AN: Sorry it's been so long! But have no fear, an update is now here! DO NOT OWN ROMEO AND JULIET WHATSOEVER!

The day Christine left, the fouth of Janurary, Nellie seemed to be crawling out of her depression. She'd even finished Twelth Night and moved onto Romeo and Juliet.

To keep herself busy, she read the play aloud while Sweeney was working in his shop. It was kinda like she was reading to her unborn child.

"Act I, Scene IV," she read the titles of the scenes and the names of the characters, too. "Romeo: What, shall this speech be spoke for our excuse? Or shall we on without apology? Benvolio: The date is out of such prolixity. We'll have no cupid hoodwinked-"

A voice from behind her cut her off. "Seriously, Nellie," Sweeney teased. "You need to re-learn English," he announced as he walked towards his wife on the sofa.

"I am!" Nellie protested, smiling as Sweeney sat next to her.

"Shakespearian doesn't count," Sweeney countered pointedly. Nellie sighed dramatically.

"I'm just a lost cause, huh?" she asked pretending to be woeful. "Whatever shall I do?" Sweeney smirked.

"Is saracasm your mood for the day?" he teased.

"Is it yours?" she asked saracastically. She smirked biting her tounge. Sweeney rolled his eyes playfully.

"That's me Nellie," he said while leaning in to kiss her. She kissed back with enthusiasm. Christine really had made her feel better. She seemed less depressed and horomonal.

When they pulled away they were greeted with a shaky,

"'Ello Mum, Dad."

"Toby!" Nellie gasped. "What are you doin' up so late, dear?" she asked.

"I - I couldn't sleep," Toby admitted glumly, staring at the floor. "I had nightmares."

"Nightmares?" Nellie asked making room for him on the sofa between her and Sweeney. "Sit down with us, love. Tell us about it," she gently coaxed. Toby sat next to them.

"It's about that horrible man who attacked about a month ago, Mum," Toby said. "In me dream 'e - 'e -"

"What is it, Toby?" Sweeney asked.

"Go on, love," Nellie gently urged.

"'E does to you what you did to 'im," Toby finished, his voice a mere whisper. Sweeney winced at that. Nellie wrapped her arms around Toby in a comforting hug.

"'E's dead, love. 'E'll never hurt us again. It's all jus' a dream," she assured him.

"But it's not jus' a dream, Mum!" Toby protested. "You even told me yourself he'd beat you - an' if the tables were turned, like in me dream -" a sob cut through his throat. "I never want to lose you, Mum," he choked out. Nellie cradled his head against her chest.

"Ssshh. Don't even think of that. I'll always be here for you. You'll never lose me," she said reassuringly. She kissed the top of his head as he cried into her dress. "We'll be fine," she stroked his back comfortingly.

Sweeney gazed at his wife in admiration. She already had maternal instincts, she'd make a great mother. Hell, she was already a mother! She was great with children, unlike Lucy who left Johanna, not to mention Ben, by poisoning herself and ending up in the loony bin. No, Nellie was so much better than that. She'd never leave them. Never hurt them intentionally.

In an attempt to help comfort Toby Sweeney said,

"We'll protect her, me boy. No one can get past us." It actually caused a small smile to grace Toby's lips as he clung to his Mum. Nellie smiled at Sweeney and he knew how lucky he was that she was his.

Nellie rubbed Toby's back.

"Ya feelin' any better, dearie?" she asked him lovingly. Toby nodded into her chest. "Well then, let's get ya back to bed then, love," she said.

"No!" Toby protested. "I'll have nightmares!" he insisted. "Please," he begged. "Can I stay with you tonight?" he asked hopefully. Nellie was touched by the request and felt sorry for him, but she thought that to be quite impossible. That's why she was surprised when Sweeney answered,

"Of course you can. As long as you don't make it a habit. The bed is huge, we can squeeze you in, no problem." Nellie's mouth hung open in shock. She mouthed, 'Are you serious?' to him. He nodded.

"Looks like that's a 'yes', love," she said to Toby. He perked up a bit and moved his arm to make a group hug.

"You're the best! You can't know how much this means to me! I've never had anything close to comfort after a nightmare before - and this is more than I'd ever dreamed of! Thank you!"

"Aw, you're welcome, dearie. Just remember it's this one night only, okay?" Nellie replied.

"I'm sure one night is all I'll need," Toby assured her.

Ten minutes later they were getting ready for bed, and shortly afterward they fell asleep.

AN: Awww. . .well, wasn't that sweet? Drama starts soon. . .and I'm still writing it. . .;) Reviews are golden, loves!