Chapter 11

As Diego was allowed to leave bed for longer periods of time, they took long walks along the beach or simply sat in the sand, watching the waves. His health was improving quickly and he began to regain his strength, extending his exercises with swordplay and riding. The distances he walked became longer and longer each day and he often ran alone or ran ahead and doubled back to her. As he grew stronger Diego noticed with concern that Victoria seemed to get weaker. Even on short distances she no longer could keep up with him, needing a break during their walks. When he asked her she always replied that she was alright and only tired, but he knew that she was sleeping soundly in the night.

The doctor had visited Diego a few days earlier for a final visit and declared him healed. They hadn't discussed their return yet, but they needed to make a decision. There was no reason to stay much longer and he wanted to return home, but Diego knew that Victoria was reluctant to return to Los Angeles. She had come to like Santa Paula where they were free of the scandal and the rumors. Hand in hand they were walking leisurely along the beach on the wet hard sand when she suddenly stopped.

"Victoria? Is something wrong?" Diego asked, surprised. "What is it? A pebble or a shell in your shoe?"

"No, there's nothing wrong with my shoe. I'm sorry, Diego, but I can't go on." Staggering, she reached out for his support with her hand and he caught her, wrapping his arms around her.

"We only walked a few minutes, Victoria. You used to walked a lot more when serving in the tavern. Aren't you feeling well? Do you need a break?"

"I feel like my legs and arms are made of lead and I don't know how to take another step." Tiredly she leaned against him and started to cry from exhaustion.

"Shh, Querida, don't cry. I'll take you back to the tavern and I'll have the doctor examine you." Diego kissed her on the cheek. She protested only a little when he scooped her up to carry her back. Then she lost consciousness. Concerned, he carried her the short distance to the tavern and into their room. The doctor couldn't come fast enough.

Z Z Z

"There is good news and there is bad news," the doctor began as he had finished his examination and came back to report to Diego.

"What is it?" Diego asked.

"The good news is that your wife is expecting a child; my congratulations!"

Diego grinned happily, but became serious again instantly. "And what is the bad news?"

"While your wife was nursing you, she neglected herself too much. It's the reason she didn't become aware of her pregnancy earlier although she is more than three months pregnant now. She is completely exhausted and because she has no reserves, the pregnancy is straining her more than normal."

Diego was alarmed. "I know that she has been very tired lately, but she always shrugged it off. Is it dangerous? What do you recommend?"

"It can become dangerous for both her and the child. She should take good care of herself, preferably stay in bed at least for the next two weeks or even the rest of her term, depending on her condition."

"Can she travel?"

"What do you have in mind?" the doctor asked.

"I think it's best if we return to Los Angeles." Diego thought of the servants available to them at the hacienda who would make sure that Victoria would get the rest she needed. They couldn't stay in the tavern until the end of the pregnancy.

"I recommend that she rests for a complete day before you return. Staying longer and disrupting her resting again can have negative effects for mother and child."

"I understand. You can be assured that I will do everything for my wife, doctor. As you told me at one of your previous visits a few days ago my lungs have healed and I don't require staying here any longer."

"Yes, you don't need me any more, Don Diego and I'm very relieved about it. It's not often that a patient survives such severe injuries. I wish you and your wife all the best for the future."

Z Z Z

When Diego told Victoria of his talk with the doctor and his decision to return to Los Angeles, she began to cry. "I'm sorry, Diego, that I make such trouble for you. You haven't completely recovered."

"Shh, Querida, don't cry." Diego took her in his arms and held her tight. "I'm alright again and I'm very happy about the baby. You have done enough for me. Without you I wouldn't be alive. Now it's my turn to take care of you and our baby."

"But.." Victoria started.

"No but, Victoria," Diego interrupted her. "You're the most important person in my life and I can't bear to lose you or our child. The doctor said it would be no problem for me to return. My lungs have healed again."

"I don't know why I'm crying, Diego!"Victoria admitted. "I always wanted to have your child, but I'm afraid, too. And what about your father?"

"I had a long time to think about it. It was my fault, too. I should have told him that I'm Zorro and none of this would have happened. I will forgive him. He is my father after all and I love him."

"I don't know if I can forgive him yet," Victoria confessed. "He nearly killed you!" Thinking of that terrible day made her cry again.

"I understand that. If he wants my forgiveness, he has to assure me that he won't hurt you again." Victoria saw the steel in his eyes, before he closed them to kiss her tenderly. "I can't stand to see you cry, Querida."

"I need you, Diego, I need you so badly." Victoria clung to him, relaxing again under his hands that tenderly stroked her back while he kissed her. It felt good to have him take care of her, now that she no longer needed to be strong for him. She didn't tell him that she was afraid to return. Afraid of the straining journey, the disapproving looks of her father-in-law and the whispering in the pueblo when people thought she wouldn't hear.

Z Z Z

Victoria was tired when they arrived at the hacienda three days later and Diego carried her straight from the carriage to their room, laying her down on the soft bed. She smiled when she remembered the last time they had woken up together in this bed after making love.

"We were so happy together before.."

"We will be again, Querida. Everything will be fine. I'll send for Doctor Hernandez to check on you tomorrow, but now you need to rest and sleep. Call for a servant if you need something." Victoria fell instantly asleep and Diego looked at her, concerned. The travel had exhausted her and he hoped it hadn't been too much. She was so pale and without her usual energy.

Z Z Z

On his way through the hacienda he met several servants who welcomed him, happy to see him again after they had been told of his illness. Felipe rushed to him when he met him in the stables and signed excitedly.

"Yes, Felipe, I'm happy to see you again, too." Diego smiled. "And yes, my breathing is fine again. Don't worry about me!"

Felipe signed again, asking what was amiss.

"You know me too well, Felipe. It's Victoria. She's expecting a child, but the worry for me has strained her too much and now she's having problems and needs a lot of rest."

"No, Felipe. It's not your fault. You couldn't know that she was pregnant. You couldn't have done more than you already did."

"No, you can't see her right now. She is sleeping at the moment, but she'll be happy to see you later." With an arm around Felipe's shoulder, they walked back to the house.

"Tell me how you have been doing in the last weeks, Felipe. Has Toronado forgotten me, now that you cared for him alone?" Diego grinned when Felipe tried to convince him that it wasn't the case and only realized after a few minutes of signing that Diego was joking.