Authors Note: There are two ways I can see Gabe and Elena's love story working out. This is an alternative story to Long Road to Love. While that one focuses on what if Elena's dad had some one in mind for her, this story takes a look at how their relationship developed naturally. So this has flashbacks that go in no particular order to see how that developed over time, with chapters focusing in the present. There are stories that I have written before that connects to the timeline and will be referenced eventually. There will likely be some lines from other stories here or there to see how they connect too :)

Chapters from Back to Back: Friendship is Forever, The Bright Side to Nightmares, Late Night Chats, Early Morning Surprises, When It All Sinks In, Princess Knight Aftermath.


Now and After


Elena found herself staring up at her ceiling again as she turned to her side and embraced her turquoise pillow. She then found herself listening for the chime of the grandfather clock in the hall. After seven dings, Elena grew increasingly frustrated that it was too early, and she couldn't fall back to sleep. She twisted herself to face the wall but instead found herself falling. Wrong side of the bed to be twisting to as Elena landed on her wrist.

"Oww," she moaned seeing that it was strained but not twisted or critically injured. Then she heard the rapping on her door.

"Elena are you okay?" asked Gabe as she heard his masculine voice from the hall. How did he get here so quick? After not answering for a minute he opened the door. He let out a small laugh as he saw her try to get a grip on something before pulling herself up. "Another nightmare?"

"No, it's too early for anything," she said with a fake pout then she laughed herself. "I fell out of bed after turning to the wrong side. Gracias for checking in on me though." She saw his amused face before she held out her wrist. "You can examine my wrist."

Gabe shook his head as he stepped into her room and strolled up to her. She could only watch him walk her way as she noticed how confident he was. Huh, that was something that she hadn't noticed before. As he reached her, his slightly chapped hands gently took her wrist and examined it. She smiled at him as he knew what he was doing at least. Maybe not a doctor but minor injuries wouldn't go unnoticed.

"Alright I believe it, just don't put too much strain on it. If you need help with anything just holler," he said before brushing his hands off on his pants. "I gotta put the new rotation schedule up near the barracks."

"While you're here do you want to help with my hair?" she asked as she saw his face twist into a do I have to grin. She knew that he knew how to do it so why not? She laughed some at the face. "Hey I could have ask you to help me get dressed."

With that the blood started to rush to her cheeks as she felt a small blush coming on. Where had that come from?! Although in a way, she wondered what he would think as she glanced at him as she blinked as if to erase that thought. The look on his face was priceless as his jaw dropped some and eyes grew wide. His own blush quickly rising to his cheeks. He leaned back a little on his hands as Elena just started to laugh.

"Okay that was kind of funny," said Gabe after a minute as his face returned to normal, "but yes, I'll help you with your hair."

Elena reached for her brush as she handed it to him. He rolled his eyes before brushing her long brown hair out. In a way she was really glad that his cousin Josefina taught him how to braid. Even if it was for purely selfish reasons, at least he could apply those skills to her and Isabel. Gently, he started to twist her hair into the braid across the top and the chignon in the back.

Together the two of them just started to talk until Elena heard the clock out in the hall go off again. They had gotten caught up with what happened recently in their lives. Well really with Gabe's since he knew enough about her own. Apparently, his cousin Josefina might be taking over the bakery if all went well…

"So how did you think you did as your first year as queen?" asked Gabe after he let a curl loose to frame her face. "We are celebrating the start of your second year still, today right?"

Elena nodded as she could only watch Gabe. Despite it being early, Elena took notice of some of his quirks. Most of which she knew but others he developed over the years. Right now she could see the curve of his eyebrows and his relaxed yet upright posture. Something Esteban likely taught him when he was with her when around other royals. He was trying to act relaxed but curious…

"You got me present," she teased as she caught on quickly.

"I can't hide a surprise from you, can I?" he asked as he smiled at her.

Elena found her small throw pillow before hitting his shoulder. "You didn't have to do that. We could make a fort of pillows and blankets right now and I'd be perfectly fine with that. Although if you want to give me something you can," she said with a smile as she got closer to him.

Gabe rolled his eyes as he just hit her with the pillow. "Not right now," he said. "Later when everyone else does and –"

"Queen Elena," said a voice from her door once again, this time it sounded like Armando. Gabe only looked sympathetic at her as he got up from her bed. She nodded that they shouldn't be this close in her bed while still wearing her pajamas. "Your cousin wants to talk to you."

"Gracias Armando, I'll be there in a minute," she said as she gave Gabe a hug.

He then excused himself as he went to post the schedule for the guards. Elena finished getting dressed before heading down to the library where Esteban likely was. He spent his morning figuring out what he had to do today. It was a bit odd but whatever the paperwork was she supposed.

She stepped into the room as she took in the smell of old books and candles to light up the room. Esteban was sitting next to the middle table as he was writing ferociously on a piece of paper. She sat down next to him and tried to see what he was writing about. Elena didn't get a good look, but she did see a letter addressed to her. Curious Elena picked up the paper and skimmed through it.

"I'm trying to think of a way to answer that," said Esteban. "King Hector wants to know about renewing our trade and I'm weighing the pros and cons since our last trade didn't work out so well. Since Miss Turner is sick I thought I'd help you as your advisor today."

"Yea that's great," said Elena faintly as she felt her cheeks go a bit red reading the last couple of lines of the letter from him. The beginning half sounded like a business proposal, but the end started to get personal. Hector had two sons – Jasper and Enrico and he had written about possibly courting Enrico.

Elena read over the last couple of lines closely as she mulled over the idea. The thought of courting and boys wasn't the first thing on her mind. However, since she was the queen now it was her duty to marry and carry on the family line. Something about it though just made her stomach flip a as she took a long breath. It wasn't something that she didn't see coming but… For some reason her mind wandered to Gabe and what he might think. She shook her head as Esteban looked at her.

"Any thought to that last bit?" he asked as he bit his bottom lip. That conversation was held off for a decent amount of time. However, he and their grandparents weren't getting any younger. And if Elena waited too long she wouldn't have much of a chance of having any kids.

She could see it. The courtship would be long and so could the engagement. It wasn't like Elena was getting married right now. But she couldn't help but think it was going in the right step. A part of her wanted a family. She wanted to have what her parents had. Having an heir was important but so was wanting to pass on traditions and being a great parent.

"I don't know I've never really thought deep into it," she admitted. "I just figured that I'd have a long engagement and get married one day. I've met plenty of decent guys that aren't Prince Enrico. I don't think I even want to get married to a prince. Someone that loves Avalor just as much as I do. Someone like papi- a good leader, brave, loyal, my age, confident…"

Esteban scrunched up his face a bit as he looked at Elena a bit suspicious. He looked down at his paper wondering if he could get Elena to tell him more. "Sounds like you have someone in mind?" he asked curious as tapped his pen against a law book.

Elena felt her cheeks go a bit warm as she remembered spending the morning with Gabe. She guessed in a way, no it was silly, as she didn't say anything. However, she did find herself thinking a lot about him lately. Something in her fluttered at the idea of being with him in a relationship. She scoffed briefly at the idea of other boys before realizing that it wouldn't be fair to them.

Technically this is how her life going to go and she could do whatever she wanted. There wasn't a law about who she had to marry…

"Elena, I know I'm not abuela or your sister and I'm glad I'm not Miss Turner," said Esteban after a minute as she looked at him. He looked apologetic for saying that about Naomi. Curiosity got the better of him and being subtle isn't exactly his strong suit. "But we are family and if you have something on your mind you can tell me. Like when we were little."

She only smiled as she could remember a young Esteban telling her about the day he skipped school. Or when Elena would sneak out at night to play with the jaquins. Heck, she even helped him with his first date. They had some fun times growing up. For a second Elena hesitated before taking a deep breath.

Esteban encouragingly took her hand wondering what she was going to say… It couldn't have been something terrible or wrong. Unless she was going to admit that she was in love with someone from their childhood. That wouldn't be good considering the people they knew were old or could be dead. He took in a breath as Elena looked down at her lap.

"Well I might have thought of someone," she admitted after a moment of silence. In a way she hoped that Esteban would pick up on who it was. Part of her hoped that he didn't know at all.

It was wrong to call his memories flashbacks, it sounded too dramatic, but he could just picture all her crushes and suitors all at once. Familiar faces of fellow royals, lord's sons, countless nobility that they knew. Esteban could even see a very young Victor Delgado in his minds eyes; never mind the fact that Elena didn't like him that way.

"It's not prince Marcello?" asked Esteban remembering her very first crush. According to his abuela, Luisa taught her how to flirt that night. "Patricia's elder brother?" That was her friend from so long ago. "Hilario? Please tell me you didn't think of liking Victor at one point."

Rather than being annoyed the opposite came out of her mouth. Hearing that last one Elena burst into a laugh. She put a hand on her chest and the other covering her mouth as she tried to be polite. Esteban felt a little relieved though at the laugh.

"You thought I liked Victor Delgado? I gotta tell abuela that one," she said wiping her face. "It's not someone from that far back Esteban. Maybe closer then you think…"

Her voice trailed off as Esteban tried to think of someone. Surely it wouldn't be prince Alonso. Mateo had a girlfriend. Could it have been someone like Rico or… Esteban didn't even let himself finish that thought as he figured out as much. He stayed quiet as he could only hope Elena would admit it herself.

Elena watched him as he said nothing. She had become a little annoyed yet wanted to tell him. It would have been a relief just to say the name. Meeting Esteban in the eye, she said the only thing she could have.

"It's Gabe! I like Gabe, in fact, I think I might be in love with him."

Oh. Well this was new.

"No you're not," said Esteban after a minute. "Elena you can't be, I mean sure you know each other well and spend a lot of time together. How could you know it's love? This could be an infatuation or lust even. How do you even know that he likes you that way?" He crossed his arms as Elena stared at him ready to defend her words.

Instead, she looked a tad defeated as Esteban felt a weight in his stomach. He didn't need Elena angry at her but her next words made him feel better.

"You might be right, but Esteban I feel something that's deeper then what you suggested," she said. "And I'd like to see where it goes. First thing I'm going to do is see if he likes me that way. " With that she left the library looking for her captain.