A/N: I don't own Sweeney Todd. Yep...


Salvation

Chapter Two

"Lucy, my dear..."

"Yes, Benjamin?"

"If I were to be taken away right now—taken away from you—what would you do?"

She was shocked to hear such a thing come from her husband. Her Benjamin was a cheerful soul; he never liked thoughts of sadness. To hear of such a horrible thing coming from him was quite foreign to her.

"Why—why would you ask something like that?"

"Answer the question, my love. Please."

The sincere pleading look in his eyes told her something was wrong. Was there something she needed to know? Was there something he wasn't telling her?

"I'd be miserable, of course! I can't imagine my life without you, Ben. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you!"

At her response, his gaze fell to the floor.

"Is there something wrong, Ben?"

He sighed, his gaze still cast down.

"Ben, please. Don't leave me. I need you," she told him lovingly as she placed a hand on his cheek to make him look at her.

He took her hand gently away from his face, and held it in his own.

"Lucy," he said, "I need you to be strong. Promise me, Lucy. Promise me you'll be strong for Johanna."

"Benjamin, what are you talking about?" By now tears were brimming in her eyes.

"Promise me, Lucy. Please," he persisted.

With a sigh, and without knowing what it was he was hiding from her, she complied with his wishes.

"I promise, Benjamin. I promise," she replied.

"Thank you, my love. Thank you."

...To be continued...