Chapter 5
The de la Vega hacienda...
The family sat at the dinner table enjoying the companionship and marveled at the changes that had taken place. Desoto's lancers patrolled the countryside more often and bandits were becoming less of a problem. Zorro was still needed on occasion but the people trusted the lancer's ability to protect the pueblo. Felipe's adoption was proceeding as planned and most of the final details were being worked out. Life settled into a familiar rhythm and the family was encouraged by the events...
"It has been a wonderful evening, Victoria. I am so glad that my son invited you to dine with us this evening," Alejandro smiled, "we always enjoy the pleasure of your company, my dear." Hopefully, there will be more evenings like this in the near future..
"Gracias, Don Alejandro."
"This house full of bachelors sorely needs a woman's touch. It has been much too long," the old caballero said as Maria gathered the last of the dishes from the table.
Not too subtle...Are you, Father, Diego thought as he rolled his eyes slightly.
"Why don't the two of you take a walk in the garden, son? The roses are especially beautiful this time of year. Felipe and I need to finish our game of chess. Come, Felipe," Don Alejandro and Felipe quickly excused themselves giving the couple the opportunity to be alone.
"My father is not too subtle, Victoria. Is he?"
"No, I am afraid not but it sounds like a wonderful idea." Diego offered Victoria his arm and they walked out to beauty of the garden. Diego caressed the petals of a yellow rose and offered it to Victoria. They sat quietly for several moments simply enjoying the starry night and each another's company. It was time to share his secret with her. They had been apart for much too long.
"There is something that I've been meaning to tell you for a long time..." Diego seemed hesitant almost afraid of her response…
"The man behind this mask is afraid of only one thing in this world. That you love a hero with whom he cannot possibly compete. That if this mask were removed, you would still be in love with Zorro and not with the man of flesh and blood."
"I've never known this man of flesh and blood. But I do know this. The courage and the passion that lives in Zorro's heart also lives in his."
"I know."
Victoria had guessed his secret. Diego was even more surprised that she wasn't responding as he had imagined. He expected anger not calm acceptance. "When? How?"
"It happened some time ago. Pieces of the puzzle started falling into place after…"
"Gilberto's death?"
"Not only then but also when you stood up to the King's emissary, there was something about you Diego, something I've never noticed before. You seemed different somehow. You were very impressive that day."
"Was I?"
"It makes sense once you really sit down and think about it. The times I never saw you and Zorro together. The way that he reminds me of you!"
"But he is me, Victoria. The part that I rarely let anyone see."
"I know that now. I don't know why I didn't make the connection sooner, Before you left for Spain, you were always getting into some kind of mischief. You and my brothers were always getting into trouble and you were the ringleader..."
"I wasn't all that bad. Was I, Victoria," he smirked.
"You were and you know it, Diego de la Vega. The apple did not fall very far from the tree..."
"My father wonders how I ever survived my adolescence intact. If I had behaved like a true de la Vega...full of arrogance and bravado...I would have been swinging from the alcalde's rope within a week. I had to assume a disguise to protect you...my father and..."
"This pueblo. I'm so glad Zorro turned out to be you. When you started this masquerade, I was filled with romantic notions of riding off into the sunset with Zorro but I know that I want the real man even though you can be so exasperating sometimes!"
"You wouldn't have me any other way," he smirked.
"No, I wouldn't," she smiled in return, "you are incorrigible, Diego de la Vega and I love you." I hope our sons will be just like you...
"The real man loves you and only you. Our life together will not be dull, Victoria," Not for one second...
"I haven't heard a proposal from you yet, Senor de la Vega or do you assume that I will automatically say yes?"
"I know better than to assume anything with you, Victoria Escalante," the tall caballero remarked as he got down on one knee. " Victoria Escalante, you are the love of my life and the owner of my heart...I love you. Would you become my wife and share the rest of your life with me? Querida, will you marry me?"
"Marry you?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Now who's proposing, the man or the legend?"
"The man. What is your answer?"
"Yes. Absolutely and definitely yes. I would be honored to be your wife, Diego." Diego leaned slightly toward Victoria as they pledged their lives to each other with a tender kiss.