Ahh chapter 8, sorry once again about not posting 7 & 8 together like I mentioned in my authors note. Work has been borderline insane. I'm serious, one would think lots of snow would cut down on the insanity…but NO. I work at a hotel, if anyone is wondering. Gotta love having a full time job and going to school at the same time. But I'm gonna post these chapters as soon as I can for you. You've all been very kind to me in regards to reviews, tolerating my new somewhat strange ideas, and being politically incorrect. Hope you enjoy Chapter 8! I'm going to pick up where I left off. Oh yeah and Happy Valentine's Day everyone:)
Nellie is with Benjamin in his barbershop. Both have had a terrible morning and starting to really enjoy each other's presence.
Nellie and Ben were talking energetically with one another. For Ben, their relationship was so much different from the one he had with Lucy. There was always a sense of coldness, as if, Lucy had only said yes to his proposal out of guilt and pity. She wanted a privileged life in which her spouse would bring home large sums of money and spend it mostly on her. She was the type that loved going to fancy parties in which the only food served was caviar and where the guests spoke mostly of literature and politics. They may have been truly in love, when they were young, naïve, and weren't bound by anything. Now it seemed that their relationship was more or less an obligation in which the attraction started to diminish slowly. He still loved her, but the fact that she wanted him to give up shaving caused him to doubt their relationship. She had always been a selfish one, but this went a little too far. Ben's musings suddenly changed when he drew his attention to the woman who was currently with him. Nellie, on the other hand, was almost the complete opposite of Lucy. He couldn't help but smile every time she spoke. She had such energy and sparkle in her dark eyes.
"Ben, are you listening to me?" Nellie asked noticing the glazed, thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Oh, sorry Nell, I was just thinking." Ben said.
"You must ave been thinking really hard about something. You had a very puzzled look on your face." Nellie said with an amused look on her face.
"Sorry about that, luv. I was just thinking about all that had happened." Ben said.
"Oh, I'm sure you miss her, Ben. I'm sure it's tough arguing with a spouse." Nellie said sympathetically touching him gently on the shoulder.
"Surprisingly, I wasn't thinking about that. I was actually thinking about how my relationship with Lucy is deteriorating and how I'm actually not really sad about it." Ben said.
"Benjamin Barker, how could you not feel bad about fighting with your wife?" Nellie fake scolded him.
"I must not have a heart then Nellie." Ben teased back.
"Oh you certainly do, Mr. Barker." Nellie answered.
"I don't know, Nell." Ben continued to tease.
"Oh shit, I have to go back to the shop." She said jumping out of the chair and throwing on her cloak. "Father is going to be so angry."
"I'm so sorry that I kept you." Ben apologized helping her into her cloak.
"No, my fault, I should have kept track." Nellie said.
"Do you..um..want me to..you know…accompany you to the pie shop." Ben asked nervously. Nellie smiled at him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'd like that Ben." She answered softly.
"Great, lets go." Ben said throwing on his coat.
As they walked, Ben continued to think of her with her vibrant red hair, stunning brown eyes,and most of all the shinning smile that seemed to chase away any negativities in the world. She cared more about the people she loved than any material item in the world. He knew that she would give anything for her father, her mother..even himself. He knew she would never force him to give up his one true passion. As he continued to listen to her speak, he couldn't't help but smile. She had such a fiery, sunny spirit that seemed at times unable to destroy. She was quite a bit younger than him, but he enjoyed her youthful presence. It almost made him feel like he was eighteen again and with someone very special. He remembered being eighteen when he had met Lucy, yet she seemed so mature for her age, as if instead of being eighteen she was thirty. The two woman were like two opposite forces of nature. Lucy was like the rain, sometimes refreshing and peaceful. However can lead to flooding or destruction. In her case, she was a cool breath of fresh air when he first met her. So different from him, yet very interesting. Yet, as time went on, their differences became overpowering and thus led to destruction. Nellie, on the other hand, was like the sun breaking through dark clouds. Her spirit was so radiant that she could literally downplay any destruction or horrors. Yet, like the sun in London, she was very rare. Her presence brought many fans...like the customers at the pie shop who wanted her to smile, yet it lead to darkness as the sun hid behind the clouds once again. Or in her case Turpin.
"Ben, hello, we're here." Nellie said interrupting his thoughts. He looked around and saw the pie shop directly ahead of him.
"Oh so we are." Ben said.
"You sure are thinking alot, aren't you Ben?" Nellie asked.
"I'm sorry." Ben said.
"Like I said, it must be really hard fighting with your spouse. Lots of wild thoughts go through your head." Nellie said.
"I was thinkin of weather." Ben answered.
"Weather? Yes it's beautiful, but why weather?" Nellie asked.
"Can't tell, alright Nell, you go ahead and help your father out. I have something very important to take care of. Once thats done, I'll come back for a pie." Ben said.
"Alright then, but do you promise to come?" Nellie asked.
"Yes, I promise." Ben said.
"Really? Kiss me." Nellie said.
"What?" Ben asked.
"Kiss me, so that I know you're serious." Nellie said.
"Once again, you're slyer than you look." Ben said pulling her against him in a swave manner and kissed her fully. He was glad to see that Nellie wasn't too eager to end it and responded with just as much force. He, actually had to back away with a smile leaving Nellie breathless.
"Yes, you're serious alright." Nellie said unable to stop the smile that came to her face as well.
"Yes...now get to work before your father gets mad." Ben said pushing her gently.
"Alright, I'll see you soon." Nellie said happily and hurried into the pie shop.
Charlie Sunner was working diligently, preparing the pies as quickly as he could. The lunch rush was bound to start any moment. White, powdery, flower coved his burly arms and bits of his face as he rolled the dough. Nellie hurried in with a large smile on her face and sighed softly.
"Where have you been?" Charlie asked raising his voice slightly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, I spotted a friend in town." Nellie said.
"Yes well you have a job to do, now get back here." Charlie said.
"Be right there." Nellie said pulling off her cloak and hurrying behind the counter.
"Nel, I have some bad news, your mother isn't doing very well. Her condition is worsening. So, I'm going to be staying at the hospital with your mother for the next few nights." Charlie said sadly.
"Its fine father, she needs you." Nellie said.
"So, after we close I'll go to the hospital." Charlie said.
"Alright." Nellie said.
Soon after, customers started to come in. Nellie and Charlie hurried from one table to the next taking orders and serving the pies. Nellie kept peering at the door in hopes of Ben arriving, but found herself disappointed that he hadn't yet. It wasn't until the shop was completely full, that the bell rang loudly signaling the arrival of a very handsome man. Nellie looked up fast and smiled happily as he approached her.
"I was serious." Ben greeted.
"Indeed you were. Going to order something, Mr Barker?" Nellie asked.
"Yes, but first...I have a present for you." Ben said.
"A present? For me?" Nellie asked
"That's right. But I'm only going to give it to you, if you're not busy tonight." Ben said.
"No, I'm not busy." Nellie said eagerly.
"Alright then, would you mind joining me at the Surrey Theater? I'm seeing a play called 'Anywhere's Better than Here.' It's a comedy, supposed to be very funny." Ben said.
"I would...but Ben I dont have the kind of money to be going to the theater." Nellie said.
"Well that's the surprise, luv, I got you a ticket." Ben said pulling two theater tickets out of his coat and handing one to her. Her face lite up dramatically making him chuckle. "Nellie would you do me the honor of joining me for a night at the theater?"
"Oh, of course, I will." Nellie said looking around quickly and kissing him briefly. "I wish I could give you a better one, but-"
"It's fine, I can tell you like your present." Ben said then leaned closer to her and whispered. "You can make up for it later."
"I most certainly will." Nellie said with a sly smile.
"Brilliant, well I could like a...hmm whats the best kind of pie you have?" Ben asked.
"My personal favorite is cherry or maybe even peach. That kind is really good." Nellie said.
"Alright then, peach pie please." Ben said.
"As you wish." Nellie said retrieving a peach pie as quickly as she could and gave it to him.
"Thank you." Ben said graciously.
"I have to go serve them customers over there." Nellie said.
"Don't feel bad, we'll have plenty of time later. Go on and do your job." Ben said and watched her walk off quickly and to an elderly couple.
A while later, Ben was enjoying his second peach pie, when he felt a shadow come over him.
"Ah Mr. Barker, back again are you?" Turpin asked coldly.
"Of course, best pies in London." Ben said nodding curtly.
"Well then, I hope you don't mind if we join you." Turpin said stealing the seat next to him. His minions stole all the other seats next to him.
"How have you been these days, Judge Turpin?" Ben asked.
"Wonderful. I sentenced three innocents people to be hung." Turpin said proudly and smiled at Nellie as she approached them. "Hello Miss Sunner."
"Judge Turpin, blueberry pie I presume?" Nellie asked.
"Yes please. Just like the last one you made us." Turpin said.
"Coming right up." Nellie said secretly smirking at Ben and walking off.
"Hows the celebrity barber these days? Everyone bowing down to your every command?" Turpin asked with mockery in his voice.
"Fantastic. Never better in fact." Ben said purposefully sounding nonchalant.
"That's good, I'd hate to think that anything bad would happen to your perfect life." Turpin said in a creepy low voice to him.
"Are you insinuating something?" Ben asked.
"Of course not, wouldn't dream of it. Besides, I have other people's lives to ruin." Turpin said.
"Here you are Judge Turpin." Nellie said sweetly setting the pie in front of them.
"Thank you, my dear." he said in his creepy low voice and ate the pie quickly. He continued to mock Ben until he finished the pie and left briskly.
Closing time could not come any sooner for Nellie. As soon as they closed up, Charlie left to stay with his wife at the hospital. Nellie went home to change into one of her finer dresses and freshened up. Ben was due to come any minute and Nellie waited excitedly in a pink somewhat showy dress which tightened at the waist and flared out. There was a loud knock at the door causing Nellie to jump up and let out an excited 'eee' sound. She raced to the door and opening quickly revealing the man she had been dying to see for the last several hours, Benjamin Barker. He was dressed in his finest black suit, with his hair combed back and a charming smile.
"Hello there, you look very nice." Ben said kissing her hand.
"Thank you." Nellie said with a blush.
"Shall we then?" Ben asked holding out his arm.
"You are such a gentleman, Mr Barker." she said taking his arm and starting down the street in the direction of the theater.
"Well, I was raised by my father to be as polite and refined as possible. He taught me a valuable lesson." Ben said.
"Whats that?" Nellie asked.
"To treat a lady like gold." Ben said making Nellie's heart turn to gravy. He was so downright charming, the perfect gentleman.
"Your father sounds like a good man." Nellie said unsure about how to respond.
"He was, so does yours." Ben answered.
"Yes, he's a very good man. So patient and kind to everyone. Though he is very protective over me." Nellie said.
"What did he have to say about your injury?" Ben asked.
"He doesn't believe it. He actually thinks you had something to do with it, isn't that absurd?" Nellie asked.
"I would never hurt you. You'd be the last person in the entire universe that I'd harm. You have my word Nellie." he said.
"Why is that?" Nellie asked.
"Because you're the kind of person that would do anything for her loved ones...even me. Such kindness does not come from alot of people. Lucy is nowhere near like that. Hell, even I am not like that. You getting hurt would be the worst thing for me." Ben said.
"Nonsense, you'd care more if Lucy died or got sick." Nellie said.
"I'm serious, want me to prove it to you?" Ben asked.
"Yes." Nellie said.
"Alright then." he said gently pushing her against a wall and started to kiss her softly at first. But it grew with more passion and fier causing him to press her even harder against the wall. Nellie wrapped her arms tightly around him refusing to let go running one of her hands through his dark hair. He pulled back alittle gazing into Nellie's dark eyes.
"I may need more proof." Nellie said breathlessly.
"How about after the show, coming in with a bad hairdo is not the best of idea." Ben said.
"Sorry." Nellie said with a small smile and fixed her dress alittle.
"Lets go before I get distracted again." Ben said taking her hand once again and resumed walking to the theater.
Aww, this is really starting to get cute. I hope you are all liking it. I may post Ch 9 tonight if I have time...just as a Valentine's Day treat.