Alright, let's hop right to it everyone! But, before that and because I got a private message on this question in my fanfic universe for this story, they asked if Lindsay and Tyler were still together in my universe even though Fresh TV canonically broke them up because Lindsay forgot Tyler's name during a family visit (which is STUPID). And my answer is YOU BET YOUR SWEET BIPPY THEY STILL ARE! Lol. XD I don't care and even thought their ship was always just kind of there in the background and not given much attention due to Tyler's screen time over those 3 seasons… but dammit these two were always cute to me and our selectively clueless King and Queen deserve to be happy together! In my mind and since Tyler likes to be fit but isn't the 'greatest' at most sports as we have seen MANY times in the show despite his best efforts, I see Tyler becoming either a personal trainer or gym teacher and Lindsay in my mind would DEFINITELY be a stylist of some kind. Whether it's hair or clothes (ignoring the tie breaker challenge in Paris from TDWT), Lindsay deserves to do what she loves and style others for a living! :) Anyway, onto the story! This chapter goes back into it with Alejandro and Gerardo regarding the current situation between Diego and Heather that Alejandro is still VERY much in the dark about. Enjoy!

(Alejandro's POV)

"Gracias Javier." I said quickly to my chauffeur as I turned around and shut the car door behind me, having no idea what I was in for.

Father just asked me to come over right away if I could and… I had no idea what to make of it?

I had no idea why he would insist on talking in person when I was more than prepared for just a phone call.

But, he seemed insistent on visiting him… and what else do I have to lose at this point since I feel like I'm almost at my wit's end to keep everything from collapsing between my marriage and our son.

Eventually I rang the doorbell and I was surprised to see my father answer the door not too long after, practically as if he really was 'waiting for me'.

He smiled at me before greeting, friendly yet also surprisingly casual given the invitation, "Hola mijo, so glad to see you."

I gave my father an 'unsure look' of why he seemed to be greeting me as if I just 'stopped by' for a casual visit.

Then my thoughts were confirmed as he went on, "There's no need to be suspicious, Alejandro. Can't a father just be happy when his son comes to visit him regardless? Especially since your mother is out for the day, I could do with a visitor for some company. Besides, judging by the tone in your voice… it sounded as if to me that you needed a good walk to sort out your thoughts. Perhaps we could walk around the garden?"

I stood there hesitantly until I decided to just give in and take the situation. Besides, he isn't wrong.

Maybe fresh air and a walk couldn't hurt.

15 minutes later

I felt like I hardly stopped talking and as father kept listening.

Eventually I felt like I got to a point as I started, "Padre, I… I just don't know? Heather and I were doing so well for such a long time. We were able to communicate and talk to each other and then… something happened between her and Diego somehow and neither of them will tell me. Diego's been refusing to leave his room and Heather has been spending all her time out of the house and won't even respond to my calls. I just… I don't know anymore?"

My eyes slowly drifted back to my father as he just looked in front of him with an almost pensive expression, like he was sorting through everything I just said.

Eventually he stroked his goatee for a moment before inquiring, "Alejandro, while I do sympathize of course with this situation. After all, as a diplomat, my whole career was about handling situations that could lead to uneven ground."

I couldn't stop myself as I interjected, "But that's the point. You're a diplomat and Heather and Diego aren't just anyone. Granted Heather has always been Heather to most extents, but Diego? As much as I admit he's like me in most regards, he is also much like Heather with that infuriating… stubbornness he has. He always gets so defensive and accuses Heather of not caring about him when she clearly does! And I've told him this and yet he refuses to believe me! And Heather doesn't help her cause either and I just…" My muscles became taut and my jaw clenched as I gripped a hand into my hair, still feeling like my family was falling apart in a matter of mere days.

Eventually Father put his hand on my shoulder as he started, "Alejandro, you speak as if we have nothing in common. Yes, I am a diplomat and while I am flattered that you seem to value my opinion still at this stage in your life… I feel like you are for once not giving yourself enough credit. Retired or not, I am a man of diplomacy… but you are too. You're Prime Minister! Surely you've learned enough from me and your own experience to navigate these sorts of rough waters quite confidently."

"Yes, but we aren't talking about any situation with any group of people. My wife, as much as I love her, is still one of the most stubbornly frustrating people I have ever met and has gone back to shutting me out. Because what do you suggest? That I just barge into her studio and break down the door of her dressing room and force her to talk to me?! And Diego?!"

Because I really don't want to do that again.

At least I'd prefer if it didn't come to that.

My father looked off toward the reflection pond in the center of the garden until he looked back at me and smirked, "Who says anything about needing force? And perhaps you're right as well. Maybe it's time we, as they say, divide and conquer, sí? And besides, I've been meaning to drop in for a visit anyhow recently, which I think will work in our favor."

Later that day; Madrid, Spain

(Heather's POV)

Ugh… what the hell even is my life anymore!

Everything was just fine until Chris had to weasel his way into it like he always does and ruin it! And now my son hates me.

Great… just GREAT!

WHAT ELSE?!

Okay, relax Heather.

You have to stay focused. You aren't filming tonight, but that still doesn't mean there aren't other things to focus on.

I dug into my vanity drawer for the possible guest list I wrote down for the new season.

I kept digging until I came across it. As much as I tried to push it to the side… it's like my hand just couldn't stop itself from pulling out Diego's binder.

I started this right when Diego started fencing and at first… I had no idea why.

It's like… like I didn't want to 'miss anything' with him.

Since my parents never and still don't give a crap about anyone but themselves, I just didn't want that for him if I had anything to do with it.

I remember being at track meets and having no one but me to rely on.

I won medals, broke the girls record for hurdles at my high school and still hold that record to this day… but I didn't get anything else from it.

My parents never came to anything for me.

Well, except for the dance showcase but they were there by default as club members so that doesn't count for anything to me honestly.

And Diego, I couldn't help but watch. Especially since he was actually good at and dedicated to fencing from day one, which was good because of how much he begged Alejandro and I to sign him up for it when he was younger.

I've been to nearly all his competitions.

And for what?! For that ungrateful little jerk to accuse ME of not caring?!

DOES HE HAVE ANY DAMN IDEA HOW GOOD HE HAS IT?! WHAT MORE COULD THAT JERK POSSIBLY WANT FROM ME?!

I grit my teeth and slammed the binder shut and tossed it away out of impulse. It hit the wall before hitting the floor with a loud thud and opened up on the floor.

I crossed my arms and stewed for a moment until I looked down and felt every muscle in my body slowly relax when I saw the page it opened to.

My body almost felt like it melted to the floor as I got on my knees to look at it closer. It was from Diego's first fencing competition when he was 6, where he won his first gold. He had a medal around his neck and was smiling proudly, his two front baby teeth had already fallen out to reveal a sizable gap in his grin.

My actions were almost instinctive as my hand mindlessly went to the page, smoothing my fingers over his picture.

Eventually I picked up the binder and closed it before holding it close to my chest.

Dammit…

I felt almost lost for a moment until I heard the door of my dressing room open with a 'click', making me instinctively turn around and snap, "Hey! Since when have I ever relaxed my rule about knocking on the damn…"

I stopped dead when I saw Alejandro standing there.

His expression even and his arms behind his back.

Well, until he revealed a bouquet of a dozen roses from behind his back as he said, his voice was smooth and even as he looked, "Hola, mi amor. What do you say we take our leave and go out for a night on the town?"

Meanwhile outside the city

(Diego's POV)

I seriously cannot believe this.

I just finished watching the last season of the show, at least up until father was eliminated before I shut it off.

After practically gorging myself on this awful show, I just couldn't stomach watching anymore of it.

I had enough.

What's more is… what? Just what am I supposed to do with this?! I've been alive all this time, lived with my parents all this time, respected their wishes all this time… AND FOR WHAT?!

I feel like I don't even know them!

My mother shoved my father off the side of a volcano and father in turn had everyone turn on her only to later show remorse?

WHAT AM I MISSING HERE?!

My parents must be insane!

What could have possibly happened that I haven't seen to have them be together now and have me?!

I felt close to pulling out my hair and gnashing my teeth on the floor in a near fetal position as I continued my descent into madness, until I heard a knock on the door.

My whole body clenched and my eyebrows furrowed in anger as I snapped through my teeth assuming it was either of my parents or Luz, "Leave me alone!"

I was going to go back to my sulking until I heard a familiar and steady tone on the other side of the door, "Is that anyway to greet a visitor, mijo? Especially a relative who also happens to be bearing gifts?"

My whole demeanor relaxed but immediately became even more confused than ever.

Abuelo?

What's my grandfather doing here? I immediately got up and opened the door only to see my grandfather right in front of me.

At first I thought he was going to 'tell me off' for how I was acting… but that wasn't what I was seeing.

Instead I saw my grandfather standing there as if it were just a casual family gathering. He was even smiling at me as he started, "Splendid. I'm glad to see you, mijo. And all the better that you decided to answer since your abuela and I have been meaning to give this to you for some weeks now. Especially since I had to bring this up two flights of stairs here at my age. I keep forgetting I'm not as young as I once was."

He chuckled as I continued to quirk up an eyebrow in confusion until I looked behind him.

Behind my grandfather leaning against the wall was a thin rectangular prism-esque looking something wrapped in brown paper.

I had no idea what was going on and since I hadn't made an attempt to say anything yet, my grandfather continued, "And I see you spotted it. You see, Diego, your abuela and I were going through some old rooms at the estate now that we're both retired and trying to find things to do. The estate had been in my hands for a while but since your abuela and I traveled for work for so long before coming back home, some things kind of took a 'back seat' in many respects. Anyhow, we ended up finding a lot of old portraits and paintings. And there was one in particular we found that we thought should really go to you. Go on, open it."

Though hesitant, I cautiously approached the painting and carefully tore off the paper in total and absolute confusion about this entire situation.

And my confusion didn't stop there when I finally got a full view of the painting.

It was an ornately framed portrait of a young man in traditional naval military uniform from sometime in the 1780's or early 1800's. He had short black hair underneath a bicorne hat, clean shaven, and very steady light green eyes. Although the portrait was only painted from the waist up, he had a military saber resting on his right shoulder.

I kept examining the portrait in fascination until abuelo chimed in, "You do know who that is? Do you not? Or would you not recognize your namesake?"

The realization hit me immediately as I looked back and finally responded, "This is Don Diego Burromuerto y Colón?"

Abuelo just smirked as he replied, "Sí. Actually to be even more specific, this was a portrait painted of him at age 28 and sent out to the local nobility for marriage prospects. So of course his parents would want a portrait painted of their highly decorated yet still very young military admiral son to show off his 'best attributes' for potential young ladies of interest."

He paused for a moment as he got a slight playful look in his eyes as he elaborated, "Although Burromuerto men may not have had the largest fortunes in those days especially or the flashiest title, we at least never had to worry about our physical attributes not being desirable, sí?"

He chuckled a little again as I kept looking at the painting and trying to 'sort things out'. My ability to think clearly (to a degree) and speak eventually returned as I replied, showing my still overwhelming confusion, "But… why? Why do you want to give this to me at this point? I would have thought after how I 'reacted' just now you wouldn't have wanted me to have this at all."

All my grandfather did was put his hand on my shoulder as he smirked and replied, "Diego… it is not for me to be your critic in every situation or reprimand you. I'm not your father… I'm your grandfather. My only job is to love and support you and your cousins. It's not my place to do anything else but that… for any of you."

I was almost in a state of shock at what he said until my grandfather retracted his hand before clasping his hands together and starting, "Now, with that out of the way. What do you say we go out for dinner? It's been a long time since we did something of this sort between the two of us and I could go for a taste of more urban scenery with my grandson. The country is relaxing, but I'm realizing as a retired man of my age that it can get 'dull' rather quickly. Besides, a change of routine might be good for you as well, mijo. Speaking off, and only a suggestion, but perhaps a good shave and shower might do you some good as well?"

At first I was wondering what he was talking about until I looked into a nearby hall mirror and realized my current 'state'.

And I was in quite a 'state' to say the least.

Since I spent days without hardly doing anything but watch the show, I hadn't realized until now that I haven't shaven in two days, or showered, or put on deodorant… the showering and deodorant was definitely apparent and I had no idea why my grandfather hadn't commented on it.

My mentality might be shattered beyond recognition at this point, but perhaps… I should at least attempt to 'physically' put myself back together and eat something.

So, it looks like Gerardo and Alejandro decided to really 'divide and conquer' between Heather and Diego to try and start to 'sort things out'. And Alejandro managed to get Heather's attention in a more calm fashion this time! Now THAT is good progress people! Lol. XD Anyway, I'll let you all leave your predictions for what you think will happen next. Stay tuned! ;) As always thank you so much for taking the time to read and constructive reviews are always greatly appreciated.

Take care of yourselves and each other everyone!

Dexter1995