Seeds of Forgiveness
6 - Afterwards
Chapter 6: Afterwards
Bernardo was waiting for him at the cave. "It was good work tonight," said Zorro, removing his mask and bandanna. "I think Celestino's anger is gone. At least I hope it is gone. But I believe as Margarita believes, that he is in essence a good boy. I hope his heart will finally be able to heal. And Capitán Toledano is a truly excellent swordsman, even better than I expected. I enjoyed fencing with him so much I almost forgot why I was there."
Bernardo smiled. Together they tended to Tornado, and then they headed up the tunnel to the hacienda proper. These days Bernardo turned off at the passage that led to the study, so as not to have to go through Diego and Margarita's room to reach his own quarters. "Buenos noches, my friend," said his patròn, as the muzo turned down the tunnel branch.
When Diego emerged into their bedroom, now in his nightshirt and dressing gown, he found Margarita asleep. He was still elated by the evening's adventure and knew he would not readily sleep. For a moment he considered returning to the cave and brushing Tornado for a while, but decided against it. Instead he removed the dressing gown, tossed it onto the foot of the bed, and climbed under the covers. An involuntary "Ai!" escaped him — the sheets were quite cold.
His exclamation woke his wife. "What!" she exclaimed, starting awake and looking around. "Oh! Diego, you're back! I didn't hear you come in." She sat up. "What happened with Celestino?"
Her husband answered casually: "Well, Celestino tried to kill the comandante. I managed to stop him. Celestino promised to give up his hatred for the lancers. The comandante forgave him and let him go. Oh, and Capitán Toledano and I had a wonderful fencing bout. That is all."
"That's all?" she said, incredulous.
"Mmmm, perhaps it was a little more complicated than that, he replied. "But I am sorry that I woke you. You were sleeping quite peacefully when I arrived."
"I fell asleep the minute I pulled up the covers. I don't know why I seem to be so tired lately," she said with a yawn."
"Has the dizziness returned?"
"No, there was only that one time yesterday when I bent over to pick up something I had dropped," she reassured him. "I'm sure it's nothing. And I'm sorry that your side of the bed is cold."
"I think I can forgive you for that, just this once," he said with a smile. Perhaps there is another way I could become warm?" He shifted over to her and encircled her waist with his arm, pulling them close together.
She was fully awake and feeling rather cozy now. "Caro, you are welcome on my side of the bed any time — and you know it," she laughed, as she ran her fingers through his thick dark hair and he brought his face down to kiss her.