I cannot help it. I simply love HEA. Particularly, since Vic and Diego in the series didn't have any.
In my original story as planned and posted there was no HEA. And the beginning was slightly different. I said I altered the story a few times and I did, altough never the main line.
However, I did wrote a chapter with a HEA. So here is the story again. Chapter 1 has slightly changed. Chapters 2 till 6 are the same. And chapter 7 is different.
Oh, and by the way, it is nice when you have some knowledge of the episode, Án affaire to remember.
I still love to receive reviews.
None of the characters from the series is mine.
A memorable Christmas. (Altered version of It was the day before Christmas.)
I only see know I even changed the title somewhere making the alterasations.
Chapter 1
Victoria waited impatiently for her great hero to reappear from the back of the cave. "Have they gone?"
"Yes, but they may return." Zorro smiled at the woman sitting in his chair. It felt so right to have her in here. He loved the view and hoped one day, not too long from now. It was a sight he could see every day. "I'm afraid it's time for you to return home." Zorro walks over to his working table, where he pours more of the cactus tea into a bowl, then carries it over to her.
"Oh, I really don't need any more. I am hardly in any pain." Victoria uttered. The liquid, milky stuff he had given her before to ease the pain of a sprained ankle tasted disgusting and made her dizzy in her head.
Zorro kneels in front of her. "There is a side effect to the Indian remedy. A large enough dose induces sleep."
Victoria takes a deep breath as she wonders how to gain his trust? She would never betray him. Only moments prior, Victoria had hoped Zorro was revealing his identity to her. Not that she needed to know, he was the love of her life, and that was all that mattered. Victoria already knew the man he was. "Zorro, I would die before I revealed the secret of your cave," She said, determined, in what she hoped was a convincing manner.
A sorrowful grimace was on his face. "That is what I'm trying to avoid."
"So, you planned this all along?" She tried not to sound bitter. Victoria just wanted him to open up. Trust her, as she did with him. Trust Zorro that whatever he did, he did for the right reason. Just a few minutes before, Victoria believed the man was ready to reveal his identity to her. She was breath taken when he had kneeled before her. His hands, shaking, slowly moving to the knot holding the mask over his face. Her heart had been beating in her throat faster than ever before. Then out of nowhere, there was this noise of bells ringing, or something like that. Zorro had jumped up and run into the corridor leading to another part of his impressive hiding place.
Something must have happened in that corridor. The man that had just come back to her had changed. It hurt her that he didn't trust her. And Victoria felt upset when she considered he might have planned it all before?
She had been close, so close in spending every single moment with the man that lived in her heart. It would be so wonderful if Zorro finally could love her out in the open. As the man he was. They could start building on a life together.
Apologizing, Zorro shakes his head and tries to explain what has changed his mind. "No. I was ready to share everything with you. The location of this cave. My identity. Even my life. But as long as I wear this..."
Diego had wondered many times or was doing the right thing wearing the burden he had placed on his shoulders. There were days he wanted to quit and start living his life the way he wanted. Then something happened. The alcalde did something he could not tolerate. Or Zorro was needed in some other way. And he saw no other way out than to put the mask back on and continue his everlasting struggle. O, there was no denying. Diego loved being the hero he created. The things he could do, the hope he gave people, the help he offered. And he loved even the challenges put on his way to outsmart the bandits and authorities. It challenged his mind, creativity and belief that strength and force could get beaten by cleverness and cunning.
"Victoria, as long as I wear this... mask, I must carry the burden of my secret alone." He holds out the bowl of tea. "Would you do this for us?"
Victoria takes a deep breath. Again this isn't the right moment. Still not someday soon it will be. She had been waiting for years and promised to wait as long as it was going to take. And so she takes the bowl in her hands, brings it to her lips and takes a large gulp from the bitter-tasting liquid.
Zorro grabs her hands and slowly pulls the bowl away from her lips. "You're trembling."
No matter how hard she tried, Victoria could not hide her disappointment. So close, she had been so close. "It's just... Each time I see you might be our last."
Zorro shook his head. "That is not true, Victoria. I will always be with you. I want you to know what is in my heart."
Victoria stuttered. "Yes, but you said... You told me…," It is hopeless. He had told her he wanted to share his life with her. She wanted to share her life with him. Why was this man so damn stubborn? He loved her. Why can't he admit it in the open? What else could she say to convince him she loved him?
"Wait." Zorro puts his hand on her shoulder. "Wait here." He stands up and runs to the doorway leading to the fireplace.
Victoria watches and sees how Zorro run up the stairs in the cave. She is tired, so tired of waiting.
Almost, almost, had Zorro yield to her begging, to reveal himself to her. What would have made him decide otherwise?
She close her eyes. Her mind wanders of to Christmas, over a year ago.
.
(And here the story as posted prior starts.)
The tavern was colourfully decorated, with beautiful Christmas decorations thanks to the de la Vega men. Her pantry was crammed full of dishes filled with food, all for tomorrow.
Don Alejandro had been generous enough to donate a barrel of his special wine to spice up the celebration. And tomorrow morning, many women would bring their speciality to contribute to the feast and place the bowls and plates on the few empty tables left.
There was not one family in or near the pueblo that hadn't baked bread, pie, cookies or something else to participate in the celebration.|
And with a bit of luck, alcalde de Soto kept his ease, and it could be a perfect Christmas this year.
Although. Victoria thought Christmas would only be truly perfect when Zorro made an appearance to visit her. And even more when they could enjoy each other company for a few minutes undisturbed.
For a moment, the tavern owner allowed herself to dream of how Zorro would make his entrance into the tavern while she happened to be alone and just below the mistletoe.
Zorro would not hesitate to pull her into his strong arms and press his lips to hers for a kiss so passionate she felt she could float away on clouds.|
Victoria felt how her cheeks were burning and giggled. Well, who knows? Tomorrow is the big day, and it promised to become a long and tiring day for her. Not that she minded, she loved hosting the annual party and seeing how happy people were.
On Christmas Day, most families spend in their own houses or the houses of close friends.
The day before Christmas, people would gather in the pueblo and attend the mass. Afterwards, they went to the tavern to enjoy plenty of food, followed by the traditional Los Angeles Christmas ball.
Victoria loved the hustle and bustle it all brought. It brought so much joy and togetherness. Friendships were revived or strengthened.
For Christmas Day, as every year, the tavern was closed. And she was invited to spend the day at the de la Vega's hacienda, like every other year. Victoria cared a great deal for the eldest de la Vega man, who always watched over her. And his son was her best and oldest friend.
Victoria turned and walked into the kitchen, for one last round of inspections, after closing everything and before going to her bedroom.
She opened the curtain separating the kitchen from the main room and was surprised to find that she was no longer alone. In the kitchen, a woman who looked vaguely familiar was leaning over a large bowl of biscuits.
"Señora, can I help you?" Victoria asked warily, extending her arm to the broom in the corner, just to be sure.
The woman looked up, and Victoria recognized her instantly.
"Señora Jones. Nice to see you again." Señora Jones and her husband had visited the pueblo in the previous year, and Victoria remembered not having even met a lovelier couple. She let go of the broom, glared around the kitchen to see whether señor Jones was also in her kitchen. When she didn't see the man, fear gave way to worry. "Please tell me, there are no problems for you and your husband, are there?"
Señora Jones walked over to Victoria, kissed her on her cheeks and said, "Señorita Escalante. No, luckily not. Everything is going according to schedule. Although, it does get busier every year. My husband is considering taking on some extra help."
"What can I do for you, señora...eh Jones." Jones wasn't her real name, but it was the name the woman and her husband had introduced themselves with last year when they visited Los Angeles.
Señora Jones tapped Victoria on her cheeks and smiled friendly to the tavern owner. Her own cheeks were as red and round as apples.
"Victoria, dear, please, call me Alma. And I see you baked those delicious cookies of yours again. Do I dare ask you to share your recipe?"
"Uh. Yes, of course. It was my grandmother's recipe. If you have a minute, I'll write it down for you right now."
Mrs Jones placed a hand on Victoria's wrist. "I'd appreciate that, dear.
But it is not the actual reason why I'm here. Though, I'm sure my husband will be very pleased when he hears that I managed to get my hands on your cookie recipe. He still talks about them and how they are the best cookies he ever tasted."
Victoria stuttered, in her head a question was raised why the woman had come to visit her. "Oh, well, thank you, Alma. But if it is not for my cookie recipe, to what do I owe this honour?"
For a moment, it seemed as if the woman did not know where she was or why she was there. Alma was looked at Victoria in amazement.
"O dear, have I come to you?" Alma asked. Seconds later, smiling apologetically. "Of course I have. Now I know. You see, sometimes forget something. Busy, busy, busy, you know. There is always so much to do and so little time." Alma glared around her to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I have come to give you a special Christmas present. But be warned, sometimes you get more than what you wished for. Knowledge and understanding can come with great risks."
"Wishes, risks?" Stammered Victoria, not understanding what the woman was talking about at the same time, curious to find out.
"Yeah, well, where did I put it again." Alma opened her purse and started searching in it. A surprising amount came out, considering how small the handbag was.
A silver mirror and hairbrush. Numerous stacks of letters and drawings. Lace handkerchiefs, necklaces, wooden swords, a slingshot, various dolls and doll clothes, wooden figures of soldiers, buildings, horses in all sizes. In no time, Victoria had both arms full of the craziest trinkets and toys and looked desperately around for a place to put it temporarily, as Señora Claus continued to search for something in her purse, which she apparently couldn't find.
And in amazement, Victoria wondered how all that stuff ever had fit in that handbag, and how señora Claus had ever got it in at all. After a pile of books, a globe, a complete chess game including the game board, a dozen woollen blankets, velvet ribbons in all colours of the rainbow for the hair, two violins, a drum and a flute, it seemed that the purse was finally empty. Every spot in the kitchen that had been free now stood something that came from señora Claus's purse.
"I don't get it. I'm sure I took it with me. I checked it ten times before I left."
Señora Claus held her chin between her thumb and index finger and thought drowsy. She reached into her purse once more and, suddenly, she was holding a rocking horse.
"O, darn. I always have this." Alma gave Victoria an apologetic look. "You think you have packed everything you need, only to find out you forgot the most important thing."
"Well, by the way, I see it, I think it's impressive you were able to take everything with you at all." Victoria was still without words by the sight of all the things in her kitchen and all coming out of the small, red handbag.
Only now did Señora Claus seem aware that the whole kitchen was stuffed with things coming from her bag. "Oh, yes, you know how it goes. You can always fit more in one of these than you think." She simply waved it off.
Well, no, thought Victoria. With her, it was usually the other way around. If she thought something more fitted, it didn't.
Señora Claus had meanwhile started packing again, and one thing after another disappeared, including the rocking horse and a doll house.
"I wouldn't have come had I known I forgot your present. It had taken me weeks to persuade my husband to give it to you. I am so sorry, dear. I can not begin to tell you how annoying and unfortunate I think it all is."
Victoria couldn't help but laugh. Señora Jones was just the sweetest woman she ever met.
"Oh, it is alright, Alma. I don't need anything. I already have everything I could wish for. I am happy, healthy and I have dear friends. I lack nothing. Many are less fortunate than me."
"And this kindness and generosity are exactly why you deserve something special." Señora Claus had packed her purse again, and Victoria turned and grabbed her notepad and a pencil.
"Let me write down the cookie recipe for you, señora. And please give my gift to someone who needs it more than me. Do you want something to eat or drink? You must have a long journey ahead of you. Of course, you are also free to stay. I have a room available if you require resting a bit."
Meanwhile, Victoria was writing the recipe down. She had baked the cookies so many times she could prepare them blindfolded.
"Oh no, thank you, dear. Thank you very much for the offer, but I have to hurry back. My husband won't know what is taking me so long. And we have a lot of work to do before tomorrow."
Señora Claus took the recipe Victoria offered.
"Don't lose it," Remarked Victoria, remembering the contents of the purse and the confused impression that señora Claus made.
"Oh no. I'll keep this one in a safe place and guard it with my life if I must." Carefully, señora Claus folded the piece of paper and put it in her skirt pocket. At that moment, she felt something with her hand.
"Oh no, oh, I feel so stupid."
Señora Claus took her hand out of her pocket and held a small vial the size of a walnut in her hand. "I didn't want to lose it, so I put your present in my pocket." Alma was shaking her head at her stupidity. Señora Claus looked at Victoria while holding the bottle in front of her.
The object was made of crystal and had a whiskey-coloured content. Although, you could immediately see that the liquid was a bit more viscous in substance. She pressed the bottle in the hand of the astonished Victoria.|
"Here you go, Victoria. Your Christmas present from my husband and me."
Out of politeness, Victoria took it. "Thank you, señora. May I ask what it is?" Victoria glared at the strange-looking little vial. She had no idea what the contents could be.
Señora Claus took a deep breath and began to explain.
"This is a special potion. Whoever drinks this can hear the thoughts from whomever he, or she, wishes. All you have to do is look that person briefly in the eye, and their innermost thoughts will be revealed to you as if the person was telling them to you. But as with everything, this drink has its limitations. And there are three."
Señora Claus put her thumb in the air and began to explain.
"First, it's the thoughts you hear. What you hear does not necessarily have to be the truth. Because, as you well know, you can lie to yourself in your mind."
Next, Señora Claus raised her index finger.
"Secondly, you have to look that person in the eye. Being in the same room with the person or standing close to that person is not enough. A second of eye contact is long enough, but there must have been eye contact before you can hear anything. And it lasts only short."
After this, the woman also raised her middle finger.
"And third. It only works once a year. And that is on the day before Christmas. At the moment, it is right after midnight. So if you take it now, it will work until midnight tomorrow. By the twelfth stroke of the church bell, the effect of the potion is gone."
It reminded Victoria of Doctor Wayne's potions. With a blush on her cheeks, she remembered how she had found the bottles. How she bribed sergeant Mendoza to try one, and the sergeant had suddenly seemed super strong.
After that, everything had turned into a great disaster. The idea had been to make Zorro drink from the bottle labelled everlasting love. And make him fall hopelessly for her, and discover his identity.
By accident, it had not been Zorro, but the alcalde who had drunk the wine that had contained the liquid.
What had followed after, Victoria had desperately tried to erase from her memory forever? Thank God, the potion was a mere illusion, and she had come to her senses in time before she had the chance to marry de Soto. Something she was Zorro eternally grateful for.
Señora Claus looked at her questioningly.
"I can understand your hesitation. But Doctor Wayne, yes, I know him too, and I know of his misbehaviour and the noddy things he does. He uses illusion and superstition to make his potions work.
This drink was developed and made by my husband, and it will work. The effect will stop after midnight. I swear to you. I hope it can help you in your quest to find your true love. One last warning, you may make discoveries you wish you had not."
Señora Claus took the vial from Victoria's hands, broke the seal, and took a tiny sip of the contents.
"Trust me, it can change your life and the way you think of some people. And even help you find what you want more than anything."
More thoughts raced through Victoria's mind.
If she was able to hear what people thought, she could find out who Zorro was. Chances were he would come by today to wish her a Merry Christmas, as he had done every time for years. She could expose him if she managed to grab his attention for a moment and make eye contact to try to hear his thoughts.
Señora Claus had explained that eye contact was important. So if she decided not to, she wouldn't hear anything. The potion only worked for a day. What did she have to lose?
Señor and Señora Claus had convinced her years ago that there was such a thing as magic.
Would she celebrate Christmas next year, married to Zorro? Maybe even holding a baby in her arms? Wasn't her love for Zorro worth the risk?
Victoria took the vial that Señora Claus held out to her with an outstretched arm. She raised it to her lips, closed her eyes, threw her head back, and the liquid ran down her throat in one go.
The liquid tasted of nothing. Victoria could not detect a specific taste.
When she opened her eyes again, señora Claus was gone, and she was alone again in the kitchen, which looked exactly as when she had walked in. The only difference was that she was now alone in her kitchen.
.
.