Dedicated to dcco for guessing the movie correctly. Wasn't sure what to write at first but I saw you like Esteban and Dona together and I like that pairing too. Then found you on Tumblr, lol. Had to wait awhile to get some other updates out and make sure my stories weren't posted back to back on the archive, lol.

Dona Paloma looked at her watch before letting it drop into her tiny bag. He was late if he was going to come at all. It seemed as if these days he was caught up in some family drama or so called 'ruling' a country. She snorted a little as she heard that one knowing perfectly well that it was Elena who ruled.

He better not wind up canceling on her, it was her birthday for crying out loud. Maybe before his family he had just come out of niceness, and now he would just stay with them. Maybe he forgot. Paloma kicked at her closed door to the emporium. He couldn't have forgotten, he had been doing it for almost 40 years. No, he just wasn't coming as she realized that it had been a half hour already.

She fondly remembered the first time Esteban had given her a present. He quickly shoved a bejeweled dove hair pin into her hands, said, "Because some people like me are happy that you had been born." And they went off.

It wasn't a big deal, she told herself. After all, besides the gift her birthday pretty much sucked for the most part. A few friends came to parties on the weekend of her birth but none on the actual day. Maybe people that liked her for her position as of recently. She had that overwhelming feeling of loneliness. The same kind she had felt when she was younger.

All her childhood, her birthdays were mourning days for her mother, Xiomara, because she had died not long after her birth. She'd remember kneeling next to her father at her mother's grave. Her father, now an elderly man, had retired comfortably but never really gave her much on her birthday. Just a card with some money here and there. Dona Paloma stared as she shook that feeling away. She could just meet up with someone it didn't matter if Esteban showed up or not.

Then she felt a hand touch her shoulder.

"Dona Paloma," said a familiar voice as she knew the touch. Keeping herself cool she turned to see the face of the man she was waiting for. At least he didn't completely forget about her birthday as a small smile stretched across her face before going back to her silent stare.

"Esteban," she said in a low voice looking up at him. Then looked down at her feet for a second. "Thanks for coming."

He just smiled warmly as he flushed a little. She had to admit he looked kind of cute with his hair slightly floppy from the rather high humidity. Then the fact that he looked a little out of breath. Dona grinned him a little this time letting him see it.

"Alright, what did you get me?" she asked this time her grin as big as a cheshire cat. At this Esteban rolled his eyes before producing a small gift. Seeing the wrapped present, she reached out for it before he pulled it away again.

"Ah ah a," he said with a teasing tone. "Not until after your dinner."

Dona nearly forgot about their dinner. It was the same place that they had meet all of those years ago to talk about improving the city. It was a bit nostalgic she thought getting into the carriage. It was a nice trip down memory lane she thought as Esteban joined her. Together both of them carelessly talked about her actual party this weekend. Dona Paloma Lopez was not the type to not have a party for her birthday as she would invite as many people as possible. At least the weekend of her actual birthday. Just as today and the rest of her life, her actual birthday was celebrated with a close friend or two. Esteban just happened to qualify for that.

Then they stopped just outside of the café as Esteban let her out first. He had even managed to snag her the same seats that they sat in the first time. As a true gentleman, he held out her chair for her and then sat down on his side of the table. She made a pouty look as Paloma wanted her present.

"Can I get a hint?" she asked blinking up at him.

"No," he said looking smug about not telling her what was inside the box.

"What can I get for you?" asked a waitress that came up to them. She looked a bit shy to realize who she was waiting on before straightening up. Together both of them ordered for each other their usual. Dona got her tacos and Esteban got his enchiladas.

It was quiet between the two of them as Esteban gave her a small grin. "How's your dad?" he asked curious about her aging father. He was wheelchair bound last he knew.

"Getting better," she said as she kicked his food gently. Esteban kicked back hoping that nobody had caught them playing footsie.

It grew quiet again before Paloma launched into questions about what they were doing at the palace. Was the construction they had planning going on well? Did Elena learn to calm down yet? Was Naomi ready to give up her position? Did the orphanage get set up and ready? Hearing all of this Esteban laughed as it was old times and just kept answering question after question.

Then after their food came they just kept talking to each other with their hands touching each other slightly here and there. Nothing that might arouse suspicion of the two together at a table.

"Before I go, let's do your present," he said handing her the gift. Curious she took it from his hands gingerly as she took the top off. Inside was a pretty hair comb that looked to be made out of silver in a butterfly motif. It had speckles of color of blue, red, and yellow. That was beautiful, she thought, taking off her hat and putting it on her head. It looked even better in her hair as she pulled out a mirror.

She looked down at it and then back at Esteban. "Thank you Esteban I really love it." Paloma squeezed his hand before getting up first.

"I'll see you at your party," he said before nodding offering to walk her back to her home. Together they walked out of the restaurant and to the carriage. It had been a pretty good birthday for her.