Thank you to my reviewers: M. Cullen Hightopp, I LOVE JACK ATLAS and obessivelyfanaticgw09 :)

Chapter Thirty Eight

I stared at the woman incredulously, my brow furrowed. She sat by the side of my bed, calmly watching me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded.

"I came to see you."

"Yeah, well I don't wanna see you." I snapped, rolling onto my side with my back to her. Childish, I know, but…

"Joey, it's better we do this now rather than later. Your Father will be here soon, so –"

"Dad!" I cried. "Where is he? What have you done to him?"

"I have done nothing, Joey. You need to calm down."

I glared at Mrs Valentine as I sat back against the pillow, my arms folded across my chest.

"Why?"

"Why what, Joey?"

"Why me?"

"Joey, I'm afraid I don't know what –"

"STOP IT!" I yelled, punching the mattress. "You DO know. YOU were the one who started this whole MESS. It's ALL YOUR FAULT."

Mrs Valentine didn't even blink as I shouted at her. Instead, she simply stared at me calmly. She looked so much like Mrs Lovett, I had to look away.

"It's your fault." I muttered.

"Joey," She said, reaching out.

"NO!" I slapped her hand away. "DON'T TOUCH ME."

"Joey, you need to calm down before I call a nurse."

"You wouldn't dare."

Mrs Valentine raised an eyebrow. "Joey, here is a button that the patient presses should they require assistance. I can press it just as easily as you can."

I glared at her.

"Are you going to listen to me, Joey?" She asked.

"I have no bloody choice, do I?" I grumbled.

"Good."

I rolled my eyes, but turned to her, waiting impatiently. Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace, and Grace is the moody sister I have to live with.

"I know that you know."

"Wow, I feel so special."

"Joey."

"You do know I can get you done for blackmail, don't you?"

"Joey."

"Alright, alright! Can we get this over with, please?"

"I know about you, Joey." Mrs Valentine said, leaning forwards.

"What do you mean?"

"You're mentally ill. Schizophrenic."

I shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"I know that you saw them," She continued. "I never saw them, but I could feel them. I could feel their presence."

I didn't answer.

"Joey,"

"Oh for bloody hells sakes, stop saying my fucking name!" I swore, something I rarely did.

"Watch your language, Joey."

"Why, is it going somewhere?"

Mrs Valentine raised her eyebrows, and I laughed.

"I think the drugs are messing with my mind!" I said with a silly grin.

"Joey, please take this seriously."

"How can I when all you keep saying is that you 'feel their presence'?" I said in a stupid voice. "Sorry, but it just isn't possible. Do you know what, why don't you just leave me alone?"

"I can't do that, Joey."

"Why not?" I demanded in annoyance, sounding like a toddler.

Ha, me a toddler.

Good times. Good times…

"I have something for you."

"Aw, you got me a Get Well Soon present? You shouldn't have!" I said in a soppy voice.

"Well, no, not exactly."

"Oh. Not even a card?"

"This is not a social visit, Joey. I am simply here because I need to be."

"Where is my Dad?" I asked suddenly.

"He'll be here soon."

"And Grace?"

"From what I've heard, she is resting. They've had a long night."

"Tell me about it."

Mrs Valentine rolled her dark eyes as she reached down. I watched her warily, relaxing only slightly as I saw her holding a large black handbag.

Did hospitals do bag searches?

I was tempted to start hitting the assistance button, but my curiosity got the better of me as I watched Mrs Valentine reach inside her bag. What was she reaching for?

A small paper bag.

I frowned, my eyes narrowing. Wow, that was exciting.

Putting her black bag on the ground, Mrs Valentine turned to me with the small paper bag in her hands.

"Joey, what I am about to give you is extremely precious. You must never sell it or loose it. Do you understand?"

"Sir yes sir!"

"Joey, I am being deadly serious."

The look in Mrs Valentine's eyes told me she was being exactly that. Swallowing, I nodded, suddenly nervous.

"Yeah, I understand completely."

Mrs Valentine smiled, suddenly looking beautiful. I couldn't help but stare at her in amazement.

She looked like Mrs Lovett.

"Good. I shall give this to you, and then bother you no more."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Do you promise?"

"You have my word, Joey."

Satisfied, I nodded.

"Ok, what's in the bag?"

Mrs Valentine held it out, and I took it from her. As I did, she stood up.

"It's been nice knowing you, Joey. Yours is a story I shall never forget."

With that, she left.

Rolling my eyes, I looked down at the paper bag in my hands. I just held it for a moment, thinking.

Finally, curiosity took over me once more, and I carefully opened it. Tipping it upside down, I gasped at what fell onto my lap.

A locket.

It was a small, gold locket with a simple design. On the front, carefully engraved on it, was the letter 'J'.

Smiling, I gently undid the small latch and opened it.

A piece of paper, folded several times, sprung out, revealing the tiny photos underneath.

On the left were Sweeney and Mrs Lovett. Mrs Lovett was smiling, whereas Sweeney was simply looking up at me. On the right were Mum and Dad, both grinning up at me.

Tears sprung to my eyes as I shut it again, placing it on the table next to me before unfolding the note.

Dear Joey, it began.

We promised we would never forget you, and here is something to make sure you never forget us. Thank you for helping us, love, as your hope and compassion was everything we needed.

Life is truly for the alive, Joey, so live it. But don't just live your life for us, live it for yourself. Get out there and do everything you want to do. Don't be afraid of who you are.

Thank you,

Sweeney Todd & Mrs E. Lovett.

I smiled and folded the note again, opening the locket so I could tuck it in. After closing it, I simply cradled the locket in my hands, gazing down at it.

"Joey?"

I looked up in surprise, my fist clenching over the locket protectively.

"Dad…"