Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Walt Disney's Zorro and I make no monetary profit from this.
Prologue: Long Before They Met
Diego didn't understand why they were at Mass. It wasn't Sunday. The almost four year old squirmed in his father's arms, but Alejandro's grip didn't loosen. The atmosphere in the church was solemn, but Diego knew that outside it was a lovely summer day and he wanted to be outside. He didn't like his black clothes either and squirmed even more.
"Diego, calm." Alejandro said. "We must pay our respects to Francisco and Magdalena." Diego didn't understand what his father's words meant but understood the tone and stopped squirming.
Finally, they were leaving. Diego was glad but his glee ended when he saw how slow the line was going out of church. He sighed and leaned his dark head against his father's shoulder. Finally they were almost out. He straightened. A man was standing at the back, and everyone was shaking his hand. He was sad faced, and next to him stood an older, stern looking woman holding a little girl. Diego had seen this girl before, but couldn't remember her name. He knew it was hard to say. As they approached the sad man, he took the girl out of the woman's arms.
"Alejandro!" He said, and, for a moment, seemed happy. Alejandro clasped his friend's hand tightly. He knew the pain of losing a wife. "Francisco, God be with you. How are you?"
"I am managing. Magdalena helps." He said, and the little girl turned a bit in her father's arms. Diego was confronted with dark, solemn eyes. Most babies he had seen, like Rosie and Neta had happy eyes and giggled. Magdalena didn't say anything; Diego couldn't remember her speaking ever. Now, though, as Alejandro stepped closer to have quiet words with Francisco, she reached out and touched Diego's hand. Diego reached out his other hand to touch her hair. It was very soft and he was fascinated. What else was this soft? He kept patting her hair until the two men noticed, and their quiet laughter startled him into pulling his hand away. Magdalena's grip on his other hand tightened, though, and she didn't want him to leave, Diego knew that.
"Mada…" He said but couldn't get farther. "Lena! Madalena!" He said excitedly. She startled and pulled her hand away.
"Diego certainly likes her," Francisco said, a bit of cheer in his voice. "If we weren't going to Mexico City they'd certainly have fun together."
"So you decided?" Alejandro asked.
"Si. We will leave in a few weeks. My sister, Inez, went before me to tell our parents. Since Roberto died she has been lost. It's a pity she never had a child."
Alejandro nodded. "I will be sorry to see you leave, but I understand. Tell me when you are leaving, so I can come to say adios."
"Si. Gracias, Alejandro." Francisco said and began speaking to the people after Alejandro. Diego turned to look at Magdalena as they left. She watched him back, and her eyes were as solemn as ever.
A Few Days Later…
Alejandro clasped Francisco's hand in farewell. "I am sorry you are leaving, Francisco. You will be missed."
Francisco smiled painfully. "I will miss you, also. But we have family in Mexico City; my parents, you know, as well as my cousin Valentina. Magdalena needs women in her life. Poor Adela," he said, tears coming to his eyes as he crossed himself. "May she rest in peace. She wanted so much to be with Magdalena at the end."
Alejandro nodded. "My-Diego's mother was the same. She kept him close to her to her last hour." A silent sob rose in his throat and the two men fell silent, both dwelling on their beloved, and now deceased, spouses. They looked over to where Diego, Alejandro's four year-old son, played with Magdalena, Francisco's 11 month old daughter. Young as he was, Diego knew enough to be gentle with Magdalena, and seemed to harbor a quiet admiration for the babe. He especially seemed to like her dark brown curls, he kept gently tugging them. Magdalena just looked at him, eyes wide, unblinking.
"They would make a fine match," Alejandro said wistfully. Francisco nodded in agreement. "Maybe someday we will return to Los Angeles. When the two are of age…"
The two widowers continued gazing upon their respective children. Magdalena had reached up and was patting Diego's cheek. Diego clasped her hand and kept it there for a moment, before Magdalena pulled it away. Her gaze was solemn as she gazed upon Diego.
"Can she walk yet?" Alejandro asked, reluctant to interrupt the pleasant scene before them.
"She can stand, well, pull herself up. Then she seems too puzzled to do much more and just sits down again."
As the two watched, Magdalena crawled to a chair and pulled herself up into a standing position, clutching the edge of the chair. Diego rose and followed her.
"We should let you be going." Alejandro said, and strode over to pick up Diego. He didn't like it, and kicked to be put down. Alejandro chuckled. "I guess he wants to walk." He set his son down again. "Diego, we have to leave. Say adios to Magdalena."
"Don't want to go." Diego said, but walked back over to Magdalena and took her hand. This put her off balance and she plopped to the floor again. Diego crouched down so he was eye level. "Adios, Magdalena." He stumbled a bit over her name, but managed it. He then kissed her soft forehead.
Alejandro sighed. "He must remember his mother doing that. She always kissed him goodbye, even at the end."
"Si," Francisco said simply. He came over to pick up Magdalena as Alejandro picked up Diego. The two men shook hands again and Alejandro turned to go. Diego started waving madly to Magdalena. "Adios, adios!" He called. Magdalena waved a chubby hand back, straining towards Diego. "Diego!" She called in a soft voice but Alejandro and his son were gone. Magdalena burrowed her head into her father's jacket. "Diego…" she whispered, and was soon asleep.
Part One: Mexico City
Alenez stood when she came in.
"Senorita." He said simply.
She nodded. "I have been summoned home," she said abruptly. She withdrew a letter from her reticule and placed it on the desk separating them. He took it.
"July 19, 1821. My dearest daughter Magdalena, it is with a joyful, yet burdened, heart that I call you home to me. I meant to send for you sooner—but you know all that. Dearest, I have heard rumors that you have been seen with caballeros of unsavory character. I have denied them all, all the while hoping they were not true. When you write me back, please explain the basis of these rumors so that when you return we may begin anew. Los Angeles is beautiful right now. If only you could be here sooner! Diego de la Vega has returned, I have heard. He has turned into a handsome young man. Don Alejandro came to see me and he and I both agreed it would be a fine match. Ah, daughter, what joy it would give me to see you wed. Knowing that you are safe and secure is most important to me. I have sent Inez to fetch you. I am not strong enough yet for a long journey like that. She should arrive soon after my letter. Via con Dios, my daughter."
Alenez laughed. "What a fool your father is—"
"Do not speak of him that way!" Magdalena said sharply, rising.
Alenez stopped himself from continuing. "You still respect your father?"
"What I have done has nothing to do with him. He has nothing to do with this. I came to see you because it seems I can no longer be of use to you, seeing how far I'm going from Mexico City." Magdalena finished quickly.
Alenez scoffed "Do you really think we are still a two man operation? Silly girl. We have messengers all over." He suddenly reached across the desk and clamped his hand around her wrist. "And you are one of them. You are in too deep, senorita; you passed the point of no return long ago."
She tried to shake his hand off but had to pry it from her wrist using her other hand. "How could I still be of use? You heard what my father said, he wishes—no, plans!—for me to marry!"
"Yes, who is this idiot vaquero he mentions?"
"Do you not recognize the name?" Magdalena exclaimed. "Diego de la Vega is not a vaquero! He is the son of Alejandro."
"Ah, the wealthiest landowner in California. Maybe your father is not a fool."
Magdalena again rose in her seat in anger. His gaze shot to her and she settled.
"If you married Diego de la Vega you would be of even more use to us! Think of the connections you'd have!"
"No!" She cried out. His gaze snapped to her and hardened. "You have no say in this, senorita. You know how many…accidents could happen to unchaperoned senoritas."
"My maid waits for me in the carriage."
"So? As it happens, I received word from our leader yesterday."
"He is not my leader!" Magdalena exclaimed.
"Be quiet. Now listen. The feather I am going to give you goes to Don Carlos Galindo, Magistrado of the pueblo de Los Angeles…"
Magdalena hurried back to her waiting carriage. Her maid, Renata, was relieved to see her return.
"I do not understand why you insist upon coming here." She said as Magdalena climbed in with undue haste. "Honestly, Renata, neither do I." Her mistress responded and rapped on the ceiling. "Make haste to home!" She called. She didn't speak again the whole way home.
A/N: This was meant to bridge off of my Sweet Face novelization but then events clashed with the Next Day part I added to it, so this was separate also. I hope you find this to be a good representation of Magdalena, and keep in mind that this is a Magdalena story and won't have as much Diego/Zorro in it. Another thing, Inez's name is Montes in the show. This would actually make her not truly related to Francisco for it would mean she married his brother. I changed this. Her name in this is Herrera, and she is Francisco's widowed sister.