I am SO sorry this took a couple weeks! I was just really trying to make sure this chapter was something I was happy with. And hopefully I didn't disappoint! This chapter takes place almost 3 months after Natalie and Felix got engaged… and it is WEDDING TIME! Not gonna be the big, expensive Aleheather type wedding but that doesn't mean there still isn't some 'fun in store'. ;) We'll start off on Elena and Gerardo a couple days prior to the wedding packing to head to Canada for Natalie's wedding. Hope you all Enjoy!

Countryside in Northern Spain

({No POV})

Elena and Gerardo were packing up their things for their trip to Canada to witness Natalie's marriage, making sure they had everything they needed.

They kept packing until Elena let out a slight sigh and stopped her packing, looking slightly frustrated.

Gerardo caught this immediately as he looked over at his wife before inquiring, "What is it, mi cariña? I thought you were looking forward to this?"

Elena looked almost frustrated as she looked toward Gerardo and put her hands on her hips before expressing, "Why won't she allow us to give her more? Natalie has not had a single thing go her way her whole life and she's choosing to get married in a… court house? I understand Felix and his family don't have… much, but we do! I even offered! We could've flown them over here to get married in our garden or at a historic Cathedral! It's her wedding for God's sake! Natalie's hardly had a day's happiness in whole life! Why won't she let us help to give her more?!"

Ever since Gerardo and Elena found out about Natalie's secret relationship she's been hiding from everyone for the past couple years, they have tried now more than ever to be supportive of her. Especially since they found out about Natalie's 'current status' in her already begun boxing career and finding out she already had her own living situation now at her apartment in the city.

They really had realized how 'grown up' and independent she had become and how set she was in her lifestyle.

Not mention and despite there being a time when they may not have approved (more Gerardo than Elena), they had to admit that they really took a liking to Felix and were honestly impressed by him asking them both privately later on for permission to marry Natalie.

Even though they could tell he was set on proposing whether they said 'yes' or 'no', they really gained respect for Felix by showing that sort of regard towards them as Natalie's grandparents.

Elena continued to look frustrated, miffed, and almost… hurt as she sat down on the edge of her side of the bed in a huff.

Because despite everything and after all the years they've been married, Gerardo understood.

Instead Gerardo decided to keep his composure and remained silent as he made his way around the bed to have a seat next to her. They sat in silence for a few moments until Gerardo reached over and grabbed his wife's left hand in his right, taking a moment to smile internally at the fused engagement ring and wedding band on her ring finger after over 50 years of marriage.

Eventually he let out a sigh before expressing in his usual smooth and even tone, "Elena, mi amada… you just as well as I if not more that is not 'who' Natalie is. We had a big wedding, as did Carlos and Alejandro. And while I will admit José and Kelsey's marriage was the 'exception' that we both discussed at great length and knew Natalie was the reason behind their 'union'; however, Natalie is different. While her and Felix are young, you can tell there is no other driving factor behind their engagement and marriage other than 'love'... and I don't think Natalie is the kind of young woman to give her heart away to just anyone. She made the decision to be with Felix, she wants to marry and share her life with him, and she wants something simple for their marriage… and we have to respect that, sí?"

Gerardo gave her hand a squeeze before kissing her affectionately on the cheek.

Elena continued to sit there in deep thought until Gerardo put his hand on her shoulder as he said, sounding a bit mischievous, "Although… just because they're getting married in a registry office room at a courthouse, doesn't mean we can't interject a bit of tradition into the scenario?"

Elena looked up at him in confusion until she saw Gerardo smirk and motion to his longhorn necklace with his free hand before sending a wink her way (knowing she's catch his meaning of their 'plan').

Elena smirked and rolled her eyes slightly in response, getting a laugh out of both of them.

Gerardo took his leave as he walked out to use the bathroom before finishing up his packing while Elena continued to sit on the edge of the bed, looking to be in a state of deep thought until she eventually reached over to the drawer of her bedside table and opened it.

She looked around for a few moments until… she found it.

While not a high quality picture, or pictures in this case, they were some of Elena's favorites.

It was a set of 4 pictures she took with Natalie in a photobooth at the shopping mall nearest Natalie's hometown just outside Ottawa about 10 years ago.

While Elena always meant it when she said she did truly love her children and grandchildren equally, it didn't mean she didn't have stronger connections to some more than others. After all, she was still close with Alejandro to this day and loved and felt close to Diego just the same since he is in many ways like his father, but… Elena couldn't help but admit her bond and relationship with Natalie was something she always held close and felt was special to her.

Even though Elena and Gerardo had moved back to Spain during the earlier part of Natalie's toddlerhood, both of them always tried their best to be there for her when they could.

After the 'surprising union' of Natalie's parents and despite the fact that Elena immediately saw through it and knew it was a 'certain someone's' idea, Elena couldn't in some strange way contain her excitement when she found out that her middle son and his… 'wife' had a daughter together.

A granddaughter.

Again, while Elena knew it shouldn't matter the gender of a child, but she still couldn't help but be almost bursting with joy when she found out she had a granddaughter.

And especially felt even closer to Natalie once she realized how much Natalie 'favored her' in appearance the older she got, being her father's daughter by default in terms of 'looks'.

Though, as Natalie grew, Elena was not blind.

Because as she suspected and became bitter about it after knowing Kelsey for years and especially knowing José after his whole life, Natalie was not raised in a healthy and loving household.

Yes, while Elena does still love José; however, she is not ignorant to the kind of selfish and womanizing man her son has always been and is even more easily swayed into even more of a 'bad way' with the right ammunition. With said 'ammunition' being Kelsey since she happened to take all her son's worst qualities and amplify them with her own acting as kerosene on a fire.

If anything from Elena's perspective, Kelsey was somehow 'worse' than her son in her opinion.

From day one of meeting her, she did NOT trust a single thing about her with about the only thing she 'mildly' gave Kelsey credit for was that she was a talented business woman.

But, Kelsey's fake flattery in public and nastily picking people apart when she thinks no one is paying attention to her was something Elena noticed. Because Elena was always paying attention to Kelsey's actions, from the boardroom at the company all the way to the living room at home.

And Natalie with being no exception of a target for her mother's personality.

If anything, Elena always noticed how 'hyper-critical' Kelsey was of her daughter with José seeming almost unbothered by it much to Elena's internal shock and outrage. Despite seeming like the 'picture perfect family' of a handsome couple and their pretty daughter from the surface, nothing about them seemed in any way 'perfect' or even just… supportive.

Natalie was born to two people who definitely never wanted nor should've had any children and merely kept her as a 'status symbol' to socially advance themselves.

With this leaving Natalie to lead a sad, lonely, and bitter upbringing.

And Elena did not stand for this.

She would always try to go back to Canada whenever her schedule allowed to spend time with Natalie. Just a chance to spend time with her granddaughter while also giving Natalie a chance to feel calm and loved.

That and Elena always loved to spoil her grandchildren regardless.

But… to her surprise on their 'bonding days' after Elena would pick up Natalie from school and tell her they could do 'whatever she wanted'... she never wanted much.

Usually all Natalie wanted was to just get ice cream and go to a park and play on the swings, seeming perfectly content doing something entirely simple.

Until one day when she was about 9 that Elena somehow managed to take her to a mall to go shopping together and spontaneously pulled them into a photobooth. It was something Elena hadn't done either until that point in her life and thought it would have been a fun thing to do with Natalie. Considering that was the main driving factor behind Elena wanting to bond and spend time with Natalie.

Just to let her have fun and be happy like children should be.

Because despite the fact Natalie was (and still can be) an unhappy and angry person who got into fights sometimes at school prior to picking up boxing to help channel her anger, Elena knew the truth.

Because Natalie (unlike José) was not past hope to improve herself as a person.

Because she wasn't nor ever has been a 'bad girl'.

Just an unhappy and misunderstood one who never got the day to day support she needed from her parents who were too selfish to really ever try to care about anyone but themselves.

And as much as Elena smiled to herself at the pictures she was seeing of looking at her granddaughter smiling… it's like she wasn't seeing her smile.

Because when her and Gerardo walked into the garage several months ago and saw Natalie embracing Felix, she saw it. Just Natalie with a look of being genuinely comfortable and happy.

At that moment, she saw Natalie's real and true smile for the first time.

And from that moment and even though both of them were very young, even Elena had to agree with Gerardo that Natalie and Felix looked happy and in love, genuinely.

And despite Felix and his family barely living above the poverty line and though she felt less strongly about a person's material wealth than her husband since she mostly just wanted her son's to find nice girls who would treat them like royalty.

And although she has now realized in her old age that wasn't a good mentality and has realized that there is more to a good match in a way.

But, for Elena… she was more than pleased with Felix since he (in his way) did treat Natalie very well and with respect, if not absolutely adore her. Not to mention, was also a pretty handsome young man in his own way under the grease stains and old/worn clothes.

So despite her being a bit disappointed that Natalie didn't want a big wedding… she was just happy that Natalie was happy.

And to Elena… that's all that matters.

2 days later in Downtown Ottawa

Despite Natalie's initial annoyance and unsurity with having so many of her family members show up for a wedding ceremony that takes less than 10 minutes at the courthouse in downtown Ottawa, she was actually surprised by how many members of her family actually came.

Well, at least on the Burromuerto side since the only 'Wilson's' that knew about the marriage were Heather and Diego-ish technically.

But even Natalie was surprised when Diego told her that Alejandro and Heather wanted to attend and even kind of went covert and undercover with minimal security in order to do so to not been seen. Which made Natalie relieved since she wanted the wedding to be private for many different reasons, with one BIG reason on top of those [i.e. Kelsey and José].

But she really was surprised yet kind of happy to see her cousin's Saul and Omar came with her Tío Carlos and Tía Marisol from Spain. And while she knew her grandparents were going to be there, Natalie was not expecting her Great Uncle Julio and his partner Gemma to show up with them.

It was honestly kind of incredible to her since her side actually looked pretty 'full' since Felix only came with his parents.

But, things seemed fine shockingly enough to her.

Eventually the celebrant performing their marriage pulled her and Felix aside to sign some papers as everyone proceeded to mingle.

Although after exchanging greetings and pleasantries with Gerardo and Elena, Luis took a seat as Maria kept standing there and looking off in a 'particular direction' of a 'certain individual' with a look of nervous hesitation.

Heather.

Heather was looking at her phone and reading through some business proposals for her show as Diego kept chatting with Claire (who came along after Diego extended the invitation… and because she wanted to repay Natalie for 'opening her eyes' and giving her and Diego a push to clear things up about where they stood).

Alejandro was across the room chatting with Carlos as Maria kept looking at Heather and biting her lip, looking like she was really trying to summon up some courage.

Even Luís was trying to figure out what his wife was doing for a second until he saw Heather too.

Maria finally straightened out her dress, walked across the room, and right up to Heather as she started, "Um… Perdóname, señora."

Heather slowly looked up with an unreadable expression at Maria, merely quirking up an eyebrow.

But, still trying to hold her courage, Maria kept going as she expressed, "I'm Maria Heredia, Felix's mother. I just wanted to say 'hello' and how much I love your show. I started watching when my Felix was still a baby and I was looking for something to watch when he'd wake up during the night. And since then I've been a big fan. I almost didn't mind when Felix would wake up since I knew I always had something to watch. And then when he started seeing Natalie, I almost didn't believe it when she said you were her aunt. But, that's all I wanted to say. I'm sorry if I bothered you."

Maria looked as if she was about to walk away and internally sweated to herself over the fact that she somehow managed to meet and talk to one of her favorite celebrities, until she was surprised to see Heather hold up her hand and said, "Hold on a sec."

Right then, Heather reached into her bag sitting next to her on the bench. Then Maria's confusion tripled as she saw Heather pull out what looked like an 8x10 piece of paper of some kind with a pen and looked like she was writing something.

Well, until Heather held it out to her with a concise 'Here' and Maria's eyes went wide when she realized what it was as Heather just casually went back to her phone.

It was a Professionally done Glamor shot of Heather with a slight smile on her face as she made direct eye contact with the camera and sitting in her usual interview chair on stage (known as her 'throne' by fans).

But, it was 'what else' was on the photo that got Maria in almost a near state of shock.

The bottom corner of the photograph had a message written in very concise cursive:

Maria,

Thanks for watching.

-Heather

It's like it took a full minute for Maria to realize that Heather gave her a personalized autograph (and not that she would ever sell it since it immediately had sentimental value to her), but what she was currently holding in her hand was also now probably the most valuable and expensive thing she owned.

Eventually Maria managed to stutter out a 'thank you' in both English and Spanish (trying not to make a fool of herself despite how giddy she felt from talking to a celebrity) and feeling almost 'young' again from the excitement.

There was no more time to think on it more; however, as the celebrant (a tiny woman with a very mousy voice) somehow managed to call out over the group, "Can I have your attention, please? If everyone will please take your seats so we can get started?"

Natalie and Felix, who went to the back of the room again, were both about to go to the front of the room as everyone started filing into their seats until Gerardo smoothly and politely interjected, putting a hand on Natalie's shoulder, "I beg your pardon, but would you mind if we did something first before we proceed?"

Natalie looked back and gave Gerardo a confused look as he smiled before genuinely expressing, "I know it's a bit 'unconventional' for a civil marriage ceremony here, but I have always wanted to give a young lady away at her wedding. And since I never had any daughters of my own, will you please allow your dear abuelo to walk you down the aisle? Por favor, mi cariña? After all, I'm quite old and who knows if I'll ever have the chance again?"

Gerardo proceeded to take his hand off her shoulder before instead offering her his arm.

Though a bit thrown off and confused, Natalie eventually grinned (seeing through her grandfather's usual 'shtick' to get his way) as she rolled her eyes and took his arm before saying, slightly annoyed yet more playful, "Well, sure, but you don't have to lay it on that thick to guilt trip me at my own wedding, ya know?"

All Gerardo did was smile before looking almost beaming that he got to be apart of this.

Both Natalie and Gerardo then looked at Felix until Felix 'got the gist' and just smiled before walking up to the front of the room and waited by the celebrant as Gerardo and Natalie slowly yet steadily made their way to the front of the room toward Felix and the celebrant.

Although it was quiet without all the usual 'music and pageantry' of a traditional wedding, there was something almost joyous yet also peaceful about everything. If anything, and despite making a very big decision to get married at 19, Natalie had never felt more calm, sure, and at peace in her whole life.

Before now, she never thought her family would support her in her lifestyle as a professional boxer and marrying a totally broke mechanic in the poor run-down neighborhoods near her gym… needless to say she was happy to say she was wrong for once.

Everyone in the room with her right now was all exactly who she wanted to be there and looking at Felix standing at the front in the only set of somewhat formal clothes he owned with his hair slicked back to look more put together for their wedding and his slight but genuine smile on his face as he watched her get closer from the front, she couldn't stop from hiding how happy she was anymore and she smiled back at him.

When they got to the front, Felix and Gerardo shook hands and he was about to join Felix and Natalie's hands together to pass her off, until Gerardo's eyes went wide for a moment in surprise when Natalie leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

But, by the time he looked over he already saw Natalie and Felix holding hands at the front as they faced the celebrant.

As pleasantly surprised as he still was at that sort of public display of grand daughterly affection from Natalie, Gerardo just smiled and took his seat next to Elena at the front as everyone got in place.

Once the celebrant saw everyone was seated, she cleared her throat and tried to speak up but her mousy tone prevented her from being as loud as she wanted, "Alright, everyone ready? Before we begin, I'd like to ask you both to say your full legal names out loud for purposes of the ceremony. Your name?" Looking toward Felix, and even though he was a bit internally jittery from excited nerves, he straightened up and smiled as he responded, "Felix Ignacio Heredia."

The celebrant nodded before looking at Natalie and saying, "And you?"

Natalie scrunched her face reflexively, considering she despised her full legal name since it made her sound like 'such a fucking debutant' in her opinion.

But, she tried to push it down as she replied, "Natalie Elise Burromuerto."

Her annoyance seemed to wash away as she smiled again when Felix squeezed her hand, making her look at him and share a smile between each other.

It was interrupted as the celebrant proceeded with the ceremony as she cleared her throat again and started, "Good afternoon everyone! We are gathered here today to witness the union of these two people in the bonds of matrimony. Now, before we proceed, if anyone has an objection to this union, I would like to ask that you speak now, please?"

The room was completely silent and even the celebrant had a look of relief about her since she has never liked that part of her job since it sometimes led to rare confrontation and in her line of work over the years has 'seen it all' at weddings with objections to marriages… at least from her view.

"Very good. Now, Felix and Natalie, as we've spoken before, I will have you both recite some vows to each other before… oh, wait, sorry. I forgot we aren't doing the ring exchange so then… uh, moving on to… Yes! Here we go!" The celebrant started flicking through her pages of her book while there was some confusion amongst their family members about 'they weren't exchanging rings'.

Natalie and Felix decided against traditional wedding bands and instead made an appointment at a tattoo parlor the following day to get their wedding bands permanently tattooed on their left ring fingers together. Eventually the celebrant got back on track as she started, "Anyway, Felix, we'll start with you. Please take Natalie's hands and repeat after me." Felix did so as the celebrant started, "I, Felix Ignacio Heredia." Felix just smiled and looked right into Natalie's eyes as he started, sounding nothing but sure, "I, Felix Ignacio Heredia."

"Take this woman to be my lawfully wedded wife." The celebrant continued and right as Felix was about to repeat the next line, the entry door at the back of the room immediate flung open and slammed into a wall with a loud bang as a very familiar angry and snippy voice erupted in absolute outrage, "What the FUCK is going on here?!"

Everyone looked at the other end of the room, even though they didn't need to look to know who was there. Well, at least to know one of the two people who just 'arrived'.

Standing at the back of the room almost equally fuming with cutting glares yet also dressed to the expensive nines as always were the 'parents of the bride'.

Kelsey and José.

Okay, I know I TOTALLY went into crazy-ass dramatic romcom/soap opera territory again… but I'm not sorry! Lol. XD I mean, it's Alejandro and Heather's families we're talking about her so… drama is to be expected. And unfortunately for Natalie and Felix, their courthouse wedding was NO exception since it looks like Kelsey and José found out at just the right moment to try and ruin everything. But… to be continued in the next chapter! ;) Either way, I hope you enjoyed Elena's reflection and the look into her relationship with Natalie as well as the cute turned dramatic as hell courthouse wedding. Haha. Thanks again so much for taking the time to read and constructive feedback is always VERY much appreciated if you can spare it. Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Dexter1995