Chapter 15

Victoria bolted the front door of the tavern with a heavy sigh of relief. It had been another long week, and she was looking forward to resting after church the next morning. After wiping down the bar, she breezed through the curtained kitchen doorway and immediately noticed the solitary rose lying on the table.

Victoria whirled around to find Diego casually leaning against the wall near the back door. Quite enthusiastically, she threw herself into his arms and hugged him fiercely.

"It's been weeks! We've been so worried about you." Her voice sounded muffled against his chest.

Diego drew back so he could look her in the eye. "I know." He paused and gave her the most adoring look he'd ever bestowed upon her. "I owe you so much more than an apology…" he started to say.

Placing a finger on his lips, Victoria gently silenced him. "Diego, don't. It's all right."

"It's not all right," he insisted, embracing her more tightly. "I lost my temper. I shouted. I was incredibly rude. You deserve more respect than that."

"You've been the perfect picture of a gentleman the entire time I've known you."

"Can you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive, Diego."

"But-"

Victoria silenced him again with her finger. "You were obviously having a difficult time." She watched him carefully as he hung his head. "Querido, we all have moments of weakness. The good Lord certainly knows I have. To be honest, I was more upset that I didn't know what to do to help you."

"I didn't either."

"Is that why you left?"

"Partly." Diego looked uncertain for a moment, and she was afraid he was going to leave it at that, but to her surprise and relief he chose to continue. "I…had been having nightmares. Not sleeping very well at all. I…" he smiled ruefully, unable to believe he was about to admit such a thing, "was still in a lot of pain…I can't explain all of it. I simply lost control. Over the years I've learned the hard way to stay away from those I love when I'm having a hard time controlling my temper. I needed time alone."

"I can't imagine you've had much free time lately."

He smiled softly. "No."

"Diego, you don't have to go through this alone anymore."

"I know."

Victoria put her hands on his chest. "I respect your privacy, Diego, but please don't shut me out. We've been apart for too long."

"I hate that we're apart still." He drew her even closer. After a moment he spoke, "Healing was difficult." He chuckled. "Well, more difficult than usual." Diego closed his eyes as Victoria placed a kiss on his neck. They locked gazes. "Thank you for your patience and understanding. It means a great deal to me. More than I could possibly put into words."

Victoria knew he meant more than just the last few weeks. She smiled. "You seem more at peace than I've seen you in months. As Diego or…you know who."

Diego gave her his lopsided grin. "I am, I think. Finally."

"You're feeling better?" Victoria asked as she gently caressed the fabric of his jacket over his musket wound.

"Much better. My ribs are fine. I admit I probably shouldn't have ridden Tornado so soon, but they are hardly sore at all anymore." Diego flexed his arm for her to prove his next claim. "My arm is almost as good as new. The rest did wonders for me."

Victoria gave him a relieved smile. "Are you back to stay?"

"Yes…so long as my father doesn't throw me out of the hacienda."

"I sincerely doubt he would do such a thing. He's not angry either, Diego. Just worried. But if it makes you feel better, I know a certain innkeeper in town who would love to have you around."

"I'll keep that in mind." After a brief pause he looked Victoria directly in the eye. "I love you so very much. I promise you, Victoria. I promise we'll marry soon."

"I love you too, Diego."

After a passionate kiss that left them both breathless, Diego cupped her cheeks gently in his hands. "I hate to say this, but I should head home." He kissed her again briefly.

Victoria pulled out of his arms and chuckled. "You're stalling. Usually you're in a hurry to dash off."

"It's a habit I seem to have developed only recently."

"Do you want something to eat before you go?"

He shook his head. "I'm a bundle of nerves as it is. Thank you anyway." He gave her one last kiss before leaving. "I'll come see you tomorrow."

"You'd better."

"Buenas noches, Querida." Diego gallantly kissed the back of her hand and turned to leave out the back door, but turned back when he heard her chuckle. He raised an eyebrow in silent inquisition.

"You usually leap out the window," she explained with a brilliant smile. "Vaya con Dios, Querido."

He smiled back. "Adios."

ZZZ

Alejandro immediately put down the book he was reading in the library and stood up when he heard the front door open and close quietly. "Diego!" he said with no small amount of surprise when his eldest son came around the corner. He immediately embraced him in a hug, which Diego wholeheartedly returned.

"Father! It's late, I was afraid you'd be in bed already."

Alejandro looked at the clock above the fireplace. "So it is. I hadn't realized. You're just getting into town?"

A small smile twitched at the corner of Diego's mouth. "I stopped at the tavern first."

"Ah." They were silent for an awkward moment as Diego put down his saddlebags and they moved into the library to sit. "You know, Diego, you weren't this much trouble even as a teenager."

"Yes, I was," Diego admitted matter-of-factly. "I was just always smart enough not to get caught."

Alejandro narrowed his eyes. "You know what, never mind. I don't want to know."

They were quiet again for another moment before Diego found the courage to speak.

"Father…I know it seems like I've done nothing but apologize lately, but I am truly sorry for the way I acted before I left."

Alejandro held up his hand to forestall what was probably a well-rehearsed speech. "I know you are. It's all right. I'm not sure I understand what you're going through, but I do understand why you left…I take it Padre Benitez found you?"

"He left Capistrano days ago, he hasn't returned?" Diego looked ready to bolt through the fireplace and scour the countryside looking for the kind monk.

"Oh, he returned all right. He wouldn't tell us a thing. Only that you were safe."

"We spoke for quite some time. Thank you for sending him to me. Apparently, it was exactly what I needed."

"It was Victoria's idea actually."

"Indeed? I'll have to remember to thank her, then."

"You look well, Diego."

Diego smirked. "You sound surprised."

"I guess I am," Alejandro chuckled. "How's your arm? Your ribs?"

"Much better." Diego flexed his arm in an effort to prove his claim. "It's still a little sore, but I can handle weight much easier and it's feeling better everyday. I think it will be just fine by the end of the week. I'm very lucky."

"I'm glad to hear that…Diego, you're a grown man. I don't want to tell you what to do, but I do think we need to discuss what happened before you left."

Diego nodded and stared at the floor contritely. Alejandro immediately got the impression his son was mentally preparing himself for a lecture. He certainly deserved one, the don knew, but he also knew it wasn't what his son needed. At least not a lengthy lecture.

"I raised you to be a gentleman, and your manners have always been impeccable. I won't pretend to know what caused your sudden change in attitude, but I won't tolerate you raising your voice to me in this house."

"I know," Diego said softly with a frown, his gaze still locked on the carpet.

"I'm not a hypocrite, Diego. I know I have a temper, and I know I raise my voice. I don't have any problems whatsoever with a good, heated debate every once and a while, but I won't tolerate you raising your voice to me in defiance, especially over rules we mutually agreed upon."

"I understand."

Alejandro couldn't remember the last time his son had given him more than one two-word answers in a row. "We need to discuss Felipe."

Diego nodded.

"He's not a servant anymore. He deserves your respect as much as I do."

"He has it."

"Diego, I'm not angry." When he watched his son merely nod again while continuing to follow the pattern of the carpet with his eyes, he sighed. "Diego, look at me please." Diego finally made eye contact and he continued. "Diego, I'm not angry," he repeated, "I never was. I was worried sick about you. I still am, in fact. And then you walked out that door and didn't come back."

"I know. I realize it may have seemed rash, but I spent a long time in the cave trying to decide what to do before I left…I am sorry. For everything. For Zorro, for my temper, for my disrespect, and too many other things to list it seems."

"I don't want you to be sorry, Diego. I want you to come to me when you're having trouble. You and I were so close after your mother died, and since you've been home from Spain we've done nothing but drift apart." Alejandro held up a hand to halt the apology forming on his son's lips. "That's as much my fault as it is yours, Diego. But I'm your father. I…I would like us to be that close again."

"I'd like that very much."

"Good, good. And Diego, in the future, if you feel the need to run off again, I'll respect your privacy. Just please tell me where you're going."

"I promise. I didn't mean to make you worry."

"Do you feel like telling me why you left?"

"Being…kidnapped," Diego stumbled over the distasteful word, "Upset me more than I let on."

"How so?"

"I was having nightmares. I couldn't sleep. I was angry most of the time. I couldn't control my temper anymore. I felt it best to leave before I…did something unforgivable."

Alejandro raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"

"Hurt someone…physically."

"You'd never do such a thing."

"Perhaps not intentionally, no. But even that much I couldn't be sure of anymore. I needed to…regroup."

"And have you?"

"I believe so, yes."

"You could have told me that instead of running off. I would have given you your space."

Diego nodded. "As I told Felipe, I felt I needed to be able to help myself before I could expect others to try and do the same. I had a lot to think about."

"Give yourself a break, Diego. It's been a long two months."

Diego grinned. "It's been a long seven years. But for the first time since I've been home from the University, the future seems…brighter."

"Bright enough that I'll have grandchildren keeping me awake soon?"

"As soon as possible, Father. As soon as possible."

ZZZ

Diego stepped out of his room the next morning feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep in his own bed. Staying at the mission had been relaxing, but the hard cots the monks had placed in the visitor's quarters left something to be desired.

He didn't see Felipe sitting on the floor in front of his door until he was tripping over him. Luckily, Diego's training kicked in instantaneously and with a quick, albeit awkward step, he'd regained his balance before falling flat on his face.

Felipe barreled into his side, giving Diego a warm hug before he'd even fully turned around.

Diego chuckled. "I missed you too."

They stepped apart as Felipe started to sign. Diego narrowed his eyes slightly and frowned and Felipe let his hands drop.

"W-what?" The young man asked.

Diego smiled. "That's better. Did you think I'd forgotten?"

Felipe struggled to get the words out, but relaxed when he saw Diego's patient gaze. "I s-still s-s-stutter," he managed to get out.

"Well in this case, practice does make perfect. No more signs, my friend. We both know you can do better."

Felipe nodded, encouraged, and Diego chuckled at the gesture.

"Old habits die hard, I know." Diego paused and regarded his brother thoughtfully for a moment. "You figured out I went to Capistrano, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for respecting my privacy."

"I didn't…n-n-not exactly."

"What do you mean?"

"Father ord-ordered me to st-stay home."

Diego chuckled. "Well regardless of the reason, thank you."

"H…how are you?"

"I'm well. I had a long time to think and pray, and I had a long talk with Padre Benitez that helped a great deal."

Felipe focused hard on forming the words, and he beamed when he completed his next comment without stuttering. "I doubted the wisdom of you leaving for so long. I shouldn't have. I know you better than that. You just needed time. I'm sorry I wasn't more helpful before you left." Felipe smiled and Diego proudly smiled back.

"Ironically, what upset me so much that day also made me realize what I needed to do in order to heal completely. I know it didn't seem like it at the time, and I know I wasn't very grateful at the time, but you did me a great favor by stopping Zorro that afternoon. Let's not dwell on it anymore."

Felipe's stomach suddenly growled loudly, and they both laughed.

"It sounds like breakfast is in order."

The brothers headed off to the dining room where Alejandro was already seated, and they ate together as a family.

Yes, Diego thought. The future was definitely looking brighter.

THE END