Chapter 13

Over the next several days Victoria and Margarite visited Maria Sanchez, the local dressmaker whose clientele were the wives of the local caballeros. The quality of her work was well known and Senora Sanchez was pleased to be receiving patronage from the wealthy de la Vega household. Victoria ordered several new outfits, including underclothes and nightgowns. Margarite saw that she received the best deal and both were pleased with their results. Victoria also bought two new trunks which were to be delivered from Santa Paulo.

One week after Diego had left, Victoria had another surprise. Her brother, now Captain Francisco Escalante arrived and announced to the amazement of the entire pueblo that he had the honour of being the new Alcalde for Los Angeles and amongst other things, he promised to get the garrison into better military shape. The entire pueblo celebrated with a large impromptu party that lasted the night and into the following day. They knew Captain Escalante was the right man for the job, not only he had grown up in the pueblo, but he had compassion, an understanding of concerns which faced the people but they also knew that he would be fair with them.

Francisco was thrilled to hear of her marriage to Don Diego but was sad to see her leave in a couple of weeks. He had always suspected that Don Diego had a soft spot for his sister but he couldn't run the tavern and be the Alcalde at the same time. So Victoria was still hoping that Ramon would come home. It was a week later, when Ramon arrived. There was a great reunion between the three siblings as it had been some time since they were altogether in the one place. He too, was thrilled by her marriage and that he had come to take over the tavern for her. Ramon knew how much the tavern meant to his sister and would only run it in her absence.

One evening, the two brothers sat and discussed Zorro. They both had known of their sister's love for the masked man, and of Zorro's love for her. Their love had been strong and enduring for the last five years but they both wondered how Victoria could suddenly switch to loving Diego, as it was obvious to them that she did, whenever she spoke of her husband. They came to the startling conclusion that Diego must be Zorro.

Victoria was happy and nervous at the same time. Not only was the situation with the tavern had been worked out with Ramon, but she and Margarite were leaving the next day. Only one disappointment dented her happiness, she discovered that she wasn't pregnant as she hoped she would be.

She woke early the next day and was feeling very anxious. She had never travelled so far before and was glad that Margarite was going with her, otherwise she didn't know how she would have coped going alone to Spain. It had been decided that they would again use their own wagon and not travel by public stagecoach. The trunks were placed on the back of the wagon and Felipe was to drive them and Victoria's brother was to provide two lancers as escorts for the ladies.

Just like it was when Diego left, the family had gathered at the front gate to say goodbye.

Victoria hugged her father-in-law tightly. "I love you father. I will miss your guidance." She said, tears in her eyes.

"I love you too my daughter. Give Diego a hug from me when you see him." Don Alejandro said unsteadily, tears welling in his eyes too.

"I will." She turned to her brothers and they all hugged, crying openly now.

"Now sister is this any way for a Dona to behave." Ramon teased.

"And how would you know the correct behaviour for a Dona." she teased back.

"Oh didn't you know that Ramon here, had a thing for a certain Dona back in San Diego." Francisco, gave a playful shove to his younger brother.

Victoria was surprised to see him blush. "So who is she then?"

"It was a misunderstanding. I will write to you about sometime."

"You better. Oh I am going to miss the two of you." Victoria hugged them again.

Francisco pulled a parchment from his jacket. "Here's a wedding present for you."

Victoria's took the paper and gasped.

Don Alejandro, Margarite and Felipe moved closer to them. "Is there anything wrong Victoria?"

Tears were running down her face as she looked at Felipe and Don Alejandro. "I...I don't know what to say."

The two brothers exchanged a quick glance at the reaction from their sister.

"Victoria, what is it?" Margarite put an arm around her waist.

Francisco cleared his throat. "I have removed the bounty from Zorro's head. Unfortunately I don't have authority to give a pardon, only the Governor or the King can do that."

There were gasps from the people around them. "It...it means..." Victoria was too stunned to continue.

"There will be no bounty hunters coming after Zorro. He and his family will be safe." Francisco finished.

"Thank you Francisco." Don Alejandro said his voice unsteady.

Victoria was shaking and she hugged her elder brother hard. "Gracias."

"Is it true then." he whispered. "is Diego Zorro?"

"I...I can't answer that but Diego is very special to me and I love him. Do you understand." She gazed intently into her brother's eyes and he nodded in understanding. He and Ramon would keep the secret. He would not be the one to turn in his brother-in-law.

Felipe drove the wagon to the port and saw both Victoria and Margarite, with baby Katherine on board ship. Victoria hugged him, both had tears again. "Felipe, I have always seen you as a younger brother, but I am very pleased to call you my son. I love you and I promise to take care of Diego."

Felipe signed slower than he would for his father. 'I love you too mother. I will miss you' they hugged again.

He turned to Margarite, bowed low and kissed her hand like a gentleman. He saw the pleased look that crossed over the ladies faces at his gallantry.

"I see that your father has taught you well, Felipe. I can see many fathers come knocking on Don Alejandro's door to allow you to court their daughters." Margarite said, chuckling slightly as Felipe blushed.

Victoria hugged Felipe again, as the cabin steward walked by, advising all visitors to go ashore.

"How are you feeling Victoria?" Margarite asked as they stood by the railing, waving to Felipe as the ship slowly pulled away from the wharf. The two women had become best friends over the last month.

"I feel sick Margarite, nervous, even a little scared but at the same time I'm excited too. " Victoria confessed.

Margarite nodded. "I know how you feel."

Six weeks later.

Diego was playing with Miguel's two young sons in their garden, when two well dressed ladies stood at the gate watching with amusement at the scene before them. All three had wooden swords and were duelling.

"Pirates you say." Diego uttered.

"Si, I'm the captain and this is my mate. Hand over your money senor." demanded the older of the two boys.

"And if I don't." Diego wanted to know.

"You will join my crew as we sail the seas and sink our enemies ships." came the bold reply.

"I would rather die." Diego asserted.

"As you wish senor."

Then the fight was on in earnest. Diego was enjoying himself immensely. He parried some of the lunges the boys made, and made a few lunges himself as they moved around the garden, their laughter ringing around the garden.

The ladies chuckled softly as they watched Diego fall to the ground clutching his side with an imaginary wound. "Please, senor pirates, I beg for mercy. You are too good for me." he panted.

The boys looked very pleased with their swords pointed at his throat as they looked down at the man kneeling helpless before them. "You will join us."

"Si, anything, just spare my life." he pleaded.

Diego saw movement out of the corner of his eye just as the two boys cried out. "Mama."

Margarite knelt down and her two sons ran into her arms

At first Diego didn't recognise who the other elegantly dressed lady was but as he stared across the garden into her soft brown eyes, saw her love and amusement, he cried out. "Victoria" He quickly rose to his feet and they raced into each others open arms for a crushing embrace, as Margarite took her sons inside.

He couldn't believe that she was finally here in his arms. It had been two and half months since he left Los Angeles. "Oh querida." he whispered, kissing her hair, her face, her neck.

Victoria kissed whatever skin she could place her lips against, his face, neck. "Diego, I've missed you so much." she panted.

"And I have missed you terribly querida. I've missed these sweet lips of yours." he whispered as he gently kissed her, slowly, tenderly.

But their passion swept them away as the kiss deepened. They parted their lips and their tongues glided together before plunging deep to explore. Diego moaned deep in his throat as he ran his hands down her back and pulled her hard against him. Victoria ran her fingers through his hair, moaned as she felt his growing desire pressing into her stomach, which sent a surge of hot yearning through her body.

Diego slowly pulled back saying. "Let's say our goodbyes to Miguel and Margarite and then I will take you to our new home and we can finally begin our life together mi preciosa." He kissed her forehead before he took her hand and led her out of the garden.

The End

The final story in the Trilogy - "Homecoming"