Finally, now that finals are over, I get to work on the next chapter.


May 24, 1874

That night, after Mrs Lovett closed the shop, Anthony and Johanna were preparing to disclose the details of their situation. They were reluctant, but they knew they had to do it before a certain someone did it for them.

While Johanna fretted over how they were going to broach the subject, Anthony was mentally arguing with himself over whether or not to discuss his little problem with his new landlady and companion.

Should I say anything?

No, you shouldn't. You don't know anything for certain just yet.

What if I'm right?

You're not pregnant. No use telling them about something that might not even be happening. If you were actually pregnant, you'd know it by now.

But the symptoms?

Nothing is certain. We'll just have to wait and see.

But...

No. Just wait a little longer. Document everything you feel. The symptoms will change and then you'll be sure. In the meantime, you'd best keep this a secret until you know exactly what's going on.

"I guess it's now or never." Anthony glanced down at his stomach and up to Johanna, who had taken to pacing the length of the guest room.

"What?" She stopped pacing and turned to face him.

"We might as well get this over with." He stood up. "Ready?"

"Ready as I'll ever be." Johanna took a deep breath and looked at her companion. "You sure about this?"

"Not one bit."

"Neither am I."

"Well, at least we're in agreement on that." He gave her a lopsided smirk as they walked out of their room.


They found Mrs Lovett in her parlor, sitting by the fire and reading a book. She glanced up when she heard them enter.

"Evening, dearie." She gave them a tired smile.

"Evening, ma'am." Anthony nodded in greeting and sat down on the sofa. Johanna followed suit.

"Need something?" Mrs Lovett asked.

"We just have a couple of things we want to talk to you about." Johanna spoke up. Anthony noticed that she hadn't bothered to use her deeper voice.

"...Your name isn't really John, is it?" Mrs Lovett's expression was unreadable, but the two teens didn't have a good feeling about it.

"No." Johanna shook her head and looked at Anthony. "Now's as good a time as any." She reached up, removed her hat, and let her hair cascade down her back. "My name is Johanna, and Anthony has been protecting me from Judge Turpin."

Anthony was about to interject, but a look from Johanna and an elbow to his ribs kept him quiet.

"So it is you." Mrs Lovett closed her book and set it aside before starting to stand up. "I'll go get Mr T, and we can talk about this."

"No! Please don't!" Johanna held her hands up as if to stop her.

"Love, he's got to know."

"Please! Please, do we have to?"

Mrs Lovett paused and furrowed her brows.

"What's the matter?" She sat back down. "I know Mr T can be a little intimidating, but he's not going to hurt you."

"I mean no disrespect to Mr Todd, but he scares me." Johanna looked at the baker with pleading eyes. "Please, can we keep this a secret?"

Mrs Lovett looked like she was debating her decision, but eventually nodded.

"I understand." She reached over and stoked the fire. "If he scares you that much, I won't say anything."

Johanna breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you."

"We can wait until you're ready, if that's what you're asking."

"I'd appreciate that." Johanna let her hand rest on top of Anthony's.

"Both of us would." Anthony added.

"You should eventually tell him." Mrs Lovett got up from her chair and straightened her dress. "Mr T doesn't appreciate things being kept from him."

"We'll tell him when the time comes."

"Good." Mrs Lovett walked out of the parlor and the two followed her to the kitchen. "Oh! Speaking of Mr T, before I forget, I made him a cup of tea. Would one of you mind taking it to him?"

"I will." Anthony responded.

"Thank you, dearie." She handed him a mug, and he was off.


Upstairs, Anthony knocked on the door of the barber's shop.

"It's open." Sweeney's voice sounded from inside.

"Mr Todd?" Anthony opened the door and stepped inside, but he didn't see Sweeney anywhere. "Where are you? I brought you some tea."

"I'm down here."

Anthony looked around the shop. He eventually spotted the barber.

"What are you doing on the floor?" Anthony almost wanted to chuckle. Sweeney was lying on the floor, on his back with his hands folded over his stomach and his legs crossed at the ankles. His feet were bare, his eyes were closed, and he looked very tired.

"Anthony, sometimes a man just has to lie on the floor for awhile." He opened his eyes and looked up at the sailor.

"Um... Okay." Anthony furrowed his brows in confusion, but dropped the subject. "Mrs Lovett made you some tea."

"She did?" Sweeney slowly propped himself up on his elbows.

"Yeah, smells like mint." Anthony knelt down next to him and handed him the mug.

"Good." Sweeney sat up and accepted the mug. "It's my favorite." He took a quick sip and sighed contentedly.

They were silent for a few minutes.

"So, um... it's getting late." Anthony broke the silence awkwardly.

"Yeah, I should turn in soon." Sweeney glanced out the window.

"I'm gonna go back downstairs, if that's all right."

"That's fine."

Anthony stood up and headed toward the door.

"G'night, Mr Todd."

"Good night."


I know it's late and that I have a class in the morning, but I just don't want to go to bed. This was such a good distraction.