Chapter 49

The Wedding

The church was filled with friends, family and townspeople. Lolita Quintero walked down on the aisle on the arm of her father. Lolita's lace mantilla which had been worn by her mother cascaded over her dark hair and her dress accentuated her slim figure. I am a fortunate man, Rafael gazed at her adoringly. Diego patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, lending his cousin support as a best man should. Don Luis gently placed her hand in Rafael's. The best man glanced at the bride who was simply radiant. He couldn't be happier for his cousin and Lolita. They were made for each other, he thought.

Don Alejandro smiled as Rafael and Lolita exchanged vows. My boys have done well for themselves, the old don thought. The promise of grandchildren made him wish that his beloved Elena was here to share the joy. If only we could have had more time together, he thought. Now was not the time for regrets and the caballero knew that Elena was smiling down on him and their son. His wife was fond of Victoria and would have approved of the match. She had been a dear friend of Victoria's mother despite their differences in class and station. Though the two senoras was physically different, they both shared a love for the land, their families and a spontaneity that was contagious. Don Alejandro was proud of his son and pleased with the direction that his life had taken. The caballero was filled with hope and knew that the future of the de la Vegas was in good hands.

The Reception

After the couple and the guests danced the traditional 'seguidillas manchegas' accompanied by the band Rafael's father hired, the newly married couples moved from table to tables personally distributing small wedding favors. The guests in turn handed wedding gifts to the newlyweds. Diego toasted the couple wishing them happiness in marriage and a long life together. Rafael spontaneously hugged his cousin in return…The de la Vegas were united in their delight with the union of the young man and the woman that he loved…

Hours later…Diego and Victoria's Bedroom

"It was an exciting day," Victoria smiled, "Rafael and Lolita certainly looked happy. Almost as happy as we were on our wedding day."

"Everything worked out exactly as it should have. They have a bright future ahead of them and so do we. Father certainly enjoyed himself. He looks on Rafael as another son. Now, his focus will be on welcoming the newest de la Vega," her husband smiled, "I think he will pleased whether we have a boy or a girl."

"He has been hinting that he would like a grandson to carry on the de la Vega name, but I know that a daughter of ours would have him wrapped around her little finger."

"That wouldn't be unusual considering the fact that her mother already has him wrapped around her finger. There is nothing that he wouldn't do for you, Victoria. He loves you like the daughter he never had," Diego admitted, "I shudder to think what would have happened if I had married anyone else…"

"Like Zafira, perhaps. I am glad that you didn't marry her. You belong to me, Diego de la Vega with or without a mask. There is no one else that I would rather be with…"

"Not even…Juan Ortiz. You had quite a crush on him when we were younger…He was very enamored of you," her husband teased, "but so were most of the young men in the pueblo including me…I was pleased that you hadn't married when I returned from Spain…"

"Is that why you almost married Zafira? Was it because you were lonely, Diego," Victoria wondered, "it must have been hard for you…to so young and so far away from home…"

"It was and when your father wrote that other men were interested in you…not only for your beauty but because you were an independent woman…I was afraid that you would be married with several children by the time that I returned home," he said as he caressed her stomach, "thank God that you were still single when I came home…"

"I can't imagine being with anyone else or see them as the father of my child. We were meant to be together. I think from the time that we were children…you always stood out from the other caballeros," Victoria ran her fingers through his dark hair, "I should have known that you were the man underneath the mask."

"People only see what they want to see…your inability to see through my disguise…and father's….saved my life on many occasions…without your faith in me…I don't know how I would have been able to go on. If not for Felipe's bravery and his help over the past few years…I don't know what I would have done….I am a blessed man…I don't take that for granted," the tall caballero kissed his wife once more, "all I need is right here in my arms."

"I couldn't agree with you more, Diego," Victoria said as she snuggled closer to him, "our lives together have been a wonderful adventure with more to come."

The Quintero Hacienda…

Don Luis sipped his wine contentedly. All was right with the world now that Rafael and Lolita were now man and wife…My daughter is happily married to a man that I respect and admire…He would miss seeing his little dove at the hacienda every day but he knew that she was in good hands…The couple had decided on a smaller ranchero a few miles away from the Quinteros but it was good land…fertile and filled with possibilities…If anyone could make a good of it…he was sure that his new son-in-law was the man for the job. Rafael was determined to make a name for himself and his father-in-law couldn't be prouder of the man that his daughter would spend the rest of her life with…Life is good, he thought.

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