The only changes that had to be made to Victoria's wedding were to get Don Diego and Felipe ready. The young man was to be Diego's best man, and although the don had any number of suits that would be appropriate for his own wedding, the young man had only one, and he had not worn it for some time. It had to be let out a little, but the seamstress in charge promised it would be done in sufficient time for an evening ceremony. Don Alejandro of course was already ready, so he charged himself with entertaining his son until it was finally time to go to town.

Diego for his part hid his impatience well, at first sleeping late, then occupying himself with various chores until siesta. Felipe, if anything, was more nervous that Diego, realizing that his own role was suddenly much less defined than before now that Zorro was retired, and he couldn't help but wonder what Diego's marriage would mean to their own rather complex relationship. It was all going to be new for them all, but Diego assured the young man that although Zorro was retired, they still shared some secrets that would in all probability come in quite useful. He also let him know that he still loved him and that he was still welcome in their hacienda.

Of course the entire pueblo heard early on what was to happen that evening, and although there was some discussion about the rather unusual events surrounding Victoria's weddings, most agreed that her marriage to Diego was much better than it would have been to Ramon. While her friends especially understood her logic for forsaking Zorro, no one had deluded themselves by saying that she loved Ramon as she still loved the man who was Zorro. So to know that at last the champion of Los Angeles was to be married to the woman he loved satisfied them all. It was the right match, and the one they all wanted to see.

When Diego rode into town with his father and Felipe, he created a sensation. No one except Pedro had seen him since he had been revealed as the legendary Zorro, and now everyone had to see him, to stare at him, to pronounce how obvious it was that he was Zorro, and of course they all had to thank him and give him their congratulations. The young don endured the sudden acclaim as best he could, retreating at the first opportunity to the quiet of the church where he could catch his breath.

"Well, my son!" Padre Benitez said with a broad smile when he saw Diego. "It pleases me no end to see you this day!"

Diego smiled in reply. "I am glad to be here, too."

"Ah, but my son, you are a hero! Not only are you to be married, but at last the pueblo has seen who has defended them all this time. We have much to rejoice with you!"

"The alcalde is dead," Diego muttered. "I did not look for that to happen, nor did I mean for Zorro to end this way."

"The alcalde's death is a tragedy, I agree, but no one accuses you of seeking his death. As you know, our lives are not ours to dictate. Zorro's life is ended by the hand of God. There is no reason why we cannot celebrate the fact that he was successful and you are here to see this day." He laid a hand on Diego's shoulder. "Not a few of us prayed for you every day, my son, and we did not know we were praying for only one man! As Zorro we prayed for your safety and continued strength. As Diego, we prayed for you to find your role among us and find a bride as your father wished for you. God in his omniscience has blessed us with so many answers all at once, and in the person of Diego de la Vega, champion of Los Angeles!"

"Padre..."

Benitez smiled and chuckled. "Get used to it, my son. The people owe you a great debt. Though we can never repay you, we will try."

"I don't want to be repaid," Diego replied. "I want to marry Victoria and..."

"My son, you have given everything for us, and we are thankful you are alive to see the end. Now it is our turn to give to you."

"We don't know that this is the end, padre. Who can know what the next alcalde will be like?"

"Regardless, Diego, what's done is done. You have fought long enough. No one begrudges you the fact that you are to be married. Marry Victoria, my son, and begin a new life with her. It is time Los Angeles must learn to stand on its own. Zorro has taught us much, and we would be wise to continue to learn his lessons so that we can defend ourselves from now on."

"You make it sound like..."

"I state the truth, young man," the padre said, motioning for Diego to follow him toward the sanctuary. "Accept it as a small payment for what we owe Zorro- what we owe you." He beamed at the young don. "Come, my son. This is one wedding ceremony I have wanted to do for years!"