Chapter 50
Victoria's Tavern...
Diego walked into a tavern abuzz with activity. The taverness flashed a smile at Diego who received her smile with one of his own. "What will you have this morning?"
'Whatever you recommend will be delicious. You certainly look as beautiful as always. I don't think you have ever looked lovelier, Querida."
"Gracias, Diego. I will be right back," she smiled as she went to prepare his favorite dish. I love you, Diego de la Vega…More than ever…
ZZZ
"Hola, Diego," Zafira said as she approached the table, "Could I join you, Diego…for a moment. I have something I need to tell you."
The tall caballero rose and seated the senora. "I have something to tell you Zafira…Victoria and I are back together…I asked her to marry me and she accepted."
"I knew that it would only be a matter of time...I am happy for you, Diego. I know that you always wanted to marry…have children. Victoria is the right woman for you...I did not want to admit it but it is true...You love her. I can see it in your eyes."
"I loved you, Zafira but Victoria is a part of me. We need each other."
"I remember what it felt like to be in love...to want to be with that one special person...Don't take each other for granted. Cherish the time that you have together…"
"We won't. Victoria means too much to me to lose her again."
"I wasted the time that I had with you and with my husband Joaquin…My priorities were in the wrong place...Life is so short. We have to make the most of the time that we have."
"I know…My parents seemed to have so little time together."
"You were my first love but it is time for me to move on. I wish you and Victoria every happiness," she said as she squeezed his hand gently, "She is a very fortunate woman. I hope that she knows it…"
"You will find love again with someone who will give you those children that you have always wanted."
"Always such a romantic, Diego," she smiled, "I have decided to leave Los Angeles or perhaps go back to Madrid…I miss my family…my friends."
"I am not surprised. You never could stay in one place for too long."
"The stage will be here in a few minutes…I wanted to say goodbye," Zafira kissed his cheek lightly, "Be happy, Diego. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Zafira. Be happy." Diego looked up as Victoria picked up the empty glass on the table.
"I am sure that I will be, someday. Take care of him, Victoria. He loves you…You will be happy together," she said as she gathered her belongings…
ZZZ
Diego sat quietly at the table waiting for Victoria to emerge from the kitchen. He had stacked the chairs, wiped the tables and even washed some of the dishes. "Are you alright, Diego," the taverness asked as she sat beside her fiancée, "you seem very quiet."
"I was thinking about Zafira…I wonder how she is and what she is doing. I hope that will find what she is looking for."
"You would not be the man that I love if you did not care. A fresh start is just what she needs. Someday she will meet someone that she can love and who will love her in return."
"I love you, Victoria Maria Escalante," he said as he gathered her into his embrace, "All that I need is right here in my arms."
"I could not agree with you more, Diego de la Vega," she said as they kissed passionately…
ZZZ
"Is everything ready, Maria? Everything has to perfect…This is going to be a special night…"
The de la Vega cook smiled even though she was exasperated with the young man. This evening was important to him and she would make sure that every detail was taken care of…"Will you stop worrying, Diego Sebastian? Honestly…I have everything under control…will you get out of here and leave me to my business?"
"Gracias, Maria," he said as he hugged her tightly, "I know I can depend on you."
"Off with you…you need to be especially handsome tonight…for the next Senora de la Vega."
ZZZ
The garden was filled with the fragrance of roses. The moonlight filtered in through the garden casting an aura of intimacy and romance. Diego looked at the beautiful woman sitting across from him. Her dark hair curled elegantly from her shoulders…the peach gown fairly shimmered in the moonlight…everything was perfect…All I have to do is make our engagement official…
Victoria smiled as Diego knelt before her and took her left hand. "Victoria Maria…I love you more than anyone else in the world. Will you marry me?"
"Diego de la Vega, I already said yes…I love you…You know that I will marry you."
"I want to give you something…This was my mother's."
Victoria tearfully stared at the exquisite setting, an emerald in the center surrounded by diamonds. "It's beautiful."
"This is a symbol of our future….a future filled with love, laughter and children," he slipped the ring on her finger, "This makes it official…"
"I love you, Don Diego…now and always."
ZZZ
Two years later...
Victoria de la Vega watched as the toddlers played with their toys. Her sons were growing in leaps and bounds. They were happy and healthy…and had inherited their father's good looks …Little Diego Alejandro had his father's inquisitive nature while Alfonso Sebastian had a bit of the Escalante temper…Their hacienda was filled with laughter and activity. Don Alejandro finally had grandchildren to carry on his name and could not have been happier… The boys smiled as she ruffled their dark hair affectionately and kissed them tenderly…
"A letter came on the post today," Diego stated as he walked in the nursery, "It is addressed to the both of us. It is from Madrid…"
"Madrid…Who is it from, Diego?"
"It is from Zafira…It seems that she has gotten married to…to a Miguel Ramirez."
"Ramirez... that name sounds familiar…Miguel…Miguel Ramirez…Is that Governor Ramirez' son?"
"He does have a son about my age…It is possible, my love."
"What else does the letter say, Diego?"
"They are happily settled in Madrid. I hope they are just as happy as we are."
"If Miguel is anything like his father, then I am sure they are. We owe so much to him…You are a good man, Senor de la Vega," his wife said as she kissed her husband, "I love you and only you."
"The fire in my heart burns only for you, Senora de la Vega," he responded as he returned her kiss, "only for you."