A/N: Sorry for the wait. It might take a while between chaps, just cause I'm a very busy person, with piano lessons, website building, debate and the like. Thank you all for bearing with me. :D
Disclaimer: Of course I own Sweeney Todd! (note my sarcastic tone)
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Mr. Todd blinked. "I.. um.., what?" he asked, a little taken aback.
Mrs. Lovett struggled to sit up. "I said, what the hell are you doing in my room?" She gave up on sitting and flopped back down on her bed. After glancing down, her eyes widened at the sight the absence of her work dress and the presence of her nightgown and she gave out a squeak. "Did you...?"
Mr. Todd quickly averted his eyes and shifted his weight. Mrs. Lovett took this as a yes. She shrugged her shock off however, and concentrated on getting out of bed. Mr. Todd then snapped back to reality. "What do you think you're doing?" he asked.
"I'm getting out of bed, what's it look like?" Mrs. Lovett snapped. She was having a hard time because of her lack of movement for the past couple of days. Mr. Todd took this opportunity to gently, but firmly, shove her back down. "You are staying where you are." he said.
Mrs. Lovett whined. "But I don't wanna stay in bed. I feel like I've been here forever!"
Mr. Todd made a face. "You've been in bed a week." he said quietly.
Mrs. Lovett's jaw dropped. "What?" she asked incredulously.
"After you got sick, your fever worsened and you were delirious for a week." Mr. Todd explained, "It's only just broken. So please, stay in bed a little while."
With a sigh, Mrs. Lovett made herself comfortable. "Fine." she said at length, "But could you bring me something to eat? I'm bloody starving!"
Mr. Todd ran a hand over his face. "That's because you barely ate this week. You pretty much lived off tea."
"Well no wonder I'm so-" She was interrupted by a wave of dizziness accompanied by nausea. "Ooh," she groaned, "Mr. T, I think I'm gonna be sick."
Mr. Todd, misunderstanding her meaning, replied, "You're already sick."
Mrs. Lovett clutched her stomach and said, "Just help me get to the bloody bathroom!"
Mr. Todd's mouth formed an O of understanding and he quickly grabbed Mrs. Lovett. "Come on then!" he said and carried her quickly out of her room. No wait, scratch that. He ran, half dragging her down the hall till they reached the bathroom.
Mrs. Lovett retched, but all that she could hack up was bile, as a result of her lack of eating. Once done, she slumped on the bathroom floor with a whimper. "Can I get a glass of water?" she asked quietly. Had she not been so sick, Mr. Todd might have found the situation slightly amusing. But she was sick, pale and thin, head in her hands, leaning against the bathtub miserably, her wild curls all in her face, and all Mr. Todd could feel was pity.
"Sure." he replied quietly, "Do you want to get back in bed first?"
Mrs. Lovett shook her head. "No no," she said hoarsely, "Water first. Please. Can we go to the kitchen?"
Mr. Todd nodded. "Let me help you." he said, pulling her up from the floor. Together, they walked down the hall, Mrs. Lovett leaning heavily on Mr. Todd. Once in the kitchen, Mrs. Lovett sank gratefully into a chair with a sigh. At the counter, Mr. Todd poured water into a cup and then carried it to her.
Suddenly, Toby burst into the kitchen. "Mum!" he cried. Mrs. Lovett tried to conceal a wince, as every loud noise made her head throb. "Toby dear!" she said, trying not to sound as bad as she felt.
Fortunately, Toby did not notice. "How are you feeling?" he asked with a grin. Mrs. Lovett rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way. "I've been better," she said, "But according to Mr. Todd, I've also been worse."
Toby nodded. "I was so scared for you Mum." he said seriously. "And I think Mr. Todd was too." he whispered, leaning in closer, "But he'd never admit it."
Mrs. Lovett smiled and sipped her water. "I didn't think that he would." she whispered back. Then in a louder voice she asked, "And how did things go in my absence?"
"Well we didn't exactly open up shop." Toby said hesitantly, "Is that alright?"
"Just fine dearie!" Mrs. Lovett replied quickly, "I would never expect you to do that all by yourself. But I see that you have kept things nice and tidy." Toby beamed.
"Speaking of nice and tidy," Mrs. Lovett continued, "I'd like to take a nice hot bath if I can."
Toby opened his mouth to speak but Mr. Todd beat him to it. "No." he said sharply.
Mrs. Lovett blinked. "But I want one!" she said testily.
Mr. Todd strode over to where she was sitting. "There is no way I am letting you take a hot bath." he growled, leaning down to be eye to eye with her, "Understand?"
Too scared and shocked to do anything else, Mrs. Lovett nodded. "Yes." she said in a small voice.
Toby glared at Mr. Todd when the barber wasn't looking. "What he means is," the boy explained, "That you can't have a hot bath because it can raise your temperature. That's what the doctor said. But there's no reason you can't take a cool one. In fact, I think it's even recommended."
"Wait, a doctor?" Mrs. Lovett asked, "When did I see a doctor?"
Toby counted on his fingers. "About five days ago I think." he said after counting twice.
"Six." Mr. Todd corrected, "It was six days."
"So I can have a bath?" Mrs. Lovett asked, "As long as it's not hot?"
"Do you want me to draw you one Mum?" Toby asked. Mrs. Lovett nodded. "Yes please Toby," she said, "I would really appreciate it." Toby immediately sped off to fill the bathtub.
"I love that boy." Mrs. Lovett said out loud to no one in particular. Soon, Toby was back. "It's all ready." he said.
Mrs. Lovett smiled and struggled to stand up from her chair, mentally cursing her weakness. Toby, seeing her dilemma, took her hand and helped her up. "Thanks." Mrs. Lovett said. Toby walked her down the hall to the bathroom and then asked, "Are you sure you're going to be all right?"
Mrs. Lovett let go of his hand and held out her arms for balance. "I can take care of myself." she said, "See?"
Toby cast her a doubtful look, but shut the door. "What ever you say Mum." he said through the door. Then he turned and walked to the kitchen to inform Mr. Todd of the situation with his stubborn adoptive mother.
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Uh-oh Toby, that probably wasn't a good idea. Anyway, there's chapter four for ya. Review and receive a nice tot of gin, aye?