Authors Note: So I edited my story called "Life After Happily Ever After" and added this scene to it (and why some parts are familiar) and posted on archive of our own. Rather then just repost the whole story I'm publishing this part and fleshing it out some. I got some Carteo mentions in here and definitely Gabelena. Also to prove that I'm not dead in this fandom (sorta). I am writing my last Elena fic (maybe) and will be published on the last day of the year 12/31/20. Please check out the authors note on that fic when it goes up about the future of my Elena fics. I'll be posting it as my last chapter of Back to Back if you read my stories here.
The royal wizard, Mateo de Alva, had walked into the library with a smile on his face and eyes wide when he saw Gabe surrounded by piles of books over world cultures. Mateo looked surprised at seeing Gabe here early in the morning. Then again Gabe had been studying hard to be able to help Elena once she went on bed rest.
"Wow, you have so many lessons," said Mateo as he closely studied the books on the table.
Everything from everyday etiquette to politics for tomorrow among the cultures books. He was okay at school but must have been overwhelming. He had fourth months at this point to learn all of this he thought as the stack of books seemed to grow as Mateo looked it at it. See, Elena was pregnant and Gabe was going to help Isabel as a regent. So he was learnig everything they learned in 18 or so years in four months.
"It's getting better I swear," said Gabe rubbing his eyes and yawned loudly. He blinked to see that Esteban was gone and had left for bed last night.
Mateo swore that the pile on his left grew one more book.
"How are they? And how are you going to do it all?"
"Have you had senora Vergara?" asked Gabe thinking of his high school writing instructor.
"Yea?"
"Times her by a 1000. How I'm doing it all is late night studying and shrinking some other duties. Which so far has gone unnoticed."
Mateo had made the same face he had made when Naomi said that she had kicked him off her quiencera court. His jaw dropped and eyes wide at this. Dang, he had it bad. Esteban was a decent teacher but this seemed to be extreme.
"You know I'm here you save you from all of this," said Mateo. "Let's go and get snacks. I can tell you what's going on with me and Carla?"
"Oh, anything new in that department?" asked Gabe slightly interested as he perked up.
"Well, we're talking about the future and what we want to happen" he said brightly. "And she showed me this new dress she got."
"That you took off of her," joked Gabe stacking his books and setting them aside.
"Maybe."
Mateo had turned a little red and Gabe turned to look at him surprised. Oh, they were more serious then he thought. Part of him wondered what Victor thought of this development. He'd have to check in with Esteban maybe at their next session.
"You sly dog. Alright, let's sit down and talk about this. Then I can keep you updated on what I'm doing. I'll bring these flash cards just in case Esteban sees me though. Maybe have a question ready just in case."
Mateo took the flashcards amused with just how much Gabe was dealing with. The two of them headed out of the library and started toward the kitchen. It was a great place to sit down and talk since they had snacks and a very warm room with the fires raging. Maybe even Luisa would come give some of her witty advice she seemed to possess.
"So Carla?"
"We're doing great, we've been spending a lot of time together. I've been teaching her magic and just having a great time. When do you know when you want to, you know, propose or something?"
"Wow that's moving along nicely. Honestly Mateo just go with your gut, put yourself out there," he said. "When you know you know. Carla isn't the type to send mixed signals."
"Great, thanks," he said patting his pocket on his robe. "So sooner then I think."
"Awesome Mateo. Although when planning the wedding, hold off until at least our baby is at least six months old. You don't want the novelty of a baby mixed in with a wedding. Plus if you hold off long enough the kid would be a flower girl or ring bearer."
"Good point. So, you and Isabel will oversee Avalor while Elena's on bed rest? It's not too late to leave, is it?" asked Mateo jokingly.
They would both be good at it and Elena making sure nothing horrible was passed is always a good thing. It wasn't like Gabe and Isabel could still pass laws or anything. Elena was still going to be the sole ruler with all the power, they were just there to give input and do stuff when Elena couldn't, like her pregnancy bed rest. It wasn't like Gabe had free time to do whatever.
"Haha very funny."
"I mean I can sneak off and leave as night falls." Now he was joking for sure as Gabe rolled eyes. "You won't hear me or Carla."
"Oh, you're going to be our royal wizard for the rest of your life," said Gabe as they bumped shoulders together. "You're he greatest." Gabe picked up a cookie and frowned reading another flashcard.
"Thanks Gabe," he said as he admired that Gabe had all this confidence for him and liked the praise. "I feel really passionate about being a wizard. I'm kind of glad I'm not you right now though. I'd hate to do all of that studying instead of practicing magic. Ruling I don't think would be my thing."
Gabe snorted as he enjoyed the late-night study session with Mateo. At this Gabe felt impressed at Mateo. This was about a passion that he had for magic and how devoted he was to it. He was truly his abeulo's grandson he thought as he just smiled staring at his paper a little more. In a way, he had to admire him and hoped to have that same passion for his new duties eventually.
"Hey, want another cookie?" asked Gabe gesturing to the plate as Mateo's stomach seemed to rumble as if on cue.
After finding some of Luisa's empanadas too both started to snack on the sweet dessert. There was so much already pre-made to help out with Elena's pregnancy cravings and she didn't mind sharing.
"So tomorrow you want me to help with some magical lessons and cram more of that in your head?"
"You think it'll work?" he asked wondering if that is something that shouldn't be messed with.
"I'll be fine, not really mind magic if it's a potion to help things sink in better and not really meddling things around. And it's more of a chance for us to hang out."
"Mateo, we can always find time to hang out," teased Gabe as he finished another one. "Talk guy things I guess."
Mateo finished another off as he reached for another. Luisa's cooking was to die for he thought as he looked over at his friend. "Well if that's the case I need some advice about Victor. How do you think I should go about talking to him?"
They heard the door slam shut behind them and Elena walked over to them with a joyful expression on her face. Gabe had pulled his flash cards out and pretended to be interested in them. Elena had sat down and grabbed a cookie for herself and took the flashcards away from his hands. Gabe had gently bopped her on the nose as she made a face at him. Mateo just chuckled and grinned at the two of them. Gabe had looked up and smiled at her this time.
"Sooo, what's this I've heard about you and Carla?" asked Elena looking at Mateo.
"How did you hear?"
"You won't believe the stuff that my abuela tells me," said Elena giggling.
"Oh I do," said Gabe jokingly.
Mateo watched amused as Gabe and Elena kissed each other and they shared a cookie this time. They had that look in their eyes that seemed to only see each other. It was sickeningly sweet and they just cute to look at. Luisa would tease them that they were in their own world together. Mateo just flushed and thought that he and Carla do that too.
"Alright I'll spill but I'm not telling you everything," said Mateo.
"No you have to tell us everything. It's not like there's not much you can hide from us, this is a small castle," said Elena. "Trust me I've seen some big ones being around Sofia's neck for so long."
That caused the boys to chuckle and Gabe had slung his arm around Elena's waist. She looked excitedly at him ready for news. He and Gabe shared a look before he told them everything.