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Sweeney Todd was out, strolling along the streets one late night. The moon was full or nearly so, causing a washed out, white light to spread across everything. As he walked he thought to him self. He thought of his lost wife, perfect and small with rosy skin and straw colored hair. She had been so quiet, always so calm and proper and Oh-so-beautiful.

He thought of his daughter whom he hadn't seen since she was a baby, now sent away to some distant place where he'd never see her by the demonic judge who had ruined his family.

Of course he'd picture his revenge, playing out in his head what he'd do to the judge when he got a hold of him. He knew he'd kill him, of that he could be sure. But how? There where so many ways it could be done.

He would start off picturing a simple kill. Slit his throat, it was quick and than it was done. Than he'd kick it up a notch, each time he thought of it he'd try to top his previous thoughts, find an even more painful way to end the man.

It wasn't all he thought of though. He also thought of the people he knew. Antony, the clueless sailor who had spotted him at sea, brought him onto the ship and even allowed him to share his quarters until the end of the voyage. Than, upon reaching London he had fell in love with a pale-haired beauty that just happened to be Sweeney's daughter. As far as Sweeney knew the boy was still wondering London with the naive hope that he'd some how be able to find her

He thought of the boy Toby. A stubborn lad who would glare at him with contempt when ever he came in to the room. The boy was suspicious; he didn't trust the barber at all. Whenever Sweeney lost his temper with the boy he would run and hide behind Mrs. Lovett who he had dubbed his new "mum."

Ah, yes, Mrs. Lovett. He thought of her too. She was a puzzle, she was. She was always smiling at him, chattering away. She washed his clothes, and ground the bodies into meat. She never seamed to tire of having him around and always talked kindly to him. She was strong and forward with her intentions and seemed to find a real sense of enjoyment in the sins of the flesh they would occasionally commit, something his Lucy had always been so shy and nervous about. She was always cheerful and singing. Why just a few days ago she had even attempted to show him the secret of her trade, how to make pies.

Of course that hadn't ended well, in fact it was a disaster but she still had kept smiling at him, giggling softly as she brushed flour from her curly maroon hair and stated maybe it was best after all if he stuck to his trade and she to hers.

Of all the thoughts that flew through his head as he walked those moon lit nights one thought he never had was moving on, getting on with his life and trying to forget the past. It never crossed his mind.

He was coming to the end of tonight's walk when he spotted something on the doorstep of the pie shop. It was a basket. He frowned as he looked at it curiously. Maybe it was a gift form one of Mrs. Lovett's customers? He kicked softly at it but didn't make any noise. The checkered cloth moved though, wriggling slightly before stilling again.

His eyebrows shot up. Was it a kitten? Maybe a puppy? No, what ever it was must have just shifted from his kick, that was all. He leaned down, grasping the cloth and yanking it off the basket.

What ever he might have been expecting it defiantly was not a pair of wide eyes and a of tiny hand reaching up at him. His mouth dropped. A baby, someone left a baby on the doorstep!

He scooped it up, marveling at both the small face and the fact that after all these years he hadn't forgot how to hold a baby. As he held the small form against him he felt a pang of sadness pierce his heart as thoughts of Joanna entered his mind. It faded some what as the small hand tugged lightly at his tie, face scrunched up and he knew it was about to cry.

He rubbed at its back slightly, carefully holding its head still as he leaned down to pick up the basket. He walked cautiously up to his room, trying not to upset it too much. He had just got the door shut when it began to wail, a shrill sound that seemed to fill the room. He needed to find a way to comfort it and placed it back into the basket, quickly lit his lamp than knelt down and began shuffling through his closet.

A bunch of Lucy and Joanna's stuff had been pushed in hear and he cried out in triumph as he found Joanna's old carved ivory pacifier, after wiping it quickly on his jacket he stuffed to in the child's mouth, the noise instantly quieting.

He wasn't surprised when he heard footsteps running up the old wooden steps to his room, he had thought the noise would awaken his neighbor. He was surprised however at the fact it wasn't Mrs. Lovett who stepped into his room moments later but Toby.

"Wot's going on in 'ere Mr. T?" He inquired already walking toward the basket. He peered at the small face. "Where you get a baby from?"

"On the door step." He grumbled, picking up the child again. He could see it better in the light. It had hazel eyes and a few wispy, chocolate brown hairs atop its head. "Can't be more than a few hours old." Toby said. "We got lots a babies dropped off at the work house and they'd always show up with bright red faces like this." He lifted up the white christening gown, pointing to the fresh belly button stump as if to prove his point.

"You think it's a girl or a boy?" He asked curiously. Sweeney shrugged. He hadn't even thought to wonder. Toby had gone back to the basket and was looking through the blankets. "A letter!!" He exclaimed, sitting down next to Sweeney. He tore open the envelope. "Wow, all girls have this pretty hand writing huh?" Sweeny didn't answer just snatched the letter from his hand.

"Dearest Stranger,

Please care for my little love as I am not able to. Give her all I cannot. Raise her well and proper, but happy and content.

Sincerely

A Stranger"

He frowned, dropping the paper in the boy lap. "Go wake up Mrs. Lovett. She'll be happy to have another stray to dote on."

"Mrs. Lovett's not 'ere sir. Mrs. Mooney's taken ill an' mum said she was gonna keep her company through the night. Don' you remember? She told us this earlier"

Of course. He huffed. The one time he actually wanted the woman around she was no where to be found. What was he supposed to do with a baby? Even as he thought this he was looking down, watching the small eyes blinking lazly open and shut and he couldn't help but smile.

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Ok, so wat did you think, there will be more if I get comments! I just wanted to write a story where Sweeney has to take care of a baby, don't know why. Oh and as for the pie thing that's a reference to another story I write, I just haven't put it up yet. Oh and I've seen quite a few people doing this on there page so I thought id do it too. 5 points to who ever reveiws