Epilogue
The new tavern was rebuilt two months after it had burned down, and two days after reopening Ramon married his Mercedes. Four weeks later, on the first of December, Victoria went into labor. The birth was difficult for her and lasted all day. Diego was grateful for Ramon's company during the hours of fearful waiting, but he missed his father and Felipe at his side. With Doctor Hernandez in attendance, Victoria gave birth to a healthy child. Diego thought he'd never felt so happy and relieved as in that moment when he finally held his wife and his son in his arms.
Z Z Z
Alejandro and Felipe wrote regularly from Europe. It had been decided that Felipe wouldn't attend the university, because he had already mastered most of the topics under Diego's tutelage and the teachers had their problems with his muteness. Instead, they took the grand tour around Europe as it was common for young men of his age and status, visiting the great cities, broadening his view of the world.
Alejandro managed to gain an audience with the king and talk with him about the situation in Los Angeles. As a result the king decided to remove de Soto from his post, replacing him with Don Javier Miguel Francisco Carroga, who seemed a mild mannered man, and had been the first choice. In addition, he granted a pardon for Zorro under the condition that he gave up riding as Zorro.
Alfonso Diego de la Vega was two years old and his sister Elena Victoria only a few weeks when his grandfather returned from his trip to Europe. The second pregnancy and the birth had been much easier for Victoria and Diego thought she was more beautiful than ever when she greeted her father-in-law and presented him his grandchildren.
"Where is Felipe?" Diego asked surprised, looking in vain for his adopted son.
"He didn't come back," Alejandro explained with a smile. "There was a certain young señorita that he couldn't part from. She is the beautiful daughter of a caballero we were introduced at court when I was seeking an audience with the king.
We had already booked our passages and were about to board the ship when he decided that he couldn't leave and wanted to stay. He assured me that he would be able to cope on his own as he would be among friends and he had made progress speaking again. I think we'll hear of him soon. The chances are good that he'll present you a bride or even a wife on his return."
"You must tell us all about that young señorita and your travels, Father." Diego led him into the house.
"Oh, there's plenty enough time to talk about all that later." Alejandro looked over at little Alfonso and Elena with tears of joy in his eyes. "I want to bounce my grandchildren first!" And he spent the rest of the day, and many days more, happily doing just that.