Chapter 18

The wedding festivities lasted long into the night. Don Alejandro warmly received his new daughter-in-law, but Diego knew that it wouldn't be long before his father started talking about grandchildren. The pueblo and the safety of its citizens had always come first but it was time he put himself first for a change...Diego looked at his beautiful wife sleeping beside him. At last, I have everything that I could ever want right here in my arms. "Good morning, Senora de la Vega."

"Good morning, Senor de la Vega. I cannot think of a better way to wake up," she replied as she kissed her husband gently.

"Neither can I, Victoria de la Vega," he responded with a gleam in his blue eyes.

Those eyes are one of the things I like most about my husband. They are so beautiful and expressive...If I had only looked in his eyes, he would have been unable to hide his feelings from me. Perhaps, that is why he never looked me in the eye…He has been in love with me for years and I was not aware of it. His touch seemed somewhat familiar to the few times Zorro held her. Is it possible that Diego is Zorro? He wouldn't hide such a secret from me…or would he? Why didn't I consider the possibility before now? Diego is one of the tallest men in the pueblo... How many men do I know other than Zorro that have blue eyes? Diego is never around when Zorro is present…I wonder…The more time she spent with Diego the more she noticed some similarities between her husband and Zorro…It made sense to her now…He always gave me plenty of hints. I have Zorro and I have Diego. I love the man beneath the mask…A man who has sacrificed so much to help others … risking his life ... Concealing so much of his true self from the people he loves. Only one question remained…Should I face Diego with my suspicions or wait for him to reveal himself?

Diego's conscience gnawed at him… How will Victoria feel when she learns that I have not been completely honest with her? I made decisions without considering those I love…Victoria…my father…even Felipe. I waited a lifetime to find love. Being near Victoria every day, and not being able to express my true feelings was the hardest thing I ever had to do… What is love without trust? How long can I keep this to myself?

ZZZ

"Victoria, I need to talk to you…about Zorro," the tall caballero paced the floor anxious about what he was about to reveal to the woman he loved…the woman that he had married. I hope that she will forgive me…

"Why do you want to talk about Zorro? I love you, Diego…Zorro is a part of my past, husband. You are my future," she stated as she touched his arm gently. Are you finally going to tell me the truth? Tell me, dear husband. You have nothing to fear.

"He was an important part of your life, Victoria. You loved him once."

"I love you, Diego," she repeated wanting to give him the assurance and confidence he needed, "Zorro was a romantic fantasy…an ideal…You are a man of flesh and blood."

"Haven't you wondered who he is, Querida? Don't you want to know who the man behind the mask really is?"

"For years, I wanted to know who he is but that is not as important to me anymore. In fact, I believe that I know who he is."

"You do?" She knows somehow, Diego thought. I am almost certain of it. But how?

"The courage and the passion that lives in Zorro's heart also lives in yours, Diego. You, my dearest love, are Zorro."

"But…"

"How did I guess? Let's see…One, you have blue eyes and your eyes don't lie. Two, I have kissed Zorro on several occasions. Your kiss is definitely similar to his. Three, the way you call me Querida. Why didn't you tell me, Diego?"

"I was afraid of your rejection, your disappointment in finding out that boring Diego being Zorro."

"Diego, I love you for so many reasons. You're kind, compassionate and loyal…"

"That sounds exciting," Diego said sarcastically, "It sounds like you're talking about a pet…not about the man you love..."

"Really!" Before Diego could respond, the señora kissed Diego's waiting mouth. The kiss deepened taking on a new level of passion and intensity that shook them to the core. "Is that enough proof, Senor?"

Diego wrapped his arms around his wife and pressed a tender kiss to her lips. When the couple finally came up for air, the caballero smiled as he noticed the soft blush upon her face.

"You are Zorro. I was right. The way you hold me…the gentleness of your touch…How could I have not known that you are Zorro?" Victoria looked into Diego's eyes. So many questions needed answering. "How did you manage to…?"

"To deceive so many people? I had to make everyone believe, that I was over-studious and weak-willed to hide my real identity….from DeSoto…from my father and from you, the most important person in my life. It was the only way I could think of to protect the ones I love, from getting hurt."

"Can you forgive me for the hurtful things I said to you?"

"I can forgive you anything."

"I love you, Diego, the man, behind the mask…the caring, compassionate man… the man who I married. I am so glad that we found each other."

"When we return, I will show you Toronado and where I devise all my experiments but now I may need a little more convincing!"

"As you wish, Senor de la Vega."