A/N: I have less and less idea what I'm doing with this as I go along so suggestions are welcome. :) Reviews are even better.
When she awoke in the morning, Nellie realized she was still holding Sweeney's hand. He was staring down at the ground and had yet to notice that she was awake. She coughed quietly, getting his attention. "Oh! You're awake!"
"Where's Toby?" She suddenly felt panicked. She hadn't seen him since he'd gone out for groceries.
"I 'eard him come in late last night…" Sweeney recalled. "I'm sure 'e's allright."
She nodded and just as she sat up in he came. "Oh God!" he exclaimed when he saw Sweeney there with her. "Get away from her!" He lunged at the man who was still twice his size.
"Toby!" she scolded. "Stop this nonsense." She smiled, "'E's come back!"
Toby was less than pleased and he gave Todd a look to let him know it. "It's time for your tea, mum."
She nodded. "Alright…I just…I need to get dressed. "Can one of you give me a hand?"
"I'll do it." Toby said pointing for Sweeney to leave.
He didn't leave though. Instead he scooped her up and carried her over to the tiny closet where she kept all of her dresses. "Pick one." He said holding her so she could reach them. She felt like she was melting in his arms and she gave a happy sigh, picking out the darkest, reddest dress she had. "Thank you." She whispered as he helped her into it.
Toby was in the kitchen fixing her some breakfast and the tea that he swore kept her alive. She never touched the breakfast, but if she drank the tea he somehow felt she might live another day.
Sweeney helped her stand up and she glanced at the mirror, wincing when she saw how the dress now hung on her tiny figure. "Ouch." She whispered.
"Would you like me to put you down?" He asked, concerned.
"Oh, no…no that's not what I meant. I'm sorry. Where is Toby? 'E should 'ave my tea…" She always felt slightly stronger after the tea. She felt ridiculous having to have Sweeney carry her around and dress her. Maybe this morning she might even try a few bites of the toast Toby was bound to have made for her. He did it every morning, poor thing, tried so hard to get her to eat. She couldn't. Every time food even touched her lips she gagged. If she ever dared swallow any there was a nasty revolt ahead.
Sweeney shrugged. He didn't know where that boy was and he really didn't care. "Let me take you outside." The color of her skin showed she probably hadn't been out the whole time he was gone. "You could use the air."
"Oh no, no I can't. Where's Toby?" she asked again.
Toby was standing outside the door with her breakfast, just listening. He decided she was right, that it was time for her tea, so he went in. "Put her down." He ordered. "She needs to drink this."
Sweeney nodded and placed her back gently on the bed, propping some pillows up behind her so she could sit up. "Thank you dear." She said when Toby helped her steady her hand long enough to bring the cup to her lips.
"I made you some toast, can you try…" He pleaded. "I'm sure this time will be better…Mr. Todd's 'ere now…" He had to bite his tongue as he spoke those last words. They didn't make him feel at all better, but he knew Mrs. Lovett would feel much more at ease with him there.
"Alright, just a bite or two." She nodded.
"Thank you, mum!" Toby grinned, full of excitement.
"It's too dark in here." Sweeney mumbled.
"She can't take the light so don't even think about it, sir." Toby stood up immediately.
"I wasn't goin' to hurt 'er, I was just sayin' it was dark."
"Boys, please." She smiled lightly for the first time in a year or two. Toby sat back down. "Alright," she said as she finished her tea, "'ere goes nothing." She took a tiny bite of the toast. Surprisingly, it felt okay this time. She took another. And another. Eventually she'd eaten half a piece of toast. She'd have eaten more but her stomach had started to hurt, just slightly, but enough for her to stop. "Thanks Toby." She nodded, handing it back to him.
Toby was beaming. "Look 'ow much you ate!" He exclaimed, amazed.
"Well thank you dear." She said sarcastically, in more pain with every passing second. After a few more she couldn't take it any longer. "Please…'elp me lie down."
Sweeney moved the pillows and did as she asked, but it didn't seem to help matters much. She brought her knees to her chest and groaned. "I shouldn't 'ave eaten…Oh GOD."
"You 'ad to eat sometime." Sweeney said quietly. "It will get better, just give it time." He took her hand and kissed it softly. "And until then we're right here." He felt that he owed it to her. He knew it was his fault she'd turned out this way. If he hadn't left her, she would be just fine.
Toby had to admit he was slightly impressed at the way Mr. Todd was handling things this time, but he still didn't trust the man. He'd left her once, why wouldn't he do it again? He wouldn't have been surprised if Sweeney had stayed just long enough to get her back on her feet and then left again, letting her sink back into her depression.
Sweeney had other plans. He was willing to spend the rest of his life with this woman. She may not have been Lucy, but she would have to do. He could learn to love her if he really tried, and everyone knew she already loved him…
"Alright Mrs. Lovett. Go to sleep now." He waited until he was sure she'd drifted off to open the window just slightly. He then went to his own room, which he found had not been touched the whole time he was away. He sighed and sat down on the bed, exhausted, and thought about Lucy. What would she think of this? Would she be angry with him for moving on? For loving another woman? He still loved her, of course, he always would. He even loved her MORE than he could ever love Nellie Lovett. He hoped she'd take comfort in that and let him live.
