A/N: This story is a prequel to Sweeney Todd's life in the story St. Joseph's Shelter for Men, which can be found on my profile page.

Note that there are descriptions of rape and miscarriage. If that bothers you, don't read this.

Finally, thank you to my wonderful beta, Phish Tacko.

Chapter 1

It was late autumn, the time of the year when things started truly getting cold. The leaves had fallen from the trees, the skies, though almost always gray, had a darker tinge to them. There'd even been an early snow that had driven off many of Benjamin's customers, leaving only the businessmen who had to look professional. And so, Benjamin and Lucy were a little low on cash. But that didn't matter. Not to them.

The baby was due within the month. They'd been awaiting it for much of the year. Benjamin had spent the spring vomiting and the summer waddling, but that was fine. All of it meant that the baby was still alive and probably healthy.

Lucy and Benjamin sat by the fire, Lucy knitting another pair of booties for their child while Benjamin idly ran a hand over his stomach, smiling to himself. He hadn't been feeling well that day – he'd had many episodes of cramps in the morning, but they'd subsided and now he felt fine. "False labor contractions", the doctor had called it. He'd experienced them before.

"You're making a pair of yellow ones?" He asked, noting the color of the booties.

"I've already made two sets of green. Thought I'd change it up." Lucy smiled at him.

"I'm sure that little Edward or Ruth will love them," Benjamin replied.

That was what they planned to name the child – Edward Benjamin if it was a boy, Ruth if it was a girl.

"I doubt they will know the difference or care about the color, but they'll keep the infant warm – that's what's most important."

"You're right," Benjamin answered.

"Speaking of the baby… I checked the crib again. Did you purchase another doll?" Lucy asked, a glint in her eye. Benjamin had been going all out trying to prepare for their child's arrival. He'd had a friend help him build a crib, which now sat in the corner of the room, not too close but not too far from the hearth, and he'd been purchasing everything from cloth for diapers to dolls. The one that Lucy had saw was shaped like a happy-looking tiger; a large, mystical cat that they'd seen drawings of once before.

"Yes," Benjamin admitted. "I want…" He trailed off, gathering his thoughts. "I want to make sure our child has everything they could ever want. And the doll wasn't so expensive."

"But our budget –"

"Yes, I know. I promise you, it didn't cost much at all, or I'd not have bought it."

"Alright." Lucy went back to her knitting.

There was a peaceful silence for a few moments. Then, Benjamin groaned. Lucy looked up.

"Everything alright?"

"Ah… just… another… one of those false labor – dammit!" Benjamin yelled, doubling over. Well, doubling over as far as he could go, being as big as he was.

Lucy dropped the booties and came to her husband's side.

"Does it hurt worse?"

Benjamin nodded weakly. He was beginning to sweat.

"The baby's not due for another three weeks…" Lucy eyed the corner of the room, where her coat was. "I'll get the doctor."

"No, no – we can't afford – agh!" Benjamin yelled again. He could feel something wet. Lucy saw blood.

"No, no, I must get him. I'll return as soon as possible. And Benjamin," She said, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Just… don't look down." She looked into his eyes. "Everything's going to be alright."

Lucy quickly prepared herself, kissed her husband on the head and made her way out onto the street.

She'd been present when her sisters had delivered their children, and had known enough about it to understand that everything would not be alright. But if Benjamin looked down, his panic would only make things worse.

00

Three hours later, the bed was stained with blood and Benjamin was weak, but conscious. In his arms he held Edward. Edward, who was such a beautiful baby, with thick hair like his father's and a nose like his mother's.

"I'm very sorry, but there was nothing that could be done." The doctor whispered to Lucy. "The umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. Things like this… they just happen sometimes."

Lucy nodded. She wanted to cry, but didn't. Benjamin would do enough of that for both of them when he came out of his shock, and she had to be strong. They were still young, and could always try again. Time was on their side.

That was something to hold on to, at least.