Epilogue

So that was Faith's story. As silence fell between the two, Robert looked at his daughter, pride bursting at his seems. From such a young age, Faith had shown she was able to handle the incomprehensible. She had adjusted so well to living in America but she could switch back to that fiery, passionate Italian, that had Vittoria not died, she would have grown up to be completely.

He paused for a moment and then said, "I'm so proud of you, Faith."

Faith looked up at her father and smiled. "I'm proud of you too."

"Of me?" Robert looked surprised, "Why, what have I done that's worth being proud of?"

"You raised me. Having no prior experience, not knowing who I was as a person, you raised me and made me who I am."

Robert looked at Faith, tears in his eyes.

"Can I tell you something else?"

Robert nodded, unable to speak.

"I was thinking how much my life has changed in these nine years together, for better and for worse."

"For worse?" asked Robert.

"Well, I am un Americano now!" Faith replied, smiling.

Robert smiled back. "And for better?" he asked.

"I have a dad. If you asked me, nine years ago who my dad was, I would have replied, uno spreco di spazio, a waste of space, a man who was never around. I told my friends that my dad only saw me once a year when it was convient for him to travel to Florence. Even though I enjoyed the times that I had spent with you, you didn't mean anything to me. But now..."

"But now?" asked Robert anxiously, embarrassed of his daughter's opinion of him but knowing that it was completely true. He had been a crap father to his only child, his only daughter and he knew he would never make that up.

"But now when people ask me who my father is I reply, Professor Robert Langdon, the coolest man around. The guy that everyone loves and respects. When I'm on the campus and people see me or find out my surname, the respect and kindness I recieve is unparralled and I think that my father must be a pretty impressive man if this is the respect and kindness that I am shown. I am a Langdon now, my name commands respect and dignity and that's all because of you, my brilliant father. I know that life wouldn't have been this way if mum was alive but life must have it's mysteries and she will reveal them when she is ready."

Robert paused, trying to control the emotion in his voice from his daughters compelling testimony.

"Faith, I miss your mother, I truly do. I did love her. Maybe she didn't know that but I loved her so much. You are your mother's daughter Faith, un piccolo petardo but I love you more than anything in the world."

Faith smiled at her father's use of Italian, even if it was a bit dodgy. "Anche io ti amo papĂ . I love you too!" and father and daughter hugged, tightly, neither daring to let the other go.

THE END