The Wedding

They retreated to their room, not saying a word. They stripped to their underclothes, backs to each other, and crawled under the covers. They faced away, staring at the opposite walls and feeling a bit awkward. "Are you angry with me, love?" Nellie asked, after the silence had become suffocating. She feared their little attachment on the beach might have upset him in some way.

He rolled over to face her. She unfortunately could not meet his gaze due to her wounded side, but she still tried. Tossing over on her left, only to wince in pain and settle on her back, sighing at the ceiling. "I'm not upset, my pet." He muttered.

"Well thank the lord," she said with a sigh. "We got a little carried away. I was afraid you'd—"

"We're to be married Nellie. I won't be upset." He looked at her. "Besides, how am I to get my little girl back in my arms if the thought alone causes you to blush like a young maid."

She laughed, a smile remaining on her lips. "Maybe it's because all of this feels to much like one of my silly dreams to be real."

She rolled back onto her right, shivering slightly as she felt his arm snaked around her waist. She grinned and closed her eyes, preparing her mind to drift off into sleep. She struggled not to blush again as she could have sworn, he inhaled the scent of her hair. Just as both of them were comfortable enough to relax, they were disturbed by sounds of moaning and shaking behind the wall inches from Nellie's ears. She lifted her head in questioning. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth fell agape. Monica had said they weren't the only pair of lovers in her inn. Nellie closed her eyes and shook her head. She rotated her body again, as if changing her position would allow her escape from the sounds of their fornicating neighbors.

"Sounds like they're having fun." Sweeney muttered causing her to laugh again.

He was awakened the next morning by a pillow landing on his face. "Rise my barber, we have much to do today." He rolled over with a grunt. Nellie sat on the bed, leaning over him. "Come now, we have a priest to find."

He rolled over to look at her, "A little priest?"

"Of sorts, yes." She chuckled, grinning wide.

Hours later, they sat in Grimsby's church across from the priest. He consistently quizzed the two of their history and scribbling their answers down. "Miss Plummer." He began looking up at Nellie. She met his gaze, smiling politely. "Am I correct in assuming you are in your thirties?"

"Yes, Father."

"You're a bit late to be getting married." He commented.

"My family allowed me to marry for love. It's not my fault it took this long to find someone I fancied." She was confident and posed like a royal.

"Tell me about your family. Where are you from?"

"London. I worked in a shop with my grandparents, and I took over when they both died. I was born on a farm in Southern England. My father died in the war and my mother, stricken from grief distanced herself from me and my brother. He left some time ago after he wed and my mother moved in with him and his new wife in their home in America." Sweeney was appalled by how well she could tell a tale. She was lying to a bloody priest without even batting an eyelid.

"And are you a maid? Never been wed before?"

"I remain pure."

"Excellent." He turned his gaze to Sweeney. "And you Mr. Oakley,"

"I am a widower, Father. Born in London." He scribbled some things down. "My young wife died of the plague."

The priest met his eyes once more in alarm. "The red death?"

Sweeney stammered for a moment. "Ay, that's the one."

Priest looked solemn. "Bless you, I'm so sorry. Thank heavens the plague didn't take you. Its nasty, that one." A smile placed his lips once more. "How did the two of you meet?"

"Met in the market in London. Started our courtship." Nellie spoke.

"Ah, love at first sight." The man mused. "Romantic. Well," he said after a pause. "I'd be happy to marry you." Nellie tried to hide her grin, she failed. "You both have been baptized correct?"

Sweeney nodded, "In London, yes." Nellie said.

"Excellent. Now," he looked at the two, "I have a list of other souls to deal with. I'm afraid it'll be a few weeks' time before I can wed you. There are more couples waiting, some other different engagements. Don't mind waiting longer do you?"

"Not at all, Father."

"Good, good. You'd like a private wedding? I believe you mentioned that once you arrived."

"Yes," they both nodded.

"No trouble at all, it's just, you are going to need a witness." He looked at the two, "Is there no family to speak of?"

"My family is all dead," Sweeney spoke.

"And you lass, your brother and mother?"

"Oh they wouldn't bother. We don't get along." She smiled awkwardly.

"I see. Then I suggest making a friend. You'll need at least one witness in attendance."

The three of them stood up and the priest bid them farewell. Sweeney and Nellie turned to leave. "Take some time to look around, get to know this town. Meet with the landlord perhaps, here's his address." He handed Sweeney piece of paper. "He won't sell a home to you yet, legal reasons. You two will have to sign the legal document after your marriage."

The Priest smiled warmly at them and they left the church. Nellie continued to smile ear to ear, grasping onto Sweeney's arm as they strolled. "You're very excited aren't you Margery." He said.

"I'm in love, Mr. O." she mused, practically waltzing on air, her feet felt so light. He kissed her temple lightly, surprising them both. They spent the remainder of the afternoon searching through the town. Learning where all the shops were, especially the marketplace. They ventured to shake hands with the landlord, he was a snotty old sot, afterwards the sun was setting as they wearily walked back to the inn. They ate their dinner quickly avoiding all conversations with the other guests and hurried to bed. Awoken once again by their rambunctious neighbors.

A couple days past, and Nellie was looking through her gowns, trying to find the one that would best suit today. If she had her old closet on fleet street, she would go with her signature black gown with the low neckline. Now, she only had one black dress left. She grimaced at it, the dress was a simple, a bit tattered, she would wear it on a day when she'd have to be in the bake house for hours. It was the same dress she was wearing when… she met Mr. T, in fact.

Speaking of the barber, he ruined her pleasant thoughts by yanking the dress from her daydreaming grasp. She spun around and he stepped away, staring down at the cloth. "You do realize you're not a widow anymore, my pet?"

Nellie grinned, looking over her shoulder at him. "I won't be a widow anymore… soon." She corrected. She grabbed the dress back from him. "I'm still a widow now." She faces the mirror, holding the fabric up to her.

"You should still get into the habit of wearing more colors."

She rolled her eyes at him, "Oh very well Mr. Oakley." She said with a wink. She shifted through her dresses, frowning at how little of an option she had at the moment. She put on a simple green gown and called it a day. She really ought to go dress shopping soon.

She sat downstairs poking at her breakfast. "Good morning, Oakley's." Monica smiles brightly. "Hope you two are fairing well." She set coffee in front of them before rushing off to care for her next guests.

An idea strikes and Nellie followed after her, "Monica." She calls after the inn keeper who spun around full of smiles as always. "Do you know of any good dress shops in town?"

"Oh! For your wedding gown?" she beamed.

Nellie caught her breath, getting a wedding dress never once crossed her mind. "Yes." She finally said.

Monica almost dropped the tray of coffee she was so excited. "May I accompany you?"

"I'd be honored," Nellie said a bit flabbergasted.

Later that day, Sweeney sat in their room staring at his last remaining friend. It was the razor that broke after he mascaraed ten men to protect his baker, and partially himself. He didn't want to part with the razor, even though it was just a silver handle with a small bit of blade remaining. He lightly ran his finger tip over it and gasped as it drew blood. He heard footsteps approaching and shoved the razor into his pocket just as his baker entered the room.

"Is that what you did all day, dear?"

He knit his eyebrows, staring at the box in her hands. Frowning as he as absolutely certain the dress was an ungodly shade of white. "I was pondering the future my sweet."

"Hm," Nellie muttered placing the box on the dresser.

"Not going to show me?" he commented.

She turned around and walked towards the bed where he was seated, "Ah, what would be the fun in that, love? It'll be a pleasant surprise for you."

"Anything you say."

That evening after dining they were urged to take another bath, since bathing for those able was a weekly routine in these times. Sweeney and Nellie were proud to state that after more than a week had passed in the inn, they had grown comfortable enough to bathe in the tub facing one another.

They made idle chatter, Nellie retelling her afternoon spent with the inn keeper Monica, how she spent the time retelling more stories about her customers in the midst of helping Nellie select a dress. Which was an easier feat than either of them thought it would be. "You know, there was a time when I wanted to be an inn keeper." Nellie said to Sweeney, their skin covered in suds.

"Why? All those people living under the roof with you."

"Yes, believe me, after experiencing dealings with customers, I changed my ambition." She laughed.

"She had some mad stories. A guest stole from her once. Another almost hung himself in one of the rooms, don't know which one but he's apparently alright now, poor bloke." Sweeney rinsed off his hair while Nellie continued to chatter away. Without saying a word, he grabbed the soap and inched closer to her, clutching onto her hair and began washing it thoroughly. "Oh, and you know our intimate neighbors? They're her children. Well, the girl is. The lad with her is her new husband. Said they were married only a month ago, she did. No wonder they're so eager." She smiled softly to herself while Sweeney continued running soapy fingers through her hair. "I wonder what that must be like? To be a newly wed at such a young age. The world seems so full of magic I'd wager." She pulled her knees up to her chest. "I never had that experience. Since Albert was an arrangement my mother made."

All of a sudden, Sweeney takes hold of her chin, forcing their eyes to meet and tells her to be silent by kissing her softly. She sighs into his kiss a sad smile forming her lips. "There is something I need to share with you my sweet." She eyed him curiously. "I've been thinking about it all day, while you were out." He held her gaze, "I've been polite in letting you live your fantasy but I can't take it any longer. Do you know why we're being married?"

She shook her head.

"Our aliases. I don't love you Nellie. I may never will. And I'm sorry."

She looked sad and confused. "I don't understand, all the snuggling and kisses. What was that about?"

"I missed a woman's touch. It was lust."

"You're quest to have another daughter?"

"You can make a child without love."

She wanted to slap him. She would have even if the bastard was naked, which did nothing to make him less menacing. "I do care for you Nellie. I've become accustom to."

"Ah Mr. T." she sighs again looking down at the water. "And that last kiss, was that part of your "caring" for me?"

"I did say lust." He answers.

"Yes, because that's much better." She teases, fighting the tears that are threatening to spill from her eyes. She looks away from him.

He places his hands on her arms. "You're beautiful Nellie." To prove his point, his eyes trail her body.

"Ey, my eyes are up here Mr. Todd." she waved her hand in front of his face. "You can't tell me you'll never love me and then ogle by body." She sunk under the water, ridding the soap from her hair. "Here, I'll give you a better view." She said standing up in the tub, he's eyes now level with what lied below her abdomen. He smirked, looking away out of modesty.

She stepped out of the tub, drying herself off. "Well, there is something I need to tell you." Towel wrapped around her body, she faced him. "I bought a shop today." By passing his look of shock and quickly growing anger, she grabbed her clothes and stepped out of the bathe house, not giving a damn that she was in a towel and their were onlookers outside.

"No I'm sorry Sweeney." She said once they were both back in their room, clothed with the door closed and his anger ready to explode on her at any moment. She wanted to get her speech out now while she could, and while standing a far enough distance away from him. "I've been selfish, it's true. Its my fault in assuming you'd move on so quickly when you won't. However, I know. I know you are moving on." She looked at him with a flaming passion. "You will love me one day. More than you'd ever loved Lucy."

He was on top of her like a viper to its prey. "You dare say her name." he spat.

She continued before he could attack. "I'll be waiting my dear. I can wait, all good things come to those who can. And I've spent my whole life waiting for this, I can wait longer. You won't admit it, but I know you care for me."

"Of course, I care for you." He said.

She rolled her eyes and turned form him, pulling the blankets back on the bed.

"I didn't say I'd never care for you. I said I'd never love you."

She froze as her heart shattered. This conversation is over as far as she was concerned. "We're not finished." He said grabbing her arm. "You bought a shop?"

"Yes." She said facing him once more.

"You're daft. By all means, throw our money away on a shop. It's not as if we have a wedding and house to afford, that you so desperately wanted." He sneered.

"And we'll hold the house with what income?" Nellie said. "How are you to support this daughter you crave?"

"Not by running another bloody pie emporium." He snarls in her face.

"I was thinking more of a bakery this go. No meat." He sighed, turning away from her. "I like working." Nellie continued. "I'll earn money off my pies. Just like I used to."

Nellie crawled into bed, "No one buys your bloody pies, pet." She ignored him, facing the wall. "Not until I showed up," he said. She frowned, pulling the blanket up around her face. After a while, he joined her. They laid their in silence not daring to face one another.

They're intimate neighbors were going at it again just as they were about to find peace. Nellie snapped, she bolted upright and banged on the wall. "Must you do this every night! Your bleedin' balls and going to fall off." She shouted.

Sweeney tried to hold it in but fails miserably as he bursts into laughter beside her. She ignores him but can't help but smile mainly to at the fact that she's never heard him laugh before in a long time.

While walking through the square, easing his mind of everything that befell back at the inn last night, he was approached by a gentleman.

"Mr. Oakley?" he called.

Mr. Todd heard a voice be kept going, assuming the man was speaking to another. After the continuous shouts, Sweeney finally realized the man was talking to him.

The man gave Mr. Todd a weird expression. "Apologies sir, I was lost in thought." Todd said.

"Happens to the best of us." The cheery man said. He made the mistake of assuming Mr. Oakley would continue polite chatter with him, after the pause of awkward silence and stares, he cleared his throat and continued on with business. "The priest sent me to find you, he has a last-minute opening in his schedule. The wedding will be held earlier, if that would suit you and your bride?"

"That'll suit us just fine." Sweeney said.

"Great. I'll tell the priest and the wedding can be held in let's say… an hour?"

"Perfect, thank you sir," Sweeney said before trudging off to the inn. He had excellent news for his baker. He looked down at the box in his hands. He was out to come to his senses and decided to settle the quarrel placed between him and the baker with matching wedding rings.

He found her in the inn's dining area, slowly spinning her spoon in a bowl of soup. "We'll be dining in our house tonight." He said standing over her.

She eyed him hesitatingly, "Sorry?"

"Some bloke missed his engagement with the priest. He has an opening for today."

She jumped to her feet. "Get your dress on." He said. "We need to be at the alter in one hour."

"An hour?" she stammered. "So soon."

"Good thing I was out getting the rings." He said looking down at the small box in his hands. "Will we arrive together?"

"Let's meet there." Nellie said. "I still need to ask Monica to be witness."

"Why her?" Sweeney frowned.

"Do you know anyone else?" She cocked her eyebrows sarcastically.

"Alright. Be there in an hour." He said and they rushed off in different directions.

As Nellie approached Monica, she could feel tears forming in her eyes. She stopped herself, hiding behind a pillar, she knew these were not tears of joy. She bit her lip willing her emotions to calm. That bleedin' bastard of a barber. If only he'd wait to share his honesty with her after they were wed. Her whole mindset was now thrown out of proportion. "Too soon," she whispered to herself. She hardly had the time to cope, this was supposed to be the happiest moment of her life, and she so desperately wanted it to be over and done with. She took a deep breath and approached Monica.

"Margery!" she smiled. Then frowned upon Nellie's expression, "What's the matter my dear?"

"I know this is sudden, but the wedding is in an hour. I would like you to hold as witness."

"I'm honored my dear. But why the tears child? Are you not happy?"

"I wish my family could be here." Nellie lied.

"Aw, yes. Your mother and brother are proud darling. And your father is smiling down on you."

The thought of her father being with her today in spirit was enough to ease her mind and emotions. She pulled through the tears and smiled brightly. "You don't mind if my bring my children, do you?"

Of course. "Very well." Nellie smiled before retreating to her room to get changed.

Sweeney stood at the altar, alone with the priest. Monica and her newly married children next to her. He was surprised to see their two neighbors, finally in person. He snickered, hoping they remembered Nellie's shouts through the wall from last night, they most likely didn't know it was them. The music began to play and Nellie entered. Not turning around to look at her yet, Sweeney was grimacing, dreading the ungodly pure white her dress would be. Or worse, the shade leaning towards yellow. As if she'd try to be like Lucy. As she was half-way up the aisle, his curiosity got the better of him and he looked at her. His mouth fell open upon her beauty. She left her hair down, braiding the front back to keep them from her face. Her dress was grey, a color he never imagined would suit her so well. It blended beautifully with her shade of hair, as well as the bouquet of daisies and baby's breath in her hands.

The priest nodded to them both before beginning. About half way through the speech, they became lost in each other's eyes, as if they could communicate how beautiful the other person looked without saying it out loud. "Do you Margery Plummer, take this man to be your husband…" Nellie pretended not to hear the words "Margery Plummer" but instead, replaced them with Nellie Lovett in her brain. Her smile was murdered into a frown as Sweeney's words from yesterday reached her. This wedding was only for their aliases.

He expected her to melt into butter, or dropped her bouquet from being so excited, but she remained regal, calm. He realized too late that she behaved this way because she felt sad. Of course it was his fault and he did feel a slight pang of guilt. He matched her sad expression with one that was sincere. Until the words "I do." Left her lips at last.

"And do you, Sebastian Oakley. Take this woman…" She expects he'll just nod, without uttering a single word. She exhaled almost verbally through her nose. Would he even kiss her? A peck on the cheek most likely. A small brush against the lips if she was lucky.

"I do." She stiffened at his voice as he proved her wrong.

She swallowed and her lips parted slightly. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." The priest closed the bible and smiled, looking at Sweeney. "You may kiss your bride."

Taking a deep inhale, she leaned in. He surprised her again by taking a step forward, placing a hand around her waist, drawing her close and kissed her deeply.

Their three guests cheered and clapped behind them, Monica the loudest. Nellie smiled, resting her forehead against her husband's.

This took me weeks to write haha I'm glad it's over but still proud. Thanks for reading.