Robert woke up trying to catch his breath; he had just had a horrible dream. He couldn't remember what it was exactly, but he knew it had something to do with Sophie. Where is she he wondered? She was not asleep next to him where he could usually find her. Is she up already? According to Mickey, it was a quarter to six. Did she even come up to bed? Robert put on his robe and went to investigate. Nobody else was down stairs yet. Then he saw Sophie on the couch. Robert walked over to back of the couch. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Merry Christmas" Robert said. Sophie did not answer. Robert walked around, sat on the couch, and put his arm around her.

"What's wrong?" He asked. Sophie stared straight ahead.

"Were you even going to tell me?" Sophie seemed to be dead serious, but Robert had no clue what she was talking about.

"What are you talking about?" From upstairs Elizabeta started crying.

"That." Sophie said. Who told you, Robert thought?

"Vittoria told me last night." She said as if she was reading his mind. She started crying.

"What, I don't get any explanation why you didn't tell me?" Robert sighed.

"Sophie, I didn't find out until last night. I was hoping this was just a visit. I hoped that Vittoria would leave after Christmas, settle down and make a family with somebody else. You and I could live our lives together as we pleased." Sophie moved away from Robert and sat on the love seat. She was getting really angry now.

"Do you really think that Vittoria just came to tell you she had your child and then just leave a couple days later? She's not just going to leave, she's more than likely wants to be with you, she didn't put the child up for adoption or have an abortion for no reason at all; she was hoping you would feel sorry and take her back. I won't be made a fool of Robert."

"Sophie, the reason why she didn't have an abortion was because she is a very religious woman and doesn't believe in that, second, she was adopted; she doesn't want her daughter to go through what she did."

"Still Robert, she lived fine with Elizabeta for almost two years. What, she just randomly decided to show up at your door step? No Robert, she wants to be with you and as of now I see no reason why she shouldn't. Just go back to her, I don't care." Sophie started franticly crying.

"Sophie you don't mean that."

"Yes I do, I hate you Robert." She screamed, "I hate you!"

Robert could not believe what he just heard. He tried to compose himself, so many things wanted to come out of his mouth at once. So many apologies, excuses, even curses, but the only thing he could do was nod his head.

"Fine," he said, "fine."

He walked up the stairs to Sophie's room. Their argument must have woken up the whole house everyone was hiding behind the banister listening into their conversation. Robert looked at Vittoria.

"Are you happy?" he asked. Now Vittoria started crying.

"Merry Christmas." Robert said to everyone. He went into the room and slammed the door. Inside the room Robert started to cry. He through his suit case on the bed and began to pack. All around him were memoirs of their love which had just been horribly torn apart. On Sophie's dresser stood two pictures, one of him and Sophie on the Eiffel tower, and another of them at her friends wedding dancing. Robert felt the walls of her room as if he was trying to imprint them in his mind. For all he new, this was the last time he might ever be in this room again. The thought pained him, but after this morning, it was quite clear their relationship was at its end. Oh Sophie, he said to himself.

Robert new nothing he could say could ever mend their relation ship unless Sophie wanted it to. Robert packed his bags, he was leaving today. He found a pen and paper. He wrote Sophie a letter before he left.

Robert placed the note on her dresser next to their pictures. Then as he was about to leave the room he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He turned around and placed it on top of the letter. Then he left the room. He could hear Vittoria in her room with Elizabeta. He walked in.

"I'm taking the next flight to Italy, Robert. I have done too much. I never meant for this to happen, I'm very sorry."

"I'm taking the next flight to the US. Good bye Vittoria, Merry Christmas." He went over, kissed Elizabeta on the head then went down stairs. As he turned the corner to the living room, he could see Sophie crying, she was being consoled by Marie and Gabriel. When Robert when past, Sophie looked up. They locked eyes for a moment. Robert couldn't take it. He looked down then made his way out the door.

"Wait." Sophie's grandma said.

Robert turned around to see what was going on. Shebrought Robert out of the house and shut the door behind them.

"Robert you and I both know that Sophie doesn't mean what she said." Robert could feel a knot gathering in his throat.

"I know." He replied as tears started coming down his eyes.

"Don't leave Robert, I beg you. You kept a secret from her. What do you expect? I believe you when you say you just found out. I know you wanted what was best. Robert please, tomorrow she'll wake up heart broken and she'll never be able to forgive her self." Robert shook his head.

"I know. I pray I won't be gone forever, but it is up to Sophie now. My heart will always be opened for her."

"Robert, go home and recover. Try to have a decent Christmas." She paused, "I'm sure she would have said yes." Robert tried to smile.

"Merry Christmas Marie" he said as he plodded to the elevator.

Asthe doors closed hefinally gave into the knot in his throat and started crying as he drove to the air port.

Sophie lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. What have I done? She had stopped crying, but her heart still ached. Sophie turned to her night table and she smiled. She reached over and took hold of Roberts Mickey watch. He must have left it here. As she sat up and looked at the watch she started to smile, she remembered the first time she had seen his Mickey watch. She thought he was such a loser after seeing it, but he showed her otherwise. Robert. As she gazed at the watch she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She put the watchon her wrist and walked over to her dresser. There was a letter held in place by a small box. She opened the box and gasped, as her heart sank to the bottom of her stomach. "He wasn't?" she said to herself. Then the door behind her began to open.

"Yes he was." Marie said to her as she walked in. Sophie ran over and hugged her.

"Why didn't you stop him?" Sophie asked as her grandmother hugged her back.

"You were not going to listen to either of us at the time, you were much to upset. He thought it best he gave you your space. He's a smart man Sophie, you were very foolish."

"What did he say?" Sophie asked, even though she knew she didn't really want to know. Marie pointed to the folded paper on the dresser.

"If you really want to know, it's all right there." Marie left Sophie to make the decision. "It's up to you Sophie; just remember what happened with you and yourgrandfather, a stupidmisunderstanding." Marie walked out of the room.

Sophie turned around and put on the ring. Then she unfolded the letter. As she read the letter tears streamed down her eyes.