Chapter 4: Peace Again

Morning came. The only guests of the weary peoples' inn both stirred at the same time and realized that the sun had risen. Events from the night they shared were recalled. Last night, Anthony and Johanna experienced magical bliss for the first time. Being Judge Turpin's ward throughout her young life, Johanna was convinced that love was a gift she would be deprived of forever. For Anthony, who has sailed many seas to see the world, love was something least expected to be found in London. And yet, there they were, lying next to each other as if they were born just to live in this moment. No words were spoken, but both seem to understand the contentment and peace in each other's eyes. No one wanted the enjoyable silence to end. That is until Johanna's stomach complained.

"I may be a little hungry." An endearing blush crept up, compelling her man to kiss her pink cheeks tenderly. Reluctantly, Anthony broke free from the embrace he was in and pulled Johanna's body and his own off the bed.

While descending from their room, the smell of breakfast welcomed them. Apart from the obvious noises coming from the kitchen, the inn was surprisingly quiet and free of any bickering from the inn's owner and his son. Anthony and Johanna headed to the kitchen and were ready to take their place on the dining table when a strange site came before their eyes. Mr. Albert Dashvit bustled around the kitchen, donned in an apron, preparing a meal for four...in a sober state. Here was the man who was so drunk yesterday, so drunk, that he mistook Johanna for his dead wife and almost assaulted the young woman. Here stood the same man who was driven out of Mrs. Puffles` bar by his twelve-year old son, who he consequently hit without any remorse. Somehow, it seemed impossible to even imagine Mr. Dashvit being sober, or willingly preparing breakfast!

Anthony and Johanna were dumbfounded. Both became uneasy and unable to do anything but stare. Their staring caused Mr. Dashvit to stop. He faced the young couple but he could not lift his eyes high enough to see their faces.

"I...I was wrong. My actions were very inappropriate towards both of you, especially the young Miss." Mr. Dashvit took off his apron as he tried to compose himself once more. "I wasn't thinking. It's just...it's been a long time since I encountered anyone new. I apologize."

Mr. Dashvit felt extremely ashamed, but at the same time, he was glad he said the words properly. He knew more than anyone else that he is not the most polite or agreeable person in the world, far from it. However, as if he experienced an enlightening call, he woke up early in the morning with tears in his eyes, and he decided to reach for a glass of water instead of a gulp of gin. Years had passed since the last time he saw his Andrea in such a vivid dream. He was certain that what he felt for her was love. But the betrayal seemed to push him farther from her and in front of him was rage.

Johanna immediately saw the conflict in Mr. Dashvit's eyes and his shaky voice. She could not help but feel pity towards the broken man.

"You have not offended us in any way Mr. Dashvit," assured Johanna, who received a weak glare from Anthony. "I wasn't hurt and both of us can understand that you had no ill intentions." Johanna glanced at Anthony signalling him to say a few words.

"No harm done at least to us. I can't say the same thing for your son, though. You hurt him the most yet he is the only one who cares for you." Anthony knew he might have said too much. Mr. Dashvit looked even more down than before. Still, he raised his head to look Anthony in the eye.

"I know. That kid is very stubborn. I didn't feel bad about hurting him because I wanted him to leave me and find a better life. And yet after all I've done, he stayed. Really stubborn." He had a tinge of guilt showing in his face.

"It is not yet too late to start anew, Mr. Dashvit. Phillip needs you. As self-reliant as he is, surely, Phillip can survive on his own. But he needs you as his only family," Johanna pleaded. "I heard that...he never met his mother. You are the only source where he could possibly feel loved. I never met both my parents as well. I can understand the longing that probably crushes Phillip."

Anthony draped his arm comfortingly around Johanna's tiny frame. He realized that even if he gives all his strength to support her, there is one thing that he could not possibly fill – the emptiness she felt all these years without a mother or a father.

Mr. Dashvit let out a timid smile. "I must be really lucky to still have my son with me." Mr. Dashvit's face suddenly changed from being mild to serious. "I never wanted to hurt his mother. Andrea was my world, she was in my dreams, she was all I wish for. I wanted to say that she was only mine, but..."

Anthony felt curious all of a sudden. Could there be more to this man than a lonely drunkard who lost his wife by giving birth to his son?

"Andrea was beautiful, extremely stunning. She was quite similar to her cousin, Anna." When Mr. Dashvit saw the questioning look from the couple, he said, "Anna is the bar owner, Mrs. Puffles. I take it you've met her yesterday, am I right?" Johanna and Anthony nodded, and Mr. Dashvit continued.

"They had the same eyes, although Andrea's expressed joy and hope while Anna's showed nothing. I was aware that Anna was in love with me, but it was Andrea who I pursued. I knew that Anna was the better choice because Andrea, although her features showed nothing but innocence, she enjoyed the games that men played with her. She knew how to play the games, she played well, and I was caught by her mischievous ways. I just realized that I was crazy about her, and I had to make her mine."

"I was taken by surprise when she willingly accepted me as her husband. In fact, she wanted to be married urgently. I said there was no rush and we should go through the courtship just like in the old days. But she adamantly said that I was the only one for her and she wanted to be my wife as soon as possible. Her words made me incredibly happy, but I still wasn't sure if she really felt that way."

"I got my answer when I found out that she was already pregnant even before our marriage was consummated. Anger was all I felt at that time. I was fooled, used, and insulted. No one else knew that I wasn't Phillip's real father, not even Anna who grew up with Andrea. I didn't want anyone to know. In those days, all the words she said felt like taunts and mockery. I began to hit her, even in her delicate condition. I am probably the reason why she died giving birth. I...I killed her"

Mr. Dashvit began to cry. His cries turned into weeping. Thoughts about breakfast were forgotten.


Later that day, Anthony and Johanna prepared to leave the inn. They gave their thanks to Mr. Dashvit, Mrs. Puffles and of course, young Phillip.

"Must you go so soon? I don't know when the next guests will come, if there will be guests who head out this way."

"Don't worry," said Anthony while ruffling the boy's hair. "I'm sure guests would feel more welcome now."

"What makes you so sure sir?" Phillip missed the look Anthony gave Mr. Dashvit who was talking to an energetic Mrs. Puffles. Anthony was sure that Phillip no longer has to worry about the man he thought was his father.

"My instincts tell me so. Look, he's not even drunk today, is he?"

"You are right Sir Anthony. And looks like he is already in a decent conversation with Mrs. Puffles."

Johanna and Anthony got on the carriage that will take them to the port. They bid their new friends goodbye and went on their way.

Johanna did not think twice when Anthony decided to sail again, this time with her as his companion. She was no longer afraid. She knew that Anthony was her protector and she will be his light. She is no longer concerned about her past or the challenges of the future. She was willing to just let the waves flow and take her and her love to their destined home.

-x-x-x-x-

End.

Disclaimer: author does not claim ownership over Sweeney Todd characters.