Author Note-And now for the final chapter of this story. Thanks to all who have stuck with me throughout this second installment. I hope you enjoy this ending. Remember, that if it doesn't seem complete, it's because there's one more story on it's way ...

Chapter 7

No Time Will Be Better

"I can do this," Esteban said as he carried his grandmother's belongings to her limo. "I will be king someday, so I must learn to stand my ground." His firm attitude faltered as he got into the limo with his grandmama.

From inside, Maddie watched as the limo pulled away. "He didn't even say good-bye," she couldn't help but let a few tears trickle down her face. He's going home to his princess, she thought before turning away from the window.

You pack rather light, Nino. I only counted cero." She looked at him, proving that her attention to detail was as keen as ever. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Yes, grandmama, there is." He took a deep breath before pursuing his train of thought. "Grandmama, I'm not going with you," he felt as though he were free from some unknown chain for the first time since his grandmother had arrived.

"I know," the queen answered him.

"You are not angry with me?" Esteban didn't understand. "But you said you wanted me to come back."

"And you will. But maybe the road to becoming king begins at the Tipton?" she looked at her grandson and in the eye and smiled.

Esteban began to get excited. His grandmama was allowing him to stay. "Do you mean it? I can stay?"

"It's clear that you have unfinished business to take care of. We'll call this a lesson every good king has to learn: Never let the things that matter fall through the cracks," she placed an uncanny emphasis on the word "fall". However, for Esteban, the truth of it hit home and he couldn't agree more. "But by the number of bags you packed, I can see you were already on your way to learning this lesson without my help."

By now the limo had come to a stop at the airport. It was a hard task for Esteban to say good-bye to his grandmother.

"Grandmama, I-I…I love you."

"And I love you too, Nino. And remember, eventually I'll be at home waiting for the crown prince to step off the plane."

"I'll be there soon," he promised.

"And who knows," her playful smile couldn't be missed. "Maybe you won't be alone when you step off the plane."

There it was! It was the look of approval Esteban had been wanting and now he had it. He hugged his grandmother enthusiastically.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Doesn't your shift start soon?"

Esteban gave her another quick hug mingled with "I love you's" and "good-bye's", and then he hurried back into the limo. "Driver, back to the Tipton, por favor."

Maddie attempted to make herself comfortable from her position at the candy counter. But it seemed a useless cause now that the Tipton felt practically empty. "I guess he really did add life to this place," she sighed. "But I guess it's for the best. He belongs there and I belong here." If only it were easier to convince her heart of that. "I will miss him," she figured there was no harm in admitting it.

London, who had come over at the very end, asked, "Miss who?"

"Esteban."

"Oh yeah. I'll miss the big guy too." London sighed, but then added, "Wait, what happened to him?"

London's all-around clueless-ness never ceased to amaze and annoy Maddie. "He left with his grandmama, London. Remember?"

"But he'll be back. It's only a short drive to the airport…unless you hit traffic."

"You don't get it, London. Esteban's probably on a plane on his way home right now. He's not coming back."

Without warning, Esteban came through the door dressed in his work uniform, "Hola, Hotel Tipton. Another great day of work."

"And you say I'm the dumb one?" London huffed and walked away as Esteban made his way over.

"You, but…you?" Maddie was so confused that she couldn't speak.

"You thought I would leave with my grandmama without even saying good-bye?"

"Well, I guess…" Maddie's heart fluttered with every emotion imaginable as she stood there trying to make sense of things. "What about Anita?"

"Anita doesn't need me there just yet," Esteban's words were like daggers to Maddie's heart, although he didn't even realize it.

"Oh," she said simply, now wishing that he wouldn't have come back.

"Besides, I have unfinished business here. And I can't think of a better time to handle it. Maddie,…"

"Esteban!" Mr. Moseby interrupted. "Being royal doesn't mean you can shirk your responsibilities as long as you still work here."

"Yes, Mr. Moseby." Esteban obeyed immediately. As she walked away, he became grateful for the interruption. "I still don't think it's time."

Whether or not he was right in his assessment, Esteban pushed forward with his job; a smile on his face as he daydreamed about the moment when he hoped everything would fall into place.

THE END