Lucy

She will always be known for the tragedy of the barber's beautiful wife. Five moments and thoughts in the life of Lucy Barker.

Happiness

I awoke to find a gentle sweep of fingers on my cheek, the familiar warm skin lingering upon my face. I could hear Ben's voice calling tenderly to me, the words "Lucy, Lucy," whispered into my ear.

"What is it, love?" I asked lightly as I opened my eyes. His face was close to mine and he was smiling for me in the way I loved. The smile that seemed to be just for me; it stopped time and made everything seem like it would be all right.

He was not always the smiling man he was for me, for sometimes I could see the darkness he carried within. I never liked to think about it, but there were days when he was feeling down, and all of London seemed to darken with him. There were days where I watched him and I felt like I didn't even recognize him, but he was never like that in front of me. For that, I will always be thankful.

"It's Johanna," he explained, "she's getting finicky for her mother." He raised his arms slightly and brought my daughter into my sight. She was sniffling a bit with her eyes scrunched shut and she grabbed for me, bunching up her fists in my night-dress. I laughed at my little girl and I hugged her closer to my chest, so that I could feel her warmth against my heart.

"Shh…" I murmured softly, as I stroked away her hair. "You needn't be afraid." Ben was lying on his side now, with one arm propped against his head as he loomed protectively over us. He was watching Johanna with an expression in his eyes that brought happiness to me. He would watch over her with a love that she deserved.

The sun was streaming through the large windows and I carefully sat up, carrying Johanna gingerly in my arms. The morning light had flooded our entire home, and made everything seem alive and bright. We didn't have many things; not the riches of kings or much money to speak of, but I was happy with what I had. My husband was an honest man and my child would grow up happy. Such was a life no trinkets could provide.

Johanna was whimpering again, and her little eyes opened delicately to the rays of sunshine. "She'll grow up to be beautiful." Ben said surely from behind me, "just like her mother."

"And kind," I continued softly, "like her father."

I walked up to our window slowly, so Johanna could see the world awakening below us. London spanned out in an intricate display of streets and people, but we could see it all from our home on Fleet Street.

"I haven't any customers today," Ben was saying, as he put on his vest and straightened his sleeves, "so I thought we could bring Johanna out with us for a bit."

I knew my husband was a busy man, for his barbering skills were well-known and lauded, so I knew that his absence of customers was merely his own doing. I smiled knowingly back at him. "I think that she would love the air," I said, "and I would be happy to enjoy the company of my husband."

He smiled again, his face brightening just for me. "You know I would do anything for you?" He admitted sincerely as he walked up to me by the window. "Anything that you ever wanted or needed, Lucy, I would bring for you." His affection startled me slightly, for it seemed unusual for such a simple situation. But it was nothing more than all the days that had passed since I met him, or all the moments like this.

Ben interrupted my thoughts by sliding his arms around me, securing me in his safe embrace. Sheltered, I looked up at him answered honestly, "all I need is you and our darling baby."

"And you will always have that," Benjamin promised. "That, I can give to you." I felt an immense gratefulness that I had my entire life to look forward to with moments like this one. My family was everything to me.

Johanna had fully awakened and was now cooing in my arms. Benjamin laughed heartily, "I think that this one needs to see more sun!"

"Yes, for her skin's so pale," I noted as I looked lovingly at my daughter. Johanna was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and I loved her with all of my heart. I would never let her down or give her anything less than the full life that she deserved.

"Let us go then," Ben said as he picked up his coat, "perhaps we'll pick up some of Ms. Lovetts pies for a meal and then we'll go to the market."

"The market?" I asked as I walked towards him. "What shall we want at the market?"

My husband wrapped his arms around me for a light kiss on the cheek. "Flowers, love," he said, smiling that familiar smile, "flowers to crown my wife and my child."

I smiled back as I prepared my things to go out. "Flowers for a perfect day."

--

Lucy didn't get much of a voice in the movie, but I felt she was the most tragic character, even more so than Todd/Barker, Ms. Lovett or even poor, poor Toby.

Expect another chapter/moment and edits soon.

-Prosper