Song: "Invisible String" by Taylor Swift

**

Heather woke up in the guest room. She and Alejandro had fallen asleep together the night before. She pouted when she saw he wasn't still in bed. She got up and got dressed before going downstairs.

Mariana smiled when she saw her. "Good morning Heather! Come sit! I made some delicious pancakes with fruit!"

"Ok, thank you." She sat down across from José and Carlos, who had already finished half their pancakes.

"Of course, darling!" She handed her a plate with orange juice on the side. Heather looked around the kitchen. "Alejandro is out feeding the animals."

"You guys have animals?"

"Oh, sí! We also have chickens, goats, rabbits, and cats!"

"...Wow, a whole farm, huh?"

"Yes, something like that," she laughed.

"Alejandro wanted to have lots of animals when we were younger. Mother said he could have them if he took care of them," Carlos said. "Now that he's moved out, I take care of them. But he comes over on the weekends."

"Heather, do you have any pets?" Mariana asked.

"Um, I... had a cat. He died about a month ago."

"Oh, I am so sorry."

Heather shrugged. "It's whatever."

She frowned. "Oh no, it is not whatever. It is a tragedy when a beloved pet dies. And I can tell you're devastated, honey."

"Well, I... yeah, I am," she replied quietly, realizing she never really got any validation for her grief, besides the support from Courtney, of course. But even then, she didn't know how to comfort her. She didn't blame her. Heather knew she was very hard to get through to, and she wanted to work on that.

She finished her breakfast quickly so she could see Alejandro. Mariana insisted that she'd clean the table. Heather thanked her and went straight outside.

Mariana smiled as she watched her walk out the back door. "Does she seem too quiet to you, mama?" José asked. "Too quiet for my little brother Al?"

"José quit being rude," Carlos gave him a look.

"Poor girl. She holds in so much," Mariana whispered sadly, shaking her head.

"Huh?" José raised an eyebrow.

Meanwhile, Heather saw Alejandro feeding the chickens. She wrapped her arms around him from behind. "I had no idea you were a farmer," she snickered.

Alejandro jumped a little but chuckled when he heard her voice. "Good morning, mi amor. Did you have breakfast?"

"Mhm, the pancakes were delicious."

"I'm glad you liked them." He finished sprinkling the last bit of the chicken food he had. He turned around, holding onto her arms. Heather noticed he was wearing a plain white t-shirt and worn-out jeans.

"Whoa...I've never seen you in anything that wouldn't work at a formal event," she smirked.

"This is what I wear whenever I spend time outside. I wouldn't want all my nice clothes getting dirty."

"So smart," she giggled. He pulled her against him, kissing her. "You left me to wake up alone today."

"I apologize. My animals need to be fed fairly early, and I did not want to disturb you."

"I'm not that sad. It was just a little colder."

"Awe, my love. Tomorrow I will wake up even earlier, so I can get back in bed with you."

"That sounds nice, but you don't have to."

"I want to."

"Ok then, handsome," she smiled.

He intertwined their hands together. "Want to see the cats?"

She nodded. "Yes, absolutely!"

He led her to a small house underneath a tree in the front yard. An orange cat was standing in front of it protectively. "This is Leo. He's guarding the house because his mate Shiva is pregnant."

Heather's face went soft. "Awe, she's pregnant? Can I see her?"

He nodded, petting Leo to calm him down before moving him. Heather opened the tiny door and saw a white cat fast asleep on a fluffy bed. "Oh my gosh...so precious." Suddenly, tears filled her eyes. She shut the door and stood up, clenching her jaw, and blinked fast. She looks too much like him.

"Heather?" Alejandro asked gently. "Are you alright, my love?"

"No, I... she just reminds me of Bruiser."

"Was it your cat that died?"

"Yeah," she sniffled, letting a few tears out.

He let Leo down and pulled her into his arms. "Would you like to talk more about that with me?"

She nodded. "I had Bruiser since I was seven years old. It's really sad and lame, but he was the only one I'd talk about all my problems and feelings to."

"That's not lame." He rubbed her back.

"I had no one else to talk to until I met Courtney years later. But by then, I was already so used to talking to a cat instead of other people."

"So, you couldn't talk to your parents?"

"No. Anytime I'd tell them something, my mom somehow found a way to put all the blame on me, and my dad didn't say anything."

"Would you like to go to therapy?" He kissed her head.

She shook her head. "No, I don't want to talk to other people!"

"Baby, I think that is what's best for you. I'm happy to support you, but they are trained professionals. They will know how to talk to you."

"You're majoring in psychology, and you know how to talk to me!"

"I'm not there yet. And you know I am just going to be biased towards my girlfriend," Alejandro smiled with a chuckle.

"I don't know..."

"I'll go with you for support."

"I don't want you to have to do that."

"I'm happy to do that."

"Ok, I'll try it then. Thank you."

"I told you I would always be by your side, didn't I?"

"Yes," she smiled lovingly. "And I'll always be by yours."

Alejandro gazed into her eyes until he had an idea. "Shiva's kittens are due in two weeks. I'd be happy to give one to you when they are born."

She gasped. "Really?"

"Really, mi amor."

"But ugh, the sorority doesn't allow pets!"

"We will keep your kitten safe here. You can visit any time."

Heather beamed. "Yes! Thank you! I love you!" She threw her arms around him.

He held her tightly. "I love you too." They hugged in silence for a few moments, enjoying each other's company. Alejandro took a deep breath. "So... Courtney called."

"...She did?"

He nodded.

"Well...you can call her back and tell her I don't want to hear any of her insults."

"She just told me she wants to talk to you."

"She'll yell at me over the phone or some shit!"

"Maybe not," he shrugged. "I think you should talk to her, mi amor.

Heather pouted. "What if she's just angry again?"

"Then you can hang up, and I'll be there for you."

She smiled, feeling more comfortable. "Thanks. I... guess I'll call her. But we have each other's numbers blocked, so I'll need your phone."

"Absolutely." He reached for his back pocket and handed it to her. She swallowed deeply before dialing her number. She still remembered it.

"Hello?" Courtney answered.

"Court...?" Heather began timidly. Alejandro walked off to feed more animals, giving her space.

"Heather?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"I-I just wanted to say...sleeping in the dorm without you last night was really boring, you know," she laughed. "No one to rant with, laugh with...watch criminal minds with. Binge eating with..."

"I missed you too," she smiled tearfully. "I'll I know I didn't communicate with you all these years, and I should've. You...you didn't deserve all those lies and secrets that I width held from you."

Courtney sniffled. "Did Heather Wilson just...apologize?"

"Ugh, no! Well...maybe. Ok, yes, I did. Please don't dwell on it."

"I won't. And I'm sorry about all the shampoo and conditioner bottles. And for calling you a whore. I was just mad because...because the only guy I ever loved decided to be unfaithful, and I felt that you were the only one I could trust."

"I know. I was a pretty shitty friend." She paused. "...But you know what? When I get back on campus tomorrow evening, we can stay up all night, and I'll tell you everything."

"That sounds good."

"Yeah."

"By the way, I fully support you and Alejandro. As long as he doesn't pull the same shit Duncan did!"

"You know...we started in a pretty rough spot, but I think it's going to work out."

"It better. If he hurts you, I'll make sure he regrets it for the rest of his life!"

"Thanks, Courtney," she rolled her eyes.

"Anytime. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. See you tomorrow."

Heather gazed adoringly at Alejandro from a distance. He was feeding the bunnies in a little pin. She walked in with him and sat in the grass.

"How'd it go with Courtney?"

"We made up." She handed him his phone back.

"Bueno! I knew it would all work out in the end!"

"I'm glad it did." She looked at all the bunnies hopping around in the hut and the huge outdoor running space. "Hmm...I like rabbits too," she teased with a smirk. "Any chance this one's pregnant?"

"Yes, actually! You are welcome to have one as well!"

"I was just kidding, babe," she giggled. "I already have two babies to take care of in the near future." She rubbed her stomach.

He gasped, startling some of the rabbits. "Was that...was that a final decision?!"

"Yeah," she nodded, tears of joy in her eyes. "I think...I think it's important to strive to be the mom my mom never was."

"So... we're having a baby then. We're having a baby!" He hugged her tightly, securely. "I cannot wait for every other appointment! And all the planning! Ooh! And the baby shower! And names! We should start a list of names we like right now! And..."

Heather laid there in his arms, smiling and giggling. She adored the way he got excited about this. She held his hand as he continued. It was hard. It was hard for her to feel this way—twenty years in prison in her mind without a key to her heart. But now, she felt it. She truly felt it. And it was extraordinary.

I guess things do work out in the end, even if it's not the ending I imagined. I wouldn't change a thing.

{"Hell was the journey, but it brought me heaven."} ~T.S.

A/n: There will be an epilogue! :)