Chapter 38

After leaving Felipe and Diego as they worked, Victoria sat and stared thoughtfully, looking at the proud old don sleeping before her, her mind racing. Although he was pale, his breathing was easy and he did not appear uncomfortable or in pain at present. This was far different than last night. She had been so scared they were going to lose him. Without Diego to help with the ranch, how were they going to get Don Alejandro to take it easy? Felipe can help, but everyone still thinks he is deaf and mute, and therefore probably wouldn't listen or take him seriously. Besides, Felipe probably has never had to run the ranch alone before. But then, dealing with Diego and the antics of Zorro probably hadn't been any easier. But Zorro didn't ride every day. At least she knew how to run a business; this should not be much different, or she could hope anyway. Her girls would just have to continue to run the tavern and she and Felipe would just have to do what they could around here. They could follow Don Alejandro's directions until he was able to be up.

Felipe touched her shoulder and snapped her out of her reverie. She looked back at him, smiling. "Is he behaving himself? He hasn't given you any trouble, has he?"

Felipe smiled and shook his head. **He's trying, but I think I could take him today. I can sit with Grandfather; he wants to see you.**

"So he's trying to be cantankerous. Hmmm, sounds like maybe I should spar with him. I'm sure that even I could take him," she added playfully as she got up to leave.

**I'm sure, too. I wouldn't want to try a round with you,** he countered back playfully.

"Chicken," she replied back lightheartedly as she left the room.

Diego had to rest for a few minutes after Felipe left, before he could work his arm. He closed his eyes, breathing slowly, deep in concentrated thought.

Victoria came to the door and peered in. He had apparently not heard her, as his eyes were still closed. He was clenching and opening his hand. His color was pale, and she could see light perspiration dusting his lip as she approached the bed. She reached forward and began to gently massage his temples. His eyes flew open in surprise.

"I'm sorry, mi amor. I didn't mean to scare you. You looked rather uncomfortable. Did Felipe tire you out?" She spoke softly, continuing to massage his temples as she sat down next to him.

"No, just thinking about you and how…much I missed you," he lied. In truth, he was more exhausted than he was willing to let on, and was really fighting sleep.

"I missed you, too, but you know I won't be far. I was in with your father while Felipe helped you to sit up. Do you feel better?"

"Yes, now that you're here. How's my father?" he managed to strain out.

"Mi corazón, I would not lie to you. We will tell you if there are changes. We know how important it is for you to know, and we want you to be still. He continues to sleep. Doctor Hernandez gave him the same sleeping draught he gave you. He was really exhausted before this happened, so he probably was so tired that he is now just getting the sleep that he really needed."

Diego gazed into her eyes. "I'm just so worried, and it is so frustrating to…not be able to get up and go to him." He paused a few moments, still gazing intently on the sight of her. "I love you so much; more than life itself...I'm sorry I put you through this."

She looked at him, and answered him with an adamant tone, "I know you are frustrated and we will do what we can to help you both heal. You did what you felt was needed to try and keep us safe. I understand that now. I just hate that you had to go through all this for this secret."

"You're not mad? And … how did you … figure it out?" he asked quietly, playing with the covers and looking down before looking back up at her.

"I was angry at first, but not anymore. If you want me to, I can get mad for you later," she added smiling. "In your delirium, you said things only Zorro would know. Then there is the scar from that musket wound I stitched up that time. Remember? It cleared up any doubt I had." She continued to gaze at him, and reached forward to hold his hand.

"Would you have told Ramiro Zorro's identity…if you had known?"

She turned his hand loose and started playing with the covers herself, watching her hands, but with a far off look in her eyes. "Diego, you are my best friend. I hated seeing them beat you and not be able to stop it. I realize now Ramiro would have killed you anyway, even if we had told him," she paused, her face pale. "I understand now why you didn't tell us." She paused again for a moment before continuing, trying hard not to cry with the memory of that ordeal.

"To tell or not would have been a hard decision. I don't want to ever lose you now that I have found you, and I don't want to be left in any waywithout you either. But, Don Alejandro was there. I couldn't, and wouldn't, let anything happen to him. For him, no, I would not have told. But know this; I would have died inside if they had killed you."

He used his good hand to bring her face and lips to his and kissed her deeply. "I forgive you. I love you. Don't leave me, ever. Please…marry me?"

She smiled as tears filled her eyes, "I have always loved you; I just didn't know that he was you. I thought I was starting to go crazy, falling in love with two men. I'm glad you and he are one in the same. You are everything to me. And yes, most definitely yes, I will marry you!"

His eyelids were starting to droop. "Enough excitement, mi corazón. You know that I am close by. Sleep now, and heal so we can see that wonderful day soon." She kissed him, then her fingers, pressing them gently to his lips, silencing any more voiced thoughts. She then helped to lower his head so he could rest better.

He slept most of the afternoon, awake only for brief periods, in which time Felipe helped to elevate him up again, worked his arm, and helped him eat. He managed to sleep quietly all night. Victoria slept on a cot next to his bed, finally getting a good night sleep herself.

The next morning arrived quietly. As had become their routine, Felipe was in with Diego, finishing his bath and changing his sheets. She sat with Don Alejandro, daydreaming at the moment, the fatigue catching up with her again. The older don had not awakened yet, not fully. He had muttered a few things in his sleep, but otherwise had slept.

In her drowsy state, she had missed the look on his face, thinking he was still dreaming. Realization was once again dawning on the old don. His son, Diego, was Zorro! He had taken a brutal beating and not uttered a word over an identity he alone could give!

He climbed the depths from unconsciousness with this realization, and pain once again lanced through his chest. He was suddenly drenched with perspiration, his groan bringing Victoria back to reality. He clutched his chest as she screamed. No one else in the house seemed to notice that Felipe had heard the scream and came running. Maria appeared at the door, too, but was told they would let her know if they needed her to send for the doctor.

Victoria began wiping the elder man's face to relax him while Felipe prepared his medicine and gave it to him.

At the same time, they heard a loud noise and a frustrated cry coming from Diego's room. She understood, but why couldn't he stay still!? He was worse than trying to keep up with a toddler! Seeing that Felipe had this situation under control, she shouted, "I'll go," and ran to Diego's room to find him colorless and wobbly, sitting on the side of the bed. In his effort to get up, he had knocked his glass of water to the floor, shattering the glass.

Running to the bedside, she stood before Diego, preventing any further attempts to get up. "Please, Diego!" she cried. "No, you can't get up! You will fall! The water glass fell and now there is broken glass and water all over the floor. Now, please lie down!"

Swaying even though he was sitting, he continued to desperately try to get up. Now drenched in perspiration and chalky white, Diego grasped her arms and was weakly trying to pull up, pleading in frustration, "Please, I have to go to…my father, Victoria! You…screamed; something is wrong! This is all…happening because of me! It's my fault!" The strain caused a violent coughing spasm, further weakening his struggles. The coughs were so deep, she was afraid that he would start retching, if not break more ribs.

Felipe came in, lifting Diego's legs as she pushed his shoulders back into the bed. She was flooded with relief at his sudden presence and assistance. Diego kept mumbling, almost crying, "No, no please…let me go to my father!" Unable to do much more, he collapsed back into the bed. Felipe ran to the kitchen to get another glass of water, while she cleaned the broken glass and spilled water away from the bedside with a towel until they could get Diego settled. All the while she talked to him, watching if he were to try to get up again. Returning with the glass and water, Felipe mixed a dose of the sleeping draught and pain medicine into the liquid, "Here, Father. Drink this," he said quickly, without thinking.

Glazed, shocked eyes looked back as Diego unconsciously swallowed the beverage she practically poured into his mouth. Drinking most of the liquid, he reached up with his good hand to wave off the glass. He never took his eyes off Felipe. Weakly, settling back into the pillows, he reached toward his son.

"You spoke…" Diego gasped. Felipe grasped his father's outstretched hand.

Felipe blushed deeply, and with a shy smile, answered, "Yes, it was to have been your birthday present next month. Happy Birthday… a bit early."

Victoria quietly moved to other side of the bed and stood back, watching the interaction between the two men in front of her. Tears of pride and joy threatened to spill over and down her cheeks.

Diego began to relax as the medicine was absorbed into his system. Without realizing it, Felipe had effectively distracted Diego with his speech from his father's current condition.

"How long…have you been able…to speak?" Diego asked softly, his eyelids starting to droop once again. Felipe sat next to his father in the chair, and Diego further relaxed.

"A couple of months after you heard me speak the first time, I tried again. I stuttered badly, and couldn't pronounce some words. I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. But I did, and worked on it in secret, practicing, planning to surprise you on your birthday next month." He grinned as he looked back at his father. "Toronado keeps secrets very well."

Diego's eyes kept closing on him, and they could tell he was losing his battle with sleep. With his eyes now closed, he chuckled, and then coughed. "Yes, he can…I should have guessed." His statement finished as almost a mumble, and then he spoke up slightly before finally fading off, "I'm proud of you… Thank you. It's the best…"

Felipe looked over at Victoria as Diego drifted off, grinning slightly. "Oh well, so much for next month."

"Well, you definitely got his mind off his father," she chuckled. "I told you he would like it." She returned to the other side of the bed as Felipe rose.

"I'll go back in with Grandfather and relieve Maria. She came running in when she heard you scream, then offered to stay when we heard the noise from in here. I guess I can tell him about my surprise now, too. I hope he won't be angry about our little lie. I'm sure he will now know it was me that he heard that day he caught us talking."

"I'm sure he will understand once he hears your reason," she smiled at her hopefully soon-to-be son. "He will be so proud of you, too."

"We shall see." Felipe returned the smile as he turned to leave, promising to check on them later.

TBC