Chapter 9

Their return to Los Angeles was reason for excitement. Though some had seen some indication that Diego was in love with Victoria, it still was a surprise that he was able to win her so soon after she parted with Zorro. Diego didn't deny that he had been ill while in Mexico and that Victoria had been at his side during that time. His illness was a good excuse, why they were so close suddenly.

It was undeniable that they had a strong bond now. When they entered the tavern, after emerging from the coach, Diego stayed close to his wife and he was quite protective about her.

Alejandro was happy to see his son married finally, and especially to Victoria who had always been a daughter in his heart but he was very curious about this sudden turn of events. He had only received a letter from Diego that informed him about their marriage and that they were having a honeymoon in Mexico.

After his return Diego had somehow admitted that he had been ill during his stay in Mexico and that Victoria had been at his side but it sounded like a feeble excuse to him. Had Victoria been dumped by Zorro and now she had married Diego to cover everything up? He really needed to talk to his son and find out what was really going on.

Diego and Victoria were both aware of Alejandro suspicions and they had decided that it was time to tell Alejandro the truth.

Dinner was already past and the family had made themselves comfortable in the library. Alejandro's curiosity had been growing visibly since the hour of their return and he finally he could no longer hold back his questions about their sudden marriage and what had really happened during their stay in Mexico.

"Father," Diego said, "there is something I have to tell you and I hope you will forgive me that I haven't told you before but I only wanted to protect you."

"Let me guess, son. Victoria is pregnant from Zorro and you married her when he wouldn't! And your being ill in Mexico is only an excuse."

"Father, please don't interrupt me, there is much more to it than you imagine. If you want to know the truth, Victoria and I didn't marry last month but four months ago before I left for Mexico."

Alejandro only stared at him. "What are you telling me? This can't be. Why would you marry Victoria and then leave her? Victoria had a quarrel with Zorro and they split up. That's why she left town."

"The fact is, father, that I'm Zorro and Victoria and I have been engaged for months before we married. I was severely ill before I left and the chances were quite high that I would die in the next four months. I only found out about it the day before I left, and my only chance was to seek out a doctor in Mexico immediately. I had the intention to set Victoria free, but we got married instead. Victoria then decided to follow me to Mexico and I'm glad she did. In fact I owe her my life for that."

Diego took Victoria's hand that he had been holding the whole time and with a loving smile placed a kiss on it. The gesture that was so unlike Diego only added to Alejandro's confusion who tried to understand what Diego was telling him.

"You want me to believe this? You are totally different than Zorro, you can't be him. This even more impossible."

Alejandro rose from his chair and eyed the couple before him.

Diego only looked straight at him and he didn't avert his eyes. "It is true. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

Victoria nodded at Alejandro's inquiring glance and then realization set in. He slumped back into his chair, totally at loss now.

"Why Diego? Why didn't you tell me that you were Zorro? Why didn't you trust me with your worries?" There was desperation in his voice. "Don't you think I have a right to know that my only son is dying?"

Then he grew angry. "You should have told me before you left, but instead you let me believe that you were only visiting a friend. You lied to me to the very last moment. How could you! Who else knew?"

"Only Felipe and Victoria. But she didn't know I was Zorro until the day we married. I know I hurt you by not telling you and for that I'm truly sorry. Father, forgive me please."

Diego had risen from his seat and walked over to his father's chair. Alejandro got up and grabbed his son by his arms looking him in the eyes.

"You are really Zorro?"

"Yes."

"And you are not going to die in the next months?"

"At least not from the illness and I don't think the lancers have improved their aim in my absence."

Diego grinned as he always did as Zorro.

"That is nothing to make jokes about, Diego." Alejandro exclaimed, but the ice was broken. He embraced his son and clapped him on the back.

"I'm proud you are Zorro, son. Glad to have you back and alive. But if you are really Zorro then I gravely misjudged you. You must forgive me for all the times I hurt when I compared you to Zorro."

"There is nothing to forgive. It was part of the delusion so nobody suspected my to be Zorro."

After that Diego had a lot of questions about Zorro to answer and he recounted how he got the idea for Zorro. He explained Felipe's part in it and that Felipe could hear and had started to speak again. Alejandro was happy about it and chided Felipe only a little for not telling him.

The couple was weary from their travel and Diego finally cut the questions short so they could retire. There was so much to tell, but I had to wait for the next days.

Also there was the decision to make if Diego wanted to continue as Zorro. But that was not one that they need to make that night.

They had time to think about it, more time than they ever thought at Zorro last visit to Victoria's tavern some months ago.

They had time on their hands now and hope for the future and that was everything anyone could wish for at the moment.