Diego sat against the willow tree on the river bank, and watched the children play. Isabella sat nearby, and closed her eyes feeling the breeze on her face. He turned to look at her, a worried frown furrowing his forehead for a moment. When she opened her eyes, he smiled gently at her, and she smiled back. She moved her hand over the growing bump on her abdomen, and he could guess what she was thinking.

"Francisco would be proud of you," Diego murmured. "You are coping so well, and the children are too. Your example is keeping everyone strong."

She smiled more, and sighed. "I'm not strong," she whispered. "I never have been. I have always relied on others, and I don't see that changing in a hurry."

Diego raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you see? You are my rock, Diego, just as Francisco knew you would be. A steadfast rock that will never let me down."

Diego nodded thoughtfully, and turned back to the children. Several thoughts crossed his mind, none made him comfortable. He had his obligations to the family, he knew that, but somehow he was getting too close to the lady and her children. Stefano gave him a meaningful glance, and he rose.

"Raquel, Miguel, it's time for lunch. Maria has packed some nice things. I think I see your favourites, Raquel," Diego called.

The two children ran back to the adults. Raquel had grass stains on her dress, and her hair was unpinned, but no one said anything to her. She waited for a reprimand, but none came, and a tear trickled down her little face. Miguel ran to his mother, and snuggled up. Raquel went quietly to Diego.

"What's wrong, senorita?" He murmured, aware that her mother was alarmed as well, but not able to voice it. "No need for tears today."

"Papa would tell me to be a lady…Papa isn't here," she murmured, and sobbed against his shirt as he held her. "I want to have Papa tell me to be a lady…"

Diego sighed, and stared at Isabella. She had tears in her eyes as well, but was still unable to speak.

He rubbed the little girl's back gently, and let her cry. "There, there, little one. It's alright," Diego said softly.

Diego gazed at the layout of the food. So much food that would remain untouched. He really needed to tell Maria to slow down. No one's appetite was ready for such feasts. He doubted he could stomach his normal favourite himself.

"We have some pastries here, Raquel…"

"There's chicken, and tamales, and flan, and lemonade…" Miguel said excitedly. Diego smiled at the boy's enthusiasm. He was too young to completely understand what had happened to their family. He just assumed that his father had gone away on business and would return as usual. There was no grief in the little one as yet, and at least that was something.

Raquel recovered herself with a few sniffles, and sat quietly next to Diego. He offered her some fruit and some tamales, but she shook her head. Next was chicken, but she was not interested. He sighed.

"What about flan?" Isabella frowned at him, and he knew that she was thinking of her daughter eating proper lunch food not dessert. Raquel sighed and turned her head. He really couldn't blame her. It was his favourite as well, but even he couldn't think of eating it. The richness would sink to the pit of his stomach and make him queasy.

Miguel was gobbling down various things so fast, his mother laughed a little and told him to slow down, before he made himself sick. Isabella thought of her children, and ate a little chicken, and fruit before she admitted that she couldn't eat any more. She drank some lemonade from the de la Vega kitchen and commented on its sweetness. Diego nodded, as he sipped his own.

Stefano stood back and watched the group with a frown on his face. Diego felt the look he was giving him, and turned. He got up and walked over to the teenager, and stood near him.

"What are your intentions to my sister in law, Don Diego?"

"My intentions?"

"Do you intend to marry the woman?"

"That's rather premature, Stefano."

Stefano sighed. He folded his arms, and glanced away.

"Stefano, why do you ask?"

"Certain people in the pueblo have commented on your closeness to our family. People who suggest things…"

"Listening to gossips is hardly profitable, Stefano."

"Are you going to send me away?"

"Do you want to go home to your father, Stefano? It would be very understandable."

"Here I am treated like a man. My father would treat me like a child. I know where I prefer to live, Don Diego. Please don't send me away."

"I could always do it, regardless of your feelings. You are underage. I shall have to talk to my father about it. I don't want to make mistakes with this," Diego said softly. "I do respect you, and what you have gone through. I don't want to force you into adulthood too soon."

Stefano frowned. "I am good for the family. I can be with them when you cannot. There are times when you have responsibilities elsewhere."

"Nice try," Diego said with a smile. "I am used to Felipe and his ways. He is not always so well behaved."

"No, I can prove I'm responsible. Give me a chance, let me prove I'm capable."

Diego grew thoughtful. "I want you to join Felipe in his studies and apply yourself," he murmured. "Then I will consider other things. Just as I have with Felipe."

"Felipe?"

Diego stared hard at him, and whatever he was going to say was swallowed. "These are my conditions. If you can't apply yourself, I will send you home to your father where you may continue to learn some more self-application."

Rage glowed in the teenager's eyes for a moment. Diego was impressed with the self-control of the teenager when he nodded, and breathed deeply instead of retaliated. He patted him on the back and went back to the children.

Zzz

When Diego finally arrived home at the hacienda, his father was waiting for him in the stables, helping him a little as he got down from the buggy. The look on his father's face was concerning, Diego thought, but he was quiet and thoughtful. If his father wanted to yell and scream at him for something, he would breathe and ignore him for the most part. He almost was sure he knew what the problem was anyway.

"Well?" Alejandro said softly. It wasn't the yell he had expected, and Diego was a little surprised. "How did the picnic go?"

"As badly as we suspected, father, I'm afraid. The children enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine, but the ladies didn't eat much of anything really."

Alejandro frowned. "I felt for sure Raquel would perk up in the fresh air, she is a wild little thing that needs the outside."

"Yes, she is that."

"You were a little like that when your mother died."

"What helped me?"

"You loved to ride, and I got you a new horse, and it was very energetic. It was a challenge of body and mind. I don't know what a girl child would need."

"Yes, that's right. I remember…Firefly was a wild one, wasn't he?" Diego said softly, remembering his first real horse. "A pity that he was killed…"

"The fire was devastating, and it was a good thing you were away at the time. You would have dived into the fire after him," Alejandro said thoughtfully. He glanced at Diego, and lifted an eyebrow. "A lifetime ago, right?"

Diego shifted a little uncomfortably, glancing at the stable floor, as his father cast a thoughtful gaze over his son. Something in his manner made his father remember the real topic of discussion.

"When are you going to offer for Isabella? The whole pueblo expects it, Diego."

"I will not offer for Isabella."

Alejandro stared at him like he had gone mad. "What?"

Diego began his walk to the hacienda, and kept his eyes to the front. This was what he had been waiting for, knowing his father well.

"I am not interested in marriage."

"Surely you understand that the lady is very beautiful, she is very wealthy."

"Yes I understand both those things very well, father."

"Her reputation may be tarnished by your constant attentions," Alejandro added, rushing to keep up with his son's long steady, slow strides. "You understand that?"

"Oh," Diego said, as if he had never considered that at all. "Perhaps I should persuade her to spend time with her sister again for a few weeks. That would be a good idea. Thank you, Father, for your wise ideas."

Alejandro stopped, and was speechless for a moment. It hadn't really been the result he was hoping for at all. Marriage with the lovely widow would ensure Diego had someone worth his breeding and status, and the lady was beautiful and alluring enough. Diego would father a few children of his own, and the succession would be well and truly assured. Felipe was all very well as a son, but as an heir, Alejandro would prefer a son by blood over one by adoption.

Diego had entered the hacienda, and Alejandro held the slam of a bedroom door. Something told him that his son was annoyed by the conversation, and he wisely kept his distance, surprising his son for once.