Author's note: Happy Little Shop Day! 9-23-18

I think this may be the last installment. Not because I am out of ideas, but 10 seems like a good round number, right? I haven't decided whether or not to continue or maybe start on a part 2. Maybe even with... dare I say it... a few post musical stuff! Or even pre pre musical with Audrey and Seymour as children growing to be who they are. That is really up to you guys because I am still on the fence. Let me know. If you made it this far I want you to know I love you. Enjoy the song references and throwbacks to my other "Little stories".

"Wait for me Audrey, this is between me and the vegetable."

"Seymour!" she called.

Still holding the back door handle, he turned over his shoulder. Audrey was standing there, so beautiful in her white wedding dress even as tattered as it was. There was obviously fear in her eyes for what was about to happen, but on her lips spread a small and almost shy smile.

"This is where I first realized," she whispered.

Confused, Seymour released the handle and cocked his head, waiting for her to elaborate. She began to fumble with her nails and her eyes fell down to the ground, smiling wide.

"I had… I had just started working at the shop. I was hiding out here and you found me. It was autumn and you said you wished the city had trees so we could see em turn yellow. And you asked me if I like green…"

She trailed off and rose her head. He still looked confused but the corner of his mouth twitched into a crooked smile at the memory.

"That was when I realized."

"Realized what?" he asked.

She took a step forward and placed her hands on the sides of his face.

"That I love you. That you were the one for me."

He turned his back completely on the back door forgetting it even existed.

"Really?" he whispered.

She nodded softly. "I was so mad at myself for feeling things I knew for certain could never be. And now…" She glanced down at her wedding dress and smiled. Insecurities and dentists had kept them apart for so long, but nothing was stopping them now. A plant was the only thing that stood in the way of tomorrow.

He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, not saying a word. He knew what he had to do. He knew he had to stop it before anyone else got hurt. But for now all he focused on was his angel. When he finally pulled away he noticed her face was streaked with tears.

"Audrey?"

She smiled very weakly. "I usta come out here to cry too."

"Cry?" he asked.

She nodded. He brought his hand to her cheek wiping away her tears as she spoke.

"When Orin was bein' too rough, when Mista Mushnik was bein' too rude… and when wantin' and bein' alongside you got too hard. Always wishin'..."

"Audrey. Audrey…" he cooed interrupting, "do you know how much I love you?"

She moved her eyes to his face though said nothing.

"You said you realized out here, wanna know when I realized?"

Her face lit up.

"It was pretty much from 'hi I'm Audrey'."

At this she let out a laugh and fell back into his arms. She felt his hands on her back. Her wounds had healed and she felt no pain from them in this moment, but she still had her scars. Ones she had kept hidden for so long and ones Seymour had even helped to bandage up. They'd always be there but so would he.

He purified me.

He smiled and held her tighter.

"I still have that dog you gave me," she said muffled into the shoulder of his suit jacket.

She pulled away enough to see his face. As she suspected he was smiling embarrassed.

"I knew it was you!"

He said nothing but continued to smile.

"I packed it tonight. It was gonna come… it WILL come with us when we leave," she said determined and trying her best to hide her fear and uncertainty.

He took her hands and she swung them thoughtfully as she was known to do.

"I'm gonna get you a real dog," he said.

Her smile grew with excitement.

"And a nice little house," he said with certainty, "a nice little car… and no plants."

She exhaled a small laugh and shook her head, "no plants at all."

"We'll have a family," he continued.

"With three kids," she chimed in.

"Or four!"

She laughed at his enthusiasm. It was true though. If they saw tomorrow they got it made. Slowly but surely Seymour saw the laughter leave her eyes.

"Somewhere that's safe."

"Somewhere that's green," he whispered.

Audrey looked at him wide eyed and her face illuminated with a smile.

Seymour took the sides of her face and planted a deep kiss on her lips. He pressed his forehead against hers closing his eyes.

"Don't you be frightened. Don't be afraid," he whispered. "I'll get us out of this mess that I've made. And then we'll have tomorrow."

She nodded. Reluctantly he let go of her hand and took a step away.

"Wait for me, Audrey."

"I love you Seymour," she said trying her best to keep her voice from cracking. She couldn't let him see how worried she was. Not now at least, though tears were growing rapidly in her eyes.

"I love you too."

He took in one last sight of his angel, and swung the door open.

We'll have tomorrow, if we make it through tonight.

Overcome with grief she put her face in her hands and began to sob. Quickly wiping her eyes she ran to the window.

Credit to Howard Ashman and Alan Menkin for the lyrics to "Suddenly Seymour" "Somewhere thats green" and "We'll have tomorrow" Obviously.