Alright, here we are with a reader request today! *Throws confetti* Which again, if there is anything you want to see PLEASE let me know! I would love to write things for you guys in this series! :) Anyway, this request is brought to you all by a suggestion from one of my lovely reviewers and internet friends 'Espanholina', who by the way is also a writer in her own right and also has Aleheather fics of her own on her AO3 profile. So if you want to read a fic about Aleheather ACTUALLY being more in character in the TDAS finale then go check it out. The Aleheather fan community is strong and we stand together! :) Anyway, at this suggestion, she asked for a chapter showing the instance of a 31 year old Alejandro and Heather during her pregnancy with Alejandro realizing how much Heather suffered mentally and emotionally during that time. How you may ask? You're about to find out. Hope you enjoy! :)

(Alejandro's POV)

Alright, I think I'm all set.

I need to make sure I'm prepared for our first session today in Parliament.

Now that I'm a senator and also the first political representative of any sort in my family to serve in government on this level in 3 generations… I need to ensure I make a good impression.

But, considering I've been preparing for this day for as long as I could remember, how could I possibly not make a good impression?

I had my briefcase in hand as I started to make my way toward the stairs until I stopped short as I passed our bedroom.

Slowly, I looked over and saw Heather already dressed and looking at herself in the full length mirror in the far corner of our room. Which wouldn't have seemed too unusual since she usually likes to 'look herself over' before she heads out for her daily itinerary before filming… except something was off.

Unlike her usual smirk she had on her face (looking nothing short of confident) as she looked herself over, she was looking at herself with an almost blank expression in the mirror as she looked at herself in a way that I could only describe as 'intensely stoic'.

I tilted my head, wondering what she was doing… until she slowly turned until she was looking at herself from the side, showing off the more apparent 'bump' on her midsection.

Her expression maintained its 'intensely stoic' aire about it as she let out a long sigh through her nose and slowly ran her hand over her midsection, making the realization 'click' in my mind.

My lips pursed on reflex at seeing this as I ran a hand over the top of my head as my stomach almost twisted in confliction.

I don't understand?

I should be thrilled!

I've been asking and persuading her for almost 3 years to have children. And she AGREED!

Well, not 'agree' so much as get completely annoyed with me on a morning walk on the beach when we were in the Philippines for an appearance Heather was making on an award show that she eventually shoved me into the ocean from the shore and yelled 'UGH, FINE! WHATEVER!'

I didn't even care that she just shoved me into the Pacific since I was so… elated.

Sure I knew Heather would agree eventually if I stayed persistent on the subject, but I just didn't envision how happy I would be when she finally agreed to want to have a child together.

It felt like the next big milestone for us after being together for almost 10 years and married for 6 of those during that time.

I still remember when we found out we were expecting 5 months ago… It felt almost surreal.

Especially after Heather's most recent ultrasound yesterday when we found out we were having a son, like it really solidified that all of this was happening.

I should be ecstatic right now!

After all my persistence and asking, I should feel practically victorious!

So then… why don't I?

Eventually I couldn't stop myself as I set my suitcase down and walked into the room. Heather seemed so fixated on herself in the mirror that she hardly paid any attention to me, although that part wasn't entirely 'new' in recent months… unfortunately.

But, it didn't stop me from grinning as I came up to her from behind, pressing myself against her and wrapping my arms around her as I started, attempting 'something', "Hola, mi amor. I was passing by and I couldn't stop myself once I saw you. You look absolutely stunning this morning, and not just in terms of the dress."

I started kissing the side of her neck like I usually did (not only because I wanted to) to try and get her more 'relaxed' with me like she would do in the past when I tried to 'work my ways'.

Then I couldn't stop myself as I smoothed my left hand over her stomach.

But, before I could even take another breath, she smoothly slid out of my grasp and grabbed her purse as she got out straight and to the point, "I have to go."

With that she strutted out of the room and left me practically stranded as my stomach kept practically coiling in on itself.

I just don't understand?

I'm so happy about this! I'm having a child with the love of my life and yet, she won't even hardly acknowledge me… or our child.

Why isn't she happy about this?!

I just… I have no idea?

3 days later

I was lying awake just staring at the ceiling.

I've hardly felt like I've been able to fully concentrate on my work because of everything with this whole situation. She still sleeps next to me but it's like she's hardly even there.

She barely ever wants to look at me or talk to me anymore.

The fact that I was able to get her to sit down and discuss names for our son felt like a pathetic yet monumental victory with this current 'situation'.

And the fact that she even agreed on a name felt even more flabbergasting.

Once we started 'trying', Heather made one point VERY clear and it was that she wanted to have the final say in naming our child.

To me it seemed fair enough since I was just so elated to begin with that she finally agreed.

So, since Carlos didn't stick with any of the 'traditional Burromuerto names' in our family line, I took it upon myself to come up with some possible names for our son from my father's side.

While my family still owns the estate that's been in our family for hundreds of years, my family has had no aristocratic ties to it since my great-grandfather when he decided to 'drop the title'. But, the Burromuerto's were a part of a long standing line and I wanted our son to have close roots to his heritage and lineage.

While I was a bit disappointed that she was not a fan of 'Cesár' as a potential name, since he was my eighth great-grandfather known for being a world traveler and considering how Heather and I met would have seemed quite fitting to give as a name for our son.

But, then I mentioned 'Diego' and she actually looked at me.

It was the first time she looked me directly in the eye in months and even asked me about what he did? I was so taken back by her sudden change to be on direct speaking terms to me again that I told her everything I knew about him.

While not a 'world traveler', Don Diego Burromuerto y Colón was probably one of the best military strategists in the family and even rose to being an Admiral despite being considered a 'low born' to candidates of a higher standing 'pedigree' to him.

But it didn't stop him from being one of the most well decorated and highly honored soldiers in my father's line.

And she liked it. Well, she technically didn't say she 'liked it' to me, so much as just say 'we'll go with that'. Which to me seemed like quite a lot of progress from how she's been with me as of late.

I probably would have kept thinking until Heather immediately sprang up next to me until she was practically bolt upright in our bed.

Her breathing was ragged as she immediately slouched slightly and put her hand over her forehead.

Quickly, I reacted on instinct and questioned out of concern, "Heather? What happened?"

Right as I put my hand on her arm I could feel sweat, until I realized she was entirely covered in sweat. Immediately she practically shook my hand off her as she spat in almost frustratingly defensive annoyance, "Nothing. I'm fine."

I tilted my head, trying to understand what was happening. "Heather, what…" "I said I'm fine!" She snapped, completely cutting me off.

What has gotten into her?

Just as abruptly she got out of our bed and stormed out into the hallway.

My whole body locked up in tense and frustrated confusion until I couldn't help the curiosity getting the best of me. Slowly I got up and started to try and find her.

I check the bathrooms, the spare bedroom nearest us… nowhere to be seen.

Then I got even more confused and ducked behind the doorway when I saw Heather was in our home gym. Since we already had 3 rooms in the house set aside for visitors to stay, Heather and I decided to make a bedroom into a home gym.

It isn't anything too extravagant, but we do have an elliptical, treadmill, and a couple different machines dedicated to core and upper body exercises.

Either way it was enough to suit our needs.

But, Heather wasn't near any of the equipment.

Instead I saw her standing on the scale that we both only used a handful of times. She looked like she was fixated with trained eyes on the display at the top of the scale until I saw her expression drop, almost looking shocked if not outright… disgusted.

"19 pounds…" She said under her breath.

19 pounds?... 19 pounds, what?

Right then she looked down at her midsection, her eyes looking almost scornful as she said, almost like she was vengeful, "Are you happy with yourself? I practically gave you permission to exist in my damn body and you think that means you get to 'run the show' do what you like to me?! Making me gain almost 20 pounds?! Turning me into that fat prepubescent freak all over again?! Is THAT what you wanted?! Ugh!... What the hell am I saying? You probably don't even know what the hell I'm saying, do you? I don't even know if you can even hear me. You're just existing… 'using me' to get stronger… and I let it happen."

She immediately slammed her fist down hard on the on display, clearly hurting her hand a little but stubbornly refusing to show that it was bothering her.

Meanwhile my eyes were practically falling out of my head at what I just realized.

Is that how this is making her feel?

How?!

She looks beautiful as ever! She has journalists and critics PRAISING her in articles for her confidence, beauty, and style in her pregnancy!

How can she possibly think any of that about herself?!

But… is this really what she thinks?

Is that what this pregnancy is 'doing to her'?

Did I 'do this' to her?

My stomach clenched at that last thought.

But, what else can I do? I spent all those years persuading her into having a child and despite it being what I wanted… it wasn't what she wanted.

'I' caused her to feel like this… and it's too late now.

Regardless of anything… this was my doing… and now I'm stuck in it and the guilt that comes with it.

Ay, carajo… what did I do?

Well… looks like Alejandro heard Heather say some pretty heavy things that were what he needed to hear to make him come to realize how this pregnancy was doing to Heather and making her miserable. Although he meant no harm in this instance and merely thought of it as a fun 'lover's game' to coax Heather into having a baby and starting a family with him… it was still a bit 'bullying' nonetheless. Fact is all of us are flawed humans. And sometimes we do something that we didn't mean to do or think was in any way harmful, but it did end up hurting someone somehow. It happens and it's about how you salvage the situation, make peace, and learn from it in the future. Fortunately Alejandro realized this!... but unfortunately he didn't realize it until it was too late. And you can bet going forward that Alejandro out of his INTENSE guilt and trying to make things right was trying to compliment and be there for Heather in anyway he could now that they were in a more supportive place in their relationship. In canon, Heather was described as being very protective of her image since she was a slightly overweight 'fashion challenged junior high reject' with bad acne as a preteen and has since covered it up with a 'mean veneer and makeup' in her high school years onward. And, much like many of us, Heather couldn't hold back her deep seeded insecurities about her body image. So the fact that the fluctuating hormones were messing with her acne and her weight gain (despite it being an entirely normal and healthy thing to happen during pregnancy) made Heather despise being pregnant in thinking she looked disgusting. Of course Heather and Alejandro were able to eventually move on and everything kind of worked out in the end once Heather realized she loved Diego after giving birth to him… that and Alejandro getting a vasectomy after Diego was born also made her more 'forgiving'. Lol. XD But, hey, just because people are in a "happy marriage" doesn't mean you can't fall into a rough patch at some point. But, make no mistake, they came to peace with things and are still in love as ever. :) Next chapter we'll continue with the 'Wilson Visit' in the future arc. Prepare for more drama! That's all I'll say! Haha. ;) Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated.

Take care, stay classy, and stay safe all!

Dexter1995

P.S. This has nothing to do with anything but in this chapter I showed something that was a bit of an Easter Egg when it comes to how Diego got his name. When I originally was workshopping Diego's character, I was hung up on and deciding on 2 different names. After all this was the child of Aleheather so I wanted to find a name that fit and sounded like it made sense. With Heather and Alejandro being both very ambitious, driven, and opportunistic characters, I came up with Cesár (name derived from one of the most powerful Roman emperors as well as meaning 'head of hair' which lowkey made me laugh in some weirdass way considering both Heather and Alejandro lost all their hair when they got their 'comeuppance' in TD. Lol. XD) and then of course Diego. Now Diego won for MANY reasons, but the 2 main ones were that the name flowed better with his surnames as well as the name meaning supplanter or usurper (which for Aleheather being a couple of show offs that like stealing the thunder as well as victories seemed all too PERFECT)! So now you know how Diego got his name. Hope you enjoyed the lore! Haha. :D