Chapter 19

Diego knocked on his father's door knowing that he was still awake. I know he wanted to help...His heart was in the right place..."Father, may I come in?"

"Come in son."

'Father, I apologize for what happened downstairs. Please forgive me."

"Apology accepted, son, I thought that my little stunt would force them to come to an understanding."

"No one can force Victoria to do anything she does not want to do."

"And what about you and Ramon, son? He was very upset."

"Ramon and I will work out our differences… as will Victoria and Aria."

"I hope so. There has been enough strife lately."

"Father, promise that you will not interfere again…"

"I cannot make that promise."

"That is precisely what I am afraid of but sometimes…"

"I meddle a little too much. I want grandchildren before I die…"

"You are as healthy as a horse. You will live to see many grandchildren running around the hacienda…"

"I hope that you are right, son."

ZZZ

"Ramon, I cannot believe that you are still upset about that little scene earlier. No matter how much you want Aria and I to be friends, you cannot force the issue. The most important thing is that you apologize to Diego."

"He needs to apologize to me. I have my pride, you know."

"Is it worth being at odds with your best friend?"

"Don Alejandro and I did something while Diego did nothing! Didn't you say you wanted a man of action, little sister?"

"Diego is not Zorro. I love him for who he is…"

"I feel the same way about Aria. Why can't you understand that?"

"I have no choice but to accept it. If you decide to marry her, then I wish you every happiness…"

"We will be happy. Mark my words. It has been a long evening...I am tired, if you do not mind I will go to bed now."

"Good night, Ramón," she sighed. Was pride worth jeopardizing a friendship?

The Guardian...

"What brings you here, Ramon? Have you come to apologize?"

"Your father and I did nothing wrong, Diego!"

"Did you really think that Victoria would respond to an ultimatum? I thought you two had better sense than that!"

"Logic is not the answer to everything..."

"Are you saying that I am not man enough to deal with the situation like you and my father?"

"I am saying that you should have done something...anything. Not just sat around waiting..."

"Like I have kept your sister waiting?"

"If you loved my sister, you would have told her the truth years ago!"

"I wanted to keep her safe."

"That doesn't excuse your lack of action!"

"You need to leave, Ramon before we say or do things that we might regret!"

I thought that Victoria was stubborn but so is Diego. They made quite the pair…

ZZZ

"Your move, Alejandro," the padre watched his friend anxiously.

"Forgive me, padre. My mind is elsewhere."

"Alejandro, this business with those young people is upsetting. I thought that things would be back to normal by now. Ramon and Victoria are known for their stubbornness but I expected cooler heads to prevail…"

"My son has some of the de la Vega stubbornness as well..."

"A de la Vega and an Escalante, quite a combination…Your grandchildren will be quite remarkable."

"At this rate, I may never get them…"

"Do not give up hope. Things have a way of working themselves out..Have faith, Alejandro."

The Padre's Office...

"Come in, Diego. Right on time, as usual. You know everyone here. Let me get straight to the point. I wanted to talk to the four about your behavior. I am disappointed in all of you...Is Sunday attendance up because of my sermons or because people are interested in what is going on between the four of you?"

"Padre. Does my father have anything to do with this?"

"Your father is my dearest friend. It is time for the four of you to come to terms or go your separate ways."

"Padre, you cannot be serious," Victoria interrupted.

"Victoria, do you love Ramon or do you hate Aria more? Aria, is your feud with Victoria more important than your love for her brother? Diego, you have let these two ladies interfere with your relationship with your best friend. It would be better to resolve your differences or..."

"Or what," Ramon finally found his voice.

"Find another woman who will make you happy. You should do the same, Diego. Perhaps, someone else is God's chosen mate for what I have said," the padre stood dismissively, "Go in peace, my children."