~Z~
Chapter 7 At Last, Zorro Settles Down
The next several months were definitely interesting. Diego and Victoria had begun to publicly be a couple. Victoria had remained cordial with him as Zorro in front of everyone and was successful in keeping everyone from realizing that Diego was Zorro. Everyone just assumed that she still had feelings for Zorro when she blushed around Zorro, or the affection she had for Zorro was written all over her face. They had been much more careful when kissing or being affectionate when he was still in his disguise. If they heard anyone coming they would quickly stop what they were doing and pretend to be conversing as friends.
Diego had planned a surprise for Victoria over the last week, but his father was the man he had turned to for help. He had already proposed to Victoria as Zorro once before. They had continued their engagement after all truth had been revealed between them. Even Sargent Mendoza could tell something was up as Diego couldn't stop smiling as he sat in the tavern watching Victoria.
His father loudly cleared his throat and called everyone to attention and announced, "As you all know I am Don Alejandro de la Vega and I would like to announce that my son Don Diego de la Vega and Victoria Escalante will be getting married this afternoon." Everyone cheered and continued to pat Diego on the back. From the back of the tavern De Soto loudly said with satisfaction, "Poor Zorro, he has officially lost the Senorita to another man!" Diego and Victoria looked at each other and silently laughed.
As the lunch crowd settled and dispersed Diego led Victoria outside to where a path of flower petals had been strewn all the way over to the church. He held Victoria's hand as they walked towards the Padre who was waiting for them. As if it was all a dream that he could scarcely believe he and Victoria had exchanged their vows and were married before something else could happen to keep them apart. Victoria leaned over and whispered to him, "Zorro I have finally gotten you to marry me!" Diego softly laughed and enjoyed their private joke.
They waved to everyone as they left the church as a newly married couple. Diego gave a special wave to De Soto who had come to watch only to see if Zorro would show up to stop the wedding. They left for the hacienda, but knew exactly where they wanted to go to find privacy. Victoria leaned into Diego's arms as the wagon carried them home. Diego would have to help her find someone to help look after her tavern at night as he looked forward to having her move in with him.
When they arrived at the hacienda they quickly snuck into the cave. Felipe was away at school preparing for becoming a lawyer and wouldn't be there to disturb them. "So Zorro, what shall I do with you now that you are all mine?" Victoria asked him. Diego gave her a longing look and said, "Your wish is my command." He bowed before her and gave her a devilish grin. "Just curious, what made you finally tell me about who you really are?" Victoria asked him as she teased him by running her fingers through his hair.
Diego attempted to explain about the accident and how he had travelled to the future. "I honestly wasn't sure if I would ever see you again." he told her as he thought about James and Zorra and how he wished they could have been at their wedding. He showed her the photographs of James and Zorra when she didn't quite believe him and the clothing from the future that he had discovered had been sent back with him. They began to kiss as if they were completely alone in the cave. Unfortunately there was another set of eyes around not impressed by having to watch them kissing. Toronado snorted loudly as he interrupted them. Diego began to have a man to horse talk with Toronado about the changes that would be taking place in the cave now that Victoria was his wife. Toronado would have to get used to his displays of affection as Victoria would be visiting Zorro's cave more often.