Chapter Twenty-Four: El Zorro and his Vixen (Part 1)
The entire pueblo of Los Angeles was abuzz the following morning as the people gathered in the square to listen to an announcement made by the Governor. Amongst the crowd were the de la Vegas and Pulidos, all of them huddled as they anxiously awaited the news.
Raising his arms once he was on the stand built just for him, the Governor cried out, "Good citizens of Los Angeles, I have some important news to address. The man known as your former Commandante, Julio Riviera, was found dead last night in Rattlesnake Ravine." He paused a moment as the information sunk in, the people gasping and murmuring amongst themselves. Holding up his hand again in a motion for them to be still, he continued, "Riviera was found guilty of many crimes even before his demise. He has harassed many, attempted to extort and steal from you, and even gone as far to kidnap a young señorita on more than one occasion, whether by his own hand or through hiring banditos." Again he became silent, letting the crowd gasp and grumble in outrage, though many were not surprised as they remembered his cruelty. "Therefore," he shouted out, earning their attention once more. "It is my responsibility to place a new Commandante in charge of this fine, resilient pueblo. Even before I arrived here, there was always one man who stood out and took responsibility and pride in this town. Last night, he went off in search of the señorita, and he was accompanied by the finest men to back him in his noble deed. Señoras y Señores, I give you your new Commandante…Capitan Jorge Fernandez!"
The crowd went wild with elation as Jorge Fernandez felt his jaw drop. "Well, get up there!" Diego laughed, nudging him gently on the arm. Yolanda pressed a kiss to his cheek, a glowing smile on her face as she nodded at him encouragingly. Fernandez walked up the steps, dazed at the news. As it finally sunk in, he approached the Governor and shook his hand heartily, beaming with excitement. "Gracias, Governor! Gracias!" The old man smiled jovially at him and motioned with his arms for him to speak to the people that obviously admired him. Looking out to the crowd, he held up his hands and waited until they had settled. "Good people of Los Angeles, I swear to you that so long as I am Commandante, I shall do all in my power to help you. I will work to solve whatever problems come our way. Above all, I want to thank you for your immense support, as well as thank the man we know as Zorro…" His eyes locked with Diego's, the two of them grinning at one another briefly. "I will do my best to never fail you." Bowing, he excused himself, stepping away from the front of the platform as the people applauded him.
"Governor! Might we celebrate such wonderful news with a fiesta? You may be our guest of honor!" Sergeant Garcia suggested, eager to have any reason to celebrate and possibly have more free drinks.
"I don't see why not," the Governor shrugged, earning cheers from the masses.
"Well, Sergeant, what a grand idea! A fiesta…no doubt, there will be much wine," Diego winked, nudging him with his elbow.
"Oh, sí, Don Diego!...eh, you know, you never did get to speak with me yesterday, what with all the commotion because of the señorita's capture," Garcia whispered, whispering to the don.
"You're right. What can I do for you?" Diego asked, raising an eyebrow at the soldier.
Twiddling his thumbs, the plump sergeant confessed, "It is about Señora de la Cruz. I was wondering if…well, if a lady like her would be…erm, interested in a man such as myself. I am not like the capitan-…ah, I mean, the Commandante." He scratched his scruffy cheek pensively, looking rather like a confused puppy. "Do you think she would consent to a dance? Or perhaps…oh, what does a man do, Don Diego? Flowers? Chocolates? Poems and songs? She is so lovely and has her wealth, and I…well, you know what I am," he grumbled.
"I do know, Sergeant," Diego nodded, patting his shoulder comfortingly. "You are a kindhearted man who is loyal and thoughtful, and a bit of a romantic." He chuckled at this, seeing how Garcia smiled sheepishly at his compliments. "Believe in yourself and you will win her heart by being the best man you can be."
"…I shall. I shall!" Garcia declared, beaming. "Oh, gracias, Don Diego, gracias!" He blundered off, bubbling with excitement as Diego grinned and shook his head at him in mirth.
"That was rather sweet, what you said to the Sergeant."
Diego turned around and smiled as he took Lolita into his arms, her smile and large brown eyes capturing his attention at once. "I meant every word…and I mean to make tonight very memorable for you."
"Oh?" she asked, amused at his tone. "Just what did you have in mind?"
"While I plan on attending the fiesta here in town, I was hoping to have you and your family, along with some friends, come to my hacienda for a private supper to celebrate this occasion with the ones we love. There, I have an important announcement of my own to make if all goes well." Raising a brow as he gave her a boyish grin, he asked, "Will you come?"
"I might be convinced…but only if you promise to steal me away from the guests just for a few moments to have to ourselves," she winked coyly.
"Mi amor," he laughed, kissing her cheek before whispering into her ear, "It's as though you've read my mind."
~Z~
Some hours later, as the sun began to sink towards the west, paper lanterns were lit and the plaza was filled with the locals, gathering to party in delight at the wonderful news. The town was teeming with activity as food and wine were brought out and placed on tables placed outside. Everyone came dressed in their finest, and a group of peons brought out their instruments to strike some lively chords. This was perhaps one of the most extravagant parties ever thrown in the little town, and all who loved there were ecstatic to partake in it. The Governor himself was given a seat of honor at the long table placed for viewing and eating. The early evening was filled with laughter and song, dancing and feasting. The de la Vegas appeared to take part in the celebration also, although their visit was cut short.
"The governor turned down the invitation, eh?" Alejandro asked his son, noticing how the government official was surrounded by people all pleading to speak with him.
"Yes, Father…to be frank, I'm glad," Diego admitted wryly. "I wanted tonight to be a private affair with our closest friends." They had been present for the fiesta for nearly two hours and it was becoming dark as dusk began to give way to night. "I'm sure our invited guests are starving, considering how I asked them to wait until we arrived at the hacienda…especially Sergeant Garcia." He grinned at he saw the chubby man stare sadly at a nearby plate loaded with steaming tamales, but refrained from them. "I think it's time we depart now." Splitting off, the two men searched the crowd to find their friends and direct them to the carriages and horses. Among these guests were the newlywed Fernandez couple, Corporal Reyes and Sergeant Garcia, Doña Alicia de la Cruz, Beatriz the baker, Ricardo del Amo, and of course, the Pulidos.
Within moments, the group gathered a ways from the fiesta and prepared themselves for the journey to the de la Vega estate. Mounting their horses and slipping into their seats, the esteemed guests rode off into the dusky twilight to the grand hacienda. Diego rode his white steed alongside Lolita, looking like a princess in her violet gown and seated on Bonita. "Just what do you have planned, Diego?" she wondered, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. He looked absolutely handsome in his brown suit with a black shirt to complete the formal look. The knowing twinkle in his eye seemed to be permanent, for it was all she could see in his face each time their eyes met. Biting her tongue, she held back her curiosity, knowing it wouldn't get her anywhere for the time being.
At long last when they arrived, a slew of servants came out to take care of the horses and place the carriages in the stables. Alicia held back a giggle as Garcia ran straight for the sala, clutching his stomach. "That poor man," she said to Lolita, the two of them laughing. "He's been so polite and trying to wait all evening for his meal."
"I think he'll find this was well worth the wait. The de la Vegas have a wonderful cook, and I know the Sergeant will appreciate her cooking," Lolita said.
"He'll appreciate anything," Corporal Reyes informed them, walking past the women with Beatriz on his arm.
Waiting inside for the group were Bernardo and Consuela, sharing an amused look as they watched Garcia drooling over the food that was being placed on the dining table. The group entered buzzing with glee and excitement, hopeful for their futures and glad to be in one another's company. Taking his place at the head of the table, Alejandro said the blessing over the meal and then raised his glass. "I propose a toast, my friends. To new beginnings and a bright future…to friends and family, to love, and to justice. Salud!"
"Salud!" everyone chimed in, clinking their wine-filled glasses against their neighbors'.
Sipping his drink, Ricardo smirked at his old friend. "So…Diego invited us here to this private party…but for what?"
"Well, lately we've had so many things going on that we haven't had a moment to relax and connect," Diego shrugged casually. "So, if anyone would like to share something special that has happened recently, please say so. After all, we are all practically family, are we not?"
At this, Beatriz and Corporal Reyes exchanged a shy glance. The baker looked at the group and spoke up softly. "Guillermo and I have an announcement, actually." Everyone paused and gave them their attention, waiting expectantly for the news. Raising her hand, she showed a simple golden band around her ring finger as she beamed. "We're going to get married!" The corporal ducked his head down bashfully as everyone cheered, blushing as his fiancée kissed him on the cheek.
"Congratulations, my friend!" Garcia boomed, laughing heartily before biting into a thick drumstick. "Marvelous!"
"What about you, Commandante?" Beatriz asked, cocking her head at Fernandez. "Your honeymoon was just a cover to get the Governor. What will you do now?"
"Yolanda and I are going to Monterey again with the Governor first thing tomorrow for our actual honeymoon," Fernandez grinned, kissing his wife's hand. "I trust in Sergeant Garcia to care for the people of the pueblo in my absence."
"Oh, gracias, Commandante!" Garcia smiled, earning a giggle and kiss on his plump cheek from Alicia. He blushed at this, only to become beet red as she whispered in his ear a private invitation to her home tomorrow evening for supper. Everyone noticed how close the two were becoming, and as Diego and Lolita shared a smile, they had a feeling those two would be seeing more of each other than they ever expected.
"Father, Ricardo says he must return to San Francisco soon…couldn't I go with him?" Carlotta asked, startling everyone with her bold request.
Don Carlos sighed, looking to his wife and Don Alejandro for advice. Catalina gave him a pleading look, while Alejandro shrugged as if to say, "It's your call, amigo."
"I do not wish to offend you, Don Carlos, but I mean it when I say I want to marry your daughter," Ricardo said proudly. "I love her, and will not take no for an answer."
Carlos wished they had kept this private or at least asked to go into a separate room, when it suddenly hit him – these two were so alike, it was no wonder that when they were together it would drink him mad at times. He understood Catalina's insistence now…who else would accept Carlotta for who she was and love her wholeheartedly as Ricardo proved each time he came to visit? "…Don Ricardo, I suggest you leave at once to your father's house…" He saw their faces fall at this, a small smile on his lips as he added, "So that you might prepare the wedding at your own home. I'm sure your father would be proud to have such an event in his hacienda."
Diego was the first to applaud them, resulting in everyone following his lead. Ricardo grinned as he shook hands with the elder don before kissing Carlotta passionately, making her swoon in his arms much to Carlos's embarrassment.
Lolita felt her heart bursting with happiness for all her friends and family, but a part of her couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. Carlotta had just been given her father's consent to marry, Yolanda was already married to the man of her dreams, and even Beatriz was engaged. Still, as she looked over and saw Diego wink at her, his boyish grin shining through, she felt that her time would come when Diego was ready. Returning her attention to the delicious arroz con pollo that steamed its fragrant aroma, Lolita did not notice how Bernardo walked behind her and quietly approached his young master, slipping a small box into Diego's hand.
The meal went on, with everyone talking and laughing, sharing in good food and good company. As dessert, tea, coffee, and wine were being brought out, Diego arose from his seat and bent over towards Lolita, his lips brushing against her ear. "Come with me?" he asked softly, his breath making a shiver of delight pass through her. She accepted his arm and arose, her eyebrows knitting together as she wondered what this was all about. He said nothing, only offering a genuine smile to her as he led her from the table and out into the open courtyard. Guiding her towards the tree planted at the center of the vast, closed in yard, he motioned for her to join him as he sat down on the painted wooden bench. "I'm sorry I've kept you waiting, but I wanted to do this alone with you," he confessed, his voice husky as he kept it low, as though he was worried that the people within would hear him.
"What are you speaking about, corazon?" she asked, tucking her dark hair behind her ear. Her heart raced as he took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles reverently, just as he would when he was Zorro.
"Lolita…I could recite a whole speech to you, something that would take years for me to express…a speech that explains how much I love you…but instead of telling, I believe it's best if I simply show you," he said, biting his lip as he anxiously tugged out the box Bernardo had given him earlier from his jacket and displayed it to her. He couldn't help smiling as he saw her eyes widen and tear up, her hands flying up to cover her mouth as a gasp of surprise escaped her. Kneeling down on one knee, he opened the box and displayed a shining ruby on a golden band, tiny, delicate diamonds going around the entire band and shining in the starlight. "Lolita…will you marry me-?"
"Yes!" she cried, falling to her knees and throwing her arms around his neck. "Oh, Diego! Yes!" She didn't want to cry, but the tears came out regardless.
Diego laughed, his own eyes tearing up as he embraced her tightly and closed his eyes. Pulling back after a moment, he looked into her eyes and chuckled as he wiped her tears away. Taking her hand, he slipped the ring onto her finger. "I love you, Lolita, with all my heart."
"And I love you, Diego," she said, leaning in to whisper in his ear, "Mi Zorro."
He grinned at this, pressing his forehead to hers. He began to dip his head towards her when the sound of applause and cheering made them lift their heads. The entire household had stepped out into the courtyard, everyone displaying a smiling face as the two remained in each other's arms. Lolita blushed and ducked her head, but Diego pulled his hat over his head and used it as a shield, winking at her before he drew her in for a kiss, earning a hoot from Ricardo.
"Congratulations, Don Diego!" Sergeant Garcia exclaimed as the couple composed themselves and stood to face their audience. "I wish you both every happiness, you deserve it!"
"Gracias, Sergeant," Diego answered, shaking hands with him heartily. "You will, of course, attend the wedding and sing at the fiesta afterwards?"
Garcia gawked at him, a smile lighting up his face. "Oh, of course! Gracias, Don Diego!"
"It appears I've gained a beautiful new daughter-in-law," Alejandro grinned, shaking hands with Carlos. "I thank you, Don Carlos."
As the two jested back and forth, Bernardo came up to Diego and tapped him on the shoulder. "What is it, Bernardo?" he whispered, allowing his servant to tug him away. Once they were a safe distance away, he watched Bernardo's hands as he asked his question. "Do I ever stop planning to be Zorro? Hah, no, amigo. I may be engaged, but I will never stop. Zorro must always continue his work when he is needed, but even Zorro needs himself a vixen to give him the strength to keep going on and looking to the future…you really don't want me to stop being Zorro, eh?" Bernardo shook his head, motioning with his hands once more. "Do not fret, Bernardo. You know that Lolita is not willing to give up Zorro either…one would think you are in love with Zorro the way you insist on his existence." He laughed as he saw Bernardo's face of horror at the comment and patted his shoulder. "I was only teasing!"
"Are you embarrassing poor Bernardo?" Lolita asked, smirking as Consuela crossed her arms over her chest and gave Diego a look of disapproval.
"I do it out of love," Diego confessed, grinning as Bernardo smiled brightly at the Indian woman and offered her his arm. The two men winked at one another before Bernardo took Consuela away, allowing Diego to take Lolita in his arms again. "Now then, where were we?"
"Hmm…I think we were about here…" Lolita said no more as she tilted her head up and closed her eyes, accepting Diego's kiss once more. Feeling his heartbeat beneath his clothes as her hands rested upon his chest, she wondered if she could ever feel happier than she already did. All thoughts of the world around her slipped away as she let herself drown in Diego's gentle affections, the evening breeze sweeping past them in the stillness of the night.