Elena & Mateo – A Tale of Love
Chapter 10: Friends Forever
Running from the Carriage and through the rain into the Palace doors, the four friends rushed upstairs into Elena's bedroom hoping to be unseen by the Royal family.
Success of being stealthy, Elena quietly closed the door behind herself as she followed Naomi to sit on the bed in the middle of the room. Mateo and Gabe walked over to stand next to them to sort out what they were going to do moving forward.
As the rain lashed the glass balcony doors and evening approached, Elena asked Gabe if he was able to pop downstairs to get some food from the Kitchen as it looked like Naomi, Gabe and Mateo would be staying the night to keep out of the storm.
"No problem, Elena" Gabe smiled as he exited the room.
"Soo….to get this out of the way…where will everyone be sleeping tonight?" Naomi smirked as both herself and Mateo looked at Elena.
Naomi laughed as she knew Elena desperately wanted Mateo to stay with her in her room but didn't want to hurt Naomi's feelings by choosing the Royal Wizard over her.
"It's ok Elena, Mateo can stay with you and Gabe & I will stay in the room next door" Naomi said as she looked over at Mateo turning red.
"Oh, thank you Naomi" Mateo awkwardly said as he hid his excitement.
Walking through the door with four big plates of food, Gabe put them down on the bed and told everyone to help themselves.
As they all sat on Elena's bed with full stomach's Gabe kicked off the conversation.
"Ok, what is the plan you two? What do we need to do?" The Captain asked the Young Couple.
"I know things might be a bit different now with Mateo and I being together like us waning some privacy together or being intimate but it doesn't change the way we feel about you both. You two will always be our best friends" Elena smiled as she looked at Gabe and Naomi.
Directing their attention to the Young Wizard, Mateo looked upset as he dropped his gaze to the floor.
"The only thing I am terrified about is my Mother not letting me be with Elena" Mateo kept his head lowered as he was distressed by the thought of not being allowed to be with the Princess.
Elena shuffled closer to Mateo and put her arm around his waist. Looking in his troubled eyes "It will all be ok, as long as we stay strong together. I love you" the Princess grinned.
Mateo turned his head into Elena's shoulder as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Gabe looked at Naomi gesturing her to leave so Elena could comfort Mateo.
"Well it's getting late and plus I think we should let your Grandparents know you are home but to not disturb you until morning." "Oh and also Gabe and I will just be next door if you need anything. " Naomi yawned as she and Gabe left the room.
"Oh Mateo, it's going to be ok" Elena said as she rubbed her fingers up and down her Wizards back.
Mateo hugged Elena tight as he sat crying in her embrace.
Lifting his head off her shoulder and looking in her eyes, Mateo could feel the tears flooding down his face.
"I have never told anyone this Elena, but no girl has ever liked me before. They all thought I was un cool and different. The popular guys that all the girls are attracted to look like Gabe….strong and handsome, I honestly thought I was going to be alone all my life. No one wants to be with the weird, skinny, quiet kid at school. But then I met you and I felt my heart explode with emotions I had never felt before. You saw this un cool weird kid but you accepted me for who I am and encouraged me to be myself. I could never imagine having a girlfriend let alone her being the Crowned Princess. I still can't believe how lucky I am to have you in my life and even more so, as my partner. I love you so much Elena. Like you have no idea what you mean to me" Mateo said with tearful eyes.
"Mateo, I knew from the moment I met you that you were going to be so important to me, I fell in love with the kind, loving, smart, handsome young man that is sitting right in front of me. I honestly don't know what I would do without you in my life…. I couldn't imagine a world without you in it" Elena professed as she too had tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I uh, um have something for you. I know it's silly but I wanted you to have this to remind you of me regardless of what happens." Mateo hopped off the bed and reached into his backpack that was strewn across the floor.
Kneeling down in front of Elena who was still sitting in the Royal Wizards white shirt and green khaki pants. Mateo took a deep breath in and declared his love for the Princess.
"I promise to love you for all of time and to be your protector. With this ring I promise to be more than your Wizard, I will be your hero, the one to catch you when you fall and to always be by your side. This is my promise ring to you until the day this blue Maruvian crystal will be replaced with a diamond. Will you be my girlfriend, my partner, my everything?"
Elena squealed as she jumped upright leaping into Mateo's arms. Knocking him over with excitement Elena lay on top of him as she kissed his face all over. "Yes, Yes a thousand times Yes!" "There is no one I would rather share this lifetime with. It was always you Mateo. I love you"
Sitting up with Elena on his lap, Mateo placed the golden ring with a beautiful blue, Maruvian crystal sitting shining and glistening in the middle on her left ring finger.
"I made it to match your sceptre a while ago hoping one day I would be able to give it to you " Mateo said with the biggest grin across his face.
"I love it! It's so beautiful Mateo!" Elena squealed with excitement as she couldn't keep her eyes off her finger.
"I know we aren't engaged or anything, I just thought you would like something that would remind you of me" Mateo smiled
Sitting on Mateo with her eyes still focused on her ring, Elena knew they weren't engaged but there is no doubt in her mind or heart that if Mateo had actually asked her to marry him she would have said yes instantly.
"I love you" Elena said as she looked so lovingly into Mateo's glistening hazel eyes.