Chapter 28

On tiptoe, Diego crept back into the bedroom. In the east, the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon.
The light got not blocked by curtains. Yesterday, before going to bed, they had forgotten to close them. And when Diego had got up later that night, he had not wanted to risk waking Victoria.
Victoria lay in a slightly different position than he had left her.
After their impetuous lovemaking, they had done what Diego suspected got done for centuries.
Just as so many couples before them, they talked.
Together, imagining what was to change when their love was to get blessed with the arrival of a child.

Naturally, things could go wrong. It was not like they had a saying in the matter.
They had talked about the most absurd things. Or it was to be a boy or a girl. The colour of the eyes, the name, and so many other things.
Diego knew there were still some crates containing his baby things. First, his mother had saved them. While hoping for a second child to be born someday. After her early death, his father had, as far as Diego knew, just never gone into the room that had been the nursery.
After he had told Victoria, she had already planned to go to the nursery and see whether some things were still useable.

And he had already suggested going to Santa Paula to buy everything else, might be needed.
Apart from things such as a cradle, diapers and clothes, he had no idea what such a little one might need.
Yes, love, but that was one thing their child would never be lacking.
Maria had estimated it could take eight months or longer before he was to meet his child. Diego couldn't wait to see Victoria holding their baby in her arms.
He carefully pushed aside the covers and crawled into bed next to his wife.

Somewhere long after midnight, Victoria had fallen asleep. He had been too excited to even think about sleep.
To give Victoria her rest, Diego had gone to the cave. First, he had told Toronado the good news. Second, he had stared ahead for a long time with a wide grin.
Then he took a piece of wood from the worktable and started cutting using a knife.
It was to be his first gift of many.

Victoria stirred slightly. In her sleep, she crept closer to him. She laid a hand on his chest and made a satisfied grunt. Diego relaxed, closing his eyes.
As the sun slowly climbed higher into the sky, he dozed off.

Diego woke up again when the sun was high in the sky. A glance outside told him it was around half-past eight. Victoria was wide awake and had a playful grin on her face.

"Good morning, mi sleeping beauty."
She pressed a quick kiss to his mouth.
"I thought I was the one who needed more sleep."

Diego growled something unintelligible and hoisted himself up, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
"I was up for a few hours last night. I couldn't sleep and didn't want to disturb you. That's why, at some point, I just went to the cave." He explained.

"I suspected something like that. You still have your trousers on.
Shall we get out? Your father must be anxious to see us by now."

Half an hour later, Victoria and Diego walked into the dining room. His father was indeed sitting down waiting for breakfast in the company of Felipe.

"Buenos Días." He greeted the couple and started pouring coffee. "We have been waiting for you. Sit down, sit down. We need to hurry a bit if we want to get to the pueblo in time for the church service."
Alejandro sat up a little straighter and looked expectantly from Diego to Victoria.
He was shining with happiness.
"And?" He could no longer contain his enthusiasm.

"What?" Diego inquired casually, taking a sip.

Alejandro glared at Victoria while he beckoned his head to Diego. "Have you told...eh...? You know."

Victoria put her fork beside the plate, smiling.

A broad smile appeared on Diego's face. "Yes, father. We do indeed have something to talk about." Diego looked briefly at Felipe, who was also already waiting with a grin for the official announcement of something they all knew.
"Father, Felipe. Victoria and I hope to become parents soon. She is expecting a child."

Alejandro clapped his hands together, barely avoiding jumping off his chair into the air.
"Victoria, my dear,"
The don rose off his chair, took the hand of the woman sitting beside him in his, in an elegant manner, placed a kiss on it.
"We didn't come to it yesterday. Forgive me, and allow me to congratulate you."

Also, Felipe had risen to his feet, conveying his congratulations by a firm embrace for both Diego and Victoria.

Naturally, during breakfast, the conversation was about nothing else but the upcoming baby.

Alejandro uttered the question he had been thinking of all night. "I get that you two want to hold off on the public announcement for some while longer. But can you give me some timeframe on when I can tell my friends I will become a grandfather?"

Diego was sipping from his coffee. "Isn't that for Victoria and me to tell? He asked his father. "We haven't given it a thought when to tell everyone." It was one of the few things about which they hadn't talked.

His father disagreed on the matter. "Son, in this case, I think I have a bit more rights than in normal circumstances. It is you to blame for this has taken so long.
For years, you made me wait while you knew, all along, who was to become the mother of my grandchildren. I am not blaming Victoria, and I am even willing to forgive you, but it does give me some privileges."

Diego's mouth fell open, astonished.

Victoria had to cover her mouth with her hand, some coffee pouring out her nose. She hiccuped up twice before she managed to say,
"We'll like to keep it quiet for the moment. In a few weeks, we will tell everyone. And I'd like to be the one telling my helpers. After I told them, the two of you can sort things out by yourselves."

Alejandro smiled triumphally, determined to ride to the pueblo the second he got permission.

.

After a quick breakfast, the four of them hurried outside.
Fortunately, Felipe had already hitchhiked the carriage, which saved some time.
Felipe took his place on the driving seat. The rest seated themselves on the benches in the back. Alejandro insisted Victoria was to face forwards.

Once in motion, Alejandro asked.
"Diego, I actually forgot to ask you something yesterday. How did you get the correct keys to unlock Francisco's handcuffs?"

Diego chuckled.
"A few years ago, you were acting alcalde for a while. Zorro then took the opportunity to make a few wax imprints of all the keys present.
Zorro always has a key to the pillory, the handcuffs, to the office with him. Rather convenient, I can tell you."

"And both Ramon and de Soto never noticed this?" The old don asked sceptic.

"Judging by de Soto's reaction, I assume he never even suspected."

Alejandro chuckled boyishly. "Son, you never cease to amaze me."

.

After the church service, Victoria walked beside Alejandro out of the church. She stopped and looked towards the cemetery. "I like to visit my mother's grave. Do you mind waiting?"

Alejandro gave her a little squeeze in her arm. "Of course not, dear. You go and take as long as you need."

Diego came, standing beside his father, clearing his throat, "I'll come with you. We can tell my mother as well." He glared at his father. "Although, my suspicion is she already knows."

The old don's eyes seemed a little watery, uttering. "From the moment I suspected."

Diego let out a sigh. He should have known. "Can you wait a minute? I'll be right back."

Diego walked back to the padre, who was saying goodbye to the last of the attendees of today's service.
He asked something, and Victoria saw how the padre nodded in agreement. Together, the men walked back into the church. Not much later, Diego returned, holding two white roses in his hand.
He gave one to Victoria and the other to his father.

"Gracias." She whispered when their hands made contact.

Victoria took the arm Alejandro offered her. Followed by Diego and Felipe, the four slowly walked towards the cemetery.

The first grave they stopped was that of Felicidad de la Vega. She had been one of the first settlers to find her final resting place in the Los Angeles soil next to the church when it was still under construction.
Alejandro placed his rose on her grave. "I'm sure she's as delighted with the news as I am. Felicidad loved you both, and she cared a great deal for children."

Diego was standing beside his father. Both of the men paused to remember the woman.

Alejandro and Felipe stayed behind, while Victoria and Diego walked on to the grave three rows further.

"Our mothers were good friends. If your father has already told your mother, mine probably already knows."
Victoria remarked as she was standing next to the modest, white tombstone having her mother's name engraved on it, holding Diego's hand. She felt upset and had a sorrowful expression on her face.
"I still miss her every day, you know. At moments like this, the pain is worse."

"I know. There isn't a day passing I don't think of mine." Diego let go of her hand, placed his arms around her shoulders and let Victoria lean to his chest. "Both our mothers would have been amazing grandmothers. And your father? Had he been alive, he would have fought my father for who was to spoil our child the most."

Victoria couldn't help feeling a smile crawl onto her face.

Diego swallowed before he said. "I'm sure Maria will be more than willing to give you all the well-meaning motherly advice you could wish for."

"Si, and I'm very fond of her." She bit on her lip. "Still, it's not the same."

Victoria and Diego lingered for a moment, both missing the parents they had wanted to spend more time with.
After a few more minutes, they returned to the carriage, where Alejandro and Felipe were already waiting for them.

.

Once back at the hacienda and after a Sunday lunch, the men went into the cave. Diego wanted to start working on getting Zorro's supply of explosives back in order. His father was burning with curiosity and couldn't wait to see how Diego and Felipe made them.
Victoria took the opportunity to have some privacy, to dream of the near future. She chose one of her favourite spots. On a comfortable bench, in the shade near the fragrant roses and lavender bushes.
Ever since she had taken over the care of the garden, it got better maintained.

The main reason the garden hadn't got neglected over the past few years was mostly due to the herbs Diego grew.
And the responsibility Alejandro felt to take care of something his late wife had loved.
Diego simply lacked the time. The free time he did had Victoria rather prefer he spends with her instead of hoeing and taking out weeds.
Alejandro enjoyed the beauty of the garden. He disliked the amount of time it took to maintain the beauty. Felipe preferred to spend time helping Diego over the dull work of removing weeds every single time.
The one who did help her, every time he had some minutes to spare, was Manuel.

Victoria took a seat on the bench and opened the book she had brought, which Diego had recommended.
After about an hour, Victoria decided to bring some refreshments to the cave when she noticed a rider approaching. It didn't take long before she recognized Manuel. She hurried inside to warn the men in the cave.

Manuel was just getting off his horse when the front door opened.
Alejandro was the first to step outside to welcome the help.
"We saw you coming."

Alejandro quickly recounted what had happened since the man's departure.
Manuel told them that the magistrate had not been in San Diego.
He confessed to feeling relieved Zorro had once again saved the day, regretting, he hadn't seen Zorro come flying in.
Victoria quickly prepared a plate with what was left of the lunch to feed the hungry man.
After this, Alejandro gave Manuel the rest of the day and the next day off to recover. Diego and Felipe went to the stables to take care of Jupiter.

.

In the evening at bedtime, in the privacy of their bedroom, Victoria brushed her hair while Diego took off his clothes. He casually remarked, "My father has found a new favourite topic of conversation. He tried very hard to ask questions on how I make my time-delay fuses. But every other sentence, he began talking over how wonderful it is you're pregnant."
Diego came up behind her, wearing only his chamber robe, and pressed his mouth to the tip of her crown.

Victoria uttered. "Let him be. Our child is going to have only one grandparent. It's nice to see your father enough enthusiasm for all four."

Diego knelt beside her, and she leaned her back against the broad chest.

"Besides, I can't blame him. It's also rapidly becoming my favourite subject." Victoria confessed.

"Mine too." His lips glided over her forehead. "Tomorrow, I plan to go to the pueblo as early as possible. Pablo will have finished his articles for the Guardian. I expect he had written a rather large piece on the encounters yesterday.
Before it can get printed, I need to see it for approval and remove the errors."

"Can I come with you? I want to look for fabrics to make some blankets. And I like to buy some new curtains. The ones hanging in the nursery are so old. If it is all right with you, I mean."

"You know all too well you don't need my approval. If you see something to your liking, buy it. If not, I already planned to take you to Santa Paula and buy whatever you think our little one needs."

"Oh, Diego, I still can't believe it is happening."

From behind his back, Diego pulled out a small package.
"This is for our little one. You open it."

"What is this?"
Curious, Victoria started to pull the ribbon loose.
She held her breath when she saw the rattle Diego had made. He had decorated with fine woodcarvings.

"My first present. I had to do my best to beat my father to it. He wants to go to San Fernando and order a saddle."

Victoria sputtered with laughter, "It will be years before our child can ride a horse."

"Looks like our little one is to bring lots of joy to this hacienda."

"It already makes me very happy. At the moment, I don't know what there is left to wish for.
Except, I hope we get the chance to see our grandchildren born."

Diego asked. "And then you call my father premature?"

At the same time, Victoria and Diego burst into laughter.

"What I mean was I hope to see our children grow up to become adults, for when we see our grandchildren getting born, it will mean we'll grow old together."

Gently, Diego bit her shoulder.
"That is my dearest wish. Victoria, you have made me so happy."

"Not half as happy as you make me."

"If you hadn't come to me at the mill, it might have taken years before I gathered the courage to tell you the truth."
Diego saw in the mirror how a smile spread across her face.

Victoria said, "Let's not dwell about the past. That is not going to help. Let's look to the future. And it seems to be a bright future."

His hand almost covered her entire belly.
"I look forward to it."

.

The following morning, when Alejandro heard of the plans to go to the pueblo, he decided to join them.

Diego asked Felipe. "Felipe, will you be joining us?"

Felipe shook his head and said. "I stay at the hacienda. Toronado's stable requires a good cleaning."

"It will be nice should you be willing to do that."

Alejandro walked into the stable and saw that Diego had almost finished saddling the horses.
Immediately the don showed his disapproval.
"Don't you think it would be better to go by carriage, considering your wife's situation? You ought to tell her she can't ride any longer. And should Victoria insists on riding, the old mare might be a better choice. As you know, Pandora can be a bit impetuous at times."

Diego checked the mare's girths a second time. "And you think she will listen to me? She better not hear you." He took a saddle off the stable door to place it on Esperanza's back.
"Victoria knows what she's doing. She may be a little impulsive. She will never do anything dangerous, risking harming our child."
Diego saw how Alejandro crossed his arms over his shoulder, raising his left eyelid.
"Well, you're right. She will, but not deliberately," Diego admitted. "I prefer knowing she is riding above her, doing something riskier.
And by the way, how did you know she was pregnant?"

Alejandro was patting Dulcinea as he answered. "One day, she had a different sparkle in her eyes. It was just there. Then I noticed she looked more radiant. I can't tell you how I saw it. I just did."

Diego promised himself to observe his wife closer over the next few days to see if he could detect a difference in her eyes. He concealed the inner smile, thinking of the prospect.

Not much later, Diego lifted Victoria into the saddle. As had become customary over the years when the de la Vegas went somewhere together, Diego let his father set the pace.
At a slow pace, it took them over half an hour. The three arrived in the pueblo.

The tavern looked filled to his limits with people. There wasn't a chair or bench left to sit on, and dozens of customers needed to stand.

Pilar looked relieved when she saw it was Victoria entering.
"Glad to see you. Will you, please, come and help us? I'm going crazy."

From the entire region, people had come to the pueblo. The words of what had happened had reached the most remote farms.
The ones present in the pueblo when Zorro made his entrance liked to tell the story. Correcting one and another when a mistake got made. The ones who hadn't been present that day couldn't get enough of hearing about it, wanting to make sure they got told every little detail.
A group of men told, over and over how Zorro had made a spectacular appearance, saved an innocent man from certain death, and managed to free his horse out of the military stables single-handedly.
And then there was the news of how the alcalde got replaced, at least temporarily.

Diego kissed Victoria lightly on the cheek. He couldn't stop her even if he wanted to. Not when she was needed in her tavern. "Go ahead. I'll pick you up around siesta time. Is that all right?"
On his way out, he too was grabbed by the arm up to three times and given a detailed account of how Zorro had flown through the air like a bird.

In the plaza were several merchants present who had displayed their wares, beside the usual fruit and vegetables. There was an older woman he had seen before. She sold a variety of mainly wicker baskets.
Diego's eyes fell on a small puppet dressed in bright woollen colours.
The woman asked half a peso for the puppet.
He took two pesos from his pocket, handed them to the woman, and took the item from her.
Whistling, he walked on to the office. The door was standing open. Diego got greeted by Pablo as he entered.

.

Together with Victoria, Diego sat under the big tree, just a stone's throw from the cave.
On the blanket, they had brought with them, lay a variety of food.
Victoria leaned her back against the sturdy trunk. His head rested in the soft cushion being her lap, and now and then, he opened his mouth, so she could place a piece of fruit in his mouth.

This morning, Zorro had set off before dawn to look for two cattle thieves he had heard about in the tavern.
He had only returned shortly before noon.
Instead of having a nap or, doing one of the many chores that awaited him, Victoria had proposed to go on a picnic.
Diego had been an easy target to get persuaded.

A few days ago, it got announced that de Soto had resigned from his job and would return to Spain on the next ship. The ship would depart from San Diego at the beginning of the following month.
Diego had already wondered what could be the reason for the sudden change of heart.
Except that de Soto was getting too hot under his feet. He suspected that de Soto had given up hope of becoming alcalde of Los Angeles again.
That was the reason why he preferred leaving Los Angeles while he had some dignity left.
The dons, therefore, had decided to send out a request to Monterey, suggesting the new alcalde get selected by an election.
After the letter had got signed by all the dons and the Carvajal brothers. Corporal Sanchez and another lancer got given the important task of getting the letter to Monterey as quickly as possible.

Diego did not want to think about it all for a while.
It was a pleasant waste of time to linger in the shade on a lazy afternoon in the company of his wife. Victoria had prepared some of his favourite foods, and the weather was glorious. Toronado had completely recovered. And like any father-to-be and very much in love, he just enjoyed spending time with his wife.
His wife! Every time he said the words in his head, he felt a loving glow in his heart.
Diego believed to have seen some small changes in her body, once or twice. He had to admit his father was right on one thing. Victoria looked more radiant than ever.

Victoria fed him a grape, putting a piece of peach in her own mouth after she said. "What are you thinking about?"

The slightly sweet fruit spluttered between his jaws. "You."

.

.

What do you think? Too much sweetness?
What did you expect?
They just found out she is pregnant!

The next chapter will be better, I promise.

And hasn't she made him a nice fruit salad. ;)