Fallen Leaves Turning to Snow

Upon hearing the click of the door opening, Sweeney rolled his eyes and rose into a sitting position just in time to see a frowning Nellie standing above him over the settee. He cocked his brows at her and smirked.

"You're plan failed; I can't sleep a wink." She says, hands on her hips.

He continued to smirk, closing his eyes once more. For the past months, the demon couple has been coming up with different strategies to get Nellie more comfortable with intimacy again, to ward off this terrible trauma that has taken root inside of her. His current plan was to simply, keep his distance, and that meant no longer sharing a bed. A plan that wasn't seeming to be working.

His brows rose in alarm as she lifted the blanket to lay over top him on the couch. "Alright, I'll join you in bed." He protested, it was too late, her weight was now snuggled atop his. She ignored him, closing her eyes. "Well now I am to be the one with trouble sleeping." He growled.

"Ah, such a shame, it really is." She said her eyes still shut.

"I'm serious Nellie," he grabbed her jaw, forcing her eyes open to look into his. Their noses were touching. The light of the moon coming in through the window illuminated their features. She frowned, for a moment she thought she would receive a kiss from him. It's been so bloody long since she's kissed him. This blasted plan of his was making her mood over the whole situation much more strained. Instead of gracing his lips to hers, they turned back flashing his yellow teeth into a sneer. "Get off."

Her eyes narrowed as they pierced into his dark ones. "Make me." She hissed back. He was silent for a bit, her features relaxed and she turned her head slightly, leaning in for that kiss. She let out a small scream as she was thrown off of him, her butt colliding with the wooden planks of the floor. She glared up at him, muttering "Bastard."

He smirked and extended his hand to her. "If you insist." He spoke.

She begrudgingly took his hand and he led her to the bedroom. They snuggled under the covers, both of them drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

The next day, they stayed home instead of running the bakery stall in the marketplace. It was now November and the temperature had begun to drop. The snow would start falling soon enough. Has perfect and cozy as that would be, Nellie refused to stand out in the cold for a long period of time to sell her wares.

"I want to buy a piano." She complained from her spot on the couch.

"We don't have the room for a piano." The demon barber and his wife were lounging across from one another in the parlor of their tiny by the sea cottage. They both were making idle chatter on a boring, cloudy, Saturday afternoon.

Nellie sat up on the couch, "Nonsense, I could…" her voice trailed off as she looked around their small living area noticing how a piano, even a small one, wouldn't fit perfectly anywhere. She sunk back down with a sigh and a frown. She picked up her pencil and parchment, continuing to scribble down ideas for the bakery.

"I'm getting a piano when we have a bigger house." She continued.

"When are we getting a bigger home?" Sweeney asked not even looking up at her. He kept his gaze to the newspaper in his hands until even that became boring.

"One day my love." She mused taping the pencil to the paper while thinking.

He folded up the newspaper, replacing it with the sketchbook to his right. He pondered for a moment a frown resting upon his lips. Nellie had asked if he could draw her almost a month ago now. He inhaled deeply. She wasn't exactly posing; in fact, she wasn't paying attention to him in the slightest.

"The weather is getting colder." He commented.

"Hmm." She mumbled.

"We won't be able to have our stall when it's winter. The snow should start falling any day now."

She lifted her head up as if just realizing something. "I could sing in the pubs. Christmas songs perhaps. Yes, that could do." Her pencil was once again scribbling on the parchment.

He grumbled in response, the pencil in his hand moving in a far different motion. Poor woman was so enthralled in her business planning she paid no mind to the barber drawing her from across the coffee table.

Minutes later, Nellie tossed her scribbling aside and stretched her back, raising both arms above her head, reaching for the ceiling. Sweeney froze and slapped his pencil down with a scowl, exhaling sharply and audibly. Nellie looked his way, alarmed by his noises of frustration. "What is it dear?" That's when she noticed the sketch book in his hands.

Her mouth formed a round "Oh" and her eyes grew wide. She felt so flattered that she adjusted her position on the couch again making him complain, "Nellie."

"Right sorry, love, sorry." She frantically moved back into the position she was in prior. "You could've told me you know."

"Put the pencil and paper back into your hands." He instructed.

"Right. I'll make doodles of my own." She moved the pencil over the paper. "What… um, what part of me are you on right now?"

"Shoulders." He spoke.

"You'll let me look at your other drawings one day, right?"

"Perhaps." He muttered. Nellie couldn't help herself she was all of sudden grinning like a mad woman, her cheeks full of blush.

"Nellie." he scolded.

She wiped the grin off her face only for it to return seconds later. "I'm sorry love, I can't help it."

"You looked in concentration and it was so beautiful." She turned to face him, her eyes softening, her heart swelling in adoration for him. He just called her beautiful. He met her gaze, brushing some pencil dust away with the side of his hand. "Hold that look." He spoke. "Look down, but keep that expression."

She did as instruct, scribbling little stars and daisies along the paper in her hands. "What would you call my expression now Sweeney?"

"I'm not sure," the sounds of his pencil scratching the parchment was giving her goosebumps. "You look like you're… in love." He mused.

Her heart melted. Well, he wasn't wrong.

Once finished, he set the pencil down and stood up, taking a sit next to her on the couch, placing the sketch book into her lap. Nellie stared in awe at the drawing. She felt as if it didn't look like her, that there was no way he could have made her look that beautiful. Her features seemed different, more profound; they're seemed to be a heavenly glow about her in the drawing. It made her heart melt. "Oh love," she placed a hand over her mouth. "I can't believe that it's me." She laughed. "You added a few touches here and there haven't you, to make me look lovelier?"

"I only sketched what I saw." He muttered. She smiled and threw her arms around him, nuzzling into his neck. "Thank you," she whispered into his ear, kissing his cheek.

Nellie was usually always in a cheery mood, but today, she was in a happier mood more than normal. It was late November, the 19th to be exact, Sweeney's birthday. They didn't have much money at the moment so Nellie couldn't afford to go overboard with gifts and festivities like she wanted to. A nice dinner and hand knitted scarf were in order. The only thing that threw off her cheery mood was that her husband was avoiding her like the plague. He's been distant rather often as of late, something about wanting Nellie to feel more comfortable as far as intimacy goes, something or other. She thought it was all ridiculous and just wanted her dear love to be by her side so she could pepper his face in kisses on this special day.

And to think, it'd be Christmas next month. She was floating on air she was so giddy as she placed the cake into the oven. Sweeney came out of his small man cave room for the first time in hours. "There you are love. I was getting worried about you." Nellie smiled in his direction. "Can't stay cooped up on this of all days."

"What's so special about today?" he grumbled. Pouring himself a cup of tea without even looking her way.

"It's your birthday dear. Didn't think I would forget, did you?"

He only grumbled as a response and retreated the kitchen heading back towards the room, he has spent half the day in already. "Oh love, please I have a nice dinner prepared. We could go out and take a stroll, the sun will be setting soon, the sky will be a beautiful sight."

He stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. "Nellie." he looked into her bright, cheerful expression. "I need to be left alone today. Tomorrow we can do whatever you'd like but not today. Understand?" he looked a bit sad and she frowned confused about his lack life at the moment.

"You can't waste away in that room all day and night love."

"Please." His voice was warning, "Leave me alone."

With that he took a large gulp of tea not caring if it burned his throat or not and walked out of the house. "Love the snow is about to fall." Nellie shouted after him. He was already gone. She huffed, biting her lip and placing her hands on her hips. Well, she could save the fancy dinner and cake for tomorrow, good thing she only started on the cake and nothing else. However, by God he was going to accept the scarf she made him.

She decided to give him the space he wanted. That was his birthday wish after all. As annoying as it was to her, she's been alone for so long, wishing for a quiet evening would be the last thing on her wish list, but this man was different and she wanted to respect his desires. She'd give him the scarf when he came home.

The sun had set, the cake was cooling and frosted on the countertop, and Sweeney did not return home. Nellie was constantly checking the front and back door, wishing to see him walk through. Her eyes flashed to the clock in the parlor. Where the devil was he? Had he frozen to death on the streets? She stepped outside on the porch and noticed that the snow had begun to fall. Lightly, but accumulating quickly. Worry and dread scraped at her heart, she couldn't stand it any longer. She put on her coat and the scarf she planned to give him and headed out into the snow.

After much searching, she finally managed to spot his unruly hair amongst the few people lining the streets. "Swe… Sebastian." She called almost forgetting their aliases they were to use when in public. He hadn't heard her, she followed and called again once she was on his heels. "Love?" He must have forgotten his own new false name, he startled lightly when she tapped his shoulder.

"Been looking everywhere for you dear." Nellie exclaimed out of breath. "Come on home now, it's cold out here."

"I told you to leave me alone." He spoke.

"I was worried love." She was fighting to not have her heart broken by his harsh words again like it did so many times in the past. "Here love," she unwrapped the scarf from around her neck, holding it out to him. "I made this for you. Happy birthday. It'll keep you warm."

"I don't get cold." He turned to walk away from her.

"Love please. What's gotten into you? You were all smiles yesterday. And last week when you drew that portrait of me." She was desperately walking behind him as he kept quickening his pace, she could tell he was getting frustrated and could see his hands balling into fists.

As if he was a jolt of lightning, he turned on her. "I asked to be left alone for one day. Just one. And you couldn't grant me that. How selfish can you be?" he hollered. She was thankful the streets were now empty as the snow kept falling. He faced away from her once more and once more she tried to drag his ungrateful arse home.

"At least put this on dear, please, you'll catch your death out here." She tried handing over the scarf. She had to take a few steps back, he charged at her so fast.

He grabbed a hold of her wrists, "Leave me." He snarled knocking the scarf from her hands letting it fall to the white icy cobblestones. He trudged up the street as if nothing had happened. Nellie stood there fighting the urge to not burst into tears.

She stopped in the park for a while, and watched the moon and stars from the park bench. Her tears have long since dried up to ice cycles upon her cheeks. She sighed a huge puff of her own breath into the chilled night. She wished she could figure out what exactly was wrong with him. What about his birthday that made him so upset?

Her eyes widened and she gasped as the answer hit her. She remembers a conversation she had with Lucy last year. Benjamin is always solemn on his birthday since it's the day his mother had passed. Nellie frowned at the frosty grass under her boots, her shoulders slouched. If only she knew, or remembered sooner. Sitting on a freezing park bench wasn't going to solve anything. She headed back home to honor his wishes and let him grieve in peace.

On the other side of town, Sweeney was shivering to the bone while trudging through the snow. His legs ached and he desperately wanted to be home by the fire place. He sighed, deciding to wait till Nellie was asleep so he could enjoy the warmth in peace. Or perhaps she wouldn't bother him if he headed home now, since he did scare her pretty well. He'll be sure to apologize to her in the morning. He sighed and watched the snow fall around him. This day was always the worst for him. His mother died of an unknown affliction many a year prior. They were very close when he was boy. His alcoholic father had ridiculed him in letters, saying his mother died of a broken heart, since he left her home to elope with Lucy. He played through every memory of his mother that he could grasp, the few that were left in his memory. Suddenly an image of her tossing a hand knitted scarf around her shoulders crossed his mind, his footsteps halted in the snow.

He ran, retracing his steps. Where was it? How far had he walked since then? It was in front of the tailor's shop, he was fairly certain. He reached the shop, bent down and dug through the snow. No luck. Out of breath he scanned the sidewalks. It was no use, it would be buried under the snow, if not stolen by a beggar. His shoulders slumped and he frowned. Arms crossed he prepared for the dreadful walk home, now he really needed to apologize to her.

A bone chilling gust of wind blew, showing a spot of red cloth peeking out through the snow on the other side of the street. He remembers now how he had crossed the road, paying no mind if a carriage hit him or not. He pulled the red colored scarf out from the snow, wrapping it around his neck. The fabric was damp and layered in bits of ice, but it still managed to keep him warm.

Nellie remained awake and, in the parlor, even as the clock stroke midnight. Accepting to give him space when he would walk through the door. She sipped tea on the settee and made sure to keep the fire place nice and warm. The click of the doorknob turning made her jump. She shot to her feet when he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

For a moment, they remained staring at one another in silence. Till Nellie broke the silence with a gentle smile gracing her lips. "Goodnight dear." She turned and retreated into their bedroom.

He sat down on the settee. He looked down at the scarf hanging to his chest. She noticed he went back for it, and that was the cause of that tearful smile.

Nellie rushed in from the freezing wind with a slam of the front door; snowflakes sneaking their way in with her feet. She threw off her coat and marched into the kitchen joining a perplexed Sweeney at the table with a stressed huff.

"Business at the market went well today I presume." He teased sniffling over a steamy cup of tea. He's had a terrible cold for a week now leaving Nellie to maintain the bakery stall in the market on her own.

"With the holidays approaching, new costermongers have set up shop on the streets. Selling holly and roasted chestnuts. Which I will need to purchase some of. The holly that is. And a wreath, a tree, some mistletoe would be nice."

He grumbled in response.

"Oh, come now dear. It's Christmas." She stood up to pour herself some tea. "It's our first Christmas away from London and I want it to be merry and festive."

"We don't have the finances for it to be "merry and festive."' He groaned.

"Oh yes, money. That's what I was leading up to." she took her seat back at the table. He rubbed his temples to cease the throbbing in his head.

"I'm not making enough with the stall. You'd think with Christmas approaching that people would want baked goods."

"Maybe closer to the holidays."

"I'm not liking the stall." She continued. "It's cold, I'm tired of standing in one spot. I'd like my shop opened sooner. I need another way of making earnings. On the side that is."

"What will this second business of yours be?"

"I'm going to sing in pubs. I could do Monica's inn as well. And yes, holiday songs. Since that seems to be appropriate." Sweeney was stunned into silence. "When I mentioned it before, I was teasing, but I really could make it a reality. I'd run the stall in the mornings and afternoons then in the evenings I would sing in the pubs. Just to earn a bit more. What do you think dear?"

"I think you're catching my illness. Your brain has turned foggy."

Nellie smiled in amusement, running her finger along the rim of her tea cup. "You know, I would sing in the pubs on Fleet Street. It's what saved me from starving to death."

"If you really want to. What was your other means of earning money on Fleet Street?"

"Pickpocketing." He snickered loudly. "I don't want to do that again. I feel like being good this year." She leaned back in her chair.

"A new year hasn't begun yet, my pet. You've till been naughty."

"Fair enough." She pushed herself up from the table. "I'm going to go purchase a wreath."

"It's only December 2nd," he said but she was already out the door.

The festive month of December had flown by fairly quickly. As Nellie got to work and began singing in pubs almost every evening, especially on weekends where the chance of receiving coin was more promising.

She had started with familiar territory and went back to Monica's inn. The woman was full of smiles and hugs as she always was. After chatting for awhile and Sweeney dying of boredom in the corner. Nellie stood in the center of the inn with a basket and broke out into God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman. Her voice shook at first but, per usual, her confidence grew quickly and she was belting out several different carols.

Throughout the month and closer to Christmas, Nellie continued to sing in the pubs as well as selling sweet pies and cakes on the streets with the other costermongers. Nellie was inventive and not only tried pubs, but the busy street squares as well. Her voice was drawing in a fair bit of earnings. Sweeney had to admit, he was fairly impressed. The snow had begun to fall lightly but that didn't stop the jolly mood that had filled the air that night. After Nellie finished her singing of The Holly and the Ivy, several men and women alike approached her with tips, applause, and praise. After a small group of women finished giving his wife praise, Sweeney approached her holding a miniature Christmas tree in a little basket.

"What's this love?" Nellie exclaimed in disbelief taking the small tree into her hands.

"Merry Christmas." He spoke.

Nellie smiled warmly at him, sniffling from the cold. "Oh, its lovely darling, thank you."

Although he'd never admit it, Sweeney's heart would swell with each melody that escaped her lips. He would smile lightly at the thought of having the halls of their home filled with song and laughter in the years to come.

On one particular night, Nellie's singing had roused the entire pub. Soon, they're all joined in song. Their voices spreading loudly and cheerfully. Nellie's voice drowns out into silence as a wealthy, snooty looking man drops a bigger tip than was expected into the basket. He winks and grabs her arm, whispering "I'll tip you more if you meet me behind the pub." His breath reeks of gin.

Nellie glares at him. Sweeney notices how close this stranger is to his wife, and makes his way over, shoving men out of his path. Before he could get there, Nellie had picked up a glass of ale from the nearby table and splashed it in the man's face.

He hollers profanity at her and causes quite the ruckus over his now drenched coat and shirt. The commoners' singing halted as they had a new form of entertainment to watch, some glaring some gawking, with the manager not knowing what to do or who to address apologies at. Before anything else could begin to happen, Sweeney snaked his arm around Nellie's waste, pulling her behind him and staring daggers into the ale covered man.

The man let out a snarky laugh, "Apologies good sir, I didn't know she belonged to anyone."

Belonged? The manager shuffled forward, apologizing to Nellie and shooing the other man from the pub. The rest of the customers hollered and cheered at the man till his drunk, uneven steps were out into the streets. They turn their attention back to Nellie hoping for more songs, but the demon couple had already taken their earnings and left.

"Are you alright?" Sweeney asked, holding her shoulders, looking her in the eyes.

"Of course, dear. It feels like being back on Fleet Street now." she teased with a laugh. "Shall we find another pub then?" Nellie begins to search for more victims to sing at.

While stepping into a different pub, Sweeney notices the same man throwing his drunken self at another woman. Nellie was already lost to the crowded pub. Sweeney approached the man, corning him into a dark alleyway.

His stuttering's of apologies only made Sweeney more aggressive. "I absolutely hate men such as you. You awful, vile, filth, you don't deserve to live." With each word, Sweeney pushed harder into the man's windpipe till he became still, his glassy eyes staring at the night sky. He would never harm any woman again.

He enters the pub, and listens to his wife's voice as if the current events haven't even occurred.

When Nellie had finally tired of singing in this current pub. Her heart was still full, the Holiday spirit still fresh in her, she was ready to continue on to the next one. Sweeney stops her outside by grabbing her arm. "It's Christmas Eve pet. Let's stop worrying about work and… enjoy the holiday." Nellie cocked her brows. Was he nervously blushing? "Let's go dancing." He spoke.

"I didn't know this town had a dance hall." She mused, hooking her arm to his.

"Well, while I was taking my late-night depressed stroll on my birthday, I learned a few things." She smiled really big, placing a peck to his right cheek.

Sweeney had honestly had their fair share of hearing Christmas tunes but took part in the festivities nonetheless. They waltzed to Silent Night being too exhausted to keep up with the fast pace dances. The song had stopped and the musicians began another vibrant tune. As the commoners flooded the dance floor, stomping and spinning, they remained still in their embrace, staring into each other's eyes for what felt like a blissful eternity as other couples twirled around them. Nellie leaned up and brushed her lips against his.

"I want to try again." She spoke. Her voice was soft and even with all the noise going on around them, Sweeney could make out every word she spoke clearly.

"Are you certain? We don't need to rush."

"It's been months." Nellie said. "I want a child."

With her arm laced through his, they walked back to their home.

Nellie's head collapsed onto his shoulder. She began sobbing lightly. "I can't... I can't do it."

Sweeney rubbed her back gently.

"I want to be a good wife for you."

"You already are."

She looked into his eyes and was shocked, to see that he meant it. Before she could question him, he pinched her chin, brushing her lips to his. He pulled her closer, hugging her form, deepening the kiss.

Now feeling a bit better, she sighed and relaxed against his chest. Her tears were drying up quickly, she danced her fingers atop his chest saying, "I promise I'll give you a daughter one day. You can slice me with your razor if I don't."

"I don't have my razors anymore."

"You do so love; I saw you shaving the other day." She let out a chuckle followed by sniffles.

"That razor is cheap, it couldn't kill anyone."

She deepened her laugh. "I'll buy you a big, shiny, sharp one." She said looking up at him. "And you can slice me to ribbons." She added with a sigh, rolling onto her back.

In response he grabbed her arm, pulling her back into his chest. She raised her eyebrows in question. "You're warm." He spoke. She smiled and snuggled into him.

"Mum! Mum!" Small hands were shaking her. "Mum, wake up! Mum!"

Nellie opened her eyes, "Toby," she rolled over groaning, his hands continued shaking. "What time is it love?"

"It's Christmas Mum, come on, get up." She heard his footsteps rushing out of the room, "It's Christmas!" He shouted with glee.

She couldn't keep the smile from spreading on her lips. Nellie walked into her parlor just in time as Toby finished lighting the tree. "You think Mr. Todd will celebrate with us today?" He asked.

"Oh, he's an old Scrooge when it comes to these things, I'm afraid." She took a seat on her settee as Toby ripped into the package under the tree. He held up the knitted hat in awe. "Now I know it isn't much dear..." Her sentence was cut off as Toby flung himself into her arms.

"I love it Mum!" He hugged her tight. "You've done so much for me."

"Ah love," she smoothed out his hair. He left her side to grab another box from under the tree, mostly likely a present for her. He faced Mrs. Lovett holding up the box to her. His smile faded, his features twisting into one of horror. "Why?" He asked looking into tear filled eyes.

"I'm sorry." She dragged the razor over his throat in a jagged line, his body hit the floor like a sack of potatoes.

Nellie bolted to an upright position in bed. Eyes wide, forehead beaded with sweat, her chest heaving. Sweeney was snoring softly next to her, so peaceful looking, unaware of her horrid nightmare. Feeling a sudden rush of nausea, she practically leaped out of bed to the wash room.

After emptying her stomach, she looked worryingly into the mirror. She hasn't bled yet; she placed a hand to her abdomen. "No, it can't be, we hardly did anything." She muttered to her reflection. She cleaned up and exited the wash room, coming to the conclusion that her spout of sickness was because of her nightmare. Not wanting to rejoin her barber in bed, Nellie headed for the couch. She lit of the fireplace after several chills racked her body. She yawned but felt no need for sleep.

Picking up her most current knitting project that was hidden in the bottom of the basket by the fireplace, she covers the blanket she planned on giving Sweeney for Christmas over her lap. She tried to keep her mind occupied with pleasant thoughts of Christmas by the sea as it would be this year, today, but her sickening nightmare kept creeping into her mind; haunting her into such a stupor she was unaware of the snow lightly falling outside nor what time it had become. When Sweeney emerged from the bedroom full of yawns and stretches, she finally turned her gaze away from the window.

"Merry Christmas." She smiled.

"It's early," Sweeney says. "The bloody sun isn't even out."

"I always get up at an early time. Force of habit from being a baker all these years." Nellie says.

She watched as he retrieved a big box from that special room of his. "Merry Christmas." He said, handing the box with a big green bow on top to her.

She sat up and crossed her legs on the couch so he could join her. "Oh, this is for you." She said handing the blanket over to him and taking the box. "I'm sorry I couldn't get you anything grand. I do want to get you a proper razor again, I didn't realize how bleedin' expensive they are…" she opened her present and was silenced at the new rolling pin that laid in front of her. She's been getting creative with other ways to flatten her mounds of dough all this time. She looked to him in disbelief. "And I just got through saying how we don't have money for fancy things." She looked down at the rolling pin, "Oh love."

"I bought that a long time ago, after the wedding. Been saving it for either Christmas or a birthday." He spoke. "You wanted to open the shop, I thought I could help out in some way."

"I love you." She muttered, "And I just made a ragged blanket."

"I like the blanket." He assured her, pulling her into a hug and placing a kiss to the top of her head. They broke apart from their embrace.

"Alright, what would you like to eat today, anything at all. I'm make you the grandest feast you've ever seen." She exclaimed.

He leaned closer to her, looking into her eyes. "You look sad my love." She frowned and decided to share her nightmare with him and the sickening feeling it caused her. In response, he simply held her close to him and they snuggled by the fire light before they step into the kitchen to prepare a feast for themselves.

"I'll stop by the market, get us a big bird to dine upon." She laughed, holding her hands up to show just how big.

"I think a small ham would pet." He spoke. "We don't have that many mouths to feed." His eyes grew wide as a thought occurred to him.

"Like to accompany me?" Nellie said, putting her coat on.

"Yes." Sweeney said. He threw on his coat and his new red scarf, earning him a jolly kiss to the lips. "Since we're going into town, there's something I need to tell you." She looked at him, brows raised in question. "The law may be out looking around." Nellie's eyes grew wide.

"What in bleeding hell have you done?"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years guys!