A/N – This chapter has POV from Langdon as well as Sophie, I'll be doing that more and more throughout the story so I hope you like it! Also there will again be some foreign language in this chapter but Vittoria will of course be speaking Italian, cause she kinda is Italian!
Discaimer – I don't own Da Vinci Code or any of the characters in it.
Langdon rubbed the golden band that circled his ring finger.
It looked polished and shiny when the light hit it, in the afternoon garden. But something about it felt so vile and underhanded, like it was some kind of secret. But from who, Vittoria had already told anyone who would listen and some who wouldn't.
Sophie?
"Has long forgotten about you…" Robert mumbled to himself, shinning the ring's light into a patch of lilies.
"It was so sudden and romantic!" Langdon heard Vittoria's voice squealing from the other side of the lavish courtyard garden.
The wedding.
It certainly was sudden, but not so much romantic.
It happened right after wrapping up Mr. Glick's murder, they were walking away from the local police station dead tired, but hand in hand. The sky was dark and murky, like a warning for the shower to come. But no matter how grave the sky looked it couldn't possibly have gotten dark enough to mirror their emotions at the moment. Then in a quick movement Vittoria came to a dead halt, and faced him with tears in her eyes.
"Robert," her voice cracked with emotion, "We have seen in our time together how suddenly life can end…"
Robert nodded gravely knowing how much this case had taken out of both of them.
"So if I don't tell you know I will regret it for the rest of my life," she took a deep breath, "I love you."
And with that he wrapped his arms around her and spun her around in happiness, just as the rain started to fall. By this time he too had tears cascading from his eyes, but not tears of sorrow like they were only hours ago, but tears of joy.
When he put her down, they just stared into each other's chocolate orbs, each mimicking the other's excitement and bliss. They slowly leaned forward, eyes still locked like staring into each other's souls. The kiss came slowly and gently, but faster and faster it grew into a moment of passion, longing and fear.
Fear of losing each other, like so many had days before. With slight hesitation on both parts they pulled away for air.
I was an abrupt and unusual thought, but it came spilling out of his mouth more naturally than anything he had ever said before, "Let's get married."
At this Vittoria only threw her head back in laughter and uncontrollable giggles. But then came forward so she was nose to nose with Langdon, "Why?" she said playfully.
"Because I love you." He whispered.
"I can't hear you…" she joked.
He lifted his head to the rain and shouted in excitement, "I love you!"
They both erupted in laughter in the pouring rain.
But that night they really did get married, in a small chapel just out of town, with two cheap rings, no one knew where they were, they had no plans for the future but that didn't matter there and then because he was hers and she was his.
It was the fairytale they never had, and at that moment it didn't matter what anyone else thought, cause there was only them.
Langdon gulped nervously, as he was pulled out of his memory, It sort of matters now.
The DCPJ headquarters was busy and bustling as usual when Sophie Neveu strode through the double doors.
Her black heals clicked against the tile floor with every step; Sophie kept her head held high. News travels fast in the DCPJ, and by now probably most everyone knew about her heartbreak with Robert. And some even expected Sophie not to show today, thinking she's be curled up on her couch with a bucket of ice cream remembering fond memories with Robert.
But those people just didn't know Sophie.
This is how she deals with grief, rejection, death, she throws herself right back into work, pretends like it never happened or fakes that she's all right. . And un-healthy as that may sound it's the only way she deals with her emotions; keep them locked away so no one can hurt them.
Although there was an exception, Robert. Sophie thought sadly.
But quickly dismissed the thought from her mind, she looked around at the ninety percent male office as she waited for the elevator, How they would laugh if you broke down in tears…
The golden doors opened swiftly and she walked hurriedly in, accidentally bumping into someone wearing a black shirt, and knocking them slightly off balance.
Sophie turned quickly, "Je suis désolé," she said politely. But froze when she saw the face of the man, "Captain," she nodded respectfully and punched the number seven, around the same time the number five lit up.
"Agent Neveu," he said softly, "I was looking for you, we need to talk." He stepped back into the elevator.
"We have nothing to talk about Captain," she professionally but with a hint of coldness.
"Then I have something to apologize for." He said solemnly.
He was acting weird last night…?
Sophie's brow furrowed, "What?" she asked cautiously.
BeepThe light colored doors opened as the number five blacked out, and revealed two younger agents. They quickly stepped into the elevator, talking rapidly in French, while one of them pressed nine.
Fache leaned behind the two men, and whispered into Sophie's ear, "We'll talk in my office." His hot breath on her ear made her tense slightly.
BeepBezu strut out of the elevator with surprising speed, and Sophie struggled to follow with her shorter legs. But all the less, she chased after him. Sophie could not help but notice the looks they got walking down the hall, even some of the newer, female agents gave her a wink.
They could not possibly think Fache and me…she stopped that thought before it got too far. Last night was a blur, a blur of champagne, perfume, elegant dresses, Cuban cigars, tangos and tears, which Sophie just wanted to forget.
Due to the speed, by the time they reached the end of the hall, where the Captain's office usually preceded, Sophie was out of breath.
"Tired?" Fache offered playfully as he opened the door for her.
Sophie just gave him an annoyed scowl and marched into his office.
As Bezu walked into the spacious office he closed the door behind him, and Sophie could not help but feel a spike of panic as the 'click' from the door lock echoed throughout the room.
The Captain noticed this and reassured her, "Do not worry, it is only to ensure we are not interrupted."
Sophie nodded slightly, but still not fully convinced.
"Please sit," he gestured to the chair in front of the desk, "Sorry about the rush to the office," he said as he took his seat behind his large desk.
"But it seems our little danse last night," Bezu paused and scratched his head nervously, "Sparked some interesting rumors…" he faded off.
Sophie could not help but giggle at the Captain obvious discomfort on the topic.
In his 'back to business tone' the Captain stated, "I invited you here to discuss Mr. Langdon."
Immediately, Sophie could feel herself frowning at the mention of his name.
"Please Captain," she started anticipating his questioning, "I'm really fine."
Bezu swallowed and looked downward towards his desk, almost looking ashamed of something, "Sophie please, it's something else."
He used my first name…?"He contacted me about a month ago," he started, "Requesting help with the case the prime minister referred to last night"
"I found it admirable that he was assisting them, and considering our past," he took a deep breath, "I decided to send some extra agents his way."
Sophie was still wondering what all of this had to do with her, and if Robert had time to contact the Captain, why not her as well?
"He also had a message for you," he paused, "And said if he could not contact you within a week, he asked me to deliver it to you."
Sophie was listening very intently now, on the edge of her seat.
"Forgive me Sophie, I believed you two had remained quite close," Bezu paused, "But apparently he did not contact you, would you still like to hear his message?" he looked at her softly, with pity radiating from his eyes.
I hate that, I hate pity… Sophie thought bitterly to herself.
"Yes." She said hoarsely afraid of what he might say next.
Bezu let out a sigh, "He said…"
"Sounds as though it will be a grand and beautiful ceremony." Mrs. Abelló stated lovingly.
After two hours of being described every detail about their formal wedding in three weeks, Robert was surprised the old women hadn't pulled out her hair. After their spontaneous wedding in the French countryside Vittoria decided she wanted something more formal. So after calling their close contacts at the Vatican, she managed to get it arranged so they would take their vows in St. Peter's Square with non other than their close friend Pope Mortati presiding over the ceremony.
It was to be the wedding of the year, the grandest thing in decades.
"Can you believe it Mena," Vittoria exclaimed practically jumping out of her seat for the tenth time that day, "A grand wedding in front of the Vatican, with CERN and the whole scientific community backing us!"
Upon calling the new head of CERN and informing them of their plans, they fully agreed to support the wedding financially and morally, seeing as it would be, 'A good way for the science and church to come together in celebration.' Meaning, 'It would make us look good doing something with the Vatican, cause of the antimatter fiasco…'
"I know," the patient woman smiled again.
Robert and Vittoria where currently visiting with LeonardoVerta' s good friend, and Vittoria's godmother Mena Abelló. Sitting in her lush courtyard gardens, behind her towering mansion and sipping tea. Vittoria had insisted they visit her mansion in northwest Italy near Switzerland, because of her 'close family relation.' A widow at 69 years old, tall, patient, filthy rich due to her deceased husbands explorations in oil, and extremely kind, Langdon wouldn't mind being family with this woman.
"I'm sure you too are very exited, Mr. Langdon," she said calmly, reading him like a book. Mrs. Abelló gave a knowing look that said, 'I like you now, but I won't hesitate to kill you if you hurt my goddaughter.'
Robert gave a smile, "Of course." He said turning to face Vittoria and putting his arm around her chair protectively.
Vittoria's brown eyes gazed lovingly up at him for a moment, but then she turned back to her godmother quickly.
"But there's still so much to do," Vittoria huffed, "With the cake, my dress and the flowers." She was even starting to make Robert dizzy thinking about it.
"Oh madrina will you help me" she took the elderly women's hand in hers, "I don't think I'll ever be able to do it by myself!"
Mena had a warm smile on her face when she leaned toward Vittoria and answered, "Of course, my child."
Vittoria leaned over the table and hugged the tall women happily as she whispered, "Thank you."
"Anything for you Vittoria," she said fondly, "Your father was like a brother to me, and you are family, as is your husband." gesturing to Langdon.
"Now," she said as she escaped from Vittoria's embrace and stood, "Who would like to join me inside to look at some old photos." her Italian accent carrying over heavily.
They all rose from the table and began they're journey back to the mansion, Langdon caught up with Mrs. Abelló as they got to the long staircase, "Mrs. Abelló may I please use your phone inside," Robert requested.
She put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Call me Mena please, and of course, it's to the right, near the bathrooms."
"Thank you." He said quickly and walked off with full knowledge of whom he had to talk to before he went through with this marriage.
Sophie…A/N – Sorry about the rather short chapter, but I wanted to get something short and sweet in before finals. I may not be able to post anything for about another week cause of finals.
And I hope you like the cliffhanger I left you with Bezu and Sophie's conversation…
Please review!