Chapter 25
The de la Vega hacienda...
Diego opened the door to let Victoria in the hacienda. His father was in the library affording the couple some privacy. This old don dearly loved Victoria and prayed that she would accept his son's proposal. Their life would be filled with love and endless possibilities. Hopefully, there would be grandchildren in the hacienda before long...God-willing
Diego and Victoria finished the rest of their meal in companionable silence. I want this evening to be perfect. The caballero stood and offered Victoria his hand. No time like the present. "Would you like to take a walk in the garden, my lady?"
"I would, the roses are so beautiful there," Victoria laced her hand through his surprisingly muscled arm and the two went out into the well-lit garden.
"Victoria, we have been friends for a long time."
It was touching to see how nervous Diego was. I guess this is it...
"Dearest Victoria, ever since I returned from Spain, even before that, I have been in love with you. I...I never believed that I could love anyone as much as I love you," he whispered as his voice caught, "Would you do me the honor of being my wife, my love, my partner in life? I will love, honor and cherish you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?"
"Yes, Diego with all of my heart, yes. I love you!"
"This was my mothers'. She would be proud to have you wear it." Diego placed the small delicate ring on Victoria's finger. The tall caballero picked her up and enveloped her in his arms relieved that she was almost his after all these years. Victoria had accepted him but somewhere in the back of his mind, he was waiting for the other shoe to drop…
ZZZ
Diego sat down at the breakfast table. Last night had exceeded all his expectations. All was right with the world or so it seemed...
"It certainly is a fine morning. I cannot think of a better start to the day than this one, son."
"It certainly seems so, Father."
"You seem a little subdued. You should be the happiest man in the world."
"I am, Father. It seems almost unreal. I am finally engaged to Victoria after all these years..."
"You have to become accustomed to the idea. Not long ago, Victoria had her sights set on Zorro…"
"I am so close to having everything that I have ever dreamed of."
"Are you worried about something else?"
"I have not been all that fortunate when it comes to love…"
"Your relationship with Zafira is in the past. The outcome will be completely different. All this worry is needless. I am looking forward to seeing many grandchildren running around this hacienda before long..."
"We will be happy to give you grandchildren but we have not even posted the banns yet." He had enough on his plate dealing with his overeager father without worrying about future grandchildren. He had to get his fiancée to the altar first... He needed to tell Victoria the truth but he was not sure how she would react...She would either forgive him or reject him...I cannot hide the truth forever... A marriage has to be built on trust or it will not last.
"A meeting with Padre Benitez will take care of that. Now go spend some time with your lovely fiancée."
ZZZ
Victoria smiled as Diego entered the tavern. It was strange to think of him as her intended but somehow, it felt right. Nothing could spoil the joy and happiness that she felt right now...
"Good morning," he pressed a gentle kiss to her left hand where his mother's ring resided.
"It is a good morning, isn't it? May I show you to your table, Diego?"
"Gracias, Victoria. If you have a few moments, I would like to discuss something with you."
"I will be back in a few moments with your order and then I am all yours."
A few minutes later...
Diego smiled as Victoria sat across from him with two plates, one for him and one for herself. It was good to sit and talk without all the previous animosity. Their lives would not be without conflict but she would treasure the peaceful moments that they spent together. "I would like to talk to the padre today about posting the banns this Sunday."
He is certainly not wasting time, Victoria thought. "What about today, Diego? Pilar and Alicia can manage the tavern."
"Good. Padre Benitez has set aside time for it this morning."
"A little anxious to get to the altar. Are we," she teased.
"Aren't you?" Diego smirked as Victoria nodded her head in agreement.
"How did your father react to our news?"
"He is already talking about his future grandchildren…I would like a son to carry on the de la Vega name and a beautiful little girl just like her mother would be enough for me…"
"Can you imagine us a parents, Diego? Children with our tempers? They would be a handful but…."
"We would love them just the same and my father would spoil them rotten. What about the tavern, Victoria? I know that we have not discussed it. "
"I could run it on a part-time basis or let Ramon run it or even Mendoza. He would do a wonderful job with the right training. How would you feel about it?"
"If running it makes you happy then that is fine with me."
"As your wife, I would be expected to take my place in society…"
"I am not all that concerned about social status, you know that."
Victoria was touched by his confidence in her. I will be a good wife. I promise.