Well here's part 2 of Heather's parents' back stories. This chapter opens on Elena and Camille talking together over lunch back at the Burromuerto residence while everyone was out. And let's just say this is where Elena starts to 'put pieces' together on how to possibly figure out her 'complicated' future daughter-in-law. Hope you all enjoy it!

({No POV})

With their husbands out golfing and Alejandro and Heather out for the afternoon on a date, Camille and Elena stayed back at the house for a light lunch and drinks.

The ladies thought about having tea… well, until Elena spotted the bottle of Pinot Noir (her wine of choice) and ended up getting two glasses and sharing the bottle with Camille over lunch that the Burromuerto's cook Isobel made and talking.

Mainly out of being social and trying to be a good hostess to Alejandro's future in-laws for his sake, despite still not being exactly 'cracked up' about the engagement.

But, shockingly enough, Elena was actually looking forward to the Wilson's visit… even if for the purpose and ulterior motive of trying to subtly get more 'intel' via Heather's parents to try and 'figure her out'.

Though she freely admits to herself that her husband has always been gifted with 'reading others like a book' better than she ever could; however, Elena isn't exactly a novice in her own right. Although a loving and doting wife and mother, Elena is also a no nonsense business woman and CEO of a international cosmetic and skin care company that even in the modern age was an industry still dominated by men.

And it's because of this reason that Elena had learned to 'read a boardroom' front to back to make sure she wasn't being withheld from finding out information from some of her 'male competitors/colleagues'.

And so far… Elena was coming up short on the Wilson's.

Sure she hardly talked to Heather's father for more than a minute before he took off with Gerardo to the country club and had only been having basic pleasantries thus far with Heather's mother, she couldn't see any overt reason thus far for why Heather is 'who she is' since her parents didn't seem remotely 'unpleasant' in the slightest. Nothing noteworthy of making her say she thinks they'll be 'fast friends', but more just that Heather's parents seemed almost… basic from her perspective.

Not overtly gracious nor nasty just… 'basic' and normal people.

But, Elena was determined to keep playing her part for Alejandro as she smiled at Camille and said, "Well, muchas gracias for the wine. This is delicious! It's not often I find a new favorite Pinot Noir. You'll have to tell me where you got it."

Camille just smiled and replied in an equally pleasant tone, "Oh, I'm glad! Honestly it's a favorite of mine too from a local winery near us. It's usually where I always took my daughters for a wine tasting on their 19th birthdays to celebrate. Also, we host charity functions there for the country club's women's group and we always have fun with that. Are you a member of yours?"

Elena shook her head and said, "No I'm sorry to say. Between my company, Gerardo, and our boys, I never really had much time for extracurricular activities so to speak outside of everything. Otherwise I would never have been home with them. I still remember driving our nannies absolutely loco before I'd go off to work in the morning… and long after I came home. I really miss when my boys were babies." '

Elena laughed slightly to herself and smiled as she remembered how she was with each and every one of her sons.

Heather's mother let out a slight laugh and said, almost shockingly playful, "Can't say I felt the same. I always just left it to the nanny or our au pair at the time when my children were very young. After all, that's what caregivers were for, right?"

Elena's eyes went wide at Camille's casual input. Despite being a career woman and loving her job as a CEO, Elena sometimes would have her bad days where she'd be stuck in a board meeting and have fantasies about what her life would have been like if she was a stay at home parent.

Although, despite her fully having the ability to do that with Gerardo working a very successful career in diplomacy and could easily have chosen not to work if she wanted to… Elena enjoyed being a career woman as well as a mother when she was off the clock.

To her, she enjoyed having a full and productive day and being tired in a good way from all the variety.

So to hear Camille, who she already knew was a wife and mother who had no other definitive career obligations of any kind… Elena knew already she was now talking to a person and parent with a VERY different 'parenting style' to hers.

But, she tried to see if maybe she was misunderstanding Camille's meaning as Elena continued, "Well… surely you spent some time with your children when they were young? Seeing the milestones, playing games with them? I still remember the moment my Carlos started walking in our living room. I was in disbelief that I was even home to see it!"

Camille just took a sip of her glass before replying, "Oh well after dinner, Craig and I would spend an hour with the children before our nanny would take them up to get ready for bed so we could head out for a function. It really helped to free up Craig and I's schedule to still attend events together like we did before our children. Otherwise I have no idea how we could manage our social life! After all, my parents hardly took my brother and I anywhere until we were older. Then I was able to bond with my daughter's much easier once they were older and took them shopping or to the day spa."

Elena, although maintaining a very pleasant front still, was almost internally flabbergasted.

Granted she knows everyone is different and has a different way of doing things and 'parenting styles' and such… but she was shocked to hear that Camille and Craig seemed almost uninterested during their children's upbringing in favor of keeping a social life with their friends.

And as a mother who was very involved with her boys and maintained a close relationship to this day with Alejandro… again, Elena was taken aback by what she heard Camille reveal about her attitude toward parenting her children during the early part of their youth.

But, Elena knew this was just a difference in 'what they were used to'. Both her and Gerardo (despite also having nannies help care for them like many children from their background) had VERY involved parents and close-knit families.

Even before Elena was a teenager, she had very fond memories of eating breakfast with her parents in the morning and spending many evening hours with her parents before and after dinner. Her mother playing cards and various other games with her and her brothers or one of her favorite things she remembered from when she was a very little girl was when her father would put on some music and let her stand on his feet as they danced together in true father-daughter fashion.

Those were the memories Elena always cherished and gave her very fond and happy memories of her childhood.

But, based on what Camille revealed about her own childhood and by extension influenced how she choose to parent her own children, it was clear Camille's nor Heather's childhoods seemed in any way similar to hers or her sons' upbringings.

Elena almost looked as if she was having a moment of revelation in a way, practically as if she was piecing together why Heather (at least partially) is 'the way she is' and why she behaves as she does.

Much to her disbelief at even admitting it to herself, Elena felt 'sorry' for once for her future daughter-in-law knowing what she knew now about Heather not having a loving childhood by being almost completely left to her own devices by her parents, and that the same could be said about her other siblings.

Rather than continue to 'dwell on it'; however, Elena decided to change the subject as she said, "Well, anyhow, how did you meet your husband? I remembered Gerardo mentioning you both met when you were young as well."

While still processing, Elena was still curious about the Wilson's from the perspective of their marriage.

While her and Gerardo were a very much in love and affectionate couple to this day in their marriage and were usually the minority among their peers for having a successful and happy relationship and marriage to that level. And while not quite to their extent, Elena saw that there was a level of affection and 'warm regard' between Heather's parents that surprised her to say the least now after what she found out.

Mainly that she noticed Camille and Craig holding hands or walking arm in arm together, Craig getting doors for her, and the two even exchanging a peck on the lips and Camille calling Craig 'sweetie' before he left to go golfing with Gerardo earlier.

It was clear that the two did genuinely love and get along with each other.

Mainly that Elena was surprised to meet another couple who have been together as long as her and her husband and still seemed to get along very well together.

Camille smiled and let out a sigh as she responded, "Oh, yes! Although Craig and I didn't even meet until he picked me up on our first date when we were 17. My father was a self-made manufacturer from Seoul and my mother was the daughter of a wealthy businessman from Kyoto. But, since neither sets of my grandparents approved of the marriage and though my parents were in their 30's and 40's when they married, my parents eventually immigrated to Toronto for a 'fresh start'. My parents were very eager to fit in. On top of immigrating, and even after having my brother and I later on here, our money was still 'new' and we were still excluded from a lot of social groups due to that reason for the most part. At the time my father and father-in-law were doing business together and Craig and I kind of got 'pulled in' to the deal. Craig's father wanted a LARGE chunk of money and my parents wanted to find a way to try to get my brother and I into more exclusive social groups. So, when I got home from school one Friday before my parents were going out to a charity dinner, they told me I was going to be picked up later on by Craig for a date and try to 'make it work'. And at first… I didn't care. After all, I wasn't good in school and didn't try to pretend I wasn't. So and as you know for women in families like ours, I basically had two options for what to do with my life after high school to be successful. One was university and I really didn't want that. Or I married for wealth and status. And while the Wilson's were nowhere near as rich as my family at the time, Craig's family was very old and were very well known in our area's social circles. So… I thought it was worth a try to to see if I could at least tolerate him to please my parents and give myself a jump in status. Or… at least that's what I thought until I met him."

Camille's smile got somehow 'genuine' in a way as she looked like she was reminiscing about that night she met her husband on their first date, which intrigued Elena to no end.

40 years ago in suburban Toronto

After getting over the initial awkwardness at the door, Craig and Camille eventually walked to his car and Camille's eyes went wide as she noticed something and immediately rushed to the car as she said, almost in excited disbelief with a huge smile on her face, "Wait, you have black velour interior in your car? Far... out! This is so chic!"

Craig looked at Camille wide eyed in surprise for many different reasons.

Mainly because from his perspective he didn't even like his car anymore because he was 'bored with it' and thought it was 'junk' compared to the new models.

And two, he was shocked to meet a girl that seemed to know remotely anything about cars at all, despite him never really paying to much to begin with to make those assumptions.

He even elaborated on that thought as he said, "You know about cars?"

Camille let out a slight scoff-like laugh before admitting, "Yeah, no. But, I love fashion and following trends. Velour is SO it right now. All my dad's tastes are old and he doesn't have any cars with this kind of interior. I REALLY want to get a velour dress in the more modern cuts since those are starting to become the 'in thing', but haven't been able to get my hands on one yet. I'm really close to asking my mom if I could have one made custom.''

Craig just kept himself locked on Camille for many different reasons.

Well, until he saw her about to open the passenger side door and sprang into action to open it for her, trying to make sure he impressed her as much as possible, "Wait, no!..."

But, right at that moment both of their hands touched for a second as they reached for the door handle on the car, making them both retract their hands.

They paused and looked at each, both of them blushing slightly and meanwhile Craig just kept internally cursing himself for making things awkward until he shook his head to clear his mind and recovered before opening the door and offering his hand to her to help her into his car, "I-I mean, no worries. I got it."

Then he felt like celebrating more than when he got a hole in one a couple weeks ago on his last tee time as Camille took his hand and smiled at him and responded, "Thanks... Craig."

After feeling lost in thought again, Craig walked around to the other side of his car and started up the engine when his stomach dropped (realizing he still had no idea what he was doing or had any plan) as Camille asked, "So… where are we going?"

But, thinking back to his father's suggestion earlier and because he was still angry about not being able to golf, he managed to get out and also sounding somewhat normal to his surprise, "Uh, wanna grab a shake and then go mini-golfing? I know a pretty good place. It's not far."

Camille just kept smiling as she shrugged and said, "Sure." Craig smiled slightly back at her, still not believing how he was unexpectedly enjoying this more than he expected, and replied, "Groovy."

Eventually, he backed out of the Lim's property and headed off down the road. They went to a local diner hot spot and then got to mini-golfing. Even though the two really did not have many 'hobbies/interests' in common… both of them were still shockingly and genuinely enjoying each other's company despite the circumstances of how they both got there.

Craig junior from the perspective of getting cheated out of golfing with his friends only to surprisingly enjoy going on an unexpected blind date with Camille and Camille from the standpoint that she was going into the date with a 'fake it til she makes it' attitude with just seeing if she could just 'tolerate him' at a minimum if it meant advancing her reputation with Craig being 'old money' and pleasing her parents. But… she wasn't expecting to actually like Craig.

Actually, she would be lying if she said she wasn't attracted to him, very much so from her perspective.

Practically even going to the extent during their round of mini-golf to act like she needed help with her putting just to have an excuse to 'get closer'. That and partially because she had never golfed in her life and wasn't interested in anything with the word 'golf' in it and wanted something to her benefit out of the date.

Even though she was really resisting trying to make any more 'moves' on the date since she didn't want to appear easy.

Despite how tempted she was on the drive back to stop at Thompson Woods and make out with him in his car. But… she figured she could save it for the next time and show that he needed to 'work a little' to get something out of her.

After Craig walked Camille back to the front door of her house, the two just stood in awkward silence for a moment and Camille looked like she was waiting for him to make some kind of move since she seemed to be leading a little more in that department on their date.

Eventually she looked like she was going to head in when Craig started, sounding slightly sudden and off, "Wait! I mean, uh… Camille?"

She looked back to see Craig looking like he was reaching out only to immediately pull his hand back, his face turning beat red as he rubbed the back of his neck (a nervous quirk of his that she noticed on a couple points during their date).

His expression evened out as he cleared his throat and folded his hands before starting, "Uh… my father will probably be taking me to the dealership to get a new car. So, I-I was wondering if maybe next Friday we can take it for a spin or something. You know, after school. You go to Harrison, right? I go to Boyd Fines but I can pick you up no problem. I-If you want?"

Despite keeping a cool front, Camille was really trying to contain herself at the current moment with Craig 'making a move' by asking her out on another date.

Especially considering tonight she was going into tonight with low expectations all around, she was not expecting to get along with much less be very attracted to Craig.

But, she managed to keep her cool and take advantage of her sudden boost of confidence as she put her hand on the side of Craig's (feeling him tense up under her touch) and went up on her toes slightly as she gave him a light peck on the lips.

Partially she did this to tease and leave him wanting more… and because she really wanted to kiss him.

Craig was looking at her wide eyed as Camille responded, biting her lip slightly in an attempt to 'cool her jets' at the moment, "I'd like that. I'll wait for you outside the school, okay?"

Meanwhile Craig was still looking at her wide eyed, mouth agape, and red faced as Camille made one last 'play' for him and partially went inside her house as she smiled and said, simply yet somehow slightly flirty, "Night Craig. See you later."

After giving him a slight wave and going inside, Camille bit her bottom lip before slowly releasing it as she broke out in a wide smile at how well the date went.

Meanwhile outside and after feeling like he had to put himself back together on the Lim's front entryway, Craig junior finally got back into his car and sat there for a moment before smiling a little to himself.

Even though he had not anticipated enjoying getting pulled into an arranged blind date by his father, Craig junior couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement and confidence about his first actual date in his life (and with a cute girl no less to him) actually went quite well.

And hey, to him it just became a win-win situation.

Not only would his dad (for once) be proud of anything he's ever done, but he was also going to get the car he's been wanting ever since he saw it in a magazine several months ago.

And then take out Camille in said new car and maybe drive her around his town's old downtown and show off. Even though now to Craig, it won't just be the car he'll get to show off if he runs into his friends.

Craig grinned in satisfaction as he pulled out of the Lim's driveway and drove home.

Well, now I know this wasn't quite as 'involved' as Alejandro's parents' story of their meeting and just seemed like a regular date. But, truth is, sometimes there's nothing wrong with a 'normal date' no matter who you are. :) Not all romances happen in the same way and at the very least for Heather's parents (despite being your stereotypical spoiled, materialistic, and over privileged rich kids), I wanted to show that Craig junior and Camille had a very normal and pleasant date together that resulted later on down the road into their eventual marriage. Sure while they grew into being 'not the best' and practically emotionally neglectful parents toward their children and attitude toward parenting, the two actually have a pretty healthy relationship as a couple and eventually grew into loving each other very much as they progressed from their mutual crush on each other on their first date. But, at the very least, we now have the backgrounds on Alejandro and Heather's parents respectively! Next chapter will begin the lead up to Aleheather's engagement party and wedding. Plus… maybe some 'familiar faces' in the fandom may present themselves, but that's for me to know and you all to find out. Haha. ;) Anyway, thank you all so much for reading as always and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated.

Thank you again and stay classy!

Dexter1995