Ok... So I really hope you guys like where this is going. I figured some happiness was in order after all the depression, pain etc... Please LEAVE COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS any of the sort. Tell me honestly if you dont like how I've done this or where it is going. I would really apreciate it.
Eventually the cries diminished and there was the sound of a door being opened.
Dr. Venas walked down the stairs towards Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney.
"Everything is back the way it should be. His ribs should heal at the earliest in about six weeks, the nose is an un-estimated time. He should refrain from any activities until his ribs are healed, make sure he gets plenty of rest" the Dr said very seriously.
Sweeney nodded and showed the doctor the door thanking him on his way out. Closing the door behind him he turned to Mrs. Lovett who was already making her way up the stairs.
Sighing he followed her to Toby's room, standing awkwardly by the door while Mrs. Lovett sat down on the bed.
Toby was pale white and sweating furiously. Sweeney cringed slightly at the sight, the guilt stabbing at him once more.
"How are you feeling love?" Mrs. Lovett asked stroking the trembling boys arm.
"Fine, it really hurts though" he said his voice weak.
"I know love, it will get better I promise" she said reassuringly.
Toby nodded "can I talk to Mr. Todd for a moment?"
Sweeney froze, he stared at the boy in disbelief.
"Of course dear, I'll leave you in private" she said getting up off the bed and walking out the door.
Slowly the black haired man walked into the room, closing the door behind him "why do you want to talk to me?" Sweeney asked quietly, not meeting the boys gaze.
"You tried to kill yourself... why?" Toby said tilting his head quizzically.
"I-"Sweeney looked away "because I felt so bad for what I'd done to you. I'm only hurting you and Mrs. Lovett so why should I be alive? Like you said I'm a murderer and my life is worthless"
Toby tried to choke back the tears that blurred his vision "that's not true. I was wrong and I shouldn't have said that" he said, his voice shaking
"How can you bring yourself to forgive me? I've injured you repetitively and you didn't deserve this, but yet you lied for me and you forgave me. How?" Sweeney was confused, he didn't understand that despite everything he's done he's been forgiven.
"Because, Mrs. Lovett had warned me to keep my distance when you were angry and I didn't listen, she told me that you tried to kill yourself because of the guilt and that shows that you didn't mean it" he paused as the tears spilled over onto his cheeks "I don't want you to leave. Please don't leave us" Toby pleaded sobbing quietly.
Sweeney looked up, stunned by the boy's request. Slowly he walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down "you don't want me to leave?"
Toby shook his head
"Why? I thought you hated me"
"I thought I did too, but then when Mrs. Lovett told me what you tried, the thought of her being alone again and the thought of not having you around made me sad" Toby seemed very much like the child he was.
Sweeney smiled making the cut on his cheek throb uncomfortably. "I won't leave" he said kindly.
Toby looked at him his face wet from the tears "promise?" he squeaked
"Promise" Sweeney said
Slowly Toby slid over to him, wrapping his arms around Sweeney.
Taken by surprise Sweeney sat very still before hugging Toby awkwardly.
"I'm sorry for everything" he said releasing the boy.
Toby sniffled and nodded "me too"
"Get some rest" Sweeney said as he slowly stood up and walked out of the room to find Mrs. Lovett standing in the hall.
She looked over at him with curious eyes.
"He hugged me" he said bluntly
A bright smile spread across Mrs. Lovett's face as she rushed over to Sweeney "oh thank goodness!" she cried hugging him tightly.
Graciously Sweeney hugged her back "I promised him as well as you I wouldn't leave" he said quietly.
Mrs. Lovett held him tighter, making him chuckle.
"What?" she asked looking up at him.
"I said I wouldn't leave, but if somehow I end up being crushed by your copious amounts of affection, that will not count" he said jokingly.
She smiled once more.
Slowly they walked down the stairs, Mrs. Lovett holding Sweeney's hand affectionately.
Once they reached the bottom Sweeney stopped abruptly making Mrs. Lovett, who was following behind him, smack into his back.
"What is it?" she asked quirking a brow.
"I forgot I need to go out and find you a gift" he said quickly relinquishing her hand.
She laughed "oh alright, I might as well open the shop for the rest of the day"
Sweeney nodded, grabbing his jacket he raced out the door.
He had not noticed how cold it was outside when he left the first time, but now the cold bit at him as he strode down the streets.
I can't believe I'm doing this... What will she say? What if she says no, what if she sends me away.
His panic subsided as he went into the jewellery shop. Happy with himself that he had snatched one of her rings on his way out.
Sweeney walked up to the shop keeper, a rather frail looking young woman with shoulder length black hair.
"Hello, how may I help you" she asked kindly, smiling up at Sweeney.
He coughed once before holding out the borrowed ring "I'm looking for a ring in this size" he requested quietly.
"Any particular style?" the girl asked
He paused "it's for an engagement"
Her smile widened "congratulations sir, I'm sure she will be thrilled"
Sweeney nodded "I hope so"
Without hesitation the girl led him over to a display of gorgeous rings, some simple and some gaudy and over jewelled.
"Are you looking for something simplistic or flashy?" she asked pulling out tray after tray of rings.
"A little more than simplistic"
Instantly the girl pulled out a silver ring with a diamond centered in the middle, two smaller ones on either side.
Sweeney's eyes widened, it was perfect, nothing to extravagant and nothing that made it seem like he wasn't trying. It screamed Mrs. Lovett.
"How about this one?" she asked, turning the ring in her fingers so that he could get a better look.
"That's perfect!" he exclaimed happily.
The girl smiled "I'm glad, would you like to know the price?"
Sweeney shook his head "doesn't matter, whatever it is I'll pay it"
Nodding once the girl walked over to the counter and pulled out a black velvet box, placing the ring inside.
Hastily he made is way over to her. She told him the price and he paid without a problem, silently he watched her pull the ring back out and polish it gently before putting it back in the box.
"Here you go sir, congratulations once more" she said handing him the box.
He took it graciously tucking it inside his vest "thank you so much"
Quickly he marched out of the store, a wide grin across his features. For the first time, people's stares didn't bother him, nothing could wreck the mood he was in.
Reaching Mrs. Lovett's shop he pushed open the door, the chatter of busy people hit his ears hard, the smell of her baked good overwhelming his sent.
"Ello love" Mrs. Lovett called over to him over the sea of customers "go on to the back and once I'm done here I'll come find you"
He nodded, pushing past the people into the home portion of the shop. Happily he sat down on the sofa, awaiting Mrs. Lovett.
After sitting for what seemed like ages Sweeney decided it would be a good idea to go check on Toby.
Swiftly he made his way up the stairs and to the boy's room, knocking on the door lightly.
"Come in" Toby said quietly.
Slowly Sweeney opened the door, poking his head in.
"Hello. Uh I was waiting for Mrs. Lovett to finish up in the shop and decided to come check on you" he said
Toby smiled "that's very thoughtful of you"
Sweeney shrugged "I wouldn't be getting used to thoughtfulness from me" he said half serious.
"I would never" Toby replied.
Pushing the door open wider he walked in, pulling a chair over from the corner of the room.
"So how are you feeling?" Sweeney asked sitting down beside Toby.
"Not much better, I fell asleep for a little while, so I feel a little more awake but that doesn't help much"
He sighed "I wish there was something I could do" he admitted rubbing his eyes with his right index and thumb.
Toby's eyes widened "Mr. Todd what happened to your hands?"
Frowning slightly he looked down at his hand to see that his knuckles were all shredded and bruised.
"Oh, I forgot about that. It was from when I- uh, when I beat that man" he said, figuring that lying to the boy would be wrong.
Toby smiled, his face was relatively swollen from the broken nose, making Sweeney feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Toby?" Sweeney asked, looking over at the boy.
"Yeah?" he replied
He paused a moment, clearing his throat he continued on "what would you think of me asking Mrs. Lovett to marry me?" he asked shyly.
"Really! Oh she'd be so happy!! That's all she used to talk about. That's all she talks about now!" Toby cried enthusiastically "oh that'd be wonderful!"
Sweeney smiled, making his cut ache "I'm guessing you approve?"
Toby nodded vigorously "oh of course"
"Even though we've had our differences, you wouldn't mind?"
"Not at all Mr. Todd"
Sweeney chuckled "Good, I'm glad. But promise not to tell her? I plan on making it a surprise"
Toby made a gesture of zipping his mouth shut, locking it, and tossing away the key "not a word. I promise"
"Thank you Toby" he said, getting up and walking out of the room.