A Matter of Family
7 - Starlight

Chapter 7: Starlight

As the sound of the approaching carriage reached the hacienda, Cresencia rushed out from the sala and flew across the patio toward the gate. She was followed closely by Bernardo, Arturo, and several other servants. Seeing Diego enter and hold the gate for Margarita and their son she exclaimed: "Gracias a Dios! We were so worried, Señora!" The look of relief on Bernardo's face was unmistakable. Diego nodded to his muzo.

"You should thank Señor Zorro as well," replied Margarita, wearily. "He came and risked his life against five men to save all of us."

"Señora, you look exhausted," continued the housekeeper. "Perhaps you will let me put our little one to bed now, ?"

"Thank you, Cresencia," came the reply. "It's definitely too late for him to be up." Margarita relinquished the infant then put her arms around Diego's waist and leaned against him, savoring his warmth and strength. He draped a sheltering arm over her shoulders.

"May I suggest that it is definitely too late for all of us to be up," offered Don Alejandro. "You two," he said, looking at his son and his daughter-in-law, "up to bed, now. Cresencia will take care of Alejandro, Benito will see to the horses, Arturo will find a bed for Don Tomás' driver, and I will lock up. In the morning we will all be refreshed."

No one argued with any of that.

Several hours later Margarita awoke to find herself alone in the bed and the door to the balcony ajar. She slipped out of bed and checked the cradle. Little Alejandro's even breathing told her he was peacefully asleep. Then she padded her way to the doorway and looked out. Diego was leaning with both hands on the balcony railing, staring out into the night. She picked up a shawl and went quietly out to join him.

Coming up beside him, she laid her right hand on his shoulder and covered his left hand with her own. She saw that he was troubled. He sighed and said, "I killed a man tonight," without looking at her.

"Diego, there was nothing else you could have done," she offered. "He was a violent and determined man. He never would have yielded to you. One of you was going to end up dead. I just thank God it was him and not you." Now she put both arms around his waist and hugged him close.

"Truly, I know that it had to be done. I know that he would have killed me if I had not killed him. But still I wish it had been otherwise. Zorro has saved many others without killing anyone."

She was silent for a few minutes, then: "Five men? Did you have to challenge them like that?"

Now he turned and looked at her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I knew that Francisco had gone for the lancers, but that they would be some time in coming. If the bandidos had left and ridden deep into the hills it would have been much harder to capture them. And until they were captured all of the ranchos in the area would have been in danger. I had to give them a reason to stay at the Ramirez hacienda until the garrison arrived."

"Such a risk..." She shook her head and clasped him close as her voice trailed off.

"No matter, it is over now, querida."

"Until the next time Zorro has to ride," she said softly.

"Yes," he said gently. "Until the next time Zorro has to ride. And I believe there will be many more 'next times'. But I hope you will be waiting for me when I return."

She looked up and caressed his cheek with her hand."Mi corazón, no matter how far you ride or how often, whether as Diego or as Zorro, I will always be waiting for you."

_ FIN _

A/N: As always, reviews are greatly appreciated. They help keep me going.

Zorro will return in a new adventure early in January 2018.