Author's Notes:

With the general lack of reaction to part 4, I have to wonder if it was really that bad, or just more proof that the bits the author likes best don't necessarily correlate with the bits that readers like best. Oh, well.

Anyway, with the conclusion of this story, Love Has No Rhyme and No Reason has officially passed the 200,000 word mark. I'm not sure whether to be proud of the achievement or appalled by its length, especially since after a rough calculation, I figure there's probably around another 130,000 words to go.

Nevertheless, on with the conclusion, and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks again to Ghetto Outlaw for helping to try to make order out of chaos. The errors and weaknesses are my own.

Turning the Page

(Balancing the Books)

Part 5

The next morning, Diego and Sebastian were among the first downstairs in the tavern, though Felipe was there before them. He signed that he'd checked on Don Alejandro and Don Cecilio and they were both still out cold.

"Well, neither of them are as young as they were," Diego said.

"And neither of them has quite the same head for alcohol," Sebastian said. "Though Señor Calvillo seems to be having no problems of note." He indicated where the man had just emerged from the kitchen.

"True," Diego said. "So what do you want to do? Wait until everyone else recovers or go ahead and return to the hacienda."

"I don't know about you, but I've been apart from my wife enough, and I suspect my brother is going to sleeping things off well into the afternoon."

"I doubt it will be that long for my father or uncle, but I agree that I'd rather return home to see how Victoria fared at her party."

"I can only hope they avoided bloodshed," Sebastian said. "Rafael's wife seems to annoy most of the rest of the family, though Isabel mainly finds her amusing."

"And Margarita and Victoria really did not get on well at their first meeting either."

"Anyway, why should we suffer here when we were the responsible ones?"

"I quite agree," Diego said. "And I suspect that we'll get a better breakfast at the hacienda as well. Let me tell Señor Calvillo that we're returning home in case any of our relatives actually have the strength to ask, and then we can leave."

Accomplishing his task, Diego was soon on the road accompanied by Sebastian and Felipe.

"I think Teo is definitely going to regret last night," Sebastian said, "especially as I believe that our father is due to arrive this afternoon."

"Oh, that's right," Diego said. "In all the excitement last night, it had quite slipped my mind, and he won't be too happy to see one of his sons nursing a hangover."

"No, he won't, and he's always considered your father a bad influence."

"He would," Diego said, then he sighed. "I just hope that Victoria's brother Francisco arrives soon. He was supposed to be here by Wednesday, and I know she's worried. She hasn't heard a word from her other brother in nearly a year, and obviously that worries her as well. Not to mention that she's been utterly overwhelmed by my family."

Sebastian gave him a look.

"Obviously some members more than others, but even you must admit that your grandmother can be quite imposing at times."

"Now, I really hope there was no blood shed last night."

When they arrived at the hacienda, Felipe took care of the horses while Diego and Sebastian entered the house. They found Victoria and Isabel alone at the breakfast table. Isabel seemed quite cheerful as she rose to greet her husband, while Victoria appeared to be nursing a cup of coffee, with a glass of juice sitting beside it and barely looked up as Diego sat down beside her.

"Good morning, my love," Diego said quietly. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I wish I'd not drunk those last two glasses of wine," she said. "I should have stuck to juice." She took a sip from her cup. "And how are you?"

"Feeling much better than most of the rest of the men," he said. "Between Sebastian and Felipe, I managed to avoid the excesses of the rest. Sebastian and I were impatient to return to our ladies."

"Which explains your rising so early," Victoria said. "So the rest are?"

"Sleeping off a truly excessive party," Diego said. "And how did your party go?"

"Nobody's dead," Victoria said. "And we managed to survive Margarita's excessive need to share details no one really wanted to know about her marriage to your cousin. And how did your party go?"

"We all survived," he replied. "Though I wouldn't have been surprised if Teo had been overcome with alcohol poisoning."

"Diego," Sebastian said. "Isabel and I are returning to the other hacienda. We want to check on the children."

Diego nodded at his cousin and his wife, thinking that there was probably another reason for them to want to leave more quickly. He sighed. Only three more days, and he and Victoria could shut the world out and do as they please.

Victoria just managed to say farewell as they left, and Diego urged her to sit on the sofa where she leaned against him.

"I missed you," she said.

"And I missed you." He adjusted her position so that he could massage her temples.

"That's very nice," Victoria said. "You are very good with your hands."

"It's all that practice... on the piano," he said, slyly. "Makes the hands very dextrous."

"So that's it," she said with a slight smirk. "I never would have guessed."

"Oh, you'll find I'm full of surprises."

"Indeed," Victoria said dreamily. She turned her head around and upward. Diego happily obliged with a kiss. "I like surprises."

~Z~Z~Z~

Around lunchtime, Victoria and Diego returned to the pueblo so he could check on his still absent relatives and she could check on the state of her tavern. Once inside Victoria headed first to her wine cellar to see how it fared, while he found his father and uncle sitting at the back of the room, cups of some truly foul looking liquid in their hands. Diego watched as they both lifted and drained the cups at the same time. He almost laughed when he saw their nearly identical looks of disgust.

"Good afternoon, Father, Uncle Cecilio," he said, when he reached them.

"Not so loud, son," Alejandro said.

"I'm no louder than the rest of the tavern, Father," he said. "I would have thought you both would have preferred not to come down before drinking whatever it is you just drank."

"I'd say it was hair of the dog in a metaphorical sense," Cecilio said, making a face, "but I actually suspect that one of the main ingredients is in fact dog hair."

"I'm not sure it was the dog's hair," Alejandro said grumpily.

"But did it help?" Diego asked.

"Surprisingly, yes," Cecilio said. "But then Señor Calvillo did say that this was honed over the years."

"Yes, the sergeant was known for his cooking and his hangover remedy," Alejandro said. "Though I would wish that he would find a way to make this slightly less disgusting."

"I think the point is for it to be as disgusting as possible as a reminder of why you don't want to need to drink it," Cecilio said.

"And yet we keep forgetting," Alejandro said.

"Probably because we don't do this often," said Cecilio.

"Anymore." Alejandro looked up at his son. "Where's Victoria?"

"She went to check... on things." Diego paused as he saw her emerge from the cellar; she smiled at him before entering the kitchen. "And has there been any sign from Rafael, Ernesto, or Teo yet?" he asked once she was out of sight.

Cecilio and Alejandro glanced at each other. "To be honest, we don't know. Neither of us was in a fit state to inquire," Cecilio said. "You'd think the younger ones would be able to hold their wine better."

"You'd think so," Alejandro said. "But there's a lot to be said for the experience of age."

Looking at Diego, Cecilio said, "However, I think we have before us an example of youthful cunning. You seem to be suffering from no ill effects from last night."

"None of note," Diego said. "But then neither is Sebastian nor Felipe, though he at least was spared the maneuvering that Sebastian and I were forced to make, as neither of us are at all amenable to the idea of drinking so much as to make us sick and miserable the next day. Frankly, I don't understand how that is supposed to be fun."

Don Alejandro simply shook his head, and Diego was diverted by the sight of his cousin Sebastian coming into the tavern. He crossed to him quickly, not really wanting to get into any further discussion of his managing to avoid getting drunk and consequently hungover.

"Diego, much as I doubt the answer is yes, has my little brother managed to pull himself out of bed yet?" Sebastian asked.

"I don't think so. Why?"

"Isabel asked me to check on him and make sure he's coherent enough to face our father when he arrives." He rolled his eyes. "Frankly, though, Teo pretty much made his own bed, but then..."

"You'd miss tormenting your brother for his own good," Diego said with a sly grin.

Sebastian returned it. "You are correct. Want to help?"

"I'll get the hangover remedy, if you want to go upstairs."

"I'll wait," Sebastian said.

It wasn't long before the two of them were heading upstairs to the room they'd dropped Teo into the night before. Sebastian made no attempt to be quiet, throwing the door open and practically slamming it shut when he and Diego were inside. Teo didn't even move. Sebastian stared down at his brother in some irritation.

"I'd dump water on him, but I don't want to cause Señorita Escalante more work," Sebastian said. He then reached into his jacket pocket pulling out a bell that had been wrapped in a handkerchief to keep it from jingling.

Diego put the glass down on the dresser and walked over to the window. "All right. You've got the bell. I've got the window," he said, wondering if they were in fact being a bit cruel, especially since they were not subjecting Rafael or Ernesto to the same treatment, but then Uncle Horacio would be a lot more biting.

Standing next to the bed, Sebastian swung the bell near his brother's ear, while Diego threw open the windows to let in the sunshine.

Teo jerked upright and then fell back hand over his eyes. After a moment he cracked open one eye, staring from beneath his fingers. "I hate you," he said to Sebastian.

"I know," his brother replied with a smirk. "But you'd hate me more if I left you here for our father to find you."

Teo sighed. "You're right. But I still hate you both."

"Fine, but sit up so that we can give you something so that you will hate us less."

"Only if Diego shuts the window and gets rid of all that blasted light," Teo said, not moving.

Diego closed the window, and Sebastian helped his brother to sit up, as Diego brought over the cup.

"Drink this quickly," Diego said. "Then you have to suffer the taste for a shorter period of time."

Half-lolling against the headboard, Teo tilted the glass against his lips and began chugging down the liquid. Once it was gone Sebastian grabbed the glass before Teo dropped it.

"That was truly disgusting," Teo said, his eyes closed. After a moment he half opened then, and added, "But not half as disgusting as how cheerful you two look. Why aren't you miserable?"

"Because neither of us drank even a quarter as much as you did," Diego said.

Teo started to shake his head and then thought better of it. "You're the groom; you aren't supposed to stay sober. And my own dear brother aiding him."

"Yes, I'm so thoroughly ashamed," Sebastian said dryly. "Especially since we can remember every foolish thing that happened last night, with absolutely no after effects. It is terrible indeed."

"I don't know," Diego said. "A headache might be a small price to pay to forget some of it. There's at least one conversation I would prefer to believe never really happened."

"Ah, yes, I can't blame you there, cousin," Sebastian said. "Lord knows I tried to block out all the 'helpful' advice I got before marrying Isabel, and she told me that she tried doing the same."

Diego was taken aback. "Now I have to hope that Victoria is more fortunate than me in not having as much she'd want to block out." He walked over to the window and reopened it just enough to look out without letting in too much sun. Another reason to wish the previous night away, he thought. If only he and Victoria could be married today...

"You'd probably be surprised at what the ladies talk about," Sebastian said. "Even the edited versions my wife has told me are well..." He shuddered dramatically when Diego looked back at him.

Victoria's earlier comments about Margarita popped into Diego's head. Edited, he thought, knowing a couple of the ladies, 'redacted' might be a better word. He wondered if he should ask her more about what happened. However, something caught his eye outside. A carriage had just pulled to a stop in front of the tavern, and a man was getting out.

"Sebastian, you'd better help Teo get presentable," Diego said. "Your father's here."

"What!" Teo exclaimed before lying back with a groan.

"Your father's here," Diego reiterated. "He's just entered the tavern."

"Oh, no," Teo moaned.

"Yes, well, I'm going to go downstairs to greet him, I suggest you use the time you've got expeditiously."

"We will," Sebastian said, yanking the blankets off his brother, as Diego stepped out of the room.

~Z~Z~Z~

Victoria had been pleased to see that her tavern was in a state of relative order despite whatever antics the men had gotten up to the night before. It made things easier as she was still feeling slightly under the weather. It was a relief to see that while the party had drained the wine that Alejandro had provided they hadn't done much to her own stores. When she entered the kitchen, she saw that Alicia and Pilar had cleaned up the remains of the party, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. She started chopping vegetables. Just as she was dropping all of them into a bowl, she heard a voice behind her.

"Do you ever lock this door? Anyone could come in."

Whirling around, Victoria squealed in delight to see her brother Francisco. Grabbing him in a hug, she said, "What kept you? We expected you last week."

Francisco smiled slightly. "I meant to leave earlier but something came up which delayed me, but I didn't think you would mind."

"Not mind? Not mind worrying about whether anything had happened to you?" she asked, irately.

"Obviously nothing did," Francisco said. "Come, sweet sister, don't you want to know what it was that kept me from leaving when I meant to."

Victoria gave him a piercing glare. "Clearly, you think it's something special."

"I think you will too," he said as he opened the back door to reveal their brother Ramón.

With an even louder shout of joy, Victoria quickly crossed to hug the brother that she hadn't heard from in nearly a year. "Ramón!"

He grinned at his sister. "Now do you forgive Francisco?"

"Yes, but why didn't you write to me?" she asked.

He looked surprised. "I did, several times. They must have gotten lost. I was in a pretty remote location for a while."

Victoria wondered why he was being so vague, but before she could press for an answer, Diego burst into the kitchen.

"Are you..." he started to say before seeing who was with Victoria. "Francisco, Ramón, it's been too long."

"Definitely," Victoria said.

"Did you really think we'd miss seeing our only sister getting married?" Ramón asked. "Especially to you."

"Why especially to me?" Diego asked.

Francisco looked at Victoria with a teasing smile. "I remember when she was a skinny little thing always wanting to follow you about."

"I did not," Victoria protested, her cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment.

"Oh, you did too," Ramón added.

"It's not as if I minded spending time with her," Diego said. "As I recall it was her two brothers who kept trying to send her home. Probably because she was more competitive than you were."

Ramón laughed. "That is true. And now you get to deal with that permanently."

"I am very pleased to do so," Diego said.

"Yes, Diego isn't intimidated by a strong-minded woman," Victoria said.

"Well, neither are we, or we wouldn't have survived between you and Mother," Ramón said.

"Though some things would have been easier," Francisco said with a not entirely serious expression.

"For you perhaps," Victoria said. "But despite that I am so happy to see you both."

"The wedding wouldn't have felt right without you here," Diego added.

"No, it wouldn't," Victoria said.

"Oh, Victoria," Diego said. "Uncle Horacio has arrived too."

"I suppose we should have mentioned it," Ramón said. "We met up with him on the last part of the trip, and, well, there's safety in numbers, and it was lucky that he remembered us once we reminded him of who we were. He hadn't really changed at all since we last saw him."

"While you both clearly have," Diego said. "I'd better get back to see if Teo has managed to get himself downstairs." Then to Victoria, "Do you want to come with me before you get your brothers settled?"

"I should," Victoria said.

"You don't have to bother with us," Francisco said. "Just tell us where we're sleeping and we'll handle it ourselves. We can do our catching up later."

"All right," Victoria said. "Señor Calvillo has your old room, so you both are in the big room at the end of the upper hall."

"Good, I always liked that room better anyway," Ramón said. "Come on, Francisco."

Once her brothers left the kitchen, Victoria started to follow them, but Diego quickly wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in for a kiss. "I love you," he whispered.

"And I love you," she replied.

"I wish..." He couldn't really find the words for everything he wished at the moment, especially without sounding like a selfish cad for preferring the thought of spiriting her away somewhere so they could be alone when he knew she hadn't seen her brothers for such a long time.

"So do I," she said. "But we have relatives who deserve our attentions. Now will you reintroduce me to Don Horacio, as I doubt he remembers me. Then we can invite my brothers to the family dinner tonight."

Victoria and Diego reluctantly left the kitchen, where Diego saw Teo standing before his father, looking for all the world like a man who expects his head to fall off his shoulders at any moment. And he certainly hadn't fooled his father who was shaking his head in obvious disappointment at Teo's condition, though it was his own father's voice he heard.

"Oh, Horacio, don't be such a stick in the mud; it was a party celebrating my son's finally exiting bachelorhood. It's a shame you missed it."

"My duties wouldn't permit me to leave any sooner, and allow me leave to doubt that either your son or my eldest managed to get themselves into a similar state."

Diego decided to interrupt at this point. "Uncle Horacio," he said, in a deliberately cheery voice as he came up to him. "It's a pleasure to see you. How was your trip?"

"Tolerable," he said, looking past Diego at Victoria. "But I would rather greet your lovely betrothed."

"Of course," Diego said, as Victoria came to stand beside him. "Uncle Horacio, this is Victoria Escalante; I don't know if you remember her."

"I do, though I might not have recognized her if it were not for those eyes, just like her mother's, and they've only grown brighter over the years. You've grown from a lovely girl to a beautiful lady, Señorita Escalante," he said, taking her hand and kissing it gallantly.

Diego could see Teo rolling his eyes at his father's compliments and raised an eyebrow. Teo shrugged slightly before turning away, an embarrassed expression on his face.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Don Horacio," Victoria said. "We're very happy you could come for the wedding."

"I wouldn't miss it," Horacio said. "Though it seems I missed some excitement by arriving today." He glanced back at Teo.

"I wouldn't say that, Father," Sebastian said coming up suddenly. "I'd say it was rather staid all things considered."

"It's the 'all things considered' that troubles me," Horacio said, then he sighed as he heard Diego's father making a scoffing noise. "Nevertheless, I am happy to be here for the more important gathering— Alejandro getting the daughter he's been wanting for years." He grinned suddenly at his cousin.

Alejandro clapped Horacio on the shoulder. "I've been waiting a long time indeed. And I'm very glad you're here."

"So, it looks like the whole family is finally here," Diego said as he sidled up next to Sebastian. "Do you think Teo is going to be okay?"

"Oh he'll be fine." The two watched Teo and Horacio walk outside the tavern. While they couldn't make out what Horacio was saying, they were certain it wasn't doing much good for Teo's headache. "This is all quite normal for them." Sebastian sighed deeply.

"What is it?"

"Oh, I just worry sometimes about whether or not Teo will ever settle down with the right young lady. I think it would be a remarkable tempering influence on him."

"Take heart, cousin," Diego said reassuringly. "He may surprise us yet."

"And that," Sebastian mused, "worries me more."

~Z~Z~Z~

The next couple of days were incredibly busy as the last preparations for the wedding were made. The final banns were read on Sunday, and Victoria and Diego both were relieved that there was no protest to interfere with their marriage. Things had been going so well, they were almost certain that something was due to go amiss beyond having to put up with family foibles. Victoria enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with her brothers while being reminded at the same time why they had a tendency to squabble when they spent too much time to together. Ramón was being particularly closed mouthed about what he had been up to since she'd last seen him, other than saying he'd been getting by well enough.

She suspected it was more Francisco that he wanted to keep in the dark as they'd parted ways on the subject of revolutionary activities. Victoria herself was torn on the subject. She wanted justice for the people of California, but she was not particularly certain if they would be exchanging one set of oppressors for another. For the moment she was willing enough to put her curiosity aside so that hopefully everything would continue to go smoothly, as she wanted nothing more than to be able to get married without any major crisis to disrupt the proceedings.

Finally it was the night before the wedding, and there seemed to be a conspiracy by every member of the family to keep her and Diego from having more than a half a minute's conversation together. Doña Magdalena and Isabel kept her occupied as she packed the items (including her wedding dress) that she was going to need at the tavern, since she would be spending her last night as a single woman there with Doña Magdalena and Don Cecilio acting in the stead of her parents. She couldn't help but shake her head at the thought that she'd already so transferred her belongings that she actually needed to pack to stay at her own tavern. Of course, there was also a certain amount of bustling as some of the servants were preparing to move her things from the guest room to Diego's room once they were married. Both were superstitious enough to not want to tempt fate by having them moved before the vows were said.

Don Alejandro had dragged Diego off again with Don Cecilio for more wedding fiesta business. She only had a hope of seeing him before she left for the pueblo. The air was filled with the smells of cooking, which Victoria was thankful for once that she wasn't having to do. And half of the de la Vega hands were busy arranging all the tables and benches for the expected guests. It really was looking to be the largest party Los Angeles had seen in some time, as Don Alejandro had had a lot of time to plan it and the resources to make it magnificent.

And despite all the evidence around her, Victoria still had a hard time grasping the fact that by this time the next day she would finally be married to Diego. All the waiting, all the maneuvering, all the learning how to control her temper and keep his secrets, all culminating in their being able to start their life together. It felt overwhelming, and what she wanted most of all was to be in Diego's presence. However, barring that, what she really needed was a moment alone so using the excuse that she wanted to check on her horse, she slipped away to the stable.

Fortuna really was a wonderful horse, and Victoria was very grateful for Don Alejandro's gift. Victoria had brought a couple of sugar cubes for Fortuna. As she petted her horse's muzzle, Victoria suddenly felt a very familiar pair of arms snake around her and she turned to see Diego smiling at her.

Not wanting to waste whatever limited time they'd have together, Victoria pulled him down for a kiss. A long minute later, Diego drew back, and once she could speak, she said, "I'm glad to see you."

"I'm glad to kiss you," he said, giving her another kiss, this one light and quick.

"Tomorrow," she said, resting her head against his chest.

"Tomorrow." He tightened his grasp on her.

"And what are you supposed to be doing right now?" Victoria asked.

"I actually was supposed to be checking the stables," Diego said. "The fact that you were here was simply a delightful coincidence."

"I needed a moment alone," Victoria said. "And then I got something better."

Diego gave her another kiss, but then he sighed. "I'm afraid someone will be looking for us soon."

"I know," she said with a sigh of her own. "I'll just have to look forward to tomorrow."

"Why does it feel so far away?" he asked.

"Probably because it has taken so long to get here," she said. "I keep feeling like something is bound to happen. So often it has."

"I know that feeling, but so far everything seems..."

Victoria put a finger on his lips to stop him talking. "Don't say it. We don't want to curse ourselves to bad luck."

Diego smiled and kissed her finger. "I wasn't going to say anything like that. I'm not superstitious by nature, but even I don't want to risk bringing bad luck on our wedding day. With qualifications, it looks like most things have been seen to, and everything is almost ready for tomorrow. And our relatives even slipped up enough to give us these few minutes together. So I'm optimistic."

At that moment, they heard Don Alejandro off in the distance calling for his son.

"Optimistic?" Victoria asked with a grin.

Diego leaned down and kissed her one more time. "Well… cautiously."

~Z~Z~Z~

Victoria did not expect to get much sleep that night, especially not after having to put up with her brothers' teasing which while good natured was not of the kind to relieve her anxieties. However, Doña Magdalena in her quiet way finally got them to stop, and made her a cup of herbal tea which she swore would help her nerves and make it easier to sleep without any lingering side effects in the morning.

"We wanted you rested tonight, not lethargic on the morrow," Doña Magdalena had assured her.

Victoria had agreed, though she rather doubted that anything would help her to rest. Much to her surprise she did fall asleep though her dreams were far from restful or pleasant. Not that they started badly, as first she dreamed she was wandering through a field of incredibly large flowers. There were roses and lavender and so many others some of which she did not recognize. She was looking for Diego, but there seemed to be no hurry and she enjoyed looking at the blooms which seemed to be arranged as a message for her, though she could not understand what they meant. Eventually she found herself in a chapel made of roses where Diego stood by the altar.

That's when the dream changed. As she approached Diego, she suddenly felt someone grab her and turning she saw it was someone dressed as Zorro pulling her away from Diego. Fighting back she yanked the mask from his face revealing not Diego but their dead former alcalde Luis Ramone. His eyes were cloudy and white and his grip like iron. But as she struggled another Zorro appeared and wrenched Ramone away from her, before carrying her away. For a moment he seemed to be Diego, but then Diego himself appeared to try to rescue her. The second Zorro pulled his sword and Diego for some reason ended up fighting him left-handed until Victoria found herself between the men. When she felt a sword hit her, Victoria woke with a start.

It took her some time to calm herself. Nothing anything remotely like that can happen, she told herself, repeating it until she could relax. At least her nightmare wasn't realistic. But still she felt anxious, and it was too early to get up. She forced herself to lie still and think of more pleasant things. She remembered Diego's reciting poetry to her in the garden, the seductive power of his voice of all things. She had nearly melted from his words alone, though paired with his actions, she had definitely regretted the time left until their wedding, which was now only a few hours away. And thinking of his voice made her reflect on the time when she had been so blind to who he really was. How could she not have known? His eyes, his voice both should have told her the truth. Her confused feelings about Zorro and Diego should have given her the answer.

But it took one moment of clarity during a stormy night to rip the blinders off and for her to really see him, all of him. And then it had taken them so much time to get to this point. From courtship to an all too long engagement; all to convince people that her affections had shifted from one man to another. So many challenges to get to this day, when they could finally pledge their love to each other. Not that this would mean their lives would be any less dangerous. There would always be danger as long as Diego needed to don the mask. But at least their chief enemy was not here to spoil this beginning for them. Diego had told her that it was his friend Ernesto that had arranged De Soto's absence from Los Angeles; she really needed to thank him. But more, she really needed to sleep some more. It would not do if she fell asleep at the ceremony or at the party or even worse the moment she and Diego were alone at the end of the day, as she had no intention of getting much in the way of rest on her wedding night and knew Diego felt the same.

Victoria finally managed to drift into a dreamlike state that didn't return her to a land of nightmares, and though it didn't feel as if she'd fallen asleep, she must have because she found herself being shaken awake by Doña Magdalena, who had brought her a tray with coffee and some fresh fruits to help her start the day.

"How are you feeling?" she asked as Victoria started picking over the tray, as she wasn't feeling overly hungry.

"Excited," Victoria said. "Nervous, happy." She ate a slice of orange. She hardly felt hungry but didn't want to feel faint later.

"Good," Doña Magdalena said. "Now eat up, as soon it will be time for you to get dressed, and fair warning, Doña Catalina and Isabel have just arrived wanting to help in whatever way they can."

"I don't mind, especially not Isabel," Victoria said. "But is Alicia here yet?"

"Oh, yes," Doña Magdalena said. "Your maid of honor arrived first. She's the one who prepared your breakfast. We're all very determined that you have an easy time this morning."

"I only hope Diego manages to have one as well," Victoria said.

"Well, Isabel indicated that Sebastian was determined to lend a hand in case Sergeant Mendoza is more agitated than the groom."

"That's... very probable," Victoria said.

"He's also promised to protect Diego from any overly exuberant fatherly advice this morning."

"That's also probably a good thing," Victoria said, thinking about all the ways a very excited Don Alejandro could try Diego's nerves without meaning to.

As soon as Victoria finished breakfast, she got dressed in a simple dress in order to go downstairs, as they'd decided to use the private parlor for her to get ready for the wedding as it had more room for everyone. She thought it unnecessary to have so many helping her, but she wasn't about to fight over the subject. Ironically, after the length of the engagement and all the work that had gone into the preparations, Victoria actually cared very little about all the fanfare surrounding the marriage ceremony.

She knew it made Don Alejandro and the rest of the family happy and gave the people something to look forward to and talk about, but all that she particularly cared about was that it wouldn't be too much longer until she was Diego's wife. In fact, she thought if she hadn't been worried about people putting Diego together with Zorro she would have been willing to elope with Diego almost as soon as she knew his secret. But the wait really had been a small price to pay to protect his secret, and it had allowed them to get to know each other properly, learn how they each really thought and how well they could work together. It had not been time wasted.

And the day was finally here. They had their family with them, and in only a short time they would actually be married. So Victoria didn't complain as she and the other ladies locked themselves into the parlor and got her ready to marry the man she loved. As her hair was being pulled and combed and pinned, she hoped that Diego was having an easier time of it at the hacienda, which of course was very likely as it certainly wouldn't take him nearly as long to get dressed for the wedding. Victoria sighed.

"Is everything alright?" Doña Magdalena asked.

"What? Oh…everything is fine," Victoria replied a little awkwardly, having been shaken from her thoughts. "I was just wondering what Diego is doing right now."

"Probably not getting his hair done," Isabel chimed in as she carefully placed another pin.

The ladies couldn't help but giggle and Doña Magdalena patted Victoria on the shoulder. "For men, getting dressed isn't nearly so…complicated. Still, knowing Alejandro the way I do, I would wager that he is making sure Diego is getting suitable fussed over."

"I can well imagine," Victoria said.

Her hair done, Victoria stood as the ladies helped her into her dress. While the other women made adjustments to the front and checked to be sure everything was in place, Isabel began buttoning her dress in the back. "Not too tight?" she asked.

"No, it's fine."

"I remember the day Sebastian and I were married. I was so happy…though I will admit that all the fuss over getting dressed wasn't the most fun." As Isabel finished the last button, she leaned in close and whispered softly in Victoria's ear, "That part comes later."

~Z~Z~Z~

Victoria and Diego exited the chapel to be surrounded by well wishers. The chapel had been filled to capacity and there seemed an equal number of people were waiting outside or at the tavern where a large quantity of punch was waiting for the guests before the whole party moved towards the de la Vega hacienda where the celebration would begin in earnest. Victoria's head was in a whirl. Looking at her husband— her husband!— Victoria felt warm from the smile on his face. He really did look exceptionally handsome in his new suit which so very well complemented her wedding dress. She could remember how he looked when he saw her in the chapel. He was about the only thing that was clear in her mind.

They were finally married, yet she could barely recall anything of the ceremony that they had just gone through save their speaking their vows, the exchange of rings, and their signing the register after it was over. Everything must have gone exactly as it should, since if anything had gone badly, she would have noticed, wouldn't she? Someone would have mentioned something.

Diego seemed as discombobulated as she was, though his smile was brilliant. They did not say much as they were surrounded by well wishers who were busy congratulating them but apparently didn't really need much more than a smile in acknowledgment. There was still an air of unreality as they made their way to the hacienda where there was already a large gathering of people. Victoria was relieved that the duties of hosting were not falling on either her or Diego as neither of them were in any mental condition to focus on anyone either than each other. Victoria knew that there was an abundance of food set out for guests to enjoy at their leisure between the games and the dancing but to be honest she had no particular interest in anything other than her husband. But she accepted that there was another gauntlet of people to go through before they moved into the garden where all the family and the most important guests had been gathering outside in the garden to enjoy the wine Don Alejandro had reserved for toasting his son's marriage. While most of the guests were sitting at the tables set up, Diego and Victoria were still standing together, the reluctant centers of attention, at least until Don Alejandro started to speak.

"Welcome, everyone," he said. "It is a glorious day today, and not just because of the weather."

Don Cecilio interjected, "As if the weather would dare contradict the determined papa."

There was some laughter at that.

"I'd rather say that I am a proud papa," Don Alejandro continued. "My son has at last married the woman that I have always longed to call my daughter, and we're here to celebrate that fact."

"And you getting closer to realizing your ambition to be a grandfather," Doña Catalina said.

"Well, yes, that too," Alejandro said. "But this is about my son and his bride beginning their life together. One hopefully filled with many happy years together as well as many happy children." He smiled at the last and then raised his glass. "To Diego and Victoria."

Everyone else raised their glasses and drank.

When the toast was done, Diego said, "Thank you, Father." He looked around. "And thank you all for joining us on this day. And frankly, I can't think of anything else to say."

"Well, I'm sure the best man can," Alejandro said, clapping Mendoza on the shoulder. "I know he's been looking forward to giving a speech."

Mendoza's eyes went wide as if he'd been hoping that something would come up to prevent his having to make a speech. Or perhaps that was only Victoria's feelings on the matter. The sergeant was a good man and a good friend, and while his stories could be entertaining, his general speech making was pretty inadequate. In any event, there were other much better things that should be happening like the dancing, and she knew that the children and several of the single ladies were looking forward to having fun with the cascarones they'd prepared. The confetti had been a bit of a trial to make, but fortunately so many eggs were being used in the preparations or at the tavern that it was a very convenient way of using the shells.

However, it didn't look like they were liable to be spared. Victoria was hoping that Mendoza would be brief. After all he was looking forward to the food and wouldn't want to delay getting to that.

"Um, thank you, Don Alejandro," Mendoza said. "I was very honored when Don Diego asked me to be his best man, as I've had the greatest respect for him and Señorita... I mean... Doña Victoria for a long time, and even before they started courting thought that they would make a good couple if not for..." He suddenly stopped as if realizing that it was not good form to mention any former suitors at a wedding especially not a masked man with a price on his head. "... all the trouble we seem to have in our little pueblo. But despite that, they managed to find time for love, and I wish them many happy years and many children, but..." he paused for a moment, "I hope that we can occasionally get some of your fresh made tamales."

"I wouldn't deprive you entirely," Victoria said with a smile.

"Good," Mendoza said. "That would be tragic, and definitely not something we need worry about on such a happy day. And speaking of food..."

"Actually, Sergeant, I was thinking it's time for the dancing," Don Alejandro said.

"Of course," Mendoza said with a slightly forlorn expression.

Victoria, unlike Mendoza, was very happy to get to the dancing. Diego was equally enthusiastic as they'd had very few occasions to dance together, one wedding, some practice with Mendoza, a private one in the tavern, still not quite as wonderful as dancing together at their own wedding. Despite his dislike of being the center of attention, Diego danced with uncharacteristic (or at least to the general public) energy and skill, though no one really thought it odd that a new bridegroom would be happy to dance with his bride.

As she and Diego spun through the movements of the dance, Victoria had only eyes for her him, and he kept his on her. They could have been alone on the dance floor for all they knew, but each touch, each movement was smooth and sure as if they had been partners forever. As they finished a particularly complicated movement, Victoria flushed as one particular piece of "wisdom" imparted at the ladies' party flashed in her head, that a man's skill on the dance floor could often be translated into his ability to please in the bedroom. Happily, the exertion of the dance could hide her sudden embarrassment, especially when she spied the little half smile on Diego's lips that made her suspect that he was thinking something rather similar.

Eventually after the first few dances, Victoria began noticing some of what was going on around them, especially the choice of targets of a couple of young ladies armed with cascarones. Diego's cousin Lucretia sneaked up on his friend Ernesto and caught him by surprise, but then after pretending to be offended, he asked her to dance. Victoria was more surprised to see Alicia's sister Teresa break one on Felipe's head. She hadn't really thought Teresa had paid much attention to him, but then she had been caught up in the wedding preparations lately and hadn't had much time to notice anything else, and the two of them were about the same age. Unfortunately, she lost sight of them in the crowd and had no idea what happened next.

She also noticed how popular Mateo was with the children. He had been the one controlling the rope on the piñata making sure they could all get a good wack at it before breaking, and now he was letting himself be pelted with their cascarones. He really was the epitome of the gentle giant, though Diego had told her that if anyone was threatened in his vicinity especially if they were young or otherwise vulnerable, that the threatener had best be prepared to run as Mateo was anything but gentle in dealing with violent characters.

After several more dances and a break for some food followed by the guests getting involved in the many other activities available, Diego took a moment to lean down and whisper in Victoria's ear, "I don't think that they're going to miss us now."

Taking in the scene Victoria nodded her head, hoping that no one would be paying attention as they began a somewhat circuitous route towards the house. Of course, they didn't manage to slip away entirely unnoticed as they were forced to speak with the occasional person, but no one seemed to particularly care in what direction they were heading. There was one awkward moment as they nearly surprised Sebastian and Isabel in an amorous embrace in a half hidden alcove just inside the garden. Diego merely put a finger to his lips and pulled her in another direction. He really did know all the more obscure ways around the hacienda, as he helped her through the window into his room, which he then shuttered and barred before going to check the door was locked. Even then Victoria had to suppress a giggle as he carefully checked the room..

"I wouldn't put it past Teo or Ernesto or even your brothers to plan some kind of prank on us," he said.

That was very true, Victoria thought. "Alone at last?" she said, as he finished his perusal to stand in the middle of the room..

"Yes, at last," Diego said, then as if galvanized into action he moved to her, sweeping her up into his arms and spinning with her in the enthusiasm of the moment.

Victoria laughed joyfully. When he put her down, she said, "You almost look like you're ready to sing or... recite more poetry."

Diego smiled. "Is that a request?" he asked with a rakish grin. "Because if it is, I do have a bit of John Donne's verses on my mind, that I've been saving for just such an occasion: 'Licence my roving hands, and let them go, before, behind, between, above, below.'" He let his hands wander as he spoke. "But for our more immediate future, I think these lines speak best," he said in a soft and husky voice, "'Full nakedness! All joys are due to thee, as souls unbodied, bodies uncloth'd must be, to taste whole joys.' And Victoria, I am very ready for us to taste whole joys, are you?"

"Very ready indeed," she replied.

He picked her up again, crossed the room and gently placed her on the bed and eased himself down next to her. Slowly, their lips met, brushing lightly against each other before they kissed deeply, more so than ever before.

At length, their lips parted and their eyes met. "I love you," Victoria said. She gently brushed his face with her fingers. "Don Diego," she added teasingly.

Diego smiled back at her. "I love you… Doña Victoria."

They kissed again and months of longing, wishing, dreaming, and waiting came to a beautiful end.

The End

Next Up: Season 4 will begin with "Like Father, Like Son."

End Notes:

So now I've ended my quite altered third season with the wedding of Victoria and Diego. It's been an odd journey to get to this point, but overall I'm glad to have made it this far, though I don't think I'll try another project quite this ambitious again. And I so want to finish this as there's another Zorro crossover that I really, really want to concentrate on but won't be able to until this is, at the least, closer to completion.

I haven't done anything with dreams lately, but I figured that the night before the wedding could inspire a nightmare or two, and I decided it was Victoria's turn. And despite Victoria and Diego's anxieties I was never going to have any heavy drama interfering with this day. No more than the usual things that can come up on a wedding day and at a party so big with so much alcohol flowing.

The John Donne poem quoted near the end is "To His Mistress Going to Bed."

Having to introduce so many new members of Diego's family was a challenge, and to ease that burden a bit, I based the personalities on characters from other fandoms, though I don't believe there's any perfect one to one correlation for any of them, so hopefully it's not too obvious, though I definitely award bonus points to anyone who can recognize the influences. Teo might show the most signs of his origins though he's actual an amalgam of two similarly named characters in two other universes (I mean the characters have similar names which are neither anything close to Teo), both of whom have a tendency to fall in love rather easily.

I hope you enjoyed the glimpses of Diego's extended family. I've grown rather fond of them. Currently, I'm not sure if there will be any more appearances by the de la Vega side, and I think it's possible there may be only one more appearance by Cecilio and Magdalena (which I kind of hate as I think they're my favorites), but there is the distinct possibility that I might find some excuse to have them appear again, if not in this epic, another story.

And I have to once again give my thanks to Ghetto Outlaw for all the help he's given me on this story, especially considering that there have been a lot of real life things that have meant that he's had minimal time to devote to the longest entry so far, so if there are more typos than usual this time, that's because he was concentrating on helping me smooth out the rough edges and make this a relatively coherent tale, and I did the basic proofreading on my own.

Definitely all feedback is welcomed and encouraged and practically begged for, as I have been moving towards this moment for over 3 years, and I'm so sorry it's taken me this long to get this far. I certainly have no desire to take another 3 to finish this off.

At the moment I don't see any reason why I'd do any more in-between stories and season 4 is a half season, so fingers crossed on that, though I admit that I am still pondering what I'm going to do with the final four episodes, as well as having to iron out all the details on a few other episodes that are going to have to be radically altered because of Diego and Victoria's marriage ("Love Potion Number 9," "An Affair to Remember," and "Ultimate Justice" to name three). I could of course probably skip over the ones that would really not work at all if Victoria and Diego were married, but at the moment I intend to try them all even if the stories themselves end up having the vaguest of relations to the original episodes. However, that does mean that those stories will take more time as I'll be mostly making them out of whole cloth rather than the actual episodes. In any event, I will be doing my best on getting everything done.

And also an additional reminder, if there's anything you particularly want to see or questions you want answered feel free to let me know via either review or pm.