Chapter One
Robert Langdon had a choice to make.
It wasn't an easy choice.
But it had to be made.
The choice was:
Elizabeth Slinskey or Sophie Neveu.
The two women had re-entered his life in recent years.
He had reconnected with Sophie after he had brought his daughter to live with him in Cambridge following the death of her mother, Vittoria. He had been surprised to find that Sophie had managed to become involved with his daughter, not that she knew who Faith was at that point. They had instantly picked up where they left off, like old friends. Robert was surprised to find that the feelings he had for Sophie all those years ago where still there. But he didn't act on them. He was far too old for Sophie now and she was probably interested in someone much younger than him.
How very wrong he was.
Elizabeth, on the other hand, had been an old flame of Robert's and they had had the opportunity to work together again, working against the clock to stop a potentially life threatening virus from being released. It had been Robert's least favourite adventure that he had been roped into. He had spent most of the time recovering from amnesia, not knowing why he was in Florence and being, effectively on the run from the World Health Organisation. While on the plane to Istanbul, Robert reminisced over their past relationship and he realised that he missed her, that he missed her company.
"Things fall apart if you don't look after them." Robert had said.
"Is that a regret?" She had smiled at him.
"Only when I think about it." Was his reply.
After they had stopped Zobrist, Robert had asked what their future was.
"Life must have it's mysteries Robert. Even for us." Elizabeth had said as she walked off to deal with the press.
But Elizabeth had made her way back to Robert and was now living in comfort in his Victorian Mansion.
Robert had to stop and laugh sometimes. Both Sophie and Elizabeth were living with him under one roof. With his daughter.
What was happening?
He remembered when he had broken the news to Faith that he was seeing Elizabeth. She had just turned fourteen and it was a few days before Christmas. Faith was curled up in front of the fire, re-reading Robert's battered copy of Dante's Divine Comedy.
"Faith?" he had asked, sitting on the armchair nearest the fire.
She looked up, "Oh, hello Dad." She had smiled, "Sorry, I didn't hear you come in!"
"That's quite alright." He looked at the book in her hands, "Are you re-reading Dante?"
She nodded, "I like it!"
Robert shook his head, "You really are my daughter, aren't you?"
Faith smiled, "I sure hope so. Otherwise I have been living with a complete stranger for four years."
Robert laughed.
"What was it that you wanted Dad?" she had asked him after a while of chatting.
"Oh." He looked embarrassed. "Well… you remember when I went to Florence earlier this year?"
She nodded.
"Well, I met an old friend there. A friend that I hadn't seen for years, long before I knew your mother. Her name is Elizabeth and well, we used to see each other… romantically." He cursed himself. Why was he so embarrassed about this?
Faith smiled, "Did you guys managed to catch up?" she asked, teasing him.
Robert blushed.
"Oh my God, you did!" She laughed, "Well, I must say, I'm impressed Dad!"
Robert gave her a look, "Anyway, I was wondering if you would be ok if she came to stay here for a bit?"
"Here?"
"I know it's a bit sudden and she wouldn't be coming over until after the holidays. Faith, I have another shot here and I don't want to throw it away, but if you are not happy, I will always put you first. Elizabeth knows this."
Faith smiled, "It's ok Dad. I give you guys my blessing."
Robert smiled, "Thank you Faith!"
"I have one condition though."
"What's that?"
"Keep the noise to a minimum!"
That had been three months ago and Robert was happier than he had been in a long time. Elizabeth and Faith had hit it off straight away. They got along amazingly well/ Elizabeth was like a second mother to Faith and was able to help her in ways that Robert couldn't.
But there had been one day a few days ago, where Robert had been sat in his study working on his new book when Sophie had walked in.
"Robert?" she asked.
He looked up and smiled, "Hey Sophie."
"I thought I might find you in here."
"Just working away."
"It's just…" she found that she couldn't look at him.
Robert got up and moved round the desk and held her hands.
"My grandmere isn't very well and well… I need to head to Paris for a few days."
"Oh, Sophie." He said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sure she will be fine. I just want to be there with her, you know?"
Robert nodded, "We'll miss you around here. I'll miss you."
Sophie's heart broke. It was like Scotland all over again, "I'll miss you too." She smiled sadly.
"Let me know if I can do anything."
She nodded. Robert kissed her on the cheek and she went to leave.
"Robert?" she said at the door.
"Yes?" he asked, smiling at her.
"I love you." And with that she left.