Author's Note: So last night I scolded myself thoroughly for wanting to post quickly. Here I am posting again. I almost posted 4,000 words…but I don't want to run out of story before final exams.

However, last night this story came together for me. No clue what on earth my professor was saying, but I have an ending…and possibly a rather nail-biting one. I hope it's good. I wanted to post some more because I was so happy. I wrote out 'the plan' last night. I'm not even gonna tell Marla yet. LaCorelli might think she knows, but she only has a hint. Yes, I'm gonna admit I'm attempting plot, Patricia. Thank you for your faith in me.

Thanks to Marla, my glorious beta, and everyone who reviewed. It makes me smile when I'm crying over bad grades.

I have never been to California. No idea what the weather is like, no idea what a mountain is. I can't comprehend people who haven't seen a palm tree before. Many of my friends have never seen snow, though I've seen it once. There are even people living in Florida today who have never seen the ocean. So it is possible that our Victoria hasn't been to Santa Monica or seen the ocean. Feel free to tell me when I have something off, but I'm gonna pretend East and West coast beaches are equal for now.

Someone also said Victoria wouldn't take Diego's name. I'm gonna ignore it for this story, but I'll keep it in mind in the future.

Zzz

Where on earth did Felipe manage to find so many fireworks so quickly? Victoria jumped as another bang sounded and lit up the growing dusk. The fireworks brought her out of her stupor only slightly, because she still felt as if she was in a dream. She was a married woman. After over a year of dreaming about becoming Zorro's wife, now she was married to her best friend.

She smiled at her new father-in-law as she was hugged again. She knew that this was better. She and Diego already had a solid relationship, because she promised herself she would stop trying to change him…being mean to him. He loved her even after all the mean things she'd said to him over the years. Her friend…her husband did what he could to help everyone. Just because he didn't ride to the rescue on a black horse, and he used science and his paper to make a difference, didn't mean Zorro was better than Diego. And she knew nothing about Zorro, really. This was for the best.

She hugged Alicia as her friend once again assured her the tavern would be looked after until she returned. Diego promised her she would make any decisions in that area later, and she believed him. She felt a prick of guilt as her friend gave her a look. This look said Alicia knew Victoria had been expecting her wedding ceremony to be interrupted. Victoria looked down at the ring on her hand and shrugged helplessly.

She took the basket Alicia handed her and remembered this all started with cookies this morning. "You're right. I made him cookies. We'll be fine."

Alicia stared hard at her for only a second more before she smiled and embraced her friend again. "Yes, you will, Victoria de la Vega."

Victoria's eyes widened just as Diego rejoined them. Diego kissed Alicia on the cheek and grinned at his wife. "I like the sound of that."

Victoria smiled, and she determined she liked the sound of it, too. No one else had ever given her a name to dream about. She had a father again, a home where she wouldn't have to slave away every day, and a husband. She was happy this ceremony wasn't interrupted. She jumped as another firecracker sounded, then everyone looked up as thunder cracked much louder.

"I guess that's our cue to leave. Are you ready?"

Diego held a hand out to Victoria. She grabbed his hand confidently this time, and he took the basket and handed her into his carriage before the rain could soak them. He handed her the basket and turned to say final farewells while everyone scattered for cover and the skies opened up in a summer shower. He smiled as Alicia threatened his life if he hurt her, and climbed in the carriage to start his future after the perfect day.

Diego paused when he climbed in the carriage, because apparently Victoria was quite attached to the basket of food Alicia had given them. He took a seat across from her, and thought about how odd it was to be jealous of a basket because it got to sit next to her. Maybe she wasn't warming up to him as fast as he'd hoped. He clasped his hands together and smiled at her, wondering if he could somehow convince her to sit next to him instead, or if he should give her space. He felt a little bad as he noticed she'd tensed up again. Now was not the time for confessions.

"You've never been to Santa Monica, have you?"

Victoria shook her head, her fingers still clenching on the handle to the basket. Diego sighed and tried to relax. They spent time together often. Was something about him threatening now? Why was she so nervous?

"The beaches are beautiful. My friends have a house on the beach where they rent out rooms to travelers. I usually stay with them. Luis and Rebecca. You'll like them."

Victoria was once again reminded of their differences. She looked down at the ring on her hand again. He didn't care about that. He cared for her. "I'd like to see the ocean."

"Then that's the first thing we will do once we arrive. I sent a messenger ahead so they know to expect us. The rain should cool things down and it will be a nice evening to walk along the water."

Victoria looked out the window at the rain. "How did you know it was going to rain?"

Diego shrugged and stretched his legs out, once again eyeing the basket with thinly veiled disgust. "I don't know. Sometimes I get a feeling about things."

"Pretty sure for a feeling."

Diego grinned as he shrugged again.

"You're that confident about your feelings for me?"

"I love you. That's the one thing I am sure about."

"About what the alcalde said…"

"The alcalde is a petty and malicious man. I don't care what he says."

Victoria's eyes widened at the steel which entered Diego's voice. Alicia was right. Diego was a good man. Who knew what Zorro was like behind the mask? Diego went with his feelings. He told her the truth, and took care of the people of Los Angeles in a different way than Zorro. He took care of her, too, always offering his friendship and knowledge when she needed help.

Victoria stroked a hand over the basket. "Are you hungry?"

Diego watched her and wondered if opening the basket and eating everything in it would give him an excuse to sit next to her. He shook his head, forcing himself to relax more as he stretched an arm across the back of his seat. His lonely seat, which was meant for two.

"It's been a surprising day," Victoria said.

Diego nodded. "Regrets?"

Victoria shook her head. "No regrets."

The carriage rocked gently, the rain closed them in together. She saw his eyes drop to the basket again before he frowned out the window. Victoria looked at the basket, too, her fingers white as she gripped the handle. If she had no regrets, why was she hiding? Diego was big…but she'd told Alicia that Diego was the best man she knew. His arm stretched across the entire carriage. He might even be taller than Zorro.

Victoria blinked. She was not going to let Zorro stand between them. Diego was big, but he was gentle. She pushed the basket away, and it was a surprisingly simple thing to stand and sit next to Diego. His eyes widened and then he smiled. She liked making him happy. His hand didn't move, but she reached up to pull it around her shoulder.

"Thank you for marrying me."

"I love you. It's all I've ever wanted."

Victoria stared out the window at the passing landscape. Two men had confessed their love for her today. She'd waited and longed for Zorro to say it, but he only admitted love in desperation, as a last attempt to… To what? They weren't courting. She didn't even know who he was. Zorro hadn't come for her today. Maybe he didn't know yet?

"Diego…"

Diego played with the ends of her hair as he looked at her, waiting patiently as she considered what to say.

"You're not worried about Zorro?"

Diego smiled at the top of her head. Maybe now was the time? He could tell her why he wasn't worried if she still loved Zorro. Then she'd stop being so tense…maybe she'd kiss him again.

"Should I be?"

"The alcalde…what if he's right? I don't know Zorro." Victoria's fingers fidgeted with her skirt as she tried to voice her concerns. "What if he gets angry? At you, at me. I don't want you to get hurt."

"You think he'll get jealous?" Diego grinned and pressed a kiss into her hair, then frowned. "Wait, you're afraid he'd hurt you?" Victoria glanced up at him, but the worry in her eyes was making Diego decidedly uncomfortable.

"I don't know. Honestly, I don't know anything about him, no matter what anyone thinks. Maybe he could be dangerous. He's an outlaw." Victoria remembered the stolen kisses. "He might not care for the laws of society any more than the laws the alcalde lays out."

Diego sat forward, waiting for her to meet his eyes. Victoria took his concern as fear and sought to placate him. "Oh, I'm sure I'm worrying for nothing. I told him I wouldn't see him anymore, and he didn't care enough to stand up for me then. I doubt he'd risk coming after you." Victoria smiled weakly, not sure if she believed it. Did she want Zorro to come for her?

Diego swallowed past the lump in his throat as he gently took her hand, now afraid anything he did might come across as threatening. He wanted to say Zorro didn't stand up for her because he would still be there with her as Diego. That he wasn't really letting her go this morning. He wanted to say he'd move heaven and earth if someone tried to take her from him. "Has…has he ever done anything to frighten you?"

Victoria looked sad. "No, that's not what I mean. I guess I'm still a little surprised at everything that happened today. This morning your father was setting you up on a date with someone else and I was…" Victoria shook her head. Diego didn't need to know everything. She'd already seen the disappointment in Father Benitez's eyes when she'd confessed her private time with the outlaw. Victoria didn't want to see the same look from Diego.

Time for a change of subject. "You know I don't know anything about being a caballero's wife."

Diego watched her forced smile for a moment, but it seemed Victoria was just as good as he was at changing the subject and deflecting attention. He didn't know if he wanted to pursue the Zorro thing right now, so he swallowed his words. He had no idea what to say anyway. Did she think Zorro was violent? Granted, he was. But had he done something to imply she wouldn't be safe with him? Other than…never tell her his identity… Diego swallowed dryly as he sat back in the seat, trying to work moisture back into his mouth.

"I don't know anything about being a caballero's wife, either."

Diego tried to forget about Zorro when she smacked his chest and snuggled into the crook of his arm. She trusted Diego. He'd show her, then he'd tell her. He rested his cheek against the silk of her hair, trying to relax since he finally had her in his arms. He'd tell her later. Much later. He couldn't tell her now. "I guess you can do what you want. You managed the finances at the tavern pretty well, and I know my father hates doing it. So do I."

Victoria looked up at him. "But you always help me with accounting."

Diego grinned. "I don't mind helping you with accounting. My father isn't as pretty."

Victoria turned a little pink, her eyes dropping to his lips for a split second before she put her head back on his shoulder.

"You really want me as your wife? I haven't been to school. My parents were nobody. Everyone thinks I've been with Zorro. People might talk. You're a De la Vega."

Diego hugged her tighter and kissed her hair. "You're a De la Vega now, too. I love you. Nothing will ever change that."

Victoria let his warmth sink into her, taking comfort from his arms wrapped tightly around her. It didn't matter that Zorro didn't love her enough. It was time to put childish fantasies behind her. She also admitted she was taking comfort in the miles they put between themselves and Los Angeles. She hoped everything would run as smoothly as her husband believed.

"You won't mind living outside the pueblo?"

Victoria chuckled. "It'll be nice to have a quiet home. I've always loved your hacienda."

Diego smiled and put his feet up on the other side of the carriage, slouching so he could hold her better. "It'll be your home. You can change whatever you want. You already know Yamayra. She runs the house now. Take your time to get used to things, ask me whatever you want, and tell me if you have any problems. You shouldn't worry at all."

"I don't need to change anything. I want to be a good wife, though. I want to make you happy."

Diego smiled, worries over the past fading away at the prospect of the days to come. "You married me. I'm the happiest man in California."

Victoria grinned, starting to believe in a bright future. "You said Alicia could manage the tavern." Victoria wrapped her other arm around him, hesitant. "You want to sell it?"

"That's up to you. I just thought Alicia knows how to run it and could manage while you got settled in."

Victoria bit her lip, unsure. All her dreams up to this point had been of raising a family in town. Now she had no idea what to expect. Alicia would be disappointed in her. Well, she'd make her friend proud.

"I don't need it. Alicia can have it."

Diego's hands paused stroking her back. "You don't have to decide now."

Victoria sat up to look at him. "I have decided. I choose you."

Zzz

Author's Note 2: ahhh…so peaceful… no problems here! 8-D

I'm gonna try my best to wait a full seven days before next chapter. Insanely busy this week, so it will make me really happy if I check my email and see reviews.