Story in a nutshell: Esteban gives Elena some inspiration.

Authors Note: Yay another Elena story! Um I'm working on a bunch of different stuff that will come out later this year I hope (or at least get cracking at most of it lol). This is a bit of a precursor to chapter 141 where we see the final book that she had written.

Please enjoy and let me know what you think!

Elena Castillo Flores was about to expect her first child when she started writing in the journal. It was just a simple blank book waiting for a story to be told. It was a gift that Isabel had given to her in honor of the baby. First steps would be recorded there or even letters to her new child. Outside the rain was pouring which was normal this time of the year. Her gaze fixated on the water pelting against the windowpane. The pen tapped against her cheek pondering what to write first. There was so much she could tell the baby. Anything as simple to how the baby got their name, or should she wait?

She sighed and gently rubbed her stomach not hearing the door behind her.

"Elena?" asked the surprised voice of Esteban. "What are you doing up so late?" '

He stood there in his pajama bottoms and his robe tied tightly around his waist. In one hand was a candle lantern. Then something that smelled amazing coming from the kettle in the other. She smiled and waved awkwardly in her position. It was kind of hard to move after making herself comfortable and not wanting to get up.

"I would ask you the same question," she teased back staring at said kettle. "Is that hot chocolate?"

She didn't really have to ask smelling the rich liquid wafting from the spout. Sheepishly Esteban showed her that he had a pot of it for a long night of being awake. Why he wanted to study she had no clue but accepted it. Esteban was the type to just like learning for the sake of learning. It wasn't even that late as she heard the clock chime 9.

The young queen showed him her teacup she had just drained about fifteen minutes prior.

"Would you like to share?"

"I never thought you'd ask primo."

Esteban shook his head and took a seat next to her. This time he was looking out at the rain as it started to pour harder. Elena poured herself a cup of the hot chocolate and blew on it to cool it. While it kept her hands warm at the same time.

"Thanks," she said. "Sorry to be stealing some of your drink."

"It's quite alright, I probably shouldn't be drinking the entire thing anyway."

It was quiet between them as they heard the grandfather clock tick. Esteban had pulled together a stack of books as Elena doodled on the front page. Her drawings of hearts, stars, and mini jaquins filling the first page of the book. She tended to doodle sometimes and this time was no exception. She rubbed her hand along her stomach again thoughtfully hoping for a strike of inspiration.

Hesitantly Esteban sat down next to her and bit his bottom lip.

"So how is the baby?"

Elena gave him her best 'you want to go there' look on her face and burst into laughter. Then nodded that it was fine to be asking. She looked like a balloon was stuffed up her nightgown but it wasn't going to go away for another 2 months.

"Kicking, want to feel?"

"You'd let me touch you?"

She pursed her lips and shook her head. Taking his hand, she pressed it against her pregnant abdomen. There was a flutter and eventually a kick against the side of her stomach. It was something constant keeping her up late.

The look on Esteban's face was on of purse fascination. The small bump against his hand assured him that a baby was in fact there. His eyes wide and face went slack his jaw dropping some at how it felt. For a second she thought that he might have cried a little.

"You know I remember you threatening to cut off Dona Paloma's hand for trying it. Thank you for letting me feel that," said Esteban hiding his face a bit in the shadows even though he had that playful look on his face.

"Well not just anyone one can touch me, Gabe can since he has incredible…"

"I don't need to know. Just thank you for letting me."

Her cousin was in such an incredibly good mood that Elena didn't let her writers block be a huge problem for it. In a way it was like old times. It was quiet between them and Elena noticed him looking between her and the empty book in front of her. He looked thoughtful and glanced out the moon struggling to come out from behind a cloud. The rain letting up considerably while they sat there together.

"You know writing down your story would be a great gift for the baby when she's older and future generations."

"Only you would think about future generations Esteban. Maybe you should marry and have some kids."

"Oh, who would want to marry me. Besides I think you and Gabriel's' children will be enough."

"Hmm you might be right."

Together the two bantered while an idea formed in Elena's mind. Maybe telling her story would be a good idea. Like what if her great three times grandchild has the same problem she went through? Maybe a solution from her would be in order. While the idea was fresh, she started to scribble something down onto the next page past her doodles.

Next to her Esteban glanced over her shoulder and read the first line out loud.

"They say every story has a beginning. Mine has two." He paused and cocked his head to the right and teasingly added. "What kind of beginning is this?"

"It's my beginning silly. I'm going to tell the story from my first day back from the amulet and up until… well… until I die. At least some of the more notable instances."

He hesitated a second and nodded his head slowly.

"Yes, I can see it now and we shall call it Elena of Avalor."

"Okay Esteban, stop teasing."

"No, I'm serious and your friends and family could tell their sides of the story. For example, have you ever wondered what we were going through while you were handling the noblins? Or how the castle ran while you were visiting the sirenas?"

Hmm it was a good idea and very appealing. She could see someone getting a kick out of how the others fared because of her mistakes. She nodded her head this time liking the idea. At least it would make the stories fair and balanced if something swayed particularly in her favor. Elena could remember being 16 and thinking that she was right about everything. It was like that into her first couple months as ruling on her own even that of course changed over time.

She scribbled some more of her memories of that day and then passed it to Esteban. Then he continued in his handwriting what he remembered. In a way it was very therapeutic.

"Elena there was something that I wanted to ask you. I know it won't be good memories but what to do you remember about being in the amulet? Is there something that I could have done or… You don't have to answer I just…"

"Esteban, it's okay to ask," she said softly thinking back. "I have some stories that I think I should send Sofia's way."

Elena sat back and told him some stories about Sofia and recounting their own adventures. Including what she and Mateo went through on the island of Santalos. They were going to be up for a long time tonight.