." He said sweetly, I sighed feeling just as in love with him as everyone else. He was right. It was a magical evening. I don't think I've ever had so much fun in my entire life or afterlife.

"But, before I go, I don't think it would hurt to play at least one more song for you all." He said,

Everyone in the audience cheered.

Ernesto chuckled, "Well okay then…" He then started strumming a VERY familiar tune. Suddenly the stage lit up and the backdrop to the stage opened to reveal bright neon lights and a large ensemble of dancers and musicians. Everyone went crazy . We all knew what his last song was going to be.

Then he started to sing.

"...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'll hold you in my heart. I'll 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 MEEEEEEEEEEE!"

He held out the last high note in the song and the musicians played the final big note. Once the song ended, the entire stadium erupted into cheers and applause. Some people were even screaming and whistling. Ernesto received another standing ovation as he took a bow although he completely neglected to acknowledge the musicians and the dancers behind him. Ah well, I jumped up and down clapping for him.

"?Te amamos, de la Cruz!" I heard one person in the crowd yell out,

Ernesto just took a bow as roses were being thrown at his feet. He kept taking bows and sending kisses to his adoring fans.

"?Gracias! ?Gracias, mi familia!" He yelled out to everyone, he then took off his sombrero and waved it in the air. "?Buenos noches!"

Everyone clapped one last time before Ernesto disappeared backstage and people began to flood out of the stadium.

I left the stadium and headed for home. I sighed and swooned dancing around humming to myself like a complete idiota. I didn't care if people were looking at me strangely from the sides of the street. I got to see de la Cruz perform. That's all that mattered. I headed for my apartment complex. It was only a few blocks away.

I was so lost in my own world that I didn't notice another skeleton walking towards me. I snapped out of it the moment that we crashed into each other and fell backwards. I landed hard on my rump while the one I crashed into completely fell apart. This didn't surprise me however, this kind of thing happens all the time over here.

"?Ay! ?Dios mio! I am SO sorry, sir! ?Lo siento!" I said scrambling to my feet, I stood up brushing out my skirt as I watched the skeleton roll his bones across the stone ground to pull himself back together. Once he was reassembled, he stood up and dusted his clothes off as well. I got a good look at him. It was definitely a guy. He was tall, lanky, and a bit on the awkward side. I could tell that he was definitely one of those "forgotten" skeletons noting his yellowing cracked bones and faded face markings that should be vibrant and colorful. His clothes were already dirty and in tatters so I saw no reason for him to dust them off. His clothes, if one could still call them clothes, were just a faded blue shirt with one missing sleeve while the other was almost ripping off, bottoms that were in even worse shape than the shirt. He had no shoes on his feet, and to top it all off, his moppy black hair was tucked under an old straw hat.

I just stared at the man as he reattached his right hand to his wrist and wiggled his fingers to make sure that his hand was secured back in place. Then he snapped at me.

"Hey! Why don't you watch where you're going!?"

I stepped back a bit. I knew he was probably frustrated, but I didn't expect that much of a reaction. He looked up at me, his eyes met mine. He had amber eyes just like de la Cruz, but his were different than de la Cruz's.

Ernesto's were better looking.

The moment he saw me, his face instantly changed from frustration to slight surprise.

"Oh...I'm..I'm really sorry, se?orita...I-I didn't know." He said, he took off his hat and rubbed the back of his neck looking at the ground in shame for snapping at me.

I looked at the male skeleton with sympathy. I didn't want him to feel bad for something that was obviously my fault.

"No, no, I'm-I'm sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." I said,

He looked up at me. He sighed, "Don't worry about it. I've had worse tumbles…" He laughed lightly, he put his hat back on.

I just smiled relieved that he was no longer upset with me. "Yeah, same. Well, sorry once again."

"Está bien. I'm sorry for yelling." He gave me a weak smile. "So, what has you in such a good mood anyway?" He asked me now in a more friendly tone,

My smile grew wider. It was a good thing he asked because I was more than happy to share.

"Oh, I just got back from seeing an amazing show! Ernesto de la Cruz! The greatest musician of all time!" I exclaimed,

I looked at the guy. I noticed his face darkened some at the mention of Ernesto's name. I wondered why.

"...Right...Veo…" Was all he said, "Anyways, I gotta go. Nos vemos, muchacha." Then he walked past me and left. I looked over my shoulder at him.

"Hmm...Peculiar fellow he is..." I said to myself, I then continued to head for my place. Once I was home, I showered and retired to bed. I couldn't wait to go to work in the morning to tell Ceci all about it and thank her again.

Xxx

"And then he started to sing "Remember Me" and everyone loved it and oh...it was so magical!" I said ecstatically, it was the next day and I was back in the sewing room with Ceci who was working on yet another dress.

"Oh really?" Ceci asked me obviously disinterested,

"! Everything was absolutely perfecto! The music, the bright lights, the dancers, and...the genius himself…Ernesto de la Cruz…He had everything! Talent, charm, amazing amber eyes..." I swooned, "I swear to Dios, I could marry that man!"

"?Ay ay ay, Aldina! It was just a concert, no big deal!" Ceci said waving me off,

"Oh but it WAS a big deal! I don't think I've ever had that much fun in my whole afterlife! And I have you to thank for it!" I said beaming,

Ceci sighed and turned to me. "Mira, Aldina, I'm glad you had fun last night, and I'm glad that it made you happy, but now it's time to get BACK TO WORK." She then proceeded to shove large piles of rolled up fabric into my arms. I smiled and shook my head and then went to my spot in the room where I worked on my sewing. I started working on a new dress that actually wasn't one of the dresses for Frida's Día de Muertos performance when I heard one of the doors to the warehouse open. Frida was just outside the door of the sewing room critiquing a large set piece that some of the artists were working on. They even showed the beginning works of it.

I couldn't tell what it was just yet but I think she said something about it being a giant papaya. I heard her gasp in surprise at whoever just walked in.

"E-Ernesto de la Cruz! I didn't expect you to be here! You normally don't do rehearsals." Frida said,

I gasped. Ernesto de la Cruz was here!? Now!? In this warehouse!?

"Oh I'm not here for a rehearsal, Frida. I'm here to speak with your seamstress, Se?ora Ceci." Ernesto explained,

Frida didn't say anything. She just jabbed her thumb towards the doorway.

"?Santo cielo!" He was coming in here!? I quickly grabbed a nearby mirror and checked out my reflection fixing my hair so I would look nice for when he came into the room.

Ernesto entered the sewing room. He smiled brightly as he strode over to Ceci. I just pretended that I didn't notice him and went back to my sewing.

"Ah! Se?ora Ceci! What a delight to see you, my dear!" He said opening his arms in a friendly gesture.

But Ceci wasn't moved. She wasn't quite the type to be easily swayed by a gorgeous face. She eyed him in a deadpanned way.

"Ernesto de la Cruz...What brings you here?" She asked him,

"I'm glad you asked, Se?ora. Now, I'm sure you are aware of my "Sunrise Spectacular Show" that I'm performing at the end of Día de los Muertos…"

Cecí blinked once and then put her hands on her hips adjusting her glasses. "." She said in a deadpan voice,

"Well, since I'm performing for the show, I'm going to need a new suit. Word on the street is that you're the best seamstress around. Plus you fixed my sleeve that one time. You're reputation definitely precedes you. I was hoping you could whip up a suit for me. I need it by Día de Muertos. Make it white."

Ceci instantly blew up. "??Qué!? "Whip it up!?" What do you think this place is!? ??Una cafetería!? You can't just waltz in here like a presumir and ask for a brand new suit to be made within three months! Good sewing takes time and we're already backed up finishing the dresses for Frida's dancers. We only have ten done and we need forty by Día de Muertos. I'm a seamstress, not a miracle worker!"

I looked up after overhearing this conversation. I looked down at the ground thinking hard for a second.

'I'm a good sewer. Maybe I could help somehow…'

"I could work on the suit, Ceci." I said standing up,

Both her and Ernesto's eyes were now on me.

I looked at Ernesto. I knew the expression on his face. It was recognition.

"You...you're that girl from the concert last night." He said smiling, "In the front row…"

I blushed and tucked a stray strand of hair out of my face. "S-Sí. That was me."

"Well, it's certainly nice to see you again." He winked, I felt a flutter in my chest where my heart used to be.

"Could you really have my suit done by Día de Muertos?" Ernesto asked sweetly,

"I most certainly can." I said with a smile,

"?Perfecto!" He exclaimed,

Ceci tried to step in. "Aldina, no! Your work is backed up as it is. You shouldn't be adding more. You'll overwork yourself."

"It's fine, Ceci. I'll manage. It's very important that Se?or de la Cruz has his suit ready in time." I said, "Besides, Día de Muertos is only a few months away. His big sunrise show is one of the most important and well-loved events of the holiday. This has become a top priority."

Ceci looked me dead in the eyes for a minute. Finally she sighed in defeat.

"Alright. You can work on the suit. But I'll help out since I don't want you overloading yourself." She said,

I shrugged. "Okay then…" I turned to Ernesto. "We'll have your suit ready in a jiff."

His face brightened up at those words. "?Ay! Gracias a Dios! I didn't know if I'd be able to perform in one of my older suits. My fans would think I'm barato."

"Well now, we wouldn't want that. We'll do the bet we can." I said shooting him a wink,

Ernesto looked me right in the eyes. His eyes were even more gorgeous now that we were face-to-face. "Gracias. Say uh..I never got your name." He told me,

I felt my smile getting bigger. "It's Alda." I said, "But, I prefer the Aldina."

Ernesto smiled warmly at me. "Aldina. Lovely name...I am Ernesto de la Cruz."

"It is el gusto es mio to officially meet you, Se?or de la Cruz." I said,

"...Well, thanks so much for your help...Aldina." He gave me a wink and then headed for the door. He turned to us again.

"Despedida, ladies."

Then he left.

I stood there completely awestruck. He was just as amazing as everyone said he was.

Ceci noticed how spaced out I was. She rolled her eyes and grabbed a new roll of sparkly white fabric from the cubby. She walked up to me.

"Alright Aldina, now that you've made us promise to Se?or de la Cruz that we'd have his suit done, it's YOUR job to get started.

She shoved that roll into my arms like the last few that were for Frida's dresses. That snapped me out of my trance.

Ceci went back to her work while I went and sat back down at my spot. I set my previous work aside and whipped out my notebook that I used for sketching concepts for the outfits that I made.

'Well, Ceci's right. We only have a short amount of time…' I thought to myself,

I stared at the blank page in front of me.

'...Well...here goes nothing…'