Resting contentedly on Robert's strong shoulder, Sophie was nearly dozing off. The news of their relationship had obviously spread like wild fire across the school, but surprisingly, more kids seemed happy for them than gossiped about it. They were travelling to Roslin again to see Sophie's grandmother and her brother. Sophie couldn't wait to see them, but also couldn't wait for the school holidays to end so she could get back to teaching again. Suspended at thousands of feet above the ground in the massive plane, Sophie felt like she was in another world. She had been seeing Robert for almost 6 months now- and although she told herself it was stupid- she often found herself dreaming of wedding bells ringing…
Meanwhile, next to her, Robert was not feeling so content. He had been nervous since the moment he had started thinking about it. His hands felt clammy and his whole body was shaking. I'm going to ask her, he thought, trembling. As soon as we get to Roslin, I am actually going to propose to the most gorgeous, beautiful, sensitive girl in the world. Robert gulped. What if she says no? he thought worriedly, and carried on quivering like a little mouse. His shaking had obviously made an effect on Sophie, who gave him a concerned squeeze of his hand and turned to face him.
"Are you okay, Robert darling?" she asked, her French voice echoing softly around him. "Are you scared of flying?" I'm happy as long as I'm with you… Robert felt like saying but he stopped himself.
"I'm… fine," he choked out eventually. Sophie nodded and settled back down. He put his arm around her and felt a large yawn escape him. He decided he should take a nap. I'll just rest my eyes… he thought groggily.
The next thing Robert felt was somebody softly shaking him. He opened his eyes. Foggy. He rubbed his eyes and the fog sifted away. Sophie was laughing at him, her eyes sparkling. "I thought you said you were just resting your eyes!" she giggled, helping him sit up. "We've landed!" she said, grinning.
Robert sat up and kissed her gently. She looked surprised but pleased, a light blush showing for a moment on her face.
"What was that for?" she said flirtatiously. He squeezed her hand, which had somehow found its way into his and laughed. "Celebratory kiss," he said. "We can make it a tradition for whenever we land somewhere," he said.
Sophie grinned as the other passengers started to disembark. "Well, in that case, Mr Langdon, you can be looking forward to a lot more plane trips if that's how I'm going to be greeted!" she laughed, undoing her seatbelt. Robert watched her, a wry smile creeping up his face. He could always tell she was in a flirtatious mood when she called him Mr Langdon. His worries gone for the moment, he followed her off the plane and collected their luggage.
The taxi journey was only a short one and they were soon making their way up the now familiar path up to the chapel. Sophie's grandmother was waiting, and she quickly enveloped Sophie in a hug. Robert waited patiently for them to finish catching up with each other, understanding that after nearly 30 years of not seeing her granddaughter she must be protective of her. Robert's French was very poor, but as they excitedly greeted each other he could understand snippets eg. Robert, Sophie, love, America, Harvard…
Robert felt really happy all of a sudden as he fingered the delicate ring in his pocket.
I'm going to get married to Sophie Neveu! he thought excitedly. Before he could think any more, Marie had pulled him in for a hug too. I guess the French are more direct than I thought, was all Robert thought. He hugged her.
"Erm… bonjour!" Robert exclaimed as Marie kissed him and Sophie. She looked over at her granddaughter and mouthed something to her that Robert couldn't make out. Sophie blushed and pulled Robert away with her. "Umm…grandmère? Sophie started tentatively. "Could Robert and I go for a walk please?" she finished, pleading eyes appearing promptly on her already flushed face. She cleared her throat. "We would like to- umm- reminisce kind of…" Marie clearly saw what her granddaughter was hinting. She smiled craftily and nodded.
"Okay," she said. "I understand you both want to- feel some of the wonderful atmosphere here…" She gave a little grin, knowing exactly what Sophie intended. She looked old and frail now, but Marie Chauvel was really just a big kid. Roslin Chapel had to be one of the most romantic spots she knew. And by what she had heard from Sophie about their last moment there, she could understand why Sophie wanted time alone with him again. Marie watched Sophie and Robert walking together holding hands and choked back tears. She'd only just met Sophie for the first time in over twenty years, but the protective instinct she had for her was stronger than ever.
Robert and Sophie headed off to the back of the chapel together. The romantic atmosphere was heavy, and the pair were bombarded with memories of the day that they had reached the chapel and the priory- but more so of that special first kiss they had shared outside the chapel that night. Suddenly, they stopped. Coincidently, this was the exact spot where they had kissed all those months ago. Sophie grinned. "This is our spot," she said, looking out on the countryside. "I've reserved it just for us!"
She smiled and hugged him lovingly. "It's funny," she said thoughtfully. "I've lost my grandfather, ran around Europe as a fugitive from my own boss, discovered that I'm going to be hunted for the rest of my life by the church… yet I've found you,"
She felt a lump in her throat. How on earth had she ended up with this amazing man? she thought in wonder as she kissed him again. They kissed for a long time, and enjoyed each other's company. Robert cleared his throat nervously. It was time. He held Sophie's hands and looked her straight in the eye. I think I'm going to be sick, Robert thought as he contemplated what he was going to do. How is it that I can handle being a fugitive, chased down by an albino monk and do battle with a crippled old knight, yet whenever I look at Sophie my legs turn to jelly? he pondered as he looked into her deep green eyes.
"Sophie… I love you very very much…" Robert started shakily. Sophie's eyes looked astonished. Is this really what I think it is? she thought in awe. The look in Robert's startling blue eyes told her yes.
"I love you more than I have anyone else in my whole life," he said, his voice getting stronger now. "And I would do anything… for you to be my wife," he choked out at last. Sophie's mouth flew open.
"I'm sorry… I was never any good at the whole romance thing…" he said, looking down. This wasn't how it was meant to go! was all Robert could think. He watched Sophie's reaction intently, praying that she would say yes.
Sophie couldn't believe that it was happening. She figured she must look slightly stupid just stood there with her mouth hanging open, so she answered. "Yes!" she yelled suddenly, and she flung her arms around him. The relief that Robert felt was overwhelming. He kissed her again, this time slipping the diamond ring on to her finger. They broke apart and Sophie grinned mischievously. "So, Sir Robert…" she said. "Ready for a new princess?"
