Today was the day. Nellie had made sure that she ate right and stayed fit enough for this monumental day in her life. It was the day she was to be fitted for her wedding gown. She and Albert never really had a wedding. There were some casual witnesses and there were two rings and a (little) priest, but that was it. He was far too cheap to spend any good money on something that he perceived as trivial as a wedding dress.

She had gotten up bright and early to make sure her boys did not see where she was headed. A trip back into town was in order, as one of her old friends was a venerated seamstress, known particularly for her wedding gowns. She quietly took a corset, bloomers, and a dress before heading into the bathroom to get ready. She slipped on the undergarments and the glided into a light green dress. The sleeves, collar, and middle section of the torso were white, and there was a forest green ribbon criss-crossing up the white of the torso. The same silk ribbon adorned the hem of the gown and ends of the sleeves. After she had jabbed a number of pins into her unsteady locks she left the bathroom. She stepped into a pair of delicate white shoes and silently slunk out the door. Nellie had to walk a bit to get to the carriages, but after that she slept on the way into London. Soon after her arrival, she was able to locate the tiny shop that housed her old friend, Miss Martha Murky. The lady's last name did not suit her, for she was the complete opposite of murky.

She was a petite woman, even in comparison to Nellie. She had short, wavy, red hair that fell to her jaw line and green eyes that outshined any emerald one could have laid eyes on. In a similar way, her smile outshone the sun. Freckles were dotted all over her person as though someone had splattered paint on her. Her dress was simple, but easy to work in. It was a light blue and there was a broad turquoise ribbon across her middle. When she saw Martha, Mrs. Lovett smiled broadly at her old friend.

"Remember me?" she said teasingly.

"Nellie! Oh, dearie, how are you?" Martha said as she threw her arms around her companion.

"I'm fine. Well actually, I'm a bit better than fine. I'm getting married!"

A squeal of happiness erupted from within Martha.

"Do I know him?"

"It depends. Did you know Benjamin Barker? Or by chance, did you know Sweeney Todd?"

"Well I knew Mr. Barker a little," She said thoughtfully, "But I've only heard of that Mr. Todd…why do you ask?"

"You must swear to tell no one."

"I swear on me own grave, Nellie."

"Alright then. They are the same person. Ben escaped from the unjust punishment put on him by Turpin and then acquired an alias, Sweeney Todd. He had a bit of an epiphany, and his hardened heart melted just a bit so he's taken his old first name, and kept the last name Todd. Soon after, he decided we should move to the sea-"

"Oh, you've always wanted a life by the sea!"

"Yes I have! And then in the carriage on the way there he proposed to me!"

Martha had always been a hopeless romantic, and gave a great sigh placing both hands just above her heart. "How perfectly adorable…We will get you the perfect dress for your wedding by the sea."

"That's what I was hoping to hear you say. Ya have anything in mind?"

"Sure do, dearie." Martha said while walking to the back of her shop. "And even the paradigm dress may be a perfect fit."

Eventually the small woman reappeared pulling a shrouded mannequin from the shadows. She set the figure three feet in front of Nellie and with a proud grin, ripped away the sheet. Mrs. Lovett gasped when she saw the dress. It was a stunning satin dress with the standard lace pattern embellishing the entirety of it. It had lace caplet sleeves that were ruffled on the edges. The back was laced up just like her favorite corset, and the bottom of the torso dipped down into a point. A broad v-neck completed the silhouette. The dress was just something that Nellie could picture herself in on the beach as she said her vows. Nothing could be more perfect for the occasion. When she had slipped on the dress, it fit almost like a dream. The waist had to be taken in, but that is always a gratifying alteration for a woman. As she turned to the great mirror in the corner of the room, she nearly cried. It was a perfect relic of the very epitome of her dreams, and then it hit her. All of her dreams really truly were coming together and her eyelids fluttered at the very thought. The man she had loved for years before he had even met Lucy had now chosen her to be a witness to his entire life. Through sickness and health, and razor slip-ups and burnt pies. With much regret, she took off the gown and gave it back to her dear friend, hoping to have it back soon. She paid for it, and bid Martha goodbye before heading off to see Johanna quickly.

Once she had reached the home of Anthony and Johanna, she lightly knocked on the door. It was mid afternoon by now. Johanna answered the door.

"Hello Mrs. Lovett! Oh, please come in, I am so very glad to see you."

"Yes, and I you darling. I need to speak to you and Anthony about something very important."

Johanna left Nellie on a chair in the parlor before returning shortly arm in arm with Anthony.

"You wanted to ask us something, Mrs. Lovett?"

"Ok, here it goes." She said taking a deep breath. "I'm getting married."

"Oh that's wonderful news!" Anthony said beaming.

"Who is the groom?" Said Johanna with the familiarity of her father's grin.

"Mr. Todd."

Johanna gasped and let go of Anthony in order to throw her arms around Nellie's neck.

"It took you two long enough." Anthony smirked.

What is that supposed to mean?" Nellie asked with a raised brow.

"Well," He started, "Whenever I saw you two together, it was quite clear that you had a fondness for him, but in his own way, it appeared he cared for you too."

"That's a very feminine thing to say, love."

"And so it may be, but I have seen many things around this world for my young age, and nothing gets past me."

"Except for that Mr. Todd was a bloody murderer" Thought Nellie.

"Sure enough dear, but I need to ask both of you a question."

"Yes?" They replied simultaneously

"Anthony, Mr. Todd has requested you be his best man, and Johanna, I would like you to attend as my maid of honor."

Another simultaneous "Yes!" hit the roof of the tiny home before both young souls smothered Nellie in an embrace of excited gratitude.

"It's all settled then. I would like each of you to come to this address exactly three weeks from now" She said producing a piece of paper. "Thank you for such an enthusiastic acceptance."

"Mrs. Lovett," Anthony said as she was headed to the door. "Wait, I have the money for you that the shops sold for."

She gladly accepted the tiny coin purse and was pleasantly surprised to find it much heavier than she expected.

"Now comes the real challenge," Nellie said before the couple closed the door behind her.

"What would that be?" Johanna asked with an innocent glow

"Getting Mr. Todd cleaned up an into a suit."

Ending soon. [ If you want it to continue spread the word, it's not doing as well as it used to. Also, please check the poll on my profile for future pairings! I am also up for challanges! Love to all the regular readers, you make life so much better for me!