Sorry for the hiatus folks, I'm pretty much over the flu and have been doing A LOT of writing. I had a new idea for a story pop up in my head this passed weekend and I'm starting to get that underway…while keeping up with my other two original stories and two fanfics…gotta love the joys of being a writer. Once again, thank you all for your supportive reviews..I have very interesting plans for this fic which will soon start to unravel. Anywho, onward to Chapter 10! We just left off when Nellie's mother died and she was comforting her father.
It had been a long day for Ben, the business seemed to be very constant and he his appointments were shedualed right up until closing time. As he flipped the closed sign over, he sighed deeply and looked forward to retreating to his comfortable bed. As he started up the stairs, he heard a loud taping noise on his door and whirled around to see Nellie standing outside of it. He quickly rushed to open it.
"Nellie, what is it?" Ben asked.
"She's dead Ben, my mother's dead." Nellie said throwing her arm around him and crying softly.
"Oh I'm so sorry Nel." Ben said holding her tightly to him.
"I know we didn't get along all that well, but her last words to me was that she was proud of me. She was proud of me Ben. She had been proud of me all along." Nellie cried.
"Shh, it's alright Nel." Ben whisphered.
"Can I sleep here tonight?" Nellie asked somewhat already knowing the answer to that.
"Absolutely." He said kissing the top of her head and pulling her inside.
"I'm terribly sorry to be intruding. I was just flooded with all of her memory and father was already suffering enough." Nellie said.
"You are not intruding, love. I'm glad you came, so that I don't have to sleep alone either." Ben said and led her up the stairs to the small flat.
"Thank you Ben." She whisphered.
"I can't imagine what your father is feeling now. Did they have an extremely close relationship?" Ben asked.
"Oh yes, nothing could separate them. They loved each other so dearly." Nellie said reclining on the bed.
"He must really miss her." Ben said reclining on the bed as well.
"Ben, what's going to happen with us? I mean you and Lucy are going resolve your conflict, am I right?" Nellie asked.
"She hasn't yet. Why does she concern you Nellie? Its just you and me now." Ben said.
"True, I just keep thinking that we're getting ourselves into so much trouble." Nellie said then looked at him. "But part of me doesn't seem to care at all."
"Then listen to that part. Listen Nellie, nothing bad is ever going to come between us. Understand?" Ben asked looking into her brown eyes.
"Yes, I do understand." Nellie said smiling comfortably.
"We can take this relationship as slow or as fast as you want Nel, I don't want you feeling uncomfortable with any of this." Ben said.
"Let's just play it by ear." Nellie responded lying her head on his chest.
"I came by the pie shop, very briefly, business was extremely rough today. Mr. Mooney seemed to be doing an adequent job with the pie sales. Though, he isn't nowhere near as charming as the regular hostess everyone comes to see everyday." Ben said.
"They don't come for me, they come for the pies." Nellie said.
"Oh, right, then explain why when your mother worked, only half the shop was filled and now that the public knows that you are working, the shop is always full." Ben asked.
"It's just coincidence. It has absolutely nothing to do with me." Nellie said giggling.
"That's why I order three peach pies." He whisphered in her ear. "I adore coming to see you as often as I could."
"I do believe you are attempting to flatter me, are you not?" Nellie asked.
"Is it working, Nellie Sunner, is that why your cheeks are turning pink like rose petals?" Ben asked touching her face gently.
"No, I do believe you are making me blush." Nellie said giggling with embarressment.
"So be it then, Nellie Sunner, you look quite attractive blushing like a little school girl." Ben responded.
"How would I know how a school girl looks, I've never attended school." Nellie asked.
"Pity you didn't, I'm sure all the young blokes would start fights over you." Ben said.
"As wonderful as that may sound, I know it's not entirely true." Nellie said.
" Why is that?" Ben asked.
"Because there are hundreds of girls far more beautiful than I." Nellie said.
"Well any bloke in his right mind would have to be completely nutter to believe that. Besides, it's not just looks that I find appealing about you." Ben said.
"Is that so, go on Mr. Barker, what is it that you find appealing about me?" Nellie asked.
"That, my dear, is for you to figure out on your own." He said planting a kiss on her lips.
"Very well then." Nellie whisphered kissing him back, then resuming her position with her head on his chest.
"You sleep now Nellie." Ben whisphered kissing her forehead then falling asleep slowly. "Nothing will come between us"
The next morning, Nellie's eyes fluttered open and she looked around to find herself in Ben's flat with him fast asleep next to her. She smiled peaceful and laid back down once again. She was lucky to have such a wonderful man in the world. She didn't care how hard business became or how often Judge Turpin tormented her, as long as she had Mr Barker, things were going to be alright. Her thoughts were interupted by Ben sitting up with a groan.
"Morning love, you look content this morning." He said to her.
"I was just recalling what you had said to me last night. You're right Mr. Barker, we are going to be alright together." She said softly.
"Great, so promise me, you'll stop doubting it." Ben said.
"I promise." She said sealing it with a soft tender kiss.
"Good girl, now, it was my understanding that you ran away from your home to come to see me. Is that right?" Ben asked.
"For the most part, yes." Nellie said.
"Then we must get you either back to the pie shop or back to your flat." Ben said.
"It's a bit early, don't you think?" Nellie asked.
"True, but I'm already on your father's bad side. I'd hate to infurate him even more." Ben said.
"Knowing him, he's probably still asleep." Nellie answered.
"Well then, we must get you back home before he misses you." Ben said kissing her hand then getting up.
"I must ask you Mr. Barker, how do you remain so dapper all the time?" Nellie asked.
"Its one of my natural talents." Ben said casually.
"It most definatly is." Nellie said starting to get out of bed. Ben knelt in front of her grabbing both her hands.
"Its all for you my love, come." Ben said starting to pull her gently.
"I'm not so sure I want to. What if we were to run away and live by the sea? I've always wanted to live there by the rustling waves and endless sunlight. Wouldn't that be delightful, Ben. Would you like that?" Nellie asked.
"Of course I would..however, wouldn't you miss your father dearly? You are afterall eighteen and still very close to him." Ben asked.
"At least I'll have you. Besides he does have to let go eventually." Nellie said.
"Have patience my love, we'll go to the sea someday. Give it a couple years." Ben said his hands going around her waist.
"Alright then, promise me when we grow older and wiser..after my father died and perhaps after we earn a good livin for ourselves..that we could move by the sea." Nellie said running her fingers through his hair. "Please promise me."
"I promise." Ben answered pulling her into a warm passionate kiss, then seizing the opportunity to pull her off the bed. He caught her tightly, locking eyes with her and smirking. "We can't stay in bed all day."
"Of course not Mr Barker." she said smiling in a rather devious way, then proceeded to the washroom while humming gently. She gave him one last look before she closed the door.
"Temptress." he muttered then changed his suit, then went downstairs into his shop.
The couple walked back to Nellie's flat and vowed to see eachother later in the day. It was cooler than usual and dizzling slightly. Ben started back to his shop with a very happy smile on his face and whistling a tune. When all of a sudden he spotted Lucy, well dressed as usual, and trying to catch up with him.
"Benjamin Barker! May I have a word?" Lucy asked rather angerly.
"Lucy..alright." Ben answered.
"So obviously you've made your choice..you chose shaving over me." Lucy started.
"Yes, why can't you understand that." Ben asked.
"Well that is absolutely dispicable! I can believe you value a stupid job over me." Lucy ranted.
"Yes, a stupid job that I'm practicly famous for. People come from all over Europe just to be shaved by me. Judge Turpin the most powerful man in all of London even knows that and he can't stand me. Everyone in London knows me as Benjamin Barker..the best barber in all of London. And that makes me happy. That gives my life satsifaction!" Ben said losing his patience.
"Lower your voice in the presence of a woman. Have you no manners." Judge Turpin asked appearing next to them.
"Thank you, you see Judge Turpin knows how to treat a woman with respect." Lucy said.
"Please excuse us Judge Turpin." Ben said pulling Lucy to the side.
"Its over, Benjamin Barker, I'm sick of all this..obviously you value fame over marriage." Lucy yelled.
"Fine! Have a nice life Lucy!" Ben yelled storming off.
"I'm selling this ring...you're not getting it back!" Lucy yelled after him.
"Forgive me for intruding, ma'am, but I had no idea that you were married to him." Judge Turpin said.
"Not anymore..he values fame and his precious shaving over me. How could he do such a thing? I'm a pretty face, I make him look good, and thats how he repays me?" Lucy ranted.
"Your very beautiful ma'am, you deserve far more than what Mr. Barker gives. He'd rather rescue and protect his little pie baking friend." Judge Turpin said in a lowered voice.
"What about his little pie baking friend?" Lucy asked her eyes flashing with anger.
"This is merely an observation however I find him at the pie shop more frequently than anyone. The two of them have something...special between them. You can tell by the way he looks at her. Of course those are mere observations. However, Nellie Sunner isn't as innocent as everyone depicts her to be. Several nights ago, I found her trying to seduce my man servant Mr Banford." Judge Turpin said slowly making sure Lucy caught all of the words.
"I'm going straight to that pie shop and.." Lucy started.
"No, I have a better idea on how to correct this situation..will you join me for dinner to discuss the plans?" Judge Turpin asked.
"Of course, your honor, I would be delighted." Lucy said taking his arm and walking with him down the street to his large house. This time, they made sure that Benjamin Barker would pay for his actions.
BUM..BUM..BUM...hehe. Sorry I had to do that. I love Nellie/Ben together, however it will cause terrible things to happen. Hehe I really like making Lucy a b..she deserves it. I'm sorry for all of those who may like her, but I thats how I picture her. Kind of like those, pretty cheerleader types who sabotage others to get...need a visual think Sharpay from High School MusicalComing up next chapter: What is this horrid plan that Lucy/Turpin come up with? Will Nellie/Ben's relationship be strong enough to withstand it? Stay tuned.