I'm glad you are enjoying the story. I'm sad to say it's coming to an end (this is the penultimate chapter). I hope you like it! Please, read and review 

Summary: This is another fanfic for Robert/Sophie shippers. My vision of what could have happened in Florence. If your intention is reading mystery, adventure or thriller, you may skip to another story, for this one is pure fluff. I hope you enjoy it anyway!

When Can I See You Again?

Chapter Ten: The Question of the Questions

The ringing from the phone that echoed in Langdon and Sophie's room made them awake in a startle. Only this time it wasn't a mysterious visitor, but someone calling from the reception to wake them up, as previously arranged. They wanted to make the best of their last full day in Florence.

"What time is it, Robert?" Sophie asked masking a yawn.

"Good morning to you, too."

She leaned in to kiss him on the lips. "Better?"

"Much better," he said stroking her cheek. "It's seven o'clock, by the way."

"Oh, that early? Can't we go back to sleep?"

He freed himself from the covers, stood up and got hold of both her arms. "No, lazy Princess."

She didn't fight his gently pulling. In no time, they were fresh and ready for what promised to be a very interesting day, to say the least. The tickets Langdon had been given included transportation from the Hotel to the first vinery they were going to visit. So, around 8:00, a van on which one could read "Tuscany Wine Tour" picked them up and, along with a few other guests, they were taken to their first destination, the Castello di Verrazzano. Before reaching the castle they had to travel along a picturesque wine road, which was lined at regular intervals by characteristic cypresses and was an attraction by itself.

Besides Langdon and Sophie, the small touring group included two middle-aged women, a couple in their sixties and a young man that was no older than twenty-five. Langdon didn't like the way he first looked at Sophie, but didn't gave it too much importance at that time.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen," the guide greeted with a broad smile when the vehicle pulled up. "I'm Joseph, and I'll accompany you on the journey into what might almost religiously be defined as a temple of the cult of wine in all its forms. Our first point starts right here. Will you please follow me?"

Langdon caught Sophie's hand and waited for the rest of the group to pass before they entered the castle courtyard and admired the magnificent garden and the reserve of "verri", the wild boars from which, according to Joseph, the place took its name in ancient times.

After that they were guided to the marvelous terrace overlooking the castle's vineyards and estate, and Joseph talked for twenty minutes about the lands that surround it and the origins of the grapes that grew on their farm.

"It's boring," Sophie whispered in Langdon's ear, making sure nobody could hear her.

"I know," he squeezed her hand. "Just pretend you are interested and be patient. The best part is about to begin."

She did what she was told to. He was right; the visit got much more interesting when they entered the heart of the castle, where they could see the ancient walls that have formed the cellars since year 1100.

"Here you can see the enormous barrels and smell the vivid aromas of grapes and wood with which these particular wines have impregnated the atmosphere over the years," Joseph explained.

While the guide started another talk and Langdon couldn't concentrate on it his eyes were unfortunate to divert to the young man who, to his disgust, had been shooting Sophie engulfing looks. He came from behind her back and, enlacing her body, made it clear to the man he shouldn't behave like that and protected Sophie from his disgusting stare.

Unaware of everything, she covered his arms with hers and turned her head to face him. "What is it?"

"Nothing," he lied. "I just miss hugging you." It wasn't a lie, after all.

For the following hour they had the chance to admire the personal cellars of the castle owner and the cured meats, which, according to Joseph, had always been the ideal accompaniment to a good wine and helped to create the atmospheric flavors that could be breathed in the castle.

Finally, after becoming acquainted with the whole range of genuine goodies produced by the Verrazzano farm, they were guided to a large hall where, gathered around the fireplace, they could sample the best wines produced in Tuscany.

Joseph accompanied the group on their tour for three more vineyards not very distant from each other. By the end of the visit to the second one they were served a magnificent meal that matched perfectly one of the best wines they had ever tasted. It was already six o'clock when the van came back to pick them up and take them to the Hotel again.

Sophie collapsed into his arms as soon as they stepped into their room.

"You are not drunk, are you?" Langdon asked playfully.

"I may be, Professor. But not from the wine," she teased, closing her eyes and leaning forward.

"Really?" he kissed her lips, softly at first, and then passionately.

He brought her to the bed and, while she sat, he put his arms around her and sought her mouth again. "Would you care for a nice bath?" he asked in a provocative tone.

"I'd be delighted."

They disposed each other from their clothes on their way to the bathroom, and, once there, Sophie reached out to the bath plug and let the hot water start to fill the huge bath. They had a very long and pleasant bath. She gave him a great massage that made the slightest sign of tension disappear completely. His touch on her body wasn't less relaxing. When the water started to get cold Sophie said that maybe it was time for them to step out. Despite his will to stay in there with her forever, he agreed and followed her. After all, he had something much more special prepared for her that night.

"Will you choose one of the beautiful dresses we bought yesterday?" he asked while drying himself.

"Are we going to some special place?" she wanted to know.

"Not really."

"But-"

He kissed her forehead. "Trust me."

If he wanted her to wear one of those dresses, it meant that she should be as elegant as she could. It would take her some time to get ready, so she fetched the black dress, that hang in the cupboard, the black shoes, and asked him to get dressed and wait for her in the room. As good as she was with codes, she could also play a great dame if the occasion demanded. Therefore, forty-five minutes later, she stepped out and made Langdon's jaw drop. The dress looked even more beautiful on her than it looked the previous day; her hair had been carefully dried and was elegantly tied up in a bun; and her face had a light make up that only enhanced her natural beauty. The golden necklace she wore was like a cherry on the top of a cake.

"You look marvelous," he managed to say.

She blushed, but let out a smile. "You are not bad yourself."

Even though her lips tantalized him, he kept his composure and didn't kiss her, afraid that it could spoil her make up. It would have to wait.

"Shall we go?" he asked stretching his arm out.

She put her hands in his. "You still won't tell me where we are going?"

"Just a little more patience, dear Sophie."

It wasn't until several minutes later that she found out he was taking her to one of the most beautiful and, as he told her months later, expensive, restaurants in Florence. The table they chose was on a terrace whose sight comprehended a great area of Florence. "A perfect scenario for what I'm about to do," he thought.

The meal they ordered was superb, but Langdon didn't care; all he cared about that moment was the woman he had across from him at the table.

She looked at him with an intrigued expression. "Are we going to order any dessert?"

"Yes, but before that, I have an important question to ask," he replied as he stood up and went over to her.

He had attracted some curious looks. "Robert, please," she pleaded embarrassed.

He didn't give her attention, though. Instead, he kneeled in front of her and retrieved a small box from the inner pocket of his suit. Now all the looks were on the couple, and Sophie's cheeks were as red as the shoes she had tried on in that store the day before.

He opened the box to reveal the astounding diamond ring he hoped would be the symbol of the love they shared for each other. "Sophie Neveu, will you make me the happiest man on Earth by marrying me?"

She had forgotten about her surroundings. "Yes." Her gleefulness was evident as she watched him slid the ring on her finger.

Someone on a distant corner started to clap their hands. Soon all the terrace was cheering as Langdon stood up once more and took Sophie in a tender but long kiss.

"I love you," she whispered when they broke apart, her forehead touching his.

"I love you more each day, Princess Sophie."

He finally returned to his seat and asked her to pick a dessert for them to share. She chose an Italian Rum Cake that was as delightful as the food they had just eaten. Maybe it was so, but, to tell the truth, anything would be perfect then. When Langdon asked the waiter to bring the bill, the Maitre came seconds later and told them that there was nothing he should pay for. It was an engagement gift. After thanking the man with all his heart, he took Sophie's hand once more and headed back to the Hotel.

As she told him later as they were getting ready to sleep, no matter how happy she was with their engagement, and she really was, she couldn't help a feeling of sinking when she thought it was their last night together.

"Sophie," he started, sitting close by her on the bed.

"I don't want to be away from you, Robert," she said looking at her hands, fidgeting with the ring.

He put his arms around her shoulders and brought her closer to him. "It will be only a couple of weeks, Sophie."

"It's too much."

He was thoughtful now. "Actually I could make arrangements to have a few weeks off." Her expression was pure glee. "They own me some holidays, they sure do."

"What are you saying, Robert?" She couldn't believe it.

"Well, maybe I could go to Paris and stay there with you until you settle everything you need before moving with me. If you don't mind of course."

"Of course I don't mind," she said pulling him softly. "Are you sure you won't be in trouble?"

"Yes."

"You know," she started half serious half smiling. "After I quit my job, there must be someone to pay the bills until I find another one."

"Don't worry," he assured. Then, all of sudden, he got hold of her, lifted her from the ground and span her around the room, making her laugh like mad. They had a very proper way of celebrating the night of their engagement.