Ignacio's Marriage

Ignacio de Soto and Gushing Stream were married in the great cathedral in Monterey.

Ignacio stared at his lovely wife, in Marcela's wedding dress. She leant heavily on his arm, and he supported her carefully. She had been stubborn enough to insist on a church wedding, inside the cathedral. Ignacio had humoured all her wishes, but the cathedral itself brought back devastating memories of when Gushing Stream had sunk into his arms, skeletal and half dead. Today had created new memories, better memories.

She was dressed all in white. A modest, high necked dress covered in beadwork and lace highlighted the thinness of her figure, reminding him a little of her illness. A month had passed since the day he had found her, and during the time of nursing her back to health, he had only fallen in love more deeply. Her eyes glowed with hidden laughter, and her hair was starting to get softer. Her hands were not so bony and fragile looking, but she still had the paleness of a very ill woman.

Gushing Stream glowed with happiness, as she walked hesitantly and with trembling footsteps. He guided her gently, and steered her towards the carriage waiting for them at the church steps. Ignacio was grateful to the de la Vegas for their loan of the buggy, and wondered at their developing friendship. Diego had been otherwise en gaged, or he would have been a welcome guest.

As it was, Armand and Marcela had been their only witnesses, but they had been enough. They came forward to say goodbye.

"Look at you, Gushing Stream. So beautiful," Marcela said, embracing her gently. "Ignacio, you look after her," she added, hugging her brother tightly.

"Ignacio," Armand said. "You take care of yourself and your bride. There may be bandits on the road," he warned.

Ignacio helped his beloved into the carriage, supporting her on piles of pillows, and draped a thick blanket over her.

He turned and took his brother-in-law's hand.

"There may be trouble coming your way, Ignacio. I will support you as best I can, I can assure you. Some people are set in their ways and their beliefs, your marriage will not please everyone in the territory."

Ignacio nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, Colonel. I am in your debt. You have taken so much care of us in the last month…"

"Debt?" The man laughed. "You are family, Ignacio. Any time you need my help, come to me."

Ignacio nodded, and climbed into the buggy sitting next to his bride. A de la Vega servant had the reins, and the trip home would be very easy, all things considered. The man wondered for a moment about the possibility of bandits, and factored in his newly trained lancers and the possibility of Zorro's patrols. Somehow he had the feeling that the possibility of Zorro's patrols was very high.

Zzz

Ignacio was pleasantly surprised to see his sergeant welcoming him back at the town's entrance. He was fond of his inept sergeant. They had seen a lot of change together within the past few years. He greeted him with a wave, and turned his attention to the tall man lounging in the shaded patio of the Tavern.

"Hello, Alcalde. I trust your journey wasn't too arduous." Diego rose and went to the carriage to help Ignacio with Gushing Stream.

"Don Diego, thank you for the use of your carriage," Ignacio said loud enough for most people to hear. "It was a great blessing for me and my wife."

Several of the older dons overheard and cast curious looks into the carriage. Some frowned and turned away, and some smiled as if they could not believe it.

"I will have to expand my quarters soon, Don Diego. As you know, my family will soon be expanding," Ignacio said in an undertone. He did not want the whole pueblo to be aware of how soon that would actually be.

"Whatever help you and your wife need, rest assured I will assist where I am able to," Diego said just as quietly.

Ignacio drew Gushing Stream into his arms, and almost melted as she draped gentle arms around his neck to support her weight more. He wanted to kiss her passionately, and he didn't really care who saw. Diego cleared his throat loudly, and he returned to reality. Glancing at Diego's stern look, he shrugged. Ignacio turned and carried his wife to his office. Diego followed and made himself useful by holding the doors open for the Alcalde.

Ignacio went through to his bedroom, and gently deposited his wife on his bed. He kissed her lightly on her forehead, and looked into her dark eyes, as he sunk onto the bed next to her. Diego wandered back out of the private quarters, back to the street, well aware that he had been quickly forgotten.

"Ignacio, this brings back memories," she said with a smile. He chuckled as memories of their moments of forbidden passion all too quickly sprung to mind.

"How will they take to the arrival of the baby?" She murmured, a little concern filtering into her voice. He noticed the weariness in her voice, and realised she was tired.

"It's not that soon," he murmured, trying to soothe her doubts. He kissed her softly on her lips, and watched her as she closed her eyes to savour his touch. Their future was going to be good, he knew. How could it not be wonderful? He had the women of his dreams in his arms, and in his life. His child grew steadily inside her. What could go wrong with the picture? Doubts were not going to be tolerated – not today.

"I think I may be half way there already. We will have to consult with Dr Hernandez as soon as possible," Gushing Stream said softly, refusing to be distracted. "And, Ignacio…?"

"Yes?"

"Don't call me Gushing Stream in public anymore, please."

"It's your name," he protested. He pulled away from her for a moment, to scrutinise her small face. Her eyes were serious.

"Please, call me Sarah in public," she insisted. "Gushing Stream is for just us, now."

"I don't know…" He didn't understand why her name was such a serious issue. How could a name be a problem for them.

"The dons will accept me better with a European name, a civilised name. You even prefer me in European dress as well, so you are just as blinkered as they are," Gushing Stream said softly.

He frowned a little, feeling a little irritated by her observation. It was probably true, he realised. "If you want to wear traditional clothing, I would not stop you," he said thoughtfully.

"But you would not be comfortable with it, Ignacio. I want to be comfortable, and I want my friends to be comfortable as well. I have no problem with an English name and English clothes. My friends may have a problem with anything else."

"You are a great lady, Sarah," he murmured, lifting a tiny hand to his lips. She giggled a little, and sighed. "I want to cover you with kisses…" His lips kissed her hand all over, stopping at the wrist cuffs of her wedding dress.

"I know," she said. "I'm still too weak, aren't I?"

"Yes," he said reluctantly. "We will have our chance, when the baby arrives."

She smiled, and glanced away. Her hand travelled to the growing bulge in her stomach area. A thoughtful look came into her dark eyes, and he caught her hand again. The kiss on the back of her hand startled her out of her daydream and she smiled again. His lips found hers, and they contented themselves with kissing. His mouth travelled to her ear lobes, and down her throat and back again to her mouth. She sighed and moaned softly.

Ignacio's body felt cheated, and as she murmured his name with desire, he realised that she felt the same. The months of waiting…hopefully they would pass quickly.