Hi! Here's the next chapter! I want to thank my wonderful reviewers: wannaBlovett, XrazorxpiesX, Drummer13, XxXinLoveWithHimXxX and Sweet Lunacy! Thank you so much guys! You rock!
Disclaimer: I do not own Sweeney Todd!
Chapter 7
Benjamin, Eleanor and Johanna were walking along Hyde Park. Eleanor was holding Johanna in her arms as they walked. Benjamin was carrying a basket of food with a blanket as it was such an appropriate day for a picnic.
"Nice day, isn't it, Nellie?" he asked quietly as they walked.
"Yes, beautiful. I think Johanna is enjoying the walk as well! Aren't you, darling?" she asked while looking down at the baby in her arms.
Johanna looked at her and giggled as she looked around the park with her big innocent eyes. Both Nellie and Ben laughed at how adorable she looked like that.
They spotted a nice place under a tree and walked over to it. They opened the blanket and put it down in the grass. They sat down; with Nellie holding Johanna at her lap as Benjamin sat close beside her.
"You know, you're beautiful when you hold my daughter in your arms." Benjamin said smirking.
"Really? So I'm only beautiful when I hold her? What about when I don't?" she asked teasingly.
"Wait…let me rephrase then. You're always beautiful but you're stunning when you hold her. Satisfied?" he said still smirking.
"Yes, very. Thank you kind sir." she said laughing, trying to ignore the heat that flooded her cheeks.
Johanna giggled too and started clapping her little hands as she watched them.
"See, Johanna agrees with me." he said as he caressed his daughter's cheek.
"Could you hold her for a minute? I need to take off my gloves." she asked him.
"Sure. Come to daddy, sweetheart." he said taking his daughter from her and hugging her close to his chest.
As he was holding her, Johanna reached up and grabbed his hair in a tight grip and started tugging at it.
"Ow! What…? Sweetheart,…leave daddy's hair alone." he said laughing.
"I think she likes your hair. That's why she does this"' Eleanor said laughing softly at the image they made together.
"You think? Well…oh! It's quite painful really. When did she become this strong?" he said as he finally pried her little hand away from his hair.
"Well, she's growing up, Ben." she said as her face fell a little.
"What's the matter, Nellie?" he asked as he placed Johanna on his lap.
'Nothing…it's just that I realized that I'm never going to be a mother.' she whispered sadly, looking at the little baby in his arms.
"Oh Nellie…why do you-…" he started but he was cut off by a male voice.
"Mr. Barker! Fancy seeing you here! I see you have another beauty with you this time." the voice that belonged to Judge Turpin said loudly.
"Hello, sir." Benjamin said as he looked up at the other man suspiciously.
"Where is your dear wife, Mr. Barker?" the judge said while he stared intently at Nellie.
'My wife is…out of town." the barber answered, not liking the way the judge was looking at his Nellie.
Wait…his Nellie? Where did that come from? He thought.
"Ah…and who is this?" he asked with a smirk.
"This is a good friend of mine, Eleanor Lovett." Benjamin said, his eyes flashing with anger.
"Nice to meet you, my lady." Turpin said with a smirk.
Eleanor did not respond, she just looked away from him as her eyes scanned the park with interest.
"Your lady friend doesn't talk much, does she?" Turpin said to Benjamin.
"She does but only where and when she wants." Benjamin said, handing Johanna to Eleanor again as he stood up.
"Really? Well, say hello to your dear wife from me. At least she has manners." Turpin said sarcastically, walking away from them with a sick smile on his face.
Benjamin stood there, glaring daggers at the back of Turpin's head.
"God! He's disgusting!" Eleanor exclaimed as she stood up as well.
"Yes, he is. I'm glad you didn't spoke to him. I didn't like the way he was looking at you. Lucy always converses with him on the other hand. I don't like him and I don't trust him. He's dangerous, keep a sharp eye!" he said to her seriously.
"Oh, Ben! You shouldn't worry about me. I think Lucy is who he's really after if you want my opinion. Besides, I find him hideous! And maybe Lucy does have better manners than me as he said." Eleanor mumbled, rocking Johanna.
"No, pet. Lucy just wants everyone's attention. That's why she always speaks to him. She's foolish and she doesn't understand his games." he said reaching down to pick up the blanket.
Nellie looked at him stunned.
"What? I know that Lucy is not perfect, Nellie. I'm not that blind." Benjamin said while looking at her.
"You shouldn't worry about me then, Ben." she told him sincerely.
"I know, but I'm still worried." he said looking at her warmly.
"Don't be, he is not interested in me, love." she said as he picked up the basket.
"Well, I know that he ruined our morning together." he said as they started walking back home.
"It's okay. Let's go home and I'll make us lunch." she said trying to lighten up the mood.
"Okay let's go, pet." he said putting a protective arm around her shoulder as they headed back home.
End of chapter 7
Edited: 3/2012
