Panchito's Angel

Synopsis:  Just a bit of Three Caballero’s fluff.  I figured Jose always gets the ladies so why not give Panchito a little love ?   Sexy fellow deserves it.  

Chapter 1--Playing on the Square

It was Panchito’s habit to play acoustic guitar in the square, sitting on the fountain’s edge.   He would sing from his heart every song from his homeland whether sad or happy, though he prefered joyous, jovial tunes that uplifted everyone.   He’d then hear the mariachis playing and he couldn’t help but dance. Jose had been in town in the square visiting and he espied him from afar.

‘Amigo !   Como estas ?’, he asked, excitedly.   It had been a while since they had seen each other, even though he, Donald and Jose owned a cabana and a massive mansion together.   

‘I’m going to get something for Daisy.  It’s our anniversary.’, Donald said, with a huge smile.  

‘You sly dog, I had no idea !’, Jose congratulated him.   He and Panchito hoped that Donald would marry his lady love someday, and the way his luck had been going after Shelgoose and Lord Feldrake’s defeat suggested that this could be happening any day now.   Donald had been talking about them being his best men, but they would have to wait at least another month while he planned in secret to surprise Daisy. She always had a method of figuring out what Donald was up to.  

Panchito went back to the fountain and began playing and singing some lovely songs.  He heard the voice of an angel singing in the distance. Being so absorbed in the music his eyes were closed, so he didn’t see the origin of the beatific voice itself.   Once he opened his eyes, right in front of him stood a stunning woman in a magnificent dress. Her hair was decorated with faux roses and drawn back in a french braid. She smelled of coconuts and a hint of musk.    

‘You play and sing so magnificently.’, she complimented.   Panchito grinned, totally smitten by the young maiden. She was spirited, had a spellbinding laugh, was totally gorgeous and had intellect and wit to boot.  She also carried pistols on her hips, just in case some men got too handsy with her.

‘Who are you ?   I’m Panchito Romero Miguel Junipero Quintero Gonzales.  The third !’, he said, suavely kissing her hand.

‘I’m Yolanda Ramirez.’, she responded, blushing deeply.   She had never felt her heart skipping and dancing but she was elated.   Yolanda was ecstatic and peaceful, all at the same time.

‘Would you like to take a walk with me ?’, Panchito asked, longing to know more about this incredible woman who had literally just walked into his life.

‘Of course I do.  I can’t ignore the vibration of my heartstrings.’, she said, poetically.    Panchito took her hand and another shockwave rushed through them both. The world looked entirely new with Yolanda by his side and he knew, he could be with no one else.   She was his red thread.

Chapter 2--Fireworks

The day had turned out to be a red letter  one, seeing the sights and sounds of the city.   Panchito wondered, however, how this newfound, blossoming love of his would affect his status as a Caballero.   He couldn’t simply tell Yolanda about how he, Panchito and Donald had saved the Universe from a fate worse than death.    She would be put in harm’s way. The thought made him want to weep but he was so overjoyed all he could do was burst out with a signature ‘Yah-Woo !’ and twirl his girlfriend around to the lively music the mariachis were playing.   

‘I hate to say goodbye so early but my roommates get worried about me if I come home late.   I’m the one cooking tonight.’, Panchito said with a sly, confident grin. His charm and charisma were scintillating to Yolanda.

‘I suppose this is goodnight for now.’, Yolanda said, with some sadness to her gentle sounding voice.   Panchito became bold and grabbed her by the waist, knowing that he had made the catch of a lifetime.

‘It would do me a world of good knowing that I will see you again, Landa.’, he said, romantically, looking deeply into her chocolate eyes.  

‘Hopefully sooner rather than later.  I haven’t had this much fun in a long while.’, Yolanda admitted.    She looked deeply into his eyes and found herself blushing, and Panchito couldn’t help turning fushia himself.   

Boldly, he moved his beak closer to hers and they shared their first kiss.  In the background, fireworks lit up the night sky.

‘How appropriate.’, Chito said as he gave her one last kiss.   She whispered her telephone number into his ear before they said their final goodbye for the evening.   While she sauntered away, Panchito whistled ‘The Very Thought of You’ with a bit of a spring in his otherwise confident and cocky walk.     

Chapter 3--Foretelling of Love  

The next day, Donald, Panchito and Jose met at the local burger joint to hear Don’s latest, greatest, most exciting news ever in the history of the world.

‘Well, tell us !   Don’t leave us hanging as the saying goes.’, Panchito said.

‘Yeah !  I’m all in suspenders !’, Jose agreed.   Donald fished in his lapel pocket and pulled out the most stunning diamond the boys had ever seen.  His new job and position had proven to be quite lucrative, so he could spare any expense for Daisy’s wedding ring.

‘I plan on asking her tonight.  I could use you two to set the mood.’, he said.   Jose also had news of his own.

‘It’s probably a bit wrong of me to brag, but I met someone.  Her name is Rosalinda.’, he said, pronouncing her name like poetry.

‘We’re all lucky to have such lovely ladies in our lives.’, Panchito agreed.   It was going to be an outstanding day once the wedding took place but for the moment, Daisy was completely oblivious about how grand her wedding was going to be.

Chapter 4--Queen of the Day

Not long after that, Donald had taken Daisy on a date himself over the weekend and strolled with her along her favorite garden path.   Daisy was starting to wonder if he had some sort of ulterior motive.

‘Donald Fontelroy Duck, what on earth are you up to ?’, Daisy questioned, raising a quizzical eyebrow.   

‘I wanted to ask you the most important question of my life.  What do you think is better, one or two ?’, Donald said, being slightly cryptic.

‘Two of course !’, Daisy answered, honestly.

‘So how bout it, toots ?   Just us two. Me and you against the world, babe.’, he said, with a cheesy grin.   It was suave enough to work, however, because she said yes. With a whoop, Donald placed the ring on Daisy’s finger and the plans for the wedding could commense.

The wedding itself was held in a gazebo near the sea, Donald’s favorite venue.   Daisy had to admit, it was incredibly romantic. Panchito couldn’t keep his eyes off his lady love on the other side of the aisle.   She looked so stunning in her baby blue bridesmaid dress.

‘I can’t stop staring at Yolanda.’, he admitted.  Jose had a huge smile upon his face at well, since Rosalinda was absolutely stunning in her dress.   Even Xandra was savoring a moment of frivolity and exhuberance as May, June and April promenaded down the aisle, tossing rose petals, daisies and forget-me-nots.   

Panchito found it difficult to hold back emotions as the vows and rings were exchanged.   Jose, being the magnanimous gentleman he was, happened to have a handkerchief.

‘Chito, use this, my friend’, he said.  Panchito thanked him and dabbed his eyes free of tears.   Panchito felt a smile spreading across his face as Yolanda gave him a tender kiss on his beak.

‘I never knew you were so sensitive.’, she said.

‘There’s a lot about me you don’t yet know.  Given more time I will reveal my secrets.’, Chito said with a wink.

‘I love a man of mystery.’, Yolanda stated with a smile.   

Chapter 5--Rumble for the Bouquet and the Garter Belt

Aracian Bird, or Ari had been the DJ of the hour.  He turned the music to the traditional ‘bull fighter’s theme’ for the catching of the bouquet.   Interestingly enough, even though the ladies fought for it (as ladylike as they could), Yolanda caught it without even breaking a sweat, in her beak.   Panchito was duly impressed.

‘I must catch that garter belt.   Yolanda is one in a million. If anyone is gonna get ‘er, it’ll be this caballero here.’, he thought to himself.   Donald took the garter off Daisy’s gam in such a seductive, capricious way, some of the guys were drooling, but not Jose and Panchito.   They only had eyes for their ladies.

Panchito’s eyes were squarely on the prize.  As soon as the garter belt was tossed into the crowd of single men, Panchito took his lasso and caught it even better than a gaucho rustling up errant vaquitos.   

‘GOT IT !’, he crowed.   Yolanda caught his eye and beamed, seemingly glowing with joy.  He considered it a harbinger that they would be next. Jose gave a telling look to Rosalinda.   Perhaps it would be a dual wedding ? Who was to know ?

Chapter 6--Xandra Fitting In

Xandra found the celebrations enjoyable.   Before she had found it difficult to adjust to the world of modern man but parties were her chance to truly shine.  She was schmoozing with all sorts of celebrities that had come to celebrate Donald and Daisy’s union.

‘Just wait, Panchito will be next !’, she said to Uncle Scrooge, who had come to congradulate his nephew.   Huey, Dewy and Louis were enjoying the bounty of the reception and bantered with their equals, April, May and June.   

Xandra was asked to give the final speech for the night.  It was the first time she actually felt somewhat nervous, because no one had informed her she had been chosen to do so.   Taking a deep breath, she grasped the microphone and began.

‘When I met Donald, he and his friends were down on their luck.  One might have said they had hit the absolute nadir of rock bottom.   However, over time, I noticed he began to grow. He had been independent but he realized it wasn’t a sign of weakness to rely upon his friends.  I’ve never witnessed such bravery and altruism. Daisy couldn’t be any luckier. I wish you both all the best and much happiness for years to come !’, Xandra said as she raised a flute of champagne and toasted with the revelers.   Everyone clinked their glasses together and took a hearty swig. The happy, stuffed attendees began crooning ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ as the evening rolled to a close. Soon everyone began departing, but Donald and Daisy had begun setting off on their own adventure to Bahia, where Donald had traveled before.  Jose knew quite a few people there who were more than happy to accomodate the merry newlyweds.

Epilogue

Months afterward, Xandra’s prediction had become true.  Panchito was the one waiting at the altar for his resplendant bride.  The white dress offset her beige feathers and blue eyes, her mocha-colored hair with a streak of red and pink blew idly by in the wind.   Rosalinda elbowed Jose in the ribcage.

“You know what they say, Jose.  Better late than never.”, she joked, stroking his hand with her thumb and forefinger.   The two exchanged rings, vows and kissed, finally becoming husband and wife. Yolanda knew all about his ‘secret’ life and found no trouble adjusting to it.   In fact, she was the fabled ‘fourth’ cabellero in the legend. Her strength was healing, joy, humor and the ability to dash any gray clouds around even the most acrimonious of people.   Someday, Panchito would become a papa, he knew. Donald was already well on his way with a baby of his own. Daisy was only a few weeks along and she hadn’t begun showing any signs of pregnancy but Jose and Panchito had already been dubbed Godfathers.  Ari was a ‘courtesy uncle’ and Xandra had become a ‘Godmom’.

‘I’ve never been a ‘Godmom’ before, but I think the designation suits me.’, she said.  

‘You’ve dealt with these 4, a baby won’t be much different.’, June jested.  The whole group laughed, celebrating with hors duerves, light refreshements and non-alcoholic drinks.   It truly was a fine day for food, fun, and friendship, one that would not be forgotten for a long time.

The End