THE VISITOR - HOME
CHAPTER TWO
Zorro raced to his secret cave with soldiers just inches away.
He heard Sergeant Garcia call to his lancers, "we got him trapped. He will never be able to jump Diablo's Gulch."
Zorro knows that no one has ever jumped Diablo's Gulch and survived but he has faith in Tornado. He said we can do it mi caballo and with a flying leap Tornado cleared the gulch like he had wings. Zorro turned, smiled, and saluted his would be captors as he reared Tornado in defiance and sped away. He was safe once more and now his mind is free to think of…..yes…..her. The way she smiled, the sound of her voice, and the softness of her body touching his. The way her sweet smell filled his nostrils and sets him on fire with pure carnal desire. The unbelievable passion and ecstasy he experienced every time they made love. He knew that he had left an important part of himself "his heart". And that he would soon return to the little house on Camino Pasado Trail. Before Zorro realized it he was sitting at the entrance of his secret cave. After entering the cave Zorro dismounted Tornado.
He patted his horse and says, "Good boy Tornado, you do take good care of me."
He took off Tornado's saddle and his bridle. He noticed the oats that Bernardo must have left for Tornado two days ago.
"Here boy, he says and gave Tornado a handful to eat. He looked at his horse and says, what do you think of her….isn't she wonderful."
Tornado shook his head up and down as in agreement while he pawed the ground.
"Yes, how can anyone think differently, huh boy," Zorro smiles.
El Zorro floated up the stairs from the cave. He did not even feel his feet as they made contact with the steps. As he reached the alcove he quickly changed from El Zorro to Diego. He pulled the secret lever that opened the panel to his bedroom.
A startled Bernardo greeted his friend, just happy to see that he is all right. Bernardo had questions in his eyes and gestured concerning his friend's whereabouts for the last two days.
Diego looked at Bernardo and replies, "I have been in paradise."
Diego lies on the bed and shut his eyes. There is a knock on the door. Bernardo opened the door and in walked Don Alejandro. He checked the secret cave as he had been doing for the past two days and saw his son's black horse. Don Alejandro glanced over at the bed.
"Where have you been Diego I have been worried sick. Rumor was that you had been hurt and the soldiers were closing in on your hiding place," Don Alejandro asks.
Diego did not open his eyes his mind was in another place. A place filled with happiness and yes, dare he say it "love".
The intonation of his father's voice increased with each question, "Have you become as death as Bernardo pretends to be. Diego answer me," Don Alejandro demands. There is a knock on the door. "Passe," Don Alejandro answers.
It is one of the servants. "Patron, the commandante is downstairs and would like to speak with you," the servant says.
What the servant said brought Diego back to reality.
Don Alejandro replies, "muchas gracias Juan I will be down un momento."
"Si, patron," Juan says as he closed the door.
"Diego get dressed and come down stairs," Don Alejandro directed his son.
Don Alejandro went downstairs to see what the commandante wanted. As Don Alejandro stood at the top of the stairs he heard the commandante command.
"Sergeant Garcia see that the casa grande is surrounded and leave four lancers at the front gate," the commandante ordered.
"Si mi commandante," Sergeant Garcia replies.
Don Alejandro wondered what the commandante was up to. He put on a straight face and greeted the commandante when he entered the Sale.
"Commandante, what can I do for you today," Don Alejandro asks.
The commandante rose from his chair.
"Ah, Don Alejandro where is your son?" he retorts.
"Why do you ask?" Don Alejandro snaps back.
"I heard that no one has seen him for two days and with that bandit about are you not concerned," the commandante replies sharply.
"My son is upstairs. He has been ill and in bed for the past two days," Don Alejandro responds.
Just then Diego appears.
"Diego I was just telling the commandante you have been ill and in bed for the past two days," Don Alejandro says.
"Si commandante, I have been in bed for the past two days," Diego retorts.
Don Alejandro looked at his son with wide eyes.
"Oh I was just curious," the commandante replies with a smirk.
Don Alejandro asks, "whatever do you mean commandante?"
"You know how rumors get started. That mask bandit is hiding out nowhere to be found and your son also had not been see for the past two days," the commandante repartees with loathing.
Diego stared at the commandante with a befuddled look on his face.
"But now that I know you are at home and safe I can sleep easy, the commandante snaps with contempt.
The commandante walks toward the door, "Buenos noches, Don Alejandro. Buenos noches, Don Diego. I am glad that you are feeling better," he says disdainfully.
With that he took his leave and instructed Sergeant Garcia and his lancers to follow.
Don Alejandro and Diego went into the library to relax.
Don Alejandro says, "that was a close one."
Don Alejandro called to the servant Juan to bring them some wine.
"Si patron," Juan replies.
Don Diego followed his father to a chair.
"Sit down my son," Don Alejandro says.
There is a knock on the door.
"Passe," Don Alejandro replies.
Juan walked in with a tray of wine and two glasses.
"Muchas gracias," Don Alejandro responds.
Juan closed the door. Don Alejandro poured two glasses of wine, one for himself and one for his son.
"Now Diego what happened? What did you mean when you said that you had been in bed for two days? Where have you been?" his father inquires.
"I will tell you father that the soldiers did not get the best of me. In my haste to get away after I rescued Senor Montez and Senor Calderon from jail I lost my footing and fell from the cuartel roof. With the heavy rain and the fall I was disoriented. I ended up at a rancho on Camino Pasado Trail. The kind lady there took me in and nursed me back to health," Diego replies.
"So you were in bed with your injuries for the past two days," Don Alejandro says.
"In a manner of speaking father," Diego responds.
"What do you mean Diego?" his father questions.
"I was in bed for two days but not entirely because of my injuries," Diego answers.
"Diego you are speaking in riddles. What is all this secrecy surrounding why you were in bed," his father's eyes widen.
He glared at his son and took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"Diego, you do not me….mean," Don Alejandro stammers.
"Father, I think I am in love," Diego smiles.
His father got up and poured two more glasses of wine from the decanter on the mesa. He drunk one and gave one to his son.
After Don Alejandro finished his without stopping he says, "Diego drink yours it will clear your head."
"I do not need a glass of wine, father, my head is very clear. It is my heart that is in danger," Diego muses.
"Diego, who is this woman? What is her name? Who is her family? Where is she from?" Don Alejandro queries.
"Father please slow down with the questions. I do not know her name. We did not bother or have time to talk about such things," Diego confesses.
"Did not have time Diego, Don Alejandro exclaims. Then what did you…no…oh no…I do not want to know."
Don Alejandro rose from his seat and begun pacing back and forth. He could not look at his son.
"Diego this is not like you. What has gotten into you son," he father pleads.
"Father, I do not know….she makes me feel….I have been searching so long for someone who…." try as he might Diego could not find the words.
"Well can you tell me what is so special about her then," his father asks.
Diego could not look his father in the eyes. Don Alejandro sits down next to his son.
"Diego, I do not understand. Are you sure you are still not suffering from the effects of your injuries," his father wonders out loud. "Diego for a long time I have wanted you to meet someone and fall in love, get married and be happy. But you know that is impossible with the responsibility that you have taken on for the people of California," Don Alejandro says.
"That is not a problem father," Diego replies.
"What do you mean?" Don Alejandro asks.
"She knows," Diego says.
"What do you mean she knows?" Don Alejandro questions.
"I pulled my mask off. She knows what I look like without it," Diego answers.
"By all the saints Diego, have you gone mad? How could you do such a thing," his father shouts. "I am going to send for el doctor. You do not know who this woman is. You do not even know her name. How can you trust her with such a thing," Don Alejandro exclaims.
As Don Alejandro observed his son he understood the conflict going on inside of him.
His father once more sits down next to his son and quietly says, "Diego, I am worried about you. I just want the best for you," as he searches his son's eyes for some semblance of sanity.
Diego tried to calm his father's fears.
"I know that I can trust her. She will not deceive me. She did not betray me when Sergeant Garcia came to her door," Diego admits.
"How do you know that Diego," Don Alejandro states.
"Because I would be in the cuartel jail right now," Diego replies.
Don Alejandro perceives that his son must still be suffering some ill effects from his injuries. This is not the level headed and cautious Diego that he knew. Don Alejandro was aware that being young and alone has its effects on a man.
"Diego are you sure that you are not mistaking one thing for another," Don Alejandro questions.
"No father," Diego acknowledges.
"What do you really know about this girl? Does she go to mass? Is she a good Catholic? What kind of background does she come from?" Don Alejandro questions.
"I do not know. But there is no question about her being a good Catholic," Diego confesses.
"What do you mean by that Diego?" Don Alejandro inquires.
Diego did not answer but the look in his eyes simply horrified his father.
"No….Diego you did not….you…by all the saints….save me," Don Alejandro stammers.
His father walked out of the room refusing to even look at or talk to his son further. Diego followed him.
"Father it just happened. I did not…it was just something about her. I could not….," Diego begs.
"Buenos noches Diego," is all Don Alejandro would say as he exited the library and ascended the stairs to his bedroom.
"Father…..I" Diego implores as he pursues his father up the steps trying to get his attention.
Turning a deaf ear to his son's supplications Don Alejandro states, "we will talk tomorrow when I have had time to think and recover from the shock. Buenos noches," with that his father went into his bedroom and shuts the door.
Diego went into his bedroom but was unable to sleep. He struggled with the thought that he had disappointed his father. But how could he explain something to his father that he did not understand himself. He knew how he felt but hard to find the words to express it. As he twisted and turned sleep evaded him. His thoughts kept going back to that little house and the days of bliss that he enjoyed. When he awoke the next morning Bernardo was laying out his clothes for the day.
Diego gazed at his friend and admits, "something has happened to me Bernardo. I can't explain it."
Bernardo smiled and made the outline of a heart with his hands.
"Do you think so, Diego inquires. "Am I falling in love? Is that what is wrong with me, amigo, Diego contemplates out loud. I did not know that it could happen so fast. Is that why I cannot stop thinking about her, even though I do not even know her name, Diego muses. Have you ever been in love Bernardo," Diego queries.
Bernardo nods yes.
"Does it not feel grand," Diego exclaims with a grin.
Diego and Bernardo rode into the pueblo and stopped at the tavern. The tavern was all abuzz about the masked bandit and the soldiers futile efforts to find his hiding place. Diego grinned at Bernardo still rather pleased at himself for escaping the soldiers and foiling the commandante's plan to capture El Zorro. Diego walked into the tavern.
Sergeant Garcia looks up and says, "Diego, mi amigo it is so good to see you up and around again."
"Muchas gracias Sergeant, Diego replies. What is this I hear about that masked bandit eluding you again," Diego asks.
"I do not know Diego we thought we had him cornered but someone hid him," the Sergeant admits.
"Do they have any idea who?" Diego inquires.
"It had to be one of the rancheros in the area, the sergeant replies. The commandante is going to visit and question each one himself," Sergeant Garcia says.
Diego's eyes narrowed with concern.
"When is he planning on this venture Sergeant?" he questions.
"He has already left with his lancers. He thinks that he has a pretty good idea who may have hid the bandit," the sergeant responds.
"Did he say whom," Diego asks.
"No but he is determined to bring someone in and you know what that means," Sergeant Garcia confesses.
"Si Sergeant, Diego replies. I have to go I just remembered I have an important appointment."
"I thought that maybe you could stay for dinner," Sergeant Garcia says sounding disappointed.
"Some other time Sergeant," Diego calls over his shoulder as he rushes out the door. There is very little time Bernardo," Diego rejoins as he hurried to his horse.
I have to get home he thought to himself. When Diego got to the hacienda he ran up the stairs to his bedroom, pushed the button to the alcove and quickly dressed in his disguise. He flew down the stairs to the secret cave, jumped on Tornado and was gone in a flash. Diego's hasty departure baffled Bernardo.
The Fox rode hard and fast with the wind at his heels hoping to reach her rancho before the commandante and his soldiers did. Shielded by the darkness of night he rode up to her casa. He did not see any soldiers or evidence that they had been there. He walked quickly up to her door and knocked. He became nervous when she did not answer immediately. Had the soldiers already been there and taken her away he thought. No….no….. this he could not bear. Then the door opened and there she stood. A smile of relief washed over his face as he walked inside. He took her in his arms and kissed her long and passionately.
"Mi amor, I have missed you," he whispers.
"I have missed you too Senor," she purrs. But what are you doing here? Do you not know that the soldiers are once again questioning the rancheros?" she asks.
"Yes that is why I came. I am worried for you, he replies. I cannot live if anything were to happen to you. Come with me," he responds his voice filled with concern.
"Senor I am in no danger," she answers.
"Stay at the Inn tonight that way I will know that you are safe," he states.
"But what if the soldiers come and I am not here. They will be suspicious. I do not want to put your life in danger, mi vida," she asserts.
El Zorro looks down at this woman who holds his heart in her hands, "mi amor, he whispers. My safety is of no interest at the moment, it is you I will protect with my life. It is of no consequence to me what they think but I am not leaving you here alone," he replies.
"Well if I am going to stay at the Inn for the night I will need to get some things," she says.
As he watched her dress he could not contain the raging fire that is starting to burn in his loins. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss every inch of her soft beautiful body. He was so lost in his thoughts of passion that he does not hear her talking to him.
"El Zorro, mi vida," she purrs as she catches his admiring stare.
"Oh mi amor I am sorry are you ready to go," Zorro asks as he entertained the thought of making fervent love to her right here, right now.
She glanced at him teasingly because she saw the fire in his eyes as he saw the desire in hers. She locked all her doors and shut all of her windows then they went to the stable.
"Where is your carriage?" El Zorro questions.
"Carriage, she says with surprise. I do not own a carriage. This is mi caballo Oro." I ride her everywhere I go," she exclaims.
He saddled and bridled Oro ignoring her protests and then helped her into the saddle.
He tells her, "I will ride with you as far as the edge of the pueblo."
As they approached the pueblo many people were still out and about. The lights were on full at the tavern. No soldiers in sight therefore, he assumes they were still out questioning the rancheros. He handed her a bag full of gold coins.
He says, "get yourself a room at the Inn for the night and I will return shortly."
She looked puzzled and gave him his bag back.
"Senor, I am quite able to pay for my own room at the Inn," she replies.
He stared at her.
"I did not mean to insinuate…," he says.
"I know you did not, mi vida," she replies with a grin.
El Zorro marveled to himself….she is like no other woman….how she excites me.
"I will see you shortly," he whispers.
He kept an eye on her as she rode into the pueblo. She tied up her horse at the hitching post and went inside the Inn. Then he rode away. As she stepped into the Tavern every man turned to admire the beauty and wonder why they had never seen her before. Was she new in town? Was she married? Where did she come from?
The innkeeper says, "can I help you senorita?"
"Si she says, I need a room for the night"
"Muy bien, sign right here. Consuela show the lady to her room," the innkeeper says.
"Si senor," Consuela replies.
"This way senorita, Consuela says showing her to room number three.
"Muchas gracias," she says.
After Consuela closed the door, she freshened up and then went downstairs to wait for her love to return.
He rode like the wind all the way home. He ran up the stairs from the secret cave to his room. Bernardo was waiting for him in the alcove.
"Help me out of my clothes quickly Bernardo," he says.
He changed hurriedly from El Zorro to Diego.
"Muchas gracias amigo," he tells Bernardo.
Then he was out the door in a flash. As he rushed down the stairs to the stable he catches his father's attention. While saddling his horse Don Alejandro called to him.
"Diego where are you going at this time of the night?" his father asks.
"I have an appointment in the pueblo father," Diego replies.
"You have an appointment. What could be so important tonight that it cannot wait until tomorrow?" Don Alejandro questions.
"This cannot wait," Diego responds.
"Are you taking Bernardo with you?" Don Alejandro asks.
"No this is personal father," Diego answers.
His father looked confounded and then says, "Diego…what has got into you my son this is not like you."
"Please, father can we discuss this later. I am already late. Hasta la vista." Diego yelled as he rode off in a cloud of dust.
Don Alejandro walked back to the casa shaking his head.
The men in the tavern are hypnotized by the beauty of the senorita sitting all alone in the tavern. The innkeeper saw this and went over to inquire why she is in the tavern alone so late at night.
The innkeeper asks, "can I get you something, senorita?"
"No, gracias I am waiting on someone," she replies.
"Well if I were he I would not let someone as beautiful as you sit alone this late at night," the innkeeper remarks.
"He will be here," she replies.
"Well he is either running very late or not coming," the innkeeper responds.
As Diego walks through the door their eyes meet.
She says, "he has not."
The innkeeper looked up and refused to believe who the lady is looking at.
He backs up, "surely senorita, you do not mean….he stutters.
"Buenos noches mi vida," she says.
"Buenos noches mi amor," Diego replies as he bent down and kissed her hand.
The innkeeper almost tripped over his own feet with surprise. He stood in awe, who would have thought that Don Diego would have a beautiful senorita like her. The other men in the tavern mouths' open in disbelief and envy.
"I am sorry mi amor for being so late," Diego apologizes.
"No mi vida, you are right on time," she replies.
"Did you get a good room, if not I can request a better one for you," Diego says.
"No mi vida, the room is more than adequate," she responds.
"Muy bien. Are you hungry," Diego answers.
"Si," she says.
"They have very good food here," Diego responds.
"Oh for that," she purrs.
She looked at him teasingly and grins. He smiled back and moved around in his chair to straighten himself. He requested two plates of enchiladas with chili sauce, gazpacho, and a bottle of the house's best wine. They only had eyes for each other as they ate and talked about things that only people in love spoke about.
After they finished eating she asks, "walk me to my room."
"It will be my pleasure," Diego replies.
Diego paid for their meals and was going to escort her to her room when Sergeant Garcia walked through the door.
"Don Diego, I am surprised to see you here at this time of night. Ah, and who is this beautiful senorita, Sergeant Garcia remarks admiring her beauty as did the other men in the Tavern. Have I not seen…your face looks familiar," Sergeant Garcia comments in a thoughtful tone.
Diego cuts in "that is not possible Sergeant the senorita has never been in the Tavern before."
"Oh but still," the Sergeant ponders.
To distract Sergeant Garcia Diego retorts, "let me buy you a bottle of wine."
"Gracias Don Diego, the Sergeant says with a laugh. Will you and the senorita join me," he inquires.
"Ah…no Sergeant," is all Diego can say.
He wanted to get her away from the Sergeant before he recognized her. Also so he could have her all to himself.
"The senorita is tired and I am going to walk her to her room. Buenos noches Sergeant," Diego says.
"Buenos noches mi amigo," Sergeant Garcia answers.
Diego got up and escorted her to her room. As they ascended the stairs together every man's eyes followed their every step, each one of them wishing that they were in Diego's place. Everyone in the Tavern including Sergeant Garcia and the Innkeeper watched Diego's every move. He stopped at the door, kissed her hand, bowed, and wished her sweet dreams.
"They will be sweeter if you share them with me. Will you not come in," she purrs.
"Mi amor, if I come in….it is not proper….people are watching," Diego warns.
"Diego, mi vida," she coos as she stands there undressing him with her eyes.
He had been fighting the desire all night to grab her and make uninhibited love to her. Now passion ruled and he shut the door behind him. Everyone in the tavern especially the innkeeper and Sergeant Garcia took a deep breath. They could believe their eyes – this is not the very proper and innocent Don Diego they knew. The Sergeant swallowed two glasses of wine without stopping. The innkeeper poured himself a glass of wine and drunk it down in one gulp. Diego hugged her tightly in his arms and kissed her with longing and carnal hunger. The taste and feel of her tongue in his mouth started a fire that consumed his whole being. They could undress fast enough. He then picked her up and laid her gently on the bed. He held her close and pressed his open lips to hers. He kissed her body from her face to her breasts, to her stomach, to between her legs. She closed her eyes as her body trembles with pure ecstasy and desire. Then she turned him over on his back and kissed and nibbled his body from his face to his chest, to his stomach, to between his legs. He sucked in his breath and released it with a loud moan. Diego's body shook with uncontrollable desire and lust. He had to have her, touch her, and make love to her. As he entered her, her warmth gave pleasure a whole new meaning in his life.
"I am yours, forever, and always," he moans in pure rapture.
"Mi vida, as I am yours," she murmurs.
Never before has Diego felt so fulfilled. So utterly free!
It was early in the morning when passion released its grip on her and Diego. Lying in each other's arms and feeling the warmth of one another's body they fell sound asleep. They awoke to a knock on the door. Diego checked his pocket watch. It was 10:00 am in the morning.
"Diego, I know you are in there! Open the door," Don Alejandro exclaims.
Diego recognized the voice – it was his father. He stared at her. Diego sprung to his feet and put his pants on. He handed the senorita her gown and robe. Diego went to the door and opened it.
"Father, Buenos dias I…..," Diego stutters.
Don Alejandro burst in and glared at his son with fire in his eyes.
"What is this? What do you think you are doing Diego?" Don Alejandro shouts.
Diego is speechless. Don Alejandro glances over at the bed.
"Buenos dias senorita. My name is Alejandro de la Vega. It is nice to meet you." Looking at his son, he says with sarcasm in his voice, "have you met my son Diego de la Vega. Oh, I see that you and he have already met."
"Father I….."Diego goes to say but the look that Diego's father gives him stops him from making another sound.
"And you senorita," Don Alejandro questions.
"My name is Celia Moya Ricardo, she replies. It is nice to formally meet both of you," she says looking at Diego teasingly.
Diego tried to keep a straight face in front of his father.
Diego finally managed to say, "how did you know I was here."
"How did I know? The whole pueblo knows that you spent the night with some strange woman," Don Alejandro declares with rage in his voice.
Diego gazed at Celia with shame in his eyes for her.
"Don Alejandro, I am not some strange woman. I am the woman who loves your son very much," Celia remarks.
"And I love her father," Diego responds.
Completely ignoring what he just heard Don Alejandro commands, "Get dressed both of you and come with me. We have some things to straighten out. Diego, you and I have some talking to do," he commands with an authoritative air.
They rode back to the hacienda in silence. Don Alejandro refused to look at or talk to his son. Diego knew that he had embarrassed his father in front of all the people in the pueblo. His father was well respected and revered by the people. Diego did not know how he would make this up to his father. He looked at Celia. He reached for her hand and saw that she had tears in her eyes. The desire and passion that they felt for each other controlled their emotions the night before and neither one had been able to restrain their actions. When they got to the hacienda, Don Alejandro instructs one of the women servants, Esmeralda, to show Celia where she can freshen up.
"Gracias senor," Celia says.
Diego watched Celia lovingly unable to take his eyes from her as she disappeared down the hall.
"Come with me Diego," Don Alejandro roars.
They go into the library and Don Alejandro shuts the door.
"Sit down Diego," his father exclaims.
"Father, I know…" Diego goes to say but his father cuts him short.
"Diego this stops now, his father orders with disappointment in his voice. Do you realize what disgrace and humiliation your actions have caused the de la Vega name. Diego this is not like you what is going on? I am trying to understand," Don Alejandro says more calmly.
Diego avoiding his father's eyes, "I am in love father. For the first time in my life I can truly and honestly say that I am in love," is all Diego can say.
"In love….. in love Diego. Are these the actions of a man in love or in lust," his father questions.
"For me both, Diego admits. The love I have for her feeds my lust and desire every time we are together."
Don Alejandro sits down carefully trying to figure out what is going on with his son.
"You have not known the young lady a week. You did not even bother to know her name. You were so busy. Are you sure Diego?" Don Alejandro quizzes his son.
"Si, she makes me feel (Diego closes his eyes and takes a deep breath) like I have never felt before, Diego muses. Just talking to her, looking at her, and touching her drives me wild with desire."
"But is this love, Diego?" Don Alejandro asks.
"Si, I was not sure at first but now I have no doubt, Diego answers. I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
There is a knock on the door, "Passe," Don Alejandro says. Celia enters.
"Thank you for your hospitality Don Alejandro," Celia says.
"You are welcome, Don Alejandro replies. Diego and I were just talking about you."
"My father wanted to know if I am in love with you," Diego states.
Celia's eyes met Diego's and her lips slightly parted remembering the heat and desire of the night before. He walked over to Celia and kissed her hand.
"I love you Celia forever and always," Diego whispers.
"Do you love him," Don Alejandro queries.
Celia never taking her eyes from Diego's held his hands in hers.
"Si, Don Alejandro, very much, very much," she murmurs.
Diego could not resist he bent down and kissed her slightly parted lips. Don Alejandro just sighs…trying to fathom what is unfolding before him.
"Even if you two do love each other as you say – these late night rendezvous must stop because….." Diego for once interrupts his father.
"I was coming to that father, Diego remarks. Diego kneels down on one knee and asks, I love you Celia Moya Ricardo. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you be my wife?"
"I love you very much Diego de la Vega more than life itself. Si, I will be your wife," Celia responds.
Diego stood up and took her in his arms and pressed his open mouth to hers.
"Ahem, Don Alejandro clears his throat. Well…I guess we need to prepare for an engagement fiesta, maybe that will help restore the de la Vega honor, somewhat, Don Alejandro comments with hope in his voice. I will send out the invitations next week and hope that everyone we invite attends."
Don Alejandro went over and put his arms around his son and Celia.
"Welcome to the family Celia," he says.
Celia smiled and Diego is overjoyed.
"I am sorry father," Diego apologizes.
With a smile Don Alejandro says, "you are forgiven."
"Thank you so much father," Diego replies with a grin.
"Celia I am looking forward to meeting your family," Don Alejandro says.
"My mother lives in Spain and my father is deceased," Celia replies.
"Oh lo siento mucho, but Diego must ask someone in your family for your hand," Don Alejandro questions.
"I will write my mother and ask if my Uncle will stand in my father's place," Celia answers.
"Very well, I will leave you two but please try to refrain from now on until your wedding night," Don Alejandro pleads.
Celia and Diego look passionately into each other's eyes and knew this would be a difficult request to honor.
But Diego says, "we will father."