Author's note: I normally do not post a story until I have it complete, however, I had given myself a deadline to post on Juan Diego Botto's birthday (August 29). In order to meet my deadline, I am posting this teaser. I hope that you will enjoy and want to stick around for the rest of the story.

Thank you Katie and Amy for your constant encouragement and … prodding!

Sight Unseen

"THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE UNSEEN...THAT'S WHY WE CLOSE OUR EYES WHEN WE KISS...CRY...PRAY…AND DREAM!"

Diego paced the floor like a caged animal, until he heard the familiar creak of the coach's rickety wheels. He straightened his jacket and hurried to the front door. Don Alejandro followed quickly behind.

"Relax, Diego. Relax." He shook his head and smiled, as his normally unflustered son almost knocked over a chair in his haste.

Felipe leaned into the corner of the room and watched with curiosity. He had never seen Diego this nervous when receiving guests.

Diego opened the door. "Emilio, you've made it!" He smiled brightly and extended his hand to the visitor.

"Diego." The man brushed himself off and politely shook Diego's hand. "Late and a bit dusty I am afraid, but here we are."

"It is so good to see you. Welcome." Diego pulled the man into a quick and friendly embrace. "It has been far too long."

"Indeed." The man nodded in agreement. He stood back to survey his friend. "Far too long." He smiled.

"Diego, where are your manners? Invite your guests in." Don Alejandro chastised his son.

"Forgive me, my father is right. Come in. Come in." Diego escorted his friend toward the door.

Just an inch or two shorter than Diego, with the same refined handsome features; Emilio Peña could have easily been a de la Vega. His calm demeanor and love of learning was matched only by those of Diego. Many times at the University they had been mistaken for one another. It was something that the mischievous duo took advantage of on more than one occasion. So similar that they were more like brothers than friends, they bonded immediately. They had their differences as well. Where Diego excelled in the sciences; Emilio's passions were vested in the law.

Felipe straightened in the corner; there was a sudden flutter in his chest, as Diego stepped aside to give Emilio room to enter. One step behind, with her hand on Emilio's elbow, was the most beautiful girl that Felipe had ever seen. In contrast to the man's dark good looks, the young woman's lighter skin, auburn hair, and mesmerizing green eyes, took Felipe's breath away. She stood, silently taking in the conversation, and Felipe thought that the girl looked as if she were trying to disappear into her brother's shadow.

"Who do we have here?" Don Alejandro spied the quiet girl.

"Let me introduce my sister, Mireya." Emilio took the girl's hand from his elbow and pulled her to stand by his side, supportively placing his hand to her back. "Mireya, this Is Don Alejandro de la Vega."

"Welcome, Señorita." Don Alejandro smiled. "We are pleased that you could join us here at our hacienda."

"Gracias." Mireya curtseyed. Her voice was soft and melodic. "It is very kind of you to have me."

"And this is Diego." Emilio continued the introductions. "He is the friend that I spoke of from my days at the university."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you. Milio has spoken of you often."

"I am afraid that Emilio has been a bit misleading, Señorita."

Emilio gave Diego a questioning glance.

"You see, when he spoke of his little sister; he failed to mention that you were a young woman of such beauty."

Mireya's cheeks blushed. "You flatter me, Señor de la Vega." She smiled at the compliment.

The look of gratitude was unmistakable on Emilio's face as he watched Diego gently take Mireya's hand.

"Not at all, Señorita." He kissed the top of her hand. "Would you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you into the parlor? You must be thirsty after such a long journey. I believe Maria has provided some refreshments."

"The honor would be mine." There was a crack of nervousness in her tiny voice.

Diego placed her hand on his elbow.

"But there is someone else in this room that has not yet been introduced." Mireya announced.

Felipe straightened in the corner as all eyes scanned the room and concentrated in his direction.

"Ah, Felipe." Diego motioned for the teen to join the group and he quickly obeyed.

"Felipe?" Emilio's eyes widened in surprise. "Surely this is not the little boy that you spoke of incessantly at the university."

Diego gave a small chuckle. "The very same."

"My friend it seems that time has gotten away from both of us." Emilio laughed.

"So it would seem." Diego smiled. "If I remember correctly, Felipe and Mireya would be around the same age."

Of course, having found Felipe on a battlefield, young and traumatized, they had only been able to estimate the boy's age.

Felipe blushed and nervously traced circles on the floor with the toe of his sandal.

"Time has a way of spinning past when you are not paying attention." Don Alejandro placed a fatherly hand on Diego and Emilio's shoulders. "Children grow into teens in the blink of an eye." He smiled. "And before you know it they are adults with young people of their own." He slapped them both on the back; his eyes seemed almost misty as he looked around the little group. "I will make sure that the refreshments are ready." He quickly excused himself.

Diego smiled to himself at his father's uncharacteristic show of sentiment and then turned his attention back to the introductions at hand. "Felipe, this is my friend, Emilio Peña."

Felipe extended his hand. Emilio shook it and nodded.

"And his sister, Mireya." Diego gestured to the young woman holding on to his arm.

Mireya gave a small curtsey. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Felipe felt his cheeks redden as he signed that he was pleased to meet Mireya as well.

Instead of the normal confused look or questions regarding his signs, Mireya simply stood quietly at Diego's side. She gave no response. Felipe watched the silent, agonizing, exchange between Diego and Emilio.

"I am afraid that we hadn't thought this introduction through very carefully." Emilio scratched his head and Diego nodded in agreement.

"I don't understand." Mireya shook her head.

"Mireya, Felipe is…doesn't…" Diego stumbled over his words.

Felipe was confused. Diego had never been bothered by his handicap before; he had never been ashamed or had difficulty explaining the situation.

"Mireya," Emilio took over the conversation. "I am afraid that Felipe is both deaf and mute." He gave Felipe a warm accepting smile.

"He is quite adept at reading lips." Diego added quickly in the young man's defense.

"Ah." Mireya gave a small acknowledging nod. She thought to herself for a moment. "And the fact that I am blind makes our communicating a bit of a challenge I do believe."

Felipe's eyes widened. Blind? He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The beautiful girl before him, with the captivating emerald eyes, was blind!

ZZZ