A Dream Within a Dream
"Mrs. Lovett?"
Benjamin Barker's clear voice rings out, and the pie maker looks up, seeing his head poking in from the shop door. His eyes are merry, and there's snow in his hair. "Have you got a moment?" he asks, and Mrs. Lovett looks to where Albert is sitting in front of the fire. The shop's empty today, so she hasn't got anything to do anyway. Looking back to Benjamin, Nellie shrugs. "Sure." She grabs her coat from the rack and pulls it on, not bothering to put away her supplies, and instead follows him out the door. The cold air hits her and she smiles, feeling her cheeks get rosy instantly. Benjamin puts out his arm and she takes it with a laugh, following wherever he leads.
"And how are you today, Nellie?" he asks, and she cannot help the way her eyes stray to his red nose and jubilant eyes. "Fine thanks," Eleanor replies with a smile, shaking loose strands of hair from her face. "An' you?" He smiles wider, if possible. "Wonderful."
They walk on, laughing merrily as they discuss trivial things such as the weather and Albert's health and Benjamin's mother. The feeling of his warm arm under her gloved hand is irresistible, and Nellie feels herself moving closer to him with every step they take and he does not move away, until they are pressed tightly against each other, and his arm moves from under her hand to wrap around her waist. Sighing, Mrs. Lovett places her hand on his shoulder, their bodies even closer if possible. Smiling, she tilts her head up to look at him only to find Mr. Barker already gazing down at her. "Having fun?" he asks, a smile on his lips. Mrs. Lovett laughs. "Loads." He nudges her slightly and they veer to the left, muttering halfhearted apologies to the people whom they bump. "Now Mr. Barker, you 'ave to tell me, what's going on with you nowadays?" she asks once they've recovered from their laughter. "How's your apprenticeship going? 'Ave you found a girl to fit your fancy?" she smiles, but inside her heart leaps. Mrs. Lovett almost wishes he'd say yes, that it's her, and that she should forget about Albert, for she has already confessed to him that she does not love the man, and that they should run away together and elope. But he simply throws back his head and gives a laugh that makes her knees weak and shakes her head.
"No, Nellie, you'd be the first to know," he says, his bright eyes sparkling down at her. And they both freeze as their eyes meet, because somehow this time is different, somehow they've connected. She leans in to Mr. Barker, and he mirrors her until their lips touch and all her dreams begin to come true.