Happy New to you all! Let's kick off 2021 with a brand new chapter! :D Thanks again to you all so much for waiting patiently for these updates. You have literally no idea how much it means to me. I know I sound like a broken record, but I do truly mean it. So thank you all! :) To answer a comment from 'JustaFriend', your observation concerning the Burromuerto brother's going for earlobes in more flirty situations is actually both a good and hilarious one on your part so thank you for making me laugh! I needed it. XD But, you are correct my friend. Though as you all have realized about me by now, I am extremely thorough when it comes to the characters I write, ESPECIALLY Aleheather since I have dissected the ever living crap out of my favorite ship. As for the 'earlobe thing', that has a reason for why I incorporated it in. When Alejandro was in the confessional in "Planes Trains and Hot Air Mobiles", he started listing all the things about Heather he found most distracting/attractive about her. In his words he listed Heather's "...clever words, distrustful eyes, and the way she tucks her hair behind those cute little earlobes". And there you have it! So, I decided I thought it would be funny if that was a sort of 'fixation' that all the Burromuerto brothers would share in more 'intimate situations', even if unbeknownst to them. Hey, everyone has different things that are turn ons and I don't judge! Haha. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and hope you all enjoy the chapter. This chapter begins one week after the previous one.

({No POV})

Alejandro was by the front door of his parents' house with a suitcase at his feet. He was almost finished with adjusting the final buttons on his black car coat.

Well, he was about to until he saw a familiar set of hands come into view and set the last button in place for him.

Alejandro looked up and grinned slightly as he remarked, slightly teasing, "While it is appreciated, I do feel that I am old enough to dress myself."

Elena just gave him a playful yet motherly grin in return as she replied, "Lo siento. I'm your mother and no matter how old you get; you will always be my nene. I just can't believe you're finally moving out! Now who will play cards with me? With Carlos in Spain and José having absolutely no patience for cards without stakes, do you expect me to play gin rummy with just your padre?"

Alejandro smirked and shrugged before saying, sounding teasing still, "Well, and here I thought you expected us to make our own way?"

Elena just grinned and affectionately patted him lightly on his right cheek as she said, "I'm only saying that I'll miss you, mijo. You'll only be living here 2 more weeks. But, why go to Toronto? There are plenty of wonderful universities here in Ottawa rather than traveling to the other end of the providence."

Although it seemed to be mutually understood since the whole exchange suddenly took a tense turn for stage 1000 awkwardness.

Alejandro looked his mother right in the eye and said, very even and matter of fact, "You know why, madre."

While trying to keep her composure, Elena's hands visibly clenched into fists at her sides.

Eventually Alejandro turned away slightly, looking as if he was about to pick up his suitcase. At first Elena thought the subject was yet again going to be ignored and kept silent, but then to her shock she heard, "Mother, I really do love you very much and appreciate our relationship. No matter what you have always been on my side and I always have valued your opinions. But, I feel like now I must make some things clear."

She looked up and saw her son standing with a very strong posture, arms folded behind his back, and making direct eye contact. Everything about Alejandro's demeanor at the current moment reminded her nothing short of her husband down to almost every last detail.

Though she had no more time to ponder this as Alejandro continued, his tone smooth yet direct, "As you just said and while I agree that I may always be your child, but I am not 'a child' anymore. I am a grown man and I am going to make my own choices about what I want to do with my life… and who I want to be with."

Elena couldn't help herself as she tensed up even more at the mere mention of Heather.

Although her opinions on Heather have curved slightly after seeing what she could do as a dancer at the party and watching the country club show case videos on the internet… she still didn't exactly have fully 'positive' feelings about Heather.

Alejandro was quick to catch her expression as he responded, still even as ever, "Mother, you have always wanted the best for me and I appreciated that more than you know. Even in the beginning, I valued you being on my side while I was injured. But… father was right about me. I made my choices when I was on the show and I was a fool to let my guard down so easily."

Elena's eyes went wide as her mouth opened slightly as she stammered, wondering how Alejandro knew what her and her husband argued about almost 2 years ago, "Bu-but, how did you?..." "I overheard you and father talking about me and my actions that night. And again, while I appreciate that you stood up for me and thought I wasn't to blame… I'm afraid I must disagree now. I know now I was a fool and I alone was the true author of my own misfortunes. As the saying goes, I made my bed… and I had to lie in it for nearly 3 years as I healed." Alejandro cut in.

Elena was almost in a state of catatonic shock for a moment before she started, sounding confused, angry, and caught off guard to the nth degree, "Alejandro, you… you were not a fool. Nothing you did justified the pain and agony you went through at the hands of that horrid little…"

Though Alejandro was quick to cut in with a serious look in his eyes as he said sternly, "Mother… as I said, I respect your opinions, but I don't want you to say anything against Heather in front of me again. Her and I talked through our issues since they were our issues. No one else's. I know you love me and I know you only want what's best. However… I am the ultimate judge as to what I deem is good for me in my personal affairs. And for me, I want to move to Toronto for grad school so I can be closer to Heather and make things work with her. I know you may not see it, but she does love me... even respects me in her own way. But, you need to understand that just because my relationship with her isn't like yours and father's doesn't mean anything. We're different people and I want Heather and I to get to a point where we better understand each other. Because, well you already know… I love her too. And I just hope that one day, you can at least understand why I do and hopefully get to a point where you can at least be civil with her. If not for her sake… then please do it for mine. I just want you to understand that I am not choosing sides and that no matter what I will always be your son."

Elena was frozen in a state of shock until Alejandro leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek, making her go wide eyed as Alejandro said, "Adiós mamá. I'll be back after New Year's."

After that Alejandro picked up his suitcase and walked out the door, closing it behind him.

Elena continued to stand there in deep thought for a few moments until she looked out the window nearest the door and watched on at Alejandro putting his suitcase in his trunk and starting up his car.

She kept looking at him almost as if for a moment her maternal goggles so to speak shut off and for the first real time was seeing the grown, independent young man that seemed to replace her 'little boy'.

6 hours later

(Heather's POV)

I just got back from getting a new pair of heels since my favorite pair completely gave out on me.

Since apparently I can't rely on anything to be reliable. And… CJ Megan, and Kelsey are coming over for Christmas today.

Ugh… sure! Why not?! Just keep adding more crap onto this disaster I call a life!

I eventually made my way upstairs to my room, feeling like I wanted to have an ulcer as I started taking things out of my purse and putting it on my vanity.

Well, I did until every muscle in my body locked up and my stomach drop as I saw a familiar set of arms wrap around my waist and a solid yet warm front press itself against the back of me.

Then I felt his lips linger at my ear as I heard a smooth and tempting, "Feliz Navidad, mi amor."

His lips lingered right underneath my ear at the corner of my jaw as I immediately snapped out of it and started shoving him away from me as I started, freaked out and pissed to completion, "Ugh, what the?!... UGH! Why do you always have to do that?!"

My blood almost started to boil even more as he just grinned and said, flirtatious and teasing as ever, "And hello to you too, mi ángel. Besides you know I can't help myself. Particularly since you look lovelier each time I see you. You must admit, expecting me to stay away from you seems almost cruel."

I could feel my being continue to contort in annoyed anger as I replied, putting my hands on my hips, "Well, then would it at least kill you to not scare the crap out of me every time you come over?!"

He just continued to grin, maintaining eye contact with me all the while, as he managed to grab my left hand in both of his as he continued, "Come now, Heather. Is that any way to start our week together? Particularly since we are sharing a room. Or your room to be more exact."

My entire thought process came to a halt as I started looking around my room.

His suitcase was open on a stool next to my closet and I already saw his toiletry bag sitting on my nightstand. Slowly I looked back at him only to see him just having that winningly satisfied smirk on his face.

No...

"MOM!" I immediately yelled out without a second thought as I started running to the kitchen in an all out sprint, practically missing steps as I ran down the stairs.

"Heather?!" I heard him call out over the banister as I just completely blanked him.

I got to the kitchen and saw my mom looking over place settings for dinner. It seemed like she finally realized I was there as she said, "Oh, what is it, hun?"

"Mom… what is this?" I ground out through my teeth as I pointed toward the second floor.

She gave me a confused look as she sputtered, "Um, pardon?" I didn't even want to deal with treading any damn egg shells as I got right to the point, "Why is he sleeping in my room?"

My mom tilted her head as she said, "Alejandro? What do you mean? I thought you two were dating?"

"Yes… But, not to the point of sharing my damn room yet as far as I'm concerned. Can't you put him somewhere else?!" I spat; feeling angry, flustered, and annoyed.

My mom let out a sigh and said, "Heather… I can't do anything about this. CJ and Anna are taking over his old room, Megan and Richie are going to be in hers, Kelsey needs hers, and then the only other open room is being taken by your grandfather." My eyes went wide as I said, "Wait… grandpa's coming over? I thought he was in Tahiti or something?"

Mom just shrugged and replied, "Apparently he said he was coming to your dad. So, he needs a room to stay in. What else do you want me to do?"

I kept thinking until I exasperated, "Ugh, can't you just make Damien or Kelsey sleep on a couch… or better yet in a tent outside or something then?"

My mom let out a slight laugh as she said, "Heather, it's practically the Antarctic outside."

"So?" I immediately spat back.

Good… like I care if either of them get frostbite. And Damien can especially get frozen in a block of ice for all I give a crap.

Mom sighed at me before putting her fore and middle fingers to her temples as she started, "Heather, can you just for once…"

The doorbell went off, making us all go silent. I quirked up an eyebrow as I looked at the door before mom practically said exactly what I was thinking, "Already?"

Right as I turned around when mom went to get the door, I just saw Alejandro standing in the doorway. But, the more I kept looking at him, the more my heart kept crawling up my throat as I saw him continue to give me a satisfied grin as mom walked past him.

Dammit…

"Kelsey!" I over heard mom exclaim in the foyer, sounding like she was totally overacting.

Ugh, can things possibly get any worse?!

What next? A falling anvil? Meteor? WHATEVER?!

I was about to point at him and make a remark when I heard mom comment, "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't think we've met."

What? Kelsey actually brought someone?

Alejandro and I gave each other a look as we both walked out into the foyer only to lock up at what we were seeing. Kelsey was standing in the doorway with…

You have GOT to be kidding me right now?!

My mom was standing there in a state of slight shock and surprise as José was holding onto her right hand as he introduced, "José Burromuerto Ledvora. Mucho gusto, señora."

Then he pressed his lips to the back of my mom's hand as I felt like I was about to have an aneurysm.

But, how did?!... and when did?! UGH! What the HELL is happening here?! Seriously she bitched at me in 2 different phone calls about José and she fucking brings him here for Christmas?!

But, I could tell I wasn't the only person confused as all get out about this as Alejandro finally let out an extremely confused, "José?"

José just looked over at us with a deviously satisfied smirk. I could see every muscle in Alejandro's body start to tense up as he crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at José, not that I was completely paying attention since Kelsey was giving me that fake-ass smirk and look in her eyes as she stared me down.

Finally mom cut in between this whole shit circus as she asked, "Oh, you two know each other?" Though it wasn't long before José grinned as he said, sounding like he was totally starting something, "Oh yes, I happen to be his older brother. Isn't that right… Al?"

I could see Alejandro coil in on himself on reflex out of the corner of my eye as he almost spat in disdain, "One of them… unfortunately."

The four of us just kept staring at each other as mom just awkwardly stood in the middle of whatever the hell was happening right now?!

Then I really wanted to burn the world to the ground when I saw Kelsey actually link her arm with José's as she kept giving me that look with that lame-ass fake smirk she always had on her stupid face.

All 4 of us were locked up as we all kept staring with intense glares.

Look… I don't know what the hell is going on here? But if either of these posers think they are going to 'out play' me… they can just take a fucking hike.

No one even tries to screw me over and gets away with it.

No one.

Okay, I can assume what you're probably thinking now? WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING?! Kelsey and José show up to Heather's parents house together after what happened in the previous chapter?! You're an insane woman, Dexter! None of this makes sense! All I will say though is 'patience'. Let's just say you'll get some answers in the next chapter… and that it isn't all what you think. ;) Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Alejandro actually having a non-petty moment of maturity where he finally puts his foot down with his mother about his relationship with Heather. And I also hope you enjoyed the humor of Heather wanting to do everything she can to avoid sharing a room with Alejandro. Not necessarily because she 'doesn't want to', but just because she knows being forced to share a space with him will only strengthen his need to keep pressing her about them needing to communicate more as a couple. Let's face it… Heather does not really do 'communication' in this sense and much less so about her feelings doesn't she? She'd much rather just kick one of her siblings out of their rooms just to keep Alejandro out of hers. But, at least she wants Alejandro to have a room though over her own siblings so… that's 'sweet', I guess? Lol. XD Next chapter will be a flashback to show just 'exactly' how José and Kelsey got to Heather's parents house together… and why they are both there at all. Either way, brace yourself from DRAMA and the long awaited introduction on my rendition of Heather's siblings and her grandpa Wilson. Thanks again so much for reading and supporting this fanfic and constructive feedback is always appreciated. :)

Stay classy, healthy, and safe everyone!

Dexter1995

P.S. Funny story, just recently I met another Aleheather fanfiction writer by the name of Valove2002 through a very strange series of circumstances. And by strange… I mean INCREDIBLY bizarre. Long story short, we both realized that we both created Aleheather fanfics that have very similar wordings in the first chapters and had similar themes in our respective stories without either of us even realizing. No joke, she is literally my mental Aleheather writer twin. We both corresponded back and forth after this insane circumstance that could have gotten sour, but instead became a very fast and funny series of correspondences between us as writers/fans. If any of you are looking for Aleheather fanfics outside my own that also keep Alejandro and Heather in character, check out her stories if you're interested. She's a sweet gal who deserves more love on her fics. :)