Author's Note: So I was tempted to add a chapter earlier with two words on it: April Fool's. But I didn't. Aren't I nice? Thanks again to my beta Marla and for all the encouragement from others I've received on this fic. I sent Snuggly Hero Mature off to beta, but I'm still working on the ending. Hopefully it'll go up on LJ by the end of the week.

Enjoy!

Zzz

Diego floated down the stairs, happier than he'd ever been. Victoria was reacting to him now, not jumping away any time he came near. Those kisses…Diego tugged at his collar and removed his tie. He'd give her time, because he wanted it to be perfect. It might be uncomfortable for her if he pushed her too fast. She was his wife, she wasn't going anywhere. Zorro certainly wasn't a threat, and she didn't act like she wanted someone else. He finally had her, and he wasn't going to screw it up.

He was grinning at his tie when he heard Rebecca clear her throat. He glanced up to see Rebecca and Luis sitting in the family room staring at him. "Hi," Diego said with a grin.

"Hi?" Rebecca asked.

Diego cringed, then backed away to the door. He found his jacket and slipped back inside, but Rebecca was still scowling. "Where are your boots?"

Diego glanced down at his chilled toes, sandy from the beach. "We got caught in the rain. They'll be there tomorrow."

Rebecca's eyes turned concerned as she stood to take his wet jacket and hang it up to dry. "Diego, do you know what you're doing?"

Diego smiled. "I'd hug you, but I'm a little wet. I know you probably have questions, but what do they matter?" He took her shoulders gently, wanting her to share in his excitement. "She's married me, Rebecca. You wanted me to get married, right?"

Rebecca frowned at his excitement, because he acted like nothing was wrong. "Yes, but what about this other man?"

"What other man?" Diego's voice turned cold in a second.

Rebecca shrugged. "You see? Why all the secrecy? Why the rush? It doesn't seem like you've talked to her at all."

Diego stared hard at her, but Rebecca had no answers for him. The only other man was Zorro. He had to believe that. "The other man wasn't right for her. She figured that out before I proposed." Diego squeezed her hands, but Rebecca pulled away and crossed her arms. "Becca, I know you're worried, but things will be fine. You like her, don't you?"

Rebecca frowned, sensing Diego's hidden fears. "Yes, but I don't like all this secrecy. Why does Luis feel confident you're not going to beat him up this trip?"

"I don't beat him up!" Diego glared at his friend, who started coughing. "Not recently," Diego hedged. "I can't help it if he never learns." Luis grinned foolishly at Rebecca, who shook her head at her husband.

Diego drew her attention again. "Victoria doesn't like violence. I thought I'd make my wife happy by not talking about it so soon after getting married. I thought I'd make you happy by not dirtying his clothes. Didn't you complain last time?"

Rebecca glanced between the men in the room, sure there was something she was missing. "What are you hiding?"

Diego glanced behind her as he heard footsteps on the stairs. "Just be happy for me, Rebecca. Please?"

Victoria wasn't sure what she'd walked in on, because Diego's friend appeared to be upset about something. Had she seen them kissing? She blushed as she remembered the feel of Diego's body against hers. Distracted by the memories, she forgot her concern. Diego took her hand, and she smiled.

"Victoria and I were going to read down here for a while, if that's alright."

Diego silently told Luis to scram, and he was surprised at Rebecca's protest. "Not on my couch, you're not."

Luis jumped up before Diego snapped her head off. "Diego, go change. You're dripping all over Becca's floor."

Diego blushed when he realized he'd forgotten. He kissed Victoria's hand and gestured to the bookshelf in the corner. "Do you want to pick something to read? I'll be right back."

Victoria was flustered when she realized she'd been staring at Diego as he climbed the stairs. She'd never noticed a man's legs before. Or his… Victoria blinked and blushed when Luis winked at her.

Rebecca slapped him on the shoulder. "Luis and I are retiring for the night." She smiled when Luis wrapped his arms around her, hoping her new friend found happiness with Diego. "You know where the kitchen is if you get hungry again, make yourself at home. My room is at the end of the hall." She reached out and put a hand on Victoria's arm. "Knock if you need anything. If you need to talk, or if Diego is being stubborn. You know where to find me, alright?"

Victoria nodded, smiling when she realized she wasn't nervous about being alone with Diego again. "Thank you."

"See you in the morning," Luis said as he squeezed his wife then released her to follow Rebecca up the stairs.

Victoria put her hands to her stomach to quell the excited butterflies. Since when had they turned to excited butterflies? She wasn't afraid anymore. She was afraid …of some things. One thing. But she liked his kisses. She liked it when he held her close. Diego was gentle, he wouldn't hurt her. Then she remembered the passion of his kisses, the loss of control. Would Diego lose control, too? A lady wasn't supposed to lose control…

She jumped when she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs and rushed over to the bookshelf, but she couldn't focus enough to read titles.

"Luis and Rebecca say goodnight?"

Victoria turned and smiled at her husband, the butterflies taking flight again. "Yes. They were very kind."

Diego wrapped one arm around her and kissed her forehead before he turned to the books. "Did you pick one you liked?"

Victoria looked over all the books and was silent. She knew Rebecca was from England, but she spoke Spanish quite well. The titles all looked English to her. Did Diego think she could read English?

Diego chose a book rather quickly, not sensing her growing distress. "Pride and Prejudice. Rebecca's friend wrote this."

Victoria swallowed dryly. "It's an English book?" Victoria asked as she stared at the cover.

"Oh, sorry." Diego returned the book to the shelf and ran a finger over the titles till he chose another book. Now when he showed her the title, it was in Spanish. "Education is important to Rebecca. She's involved with the school, teaches people to read and speak several languages. She had this translated. She's been after me to read it for a while now."

"I can't read or speak English," Victoria said, staring at all the books on the shelf. There were many, but Diego owned even more. Reading was important to him.

"Why would you need to? I could teach you if you want. If you ever wanted to travel, I'm sure you could learn."

"You would take me places?"

Diego smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "I'd take you anywhere you want to go."

Victoria rested her head against his chest. She would enjoy seeing some of the places she'd heard about, but in truth she wanted to stay home. Start a family. What was the right answer? Did Diego want her to travel? He often went out of town…

"Honestly, travel outside of California is quite dangerous. That's why I like books. You can read about places without the expense or the risk."

Victoria smiled. She didn't care that Diego considered travel risky. It was his way of protecting her. What good was courage or swordsmanship in family life? She'd chosen the right man.

She pulled away, curious now to know what was in the book. "Rebecca's friend wrote a book?"

Diego smiled. "Lots of women write, Doña Corazon."

Victoria grinned sheepishly up at her husband. "I guess Doña Corazon will retire now."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure I knew what I was talking about." She wrapped her arms back around his waist. "This is not at all what I expected."

"In a good way I hope."

Victoria smiled up at him, then surprised him by standing on her tiptoes to press her lips against his. "Thank you. Will you read it to me?"

Diego licked his lips, wanting to kiss her again. But she'd kissed him this time. She kept hugging him. He was winning her over, it wouldn't be a good idea to push. The night was young.

Diego sat down in the corner of the couch and held out his hand for her. "You could lay down if you want. I know you must be tired." Diego saw her hesitate, but at least she was considering it. He pulled the quilt off the back of the couch and folded it into a makeshift pillow on his lap. He wondered if Victoria realized he was just as nervous, and Diego held his breath as he watched her fidget. Then he tried not to do anything foolish as she curled up on the couch with her head in his lap.

Victoria turned onto her back to look up at him, and he smiled. The book was forgotten while he tried to figure out where to put his hand. Her stomach seemed safe, so he tentatively rested his hand there. Surprised, Victoria grabbed his hand with both of hers.

He met her wide eyes. "Is this wrong? Am I hurting you?" Victoria thought for ages, then finally shook her head. "You want me to move?"

Victoria thought some more and turned pink again, but she pulled her hand out from under his. She covered his hand and tried to remember to breathe as Diego's eyes skimmed over her. His hand moved gently, caressing back and forth just once. She was so small, and he could feel her breath tremble as she forced herself to breathe.

"Pride and Prejudice?" Victoria's voice barely escaped, but Diego heard. He stroked her cheek quickly with one finger, then returned his hand confidently to her stomach. He had to clear his throat several times before he was able to start reading out loud to his wife.

Zzz

Diego finally stopped reading. The book sounded interesting…he didn't want Victoria to miss it. He gently closed the book and glanced down at his sleeping wife. Her hands covered his where it still rested on her stomach.

Luis thought he was being a fool. Diego could carry her upstairs right now, while she was still sleepy. She liked kissing him. She'd like the rest, too. She just let her mind get in the way, making her nervous and jumpy. If she was sleepy, maybe she'd relax and enjoy it more?

Diego scowled, upset with himself. He dropped the book on the table nearby rather loudly. He'd be patient, wait for her to get accustomed to him. Look how far they'd come today. Victoria stirred, and his name in her sleepy voice had to be the most erotic thing he'd ever heard. He stood and lifted her into his arms before she woke completely and before his thoughts started tempting him again.

"Diego?" Victoria asked when she felt him climbing the stairs.

"It's time for you to get some sleep. The book can wait."

Victoria watched him as he carried her so effortlessly, her fingers playing with the hair at the back of his neck. "I'm sorry I fell asleep."

Diego smiled at her. "Don't be. I liked holding you."

They reached the top of the stairs and Diego could feel her start to tense. "Sleep as long as you like. Tomorrow we can walk around the city." Diego set her on her feet and opened her door, but didn't move to enter.

The confused smile on her face made Diego wonder if Luis was right. She was his wife now. He stepped into her and wrapped his arms low around her back. "I promised. If you want me to come inside, you have to ask me." Diego held his breath for a moment, begging her silently to pull him inside with her.

She bit her lip in indecision, and Diego's hand came up to stroke her cheek and relax her mouth. Luis was wrong. She'd come a long way in only a few hours. He could push tomorrow. "I love you, Victoria. You've had a long day. Go to sleep." Diego pressed his lips to her forehead and left her standing in the doorway.

Victoria stared even after he'd disappeared. Alicia's words echoed in her mind, but she had to move at her own pace. Tomorrow was soon enough. She was sleepy. She closed the door behind her and glanced around her room. Would this be the last night she ever slept alone? What was it like to sleep next to another person? Diego was so tall, his arms and hands wrapped around her made her feel tiny.

And cherished, she thought as she looked at the lily on her pillow. She quickly stripped out of her dress and climbed beneath the covers. She turned over to face the empty side of the bed. This bed might not even fit in her room at the tavern. There was room on it for both of them. I liked holding you. Maybe it would be nice to be held while she slept. She liked kissing. Diego could do what he wanted to give her a baby, then he'd hold her through the night. Then she'd have her own baby to hold and love, along with her own husband. They would all take care of each other. She fell asleep quickly, dreaming of babies with blue eyes and black hair.

Zzz

Author's note: So when I asked on my FB group what book Diego and Victoria might read, P&P was suggested. I never thought about the English/Spanish thing much, but I amplified it a little for fun. It would probably cost a fortune to have it translated, but go with it. Yes, Diego had some naughty thoughts, but don't worry. He's hiding Zorro, but otherwise he's not going to be a bad guy in this story. Hope you enjoyed it.

Don't forget, check me out on LiveJournal. And our New World Zorro Fanfiction Facebook page now has 42 members! Was talking to LaCorelli the other day and we really love the community, knowing writers and readers and fans can bond over these characters we love so much. I hope you enjoy, and have a great week!

And to make my week a little better, if you enjoyed or have any comments, please review :)