I did not fall off the face of the earth, though it felt like it with how long I took.

Sorry, for that...

Here's a long chapter to make it up to you guys.

Thank you for the reviews for all the people still sticking to this story, I'm glad you like it.

Remember Reviews welcome, even flames. They cook the pies.

"Mr. Barker." She called, "Mr. Barker." she saw the silhouette of Mrs. Barker and immediately stopped. Nellie clutched the package to her bosom, paused on the steps, 'Should I really do this.' She didn't want to compromise Mr. Barker but she'd been waiting for so long.

She raced back down the stairs, slamming into her shop. Giving her self a minute to breathe she called out, "Albert love? you here?" The house remained silent, her voice was shaky. If she didn't want to let Albert know, she had to calm herself.

She rummaged around her pots, looking for a safe place to hide it. They were going through such a hard time now, if her husband got wind of them. She shuddered, "He'd sell them for sure, greedy man."

"Sell what?" Nellie whirled around, the package instantly hidden in her skirts. "Lucy, I mean Mrs. Barker. You gave me quite a start." Nellie edged backwards, her skirts tucked around the precious box. She had been so intent on hiding her secret she had not heard the other woman call down and follow her.

"It was not my intention. Mrs. Lovett." she smiled prettily. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor," Lucy wrung her hands, her discomfort obvious. "I'll help in whatever I can dear." Nellie replied, she moved completely around her counter.

She bent down and found a loose cabinet door. She quickly hid the box and popped back up, Lucy watched her curiously. "Sorry, dear. Have been having problems with mice. Little buggers refuse to keep out." Lucy nodded politely.

Making herself comfortable, Lucy sat facing Mrs. Lovett with great determination.

"I…I have no present for Benjamin." she cried suddenly, Nellie dropped the rolling pin she had just picked up. Nellie bit her tongue to keep from cursing, the blasted thing had fallen on her thin slipper.

"Mrs. Lovett, I have no idea what I shall do. His birthday is tomorrow and he's been so good to me. Buys me lovely trinkets even though were barely surviving." Lucy dabbed her eyes, 'her lacy handkerchief was probably worth more than her dress,' Nellie thought uncharitably

"You could perhaps sell something?" Nellie asked, bending once more to retrieve the box. "I could never do that, Ben would never forgive me." she said resting her hands on her skirts. "I think he'd find it charmin'." Nellie was struggling not to tell her what she thought of her stupid selfishness.

Lucy looked at Nellie, her blue eyes innocent. Perhaps if you could help me, I've no head for the business." Nellie nearly lost her grip on her box, 'Could she really give them to this woman to give to him. They were going to go to him anyway, what difference did it make who gave them to him.' she reasoned.

Nellie couldn't quiet the little jealous voice in the back of her mind, the one telling her they were hers and only hers. Seeing Lucy's desperate face, she pulled the box from behind her and placed it gently on the counter.

"They were me father's. He was a barber, like Mr. Barker. When he died, he gave them to me." Nellie said, her hand gently undoing the hasty packaging. Lucy eyed the box with a mix of surprise, "I know the box ain't much to look at but inside well.." Nellie opened the box.

Lucy gasped and Nellie let a smile of pure pride rush to her face. The box contained seven beautiful silver razors, they were each nestled in their individual blood red velvet slots. "My mother had them made for him and well, I've no use for them." she lied.

Lucy looked at the offering with awe but a light of suspicion burnt in her eyes. "It's too personal a gift do you not believe." she asked. Nellie was taken aback at the veiled accusation, "From me of course, but it be from Albert and myself." she replied, the lie slipping easily from her lips.

"I suppose that would be proper." Lucy said, sitting back on her chair. "If you've nothing else, you can 'ave 'hem and give it to Mr. Barker with our blessing." Lucy reached for them but stood up abruptly. "I simply could not deprive you of your present. I shall look for something suitable."

Nellie closed the box and rewrapped it, stung at Lucy's refusal. She held the box to her protectively as watched Mrs. Barker bid her good day and exit her shop. Nellie had no idea what she'd done wrong.

She was trying to help but she'd supposed the silver might not have been good enough. Nellie would give them to Mr. Barker but she'd wait. She would not spoil Lucy's present.

"Silver's good enough for me. I hope it is for you as well, Benjamin." she said caressing the box with the tenderness she could not bestow on him.

Johanna's cry had woken her from her dream. She'd no idea what had prompted that long ago memory. She rose and slipped on her robe, her back ached from slaving over a hot oven but nothing could stop her from picking up her daughter.

Her little blue eyes were puffy from crying, a little hiccup escaped her. "Johanna, you're daddy was a real artist, he was. He was beautiful as well, like you my dove," the little girl gurgled, presenting Nellie with a gummy smile.

She had notice that speaking of Benjamin always calmed her, "brown hair and brown eyes. Eyes that would melt your very soul." Nellie placed her back in her crib, Johanna was once again fast asleep.