The story bellow, its co-writed with my dear friend and colleague ChibiDawn23 and it also posted on AO3 account, for who want to read her version better than mine.
So, as for the plot, its an AU storyline for the episodes 21 till 23 from the season 2 of Disney´s Zorro. But at the end, Victoria, from New World Zorro will make a cameo.
Anyway, i will not tell more of it, otherwise i will spoil our story.
Hope you like.
Have a good reading.
CHAPTER ONE
When Diego was only 10 years old, his father, Don Alejandro De La Vega, had to return to Spain for a small business trip, to sign an important contract related to the ceramics company in which he was a partner.
It was then, on that day in 1804, that he embarked on the voyage, promising his wife Paula and their son Diego that in three months he would be back with much news and many gifts. Still, Alejandro couldn't help but shed a few tears as he waved to his family at the port.
Once arriving in Madrid, after a long and tiring trip, in which many crew members fell ill, Alejandro hurried to meet with the advisors of that company to discuss its future, perhaps deciding to sell it to another even larger company.
''You are intending to give up the company, de la Vega?'' asked his partner.
''Not the whole company, my dear Roberto, the thing is, I'm settled in California right now, I have a family there and intend to remain in California, if I keep my fair share of this company, I will be obliged to come here every now and then and it is not my intention to leave my family. Other than that, I started a cattle business that seems to be going well.''
''I understand,'' said Roberto. ''I can help you open a branch of the company in California if it interests you. How long are you intending to stay?''
''Three months at most,'' replied Alejandro.
''Right then, we can settle everything within that timeframe, you won't regret this decision,'' smiled Roberto, and the two men shook hands.
_/_
During the time he was in Spain, while he wasn´t deciding the future of his company, as promised, Alejandro spent shopping, looking for gifts to buy for his family; toys that Dieguito would love to play with, and dresses he was sure that when she wore them, his wife Paula would be the most beautiful woman in all Los Angeles. Among those gifts was an expensive brooch, made of gold and esmeralda that Alejandro was sure Paula would fall in love with. ''It looks like it was made for her.'' He laughed and placed it carefully in his pocket.
Nights, on the other hand, were when he missed his family most. When he wasn´t dealing with contracts or buying gifts, he spent his evenings at the tavern, drinking in solitude and counting the days until he could go back home to Diego and Paula.
One night, however, after another exhausting meeting, Alejandro was sitting alone at the tavern, having his dinner, when a beautiful woman who worked at the tavern approached him.
"Are you gentleman alright?" asked Penelope, the woman in question.
"Si, I am. Who are you?" he asked.
"My name is Penelope Cabrillo, I have seen you alone most of the time at this tavern and got concerned, so I decided to come and ask if you are alright. '' She looked at him up and down. He would be certainly a wonderful paying customer.
''I appreciate your concern, Senorita Penelope, now I must bid my good night.'' Alejandro smiled politely and left without saying another word.
Still, in the nights that followed, Penelope continued to approach Alejandro, trying small conversations and without them realizing it, they became friends. Penelope was a good person after all and Alejandro loved the company of someone to talk to and share stories with.
''You know Don Alejandro, you are very lucky to have a family waiting for you,'' she said. ''I long for it too.''
''No te preocupes Penelope, you will find someone to love one day. You are a pretty woman, I know you will,"' he said, and with a smile, they changed the subject.
One afternoon on a rare moment of time to himself, Alejandro found himself downstairs in the tavern regaling Penelope with stories about his wife and son. "You are a woman of good taste," he said during a break in the conversation.
"Why else would I spend my afternoon with you?" she teased back.
Alejandro reached into his pocket and pulled out the brooch. He held it out to her. "Do you think my Paula will like this?" He smiled, embarrassed. "I am having second thoughts about it. Perhaps it is too extravagant."
Penelope ran her fingers over the gold and emerald frame. "Oh no, Alejandro. It is beautiful!" she gasped. "She will love it!"
Alejandro nodded, looking relieved. He held out a hand for it, touching Penelope's hand lightly. "Gracias for your opinion."
_/_
As the weeks went on, Penelope and Alejandro met nearly every evening in the tavern when Alejandro had concluded work. Two lonely souls spoke to each other of their lives and their futures. A few nights later, Alejandro's loneliness and Penelope's fondness for him resulted in the two of them moving their conversation to Alejandro's room.
A few nights later, Penelope lay next to a sleeping Alejandro, one hand on his chest. Her eyes fell on his jacket, thrown carelessly over a chair in the corner. She thought of the brooch in his pocket. He is so kind to me, and I know how much he loves his wife. I will never stand a chance with him. But that brooch…I could leave this tavern, leave this life…
Slowly, she untangled herself from his arms and tiptoed across the room. She looked back. Alejandro stretched and rolled over in his sleep. Penelope waited a few moments. Then, she slipped the brooch from his pocket.
Alejandro awoke to sunlight on his face and an empty bed. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, stretching. There was a long day of business ahead. As he picked up his jacket, he noticed that it felt lighter. Frowning, he ran his fingers through his pocket.
The brooch was gone.
He searched the room from top to bottom, but there was no sign of it. His heart sank as he realized the only other alternative. Penelope. He could not believe it. She had seemed so genuine, so kind, so…
There was a pit in his stomach that grew in intensity as his actions sank in. Furiously, he threw on his clothes and stomped downstairs, searching for her. "Innkeeper!" he yelled, startling several patrons who were up enjoying breakfast. "The young woman who works here-Penelope Cabrillo. Where is she?"
"I have not seen her this morning," the innkeeper informed him.
Alejandro swore. He had to find her. He threw open the front door and ran into another man coming in. "Perdon," he said tersely.
The man looked at him. "Are you Alejandro de la Vega?" he questioned.
"Si,"Alejandro replied impatiently. "I do not have time right now-"
"Senor de la Vega, it is your wife and son."
Alejandro whirled back around. "What news?" he demanded.
"Senor, your wife and son are sick with the flu," the messenger explained. "Your presence is requested in California as soon as possible. There is a ship leaving this evening."
Alejandro's blood ran cold. His only thought was of his family. "Senor, please secure me passage on that journey. I will gather my things."
"Si, Senor de la Vega," the man nodded.
Alejandro rushed upstairs, throwing his things into his trunk haphazardly. His hands shook as he packed. Please, God. Please let Paula and Diego be all right. Please don't let me be too late.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around. Penelope stepped back in fright. "Alejandro?" she questioned, looking curiously at him. "You…you are leaving?"
He slammed the lid shut. "My family is ill. I must return home."
"Oh, Alejandro," she murmured. "I am so sorry. I-"
He grabbed her shoulder. "Are you so sorry that you would steal from me, Penelope?" he asked. "Where is the brooch?"
"T-the brooch?" she questioned, feigning innocence. "I do not know-"
"Do not lie to me, Senorita Cabrillo!"
She jerked away. "Let go of me, Alejandro. I have done nothing!"
"You are a liar. I cannot believe after all this time…the nights that we…that you could do something like this!"
Penelope's eyes flashed. "And you?" she accused. "I did not wake up beside myself, Alejandro. You are just as complicit in this whole affair."
Alejandro saw red…because he knew she was right. But his stubborn Spanish pride would not allow him to admit it. "I will never speak of this," he told her. "And if my family did not need me, I would turn you in to la policia."
"Then go back to them, Alejandro de la Vega!" Penelope replied. "Go back to your family and live with your guilt!"
He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He walked past her without another word.
_/_
Alejandro's trip home was miserable. When he closed his eyes, his dreams alternated between dreams of Penelope, the accusing eyes of his wife…and the pale face of his son. He was furious with himself, the feelings of weakness for getting involved with Penelope, and the pit in his stomach from the thought that he may not return home in time.
Alejandro jumped off the wagon before the wheels stopped turning, rushing into the hacienda and finding his wife and son lying in the master bedroom. Paula's breaths came in shallow gasps, and Diego…oh, Dieguito. The little boy looked so small and frail on the large bed. Alejandro moved to his side, gently cradling him in his arms as he sat carefully on the bed.
Diego's brown eyes fluttered open. "Papa," he whispered. "You're back…"
Alejandro gently tucked a stray lock of hair away from his face. "Si, m'ijo, Papa is back. Do not worry. Everything will be all right. Go back to sleep." He kissed his son on the forehead and turned his attention to his wife.
"Paula," he whispered, pulling a chair up next to her. She did not open her eyes, so Alejandro took her hand in his. Exhausted from the trip both physically and mentally, he fell asleep next to her.
The doctor arrived later that evening. After checking mother and son over, he stepped out into the hall to give Alejandro his prognosis. "Your son, he is not as ill. I expect him to make a full recovery." He smiled. "Your son is a fighter, Don Alejandro."
"I know it," Alejandro replied. "And…Paula?"
The doctor's smile faded. "I am afraid…her outlook is not so good, senor."
Alejandro paled. "What…what are you saying?" he stammered, hoping desperately that he had heard wrong.
"It is possible she may not recover," the doctor told him simply.
"No." Alejandro shook his head in disbelief. After all this…Santa Maria, please. "Get out," he told the doctor.
The doctor looked confused. "Senor, I-"
"Go!" Alejandro roared. The doctor stepped out of the way hurriedly and Alejandro slammed the bedroom door behind him as he went inside. Inside, he took his vigil next to Paula, taking her hands in his. "My Paula, querida…I am so sorry…so very sorry…I should have been here. I-"
He thought of Penelope Cabrillo and cursed himself inwardly.
"Alejandro…?"
Paula was looking at him. "Mi amor…welcome home…" she whispered. He choked out a cry of happiness as her eyes closed again.
The doctor's outlook had been correct. Diego was better within days…but nearly a week after Alejandro had returned from Spain, Paula was gone.
_/_
Years passed, all the memories of those months in Spain left Alejandro's mind, who dedicated himself only to his son and the rancho, which had brought him fortune in beautiful California.
Then one day, in August of 1821, a carriage from San Pedro arrived in Los Angeles. Inside the coach were three passengers: two men, and a girl of about 17 years old named Anita Cabrillo.